Cutie Pa Tutie!

Autumn is 3 days younger than Garrett and she's half his size!!! But shes doing the exact same things he is so thats awesome! 

Thank you Taryn for the chance to shoot with your baby girl she was precious!

Best Friends!

I had to admit! I had a hard time with Jessica. She was a difficult one for me, which I don't come across to often. But we still had a good time!

Glad to meet you ladies! 

Look forward to future shoots!

Sheala!

What a great girl to meet! 

She was not only experienced but she was fun! 

Sheala was definitely awesome to work with! And because of this session we are now creating a new business that will be available to the public soon!

So Keep an eye out Colorado! We're Comin!

Posing Mistakes

Women Posing Mistake #1 – Neck creases

The Fix – It doesn’t matter how thin or not thin a woman is. It doesn’t matter how old or not old she is. If her body is turned away from you and she is turning her head to look over her shoulder at you, it is very likely she will have a nice set of neck creases. Neck creases/wrinkles may not bother some photographers, but they bother me, and they will most likely bother your client. There are a couple easy fixes. You can 1) tell her to turn her upper body and shoulder (the one closest to you) more towards you so that it opens up that area and minimizes the creases, 2) adjust your shooting position more to the side of her, rather than directly behind her so that she doesn’t have to crank her head so far to see your camera, or 3) use her hair to strategically hide the creases.

Women Posing Mistake #2 – Shooting shoulders square on

The Fix - As a general rule, avoid photographing women standing or sitting with their shoulders straight on toward your camera. Shoulders are the widest part of the body, and it is our job to flatter wide parts of bodies with creative posing. Instead, angle the shoulders slightly to help lead your viewer’s eye into the shot and towards the face. This is a rule that can easily be broken, just be very aware of your subject and her possible body insecurities.

Women Posing Mistake #3 – Straight joints

The Fix - There is an old saying in photography, “If it bends, then bend it.” Straight arms, legs, head, and torsos generally look stiff and unflattering when photographing women and seniors. Whether your subject is sitting, standing, or laying, try bending arms slightly at the elbow, tilting the head, leaning slightly forward at the waist, relaxing the fingers, and bending a knee(s).

Women Posing Mistake #4 – Awkward and unflattering standing poses

The Fix - Women (especially moms) are often a bit self conscious of half and full body shots. Start with a basic, flattering pose and then you can make small changes with arms, head, and camera position to get a variety of images. A basic, flattering pose would have your subject standing slightly angled to your camera, her foot that is nearest to the camera is toward the camera and her weight is shifted to the back hip. This puts the knees, hips, and shoulders at a pleasing angle. Then have her SLIGHTLY bend forward at the waist to minimize and flatter upper body features and chin area. Most women tend to lean away from the camera instinctively. Educate them to always lean towards, not away from the camera.

Women Posing Mistake #5 – Arms glued to body

The Fix - Never allow a woman’s arm to hang so that it is pressed up against her body. It’s just not pretty. Especially if they are wearing short sleeves or no sleeves. As I have stated before, there are always exceptions to the rules, and this case is no different (very thin people, artistic shots, etc). The key is being very mindful that this posing rule applies to the majority of the female population. Most women are self conscious of their upper arms anyway, and we want to do everything in our power to avoid large and unshapely looking arms caused by poor posing. You can avoid this by having her slightly bend those arms at the elbow and pull them away from the body by putting them on hips, holding an object (bouquet, piece of her clothing, someone’s hand, etc), placing in front or back pockets, clasping behind back, resting against a wall, or putting arms overhead.

Women Posing Mistake #6 – Shooting from below

The Fix - Besides artistic or creative shots, it is best to photograph women straight on, or even better, from above. Shooting from above, particularly for closeup images, diminishes double chins, slims the face, and if shooting outdoors, brings beautiful light into your subject’s eyes.

Men Posing Mistake #7 – Posing guys in cheesy or feminine positions

The Fix - Guys just want to look cool. Period. As the trend in senior photography has changed from cheesy poses to more editorial and masculine posing, so have the attitudes of senior guys. Nowadays, my guy seniors are just as excited as, if not more than, my senior girls for their sessions. Easy tips for guys are to shoot low, head tipped slightly up or slightly down to show confidence, legs apart whether sitting or standing, shoulders square to the camera to make subject look larger and more masculine (senior guys in particular), folding arms across chest, and putting hands in pockets.

Kids Posing Mistake #8

The Fix - For children under the age of 5, just accept that your subject(s) will most likely NOT pose for you. Rather than force, bribe, or fight to get a pose, go with the flow and photograph them candidly, mixed in with a few shots of them looking at you. Your success will most likely increase if you involve them and let them help you decide how the images are going to turn out. For example, play a game where you choose a “pose,” and then let them choose one. You choose, they choose. Oftentimes, the “poses” that children suggest are laughing, jumping, running, staring…and THAT is perfection.

Couples Posing Mistake #9 – Botching the “Money Shot”

The Fix - No matter how many beautiful, romantic, and creative shots you get on an engagement or wedding day, you will most likely need to capture at least one money shot. You know the one, with the couple standing close together, looking at the camera, smiling. Flatter both the man and woman by keeping them close, tucking her slightly into and under his shoulder, pulling her arm away from her body, and have them both slightly lean forward at the waist.

Newborn Posing Mistake #10 – Risking a wee one’s life.

The Fix - Ok, that might be a little dramatic. BUT. Seeing tiny newborns dangling on shelves and in swings made of fabric terrify me just a little. I TOTALLY understand that this is just my opinion and it probably comes from the fact that I have not really tried, nor mastered this style of posing. I imagine that those who do it and do it often have it down to a safety science. My point is just to BE CAREFUL when handling precious cargo. Safety is more important than creativity.

Family Posing Mistake #11 – Putting mom in front or on side of group pose

The Fix - If mom doesn’t feel she looks beautiful and thin, the image is a failure in her eyes. Always, always, always flatter mom. Place mom in the middle and back of a family group pose. Avoid placing her in front of other family members or on the side of the group pose (especially when shooting with a wide angle lens).

Family Posing Mistake #12 – Heads on same level in a family shot

The Fix - The easiest way to create a pleasing composition with group shots is to avoid putting heads on the same level. Instead, place subjects so that their heads are uneven, or create a visual triangle by placing the subjects so that the position of their heads form a triangle.

Credit to: iHeartfaces Photography!

Being Clear!

I know I do this before all of my sessions but I want to have everyone know upfront! 

I DO NOT HAVE A 'BIG FANCY CAMERA' KNOWN AS A DSLR

I do not claim to be a "professional photographer" 

Would I like to consider myself a "pro" someday?

YES.

But right now...

I shoot for fun

I feel like no one does it for the passion anymore

I ask for compensation of my gas, my time, and the supplies I use to make your photos great!

But I must say, for a little "walmart camera" I have quite the eye! 

I've seen other photographers throughout the nation that have a $2000 camera that don't even know how to use it! And I'm sorry but I have comparable images to them! 

Except I did not spend $2000 on my camera!

Photography to me is an addiction, a hobby. I absolutely LOVE it.

Did I take classes for it? 

No.

But I did learn by trial and error and for the last 4 years I feel as if my photography has became great!

Am I interested in a nicer camera? 

YES

But do I have the extra $500+ on hand for it right now?

NO

I have a family to support, bills to pay, and a life to create! 

And before my family came I had a lot of "issues" going on in my life as some of you may know.

So I'm working towards it!

The compensation for time and supplies will now (now that we have a 2 income household) go to my photography! 

SOON...

I will be looking into buying my studio lights

Buying my backdrops and studio kits

I will be purchasing Lightroom Presets!

And I WILL have the camera I want! 

I'm hoping to have this by summer's end!

SO just bare with me!

I promise you will not be sorry!

And hey!

If my "walmart camera" isn't good enough for you... I welcome you to go to another photographer where I guarantee you'll be paying $100+ more than I would have charged.

That's the joy of charging like I do! 

You can't beat it!

And you get just as great of images and prints!

But like the other professional photographers, I don't do this as a main living source

I do it because I love it!

I do it because its ME

May of 2013!

Month of May -

Couples - $25!

$25 Session Fee! includes online viewing
$25 optional disc order or $15 optional copyright release for web photos
1 hour session
All Fort Collins Locations!
Limited Space Available!

Mommy and Me - $50!

$50 Session fee! Including the disc!
90 minute session
Fort Collins Location

Daddy and Me  $50!

$50 Session Fee Including the disc!
90 minute session with dad!
Fort Collins Locations!

IF YOUR INTERESTED IN BOOKING A PROMOTION PLEASE EMAIL ME @ PHOTOSBYASHBYBEE@HOTMAIL.COM FOR ALL BOOKING INFORMATION

Please visit - www.facebook.com/photosbyash12

Facebook!

Go Like my Facebook page!

TONS of giveaways!

Invite your friends!

www.facebook.com/photosbyash12

Mothers Day!

Mothers Day is just around the corner!

 

In light of the upcoming holiday! All mommy and me sessions will be

$50!

 

Whats included:

90 minute session time!

Disc with all originals and all edits!

Copyright Release!

1 mommy and me collage!

10-15 Edits!

 

 

[Book your session today!]

email: photosbyashbybee@hotmail.com

-or-

Facebook: www.facebook.com/photosbyash12

 

[Some restrictions may apply - email for details]

 

 

A Day in Denver!

Brian and I were finally able to make it to Denver Yesterday! Took a few shots while I was down there! :)

Taken VIA cell phone

Taken VIA cell phone

Bright Blue Eyed Beauty

I just recently had my last shoot 2 weeks ago! The First and only so far in Colorado! She was just a doll! And I'm definitely glad Brian and I were able to make a set of friends! :)

Thanks Jessie! Your daughter was so great to shoot with and it was lovely to meet you guys!