It has been a long time since I closed the virtual doors to my photography business, but don’t think my camera is getting dusty! I’ve kept busy with several senior sessions, a handful of commercial contracts and my own little projects here and there. But this is the first newborn I’ve photographed in a while, and
what. a. treat.
Today I was lucky enough to photograph this dark-haired, tiny, 5 lb 13 oz, fresh-out-of-heaven bundle of sweetness.
He and mom are still in the hospital, so I showed up with my fave newborn props – this perfectly newborn-sized basket and this fluffy, squishy blanket. There’s not much space in a hospital room, though this one was one of the bigger ones, so I usually try to keep it simple. A lot of props aren’t really my style anyway – I’m not comfortable posing babies and shooting that way. That being said, I die over the talent (and patience) of photographers like Chelsy at b.couture Photography.
The same thing that always happens to me happened again when I uploaded this little session into Adobe Lightroom. I got excited. I felt a surge of emotional connection with the images as they appeared on the screen. And as I made little tweaks and adjustments to the brightness, color and contrast, I felt it – that deep passion I always experience when I’m behind the lens or in front of the software. I’ve come so far – I’ve simplified. I no longer take 30 minutes to process a single image. I no longer feel the need to look at other photographers before I retouch. It’s like I see things, I notice them differently, more intensely – the contrast that comes from the window light, the flatness when the light is insufficient, the catchlight in the eyes, the way I can hide something in shadow or accent it with light. It’s all done behind the lens, in-camera, with manual settings, and it has taken away the feeling that I need to compensate for the lack of those components with heavy processing. It’s a refreshing realization. And it makes me want more.
And so…the internal debate continues.
Do I reopen my business? Do I continue to take it slow?
It’s a question I’m not ready to answer, but I’ll tell you something – I want it. I crave it. One day I’ll have to make a decision, but that day is not today. Today, I’m working on 6 different “projects” for 4 businesses, 2 schools, and 1 personal task. Today, I’m a full-time student working on finishing my Bachelors in Business Management. Today, I’m preparing for summer with four kids at home all day. Today, I’m thinking about all the things I can’t get done – won’t get done – the yard, the grocery shopping, the dishes, the bathrooms, the baseboards, the list goes on and on. Oh, and did I mention I’m a CrossFit trainer and we own a CrossFit facility? More mopping and bathrooms.
Best of all, today I spent some time with this little guy and his mommy and daddy,
and rekindled a love that has been burning quietly.
Good thing I have gorgeous friends that make beautiful babies for me to take pictures of.
Congratulations B family! You’ve successfully delivered yet another handsome face into our world. I look forward to getting to know baby B!
Photo Info: All images were shot with either an 85mm f/1.8 or 50mm f/1.8 – my 1.4 is on loan.
Light sources: window light and reflection
Post-Process: Soft-edit in Lightroom; Florabella Mademoiselle; Totally Rad Claireify & Pro-Retouch; Curves, Levels and Color Balance as needed
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