Michiana Newborn and Birth Photographer -

borne back photography
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It's sneak peek time again! Baby Leila's in-home newborn pictures turned out so gorgeous with all of the soft whites and lovely, bright window light. Once again, this family made my job easy because they were so willing to just hang out and be together in a totally effortless, beautiful way. These are the sneaks focused on Miss Leila but gosh, I can't wait to share the full gallery complete including the documentation of a well-earned chocolate milk party...

South Bend Birth Photographer - Birth is a Milestone

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Birth photography is something that many are intrigued by but are also uncomfortably with. Until recently, as in the last 20-30 years recently, birth was something that was "private." So private that fathers were often kept out of the birthing space. This has made it very taboo, even in our progressive society. So I am here today, to share some common concerns and responses to those concerns.

You don't need photos. You will remember this very private moment.

Let me start by saying that I, too, wanted my birth to be private. I wanted it to be between my husband and I. I wanted it to be a memory only the two of us shared (well, us and our midwife and nurses). How could I ever forget the most important moment of my life??? But the fact of the matter is that the human brain is just not equipped to deal with hormones, pain, chaos and elation and be expected to make detailed, beautiful memories in the process. So much of my labor and delivery are lost and blurry and uncertain. Even the days that followed are a mess of memories! After 22 hours of labor, one c-section and four days in the hospital, this is what I have to remember it by:

That's it. I am so insanely grateful that my amazing labor nurse got someone to cover her other patients and came into the OR with me and had the good sense to grab my camera and snap a few pictures or I'd be left with TWO images. 

Birth doesn't have to be raw and unfiltered.

When we think of birth, we often picture what we see on TV. Lots of screaming, lots of misery and lots of blood. If you have been through a birth, you know that this isn't an accurate representation and at best is a hugely exaggerated portrayal. Birth photography doesn't strive for a "shock factor." It is meant to capture the relationship and support between everyone involved. It is meant to capture the amazing strength shown by mom as she literally creates a new life. It is meant to freeze that one amazing moment when mom sees her baby, touches her baby, holds her baby for the first time. The ins and out like how filtered or unfiltered, what angles and what details are included in your session is all customized and planned by you. It is your birth. You control the session.  

Birth is a milestone.

Think about it. As parents, we are constantly photographing every tiny milestone of our children's lives. Every time they change, develop, learn, accomplish - we are there to document it. So why is birth any different? Isn't birth the most important milestone of all? Birth is the milestone where they enter our world, take their first breath of air and turn us into parents. There is no bigger or more important milestone and just like the others, it deserves to be preserved. 

So don't let modesty, fear or discomfort stop you from hiring a birth photographer to be there to provide endless memories of the most important day of your life. 

Like what you see? CONTACT ME!

Granger Family Photographer - Getting in the Frame

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Since this is the LAST WEEK  to nominate someone for the 50 Beautiful Moms Campaign, today's post is for the moms! Chances are, if you are reading this blog, you are a mom. You are a mom who sees the value in documentary photography (or you're at least intrigued by it). You are a mom with kids who adore you. With kids who will one day crave photos that have you in them. Cringe.

I get it, moms! I really do. There are bad hair days, extra baby  or holiday fluff, haven't-seen-the-sun-in-months skin tones and 101 other reasons that you don't want to get in front of that camera. It is incredibly hard to look beyond the present and see that the beauty isn't in your appearance but in the moment. So let me put your mind at ease and break down some of these barriers for you:

Misconception: Extra "Fluff"

This is frequently a concern of moms who schedule sessions; it also hits home personally. Ever since having a baby, I haven't bothered to get myself back to those "before baby" days. I never blame this on the baby, I am completely to blame for the extra fluff. I love sugar and carbs, ok? I constantly have that conversation with myself about starting that diet next week, THEN I will feel better in my photos. But what about the moments that take place during that day? The day before the diet? Those moments count, too. Think about how you feel when you look at photos from high school or college. I remember taking those pictures and thinking ugh, I look so heavy/frumpy/insert any concern with vanity. Now I look at them and think, "Wow, what a fun moment that was." Chances are, our future self is not going to look and think, "If only I had lost those 10lbs before I took this picture." Nope, not going to happen. Take the picture. Forget the fluff.

Misconception: The Moment is About Your Kids, Not You

Wrong. Just wrong. You are MOM. You are like the sun of your family's solar system: you keep everyone alive and thriving. If your kiddos are having a great moment and making an awesome memory, it is most likely because you or Dad created it for them. You set the stage and made this moment possible! Get in there and live it with them. Hand the phone or camera to your significant other, set the self-timer, hire a documentary photographer (hint hint) and capture that memory with your kids. You will never regret that you did.

Misconception: You Can Get in the Frame Tomorrow

 Just like anything else you procrastinate doing, when you say, "I'll do it tomorrow," you rarely do it tomorrow. As hard as it is, take a deep breath and get in the picture today. Tomorrow is never a guarantee  and we all know that life can throw us unexpected curve balls. Make sure your children remember the good days, the laughs and the love - all of which include you. Documentary photography shows your future adult children how amazing you were when they were kids and how much you loved being their mom. They will always think you look beautiful and seeing you happy and joyful in pictures from the past are going to make their hearts happy one day.

Like what you see? CONTACT ME.

South Bend Indiana Birth, Newborn and Family Photography - The Image vs. the Pull Back

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So many times in family documentary photography, I hear the common concern that the house just isn't a good setting. It's too "old," too cluttered, too small, too dark, {insert any common qualm we all have about our own homes}. Many people genuinely feel like this will inhibit their images but I am here to tell you: they're wrong. Maybe not wrong, but misinformed. 

Your house is part of your story.

Empty walls, couch clutter, bummy clothes. None of that matters when I see this photo. All I see is my awesome husband bonding with our adorable baby.

I like to start by pointing that out. So many times, we get caught up in the "ideal" and this includes our homes. I'm absolutely guilty of this; I love decorating my home and it drives me absolutely crazy when there is clutter. And all of those concerns I listed above about homes (old, small, dark) - my house could be put into all of those. But when I look at pictures of my family a year ago and see the pillows, blankets and unhung clocks laying around our then un-renovated living room, it brings a true and honest smile to my face. This was our story a year ago and the plain walls and clutter doesn't bother me in the slightest. I can promise that it will be the same for you when you look back at your images in years to come. You wont even notice the clutter and if you do, it will likely just bring back all the feels that come with reminiscing about your younger children. 

The image can be great because there's the composition of the photo vs. the "pullback."

The pullback is what photographers refer to when describing the full setting of an image or the "wide shot." Often, the pull back is shockingly different than the actual image. Part of what makes an in-home photographer "good" at their job is being able to find the best layout and composition for an image within the setting they are presented. Just take a look at these images and then their pullback counterparts:

Final Image.

Final Image.

Pullback 

Pullback 

Final Image

Final Image

Pullback

Pullback

Final Image

Final Image

Pullback

So if you have been holding back from booking a documentary in-home session because you felt like your house wasn't up to par for a photo shoot: DON'T! Just do it! Your future self will thank you as will your children when they get a glimpse into their everyday when they're older.

Like what you see? CONTACT ME.

South Bend Indiana Newborn Fresh 48 Photographer - Hospital Fresh 48

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It had been entirely too long since my last Fresh 48 session! While I will always love family sessions, Fresh 48 and birth photography is my where my heart is. I always love walking through the quiet halls of the mother baby unit knowing that I am getting a little sneak peek of a tiny person's first hours on earth. It's kind of humbling!

This session was unique for a few reasons: first, because it was super last minute! Secondly, because it was for the son of one of the amazing office managers/nurse's who worked with my husband and I during our pregnancy and birth. I was so excited to be able to give back to her family after the amazing experience our midwife group gave to us. Third, because it was the first session I've done where baby didn't have a name yet! It made it a little exciting ha ha. 

From the minute I walked into the room, it was obvious how loved this new baby boy was. Despite him being the umpteenth grandson and having multiple older siblings (his next closest being 9 years older), the excitement was unparalleled. In fact, mom stated that she "made the babysitters first," just for this little guy! And lets just pause to talk about the guest of honor. Baby boy was probably one of the most laid back newborns I have ever seen. I always have some sympathy for newborns; imagine living your life day in and day out exactly the same way for nine months and then suddenly...BOOM! Big, bright, loud new world. But this little guy seemed to have slid right into "our world" with no problem. He took everything in stride and hardly gave a wimper. It is my sincerest hope that his calm disposition continues (for mom and dad's sake) and that they share his surely epic name when it is official. What a great family!

Update: His name is Kyler :) :) :)

Granger Newborn Baby and Family Documentary Photographer - Why Storytelling and Documentary Photography?

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HAPPY 2017 EVERYONE!!! I hope that you all had a safe and great end to 2016 and are looking forward to the new year as much as I am. So, lets start the year off right and answer the ever nagging question...

"Why documentary photography???"

This is a question that I am certain crosses just about everyone's mind. When we are surrounded by beautiful portraits and stylized lifestyle images, it is very hard, maybe even uncomfortable, to think about stepping away from this genre. Especially when most of it is so beautifully done! So let me share my own personal experience that flipped the switch for me:

When my daughter was about 7 months old, we decided to do a family shoot. The photographer picked a beautiful location at a state park and we headed out for our session. Right when we got there, while carrying Baby F to the woods, I tripped and we both fell. Thankfully, neither of us were hurt, but we were both REALLY shaken. My normally happy, never-cries baby would not stop crying and wanted nothing to do with anyone except me. I wanted to just reschedule and call it quits, but at the encouragement of our photographer, we pressed on. I was sure we wouldn't get any usable images through the sobs and tears!

But we did. The images turned out adorable. Because the photographer was just that good.

Not a single one of those photos hangs on my walls.

 Why? Because it was a horrible experience! It was unnatural. It was uncomfortable. It was, well, fake. None of those images represented what I wanted to remember about my daughter! Where was her sweet personality? Our REAL baby smiles? Where was OUR honest story?

I started to think back on previous sessions and while all of the images were great, they just weren't real. I mean, I don't know about you, but I rarely put my baby in a bucket with a bow as big as her head at home! I realized that what I loved about photography is the ability to freeze reality; in my mind, there was nothing more beautiful than our every day, messy hair, baby spit up, chaotic days. That is what I wanted on my walls. That is what I wanted on my social media. That is what I wanted for our albums. And THAT is why I decided to offer that to you. I want you to have the every day beauty at your fingertips, to look back on whenever your heart aches for those moments and milestones. Real is so much better than ideal.

Storytelling and documentary photography is so much more than just pictures. It is a direct representation of your story; of the steps you're taking to get where you're going. Whether that means a messy house, or a pony tail and no makeup, or a baby in a t-shirt and diaper, if that's your story then that is what I want to capture for you! 

Like what you see? CONTACT ME.

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Granger Newborn Baby and Family Photographer - A Look at BBP's 2016

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When I first decided to take this leap into documentary photography in 2016, it was one of the most terrifying and exciting things I have done (besides getting married and becoming a mom). I am not one to make myself feel vulnerable and this jump was the epitome of becoming vulnerable. But looking back, I am SO glad that I did it! This week, I have been cleaning up my hard drive (partially for sentimental reasons and to see growth but also because I managed to max out my Macbook's hard drive space) and I have come across so many amazing images. Not just of my own family, but the families of my clients!

It is so humbling to look back at this year's families and babies and know that these awesome people invited me into their lives and with a new type of photography to boot. To be a part of the stories of others is a really awesome experience; to see how they love each other and work together and spend their days. I genuinely enjoy looking back at these images and remembering each session and each family member. Knowing that these families will have images they can look back on together and remember all of the real, honest moments that they represent makes my heart happy, both as a photographer and a momma. I am so so excited to see what 2017 brings for BBP! 

Here's a look back at my favorite images of 2016. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do...

 

 

South Bend Documentary Family Photographer - Our Holidays!

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A belated Merry Christmas everyone! I hope that you all had a fantastic holiday with family and friends and that you made memories that you will cherish forever. 

This year, my daughter is just shy of two and I knew it was going to a pretty epic Christmas for her. She was able to grasp a basic understanding of Santa and many of the other magical elements of the holiday which had her all kinds of excited for the big day. She loved opening her gifts and getting to play with her family all weekend! Sadly though, we realized something: we are going to need a bigger house for all of her new stuff. Holy cow. It looks like someone ransacked Toys R' Us around her - and for a somewhat montessori inspired home, this was complicated to figure out what she got first. But what a blessed problem to have, right?

It was so fun seeing the kids' different personalities showing through in their favorite gifts. One tried out just about everything, one went straight to the cars and mine wandered around singing "Let it Go" with her new Elsa doll. She pretty much hit the jackpot of princesses and baby doll accessories and she was more than ok with that. Getting to document these moment in photo form was so much fun and I am also proud to say that I DID set aside the camera and just enjoyed the moments, too. Here's a sample of some of our fun family memories...

South Bend Indiana Family Documentary Photography - How to Take Your Own Great Holiday Photos

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Some of the biggest, most joyful, meaningful days of the year happen during the holidays. Filled with events, family and friends there are so many reasons to pull out your personal camera and make sure those moments live on forever. Just think of the laughs and smiles you will share with your kids years down the road when you look back at the fun memories you managed to capture!

But how do you take average, un-inspired images up to the next level and turn them into something beautiful AND priceless? How do you use the camera you have easy access to (say a phone) and use it to create high quality, artistic images? Here are a few tips and tricks to turning your blah holiday pictures into fun, appealing, priceless images...

1). Get the "safe shot"

I always encourage folks to take the "safe shot" first. Kids move FAST and sometimes, if you think too much, you miss the moment. It might not be the best quality shot, but at least you have the feels on your screen to relish down the road. 

Safe shot. 

The good shot. 

2) Do. Not. Say. "Cheese."

For the love of Christmas, do NOT tell your subjects to say "cheese!" Maybe this is just the documentary photographer coming out in me, but whoever decided to tell people to say "cheese" during a picture needs a quick kick to the shins (nothing like a little violence for the holiday spirit). In all seriousness though...the best pictures you will take are the ones in the moment. By telling your kids or the photo's subject to stop what they are doing, focus on you and the camera and say "cheese" completely deflates the scene. And if you're dealing with small children or (shudder) toddlers, we all know that the moment they realize you want them to smile...HAHAHAHA. Right. So fight that instinct to get them to focus on the camera and just get the amazing pictures that can come from being in the moment. You won't regret it.

And if you just can't fight it and you really want that look-and-smile picture, just tell them to smile. Young children are still learning phonetics and saying words, especially words that end in consonants, often forces their mouths and cheeks to do funny things and is counterproductive to getting them to smile. 

3) Angles, angles, angles!

When we take photos with our camera phones or point-and-shoots, we tend to take them right where we stand. We see a cute moment like our kids bonding with their cousins or hugging the family dog and we whip out that camera and snap the picture. That's fine! Like I mentioned above, get the safe shot first. But once you've secured that, get out of your comfort zone and think about your angles. The absolute best and most simple thing you can do to improve your photos are to get on the same level as your subject. If you're photographing kids, prepare to get your squat quota maxed out pretty quickly. Get down on their level and suddenly the picture feels much more real and in-the-moment.

IMG_7841.jpg

Another fun angle is from above. People tend to focus on faces when they take pictures but that's not always what tells the best story. Sometimes getting directly above your kiddos really changes the perspective and tells a stronger story.

4) Use your camera's focal point.

Have you ever had the perfect picture opportunity in front of a bright window and you take the photo and it's completely blown out? How frustrating! Cameras are designed to focus on the light and then balance the settings accordingly. Having a big, bright window is great but it tricks your camera into thinking that the entire room is also that bright which just isn't the case. So how do you we fix this? On most cameras and phones, its as simple as tapping the face or subject that you want to focus on. The camera then says, "Oh, you want to focus on this darker subject? Got it!" (Because, you know, cameras talk now). It still might not be the best picture you'll ever take, but it will salvage the shot.

5) Avoid mixed lighting.

It is easier said than done, but if you can, avoid "mixed lighting." This means, try not to take pictures where a window and lamp is influencing the light in the same photo. Most people assume that all light is good light but that is just wildly untrue. Here's the basic breakdown: window light is the best light. Its natural, pretty and neutral. 

See photos below for an example of mixed lighting. 

6) Consider your surroundings.

Holidays can be such a tough time to photograph even for a seasoned professional because there are usually 100 brightly colored decorations and 101 distractions. Both of these things make for some challenges but if you're aware of them, it is (slightly) easier to avoid them. Quickly consider your subject (say your child), squat down to their level, tap your focal point and then look past them. If they are sitting in front of 10 boxes and three cousins, try to move yourself left or right so that you can either hide or minimize the distractions. I'm all for embracing the clutter and chaos, after all, that's what documentary photography is all about. But there's a difference between adding to the story and just being distracting. 

Distracting red shelving and mixed lighting. 

Still a busy background but not directly behind the family AND it helps tell the story.

I hope that these quick and easy tips help you get some great holiday photos this weekend! But most importantly, don't forget to put down the phone and camera and just enjoy the moment. Not even the best picture can replace the memories you have of getting in on the holiday chaos.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE :) 

 

Michiana Documentary Photographer - Personal Project: The Windy City

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I like to concentrate my website and blog on client photos and let me tell you...that can be hard. You see, photography isn't just a "job" for me. It is a passion. I have firmly been converted into a believer in the priceless value of documenting both major and minor moments of my family's life. I know that in the years to come, I am going to love sitting down with Baby F and sharing these adventures with her that she's too young to remember. I will get all of the feels from these days and she will see how loved she was by so many people in her life!

This project is especially special to me because it includes the one, the only, grandma. None of us are guaranteed a tomorrow and being able to build memories with those around us is so, so invaluable. As a young girl, my mom and I would go to Chicago to look at the Christmas lights every year but as I got older and life happened, we stopped going. This year, I wanted to revive the tradition and throw in a third generation! And so, without further ado...I give you the first annual girl's only Chicago lights adventure:

Osceola Indiana Family Documentary Photographer - Reed Sister Session

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Being a girl mom always seems so sweet to me; maybe it's because I have a little girl or maybe its just the cute factor but no matter the reason, this session totally won me over! Normally, sessions include mom and dad so when Momma Reed decided to have a session primarily focused on her two daughters and her fur baby, I was nervous to make it work but excited for the challenge.

From the moment I walked through the door, Miss P was SO excited to be in front of the camera. I'm convinced this girl is going to be a star. She's got the spunk, the sweetness, the looks; she's pretty much the whole package. Where most kiddos like to ignore me or feel intimidated by the camera, Miss P had to be reminded NOT to say cheese! 

Miss H might be one of the most laid back, go-with-the-flow three year olds I've yet to meet. She was up for whatever big sister wanted to do and could make each situation fun and happy. Her idolization of her sister and her love for her fur baby was so apparent and heart warming it made me think MY Baby F might need a sister...(just kidding). But sereously, these girls were a total blast and between the dressing up, tea party and playing with babies, there was almost too much cute for one session! Thank you Reed girls for letting me into your sparkly little world. 

South Bend Indiana Family Photographer - Fischer Holiday Documentary Gallery

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I have been so excited to reveal this gallery publicly! This family was my first official in-home session when I was first starting out and to say that I was grateful for them would be an understatement. When Momma Fischer contacted me to book a holiday session, I was SUPER excited! I mean, not only did this great family give me a chance when I was still building a portfolio, but they apparently liked me enough to come back. That's just flattering and humbling.

I loved their first session because it told the story of their new, still being renovated home. Where some people might be hesitant because all the trim wasn't up, or there was some clutter, Momma F saw the true value in all of that. It was all just part of their story along the way to a forever family home! 

This holiday session was no different. Baby G was all smiles and curiosity and just confirmed that I love sessions with toddlers. Momma Fischer had an old family cookie recipe that she wanted to bust out for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday and Baby G and Daddy Fischer were very willing taste testers...even Puppy Ax got in on the taste testing! Throughout this session, the warmth and honest family interactions just radiated from all three of them and I know that years down the road, Momma, Daddy, and Baby G are going to love flipping through their holiday photo book and laugh together.