Be My Valentine!

Welp ... Valentine's Day is only getting closer!

So far, to honor the month of love, I have given a way a free child's photo session and am offering a $10 discount to all couples during the month of February.

Kody, my Little Sweethearts Photo Contest winner, was a bit of a challenge, but the end result was so much better than I could've hoped for.

Little Kody just wasn't in the mood to have his picture taken. And that's okay; that's usually the case with children 18 months-3 years old - they just would rather be doing other things.

Karen, Kody's mom, and I eventually bribed little Kody with Dum-Dum suckers and episodes of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. And I would say that even some of those pouty pictures were perfect in the sense that they seemed to showcase Kody's true personality and mood for the moment.

That's why I love doing kids so much - their candidness!

Even my own kid didn't want her pic taken that day! In fact, I think she is no longer amused by my constant shutter release! Ellie's most common saying these days "No more flash photography!" Ha Ha! Funny kid!

But I did manage to talk her into posing for me that morning to make sure I had lighting and backdrop in place. I let her stay in her PJs while I got it done. It just happened to turn out well that her jammies were red and almost Valentine-themed!

So I'm hoping to get some more Valentine/couples sessions in this month. I have plenty of spaces open. Call me to schedule yours today. I'm Carla. My number is 615.584.5283. My sitting fee is $35 for one hour. That also gets you a Cd of the session with 5-10 poses and a copyright release so that you can take your disc to any location to make as many copies of whatever size or package you chose. That's a great value, and I'm told I have one of the most affordable sitting fees in Nashville.

And to think, if you schedule a couple session this month you get that same deal for just $25!

Traveling Sessions ... Out Of My Element

Recently I traveled to Goodlettsville to photograph my cousin Adam and his beautiful family; I wanted try how easily transported this "traveling studio" Robert got me for Christmas was going to be. While there I also photographed my uncle and aunt, Stephen and Tanya, and their youngest, Savannah.

Well ... I'm gonna grade myself on a learning curve considering I'm an amateur photographer, and I am still learning to use the equipment. And ... well, what I learned in this session is that how I use the equipment is going to change with every new location.

My cousin's apartment was a little small for set up, so we used the complex's club house which had an open floor plan and sloping and vaulting ceilings in every section of the room which really threw shadows all over. No one part of the ceiling was the same. I never would've guessed that the shape of a ceiling could make such a difference in lighting. Shows what I know! I think ultimately what I should've done was turn every light out except for my photography bulbs, but ... you learn as you go right?

As per my norm, baby Logan's pics seemed to have turned out very well, as did some of the other kids. My niche seems to be babies and children - candid moments at that! But if you'll compare these photos to those I've done in my own home where I am used to working with the lighting, you will see what I'm referring to.

But ... it is what it is, right? I do hope Adam and Tricia feel they got some decent photos out of the ordeal. Though, as I explained to them all, I would love the chance to redeem myself. So these two Davis families are hereby handed an open offer for another session come spring.

And hopefully, every session I do will always be a learning lesson for the next!