The Reversed Lens » holiday portraits http://www.reversedlensphotography.com/blog Reversed Lens Photography - Oregon Wedding, Event and Portrait Photography Tue, 10 Jan 2012 18:49:34 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Pat, Laurie and Emma • Portland Family Portraits http://www.reversedlensphotography.com/blog/pat-laurie-and-emma-%e2%80%a2-portland-family-portraits/ http://www.reversedlensphotography.com/blog/pat-laurie-and-emma-%e2%80%a2-portland-family-portraits/#comments Sat, 17 Jul 2010 15:32:09 +0000 Emma Easley Darden http://www.reversedlensphotography.com/blog/?p=729

We photographed Pat, Laurie and Emma for the first time about a year and a half ago. Emma was, then, an adorably chubby cheeked baby who I literally couldn’t stop kissing for the entire session. She was just that sweet. We photographed her at home, in her bedroom, and in their backyard in the grass and by their shed and under their gigantic oak tree and… I just loved that session. I especially loved the photograph that ended up being their family Christmas card that year: Pat and Laurie on their front porch, with Emma on their laps, kissing her fat little cheeks as she giggled uproariously.

Well, a few weeks ago Laurie called and asked if I would come photograph them again and I was overjoyed. I LOVE the clients who return to us, year after year. I love sharing in the joy that comes from watching a family grow. And I love being able to record those moments into heirloom-quality art. It means that people trust us on a really personal level. And this session did not disappoint. They’ve since moved to a new home, and Emma is a bundle of energy that needed to be OUT, and so instead of staying inside we moved nearby to their favorite park. I chased her all over the playground (and had so many shots of her that I loved that thinning them down for this post was SO difficult), and then played in the grass with them. We even replicated that first, beloved photo, with similarly amazing results. I just love this family. And I can’t wait to watch them grow and grow and grow!

]]> http://www.reversedlensphotography.com/blog/pat-laurie-and-emma-%e2%80%a2-portland-family-portraits/feed/ 0 How to look your best in photographs • Portland Oregon Photographers http://www.reversedlensphotography.com/blog/how-to-look-your-best-in-photographs-%e2%80%a2-portland-oregon-photographers/ http://www.reversedlensphotography.com/blog/how-to-look-your-best-in-photographs-%e2%80%a2-portland-oregon-photographers/#comments Sat, 03 Apr 2010 00:41:08 +0000 Emma Easley Darden http://www.reversedlensphotography.com/blog/?p=610 One of my good friends, Charlotte Geary is a wedding and portrait photographer in Manitou Springs, Colorado. She posted this on her blog today and it was such great advice (and worded so wittily, in typical Charlotte style) that I just had to repost it for our clients. This is a must-read before any kind of appointment with a camera lens!

1. Wear clothes that flatter you.
Well-fitting clothes make you look your best. Dark jeans tend to be more flattering than light jeans. If you’re self-conscious about your arms, wear sleeves. Even if that cute top looks great on the hanger it might not look good on your body type. When in doubt, choose a simple outfit and let your face be the focal point of the photos.

If you’re selecting a wedding gown, trust the opinion of the salon’s consultant. I can’t tell you how many times a bride has said that she ended up buying a style of gown that she swore she wouldn’t get, because the consultant knew that it would be the most beautiful gown on her figure. Even the most gorgeous women I know don’t look like the 5’10″, size 2 models that appear in fashion magazines, so you need to rely on the mirror and professional advice when choosing your gown. If you suspect that the salon’s staff are more manipulative than honest, then find a new salon with staff that you trust.

2. Wear simple but effective makeup.
It is a myth that you need to wear heavy makeup for the sake of the camera. The camera works pretty much the same as a mirror — if you look good in a mirror, then you’ll look good in pictures. Make sure that your makeup looks good both indoors and outdoors. Your makeup shouldn’t look much different from the way that you normally wear it. You don’t want to look like a different person in your photographs, or else you won’t like the pictures. (This is particularly true for brides. Be sure to do a test-run long before the day of your wedding so that you like what you see reflected back.)

3. Consider airbrush makeup.
If you have any concerns about your complexion, considering hiring an airbrush makeup artist. A skilled professional can conceal pimples, scars, and blotchiness with an airbrush. It’s remarkable, really.

4. Watch out for tanning.
I’m a stickler for sunscreen. Wear it for a couple weeks before your photo shoot, and embrace your natural skin color. If you really want to be tan for your photos, then do it carefully. If you are going to tan naturally, make sure that your skin tone is even without tan lines (There’s nothing like halter-top tan lines with a strapless dress). If you are going to use a spray-on tan, make sure that your skin doesn’t look orange or streaky. Another risk of spray tanning is that it can stain wedding gowns if it isn’t done properly.

Something to keep in mind for group portraits, including wedding photos, is that you are likely to be standing next to several members of your family. If you are the only person in the group who is tan, your skin color may look artificial.

5. Consider the weather when choosing a hairstyle.
If you know that your hair gets frizzy in the humidity, you may want to have it professionally blown straight. If the forecast calls for wind, it could be best to wear your hair up.

6. Bring hair pins, lip gloss, blotting papers, and/or a hair brush.
You may need to touch up your hair or makeup during a photo shoot, so be prepared. On your wedding day, have a friend or coordinator carry any items that you may need during the day.

7. Even men need tidy nails.
Trim or file your nails, and moisturize your hands and cuticles.

8. Wear lip balm for a week or so before the photo shoot.
If you have dry lips, prepare them with lip balm for several days before your photos are taken.

9. Skip the glitter.
Sparkly makeup is only effective when seen in person or in video. Still photographs don’t show sparkle — instead glitter will look like spots.

10. Most importantly, be expressive.
No matter how great you look, the success of your photos depends upon your expressions. I will do everything I can to help you feel comfortable and make the photo shoot fun. Your job is to enjoy the moments, feel each emotion deeply, laugh, and love.

]]> http://www.reversedlensphotography.com/blog/how-to-look-your-best-in-photographs-%e2%80%a2-portland-oregon-photographers/feed/ 0 The Huberty-McClellan Family • Portland Oregon Lifestyle Photography http://www.reversedlensphotography.com/blog/the-huberty-mcclellan-family-%e2%80%a2-portland-oregon-lifestyle-photography/ http://www.reversedlensphotography.com/blog/the-huberty-mcclellan-family-%e2%80%a2-portland-oregon-lifestyle-photography/#comments Mon, 16 Nov 2009 20:49:56 +0000 Emma Easley Darden http://www.reversedlensphotography.com/blog/?p=549 Sometimes I feel like meeting new clients is like playing that old game where you used Kevin Bacon’s name and tried to see if you could find a way in which you were connected to him. We meet clients through clients and then realize that there are connections in other ways too, and then we meet clients through them, and on and on it goes. So it is with the McClellans. We met Nicole at a wedding earlier this summer; she worked with the bride, who we’d met at a street fair two years ago but we also knew her fiancee become husband because he’s the customer service manager for our bank. It’s weird, I tell you. Nicole loved our work and had heard amazing things from Emily (her words, not mine) and we immediately set to finding a time to photograph her and her darling family. And they were darling in every way possible. Their girls are both adorable and cute and funny and playful and by the end of the session I just wanted to kiss them. I hope you have the same reaction!

]]> http://www.reversedlensphotography.com/blog/the-huberty-mcclellan-family-%e2%80%a2-portland-oregon-lifestyle-photography/feed/ 0 Resnick Family • Portland Oregon Family Photographers http://www.reversedlensphotography.com/blog/resnick-family-%e2%80%a2-portland-oregon-family-photographers/ http://www.reversedlensphotography.com/blog/resnick-family-%e2%80%a2-portland-oregon-family-photographers/#comments Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:32:07 +0000 Emma Easley Darden http://www.reversedlensphotography.com/blog/?p=532 We’ve been having a fabulous time working with Holly Resnick and Marni Renison, the faces of Better TV’s “It Moms” segments. Holly & Marni are bringing out a new website and came to us to do some new pictures to match their new look. One of the things that I absolutely love about them is their realness. They are these super chic and fabulous women but they are also moms who get down on the ground and play with their daughter’s toes, or chase their kids down the boardwalk, or swing them until they’re squealing half with glee and half in mock-terror. We spent an afternoon literally chasing them around the Pearl and capturing them in all of their chic momness. I’m featuring Holly and her kids first but I promise Marni and her girls are coming too!

]]> http://www.reversedlensphotography.com/blog/resnick-family-%e2%80%a2-portland-oregon-family-photographers/feed/ 0 A whole lotta joy to be given • Portland Oregon Children Photographers http://www.reversedlensphotography.com/blog/a-whole-lotta-joy-to-be-given-%e2%80%a2-portland-oregon-children-photographers/ http://www.reversedlensphotography.com/blog/a-whole-lotta-joy-to-be-given-%e2%80%a2-portland-oregon-children-photographers/#comments Tue, 27 Oct 2009 23:23:10 +0000 Emma Easley Darden http://www.reversedlensphotography.com/blog/?p=517 Many of you know how involved we are in the community, and one of our favorite charities hands-down is the Children’s Cancer Association. It’s an amazing organization begun in memory of Alex, a little girl who lost her battle to cancer after a brave and inspirational two-year battle. Eleven years later, CCA provides what they call “JoyRX” to literally thousands of children every year in the form of music programs, a caring cabin, and other amazing resources to help them feel like children in the midst of illness.

Each year, our studio chooses a charity to gift through our Family Portrait Month. We are thrilled this year to donate $100 from each lifestyle session (that’s 50% of our session fee!) to the Children’s Cancer Association through December 15th. There’s no gimmick or catch: just book a session and donate to an amazing, worthy cause. It’s a way to give AND get this holiday season. How perfect is that?

(In addition to the Children’s Cancer Association, we’re also supporting three local schools with our session fees: Oregon Episcopal School, Catlin Gable, and Purple Moon Child Development Center. All three of these schools are committed to early learning and community inclusion. Just let us know that you’re interested in supporting education when you book your session and we’ll be happy to direct your donation in the appropriate direction!)

]]> http://www.reversedlensphotography.com/blog/a-whole-lotta-joy-to-be-given-%e2%80%a2-portland-oregon-children-photographers/feed/ 0 Katz family • Portland Oregon Family Photographers http://www.reversedlensphotography.com/blog/katz-family-%e2%80%a2-portland-oregon-family-photographers/ http://www.reversedlensphotography.com/blog/katz-family-%e2%80%a2-portland-oregon-family-photographers/#comments Sat, 24 Oct 2009 03:18:57 +0000 Emma Easley Darden http://www.reversedlensphotography.com/blog/?p=515 Michelle is a friend of a friend who I have seen in passing oh, about a million times. And one day this summer she said, “You know, we really should do family pictures with you guys.” I was game, of course.

And then we got to their house last week and I saw her boys… and I fell in love. They are two of the sweetest, most adorable children I’ve ever worked with. We played in their yard for a bit and then chased each other down to the park that is near their house. The little one, Levi, never stops moving. Really. Well, unless he’s examining something, and even that only lasts a moment. I’m also pretty sure that I could go swimming in his eyes. His older brother is more thoughtful, and a surprisingly good listener for being such a young one. We had an amazing time with them on what may have been the last truly gorgeous fall days that we’ll have this year (in fact, it started raining later that afternoon). We played in the leaves, ran over and over and over a bridge, rolled in the grass, and then played with their dog, Annie. To get the first shot that’s in this set, I even jumped down on the other side of the bridge, and I’m pretty sure that Jeff thought I’d lost my marbles. But I will do just about anything to get an image that I know will be perfect. And this one definitely was.

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