Oh, baby

Who doesn't love babies?! When photographing babies this age, I just follow their lead.  They most definitely run the show.  I may not always get that 'perfect' baby shot, but when this little beauty (who just happens to be my niece) started with the faces, the opportunity was too good to pass up, so I snapped away.  It may not have been what I was looking for, but it's most definitely a keeper.

Today, show us your not-so-perfect shots that worked out for you anyway.  I know you've got 'em.  We all do! 

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Comfort and Joy

It's that time of year again. You know the one: holiday photo time.  One thing I've learned is that the more relaxed and comfortable I am during a shoot, the people I'm photographing will be the same way.  I give direction but I like to have fun, too and I tell them to do the same.  I use humor during my shoots, always.  If I can make them laugh, that's half the battle, and once that starts, everyone involved is having a good time, myself included.  I love it even more when it shows in my photos, like the one above.  

When the boys and their dad sat down for this photo, I snapped a few 'proper' photos and then told them to have fun and to do whatever they wanted.  Before the boys could do anything, dad reached around and covered their mouths, his expression -and theirs - priceless.  Nothing brings me more joy than knowing that they were comfortable enough to 'let go' and just have a good time.  What a gift, for  both myself and them.  

Today, share with us those photos that bring you joy.  And if you haven't already, please join our mailing list! 

just play

While here at Oasis, we are connecting on so many different levels yet each person takes away their own experiences.  In just the 24 hours that we've been here I've heard: be in the moment, take care of you, laugh, connect, relax, breathe but  most importantly, just play and have fun.  I know, so much easier said then done sometimes.  But here at the gorgeous and fantastically fun Ace Hotel, there are no hard and fast rules.  From hulahoops to tutus to just laughing and having a good time (and of course, having a camera present makes it even that much better!), there is definitely a lot of playtime goin' on and that is always a good thing. 

How about you? Show us how you connect through play.  We'd love to see. 

play

My son's high school marching band hosted a carwash a couple of weekends back.  They started at 9 a.m. and washed car after car until they stopped at 2 o'clock.  It was a typical hot Southern California weekend and once the last car was washed and dried and sent on it's way, buckets were filled with water and it was every man for himself.  My son may have gotten in a good toss of water onto his band teacher but being the prepared teacher that he is, he was laying in wait with a hose.  Be it a child or an adult, who doesn't love to play with buckets of water and hoses on a hot summer day? Truly, one is never too young or too old to play, and that is always a good thing.  

We are ready to elevate the everyday this month! Show us your images of play and add them to the One Word Project pool on Flickr. And be sure to tag your images this month with #sselevate.

Give and Take

 Oh, those holiday card photos.  We love them and we dread them, especially when it comes to getting that one perfect shot of our children.  As much as we have this fantasy of getting that perfect shot of our perfectly well behaved children that of course are willing participants, we all know the truth.  Sometimes, for you lucky ones, it works out that way.  Sometimes.  Then there are those of us, myself included, that would agree that trying to get the perfect shot is as painful as a root canal...for both the photographer and the subject. 

It took me awhile (okay, years) to realize it was just not worth the tears and drama.  Something had to give, especially when it came to photographing kids other than my own.  As much as parents want their kids to look and behave perfectly at a photo shoot, kids are only good for so long before drama or tears ensue.  I decided that instead of fighting them, I'd work with them.  So, I tell them that we're going to work together.  I tell them my ideas and then I ask them for their ideas.  I love seeing the surprise on their faces when I ask them what they would like to do.  What child doesn't want to be heard?  It's a lot easier to get a child to cooperate when they know that after I take the photos I want to get, I'm going to take their picture doing whatever they want to do.  And you know what?  Some of my best shots are kid directed, like the photo above.  That photo was all his idea, and better yet, his personality is completely evident in the photo, so much so that it made it onto the family Christmas card and that, ladies and gentlemen, is a win/win situation.  

How about you? Did you manage to get a great holiday photo? Or, did you get one that wasn't exactly what you wanted but it ended up being just the right one after all?  Please, do share.