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I've been saving for "camera stuff" for a while now. I didn't know at first what exactly it was going to be. Then I started realizing that my lenses were not cutting it anymore. I needed better quality lenses than my kit lenses.
I was going to get a 24-70mm, as a lot of photographers were saying it was their everyday lens. But for portraiture, most of the things I was reading were saying 50mm or 85mm were a must. On my goddaughter's baptism day, a guy at my church was taking pictures for us with my camera. I didn't know he was into photography (although now I know that he's basically into everything), but I started asking him about it. He shoots Canon. Sweet. What lenses do you have? A 50mm! Could I borrow it to see what I think? It seems like a good idea to try out lenses before you spend that kind of money, but I also didn't really want to rent if I didn't have to. That would make it take even longer before I could buy the lenses. I got to borrow the 50mm and I used it to take the photos of Opal and the family. Oh my goodness, it was fantastic! My mentor has been telling me that I need to get the eyes sharper in my images. I think I was successful in that session! I knew I needed to get a 50mm for my business. That was emphasized on a senior session I had the next week, where there was little light and 1.4 capability would have been awesome (also, me remembering that my flash only works when using the viewfinder would have helped as well. Live and learn). Thus, I have purchased a Sigma 50mm 1.4 lens. It just came the other day and I'm so excited to start using it in my work. I also bought a 55-200mm zoom lens, because my telephoto kit lens is annoying. The autofocus is super slow, which is not good for baseball, but manual focus is difficult for moving subjects. Although, my new knowledge of back-button focus might help that problem too. I got two lenses for less than you can get one 50mm (depending on maximum aperture and brand). YES!!!
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    I haven't done many senior sessions at this point in my career. I was connected to Maleik as he is graduating with my brother. The session presented some challenges with lighting, but despite that, we managed to get some good pictures. Each session presents its own challenges that need to be overcome and will help me grow as a photographer.
Maleik is a quite boy who was very coachable. I'd demonstrate exactly what I'd like him to do and he did it. Oh the differences between teenagers and children :) But I like doing both kinds of sessions. I really liked the outfit that he picked out for his pictures. Bowtie and suspenders; very smart looking. The whole effect matched the look I tried to achieve in his photos. I'll be doing a few more pictures for him on graduation day. God's blessings, to you, Maleik, as you finish one stage of your life and go on to the next. Congrats Class of 2018!    I remember seeing how much natural light flooded their living room. In the morning, it would come through the big bay window in front; in the evening, through the glass doors, via the sunroom. In my head I’m thinking, “yes, this is perfect for pictures!” It was a good as I’d hoped! An added bonus, I had a 50mm lens for this session that I was borrowing to test out. Honestly, I don’t think I could have gotten the pictures I did without that lens. The natural light was flooding in! I'm getting my own very soon, because it was just that great! The day before this session, I had been reading about doing sessions with children and I’d also done a webinar on authentic posing a few days prior. Both resources were invaluable. Opal obviously is pretty good and easy. Her brother I just shot as he played and the images are so precious. He’d come interact with his sister, giving her a kiss or patting her, and I’d capture it. Or he’d come sit down on the blanket. Okay, take a picture. Things that might be normally considered an interruption turned into some of my favorite images from the session.       For the pictures of Opal with her family, I didn't pose them other than telling them where to sit. I simply took photos as they interacted. That’s how I get images like Mom touching Opal’s nose, or Dad holding Opal in front of him and looking at her. Unless they’re directly looking at me and smiling, it’s just what was happening. I’m obviously just starting out, but this idea of authentic interaction and posing, if it gets images like these, then I’m going to stick with that. I love how these pictures turned out. More importantly, Mom loved how they turned out. That’s what makes me the happiest.
I loved doing the session. It was so much fun. I loved editing the pictures. I’m super happy with how they turned out. But knowing that the family I’m serving is blessed by these images is the best part. It’s part of my “why”. I want my pictures to always bless and inspire; to tell a story and connect with people who see them. I think I succeeded with this session. |
Hi! I'm Sarah!
I am a natural light portrait photographer. I've been taking photos since 2014 and would eat a smoothie from Tropical Smoothie Cafe for lunch everyday if I could. Thank you so much for stopping by. I blog about sessions, things I'm learning, stuff in my life, and information for YOU, my client. If you like what you see around the site, I'd love to work with you! I'd also love to connect with you on Instagram. I'm @sarah_jayne_photo :) Archives
December 2024
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