Family Photos

My Family is in town and, with the help of a tripod and self timer, I was able to take our family photos! I also had help from Caroline and my Dad when I was in the picture. I LOVE taking photos in the families nieghborhood. It hold significance, and in the future, we can look back and say "This is where we used to live" or "This is what our neighborhood looked like XX years ago!"

These photos were taken in my neighborhood with a lake on one side and Orange groves on the other. My neighborhood is very new and still in the beginning phases of building in "Phase 1" of 3 phases. So this road probably won't look like this too much longer. Both the white fence and the Orange Trees will probably go this year and houses will start to be built along the lake. I'm so glad I got these pictures now to preserve the beauty and memories!

To see ALL the photos from our Family Session, click HERE or use the following link:

http://msphotographer.smugmug.com/Family/Robertson

Jen + Juan Engagements

When I moved into my new neighborhood last year. I decided to meet all the neighbors on my block by bringing them cookies. That's when I met Jen and Juan. They live just around the corner and our backyards back up to each other. Jen and Juan were newly engaged and looking for a Wedding Photographer! After that meeting, I was in the running, and about a week later, she gave me the wonderful news that she wanted ME to shoot her Dream Wedding! I am so excited to have the honor of shooting her Wedding in March!

Jen is a big Disney lover, and Jen and Juan shared their first kiss at Hollywood Studios! They told me it happened just like this:

I have fallen in Love with Jen and Juan's love! I'm so happy for the friendship we have built! What awesome neighbors to have!

  

Why I'm excited Christmas Season is in full swing

Did you see this post filter its way through Facebook on or around Halloween day?

I saw it many times, that is why I was surprised by how many people were upset and surprised the first week of November when they already began to hear Christmas music and see christmas decor. It seems to be appropriate to wait until the day after Thanksgiving to begin Christmas season. Aw, the day after  Thanksgiving... The day after we take time to say what we're thankful for, then trample anyone who gets in our way for the things that we want. That seems to fit with the complaints I saw on facebook about the "Give-me give-me attitude." For many, Christmas Season seems to cause a negative reaction. I blame it on the way I was raised, that when I think of Christmas, I only think of positive. Maybe I have been able to keep this optimism because I do not have children yet.

I have surprised many in casual conversation when they found out in September, that I was done with ALL of my Christmas shopping. Yes, I tend to have Christmas on my mind all year long, and when a good deal comes around, it's never to early for Christmas! It's natural for me, like many, to procrastinate. So I go out of my way to compensate. Like guaranteeing to my clients that their photos will be delivered to them within 1 week of their session or Wedding, always answering e-mails the moment I receive them, or buying Christmas presents in the Summer. But I'm sure that with all my Christmas shopping done so early, this is what contributes to my positive Holiday season. While I'm excited to give the Christmas gifts that I've held onto for months to their recipients, I'm not thinking about gifts or shopping in December or even November! I'm thinking of Jesus Christ and his wonderful life. I'm taking the time I would spend on shopping, and spending it on Christmas activities like festivals, Live Nativities, or light displays and parades. I also get to spend this time watching Christmas movies, Listening to Christmas music, and making Christmas time treats! I just don't think 2 months is long enough for all that Christmas time has to offer! My favorite decor piece in my home, is my Lighted Christmas tree, and I am genuinely sad to take it down in January.

I think that living 2.2 miles from Walt Disney World is also a big help to my early Holiday happiness as Disney World is already in full swing Christmas! I am so lucky to be able to have my spirits lifted so high just by making the 5 minute drive to Magic Kingdom! Other than the 80 degree weather, it doesn't just feel like its getting closer to Christmas time, it is Christmas time at Magic Kingdom! And I can't wait to go see the Candle light processional again and again at Epcot. If you haven't done that yet, DO IT! Every night (3 times per night) between November 29th and December 30th, Disney brings in a Star Guest Speaker to Narrate the Christmas Story from the bible mingled with beautiful Christmas Stories, all done with a large, live Orchestra and Choir with stunning music. I have reservations already to see Neil Patrick Harris on December 2nd!

As a child, I counted down to Christmas as the best day ever! But now It's the entire Christmas season I can't wait for, and Christmas Day tends to be a bit sad, because I don't want the season to end. There just isn't enough minutes between now and Christmas to listen to all of my favorite Christmas music. What a happy time this is!

Chicken Pot Pie

Today I made Chicken Pot-pie for lunch, even though all I wanted was the leftover cookie dough in the fridge. I didn't want to wait 45 minutes to cook my pot-pie in the Oven, but I wanted the flakey crust you only get from the oven and I remembered back to a childhood moment that typically comes to mind whenever I see or think about a pot pie.

My Dad had just hung up with my mom on the phone, and she was on her way home from an errand. He decided and said out loud to me "Let's make mom a Chicken Pot pie for her to have when she gets home!" I was so excited to be in on this surprise for mom. My Dad was not the normal cook in the house at the time, and was sad when he saw that it took 45 minutes to cook it in the oven. There was no time to spare, so Dad came up with plan B and cooked it to almost done in the microwave, then threw it in the toaster oven. It was hot and ready when Mom got home.

I apply this lesson with a lot of my pre-packed frozen dinners. But the stronger lesson I learned from the experience was my Dad's relationship and kindness towards my mom. Did I mention this story took place during the middle of a BYU football game? He took time out of game watching to make my mom a pot-pie she didn't even ask for or hint at. It didn't matter if she was hungry. It was the thoughtfulness. It told her that he thought of her, he was willing to take time out of his favorite football game, and that he remember's one of her favorite meals and knows her well.

I've been able to take this lesson to heart with my relationship with my husband. It's the little things, the time taken out of your day to let the other know you think of them, that really shows you love them. Love really is a verb, and this lesson will be what keeps our love growing through eternity.

Wedding Session Options

I just love being a photographer while there are so many fun trends! Today, there are so many photography options than just The Ceremony that help tell your story and capture those super special moments! You probably already plan to hire a photographer for your Wedding Day Ceremony and reception and probably an Engagement Session too. Here is a list of additional Wedding Photography options that have sure come into trend!

Engagement Session

This one is probably super obvious, but I want to point out some important choices that you need to keep in mind when scheduling your Engagement Session! These photos will be shown to all the people you know and love! It is a representation of your love and can set the tone for your upcoming wedding! Most importantly, pick a location or theme that says something about you as a couple! This can be a place that has meaning to you, like the location of the proposal or your first kiss, or a place or theme that reflects a hobby or passion you share! Make this unique and make it you! Here is a great article from theknot.com

First Look

I'm so excited that a First Look Session is so popular! A First look is a pre-ceremony wedding day session where the groom and the bride see each other for the first time. This is done in a non-cheesy way and is done in an intimate setting away from the wedding craziness. The session can also be done the day before if the time cannot be made on the wedding day. The tradition of the groom not seeing the bride until she walks down the isle and unveils her face was formed during pre-arranged marriages so the groom had to say "I do" before seeing his new bride and changing his mind. We live in a different world, and I'm assuming you've seen your future spouse already. My husband and I saw each other before our ceremony and it was such a special moment shared between only us, away from my parents and his parents and everyone we know. It was our moment and the fondest memory from my wedding day. Here is a great article on First Looks from SnapKnot.com

Like the idea of First Look but want to keep tradition? Thats can be done! A new trend for those unwilling to see each other before the ceremony is a first look where you don't actually see each other. This is done with a wall or door in between you and your fiancé where the photographer can still see you both. A popular idea with this session is to write letters to each other and to hold hands around the door or wall. 

Most Photographers include a same day "First Look" session in their wedding day price, but be sure to ask your photographer if it will cost extra.

Bridal Session

This is a pre-wedding session of the bride in her gorgeous wedding dress! Groom optional. These photos are primarily taken to display at the Wedding Reception. Plus, I have yet to meet a married woman who has said "I wore my dress way to much!" The fact is this is a one time deal and after all the honeymoon, and all the wedding photography sessions are over, the dress will be put away never to be worn by you again, and while that doesn't sound sad to you in the mess of wedding planning, it may become sad later on. Bridal Session can be done anywhere, unlike the first look which is done at the wedding location. I love beach and outdoorsy bridal sessions, but this may have to be reserved for either a Post Wedding "Trash the Dress" session or Post wedding Bridal Session. 

Post Wedding Bridal Session

The post wedding Bridal Session is done with the Groom and the Bride dressed back up and taking pictures wherever they please with the perfect lighting they may have not been able to get on the wedding day. This session is after the wedding so you don't have to be worried about the dress getting dirty! Just send it out to dry cleaning to preserve it! If you don't care about preserving your dress or keeping it clean, you may want to consider a...

Trash the Dress Session

To those unfamiliar with this new and big trend, this is not a divorce session. You are both even more in love and this is purely a Bridal Session after the Wedding where you can take any pictures you want and don't have to worry about what happens to the dress. This can be as extreme as you want. My Trash the dress session was done in grass, and dirt and other outdoor messy locations. My dress got a bit dirty as a consequence, but I was able to clean it. Many brides are going to the extremes involving going into the water, or even paint! This is not meant to be destroying the meaning of the dress, but rather a statement of, "This was my wedding dress, no one else will wear it, and I will never need it again." The dress did it's purpose and it can retire as you settle in with your new hubby for the rest of your happy lives.

Groomal Session

If the Bride decides to exclude the Groom from the Pre-Wedding Bridal Session to keep tradition, the groom can opt for his own "Groomal" session! Don't you want some sexy pictures of your new groom anyways? These photos are also great to be displayed at the wedding reception!

HoneyMoon Session

This is a less popular trend among Wedding Photographers since The Bride and Groom don't typically Honeymoon in the same location that they get married. But living so close to Disney World, I've come very familiar with this fun option! Find a local photographer or a resort photographer where you are honeymooning and capture the love to finish up your wedding album! If you're honeymooning near the wedding (often the case for Destination Weddings), have your wedding photographer take these pictures to keep a uniform look.

Boudoir Session
This session is typically done with just the bride, but there are options of including your groom or your Bridesmaids. This is a session done in lingerie. This is sexy but classy, sophisticated, and tasteful. These images are meant to be a gift to your new hubby. It is a great way to keep the romance alive for a long time!

Proud "Over Shoot"er

I'm often asked by clients;

"Why do you take so many pictures?"

and occasionally criticized with;

"You over shoot"

Well this is why. So I get the shot. Can I get the shot with one click? Yep. Do I have more than multiple of the exact same picture when I go to edit. Sure do. But then when I look closer, I find this on one of them...

If you're on a small device like a cell phone, you may not catch the fault right away. I didn't see anything wrong with this picture in the back of my camera. It wasn't until I imported the photos into my computer that I noticed that the Grooms tie is right in the Brides face almost as if to give her a mustache. None of us even realized it had happened in the moment! If we can't even notice a tie in the brides face, are we going to notice a blurry face or half closed eyes. I have many embarrassing photos of my clients that I could post...

I always get the shot. Not because of luck like some may accuse, but because I over shoot, and I'm proud of it. You will always feel at peace knowing I will get that moment, because my camera is always at the ready and shooting constantly. I'll take on the extra editing workload for that perfect shot!

Taking better pictures of your kids: Get low

This is my number 1 tip for taking better pictures of your kids: Get down to their level, and sometimes even lower. 

Not only do you show their perspective, but you gain just a little bit more of their trust when you are at their level and this translates directly into the picture.