Now – September 30th – I’m offering portrait clients a “Basics” Collection choice.  Check it out on FACEBOOK   This Fairwell collection is available for maternity, newborn, children, families, High School seniors, and boudoir sessions.  Slots are filling fast – get intouch today to inquire

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=139372676104573&ref=mf

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…

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

The 2010 High School Senior Photo Rep. program is off and running!  I have a handful of students that are eager to participate this year.  These are some of my favorite sessions to shoot   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

NO CATCH!    Her daughter is a 2010 Rep!

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GENINE GULLICKSON PHOTOGRAPHY
www.geninegullickson.net 518.248.0834

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!!!

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.

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!