Three year old session

I've been photographing my best friend's son for a while now. He had just turned three, and we needed to do a new shoot. I really wanted to do a lifestyle shoot of him, just playing with his toys. Now I also watch my friend's son a few times a week, when she needs to head to work a bit early for a meeting. My husband suggested I do a shoot while she was working and surprise her the photos...genius!

Let me tell you a little about my friend's son.  In a word, he's active. He's fast, silly, vocal, and did I mention fast? I can't do crazy high ISOs on my camera, and while the natural light from the windows was amazing, it wasn't a ton of light. I had to open my aperture almost the whole way, and was working with a slower-than-I-would-like shutter speed. Did this cause some technical flaws? Sure. But I'm also pretty sure I captured the essence of this little guy, and that matters most.

And without further ado:

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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

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

Doctor Who Baby Cosplay

Oh yes, here it is!  My first of [hopefully] many baby cosplay (short for costume play) portraits!  This is a new project that I'm pursuing, and I am SO*FLIPPING*EXCITED!

The idea behind this project is to take beautiful baby portraits, that happen to be cosplay.  I don't want anything "costume-y."  I also don't want to take the cosplay aspect too seriously...these are portraits of little ones, they should be fun.

The first cosplay features none other than the 11th Doctor (or is it technically the 12th, since the airing of the 50th anniversary?) of Doctor Who, played on the show by Matt Smith.  He's my favorite Doctor, and the upcoming Christmas special will be his departing show.  My son is the model (so handsome!) and will probably be in most of the cosplay portraits to come.  Take a look!

In the future I want to do a Supernatural cosplay with Bubs (that's my guy) as Dean Winchester, and I need another little dude as Sam.  What would you like to see in baby cosplay?  Comment your ideas!

Thanks for looking everyone!

-Stefanie

Sebastian's 1 Year Photo Session

First photo post, with my son's one year photos!  Seems appropriate to me!  I love love LOVE shooting in fun locations with great backdrops, and this session was no exception.  His little surfer outfit inspired me for a boardwalk theme, so we headed over to John's Pass (Maderia Beach).  The colors are amazing! I'm so glad we got there earlier in the morning...less people, and it was a LOT cooler.  

Photographing a mobile baby, by yourself, can be -ahem- challenging.  I try to go with the flow, not forcing the perfect pose or expression, but being ready for those cute moments that happen on their own.  Babies and kids have a short attention span, so being ready for them, rather than the other way around, is key.  

Thanks for stopping by!  Remember you can add me on Facebook/Twitter/Instagram with the links below.


-Stefanie