Keep It Simple

It’s so easy to get distracted these days.  Cell phones, smart phones, iPads… at any point during the day (or night) we are in arms reach of endless information.  Yet, how many of us actually use the spare time we have to do something meaningful or important on these electronics?  I, like so many others, sit and peruse… blogs, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest…  viewing a lot, but not actually taking in any significant or substantial information.  Half the time I forget what it was I needed when I sat down at my computer, usually the recipe for dinner.

Rule #3… Simplify.  Distracting backgrounds and other busy elements can take attention away from your primary subject of your photograph.

Consider what is behind or on either side of your subject before you hit the shutter.  Wait for the runner in neon yellow to get out of your frame.  Move your mom to the left a little to avoid a photograph that looks like a tree is growing out of her head.  Rotate your family 180 degrees and photograph in front of a brick wall rather than the tangle of waterslides at that awesome hotel.

Taking the time to be thoughtful about your surroundings will help keep the focus on your subject.  

~sarah

 Madeleine enjoying a warm January afternoon

Read more...

Amongst the Chaos

I feel like a lot of my daily focus is split between busy work...  laundry, dishes, cleaning, working, feeding children, etc.  I am in a constant state of motion, until I hear a little giggle.  It’s then, when I look up and see my daughter making faces at herself in the mirror, that my mom-mode stops and I relish and beam with happiness at her silliness.  It makes me stop and ask myself, “What is really important at this exact moment?  Getting the entire house clean or spending a few moments laughing with my daughter as she contorts her facial muscles into hilarious expressions?”

Rule #2… Focus.  Don’t try to capture everything at once. Choose one main subject, person, or event for your photograph. 

Take a moment to think about what it is that you want to achieve with your photograph.  What is important to capture from that camping trip, that birthday party, that trip to the State Fair?  Do you want to see all the Midway games?  Or would you like to see the expression of your child’s face after getting off of the carousel?

By focusing on one subject and filling the frame, you will be able to really see the detail of the day and feel the emotion it evoked. 

~sarah

Read more...

Fill 'er Up!

Although I have a natural eye for photography, I have been gradually learning how to take photographs with the Christmas gift I gave myself, a new SLR Nikon camera, beyond the “Auto” mode setting.  Gretchen has been helping me learn the mechanics of a well exposed and well composed photograph.  

As I learn and perfect these “rules,” I would like to share this knowledge and my progress with all of you.

So, rule #1.  Fill the frame.  

Don’t be shy… move in close to your subject and get personal.  

Of course, someday you will want to look back and reminisce about Grandpa’s old rocker or the color of Mom’s walls before she remodeled the kitchen.  These wide, all-encompassing, setting photographs are nice to set the scene, but the photographs you will treasure the most, are the ones that capture emotion.  

It’s the moment when my child’s eyes sparkle with joy when her daddy makes her laugh, or the sweet, coy expression she flashes when a camera is turned in her direction, that I want to remember.

~sarah

 Grace at Como Park 

Read more...

Annette, Dan, Kendall, and Gavin

It is hard to wrangle a 2 year old and a 3 month old for a photo shoot (well....for just about anything actually...), but Annette and Dan do it with style, grace, and the big one - preparation! I've known Annette for a few years now and I feel incredibly fortunate to have her in my life as a friend and fellow photographer. I admire her work and am honored to be trusted to take her family photos...and what an adorable family they are!
-Gretchen

Read more...

Boeselager Family

Every year I look forward to the small chunk of time I get to spend with my sisters, and of course, their families, their beautiful, vibrant families.  

We all traveled north to spend the holidays with my grandparents in their 3 bedroom, 1 bathroom, 1 level home.  We crammed ourselves and all of our stuff into every nook, cranny and floor space in that house.  It wasn’t comfortable, but somehow, because it’s home and there is a fire in the fireplace, it is.  

The noise can be unbearable when all seven of the grandchildren (great-grandchildren in my grandparent’s case) are talking, crying, running, yelling, playing… well, when they are doing anything other than sleeping.  But, through the noise comes the joyful sounds, Hailey’s giggle, Shyanne’s babbling, Grace’s sweet requests, Nicholas’ superhero sound effects….

These kids steal my heart each and every time I see them.   And that time always seems to go by so quickly.  I am thankful and blessed that we are able to freeze them in time, at this age, this silly, playful age, forever.  

Thank you Gretchen for your beautiful work!

~Sarah

Read more...

Olivia

Over the holidays, I was fortunate to photograph Olivia, a beautiful December baby girl. She was alert and calm through most of her shoot and I had a great time chatting with her mom and grandma. Congratulations to all of Olivia's family. She is sure to grow into a lovely little lady!

Read more...