The Kaminski Family – a photography preview

As I was working through some of my enhancements, I realized that it’s been a while since I’d posted a preview here.  I’m terrible for that.  LOL  I go in streaks where I’ll share photos on a regular basis, and then nothing for a good long while.  I’ll try to be more regular about it, but feel free to remind me if you haven’t seen anything for a while.  I am shooting, I just don’t always think to share on the blog.

I enjoyed working with the Kaminski’s.  Any chance to work with a family that includes four leggers as well as two leggers is always a good time.  No, working with animals isn’t easy, but it’s a challenge I really enjoy.  I know dogs, I love dogs…  and I’m perfectly content to wait for them to give me exactly what I need.  Hmmm…  clearly I’m too tired to be writing this blog post as I’ve completely lost my train of thought.  It’s just one of those days – and I have a feeling it will be one of those weeks.  Gotta love getting ready (physically and mentally) for an out of town dog show.

Ah!  Speaking of which!

I’ll be in Regina this weekend.  And I may have time to fit in ONE more photo shoot.  So if you’d like to grab that slot, drop me a line by filling out the booking form at TD Photography (http://photography.tobi-dawne.com/) as soon as possible, and I’ll do my best to work it out.  As I’ll be in Regina already, there will be no additional travel expenses to cover.  Just the regular session fee.  But better be quick!  Like I said, I’ll only have time for ONE additional shoot.

Okay, onto the preview:

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Diane & Katie – a mother daughter photo shoot preview

I met up with Diane and Katie in one of my favourite “go to” spots.  It’s unusual for a client to beat me there, but these two did…  and got to watch a wedding shoot that just happened to be scheduled prior to ours.  I had a lot of fun working with this adorable mother, daughter team so when Diane asked that I not hand off these edits to another photographer, I was only too happy to oblige.  So, here we are.    Say hello to Katie and Diane:

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Sorry for being so brief…  just kinda tired today. 

Jen & Martin – Sweethearts at the University Bridge

I believe this is the third time I’ve blogged about Jen and Martin’s Sweetheart Session.  To bring up one particular photo shoot three times is unheard of for me, so I believe it speaks to the impact this couple had on me.  I really did love working with them.  Their feelings for one another were so evident in every interaction, they made my heart glow.  I truly believe theirs is a love that will last through any difficulties they may encounter – and in today’s temporary society, that’s saying a lot.

I took Jen and Martin to the East side of the University Bridge here in Saskatoon.  It’s not a spot I hit very often, so it remains an adventure every time I go.  We shot on the lookout platform on the South of the pedestrian walkway, under the bridge itself, and along the path that extends under the bridge and through the University Campus on the North side of the bridge.  In spite of relatively grey skies, we had a lovely time and created some beautiful images in celebration of this gorgeous couple.

 

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The Sullivan Family – photography preview

It’s been a little while since I did a full out preview here at TD 365… and after spending the last day working through one particular shoot I did back in June (yes, I know, that was a LONG time ago.  I’m working through my backlog, surely and steadily.  I promise) I figure it’s the perfect one to break that drought.  I’m sure you’ll all agree.

I so enjoyed working with the Sullivan’s.  They’re boys were absolutely irrepressible and all around just way too much fun.  And they were the smoochingest kids ever.  Seriously, way too sweet…  if I asked mom and dad to share a smooch they’d get right in on the action too.  It was adorable.  Now, I can’t speak for the Sullivan family, but I know I had a ton of fun during our shoot.  Their boys were a blast, and they were so cute with them.  If I ever had a family shoot that screamed “SHARE ME” this was it.

Aside from all the fun we had, what made this shoot so memorable for me was the openness of the family.  I truly strive to capture moments of truth.  Pure honesty.  And this family let me in, were completely relaxed, and were themselves from moment one.  That, to a photographer, is a rare gift.

The ability to capture emotion, the true spirit of an individual or place, is what it’s all about for me.  To hold still, for eternity, without the loss of memory or the confines of recollection, a truly honest moment is an incredibly profound thing.  It makes my work worthwhile.  It feeds my soul.  I am honestly very blessed to make my way through life as a photographer – capturing these precious, fleeting moments.

Hmmm….  okay…  I know.  I’m getting all sappy and sentimental.  I’ll suck it up and behave myself.

So that brings us to now.

I had a difficult time narrowing down my “to be blogged” pics.  It started at 26, then got to 21.  I worked it down to 19.  And then I just purged the heck out of it, bringing it to a much more reasonable nine.  LMAO  So, without further ado, I’d like to introduce you to the Sullivan family:

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A lesson for families on portrait photography.

I was working on the shots from the Pederson’s family shoot, and a couple of things came to mind that I think many families could learn from.  And where better to share these things than here, on my blog. 

One:  The Found Object

I am all about going digging and exploring for cool things.  When we are out on a shoot, why not have a little fun?  You never know what treasures we may discover.  In this particular instance, we found a few “word rocks” tucked into the big wishing boulder out at Gabriel Dumont Park.  Sometimes the object, or the message, is the most important thing.  Why not let your kids share their excitement over their finds?  I can think of an absolute ton of things a family could do with a photo like this:

There is nothing greater these days, than a message of courage.  And by simply allowing children to explore we found the perfect way to deliver that message.  Can’t you just envision this on a great big canvas in the family home’s entryway?  Or how about shared with family and friends on a custom printed greeting card?  I think it would be the fabulous beginning to an inspirational digital scrapbook page.

So let your kids explore – or do a bit of exploring yourself.  You never know what we may come across.  Or if you have a special message you know you want to share, bring something along.  We’ll find a way to use it.

Two:  The Most Effective Portraits

Contrary to what the portrait studios of the world would have you believe, the most effective portraits do not involve you sitting still.  They do not involve you tilting your head to the side with a smile plastered on your face, staring down the lens of the camera.  The most effective portraits share a little about who you are.

We can definitely grab a few shots of your family all looking in the same direction, smiling, for the sake of posterity (and the holiday greeting card).  But lets make sure to grab a few of you just being yourself.  After all, your family knows what you look like, but how often do you really share your true self?  I’d say it’s time we got a photo of you doing just that.

The first step to capturing a truly effective portrait is choosing a place that speaks to you.  Lets hit the river, the library, an old bookstore, a snowy field… someplace you can just relax and be yourself.  Get involved in the world around you, and do your best to just forget about me and my camera.  It’s hard to do at first, but we’ll get there – and that’s when my work begins to fulfill me.

Bowtie Man

A day, like many others, with multiple photo shoots… one after another…  But today, a hidden gem.

The first time this fellow walked by us, we remarked to one another how he looked like he should be meeting a photographer in the park.  I’d have loved to photograph him, but I was there working for someone else.  But then, near the end of our shoot when we happened upon him sitting on a bench, I couldn’t resist again.  So I snapped a couple shots, handed him my card… and 30 seconds later we were on our way again.

But seriously, did he not beg to be photographed?  I could let him pass by once and feel a small sting of regret…  but to have passed by him, seeing him a second time?  For the 30 seconds it took to raise my camera, shoot twice, hand him my card and walk on?  I’d have been kicking myself.  So yeah.  I took advantage of a spare moment – because someone looking this fabulous just MUST be captured. 

Charlie and Family – photography preview

Charlie is a little dog with a ton of personality packed into his little frame.  I had a lot of fun with him and his people – in spite of a drizzly not so nice day.  So, without needlessly painting the lily, here are a few photographs:

The Erman Family – photography preview

Charmaine contacted me hoping to combine a graduation shoot and a family photography session, and when she told me a little more about her family, I was only too happy to oblige.  Her eldest, like me, has a very special bond with one of her younger siblings.  So it was truly a pleasure for me to be able to capture all that they share, never to be forgotten, never to fade with memory.  Families like the Erman’s are the whole reason I do family photography.  So thank you Charmaine, for inviting me into your lives and allowing me to be a part of your very special family – even just for an afternoon.

Erin & Spencer’s Wedding – part two

Well, after putting in two days of overtime, I finished all the edits and enhancements.  That said, here’s the second preview from Erin and Spencer’s wedding, the formals:

Erin, Spencer – Thank you for inviting me to share your special day with you.  I wish you both a lifetime of happiness together.

Erin & Spencer’s Wedding – part one

I’m in the middle of editing the photos from Erin and Spencer’s wedding.  I’ve got the ceremony finished – so here’s a bit of a preview.  I’ll likely share some of the “formals” when I get that far.  But for now, here are some of the shots leading up to, and during the ceremony.

Spencer, Erin – I hope you enjoyed the bit of a glimpse this post provided.  I’ll try to get through the rest as soon as I can so I can get everything burned to DVD for you.  I know you must be dying to see them all.