Posts Tagged ‘family’
Scent of a Newborn Baby’s Head – Albany, NY Newborn Photographer
There are few things that you can say you can smell from memory…. that newborn scent is one of them! So pure, light, hint of baby sweetness!!! Unmistakeable that’s for sure! I’m sure this new mom and dad have been spending some time taking in the wonderful essence of this one. He truely is a gorgeous newborn baby. They’re viewing their gallery this week, can not wait for them to see their collection!
Boys Rule – Albany, NY Family Photographer
Boys Rule this house for sure!!!
This makes boy number 3 for this wonderful family! I really love when I get to work with families as they grow. I’ve taken maternity pictures, family pictures, and newborn shots with them – so obviously I’ve gotten to see first hand how they’ve expanded! It’s honestly so much fun for me to see the enormous changes that go on with little ones – and how much a new sibling can resemble an older one! Can not wait for them to view their full gallery…
Playful – Albany, NY Family Photographer
When I asked these two what they wanted their session to be, and the images to portray… the answer was simple! Playful!!! They just wanted to have fun, and to capture them being them. Not much better than that! We used a bunch of locations, and really came away with a beautiful gallery – enjoy!
This Is The Time – Albany, NY Family Photographer
Do you have a current family portrait? Most people’s answer to that is probably NO — life is busy right? Unfortunately, we often let things like documenting
our families slip by – month after month or year after year. Always with the intention of doing it – but never quite making it enough of a priority to schedule and
coordinate it.
A few weeks ago, I was honored to photograph this family. We had talked a few times about getting something scheduled – but it just never happened.
The original intention was to capture grandparents with their grandchildren and children. And if you take a look at these – you see 2 of those three categories
covered. About a month earlier the grandfather passed away suddenly. Now I know this family personally – and one of the things that crossed my mind
shortly after was….”we never did those pictures”. In talking with his daughter, the same thought had run through her mind as well. It’s so hard to loose
members of our family. And people often tell you – your memories will help you through – they’ll provide some comfort in the time to come. Granted our brains
are wonderful tools for that – but they can’t produce a physical image that you can hold in your hands. There’s something very powerful about holding a portrait in
your own two hands – or staring into it with your eyes as you remember the person who is no longer with you. Portraits have a wonderful magic
to them – they freeze those moments in time – and are often capable of bringing you right back to the scene you are looking at. Sometimes to the
point that we can really feel the emotion that was occurring or hear the voices and conversation exactly at that point. That is invaluable.
So back to the question…. Do you have a current family portrait? What are you waiting for? This is the time – you will love your images forever – and they
will immortalize your family — don’t wait…. you’ll be grateful you have them.
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GENINE GULLICKSON PHOTOGRAPHY
www.geninegullickson.net 518.248.0834
Let It Be All About You…
The last few years of High School are such great times in a student’s life! I really love working with them, and helping them capture their interests, hobbies, and personal style – agh! I honestly can not wait to dive into this next month! If you read my blog – you’ve heard me chat about this before. Too many school in this area require students to sit for the cookie-cutter, black drape, shirt and tie boring pictures. Some even will not list them alphabetically or at all if they submit a photo from an outside studio….WHY? My opinion …convenience – it would be very easy for a yearbook staff to upload a disc from one studio – already alphabetized etc. My favorite response….. “Let your Yearbook picture be your Yearbook picture – Let your Senior Portraits be YOU!” If the schools are going to be rigid, so be it. There’s no reason you need to purchase anything from them, or give that image out to friends/family! Play the game, sit for 5 minutes, pick a yearbook photo, and book a Unique Session with me to celebrate this great time in your life or your child’s life! Enough said! LOL*Distribute 50 Rep. Cards to friends/family
Her daughter is a 2010 Rep!
A DUSTING OF SNOW : ENGAGEMENT PORTRAIT SESSION
A DUSTING OF SNOW : ENGAGEMENT PORTRAIT SESSION
- Albany, NY Photographer
What an incredible session this was! First of all this couple was adorable – fun, lighthearted – and so easy to work with. They love Saratoga – so it was the perfect place to meet up for their Engagement Portrait Session. We started in Congress Park located in Saratoga Springs, NY. He actually popped the question there last month! It’s really a beautiful park any time of year. We took a stroll up Broadway – snapped a few more, and then headed over to Yaddo Gardens – which is also in Saratoga just off exit 14 of the Northway. I’ve shot sessions in Congress Park before, and have taken photos in Yaddo – but never had a portrait session scheduled there. Never imagined that it would be so incredible with the fresh covering of glistening snow! Opened my eyes to the beauty of Winter portraits… I’ve only just begun to edit these – but could not resist posting a few. The striking contrast with the snow and blacks of the metal gate….so striking. Enjoy your sneak peek S and R!!!
Play Me a Tune
Get Your Game Face On
No surprise that I love photographing HS Juniors/Seniors – especially when they want to incorporate their hobbies or sport interests! She’s been playing lax for a long time – and from what I hear…. is quite good! It’s always impressive to me to see students in the many “looks” of them. Granted her hair isn’t pulled up, and she’ wearing makeup in her Lax shots – but I have a soft spot for athlete’s!!! 
I personally started playing sports at the age of 7. Softball was the thing until I got into Junior High. I ended up sticking with Softball and quickly feel in love with Field Hockey. Although I found Softball easier – that’s not where my passion was. I played Field Hockey through 3 years of College. I always found myself cracking up when people would say… “You don’t look like a Field Hockey chick….” and honestly I think I looked quite different on the field than I did off! Game Face on – watch out!
It was a bit chilly this day – so you can really appreciate her willingness to fully suit up and endure the cold to get the shots we wanted!!! If you can’t quite figure it out, the photo with her eye, is through the netting of her stick. She loved it, as well as her mom when I showed it to them in camera. I was thrilled that the edginess was appreciated. By incorporated sports, or other hobbies/interests – students really walk away with a great collection of images that really celebrate who they are in their last year of High School.
“Holiday Photo Tips”
Just in time for this weekend, Holiday photo tips to save the day
PHOTO TIPS:
1. Flash: Not the easiest thing to work with – but sometimes just necessary! If you’re at a gathering during the day…try to turn your flash off. Set the ISO, which is basically the camera “film” speed, at least at 400. Take a look around the room, and try to find natural light by the windows. You’ll get beautiful soft filtered light, that makes for gorgeous photos! At night, or in dark spaces, you will have to use a flash. Keep in mind that your camera’s flash only really works up to about 6 ft. away. So stay close! Also, if you have an attached flash system – see if you have the capability to adjust the position. On “shoe flashes” you should have a release button to adjust the angle and direction the flash is set up in. If possible, extend the flash straight up, then slightly tip it to point behind you! Ideal position would be if the flash is firing where the wall and ceiling meet directly behind you. If you can’t tip it back, then position it straight up and down, bouncing off the ceiling!
2. Composition:
A. The biggest mistake that people make taking photographs is being too far away! Often I tell clients that the background isn’t all that important – especially when you’re in a house! What you’re photographing are the people, not the bookshelf! LOL When you look through your viewfinder – take specific notice of how much background is in your frame. Before you click your shutter – take a step, or a few steps closer to your subjects! Don’t be worried about if the top of someone’s head is slightly cropped, you’ll be focusing on their faces and expressions!
B. Probably the second No-No people don’t realize is NOT TO CENTER THEIR PHOTOS! Think of your viewfinder as a Tic-Tac-Toe grid. You do not want the focal point of your photo to land in the center. It’s visually boring! Where you do want to focus the attention is the corner points of that center square. Those land 1/3 of the way into the frame. So maybe start by centering the photo – then shift yourself so the person’s eyes are landing at either the top Left or top Right point of that center square. Basically just shift a bit left, right, up or down…you’ll be much happier with the results!
3. Candid Shots:
Looking for real smiles, and emotions? Resist the urge to say “Say Cheese and Look at the Camera!” When you see family or friends laughing and enjoying each others company – sneak over and fire off a few frames! If they are looking at you, try to crack a joke, or remind them of a funny story that gets the giggles going again!
Wishing you a Wonderful Holiday Season – and Happy Photo taking!
2009 in Review
2009 in Review…
It’s hard to believe that there is only 2 weeks + left in 2009! It seems to always start to fly by once the Fall hits. Many of you know that before photography – I taught elementary ed. in Niskayuna. It’s a regular practice for a teacher to self-reflect. Now I’m not talking about requirements, just day to day, or lesson to lesson reflections. Although my teaching days are behind me – I still find that routine very much ingrained. I love looking through proofs from a session – and discovering what I walked away with. I mentally prepare before a session – and generally do have an idea of what my client is looking for, as well as ideas I have in mind. However, the best photos are always a result of just letting the session unfold in front of me!
In preparation for 2010 - I’ve had the chance to go back through the sessions from the year. I really was honored to meet and work with so many wonderful families! Maternity and Newborn sessions begun 2009 – working with many expecting mothers, and some absolutely beautiful newborn babies! As I reviewed these images, I really noticed how much I do stick to my style, or maybe better said – my vision of what should be documented during these sessions. I LOVE the lines that my eye is drawn to. The roundness of a belly – the delicate wrinkles of newborn fingers. These details are so precious – that I focus on them. Two words to sum it up…. ”detailed simplicity”
Boudoir was a new area that I worked with this year – and how much fun it is!!! The nerves were always there – but quickly diminished and turned to laughing, joking and relaxed smiles! The women I worked with were stunning. And I’m thrilled to know how beautiful they felt when they viewed their images. Hoping to really work in this are more next year – keep the idea in your head … it’s the perfect gift – and although it sounds crazy…Valentine’s Day isn’t far off!!!
As we moved into the warmer months – the family and children sessions became more popular. I met the owners of Felthousen’s Greenhouse and Florist in Niskayuna, and joined them for their Spring Event. Not much cuter than little kids and baby chicks! Again, looking at the families I worked with this year - there’s a common thread to their images. Playfulness! Of course I’ll pose everyone and ask that everyone look at the camera – but that’s not my goal. Natural interactions – squealing laughs and tickles….those are the elements that make amazing Family Portraits!
In addition to family sessions, the summer brought some High School Senior sessions as well! One of my favorite thing to do, is to help Seniors really celebrate who they are! I love hearing about their hobbies, seeing their clothing style, and seeing the excitement in their eyes as they talk about what the next fall will hold for them!!!
September, October and November were loaded with family sessions, generally with the “HOLIDAY PHOTO” the number one priority! So many great families!!!
I honestly can not say enough about the wonderful people I’ve worked with this year. I’m honored that so many of my clients have chosen to work with me year after year – and am appreciative of those who contacted me for their first sessions.
Best wishes for a delightful holiday season – full of laughs, good health, and of course wonderful photos!
Looking forward to seeing you in 2010!
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I'm a natural light, onlocation portait photographer - who goes for the "something different vibe"! Please look at my site - and email or call me today to discuss a ...
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