Writing your story photography

Two years ago, I admit it was backward motion, I decided to take my life long hobby and turn the corner to make it a business. Endless requests to shoot events, weddings and anything else made me at least commit to documenting my most recent work to come. That I did. It was everything else that took me by surprise. Endless hours of learning, practicing, getting other professionals to look at my work with a critical eye and sharp pen, redoing so much, spending money on books and training, upgrading equipment and computers just to hold the images I was gifting, all of it-and so much more-took me (who plans everything) completely by surprise. Even now, I've yet to catch my breath.

There were things that I'd read from photographers who've been in business for awhile that bothered me. One such thing was pricing. I completely get it now and so does my family. Smarter. Two years in, and I'm much smarter. Still, some things, or rather people, have taught me the toughest lessons to come from life. Yes, after all these years I've learned the truest meaning of a friend and the truth of who in my life is really a friend, and the toughest part of who isn't. It's one of those things that the bad is really bad but not nearly as horrible as the good is great. I'll forever treasure those who hold my heart close. And I in turn will be more careful of who I lend my heart to, because I, I don't know how to love part way.

That aside, I want to share with you some of the great photographers I've met in the past year. When I say great, I mean it by their example, support, art work, ethics and professionalism in every way.

You sit on the other side of the camera and are unaware of most that goes into making a click from the camera a true photograph versus a snapshot. Things such as hot, cold, soft, underexposed, overexposed, flat, grey, dark, hot spots, dappled, grainy, noisy, composition, color cast, shadows, position...and on and on the list goes mean nothing to you, but to us they're some of the aspects that we see in our work (and in others, too) that make or break a great image. Sure, you can grab a prop or mimic a pose, but so what? "Cute" because of a pose or a headband is cute. Lists of "likes" and "most adorable picture ever" splatter across facebook on pictures that are truly terrible from the standpoint of learned photographer's perspective.

In this day of everyone having a dslr and a facebook page/blog, it's hard to comb through and figure out what is good and what is not so good. That's the point of this blog post and facebook topic. Meet my friends: several photographers are going to be posting their work on my page. Please visit their sites and their pages. If you're lucky enough to live near one of them; BOOK with HER! You won't regret it. Each of us is different in our art, but it's not work that you'll be sorry down the road you paid for. Somethings are have no second chances, like the first hours and days of your baby's life. To start, we're going to look at some awesome newborn photography. Notice, a newborn's skin should not have a sallow or pinkish color cast surrounding it, it should not be gray, the little details should be easily noticeable, and when their eyes are open they should not appear glassy or alien like. Enjoy the examples to come of great newborn photography.

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Merry Christmas from Haley and one of her littlest clients. Haley is from WV but shoots in my old stompin' grounds around Frederick, MD. Look her up, friends. Haley Willingham Photography

Hello! I am Haley from Martinsburg, WV and this is one for my favorite newborn images. This was done as a composite. Mom's hand was holding baby and I used Photoshop to take her out of the picture. Baby safety should always be the number one priority when it comes to newborn photography!

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Janet is a military wife based in Florida. As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words. Keep talking...and don't forget to give her a call to book your session. Janet Ramos Photography

Hi! I am Janet from Janet Ramos Photography. I enjoy photographing babies, children, seniors, and families. Here are two examples of newborns that I shot in natural light. Although studio lights are so much more predictable, using natural light is my favorite as it shows the essence of real life, and what's more precious than a newborn's first days?

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Here's Cristen from Kansas. I know her as Sweet Pickle Pictures and I'm sure you'll love her work as much as I do.

Hi, I'm Cristen and photographer/owner at Sweet Pickle Pictures. I am a natural light photographer and love doing life style like sessions for my clients.

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Meet Erin of Erin Horn Photography, another mom who loves the privilege of photographing your newest little bundle and she does it wonderfully.

I’m Erin from Erin Horn Photography in Mn. Newborns are one of my favorites to photograph, I love to be able to capture images of their pure, sweet, newness for parents. From their precious little expressions, wrinkles, to tiny fingers and toes every mother knows how fast that time passes and how precious it truly is.

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Here's Emily! Emily is really putting herself out there as a photographer of so many different areas. Stop over to her facebook page and tell her how much you love her work. I do know she's a fan of all new babies in Illinois. Emily Cooke Photography

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I'm thrilled to introduce you to Angela of Angela Tabako Photography. I've watched for two years as she's grown greatly as a photographer. She's our go-to-editor guru. When you see her work, you'll understand why. Her skin tones are perfection. Her photography, like the other pros in this post, is beautiful. Angela has been both a help and an inspiration to me personally. If your residence is anywhere around her, she's a can't be missed birth, baby, child and anything photographer.

Everyone around Pine City, Minnesota, get your calendars out and give her a call!

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Carrie Wren photography pages are somewhere to get stuck just enjoying what you're looking at. I mean, not everyone lives close enough to book her. See more for yourself at Carrie Wren Photography.

Hi from Carrie Wren Photography! I photograph south Central Pennsylvania and northern Maryland. I enjoy tiny toes and sleepy babies, but I believe toddlers/preschoolers are my favorite! I believe every photo session should be fun and memorable!