Teaser: Marmo Family!!

Here's a teaser from a family session I did last Saturday!  Thank you to the Marmo Family for allowing me to spend some time with them :)  I can't wait to show you the musical talents of these two girls!

This week is going to be crazy, but I hope to crank out all my family sessions as well as my Rock-the-Dress session later this week!

How I Do: Using Flash to Give Your Image More "Umph"

So I'm going to blog really quickly since I would like to blog more regularly (I keep saying that, don't I?).  That doesn't explain why I need to blog quickly though.  Today is just a hectic Monday, several albums to design and stuff, but it's great to be busy, that's for sure!

I just wanted to give you an example of how adding flash can give your image more umph when used correctly.

Below is an available light image.  80mm, f/2.8, ISO 200, 1/400 sec.  This image never went to the client because to me, it's lacking something.  The background for one is overexposed and the subjects are too dark.  Sure, I could work some photoshop magic, but to me, that's an extra step I shouldn't have to take in the first place.  I strive very hard to get my images right in camera, so that when it's time to edit, all I have to do is 'enhance' and not to 'fix.'  It's been a long process getting to this point, but I think it's helped me to improve in my craft, and I still am striving to learn as much as I can :)

After taking the above image to assess the lighting (and we'll say that it was also for the purposes of this mini tutorial LOL) I knew that available light was not going to cut it.  I immediately set my shutter to sync speed for flash (1/250 on my D700), and went to work on exposing the background correctly.

Here's the next image I took, ISO 200, 112mm, f/5.6, 1/250.   First thing I did was set my shutter to 1/250 like I said above.  Then I adjusted the f-stop to a point where I got my background to be the way I liked (kind of on the darker side).  Then I added the flash on the couple and adjusted that until they were properly lit as well (I told my husband whether to raise or decrease the power).

So, first expose for the background to get it to look the way you want, then add the flash to light up the subject and adjust that until it's how you want as well.  Remember, assuming nothing is really in close proximity to your subject, the flash only affects your subject and the background is affected only by the ambient available light.   This isn't always the case (such as if the background is RIGHT behind the subject, etc...) but in general when doing environmental portraits, this is what I think of in my head when I do these shots.

Here's a pic behind the scenes (well, not in this exact location, but just to give you an idea where my assistant aka my husband stands).  Usually a 45 degree or so from my camera position, but sometimes less if I have to be careful about shadows.

I don't know about you, but to me, the one with flash looks 10xs better, at least in this type of situation!

Okay gotta go, sorry if this is semi repetitive, but I'll do some more intense how-to's in a bit, I promise!

Oooo I just realized I can do an indoor version of this too, that will probably be 'part two'. :)

Florida Wedding: Sheila + Mike | First Look

Hello!!  Here's more images from our first Florida wedding, with Sheila and Mike!!  It was really hard to narrow this down because their wedding just had so many beautiful moments, but here's a summary!  For more, please check out my FB fanpage album, NTME Photography. 

I had fun using my new video light for the details, just to give it a little more 'umph'..

Mr. Groom lookin' all debonair, is that how you spell it?? 

My husband Fred took photos for Mike's preparation :)

LOVE this next duo :)

Okay Mike, we see you ;)

Bride's turn!  Pure beauty - that's all I can say!

Her sister and MOH, Jessica, helps her with her dress :)

This is our first couple to opt for a "first look" and I think it definitely made the rest of the day more relaxed!  We had ample time to take photos of the bride and the groom alone and so that was awesome!  I HIGHLY recommend first looks for my brides and grooms, and personally feel that it's even more initimate than seeing each other fior the first time at a ceremony... as you can see below :)

Sheila waiting for Mike..

Mike was very stealth about it, probably something he picked up serving our country HEHEHE!

Time for some portraits together before we go to the chapel!

Not gonna front, I definitely was holding back tears behind the camera during the vows hehehe!

Fast forward to the kiss - I love the faces these two make - such a fun/funny couple :)

Sheila's family.. featuring Jessica - HEHE!

Mike's family!!

LOL!!!

Inside the limo.. I love reflections!!

Reception time!! Shades of Green in Walt Disney World!!

The details totally suit these two!!! LOVE THE BOBBLE HEADS HAHAHAHA!

Money pinning!  Sheila's dad and grandma :)

Fun with the cake! :)

GROUP PIC!!

Let's get a few more before the night is done :)

I should really only have pics of me taken earlier in the night when I haven't become a complete mess LOL.  Thanks so much for everything Sheila and Mike - your wedding was so beautiful and awesome and we were so happy to be a part of it! :)

Newborn Portraits: Olivia Rose

Here are some of my favorite images from my newborn session with Olivia Rose and her wonderful parents, Dacia and Andrew :)  I must say, I've been around too many babies lately.. they are so cute and they are saying, "Make me a friend, make me a friend!" HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA God-willing, one day Fred and I can start our own family, just not quite yet :)

Anyway, please also enjoy the slideshow!!!

Newborn: Olivia Rose from NTME on Vimeo.