Where have we been!

OH My it is has been 4 months since I last blogged!  Wow....you can tell it was a busy season for us, but we are very excited about 2013 has to offer, but before we move on...lets show you some favorites that have not been seen before from the last 4 months!

Beautiful Chania!

The Llerandi Boys

Can't go wrong with a cute smile with Mom and Dad close by!
 

Having fun with the New Big Brother

More to come....limited amount of pictures per blog....I could go on forever! :)

It's all about Business!

Have you put your best face forward?  Are the products you sell "shining"?  Regardless of your line of business, odds are, you use portraits to help market yourself, your company, your products, etc...  Invest in yourself, your products, your personnel and I bet your sales will increase.  We enjoy capturing marketing images for many companies and personnel around town. Whether you advertise in the paper, local magazine, online, or just need your executives displayed in the board room, the benefits of using a professional photographer are vast.  Did you know that they way that we "light" someone's face can make them look thinner, heavier, have more or less hair, make a nose look larger or smaller...it is amazing at how this knowledge can make a huge difference in someone's confidence.  Our business head shots start as low as $75.00 with electronic release rights!



Maybe you need a more of an "Executive" Shot

Less formal shots can be just as compeling...telling more about the individual.




































Maybe it is about your products!!!

Do you know how much lighting plays into your product portraits?  Jewelry should always have a sparkle or gleam.....food should always look as if you would want to eat it, moist if it is suppose to be, i.e...a sparkle is expected and even dry products like phillo dough would still have a "shine" from the buttery crust or egg wash. 

Yum!!!  Notice the shine on those tomatoes!!!

 

White Chocolate Sandollar Wedding Favors!



Check out the colors of this beautiful bridal bouquet!

 

 



A New Life

As a mother of 2, each birth was unique and an unbelievable experience.  Nothing can prepare you for the first time you see your little one, the cries you hear, and the emotions that can completely take over.

I was so excited this week to capture the birth of a beautiful baby girl.

The Gray Family had a scheduled induction on July 3, 2012 at 7am, so the night before I prepped my equipment, changed all of my batteries, formatted my cards and was all set for my morning endeavor.

What was crazy was that I was not the one having the baby, yet I could not fall asleep due to anticipation.  I woke up all through the night like I was going to miss my 2 alarms and actually 5 counting my 2 children and husband.

I arrived just after 7am and the induction had just started.  Rileigh Lou Gray was born on 11:14am to Mom-Stacey, Dad-John, and Big Sister Hailey.  It was wonderful to be able to capture these moments for this family.  Please enjoy!!!!!

I look foward to being "on call" to be able to capture more of these moments for families!  Be sure to click on the video below!

Art in the Bahamas

Recently my hubbie and I went on a cruise to celebrate his birthday...the destination....Bahamas. I love to look at other's art and captured a few that I found to be quite interesting.  Take a look and let me know your thoughts.

Check out this beautiful painting at a bus stop in Nassau!!!  The colors were amazing and geometry was perfect!

As you might have expected the "art" of hair braiding and wraps were big!  I totally wish I could have taken a picture of a 70 plus year old man that had is 3 inch hair braided....it was a hoot!!

Why go to a restaurant.....this man's art was taking his "just caught" conch and making conch salad right there for you to buy from his boat.

Several street musians could be heard around.

       This man was painting beautiful seascapes on old paneling.  I love the paint on his pants!

We even had some of the artists on our ship displaying their art.  This is a Indian Chief head that a Master Ice Carver from the Philippians carved in 15 minutes from a block.

Housekeeping did not miss out on the "art" either.  I loved this....not sure what it is....but I loved it!!!

It's A Dog's World

Tanya, Owner of 8 C's Big Dog Rescue with several of the dogs we have photographed for them!

Many of my clients choose to include their family pets in their family portraits....I admire that. I grew up on a farm with lots of animals...you name it...we had it (horses, rabbits, snakes, iguanas, parrots, dogs, cats, etc...), now in my "adult life" we are alittle more modest but have 3 dogs and some salt water critters. Our pets are our family! With my love for animals, I knew that my talents could be used some how to help them. My adventure with 8 C's Big Dog Rescue all started with our "facebook" search to add a new dog to our family....one of ours is 15 yrs. old and needed a break and my other one is 4 year old large Chessie, who needed a friend that would not be too intimidated by her. I came across 8 C's Big Dog Rescue (8 C's) and immediately feel in love with their philosophy. I had to complete a comprehensive application to be considered for ownership, I had to supply previous vet records..among other things, all of this was to of course ensure that I would be a worthy pet owner. Before we even adopted a dog, I contacted the owner, Tanya and asked if our studio could be of service to their non-profit rescue....and the rest is history. I have been delighted to work with this organization pro bono for the last couple of months.

8 C's Big Dog Rescue incorporated as a non-profit organization in June of 2009 operating out of Callahan. Their mission is to save the lives of homeless, abused, and neglected large breed dogs. It is their goal to put their rescue dogs in permanent "forever homes". Tanya says she started 8'Cs because there were several little dog rescues and rescues for pure breeds, but there really weren't any rescues that specialized in adopting out large mix breeds or bully breeds. This does not mean they don't help the small dogs too; they just recently adopted out a Chiweenie, and are treating a Boston Terrier for heartworms so he can be adopted too once healthy. Tanya does not operate out of a shelter, but yet many other volunteers who open their homes to foster the rescue animals until forever homes can be found for each of the animals. "Foster homes are the life line of the rescue, without foster homes, we would not have any rescues." said Tanya. The amount of foster homes used at any given time varies due to demand; however they typically have 5 or 6 foster homes housing dogs of 8'C's. We have spoken with several foster moms as when the come to the studio and they all have a similar reasoning for fostering. Foster Mom Dana, said, "I chose to foster because there are so many dogs that would make wonderful pets, all they need is a chance. By fostering, I am able to teach them good manners before they go to their forever homes." Foster Mom Bonnie has fostered over 15 dogs for 8 C's, not including the litter of 8 puppies she has now. When asked how it is working with Tanya, she said, "Tanya and I have been friends for a while. She has a very large heart and is a compassionate person." Foster Mom Hayley just started fostering with 8 C's yet had previously fostered many puppies and kittens with the Nassau Humane Society and Cats Angels and says that helping animals is her passion.

So where do all of these dogs come from.....many are often acquired from the local Animal Control and Humane Society. Tanya often takes the dogs that likely may not make it out of the pound. "I don't pull the most adoptable dogs, I usually pull what is on death row" Tanya said. "I knew that if I was able to start my own rescue, there wouldn't be the time limit." Tanya pays for much of the vet care out of her own pocket and uses the services of Dr. Payne with Full Circle Animal Hospital in Callahan. You can often find the pets of 8'C at the Rivercity Petsmart on the weekends, and advertised in several locations like our facebook page (www.facebook.com/bostonphotographyfl), their facebook page (www.facebook.com/8csbigdogrescue), petfinders and more.

If you want to help this organization, monetary donations can be left at Full Circle Animal Hospital in 8C's name; this money will go directly to vetting the adoptable animals or you could complete an application on their webpage to adopt a dog or become a foster home. Right now 8 C's is taking many items to put in there benefit Yard Sale on March 3rd and would love your donations.

And by the way, I adopted "Reef" from the very first litter of pups I photographed for 8 C's :)

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.