Winner is: Joi – email me please @ kim (@) mommyknows (dot) com to claim your prize.
Later this week, I am going to take some family photos for a friend. I am flattered she asked (of course), but terrified. I have until recently, taken most photo’s on ‘auto’. I am still trying to navigate all the bells and whistles on the new camera. Basically, I get the odd good shot by luck. I’ve been practicing; the kids aren’t all that fond of my hobby, and therefore, hesitant to help me out.
Lizzy is fairly cooperative, however, she always demands that I show her the pictures before posting (yah right).
Sam will sit still, but his lack of enthusiasm is evident.
The only decent pictures I get of Georgia are candid shots. Don’t get me wrong, I like candid shots, but I really want to sit the kids down and practice. There are all kinds of buttons and dials … and I just can’t switch settings fast enough to shoot moving subjects. Candid shots for me have to be taken on auto.
CHILDREN. PLEASE. I. WANT. TO. PRACTICE. (and get a good snap of ALL three of you – really it shouldn’t be this hard).
My plan was to set them all together on a rustic bench in the front yard. The leaves are just starting to change and there are some pretty colors. I figured I’d get Lizzy and Sam all set up and then get Georgia in there at the last minute.
Me: “NO … closer, NO … closer — Sit right next to each other!”
Sam: “Why do we have to sit so close?”
His sister is a girl … God help him if they get too close.
Me: “Because I said so.”
Georgia: “Sam it’s the POWER OF LOVE!”
Bwahahaah … they’re all laughing now. Georgia told a joke and it was actually pretty funny!
They’re so happy they’re kissing … first Lizzy kissed Sam.
Then Sam kissed Lizzy. The ‘power of love’ indeed. They’re blurry (because I wasn’t on auto), but monumental moments that need documenting.
The lovefest turned into to chaos! Joking Georgia ended up pouting on the step.
“I don’t want you to take my picture!”
I gave up on my dream of a group shot. After reevaluating the situation, I decided I was going to be happy to get in a little practice.
Sam is still sulking and Lizzy is still giddy with ‘the power of love’ and can’t quite get it together. Little do they know I can practice, no matter the expression!
She’s REALLY getting crazy.
Lord help us, is Sam smiling AGAIN?
You’re probably thinking that I need a helper. Mr. MK could be my assistant right? Nooooo … he’s busy sawing logs!
No, REALLY, he is sawing logs!
Misery Guts Georgia wanders over … all that laughing is intriguing, now she wants in on the fun.
Once again, I’m dreaming of the perfect group shot.
Poof — that’s the sound of my group shot going up in smoke!
I think I am going to have to be happy with those ‘candid moments’.
Go on beat it. Ya bunch of no good …
HA … just kidding they’re off to the corner store for a slurpee, being ‘rotten’ models is hard work.
If you live close and your children are better behaved than mine, could I practice on them? FREE!
All comments and back-links for this post will be entered to win a $10 Starbucks Gift Card (includes shipping and handling) in my ‘Have a Coffee on Me’ Contest. If you comment and blog about the contest you’ll receive two entries (too easy). I have a whole ‘schwack’ of Gift Cards to give away, so make sure and come back often for a chance to ‘have a coffee on me’.
MK xo
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{ 36 comments… read them below or add one }
they are really growing up! i don’t think i’ll ever get a decent family pic and i only have two to wrangle…
naomi’s last blog post..Sunday at the Park
They are all so cute that they couldn’t take a “bad” picture. I especially like the one where Lizzy told a joke! Thanks for sharing. I always get a smile when I read and look at your posts! Cindi
i like the one of georgia with her hands over her head. cutie pie!
omgoodness. they have some of the best smiles i’ve seen in a long time. awesome!
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I think your photos are great. If you ever want to “borrow” my model let me know!
What amazing photos, your kids will be so happy to have these when they are older.
Mines available at anytime – no guarantees though on how he will perform for your camera!
Those shots are great!! The perfect group shot never seems to happen at my house…
Angella’s last blog post..Little Miss Moody
I love waking up each morning and checking this site. It’s nice to know that families still enjoy doing things together. You have beautiful children, enjoy them while they are young. They grow up so fast :)
In my opinion…. perfect group shops are boring…. all perfect shots are boring – they really don´t show real happiness.. they are too faked. The best shots are always the spur of the moment ones I think.. and your photos are super! Happy snapping! :-)
Marina
Marina Neuerscheinung’s last blog post..Need for Speed Undercover
I have the same problem with my Bethy. She’s quite a bit smaller so I can’t even order her to sit still. I have on many an occasion contemplated the idea of stapling her behind, diaper and all to a solid surface and snapping away at whatever expression happens to cross her face.
Ashley’s last blog post..We`re Baaaaack
O. M. G., those are gorgeous photos! I don’t know if you ever studied as an artist, but as an ex-photography student myself (and all around human) I can tell you that *I* think you’ve got some real talent! Good luck with your new hobby!
Although I knew the in’s and out’s of my old-fashioned real “film” camera back when I was a photographer, my direction changed and I never did get back into it now that we’re digital. But you’re making me covet a nice digital! What kind of camera are you using?
FYI, when you do figure out your manual settings, you’ll probably figure out that those blurry shots need a shorter shutter speed. And though the lighting is absolutely gorgeous in almost all your shots (quite a feat) you could probably use a photo editing tool to both lighten up and reduce the contrast on your shot of the kids with the wagon. I think the reason that one turned out dark on auto is because of the contrast between the shadows and the highlights. So when you’re shooting on a sunny day with dark shadows, you can manually either open up the f-stop a bit or increase the exposure time so that your shadow areas don’t turn out so dark. At least that’s how it work back in the day, and digital concepts usually use the same analogies.
Couldn’t resist offering those up to help push you toward learning more. Are you thinking of doing some professional work one day? I’m sure you could!
Good to meet you and your kids!
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I wish I lived closer. I would let you use my kids. However they probably would not sit any nicer than yours. Your pictures are AWESOME!!!
those are all good shots- seriously!
I personally prefer the candid shots. When Tala turned 1 she had a photo shoot with Kevin James Day. He could not get her to sit still and so all the pictures ended up being Candid. He must have liked them as 2 of them ended up on his site!
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HAHAHAHAAA! Kids are the WORST models, aren’t they?
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I also have to use the “auto” button on my camera and rely on candid shots with my 2 year old. If he sees me pointing the camera, he makes the biggest, cheesiest grin where you can’t even see his beautiful eyes!
my children are no better than yours…but you’re welcome to experiment with them! :)
Deborah’s last blog post..4 years young!
My youngest niece (almost 2) rarely sits still. I can’t just use the auto settings. I have to use the sport setting on my camera.
lace’s last blog post..An Ordinary Life and a Cup of Coffee
Okay..so I posted just for you on my site – go look…
Joi’s last blog post..Mommyknows, you aren’t alone…good thing I live too far away :)
those pictures are great! keep on keepin at it!!
You have three angels.. I loved their eyes…
Aww!! You have got lovely kids. There eyes have something very special but i cant make it, maybe innocence or maybe the eye color. What ever it is they are lovely. All the pictures are wonderful.
The pictures are great! The kids are so cute too.
Your children are so lovely! Makes me want to have another child again. Because right now I only have one. Great job with the photos! They are awesome.
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Hi!
I love your blog!
Colleen – A Madison Mom’s last blog post..I Love Your Blog!
One word for these pictures ” WOW ”
I just wish I had some pictures like this. I have taken some pictures of my baby daughter she is now 10 months old with a sony still campera 8.0 Mega Pixel but never got this sort of results.
Had to ask this which camera are you using to take pictures like this.
Jessica
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Wow, that was a GREAT photo essay! Welcome to my list of daily blogs to check :)
And I just gotta say, your kids have THE most beautiful eyes I have ever seen.
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The pictures are so cute. you captured some great expressions
Funny Onesies
Thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving a comment. I think you have a great blog and really enjoyed these pictures of your kiddos. You know, these funny candids are the ones that will show up in graduation slideshows and wedding slideshows. They are adorable!
Mandy
http://homewithmandy.blogspot.com/
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Your kids are beautiful. I have always liked candids better than formal. They seem more natural. The smiles are genuine. This is probably why our family has been for any formal pictures in sooooo long. Yeah that’s it. Not because I am lazy and a horrible mother.
Ellyn’s last blog post..Cuteness
The pictures are great- I love the candids and even the blurry ones.
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Not bored at all! I love photos of kids, especially my kids (lol!). The candids are my faves too. It’s funny, but when I look back on my favorite photos from when I was a kid, they aren’t necessarily the best technical shots, but the ones that captured some memory or funny occasion. I try to remind myself of that when I instantly start to delete some blurry but sweet shot of my kids. I really think your kid shots are great. The colors (those blue eyes) are phenomenal!
Beka’s last blog post..Spa Birthday Party
The pictures are amazing! You have a strong feel for composition and catching the right moments.
I love, love, love your pictures. Your kids have fantastic eyes, they really pop out in every picture!
The pictures you have taken are amazing! But the children in the picture are more than amazing, they are one the most gorgeous faces I’ve ever seen :)
-M from Mexico
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