Emily is well on her way to being the most adorable, sweetest kid I know. I think she gets it from her mom, Julie, a long time friend of mine. Emily's got it all- fashion sense, a cute giggle and a lot of spunk. I can't wait to take her brother's photos soon too. I want to see if he can top her cake smash skills from last year!
If you like candid photography, you've probably read something about "lifestyle portraits." What are they exactly? Lifestyle photography is capturing the every day- it's not posed, it's real and in the moment. Lifestyle photography shows life as. it. is. The wonderful part of lifestyle photography, in my opinion, is that it isn't meant to be perfect and it fits every type of photography. You can do a lifestyle newborn session, a lifestyle maternity session- or my personal favorite, a lifestyle children's session. This "session" is near and dear to me because it is my little boy. I've had this idea in my head for a while. I want to document an hour from Emmett's life on any given day. I purposely shot in black and white and used a high ISO to get grainy portraits. This may not be everyone's style (some people might ask WHY you would want grain but for me, it was a vision for this session and I felt it added a classic vibe to it). Most of this session was done in one room. There was a lot of natural light so I then moved Emmett to a spot where there was less light and I could hide behind some chairs. This allowed me to shoot from almost pitch blackness and helped me increase my ISO to get the photos I wanted. Here it is- an hour in the life of E-man.
Kate decided to enter the Monroe Dairy photo contest. Here's our entry!
I love this family. How could I not? They are the first family I photographed as SPMills Photography. They have entertained my desire to photograph their kids, their dog, Kate's food (she's an awesome cook), their yard since I love the sunlight, etc. etc. etc. They could have told me and my camera to get lost since I'm always up in their grill with my lens (Ben actually asked if you can go blind from a flash...maybe? How's your eyesight Ben?) but instead they have encouraged me and referred me to their friends. That really makes me reflect on how much of this job is based on people giving you a special gift- the gift of their time, their special family moments and their trust in believing that I can capture their family in the best way possible. Thanks guys! I promise to pay for your LASIK someday!
I have loved watching these two grow up. Violet was born a few days before Emmett so Marissa and I have had lots to talk about. I think these two are absolutely beautiful and Marissa and Matt do an excellent job of coordinating their outfits. :)
Kristin and Jay were a dream to work with. From their engagement session in the fall to their summer wedding in Mystic, they really had that genuine excitement about getting married. Not only was the day important to them but the life attached to the wedding was such a source of joy to them. They are both fun, kind and easy going people. I met Kristin through another friend from high school and for the year and a half leading up to her wedding, we talked a lot about the vision for the day and how she wanted different elements incorporated as well as specific shots- she gave me a list and my great assistant, Kate, was in charge of checking them off the list to make sure we got everything she requested. She took a lot of time and care in thinking about her photos and that just helps make the day run a little bit more smoothly. Kristin had a lot of little details that added to the WOW factor like the fishbowl centerpiece with real fish and the little monogrammed cookies. She also had the flower girls/ring bearers blow bubbles with a bubble wand during the ceremony. Quite a hit with the little ones (and side note- kept them entertained!) Her mom and aunt also wrote a song and performed it. You can't get more personalized than that! We have talked quite a bit since the wedding and it really makes me reflect on how much of an honor it is to spend an important day with clients and find that they have turned into friends! [nggallery id=21]
To say that I think Matt, Tara and Ezra are awesome is an understatement. Matt is owner of Blueflash Photography (home of the Blue Cube!) and Tara is the creativity behind The Tiny Hummingbird. I really admire both of them. Tara used to teach in Cranston too (it all comes full circle with us teachers!) Bryan and I had talked to them right after Emmett was born about doing family photos together. We met in Jamestown at Plum Point. It was really, really sunny and so we used the bridge for some cover. We had a great time- Matt got some awesome shots of us as a new family and I was able to capture them in a natural, relaxed way- playing and laughing with Ez. We also took photos of each other for our websites- so make sure to check mine out here!
Jay and Regina were married on a very rainy day in June but we made the most of it. Regina was SO calm and relaxed- just happy to be getting married to her best friend. Although the ceremony was moved indoors, we were able to use the tent for their photos after the ceremony. Their bridal party was a lot of fun and they got the rest of the guests up and dancing. Everyone laughed the afternoon away! Regina also did all of the professional printing of different things herself, such as the programs, table numbers and scrolls. They were amazing and Regina's friend, Anna, did a great job on the canvas that served as a guest book. It's those little personal touches that make for a beautiful, meaningful day.
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I used the natural light in her bedroom to create these 9 month portraits of adorable little Avery! She really enjoyed the dress which leads me to believe she is on the fast track to being a little fashionista!
Megan and Chris came to see me for some engagement photos and knew just the place they wanted to go-- the beach where they got engaged a few months ago. We met on a WINDY and SUNNY morning and had a lot of fun. It was such a pleasure to photograph two people who are laid back, fun and brought their compression socks as a prop. I told Megan that when you are pregnant and they tell you to wear compression socks, it's just not as cool as when you wear them because you're an athlete! Megan and Chris, you two, are very cool. I can't wait to photograph your wedding next year.
Many of you know that I had the great pleasure of being a bridesmaid in my best friend Julie's wedding, as well as the unofficial getting ready photog. I won't deny that I was torn in a sense- I so desperately wanted to be able to be in the wedding AND photograph the whole day (or even just until she had her dress on but clearly we were involved in the lacing of that gorgeous corset!). However, being a bridesmaid comes with its official duties and honestly, by the time the ceremony rolled around, I forgot all about the camera because I was having too much fun. I made Bryan go and get my camera and I took like 3 pictures at the reception. The only thing I wish I had a picture to share was how spectacular the room looked. Kate was the maid of honor and wedding planner (we like to do double duty in this group with Kelly serving as bridesmaid and the un-pregnant fun one ha ha!) and handmade so many delicate details. After cocktail hour, the sun was setting and the crystals hanging in each of the windows provided such a glow, combined with the twinkle of the lights strung on the rafters. All the navy and ivory linens and the funky chalkboard menu- it really was a site! Add to that the favors we hand cut and hot glued (maybe a finger or two as well) and the centerpieces bursting with yellow, white and orange- it was just beautiful. And speaking of beautiful...here are just a few photos including some of the vintage cars that were probably my favorite little detail (or large detail- the 60 Ford is a boat). Many, many, many happy years to two dear friends, Julie and Sean!
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Nina's mom described her in her email as artsy, creative and fun. She was all three of those things and more. She brought her friend along and the three of us had a lot to talk about. The girls take photography in school so I think that Nina had a natural inclination to pose in just the right way. When I suggested some offbeat, run-down mill buildings, she was all about it! I like it when a session can take a turn for the unexpected (and I was even more excited about the end result with the sun flare!) Nina- I wish you a wonderful, fun senior year. *On a side note- I'm noticing my galleries do not view properly in Internet Explorer. Try using Firefox for the ease of scrolling through each photo.
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Kate is the mama to quite possibly the most photographed kid ever. And with baby #2 on the way, this one is sure to follow. Last Sunday, while the guys watched the Patriots, we took a spin down to Edgewood in Cranston and did some photos around the area. The sun was just coming down and we shot until dark. I know it's tough for pregnant ladies to be up, down, sitting, standing, on rocks, on benches and more, but Kate did everything I asked! Thanks Kate! Looking forward to the new little one. Auntie Steph has her camera all ready.
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Olivia was an absolute cutie pie- she just turned 1 and her parents wanted to take some pictures before the weather turned. We took advantage of the park and Olivia smiled through it all- we posed her on the stairs, on a bench, on the grass and to the side of a yoga group at the Temple of Music :) You never know what will make a good background!
Hi Friends-You know how much I love photography and how awesome it has been to expand my business over the past year. I've come to a point where my business is growing and a growing business requires more time and equipment to better serve you. I am restructuring my pricing (and abiding by the KISS laws!) and new prices will begin on September 1, 2011. Sessions that have already been booked prior to September 1, 2011 are locked in to the price you have been given. As always, you will be guided each step of the way through what to wear, locations, ideas for orders, etc. by me through quick and easy phone and email consultation. You can be sure that all work is personally photographed, edited and guaranteed by me.
As of this fall, I will now offer a referral program. For each client you send my way, after they book, you will receive a $25 credit to be used towards any package. Refer four and your fee for package A is waived!
New session prices are as follows:
Prices on Collages.net for high quality, professional printing will be sent to you upon booking- prices for prints begin at $5.
Prices for other products such as invitations, announcements, albums, thank you cards, etc. are also available.
Welcome to my new blogsite. I'm currently in the process of transferring much of it over to one place, so it may take me a few days! I do apologize! If you need to get in touch with me, my email is steph@spmillsphotography.com or click on the blue button on the left. I look forward to hearing from you and getting everything all set up! -Steph
I've been really lax in writing on the blog the last few weeks- that's because it is getting done over....again! I have a specific vision in mind for how I want my blog and website combined to be a blogsite. I've had people say they didn't know I had a blog, so I feel it is time to put it all together. One place, many pictures! Enjoy the weather and keep cool!
Now that digital pics are so convenient, it is easy to have the memory card/folder/disc and then never do anything as far as printing out large pictures for a wall display. There are so many awesome sites out there to help you figure out sizes and organization of photos, so I thought I would share them. Of course, I am not one to talk considering I only have one of my wedding photos enlarged. However, I can share a quick little pic of a setup I did for literally $35. The shelves at IKEA were $8 a piece and I bought packs of frames. I ordered some 5x5 photos and used a few I already had and there it is-- a quick display of some photos on the wall of my office. Note my awesome light up palm tree.
Some sites to check out (and I know a few photos are extreme with about 50 pictures being displayed!):
http://theinspiredroom.net/2011/03/30/gallery-walls-inspiration-pictures-a-linky-party/
https://www.facebook.com/photographers.wall.display.guides
http://www.clickitupanotch.com/2010/10/photo-wall-display-ideas-why-didnt-i-think-of-that-wednesday/
There are lots of others out there if you search for Wall Display Guides. If you need any help or would like to work on ordering a bunch whether prints or canvas, drop me an email at steph@spmillsphotography.com.
