Military Families

We should think of our families in the military year round and what they do for our freedom, but can you imagine being in their shoes, missing some "critical family time", what about missing a holiday? Living in our area, we often see this firsthand meet many people who have experienced these situations. For this blog I wanted to reach out to many of my clients and friends that are in the military and get their take on a few questions. People answering included, but were not limited to those from the Air Force, Navy, and Army: Master Sergeant, Lieutenant Commander, Missile Technician Senior Chief, and Corpsman: both men and women. I asked what "Winter Holiday" these families celebrated and all answered "Christmas", "Holiday" here will refer to Christmas. So let me turn it over to them. (Images include are of some of our Military Clients, but are not displayed in order of their response, some responses are not from people photographed, and some photographed did not complete responses).

1. How have you handled being separated from the family during the holidays?

"Your heart always aches when the person you love is away from home, especially when you know they're in harm's way. But it's especially tough during the holidays, and much more so when you have children. My son was not even a year old yet [when husband was deployed], so for me it wasn't so much what my son was missing, but what his dad was missing. He missed his 1st Christmas, Halloween, Birthday, etc..., not to mention 1st words, steps....I handled it by making him as much a part of it as I could by taking tons of photos and videos, so he still got o be a part of things through those mediums. I actually emailed him at least a dozen photos every day."-Wife of a Navy Senior Chief who is currently in Afghanistan-2 children

"We have experienced being apart during the holidays throughout are almost 17 years together which is not fun, but survivable by spending it with family and not alone. We keep busy. Occasionally we would be able to email and rarely if possible a phone call throughout the deployment would be allowed to occur. Those also help, but make you miss them even more."-Wife of MTCS, 1 child

2. What prepares you for separation?

"There is really no way to prepare! We enjoy the time before he leaves as a family because you never know what can happen. We do not sit around crying and feeling sorry for ourselves that would be a waste of time."-Wife of an Air Force Master Sergeant E-7-1 child

"We try to write lots of cards and notes to open on different days, and pack little gifts and pictures for him to open. I make plans and visit with friends and family for much of the time, and we have a strong support from the base to help us when it seems difficult."-Wife of a Navy Lieutenant Commander w/ one child

3. What is the longest you have been away from your family while serving in the military? What things help you stay connected?

"1 year, Email and the occasional phone calls were treasured"-Air Force E-6

"I have been gone for 7 months. I have deployed to Iraq 5 times and many other countries in the last 15 years. We stay connected through the internet and phone calls. My wife sent lots of care packages with my favorite stuff"-Air Force Master Sergeant E-7, 4 children

4. What is the worst thing about being away from your family while serving in the military?

"Right now, it is missing out on seeing our son grow. He is always changing, and even with pictures along the way, it's still a shock to see him after so long, and to think about how much I missed"-Navy Lieutenant Commander-1 child

"For the family, the worst thing is the unknowns. I always say, if I had a guarantee he was safe and would return alive and well, I could deal with the whole thing so much better. But every time I go a couple of days without hearing from him, the nagging questions start, Is he ok? Has he been hurt? Is he safe? Etc...."-Wife of Navy Senior Chief-2 children

5.  What are your plans for family during this holiday season?

"This season is especially bittersweet, because my husband will deploy the day after Christmas. We're so grateful he'll at least be here Christmas day. But he really wanted to be able to see the kids enjoy their new gifts before he had to leave, so we've decided to bump everything up a few days and pretend Christmas is the 22nd and 23rd instead. -Wife of Navy Senior Chief-2 children

"My husband's family will be with us for Christmas Eve, and then on Christmas day we will be enjoying our son's 1st Christmas! Lots of pictures will be taken!"-Wife of a Navy Lieutenant Commander-1 child

6. What is your favorite holiday tradition?

"Christmas Eve, having my dad read the Bible and Twas the Night before Christmas-A tradition that I would like to carry on with my kids"-"Air Force E-6

"Decorating the tree together"- Air Force Master Sergeant E-7

7. What advice would you give to other military families who's loved ones are deployed this season?

"Stay strong; you will have many more holidays together! Make it a happy day for your children; don't sit around feeling sorry for yourself."-Air Force Master Sergeant E-7-4 children

"Make the best of it by making them a part of your celebration even if they are not physically there. Pass around a video camera so everyone can tell your loved one they’re thinking of him or her, send lots of pictures and a package of their favorite holiday treats. And they love to decorate for the holidays even if they're stuck away from home. One year, some people sent a whole bunch of Christmas trees to my husband's base in Afghanistan. It lifted everyone's spirits, whish is so important over there." -Wife of Corpsman-2 children

8. What do portraits mean to you?

"Pictures are a wonderful way to keep a memory, and portraits are usually taken when some important event is taking place. Having a portrait from that event is a way of keeping that event close by, so every time you look at it you can relive the memories." -Navy Lieutenant Commander

"Portraits mean a lot to us! That is all we have of some family."-Air Force Master Sergeant E-7

To celebrate Military Families, if your immediate family (Mom or Dad) are serving in the military (here or abroad) we will give you two Accordian Wallet Books (up to 14 pictures) with your paid session in Jan. 2012.  To recieve this offer, you must link our blog to your facebook page, comment that you are receiving a session with us in January on the blog, and call us to schedule and have your session before Jan. 31st 2012-904-412-8178.  If part of your immediately family is currently serving, this would be a great a gift to send to them!!!!

Woman's View of themselves in Portraits

Not too many women are fully confident when they are photographed.  Maybe they are worried their hips are too large, their face is too round, or they have not lost the “baby weight”.  During my consultations, I typically ask the question, “Is there anything anyone in the portrait is self conscious about?”  9 times out of 10 if there is an answer it relates to weight.  So this blog is totally for women and how will give some great pointers to making sure that when you are photographed, even if it is by Aunt Suzie at the Thanksgiving Dinner you are looking your slimmest.  Please understand that I fully embrace all body types and hope you do too, but there are not too many women that answer my question above with, “I am too thin”.  Most women’s bodies have some curves and curves are great…and showing them off in the right way can be very flattering.  Here are some basic don’ts:

• Horizontal Stripes-Stay away from horizontal stripe, they will only make you look wider
• Flat lighting-Often I see many styles of photography being shot with flat lighting.  Look at a portrait and look at someone’s face…there should be a light side and a shadow side…if the face is even toned all over or there is a lack of a shadow side…that is Flat light.  Flat lighting does not give the face dimension and only makes your face look wider.  In non-professional settings, this can occur from your camera flash directed straight at a person or sticking someone directly staring at the sun.
• Standing “square” to the camera.  If you are standing straight at the camera you are showing the “broadest” part of your body, this is typically unflattering and does not allow your “curves” to be seen.
• Not bending.  If your body part bends…then bend it.  Women’s most flattering pose is called the “S” curve in the industry….basically your body should be making an “S” from head to toe.  The head should be tilted, shoulders at uneven heights, arms bent (typically a little away from the body creating a space to see your waist) and a the wrists bent with the hands connected at a symmetrical places on the body (hip, leg, etc..), hips not square to the camera, knees slightly bent and the feet also not facing the camera, but often crossed is the best.

These are just some quick basics….so next time someone goes to snap a picture, you may remember a few of these pointers and actually feel good about your self in the picture.  If you are interested in learning more about the Basics, how to use your camera, and take better pictures of your kids, friends, etc….let me know.  We have had some many people ask us to host just a basic workshop…so we are considering doing just that at our studio on Amelia Island.  This would not be for people wanting to be photographers, or ones wanting to learn the newest action in photoshop, but for those that just want to learn what the green box means on your camera settings, when to use the setting with the woman’s head icon, where to put your child to photography them, and a little about posing.  It is likely that we would do this in January….let us know your thoughts…what you would want to learn….how much you would consider paying…..don’t be shy.

Kids Say the Darndest Things

Kids Say the Darndest Things is definitely such a true statement!  I have two children of my own 7yr old and 3 yr. old and as my oldest was growing up I always wondered where he came up with some of the stuff he would say.  Well I started writing some of these things down to keep track of this and still to this day love reminding myself what he said and now I have continued the tradition with my daughter.  Here is just a few of my favorites:
When my son was 2.5 he fell and cut his lip, we were on our way to the hospital and I said, "Honey quit talking, it can't stop bleeding"  He responded, "But I love to talk"

Listen to your children sing their favorite song, for the longest time we heard, "Humpty Dumpty sat on Grandpa"

At the ripe age of 6, my son asked, "Do only chickens have nuggets?"

Got to love these sayings.  I recommend everyone write these little things down.  Or even ask them questions that you think may have a funny answer and write those down.  Here at Boston Photography we have "The Darndest Things Sessions".  We recommend these sessions for children between the ages of 3 and 8 dependent upon the maturity level.  Prior to the session we send the parents a list of about 30 questions that they have to ask the child, write their exact answer and send it back to me one week prior to that session.  These are great.  We then design the session around these and make a great keepsake coffee-table book with the questions, answers, and portraits of the child. 

Here are a few questions we ask.  Ask your child and see what they say.

-What is love?
-Why do people hold hands?
-What do you think of your siblings?

Let us know what questions you think we should add to our list of 30 and tell us about the funny or even embarrassing thing your children have said!  Please share your comments.

Giving Back

I think it is so important for everyone to find ways in which they can give back in their community.  Whether this means participating in a fundraising event benefiting your community, monetary donations, teaching a child, or volunteering your time, all are important and very self-rewarding.  Of course we pride ourselves on our work, but equally pride ourselves on "Giving Back".  As the year rounds to a close, we often find ourselves completely busy with life: holidays, family, shopping, events, etc..and may not take the time to think about that cancer survivor that could use a ride to chemotherapy, the dog sitting in the pound, the person with Alzheimer’s who won't be able to remember the holiday season, this list could go on.  We strive to reach out to the community and would love for you to join us during our upcoming "Giving Back" Series.  During this series, you will see Boston Photography photographing a community event as the Official Photographer for the Relay For Life-Fernandina Beach/Yulee Event benefiting the American Cancer Society on November 5th. In addition, we will be teaming with Redbones Dog Bakery and Boutique on November 12th capturing People and their Pets at Redbones to benefit the Nassau Humane Society and we are looking to you to help us choose our next "Giving Back" event in December.  Are you passionate about an event, charity, or group that could benefit from our help?  Our ears are open.  Contact us as we would love to know where you would like us to help next.  I receive so much satisfaction in "Giving Back", whether it is teaching photography at a local private school, taking portraits of Cancer Survivors, or hosting portrait parties or sessions benefiting a charity.  If we choose your "Giving Back" suggestion for December, you will get a FREE Studio Session with us.  Post your suggestion now!  Be sure to further email me with your contact information, so I can easily notify you, if your idea was chosen.

It is FINALLY HERE

We are soooo excited to now have a full-service studio here on Amelia Island!  Previously, we were able to shoot on-location only, i.e. your home, outdoors, wedding, and event.  Although this has worked for us and we are happy to still provide all of those "on-location" services, there are many benefits to having a studio: 

• we can shoot at all times of day, regardless of what the weather, wind, or light is doing outside
• you can see samples that will be displayed to give you many ideas and options
• lighting can always be controlled, you can get softer quality light
• shipping fees can be eliminated since you can come to the studio to pick up your portraits
• you will have lots of different background and prop options, this is sometimes easier to compliment your home
• we have adequate space for families
• less stimulus for children and pets, i.e. it is easier to keep their attention.
• the studio is kid and pet-friendly, there are no cords on the floors...all of our lights are ceiling mounted
• you will not have to wait for the photographer to set up or break down their equipment
• and one of the main reasons my clients love this....is you don't have to clean your house.

We are so excited to be able to do this!!!!  To celebrate we are going to be offering FREE Studio Sessions for a limited time on select days.   To qualify for this you must "Like" our Facebook page and Follow this Blog.  And you will need to get a local friend (w/i 40 miles of the island) to "like" our page and follow our blog.  Have that person post on our facebook wall [www.facebook.com/bostonphotographyfl] "Following Boston Photography  just like [your name]".  Then simply contact us to schedule your FREE consultation and appointment!!!!  All Studio Sessions can take advantage of this offer, i.e. Family, Maternity, Newborn, Children, Family, Senior, Pets and More.  Studio is just off of Citrona on Amelia Island.  Our 1st Free Session Days are September 13th-September 20th!  Tell everyone you know....there is no limit.

It is almost here!!

We are just about ready to roll out a whole new look and lifestyle.