Fredricks Photography

Family Portraits in the Cold.....

2011-01-16T15:57:00.000-08:00

It was cold outside but this family did brave the elements to get that perfect portrait. Thanks Nikki and her wonderful family. I had a lot of fun capturing your family's personality.

Michelle

Beautiful Shoot Today, BUT......

2011-01-13T17:18:00.000-08:00

I need to write this portrait session down as a lesson's learned....needless to say, I dropped a profoto strobe today while trying to move a light stand. Glass everywhere! UGH! The lesson is to ensure that your assistant does in fact tighten down the bolt to the stand before you pick it up. Oh, and don't pick it up by the light itself. In a rush, trying to get the shot which resulted in an expensive piece of equipment inoperable.

That said, I did have a backup plan on me while in the field and away from my studio. I typically carry a Canon 580EXII and extra pocket wizards in my bag and immediately pulled those out. I still had one large softbox, but without a strobe to light up the background it just wouldn't be high-key. So......used the speedlight on the background and bounced a white reflector off of it to maintain somewhat of an even background lighting. Used the main large softbox and a silver reflector for the fill. I think I probably would've done it a little different if I wasn't panicked and maybe used the large strobe for the background and the speedlight (580EXII) for the subject. It's something I need to play around with.

So here are the lessons I learned today....

1. Make sure everything is tied down, taped, sand bagged, and secure prior to starting the shoot. I tend to do this, but when I get in a rush it goes by the way side.

2. When changing the lighting I need to ensure everyone to take their time, including me.

3. Don't Panic when something happens....even though that sinking feeling was there.

4. I learned this while in the Marines and was able to apply it today, but I need to say it over and over. "Adapt and Overcome"

5. Carry backups....I have extra strobes but didn't have them in the field. At the least, I have an extra Sony Flash and a Minolta Flash that I could have synced to strobes easily.

6. But I don't have a lot of the necessary gear to hold my mini-flashes in place and need to really ensure I have to proper grips and connections to function in the field.

I'll let you know what I decide on purchasing as I go forward.

Anyways, these kids were great and I had a lot of fun taking their pictures while outside.

Enjoy!

Michelle

Attention Executives...

2011-01-10T15:52:00.000-08:00

I've heard it all....

"I take my own photos using my digital camera."

or

"I want to present myself to my clients on a personable level."

and

"I'm not at the point of making that investment."

Really? I realize that there are corners to be cut in an effort to maintain fiscal responsibility, however ladies and gentlemen if you're not presenting yourself with your best foot forward on your printed marketing materials or online within your social networks, it may be an issue. In all seriousness, it seems the economy is starting to move forward and this year may be YOUR year....consider attending to your executive or promotional photography needs.

That said, I enjoyed taking executive portraits for Nikki, a realtor at Long & Foster in the Fredericksburg, Virginia area. After assuring her that although the pose may be uncomfortable, she looked beautiful...her session went very well. Also, if you're interested in selling your home, buying a home, or renting here is her information:

Nikki Kreiner
Licensed Realtor
Long & Foster Realtors
231 Garrisonville Road
Stafford, VA 22554
Phone: 540-659-3453

Again, thanks for all the hard work today Nikki. I had so much fun!

Enjoy!

Michelle

It's Cold Outside...

2010-12-06T12:41:00.000-08:00

Did a family photo shoot this past weekend and brrrrr.....it was cold. Very Cold! We managed to get a couple of shots off before we could no longer feel our fingers. What a wonderful family!

Family Portraits in the Park

2010-12-01T11:09:00.000-08:00

Catching up and keeping up!!! That is what I seem to be doing lately....What keeps me going is the chance to get out and do what I love which is to photograph families and children. I had a wonderful time photographing a family this past weekend in Great Falls, Virginia. Although it was blustery outside, this family smiled throughout the entire shoot. Even the younger boys! Enjoy the preview....

Long Time - No Hear!

2010-11-22T19:52:00.000-08:00

I've been horrible about updating my blog....sorry. Summer was spent taking a good amount of pictures and refining my skills and now busy with the holiday season. Did I mention the busy part already?

This past weekend I had the pleasure of photographing a lovely Arlington, Virginia couple at their beautiful home. They hadn't had a portrait taken in quite a long time and I was more than happy to give them that update and had such a wonderful time in the process.

Thank you to you both.

Michelle

Lovely Summer Day and Twin Boys

2010-05-15T15:34:00.000-07:00

I love photographing these twins....I have known them since they were newborns and I have loved following them as they get older. Thank you Lucia for giving me the opportunity to photograph these little guys. Sidenote: It's very difficult to photograph two boys outside running in either directions. Must run fast and keep up with them to get any shots....

Thanks again Lucia!

Michelle

My New Logo....

2010-01-31T03:02:00.000-08:00

I have been wanting to update my logo for a long time now and I really wanted to do it all by myself. However, with keeping up with just the photo editing and my six kids, I keep coming up with excuses not to get it done. So in between photo editing I am committing myself to working on my website and promotional material. I'll keep posting as I go through this process which I tend to sometimes consider tedious.

Michelle

The Making of a Family Portrait.

2010-01-30T16:42:00.001-08:00

Methinks you are my glass, and not my brother:

I see by you I am a sweet-faced youth.

~William Shakespeare, The Comedy of Errors

I'm so happy that I'm able to watch these little twin boys grow and capture the rapid changes they are making for a lifetime. So often, it's with every effort that you try and get everyone dressed, looking good, only to be frazzled by the time you arrive. That is why I prefer shooting either at the home of the client where there are most comfortable and have everything that they need. Or at my home studio. As a mother of six children, I understand being a mommy and looking and feeling frazzled. That said, I also offer a "Mommy Clause" on all scheduled appointments that allow for reschedule if the child ended up with the biggest black eye the night before, caught the flu, or is just feeling downright cranky. I understand!

There are four generations and two of their au pairs represented within the images and with honor I'd like to present the preview images of this lovely family.

Photographer Notes: For a majority of the images I used the Backdrop-Alley Velour Classic Portrait Photo Backdrop - 58x120" - Black which I purchased from B&H for $46.95. It's large enough to use for a couple if you're photographing them from the waist up. It does have some length on the floor to use with young children. However, you'd have to be on the ground to get a seamless look. I also use ProFoto Speedlights with at least one large softbox and silver reflectors for fill. Also, with a group this large...a good night sleep is imperative. It's exhaustive and also results in a lot of time spent with the computer.

Until next time....

Michelle

A Star is Born...

2010-01-21T12:32:00.000-08:00

To see a newborn is to forget our own egos,
to realize how little we do to affect the mystery of creation.
~ Samuels

I had the opportunity to photograph this little angel last evening. She was so great to photograph with both her mommy and her daddy. I'm looking forward to continuing to capture her growth throughout the next year.

Photographer Tips: It is difficult to photograph infants that are between 6 weeks and 16 weeks. As the photographer you may be interrupting the infant's sleep schedule, feeding schedule, and they aren't able to sit up yet nor are they sleeping through the photo shoot like early newborns do. However, if up to the challenge, these images can be a treasure to the parents. I would recommend having several blankets on hand and a boppy to help the baby prop up better and fake the tummy pose. Then be patient and wait for that moment when they stick their head up for that millisecond and hit the shutter. I typically use two softboxes and two more strobes to light the background if I'm doing a high key portrait. However, if I'm going to a client's home, I only typically bring one large softbox, a low key background, and some scrims or reflectors.

Twin Boys

2009-12-28T12:40:00.000-08:00

I have finally caught up on most of my photo editing....I photographed these boys and their parents right before I had my baby and only now getting to the images. Lucia, thanks for being so patient with me....

Introducing the Newest Addition to my Family...

2009-12-08T14:49:00.000-08:00

I just realized that I haven't blogged about the birth of my new baby. I'd like to introduce my daughter, Sophia London. She is eight weeks old right and the youngest of six children. It's been hectic trying to do pictures, but here are a few.

Enjoy!

Tis the Season....

2009-12-07T18:38:00.001-08:00

I love doing family photographs during the holidays, and this family is no exception....Thanks guys for the opportunity to photograph you...

2009-12-06T18:10:00.000-08:00

Had the wonderful opportunity to photograph little Shane who is only four months old. He was such fun to shoot and so photogenic.

Enjoy his images.....

Fall Family Photoshoot

2009-12-02T11:48:00.000-08:00

Had the greatest time photographing this wonderful family on their property in Spotsylvania, Virginia. What a lovely looking family with their newest addition, Ava.

Michelle

Yearbook Pictures

2009-11-04T18:30:00.001-08:00

Oh, the yearbook picture....the one image that will stick with you for the rest of your life and will leave you wondering if you could've ever gotten those bangs any higher....oh wait, that was me....

I had a great time of shooting Jessica (one of my favorite subjects) for her yearbook picture. She wanted her glasses on and I think that they look great on her.

Thanks Jessica...

Michelle

The Fall Season is Definitely Here....

2009-10-26T20:27:00.000-07:00

Long time no hear....

I have been so busy with the birth of my new baby (those posts soon to come) and her recent hospitalization that it's been so difficult to keep up with the whole blogging thing.....but I'm back and have a lot to write about including recent photo shoots (LOTS OF BABIES), upcoming holiday specials and sales, and industry news and information.

On that note, I'd like to showcase a recent shoot from two local seniors on the evening of their homecoming. As always, I really enjoyed this shoot with the girls and look forward to further future opportunities with all of the upcoming events during their senior year.

Michelle

Seairra's Photo Shoot

2009-08-19T09:35:00.000-07:00

Late last evening I photographed my daughter's best friend for her mother. It's always fun to photograph kids and work together to come up with poses and ideas. They are always so creative.....

Thanks Seairra for such great pictures...

2009-08-15T18:34:00.000-07:00

Well, I have been taking it a little bit easier as I progress further along in my pregnancy. However, I'm still trying to shoot here and there and wanted to share some images from today's session with my longtime friend from high school, Allison. These images are of her new baby Jacob and her husband Tim.

What a wonderful family. Dad is home on leave from his tour of duty in Iraq and is expected to return to his duty station soon. I am honored to have had the opportunity to provide this loving family with cherished images. Especially before dad leaves the country again.

Enjoy the images as I have....they were such fun to shoot.

Michelle

Technorati Blog Feed Test

2009-07-13T04:26:00.000-07:00

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Sneak Peek at Britany's Senior Photo Shoott

2009-06-28T12:47:00.000-07:00

I had the pleasure of presenting Britany's "Sneak Peek" of the senior photo shoot we did over the weekend. What a fun and diverse personality which was captured in these photos. We aimed to capture her with her favorite instrument, her truck, and pay homage to her favorite singer, Marilyn Manson....all in a day. I think we were able to capture what she was looking for and what Mom and Grandma were looking for as well.

I really enjoy imagining what a person is looking for in an image and taking the time to really get their unique vision captured. Thank you Britany for allowing me to express some creativity during this shoot. Good luck in your future endeavors.

Michelle

Attention Seniors: Time is running short....email me at michelle@fredricksphotography.com to schedule your unique session today.....

Attention Seniors!!!! Have You Done Your Pics Yet?

2009-06-25T17:29:00.000-07:00

I had the opportunity to photograph Jessica, Class of 2010 over the past few days. We are working on her photo shoot during different sessions on different days so that we get a fresh look each time.

What a fun time and she was so fun to work with.

Here is her sneak peek:

Awesome Portfolio Review

2009-06-19T11:30:00.000-07:00

Since I graduated from the Center of Digital Imaging and Arts (CDIA) at Boston University last November, I haven't had the chance to get back there and spend some time with the awesome faculty and students until last evening. That is, myself and three other students (Belen Gabilondo, Gaston Lacombe, and Victor Johnson) were given the opportunity to spend several hours having our portfolios reviewed by local professionals during CDIA's ongoing Salon Group.

The panelists included Vincent Ricardel, an editorial and advertising portrait artist whose portraits include the Dalai Lama and Mikhail Gorbachev; Lauren Stockbower, a former Senior Photography Editor with the U.S. News and World Report and currently freelancing as a photography editor with assignments ranging from the National Geographic and the Nature Conservancy; Michael Lappin, who is currently working with the National Geographic; and Chris Alvanas, owner of Lightyear Imaging and the Director of Photography at the Washington DC campus of CDIA.

I was able to present ten images (see below) that I felt represented my best work and illustrated where I want to go as a photographer in the future. I will always continue to provide local clients with portrait art and coverage of their weddings, however there is an artistic side of me that would like to further purse commercial lifestyle and fashion photography with a hint of surrealism on the side. What a great opportunity to express those intentions and receive meaningful and honest feedback. I am recharged!

Darling Twins

2009-06-17T12:02:00.000-07:00

I had the opportunity to photograph thirteen week old twin boys. These boys are the cutest and make it so easy to make winning photographs of the two of them. I did photograph them when they were newborns, however now that they are just a wee bit older, their personality has definitely started to show through.

It's always hard to get two twins in a shot together, especially this young. I decided to photograph them individually so that I could focus on them and their personalities. The secret is to be patient and wait for them and that magic moment. That is sometimes easier said than done, I realize, especially with time constraints, tired mothers, and irritable twin siblings. However, getting those five to ten images is priceless and worth the time it takes to get that shot. I'm looking forward to their six month shoot and can't wait to share with everyone when I reach that point.