This is the second year I have taken the varsity pictures for Pine Creek High's Cheer Squad. I gotta say, this shoot is always a favorite! The girls are up for anything and this year we had a fun theme and they even did some stunts for me. I decided to do an individual shot of each girl as well. They looked so darling that I wouldn't resist! Obviously I can't post every single one of them here so I am randomly picking a few of my favorites.
Last year I went to an awesome photography retreat put on by the one and only Kelli France. It was so much fun getting to know some really sweet girls and learn about how they run their photography businesses and what has worked for them. I learned a lot and it made me want to actually take pictures again. (I was pretty emotionally drained and was NOT into working at that point.) We had a few sessions set up which was perfect for me! This session in particular of Kelli's brother-in-law and his wife was so fun! They're young and cute! They were up for anything. And they're stunning. All of those qualities coupled with amazing light... it was perfect. As a randome side note, this darling girl makes SUUUUUPER cute hats for babies. Like, we are talking, crazy adorable. Go check her out HERE.
You just sang the song in your head, didn't you? I did too... every time I see a picture of her I do. But that's okay. Mama said it doesn't bother them. She's named after her wonderful grandmother so it's a good name (and an awesome song, I think!). This sweet little thing is near and dear to my heart. Her mom and I have been friends since we were 15 years old... so... what's that, like, 10 years? ;) We went to EFY together, roomed together for a few years in college, and have had multiple roommate reunions over the years. I LOVE her mama! Like, TONS! She has grown into such an amazing woman, who married an amazing man, and together they made an amazingly cute little person!
A few weeks ago, Laurie was in town with her husband on business so she decided to head down and see me. We hadn't planned on doing pictures but while she was en route I called her and offered. We took pictures for all of 15 minutes and I got 40 {FORTY} amazing images. Virginia was a DREAM to take pictures of and between her happy attitude, my kids who very willingly stood my and made her giggle, and my reflector, we made short work of our impromptu shoot in my family room. If only ALL shoots were this easy!!!
I just randomly stumbled upon Morgan and it look me all of 2 seconds to become a huge fan of hers! You know how you can just meet someone and tell that they have been raised well? Morgan's one of those. Her mom (along with her ADORABLE southern accent) was so sweet as well. Morgan suffered through the freezing weather on our shoot with a smile on her face the entire time! And, as if she's not already a total superstar, she wants to be a Pediatric Oncologist and works with childhood cancer patients during the summer! That, obviously, is something near and dear to my heart.
I met Alexis' family when we first moved up here about 2 1/2 years ago. Her family is just as remarkable as she is! I always tease her mom that I'm going to adopt Alexis and claim her as my own. ;) I adore her THAT much! She's got this amazing red hair, yet she's laid back and super chill. Not the normal red head. (I can say that because I have redish hair too! :)) I was really excited when she chose to be one of my Senior Spokesmodels because I wanted a chance to do something nice for her since she has blessed my life so much without even knowing it.
We met Sarah in the most unconventional way. About a year and a half ago her High School had Carter be a special guest at their football game. It was such a fun experience for the entire family! Addilyn, at the ripe old age of 4, fell in love with the "pompom girls". Sarah happened to be one of the famed "pompom girls" and she quickly took my little cutie under her wing. Addi cheered with them for the rest of the night. I'm pretty sure she thought the entire crown was cheering JUST for her. We haven't let Sarah out of our sight since. She's been an involved member of our family, including birthday parties, babysitting, and chatting into the late hours of the night. I don't think she will ever know the influence she has had on my kiddos, but especially Addi.
This girl is such a riot. She is not only beautiful (obviously) but she is super smart and an unbelievable golfer! She was SUCH a tough chick while we were out shooting, too! She stayed out with me in the SNOW so we could keep shooting! I was in my heavy winter coat and gloves and she was just cruisin' around in a sweater! Color me impressed!
Reflectors are UH-MAZING. Seriously. I pink puffy heart mine. It makes a world of difference when you are in a low light situation or backlighting someone and you just want a little more light on their face. I wanted to get an offical reflector for a long time. I used a big piece of white foam board that worked fine but it didn't give my images the kick I wanted them to have. So, I finally took the not-too-pricey (photographically speaking) and took the plunge. This is the one that I had heard was great. So, that's what I got. Honeslty, I don't use the stand a ton because I haven't had to so far, but I'm glad I have it. I still need to get more comfortable with using it ON the stand. It takes me a while to get it to point the direction I want it to when I use the stand but I'm fairly confident that it's user eror. ;) I also got these little suckers because I live in the Windy City... no... not Chi-town. The Windy City that doesn't get credit for the name it truely deserves. Colorado Springs, Colorado. I would hate for my reflector to fall down and smack someone in the face. Then I'd have to do extra editing. ;) I haven't had my reflector forever but from what I have seen for my personal preference, I like the gold side when i'm bouncing ambient lighting because it's still really soft. But if someone is backlit I like the white side. It takes that harder light and makes it a little softer and not quite as yellow/gold. But ask me again in a year and I may sing a different tune.
I know I have used my little model here before but she holds still, she's cooperative, and she is only in school 1/2 day so she's around more. These pictures are completely straight off my camera. I haven't done anything to either of them. The only difference is that in the second one I used a reflector. The camera settings are the exact same. They were taken about 30 seconds apart. In the one with the reflector I put the reflector on my leg (which was propped up on the couch to my right so the reflector had something to lean against) and pointed it towards her. I could see it in actino and could point it right where I wanted it to get exactly what I wanted. I have put arrows on the image that have been greatly affected by the reflector. The ones that are easy to miss but are super important are her catchlights. Catchlights are those little bits of light in her eyeballs that breathe life into the picture. Even her teeth look better!!!
I really enjoy having my reflector and encourage anyone who is serious about photography to invest in a good one. This one works just a touch better than my foam one. ;)
I just adore these girls. They are not only beautiful but they have the sweetest personalities. I had a lot of fun taking pictures of them. The older two babysit my kiddos from time to time and the sweet youngest one, showing off her baptism dress, is a good friend of Carter's. They have been in the same class since Kindergarten. We were lucky enough, in the dead of winter, to have a nice day to take pictures on as well as finding a location that didn't look as dead as it actually was. :)
I cannot express how many times I have told my little goofballs to give me a real smile... at which time they proceed to give me their widest, cheesiest, nostriliest grin. Ugh. It. Drives. Me. Batty.
I mean, I don't blame them. The only thing that is more in their face than my big camera is my iPhone camera. I can't help it. What if one moment of their lives goes by and I DON'T get a picture of it?!? (Right?? Doesn't that sound like a tragedy?) ;) I am for sure a lover of candid images. I love the pictures that show how people are. The ones that tell a story. Do I always get them? No. But I try to. I know that every mom out there wants the cookie cutter sit and smile image of their child. And guess what I have hanging in my house? Cookie cutter images of my children smiling. But I also have images that capture a moment in time. One that I may have allowed to fade if left just to my aging brain to remember. I love detail shots. I love shots that people look at and go, "Oh wow! You can just tell how much they adore each other" even though not every single tooth in the subject's mouth is showing.
That being said, HOW do you get those image? How do you get kids, big or small, to get rid of that cheesy grin and show you that sweet, sincere smile they have when they are laughing or when they are listening to ther mom tell them how much they are loved? THAT smile. How do you get that? I have come up with a few ideas that seem to work on kids of all ages. Not all of these ideas are socially acceptable and I'm sure I've had a mom want to flick me on the nose from time to time... but I think that feeling passes when I show them super killer shots of their kids *real* smile.
I have a few tricks up my sleeve that I use when I'm taking pictures of kiddos, whether they are mine or not. I have picked them up all over the place: reading articles, friends, other photographers I have gone shooting with, but mostly from being a goofy mom. Like most other mamas out there, I will do just about ANYTHING to bring a smile to my child's face and hear a giggle escape their little lips. (Think "Friends" epidose where Ross and Rachel sing "I Like Big Butts" to their newborn just to make her laugh.)
1. If mom and dad are NOT in the picture have them stand WHERE YOU WANT THE CHILD TO LOOK and be silly. If you want the child looking at the camera, tell mom to cozy up to the top of your head. If you want the little one to be looking a little to the right, have Mom and Dad stand there. Just be sure they aren't blocking your light. They don't know any better. ;)
2. Throw a ball up. You can get balls that make noises when they bounce, balls with texture, balls that light up, balls that make an annoying noise that kids will undoubtedly think is funny. With this one you do need to make sure you set ground rules though. "I'm going to throw this SUPER cool ball but you need to make sure to stay super still or the ball can't leave my hand." Or something like that.
3. Have a contest to see who can make the most annoying noise. Or the loudest laugh. Or the silliest laugh. This one, shockingly works really well with adults as well. Often times when I'm trying to get men to stop giving me a smile that looks like it belongs on nothing short of their drivers license, I will use this one. Then, of course with the camera ready, I will make a VERY odd sound or obnoxious laugh. Gets them every time. The child (or grown man) will relax and laugh because they realize you are a complete idiot. (In my case they are not incorrect.)
4. If you have a remote for your camera have your camera set up and do a little dance for the little tyke. If you don't, make Mom do it. The goofier the dance the better the laughs.
5. (This one of one of my top go-to's.) Make up words to a song they know well. For example, my kids love and adore Phineas and Ferb. Whenever I'm trying to get a smile out of them I change the words to something completely and utterly wrong. Or, my girls love "Princess and the Popstar" (don't ask). So I will sing that song at top volume in a completely vabrato filled voice. Or in a super goofy voice. Even with the correct words you can make them laugh at their favorite song. You will also get a few different, very snap-worthy, pictures out of this one.
6. Call then the wrong name. "Hey Gertrude!" Or call their family members the wrong name. Pointing at Dad, "Is that your mom?"
7. Have them tell you a joke. Often times my children's jokes make absolutely zero sense. BUT, they think their own jokes are hilarious. So, try it. I bet they have a good one they're dying to share. And, then, of course, cue your over-the-top laugh. I also will have a page on my phone pulled up with jokes that I can tell them. They are always very silly jokes that a three year old will get. I also ask Mom and Dad to laugh along so that the little one will laugh. (I will do this with teens that are just a bit uncomfortable in front of the camera as well. They laugh because it is just so dorky.)
8. Old Faithful: "Don't Smile!" Now, with this one you have to know your audience. I did this a few years ago with my adorable little niece and she promptly burst into tears. Oops. I only see her every now and again so I didn't know that she was super sensative. I felt really, and I mean REALLY, bad. But, *normally* it works.
9. With older kids and teens, play the "Who's the cute boy/girl in your class?" card. Or ask about their boy/girl friend.
10. Play a (stationary) game (unless you're ready to chase!). Peek-a-boo is a good one with little kids. Have them try to scare you, and, obviously act very scared when they holler "BOO!" at you. If they're fairly small then you can play the "Where's your hair/belly button/ear/ eye" game. They'd love to show you everything they've learned as soon as they are comfortable with you. If Mom and Dad are there then they can do something like "Here comes the bee!!" And then come at them slowly (long enough for them to giggle with anticipation and for you to snap a few pictures).
11. If mom has brought along their prized posession (a Lightsaber or a puppy they always sleep with) have them show that off. That will get them to give you a nice sweet smile because they love whatever it is that Mom found worthy of making an appearance in picture.
12. And for the grand finale, make every bathroom noise and say every bathroom word you can think of. Fart. Pee. Poop. Toot. All of them. These ones are ALWAYS winners with little kids. Moms? Uhhh... not so much. But, to me, it's worth it. I usually throw out a bathroom sound and then say, "Eeew! Was that your mom?" Or, "Sick! Did you HEAR that?!?" It works. Promise.
I must say, these tricks are fairly obvious and common but that's because they work. They are good ones to keep in your back pocket. Like I mentioned above, make sure you know your audience. Don't come off too strong right off the bat or they're going to be scared of you. I'm sure there are a million other ways to get kiddos to shoot you that million dollar grin without it looking canned but these are just the ones that I have found work for ME.
While we were in Arizona last spring I took some senior pictures for my oh so beautiful sister-in-law. She's so amazing and is now finishing up her freshman year at BYU (go Cougars!!). It was so much fun (I so rarely get one-on-one time with her) and the light was PERFECT! We had so much fun talking about all kinds of things and I'm so greatful I was able to hog her for an entire evening!!! She is now about to head off to Buenos Aires, Argentina on a mission for our super awesome church.
I'm really going to miss having Naomi to pick on. She's the youngest in Bryan's family so she gets MORE than her fair share... but she can take it... and she dishes it. So, it's only fair (although I'm sure she doesn't see it that way.)
I will now start taking applications for the suitors she will undoubtedly have when she comes home. But for now, she's serving the Lord and growing up from a high schooler to an actual woman. (Seriously, how old does that make ME?? Pretty sure I'm still only 25...)
I am SO excited about my Senior Spokesmodels for the Class of 2014 . They are the cutest girls who are just as amazing on the inside as they are on the outside. Not to mention TOUGH! On our shoot the weather did NOT cooperate with us. It rained a little. It snowed a little. The wind was blowing at least 95 mph (ok, that may be a slight exaggeration ;)). It. Was. Freezing. While I did my part in buying them all a Starbucks, I felt so dang bad for them while watching them dressed for spring in what turned out to be the dead of winter. Here is a highlight of the evening. The rest are still under construction but I wanted to give the girls at least a little teaser! Over the next few weeks they will each be getting their very own blog post but fornow this will have to do. So, without further aedui....
Nellie is seriously the coolest. We have a blast together. She is one of Bryan's youngest sisters so when she told us that she was getting married we all told her that 12 year olds were NOT allowed to get married. Turns out she's NOT 12 anymore. (I shed a tear or two over that one...) We aren't even going to discuss how long ago they got married. Life got busy. Summer happened. (Yeah... that long ago.) She married an amazing Samoan man who we all adore. I have a special place for the Samoan culture that dates back to my days spent in New Zealand. (Don't even get me started on that country... I love it so much!) As I have mentioned before, I am not a wedding photographer. I did some pictures of Nellie and Justin in their wedding attire and had a lot of fun. Newlyweds are the best because they can do googly eyes at each other for hours on end. :)
Side Note: They got married so long ago that Nellie is now pregnant with a cute BIG baby girl. Can't wait to meet her in a few months!
Way back when... Seriously it's been MONTHS, I was lucky enough to take this cutie's senior picutres. She's only a few months from graduating right now and I gotta say, I'm kind of bummed. She's super cool. She's a great babysitter. She's an amazing example to those around her. She's just Melissa. I had a lot of fun taking pictures of her and getting that *real* smile to come out. (I'm not a fan of the fake grins. ;))
I'm back! I know... can you even believe it? It's been a LONG time coming but my new website and blog are up and going without a million bugs and WITH my old blogs. I can't believe how hard it was to get everything back to how I wanted it. (That's a whole other story I won't go into right now...)
Anyways, it's great timing because today is Carter's TWO YEAR ANNIVERSARY!!! I canNOT believe that it's been TWO entire years since I got this horrific phone call. It all seems like a dream now. It seems like it happened yesterday and like it happened a lifetime ago at the same time. Our lives have changed so drastically. It's been two entire years since I have gone to sleep NOT worrying about my son's health. It's been two entire years since Bryan and I have NOT talked about childhood cancer. It's been two entire years since we haven't had daily concern about how this is affecting our daughters. It's been two entire years since we took our little, tiny seemingly healthy boy into the hospital thinking about how on earth we were going to explain to him that he had cancer... and wondering how much detail to give him, not sure if he would grow up to tell people about his experience.
I can say, without a shadow of a doubt that our family is stronger because of what we have been through. We rely heavily on each other (we rely even on the girls, believe it or not). We rely more heavily on faith. Without our knowledge of eternal families and angels and prayer, I think I'd be much more of a wreck than I currently am.
There are still days (frequently) that I cry because of what Carter is going through. I don't know that it will ever get "easy". Most of the time we are use to what we are going through. Sometimes, we are even grateful. And always we are at peace with it.
In the past year Carter has been hospitalized three times. (One time we were on vacation in Utah!!) He has had countless shots, tons of X-Rays, several Priesthood blessings (including one from President Uchtdorf!!), had his chemo held more than I like to think about, had numerous G.I. issues, had a bit of a rough summer, and has struggled through Maintenance, when most children thrive.
But, all that being said, he is doing great. His attitude is amazing. He deals with his lot with maturity and peace. He loves going to chemo and never complains about taking his nightly oral chemo. We are all use to his steroid cheeks and the ever changing side-affects. We thank our Father in Heaven every day for our health, including Carter's, because as I have said a million times before, it could be SO much worse. He WILL beat this. Next May I will write a post that is titled "Carter is Officially Cancer Free!!" and I CANNOT wait for that day to come! He's such a fighter and God truly chose wisely when he gave him this trial.
Seems only appropriate that he got to spend the day down at the clinic getting his big monthly dose of chemo today, on his two year mark. We took the kids to breakfast to celebrate and tonight we will have spaghetti and donuts, as he has requested. :)
Sometimes I watch what he goes through and I cry with him or for him. Watching him struggle breaks my heart. Not being able to take it away from him breaks it even more. He is mature beyond his years (I'm sure I will need to be reminded of this when he's a crazy teenager) and an absolute joy to have him around. I can't image our lives any other way than the way they are now.
Those steroid cheeks are a way of life for him. They will eventually (in over two years) go back to normal. When I see pictures of him like this it doesn't even look like him. But his smile is still Carter's smile and his eyes still twinkle like they always have.
This is my Glimpses 52 Image for the week for Chic Critique Forum.
These girls were seriously so darling. They are the Varsity Squad at Pine Creek High School. This is a first for me... 20+ girls that are all super cute and very cooperative. I really had a lot of fun with them. We have already promised their captain that we will be up at State watching them compete and cheering them on.
There are more over on facebook so head over and check them out. This is my Chic Critique Glimpses 52 post for the week.
This little girl keeps me on my toes. That's not a secret. But she is an amazing little person. She's bright. She's REALLY funny. She's insanely independent (Bryan likes to use the word "driven"). She's clever. She's got some serious spice. She's strangely strong. And she's ours for eternity. Even though she has two more years before she leaves for kindergarten I am already dreading the day she skips off to her classroom, lunchbox in hand, leaving her mom to do the ugly cry in the hallway. I never want that day to come. I am having these pictures be my Glimpses 52 Project submission for the week for Chic Critique.
Why not post one more picture. She's so cute!
I am the slackerest slacker ever! It's been WAAAAAAY too long since I've blogged.... why? Because I'm lame... and busy... and I have three kids... at home... because it's summer... so I'm busy... and we've been vacationing.... but mostly because I'm super lame.
This is my Chic Critique Glimpses 52 image for the week. First one I've done for WELL over a month... so embarrassing. But I HAVE been taking pictures. Does that make the fact that I've been M.I.A. any better?
Copyright Ⓒ 2017 Jennifer Wyeth Photography