Post Editing. Some Maternity Shots & Photography Tips

I was proud to tell people "I don't even use Photoshop". I felt confident about getting the images I wanted in-camera with slight post-editing (in any program but Photoshop).

Well, I now use Photoshop and I have never looked back!

I still only do slight editing but I have also unlocked previously unimaginable possibilities!

And then, I finally took the leap and started shooting in "RAW".

Holy smokes, it pretty much rocks my photography world.

I can do the slight editing I have previously been unable to do even with my limited Photoshop knowledge. It's so cool!

Here are a few samples of my mad editing skills (jk jk, I'm still a super-novice when it comes to shooting RAW and any kind of impressive post editing has yet to become a strength). But I will say that I am pleased with the results.

My husband took these for me (yes, he's the bomb dot com). I set up the camera settings in Manual and let him shoot away (in RAW) where I was able to make them look the way I wanted).

You may or may not care much about post editing, but I am excited about these and wanted to share!

My humble suggestion to aspiring photographers: First, SHOOT MANUAL. Develop your relationship with your camera so you can get as close to perfection as possible IN CAMERA. Don't rely solely on post-editing. When you feel good about what you see in the camera - then start shooting RAW. It will blow your mind. :-)

It's All About Boys

 

Being the mother of three young boys is mostly chaotic... and when I say chaotic I mean borderline insanity. Sometimes I feel like I'm running a crazy house.

Don't get me wrong, I dare say my boys are good boys. At least, in public they usually behave (although the primary presidency may tell you otherwise). 

It's all about jumping, and climbing and building and destroying and bugging each other and potty talk and running and yelling and laughing and trying to scare each other and jumping (did I say that already) and whining and making loud noises, and making loud rude noises, and teasing and testing and chasing and wrestling... 

But they love each other.

I know, it's still weird to me how boys relate to one another. They don't hold a grudge no matter how many times one bugs or physically (usually accidentally) hurts the other - 5 minutes later, once they've cooled off, they're best friends again.

Weird.

But they sure love their momma.

I am well looked after. When I'm sad, my second born is usually the first to notice and will tell me it's okay and sing me a song that will "make [me] feel better". Hugs and kisses never really stop (at least they haven't yet!). My first born is incredibly helpful when he wants to be and when he's having a hard day all he usually needs is a hug from mom or a man-to-man pep talk from dad - then he's right back to his awesome self. And my 15 month old is as precious as they come... what's not to love about giggles and smiles and happiness. Oh yeah, and did I mention we're expecting baby boy #4 in November? (Quite possibly the reason for all the pondering about the inner working of little boys). 

More often than not, though, life is pure, unadulterated lawlessness.

I can't speak from experience, but I imagine girls are a little different. (I was a teenage girl and so far I count my lucky stars that that won't be coming full circle - at least it's not in the cards yet!)

So in all honesty, I love the chaos. 

They are my little guys that are creating memories, learning and growing from their "hands-on" experiences. 

Of course, there are moments of peace (yes, usually when they are sleeping). There are countless tender moments of sweet conversation and story telling. There are moments of relaxing and cloud watching. There are endless moments of quiet learning and teaching. 

There really are moments when I can take deep breaths and thoroughly enjoy them...

...but usually they are running around with underwear on their heads.

A Boy's World

What is better for the soul of a boy than wide open spaces in the outdoors?

Nothing. Absolutely nothing.

Give them a place to climb; a place to throw rocks and jump around. A place to get dirty and wet. A place to create memories with dad and brothers.

Yes, I believe this is good for the soul of little boys... no matter what their age =)

Progress... it feels so good.

It's fun (and a little embarrassing) to look back at my photos from years ago.

I remember what I was thinking and where I was at photographically... and it makes me happy that I have learned so much since then. I'm pleased that my skills have improved and that my images are better than they were.

I'm nowhere (nowhere) near where I want to be, but knowing if I keep doing what I'm doing, I will continue to progress keeps me excited about the possibilities!  I hope there will always be a higher mountain to climb. I don't believe there is an "Everest" in photography. I will never be able to say "I've done it! That's the hardest thing I will ever have to do." Nope. Never. But that's part of the appeal.

Progress... steady (even slow) progress.. that's the goal.

I can't stand it!

 

AAAAAHHHH!! 

I can't stand his cuteness. 

15 months old is such a precious age! 

Can I just keep him like this forever?!?

Okay, maybe not forever, but just a little longer? These little stinkers grow up too.dang.fast!!

Fallon Family, Utah Family Photography

 

What a fun family! It was so refreshing to have a session with a family that was so easy to work with (mind you, I'm used to chasing 3 little boys around all day so anytime I get a break from that, I enjoy it while I can!).

What made it so easy?

Well, they were making each other laugh the whole time! I won't go into detail but it was per-i-tty funny (just trust me)! Plus they've got the bluest eyes and really great smiles!! Not to mention the natural way they interact... it was easy to get great shots.

I am super pleased with the images we got, and feel honored that I was able to be their photographer!