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Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Why I Take Pictures

In My Sister’s Keeper Jodi Picoult wrote, “A photo says, you were happy, and I wanted to catch that. A photo says, you were so important to me that I put down everything else to come watch.” Perhaps we never see ourselves objectively. But I hope when self-doubt creeps into her mind she sees in her portraits all the beauty that I see in her.

This.  This is exactly why I take pictures.

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Gift Ideas for Your Favorite Photographer

When it comes to being a photographer, the accessories, lens, and let's just call a spade, a spade, t-o-y-s can get pretty expensive. And fast. But that's not to say the occasional bargain doesn't still exist. Have a photographer on your holiday list this year? You might want to consider this really inexpensive video light.

In my freelancing career, I take a lot of photos, but I don't always have the perfect natural lighting available. This just might be the next best thing. The light that this casts is fairly widespread, enough to light a small room well, and it's bright enough to the point that when shined in someone's eyes at full blast, they might cry for mercy. Or start spilling their guts a la an SVU interrogation room.

It comes with several diffusing screens that you can quickly swap out, depending on the current lighting situation, and what you're looking for, and there is also an adjustable dial on the side to easily soften the light, or put it on full blast.

Although it is plastic, it is fairly sturdy and weighty. It slides right on to the top of your camera (my current one is a Nikon D60), and takes six AA batteries.

Stay tuned for my second favorite camera accessory on the cheap ... coming later this week.

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Beautiful Pictures in Your Own Home {NJ Photographer}

It is completely possible to take a gorgeous picture in your own home. This picture just goes to prove it. Find a blank wall. Move furniture or take pictures off the wall for a few minutes if you have to. This photo has no fancy lighting. No studio backdrop. And just the tiniest hint of retouching after the fact (just a little tweaking of the coloring). And it is still one of my favorite shots to date. Don't get bogged down in props and fancy stuffs you don't need. Keep it simple and you can't go wrong.
One of my favorite black-and-whites

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Jessica - Sneak Peek {NJ Child Photographer}

Have you ever seen more beautiful eyelashes? The length remind me of the uber-long eyelashes both my kids were blessed with. This is Jessica, a nine-month old curly-haired little wonder that I had the pleasure of meeting and photographing last Friday. Gorgeous!
Jessica - Sneak Peek

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Appearing at Caldwell College Craft Fair

Need to do a little holiday shopping? Be sure to visit the annual Caldwell College craft fair on Saturday, November 19, 2011 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Olivia Photography Associates will be representing! There will be a number of my stock prints available for immediate purchase, and discounts available for photo sessions booked that day. Hope to see you there!

Monday, November 7, 2011

The Happiness Project - NJ Preschool Photographer

Today I took pictures of seventeen preschoolers. When I'm putting together the packages for the parents, I'm going to include a few of the outtakes as a bonus. Those are often my favorite pictures, and as a photographer whose niche is "unscripted moments," this shouldn't come as a surprise. This was one of my favorite candids from today. To relax the kids a bit, I was asking them about their Halloween costumes and their recent trick-or-treating adventures. I don't remember what I said to make Hazel laugh, but she threw back her head and let out a huge giggle. Loved it.
H - Happiness

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Senior Photos - Snow in October

A planned weekend photo session got usurped by an unexpected snowstorm on Halloween weekend, delivering 16-1/2 inches of the white stuff. Definitely nixed some of our plans, but luckily we still managed to get some great shots.





Monday, October 24, 2011

Capturing Their Favorites - New Jersey Child Photographer

One of the things that I love most about photography is being able to capture one moment or one emotion, and documenting it. One summer evening, I did a few shots of my kids out in our front yard, and made sure to include a few of their favorite outside playthings. When composing your photos, don't lean too heavily on props. Instead, focus on items and treasures that are important to your children right now ... a favorite blanket or dress, a treasured stuffed animal, or a mouth full of braces.


Thursday, October 20, 2011

Embrace the Camera

The moms are notoriously the ones behind the camera, angling to get the best shot of their children doing this, that, or the other. So much so that we often forget to make sure to get IN the shot with our family. Hand the camera over to a friend or family member (or me!), and make sure to jump in front of the lens. When your kids are older and flipping through their photo albums, you don't want them looking at picture after picture wondering "where's mom?"

I grabbed this awesome shot of my friend, Cathy, in the park over the weekend. Love, love, love it. Although her son has terrific red hair, and the Fall foliage was to-die-for, this one begged to be in black and white.

Cathy and Jake

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Serious Baby Lust

I stole borrowed a co-worker's baby today to take a few pictures. As soon as I set him down on the blanket, he decided he wasn't having any of it, and wanted Mom nearby. Quite the champ after that. Nothing like a three-month-old baby to stir up those feelings of baby lust!


J - B&W

J - Baby Fists

J - B&W Low Angle

J - B&W Close-Up

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Leaf Show Courtesy of Mother Nature

There is nothing like a little Fall foliage to bring out some gorgeous colors in a photograph.  Here are a few fun shots from a recent trip to the park at dusk, my favorite time to shoot. Jake Standing in Leaves Jake Sitting with Frame Jake Grabbing Ring Jack with Frame Jake on Blanket