Google Results

Friday, April 30, 2010

How do you do that? | Utah Newborn Photography

Time for another Q&A:
How do you get the babies in the positions you do?
Well, I am the first to admit I am not anywhere close to where I want to be when it comes to photographing babies, but in the last few years I have learned a few tricks. And, I do feel like each session I do gets better and better. Newborns can be really tricky to photograph (not everyone loves to do them, because honestly, they can be hard!), but they are one of my all-time favorites (along with maternities and couples). So, the first thing you need, above all else, is patience! Lots of it. I schedule three hours for my newborn sessions, because babies all work on their own schedules. Often times being handled in ways, in environments and by people they are not used to, can upset them. So you have to take your time holding and shushing and patting and swaddling.

Now, on to your actual question. :D I assume you are talking about the position of getting the little baby feet up by the face. The thing is that not every baby will let you do that. I will work on getting a baby really asleep before I ever attempt that position. Many babies rebel at first, and it can take several minutes of gently folding them over on themselves. I MUST STRESS THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING GENTLE! You cannot just plop a baby down in this position. Although newborns are incredibly flexible, it still takes time to ease them down. As I said, I start by getting them good and asleep. After they've fallen asleep I start by putting their feet down on whatever I'm using to position them. Once their feet are down, I still hold their heads and upper bodies and work to put their face down by their feet. This can literally take ten minutes because the baby will squirm and we'll rework the position. Sometimes they will fold in half and then I'll go to take the picture and then they'll start fussing. The baby is more important than the picture, and if they are uncomfortable, they'll let you know! In this instance, I just don't get the shot. I try, but if it's not going to work, I move on to something else. Sometimes I get a baby that sleeps really well for me, and let's me fuss a lot with him/her and I get a ton of shots, while other times I only get a few because the baby doesn't want to be handled. Either way is okay with me. The important thing is to get the shots you can. Newborns change so quickly and Mom and Dad will cherish those little pics forever no matter what.

And here's a sneak peek from one of my latest newborn sessions. I was dying over this little one. So cute!



If you have a question, please email me at joannataylorphotography at gmail dot com.

And for those interested in my spring mini sessions, I only have 2 spots left! These make a great Mother's Day gift at an excellent price.

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

She said YES! | Utah Couple's Photographer

Wow! The human heart is something, isn't it? It's amazing the depth we can feel. Both high and low. It's remarkable that we can experience something that we aren't really living out. That we can feel the tug at the heart just by watching something happening in front of us.

When Milan contacted Aubrey and me about doing a surprise proposal session, we both jumped for joy. We knew being part of something like this would be such a neat experience. I especially adored the fact that Milan wanted to capture this life-changing moment through images and video. My husband and I have our very first kiss captured on film, in a photo-booth, and it's dear to my heart. I know Milan and Rhonda will treasure getting to look back on this in years and years to come.

I'd just announced my Beloved Sessions, and we thought it the perfect guise for getting Rhonda to come with Milan to have their pictures created. Aubrey does this Love Story video that we thought went hand-in-hand with the Beloved Session idea. I know that even though it was so silly, and Milan was so nervous, their hearts were touched. And so were ours.

So, sit back and enjoy! (You'll need to push play, then pause to let it buffer....enjoy the still images below while it loads, then come back and enjoy the video.)

And for those interested in booking something like this, contact me! I'm running a special on Beloved session through June. You can book Aubrey to come along to any of our sessions, Beloved, child, or family!

Many thanks to Kelli Bramble who stopped by to help during the proposal to make sure we had it all covered! I am blessed to have such helpful friends (who are also really great at taking pics!).

And last of all, I still have a couple of spots open for my spring mini sessions next weekend (the 8th). Contact me asap, they are filling up quickly.


Now on with the show...

Milan & Rhonda - Love Story from Aub Howell on Vimeo.



















Monday, April 26, 2010

Spring Mini Session Date!!

I have had so many of you contact me, wondering if I was going to offer a spring sale as I have in years past! Although I won't be having as many sales this year, I've been planning a spring mini session sale! So I hope you'll jump on it, because this is a FABULOUS deal (reg. $350).

What a WONDERFUL Mother's Day gift!

And hurry, space is very limited!

Friday, April 23, 2010

Birthday Boy | Utah Child Photographer


Where has this week gone? I feel like it should be Wednesday today, not Friday! I've been so busy, time has just flown by. Do you find the older you get this is true? I work in Cub Scouts with my neighbor and she laughed the other day about this with me, and said, "The sad thing is, we do this to ourselves!" I know, right? Life is busy, but I am trying to catch up, and I wanted to share a sweet, SWEET session with you for the weekend.

One of my wonderful (amazing, fabulous) clients returned for a birthday session. We had SO. MUCH. FUN. This little fella LOVES characters, and this year he's really into Fireman Sam. His mom is simply incredible...the things she organizes and puts together simply astound me! I've been photographing this family for a few years and I am always so happy to see them. We took our session to the Bountiful Fire Station this time around and the firemen were so, so wonderful to work with.

And this little guy? More adorable than ever.












Utah children's photographer

Monday, April 19, 2010

A surprise proposal? Yes, please!

Just a sneak peek of one of the incredible sessions I got to be part of this weekend. More images and a longer video to come. Aubrey with Aub Marie productions is fabulous! And I'm looking forward to working with her again this year! Enjoy!

Milan & Rhonda from Aub Howell on Vimeo.


Utah couple's photographer

Friday, April 16, 2010

The importance of the heart

Why is it so important to have pictures? Well, it's all a matter of the heart.

My dear sweet Grandmother is getting older. Just this last week she had to have cement injected into her bone to help support a bone that had a hairline fracture. Her mind is going, and she's been in assisted living for some time. My wonderful aunts have been so good to help care for her when they can. In fact, one of my aunts goes to visit with her every Wednesday and then blogs about it (if you are crafty, check out her blog, she is uber talented--hi Aunt ML!). I am so grateful that she does this, because they live in another state and I don't get to see her much anymore.

Several years ago the love of her life, my Grand-Daddy, passed away. I was with him in the hospital, and got to spend some time just adoring him within the last few hours of his life. These two have meant such a great deal to me, and I've absolutely treasured them in my heart always. There are so many memories I have of the two of them. Of their house. The smell, the words, the food, the love they shared, and showed to us. I am grateful that I had the opportunity to get to spend time with them almost yearly while I was growing up. I am grateful for the times I've spent with them as an adult, and that most of my own children have been able to meet my grandmother.

Very luckily my grandparents purchased a camera as a gift to themselves very early on, and they captured some wonderful times in their lives. I love pouring over the photos and finding the similarities in my own family. The same nose here, the same teeth. The same wry smile, and twinkle in the eye. The photo below is one that they did not take, it was taken by a street vendor. But it is one that captures the love they had, even after five kids! I love the way my grandmother just looks at my grandfather, smiling at what he's saying. It reminds me so much of the love they still shared after years and years. I am grateful for the example they showed to me in what a marriage can look like.

Thanks ML for graciously taking the time to post the images each week. It means so much to look at them.

Don't forget to book your own BELOVED SESSION! Remember each other.

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Announcements

Wanted to let you know that I'm booking into August. I have a few spots left in June and July that I'd love to fill, so let me know asap!

Celebrate your relationship and book a Beloved Session for a steal right now! (What a fabulous idea for your anniversary--wink, wink!) Contact me for details.

Also, are you (or, do you know) someone getting married? I still have a few spots in June and July for weddings. Or for the Fall Bride. Anyone of you can mention this post and receive $500 off your wedding package! Limited time only.

Also, some changes coming soon to the blog and website! I'm excited to share!

Last of all, I know you prefer posts with pictures (and so do I), so here you go:

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Beloved Sessions

Warning: Wordy post ahead....there are pictures at the end, but I do hope you'll read.

I recently read a blog post by Seth Godin. A portion of it goes (emphasis added):
If you read a book that tries to change you for the better and it fails or doesn't resonate, then it's a self-help book.

If you read a book that actually succeeds in changing you for the better, then the label changes from self-help book to great book.

We don't like books that fail, because they waste our time, they offend us, they speak a different language or they make us feel out of sorts. Self-help books are a bane.

On the other hand, a book that resonates with us, whether it's Catcher in the Rye, The War of Art or Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance earns a place of trust and we revere it and tell others.
Now what does this have to do with photography?

When I was at WPPI I had the opportunity to take classes and learn from really incredible photographers. The thing that I kept hearing was the thing I needed to be reminded of most:
JUST BE YOU!

One of the classes I went to touched me so deeply. I walked away realizing that it is possible for me to shoot the way that I've always wanted to. It's like I walked away, having been given permission, to photograph the beauty of human relationships in a way that breaks the traditional bounds of photography. No, not in the way that I shoot, but in the way that I approach each opportunity, the way I see each person. The class helped me remember that
each person holds a unique beauty
each person deserves to feel loved
-and love in return-
each couple deserves to remember why they fell in love
and
that each person deserves to let those feelings

resonate in them
change them
better them

and it's possible for me to help them see these things, in themselves and in each other.

In Jesh De Rox's movement, Beloved, we are reminded of these things. I am so happy to announce an addition of the Beloved Session as something I offer. You can be in a new relationship, or married for 50 years. It doesn't matter. These sessions are designed to capture what it is that is beautiful to you. To capture your relationship, and what makes it meaningful.

Brandie and Conley had an engagement session in the winter, and it got cut a little short, so in this session we did more. We pushed boundaries, we laughed, we cried. I feel so blessed to be part of their lives and part of their adventure. After their session, Conley emailed me and said, "I know I've said it before, but we really are so excited to have you as a part of this. Brandie isn't particularly outgoing, but she has no trouble warming up to you at all! You bring out sides of her that not everyone gets to see. Thank you so much!! I love your work, and am honored to have you do our wedding." Melt. My. Heart. THIS is why I do what I do.

I hope you enjoy a preview of their Beloved session.

If you are interested in scheduling a Beloved session, contact me. I'm offering a special deal for the first five couples to book. Remember, you don't have to be newly engaged...I'd love to offer this to anyone-dating couples or married many, many years. It's about you and celebrating each other.










A series | Utah Child Photographer

"A baby is born with a need to be loved - and never outgrows it."
-Frank Howard Clark





Utah child photographer