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So you are having a baby!! Congratulations! Photographing mother’s to be is one of my favorite kinds of portrait sessions. There are lots of possibilities for meaningful heartfelt photographs. Relationships seem to deepen with the commitment to a growing family. There is joy and anticipation. Eight months is an ideal time for photographs. Mom is showing enough and still mobile and comfortable. So, if you are one of those mothers who is up for some maternity photographs, I have eight suggestions for a successful portrait photography session.

1. Afternoon Sessions: For a late afternoon photography session have a restful afternoon. Come to your portrait session well hydrated and comfortably fed.

2. Clothing for Mom: Keep it simple. No stripes, patterns, or logos. Solid colors work best. I like the pastels for beach photography or natural colors. Wear something that makes you feel attractive and shows off your belly. Look for form fitting clothes. If the clothing is too loose, the shape of the belly will be lost. Make sure you can sit comfortably in whatever clothing you have decided to wear.

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3. Bare Belly: If at some point you would like to show your bare belly avoid elastic that leaves marks. Yoga pants work well. Bring some wraps or scarfs with you. I also have some I will bring along.

4. Hair & Make-up: Have your hair done the day of the session if you have a specific look you enjoy. Make-up should be natural and what you commonly use for daywear. At some point I will be photographing your hands so your nails should be neat, freshly manicured if possible.

Maternity Photographs

5. Clothing for Dad: Your clothes should coordinate and complement each other, but not match.  Solid colors are again a great choice.  Long sleeves and linen is a beautiful look.

6. Siblings: If there are siblings make sure to include them in some of the photographs. Their clothing should blend with whatever mom and dad are wearing.

Maternity Photographs

7: Snacks: Bring some snacks and drinks. Relax and just be yourself, I will take care of the rest.

Maternity Photographs

8 Extra Clothes: There is a chance if we are at the beach you may get wet; bring towels and an extra pair of clothes to change into when we are done.

Maternity Photographs

Most of all, relax and enjoy this peaceful time with your partner. Soon, these moments will be hard to find once your little one arrives!!

 
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Every photograph I make has a story. The equestrian portraiture that I enjoy making began as a love story when I was a young girl. The first time I spotted I horse, I shouted with glee, “Horsey”. That same passion has been at the core of my existence and brought me to this land of free and wild horses in Theodore Roosevelt National Park. This is the story of a stallion and his herd.

Wild Horses in Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Rising at dawn I drove the park loop searching for any sign of a horse be it a tail swish, an ear or even fresh manure. The particular morning, I made this image began with a sight of a head just over the ridge. I parked my car and slowly walked toward the other side of the hill for a better viewing spot. My efforts rewarded I found band stallion Silver with his large herd of mares and youngsters.

Wild Horses in Theodore Roosevelt National ParkSome grazed along the shadows, they moved slowly up the hillside. Their black coats almost made them disappear in the shadows of the mountains.

Wild Horses in Theodore Roosevelt National ParkThere on top of the hill was band stallion “Silver.” So magnificent with his flowing gray mane and tail set against the white color of his body. Every watchful for any danger that might approach his herd.He stood in the same place for a very long time.

Wild Horses in Theodore Roosevelt National ParkIt became apparent he had injured a front leg. He was not putting any weight on it. To move, he would rear back on his hind legs and shift ever so slightly his good front leg.

Wild Horses in Theodore Roosevelt National Park My heart was aching. This was a terrible injury. Knowing well what it takes to survive in the wild, this seemed like potentially a life-threatening leg injury.
I photographed him in awe and silence. I sat and just spent time watching. When I felt it was time to move on, I started walking down the hill towards my car. Feeling torn about leaving, I turned back and to my pleasant surprise he had turned to watch me depart and so had his herd. I was able to make a few more images of him and his tribe.Wild Horses in Theodore Roosevelt National ParkWild Horses in Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Two days later Silver disappeared. His herd was split up between some of the major stallions in the park He was no where to be seen., Less than a week later, he was found deceased. A mighty legend in the park moving on to peace and a place in heaven.

The photograph of his tribe was chosen to hang in a juried exhibition at The Jewish Federation on Chapala Street in Santa Barbara, California. It’s a terrific show if you are in the neighborhood, stop by. The show is up until February 22, 2018.

Wild Horses in Theodore Roosevelt National Park
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Working as a photographer all of my life, no two days are alike.  One of the reasons I choose photography as a profession was because I enjoy meeting new people, being in a variety of situations and being challenged by new environments. When I am photographing, I am looking for the essence of a person, a family, an animal and work to reveal the inner beauty of that being. I like to get inside how a person is feeling, shape the background and light and choose an expression that is natural and authentic. Photographing families, children, horses and pets requires different gear and clothing. Every day is different. Every job is unique.

A typical day might look like this:

8:00am. On the road to create a new headshot for one of my regular clients. She recently aquired a new job and needed her headshot updated. I always arrive early and find the best light and background for a natural lifestyle type headshot. I pick three different areas to photograph in so my client has plenty of choice when selecting their favorite photograph.My client exudes energy and personality and was a joy to photograph.

Professional Headshots

Professional Headshots 

After the session I dash back to my studio to download and edit the files for her selection. She needed the finished headshot by the next day so I want plenty of time to edit her final choice to make her deadline.

12:30pm  A clothing change from business casual to practical horse show comfort  clothing and the appropriate shoes for dust and dirt.  There were several riders in two classes being held  in classes running simultaneously to each other. Luckily the rings were next to each other. It felt a bit like the Olympic winter sport of cross country skiing and then shooting with accuracy at a target. I ran back and forth from ring to ring with my target being the best jump with the best light and background to create a wonderful wall portrait at the right moment.The horses that compete in both of the divisions are brave, bold and beautiful. 

Open Jumper Class
Open Jumper Class, Lucy DesLauriers

I love the focus and concentration of horse and rider. The fence is huge and requires all of their attention to clear. They make it look effortless.

Hunter rider Scott Stewart at the Hampton Classic 2017
Scott Stewart, Hunter Division at The Hampton Classic 2017

Jumper horses need to clear all the obstacles in the fastest time to win. Hunter riders and horses have a different goal. They need to jump evenly, consistently and gracefully over every jump in beautiful form. They must have the appropriate tack, manes braided and their riders must have on specific clothing for this division. It is like watching a ballet, every jump needs to be smooth. When you see an added step, a hesitation, a rail get hit or dropped, they loose points. Scott Stewart is one of the top hunter riders and trainers in the country.  

3:30pm Back to my studio to download and post the photographs. Another clothing change. This time I need to wear clothes that can get wet and dry quickly. I have an evening beach session with a family I have photographed for a number of years. I will be crawling around in the sand and walking in the water. The weather is perfect and the light is exquisite. 

6:00pm I am at my favorite beach waiting for my family to arrive. Since our last session, there is a new baby coming. I can’t wait to meet her.

Beach Family Portrait Session
Beach Family Portrait Session

Even though I start with some different family groupings in the sand dunes, my favorite part of the session is when the light is perfect and the families are playing together. I love looking for the natural expressions and gestures that speak about the love that embraces this family. Water splashing, sand kicking up, giggles and laughter feeds my soul!

8:30pm. On my way back to the studio to download files, back them up, check my gear and equipment for the next day.

10pm. I have a little time to catch up on my social media, send emails, and pay bills. With all of the days’ jobs complete, clients happy, deadlines met, equipment safe and clean I can call it a day, and a happy one at that!!