Photography

Half Pint Resale- Madison Photographer

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 If you live in the Madison area, you must know about the semi annual resale organized by two local mom’s called Half Pint Resale, Madison Area’s Largest Children’s Consignment Sale, for ages 0-12.  [100% Local]

The sale is held in the Spring and again in the fall and if you are expecting or have children under the age of 12, the sale offers a place to consign your unwanted and outgrown items and take advantage of gently used items for sale at great prices. I had the honor of being the official photographer for the sale the past weekend.

Getting ready for +1 – Madison Maternity Portraits

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These two are childhood sweethearts, married in 2011 and expecting their first child. Does it get any better?

Can you imagine, meeting your forever partner when you are young and innocent, without a care in the world. I wish that more people could find the one ,when they are still finding themselves, because having someone along for the ride, can make it more exciting and you always have someone to count on when the going gets bad. Childhood sweethearts are not just sweethearts but they are best friends, now and forever.

Elise and Jeremy are no exception to the rule, they are best friends.  I asked them about embarrassing moments before they were a couple to get to know them but they knew each other so well, they *know* everything about each other since they have not skipped a beat as a couple. Being married less than a year and having an almost honeymoon baby just completes the package.

Enjoy your preview and look forward to seeing you and the little one in studio in 5 weeks, give or take a few days. Take advantage of the last few weeks as a couple and make sure you gets lots of sleep, ’cause newborns take a few months or a year to sleep thru the night.

Another {Mommy & Me} workshop in the bag, the camera bag that is

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The day was perfect; the sun was shinning and the natural light in the studio was gorgeous. We had a full class for the February {Mommy & Me} workshop,which including babies and toddlers and most importantly some anxious moms wanting to learn more about photographing their children. And boy, did we learn. Two hours just flies by, but I try my best to cover all the bases on what is most important when using your camera to capture those only moments at home and on the go.

While instructing the moms, I snapped a few images behind the scene and of some of the kiddos from the workshop. We even braved the 40 degree winter day to take a quick trip outside to talk about composition, depth of field and lighting of course. 

And again, all of the ladies and some of the kiddos were spoiled with those beautiful camera cupcakes that we had at the first workshop of 2012 from Cupcakes A Go Go. If you need a sugar fix and want to feast your eyes on the cupcake art, check out the last {mommy & me} workshop.

And if you need a little reinforcement on how this class will improve your candid photography, just hear from a few moms from this class. 

Jennifer H from Madison, Wisconsin said… (the image above included a new prop that Jennifer donated to the studio, a vintage bassinet, baby not included

“I went to a workshop in February.  Before I went I felt like I could take some good pictures but it seemed like chance to get something really great.  Just learning what settings I should be using helped my pictures look better alone.  But also on Danielle’s recommendation I purchased a new lens that just arrived today.  I’ve already been snapping away and the pictures look awesome!”

 And Lyndsay A from Verona, Wisconsin commented…

“I’ve never had the time to really figure out how to use my DSLR. Having Danielle help me optimize the settings and learn how to make adjustments as I’m shooting is getting me so much more out of the investment we made in our camera.  My new lens arrives tomorrow and I can’t wait to play with it!”

And this image is a great example on what one of the techniques we talk about during the class. Back lighting your subject. Miss Tailia had a blast running up and down the sidewalk to model for the example.

And don’t miss your opportunity to attend one of the last two{Mommy & Me} Workshop for 2012. April is full buy I just opened up two more classes for May 5th and June 2nd. Spots will book quickly so email Danielle to get more information. Only 5 participants per class. Want more information on what is included for only $100 plus tax, email Danielle or call the studio 608.204.9747. I look forward to helping you take great images of those little that capture those first moments and last memories.

24 hours and counting…Child and Family Portrait Photography

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Sitting here on Sunday evening, winding down from the weekend, I realized lots of things are based on time. We schedule and plan our days around time; to sleep, to eat, to grab a cup of coffee with a friend. There is a perfect time for everything. Sometimes we miss the opportunity without proper planning, but life would be pretty boring if we planned everything. Where would the spontaneity and element of surprise be? Think of all those times when you have planned the perfect day, everything started off great, and then something unplanned happened; do you roll with it? do you let the element of surprise help you make the best of the occasion? or do you acknowledge that maybe those in between moments are the best unplanned part of life?

A little contest to win a {Day in the Life} Session- Wisconsin and Nationwide Child and Family Photographer

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I am a firm believer that most people appreciate the art of photography and if given the choice, they choose their photographer based on quality and value, not just price. And as a mother myself, when selecting a photographer to capture our family moments, not just quality but the option to purchase our session images with permission to print is also a must in this digital age. Luckily, there are lots of talented and professional photographers available. And with that, the choice becomes more and more difficult each year. But every year when it is time to update our portraits, I choose the same professional photographer, not just because she is a dear friend, but because these moments are irreplaceable, and why go to the trouble of planning a session if I am unsure of the resulting product.

This is the part where I educate you, the current and future client, about selecting a professional photographer. And if you are one of the lucky ones to call yourself  a professional; you should always strive to do better, educate yourself, and be part of not just the photography community but your client’s community. Be more than just a mom with a camera or someone with a great photographic eye, become a legit tax paying professional photographer and respect the profession. Everday someone new, sometimes a few someones, purchase a DSLR, start a facebook page and bam, they are a {professional} photographers. With a zero threshold profession, I am sure you, you yourself, have considered becoming a professional photographer. Don’t lie; I know I make it look easy right. And it is really just my fancy pants camera capturing those great moments, right? Let me reassure you, we all start somewhere, but please when you have taken the leap to be part of this creative profession, consider more than just the images as a hallmark of your work, consider what it takes to be a professional and produce professional quality portraits, and get paid for your time and talent. Think about making this career choice, respectable and know the difference between a snapshot and a crafted professional image with proper lighting, exposure and composition.

So on to the good stuff, I am often hired to photograph a moment in time, but rarely I am hired to photograph a day in the life documentary session, where I am there for several hours just documenting daily life as it unfolds. I have done this with both my boys and looking back at those images, it brings me right back to everyday life and what is most important; the relationships our children have with us. And I want to give this gift to one lucky family.Here is a sampling of some of the families that have allowed be to be part of their lives through portraits.

I have been privileged to be a small part of my clients life through portraits but I want one family to have me as their own personal paparazzi, to capture more than just a few moments of there short lives. Here are the details on how you can win a {Day in the Life} Session. Keep in mind, you do not have to be a Wisconsin resident, you can be anywhere in the greater United States to participate in this contest. I love to travel and would love to share professional photography with fans and families outside of my state of residence.

1.) Like First Moments Photography on Facebook. If you already like First Moments, THANK YOU.

2.) Tag yourself in this image on facebook.

3.)Copy and past this Comment to your facebook wall, “I want Danielle from First Moments Photography to come photograph my family at our home in _____(name city and state). Make sure you tag the studio facebook page so the comment shows up on the studio’s facebook page.

4.) Come back and comment on this blog post, use the blog comments, not post to facebook comments. Comments will be moderated and entries must include all the steps above to be included in the contest.

4.)  Random  generator will be used to select the winner based on the blog comments.

The fine print:

One family will be selected and will receive a complimentary {Day in the Life} Session and complimentary portrait CD of the best of the best of the images selected by Danielle herself from this documentary session. Open to All US Residents. For families outside of Madison, Wisconsin; all travel expenses will be included as part of the contest but it is suggested to stay at your home at least the night before the session to be there for your families morning routine. Sessions must take place before June 1st, 2012. Comments/Entries will be accepted on the blog until 9pm (CST) Monday, March 5th, 2012. The winner will be announced on facebook on Tuesday, March 6th.  And feel free to refer everyone your know to the contest.

Do you know someone on the Spectrum? Stories of Autism International Project looking for portrait models

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Sometimes things happen for a reason; and we may not understand, why or how, but we are blessed to be part of each other’s lives.

This past week, having been through a challenging past couple of months personally, I heard about this great project from another local photographer called Stories of Autism. Why did this project strike such a chord with me? Why, you ask, do I feel the need to throw everything I am into this project? Sometimes what comes from an overwhelming struggle, is nothing but light,openness and acceptance. I feel like this project is what I need to rise about the fight and give back.