A few years ago I bought a huge photography studio backdrop and studio lights from some friends (for a GREAT deal, might I add) and I will periodically pull it all out and set it up for a “photo shoot”. Doing photo sessions like these are mostly practice for me so I can build my skills and know how with lighting…If I end up with some good shots, Great! But, I don’t go into the session with high expectations. Ask any photographer and they will tell you that lighting will make or break a photograph.
I did the boys’ pictures last year for their 1 year photos and got some good ones, but I was disappointed in the lighting, so to me they weren’t great. A few months ago I pulled it all out and tried again, this time the lighting was MUCH worse…but I did get some really good shots of the boys, I just wish the lighting was better. I doubt anyone would look at the pictures and think, “boy the lighting in those pictures sure is off.” But I know it and that’s all that matters! So I decided to set it all up again and hope to get some decent shots of the boys for their 2 year photos. I got them all dressed up, did their hair (basically just worked with what we had in Ian’s hair – it has a mind of its own!) and went to town taking shots. Well, after the first few shots (which were horrible because all the boys wanted to do was run around) my lights stopped flashing – ARGGGG! so the following shots, while cute shots of the boys, were complete disasters as far as lighting goes. I loved the actual pictures so much that I did everything imaginable in photoshop to save these from being deleted.
Hayden
Ian
Hayden
Ian
This was all Hayden wanted to do – be goofy!
After being completely bummed because my lights weren’t working well, I decided to play around with the light set up and try some different things – BINGO. My lights were perfect, well almost! I still needed to adjust some stuff but I decided to give it another try.
Ian
Hayden
My good little model
At this point, I was happy with the photos, but not thrilled. So I did some minor adjustments and these are the final results. A few of them, even, are now proudly hung in our house for everyone to see!
Hayden
Hayden
Hayden
Ian
Ian
Ian
And my absolute favorite of all time – which luckily I liked because it was the only one I got of both boys together………….
My 2 Cuties
More great photos! I love the care and attention you give your your craft.
Each time the photos get better and better.
I love you!
great picks I am going to copy some for my starway photo wall thanks
Very creative! You are talented Laurie…..