"Click"

Off Camera Flash and Going Urban...

I had my first set of volounteers yesterday for an urban style shoot. It's a little different than using fields and trees that's for sure, but I liked it... and if I didn't like little kids and babies so much I think that I would like to photograph seniors and weddings full time- even if I have to haul the livingroom furniture down the allyways in town. I had a vision.   

I'm thinking that these girls were wondering what the world they got themselves into walking down the allys downtown with a mumbling photographer. I got a new camera a couple of weeks ago but yesterday was the first time that I used it for anything but snapshots- and it's not the same as my other camera. I'm finding that the more expensive the toy- the thicker the manuals and the more buttons there are.. and well, I'm not a manual reader- I'm a mumbler.

         

 

With the top two photos I used my sb800 off camera with a softbox  to the right of the camera. I've been  having fun experimenting with flashes these days, getting different looks with different light placements.  When I started this whole photography thing I thought that I was going to do it with  all natural light but... that idea lasted about 2 months when I realized that my camera really didn't handle low light all that great.  Anyway....the settings for the top two pictures are: ISO100, 85 mm, f5.6, ss1/60    

The rest of these are in natural light: and as fun as my flashes are, I do love natural light.

       

  85 mm, f1.4, 1/250ss, ISO 100

 

 

 

Same as above

 

 

 

 

 

  

 I couldn't decide if I liked color or black and white on this one so I'm posting both.

ISO 320, f2.2, ss1/400, 85mm.

Geesh, I'm talky today. Thanks a ton for being such good sports, girls- I hope that you're all thawed out by now.

www.jclportraits.com

has left the building.  Our site is now live..... and I can finally get out of this computer chair and work off the 5 pounds that I've gained by sitting here.

 

I'm sure that there is going to be quite a bit tweeking and updating in the next couple of weeks but for the most part. It's there, it's live..... and it's been kind of a long month trying to get this thing up and running... it's all good though, especially now that it's done.

I'm sorry for those who have a slower computer..... it may take a long time for the images to load on the new site. For this reason I'll keep the albums on the side bar of my blog and try to update them as I go.

If you notice anything quirky on the site by all means, let me know... otherwise..

JCL Portraits  is now live on the WWW

Naptime Treasures

I was just about to put Aubrey down for her nap yesterday when I noticed how nice the light was coming in from the windows in my bedroom.  I quickly grabbed her blanket, stuffed pig and bottle (I know, I know, she's too old for a bottle) and plopped her on my bed. She grabbed her pig, closed her eyes and rocked it, and hugged, and rocked... I could have watched her all day.

   

She has her own bed...

but she fits in ours once in a while, too.

We have baby locks...

 but she manages to take them off and tries to throw them in the garbage.

It looks like I gave her a girl scout cookie and washed her face but missed one of her hands....  huh. imagine that.

More Samples for the Spring Mini Sessions

 I took some photos today as samples for the Mini Sessions  being held at The Scrapbook Zone March 28th and April 4th.  

 

This is the planter for the babies.... we can lay the new babies down in it  and then for the bigger babies we can prop them up with pillows.  I think that a colorful knitted hat would look really nice for the boys- instead of the flower obviously.

 

  

I love having a brand new niece that lets me do whatever I want to her... she doesn't even pull off the pretties that I put on her head or climb out of the planter like her older cousin.

 

 

I borrowed these two from my sister in law today...  thanks for bringing them over, Sharyn- Pete is thanking you as well. Sorry about getting muck on Brian's shirt.

 

  

Here is the little pedal car.... Thank you Susan, for letting us use it and Liz  for pointing it out to Susan saying that I would probably like to use that..

 

  

How can you not smile at this one. 

 

 

  

or this.

....and that is that. The full details  on the sessions are two posts below this one.  If you're interested in booking, please call The Zone at 248.553.0633

 

   

ok, ok.....

Jolynn  and Sharyn tagged me for a self portrait thingy. I saw Sharyn's when she posted hers a couple of days ago and I was going to ignore it.. then I saw Jolynn's about 10 minutes ago and was feeling like a dud for ignoring two so... now I won't feel like such a  party pooper:  

 

The rules are:

1. Take a picture of your self right now, no primping or preparing. Just snap a picture.
2. Load onto your blog.
3. Tag 3 people to play...remember if you are tagged on another blog we will all be heading to yours to see if you played along.

Portrait Sessions at The Scrapbook Zone-

Details, Details....  if you recieved The Scrapbook Zone's newletter today, you'll see that there is a little blurb about  me going there to do some Spring portraits. I am so excited about this, thanks Kelley and Kevin for giving me the opportunity!  I thought I'd type up the details separately since the print on the  little ad is a bit hard to see:   

 

 

JCL Portraits and The Scrapbook Zone are bringing Spring to you during our mini sessions Saturday, March 28^th and April 4^th. 

Each mini session will last 15 minutes and will have signs of Spring in each portrait.  There will be a variety of colors and sizes in pettiskirts and fresh flowers available to the girls; an old fashioned pedal truck and helium balloons for the boys and we have a large planter that any baby will look adorable in. Keep in mind that you can use as many or as little of these props that you choose, they are not a requirement.

With the $20 purchase of a session you will receive a free 5x7 of your choice out of your online photo gallery (a $10 value) and a free 12x12 scrapbook page. 

How it’s going to work:

Approximately a week after your session, you will be emailed a link to an online photo gallery that will contain 3-5 images. You will be able to choose your free 5x7  portrait from that album by emailing me the photo number and are welcome to purchase additional prints from the album at the following prices:

16x20- $55.00                 11x14- $35.00                 8x10- $20.00

8x12- $24.00                   5x7- $10.00                    4x6- $5.00

Wallets- $1.00/ea in sets of 8            Canvases and other print sizes will be priced upon request.

 

You will have one week to order your 5x7 and addition prints, if we do not hear from you within that time frame the free 5x7 will become the photographer’s choice.  All free prints and additional prints will be paid for and picked up at the Scrapbook Zone.

If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to email me at  julie@jclportraits.com 

All reservations will be taken at The Scrapbook Zone (248.553.0633).

 

I hope to see you there!

 

Julie Laakso,

www.jclportraits.com

The Boy..

 

He and I went for a walk out in the woods yesterday while the little girls took naps and Rebecca played the computer.  It was really nice to hang out with just him. I always hope that my kids remember times like these  and not only  when I'm hurrying everyone out the door to catch the school bus or wherever else we needed to be six minutes ago. I guess I'll find out in about 20 years or so.