Free Comic Book Day!

For all you comic fans out there, you probably know that Saturday, May 3rd is free comic book day.  My hubs (wisely) suggested that I whip up a promo to use at his favorite local comic shop since I'm all about baby cosplay.  There are always lots of kids and parents there, and who wouldn't want a professional portrait of their little Superman?  The promo will be available at Hero's Haven comic shop in Tampa, and I'll be around tomorrow as well.  My husband (Stephen Wittmaak, aka Switt!) will be there selling his illustrations.

Here's a lookie-see in case you can't make it out!

Superman Baby Cosplay!

It's a bird, it's a plane, no, it's Superman Baby Cosplay!  Okay, I'm done with the cheese...probably.  It's been TOO LONG since my last baby cosplay post, but I'm happy to be back in the swing of things.

So without further ado, I present Superman (Clark Kent) and his pal, Jimmy Olsen!

Just a couple of cuties.

Could these guys be any cuter?  I really wanted to do the Clark Kent cosplay, as opposed to the traditional Superman.  I guess I prefer something less costume-y.  You should have seen the crazy sounds I was making to try to get both of these guys to look at me at the same time.  And then there was the running.  Mostly by my son (playing Jimmy).  That long hallway behind the boys was just too much temptation.

Another of this dynamic duo:

Up, up, and away!  I hope Jimmy got that on film!

Here's are a few of Clark Kent, with his trademark glasses, of course!

The cutest Superman ever!

I'd probably smile like that if I had superpowers!

And a couple of little Jimmy Olsen:

Jimmy's got the latest scoop on Superman!

Say cheese!

I have to hand it to our little Superman cosplayer...he was perfect for this role!  And those smiles!  Would you believe that he was scared of me when he first arrived?  Thankfully, he warmed up, and as you can see, he is a natural model.

I can't wait to do more baby cosplay!  Make sure to follow me on Facebook and Instagram for the latest happenings.

-Stefanie

I'm no "mom-ographer"

Or at least that's what I tell myself.  I am a photographer, and a mother.  But I was a photographer first.  I chose that dream waaaay before a child, before marriage, before nearly any adult decision.  It's been a passion of mine since 7th grade.  I  was an artist, damn it.

An artsy self-portrait I made shortly after graduating college.

Then came this squish, this little being that needs me 24/7, helpless and yet so powerful.  And everything changed, like it's supposed to. But I had no warning how humbling this change would be.

The squish, aka Sebastian, about 2 weeks old.

My fears first struck me  in pregnancy.  I was terrified of losing my identity.  I knew my life would revolve around this new little person and I was scared that everything else I cared for would get left behind.

Preggers me and the hubs.  Photo courtesy of Carolyn Bistline 2012

It's true that some things are given less care, but for the most part, I've traded up.  I've also realized I wasn't losing my identity, I was adding to it.  And although my priorities have changed, who I am hasn't.  That's been a big relief.

It helps a photographer to have a child that is photogenic.

I still struggle with managing what I want from a career, and what I want as a parent.  But I've come to realize that the easy path isn't necessarily the path that leads to happiness.

-Stefanie

Getting in front of the camera...

I'm a photographer.  I'm taking the shots, I'm behind the lens.  I'm checking details, fixing collars, focusing, refocusing, a little to the left please.  I am creating art.  I am NOT in the photo.

When my son was born, I was on the "photo shoot every month" train.  I kept it up for a full year.  I have hundreds of shots of him (and some of him and my husband).  But that was it.  I set up a session with another photographer for family portraits, but my son was cranky and uncooperative, and the best shots were of him alone.  So basically there are no "wall-worthy" photos of me and my son together during the first year of his life. -NOT GOOD-

Last year, I read a little blog post by an amazing photographer.  She talked about the importance of being in the photo, especially with your family, and she gave some great tips.  This was the motivation I needed at just the right time.

Enter the set-up: bed with a plain blanket and pillows, a bare white wall, and some gorgeous window light.   I threw on some jeans and a white tee and put my son in a simple onesie.  I had my tripod and remote in hand, and started snapping.  And this is my result:

I L-O-V-E this picture.  Everything about it.  The light, his vulnerable expression, how he's clinging to me  I needed this.


I did another photo shoot wit my son the past January.  The result didn't elicit the same heart-tugs like the first one, but I'm doing it.  I'm being part of the moment, not just capturing it.

So now it was time for an official family photo.  We had the outfits, my hair was behaving, and it was a beautiful day.  There were some hiccoughs with the location (as in no shade whatsoever, except for this little 10x10 spot) but I made the most of it.  And wow, I am happy!

I took some shots of just the boys.

And then I handed the camera to my hubs, with everything set, and got these.

And for good measure, I spent an recent afternoon updating my personal profile picture for my website and all of my social media.

Life is too fleeting to exclude yourself from the moments with your family.  So get out from behind the lens.  Join your loved ones, or strike a pose alone.  You are worth being documented.

-Stefanie

Supernatural Baby Cosplay!

Oh yes!  Here it is!  Supernatural baby cosplay!  This is one of my all-time favorite shows.  I've been watching it since it started, over nine years ago.  I love the characters, the predictability of the strife between the brothers, and just when I think they have no where else to take the story, they surprise me (LEVIATHANS!). I could have added more characters, but I wanted to stay true to the brothers, Sam and Dean Winchester, who are the backbone of the show.  Besides, my little "Dean" was hard enough to wrangle.

Here's my core photo:

"Saving people, hunting things.  The family business."

A few single shots of the brothers, Sam and Dean, respectively:

And a couple more, with a toy Castiel figure, and a little 1967 Chevy Impala:

"You play with Castiel, I'll play with the Impala."

"Castiel is so silly!"

And finally, here's one of my son, as Dean Winchester.  I grabbed this shot as he was exploring the cemetery before the other baby arrived.  And besides, Dean is my favorite.

"That's Dean.  Now he can start a fight in an empty house, but deep down inside he's just a big, old teddy bear."

Here's a disclaimer, if needed.  This is not supposed to be pictures of baby Dean and baby Sam Winchester.  They weren't babies together; they have a four year age difference.  These are two little dudes cosplaying as Sam and Dean.  And they just happen to be babies.

So what's next?  I'd love to do a huge Game of Thrones baby cosplay...that will require a LOT of planning.  I have other Dr. Who ideas, some video game ideas, and of course we can go the superhero route.  Anything you'd like to see?  Share your thoughts in the comments!


-Stefanie

Why I don't like prints.

By prints, I mean photographic prints, of course.  The physical, hold-in-your-hand prints.  And considering I come from an analog background (I learned photography on film and developed my own photos) this might come as a surprise.

I think I need to clarify.  I don't like small prints.  For the most part, anything under 16x20 is small to me.  Most typically, I think of the 4x6, 5x7, and 8x10s that we've all seen at some time or another (school pictures, anyone?).  With the growing popularity of online photo sharing, the need for small prints is diminishing. And even for those not using online options, what happens? Many times, the photo ends up on the refrigerator, or in a box. That might be okay for everyday snapshots, but beautiful portraits? They deserve better.

Giving prints with the precedence or stipulation of using a frame seems a bit impolite. I don't think gifts should have strings attached.  Now you could give a print with a frame, however that always gives the option to remove the print (and put it in a box). Personally, I feel if you want/need a small picture (because grandma has nine other grandchildren and no room on her walls for a 20x30 of your little doodle) then you should choose a photo GIFT.  And I don't mean a photo mug-although those are cute.

Here's an example:  I'm in LOVE with prints on metal.  Not metallic prints, where the photo paper itself is shimmery (I do love these too), but where the photo is directly printed on a sheet of metal, usually aluminum. This is a very unique display option, that looks great on a wall, no frame required.  But guess what?  It also looks great as a little 5x5 with a built in stand to put on your desk/dresser/counter top.  It will last longer than a print, and it feels more like a gift.  It's solid, three-dimensional, and says more than just a copy of an image.

While I love big portraits, I  do not have endless wall space, or an endless wallet.  So I get little photo gifts, mostly of my son, and sprinkle them around the house.  One on his dresser, another on a bookshelf, one I sent with my husband for his desk at work, you get the idea.

Okay, here's my disclaimer.  I'm not trying to knock the print, or judge anyone that uses/gives them.  Heck, I still buy and give them on occasion.  However, I do notice that I don't display them- they end up in a box. This is not doing the photograph justice.

So what should YOU do?  Anything you want!  It really comes down to personal preference.  But I do recommend spending your money on something you value, because then, you'll always be happy with your decision.


XO-Stefanie

Baby Cosplay, the inspiration.

If you read my previous post then you may be wondering where I got the idea to do baby cosplay portraits.  The answer is easy enough...my son!  Well, a combo of my son and husband.  My hubs has a huge love of comics, and comic conventions.  He sells his art at several conventions every year, and you see a LOT of cosplay there, which was my first introduction to it.  Enter Sebastian, adorable awesome baby, and daddy wants to dress him up like any and every super hero.  

These are a few instagram shots from my husband and I.  And while these are cute, and very in the moment, I felt I could take it a step further by adding in some planning and great locations to create beautiful portraits.  Now that Sebastian is more inclined to wear a mask or hat for longer than 2 seconds, the timing is perfect. 

This project is going to be my top photographic priority and I have SEVERAL ideas that I can't wait to play with.  Keep posted, and by the way, follow me on Instagram, too- stefcannonphoto

Stefanie