and why I prefer to create black and whites myself.

Most of you know that I’m hesitant to show my straight-out-of-the-camera shots. The reason why is it’s a piece of art that’s been started, but is only half done. I had a guy at a party the other day come up to me and ask to see the picture I just took.  I declined and said if it turned out well, he could see it in the online gallery. He replied something along the lines of, “So, you can just go home, edit and then only show your best work?” Exactly. Why would I want to do anything else?

Anyway, here is an example of an extreme edit. One of those images that I consider to be turned into a real piece of art. Following the color edit are 2 conversions to black and white. The first is simply converted to black and white with a touch of a button. This is what happens when one checks the “black and white” box and prints a color file in black and white.  The second black and white is custom made and much less flat.

Please note that I understand that not everyone has the same preferences that I do. There will be some of you that prefer the 1st black and white, and the 1st straight out of the camera shot to the original. I understand this and just wanted to show the difference a full edit can make. It’s easy to see a finished project side by side with the original and think the new one is overdone. However, you take that finished image alone and it looks natural and beautiful. As a test to see what I mean, read through this post, and look at the pictures 1 by 1. Then scroll slowly back up. You’ll notice that the first color photo (fully edited) looks much more natural following the flat black and white edit.

1. Straight out of the camera:

2. Full edit:

3. The full edit simply converted to black and white:

4. Custom created black and white:

I love photographing this family! Their photos always come out great and candid. If you know me, you know that my favorite pictures are those that show emotion and the connection between family members. Every time I meet Kristen and the fam, I am impressed that it’s just another day at the beach with them and anything goes. Kristen and Michael, enjoy the images! 

What a gorgeous, happy family! I loved meeting Joy, Mukesh, and their little angels, Rhea and Shaan. It was such a beautiful evening and the use of yellow in their wardrobe really gave the session a warm, sunshiney feel. Joy and Mukesh, thank you for meeting with me, I hope you love the photos!

I think I should do more shoots like these. Perhaps it’s because most of my daughter’s grandparents live too far away and I wish they were around the block. Or, perhaps it’s just because more moments like these need to be remembered.

Many of my friends (and myself) have recently lost grandparents that they were incredibly close with. I bet we all wish we had pictures like the ones below that will last yet another lifetime. Kai, Fiona, Maya and Devin, I hope that you will grow to love these memories and enjoy the time you have with your grandparents as much as you can. Clayton and Devrah, I likewise wish that you will cherish these moments and treasure these pictures as much as I hope you do!

Now, THAT’S a hug.

Tarah won my Facebook fan contest a while back and it’s finally time to showcase her photos. I LOVE LOVE LOVE these images; especially the colorful ones at the end. Thank you Tarah and Josh for letting me take pictures of your family and little Garrett. I cannot believe how incredibly cute he’s gotten!