{Lets Go Fly a Kite} | Virginia Beach Family Photographer

Today we flew a kite, chased crabs, explored the sand holes looking for that mysterious lobster and played fetch with the two rambunctious labs that were just itching to dunk their heads in the breaking waves. We stayed, soaking up the warm evening sun, until the last of the surfers had called it a night. I feel so at home with this family. As we headed back to the cars, I overheard them discussing dinner plans which happened to include ice cream on the drive home as an appetizer. What a perfect treat and treasure that made a wonderful afternoon that much more memorable for their little boy.



A special thanks to the P family for inviting me out today! If you would like more information on booking a family session with me, please visit my website at www.csphotopro.com or email me at christene@csphotopro.com

{Dress Up} | Virginia Beach Children's Photographer

I'm playing catch-up on the blog! Would you believe me if I told you these pictures were taken with the noon day sun?! It's true! Let me introduce you to my little friend called the fill flash :) I strapped on my Canon 580 EX II (on camera), put a diffuser over it and using the high speed sync mode started shooting away! High speed sync allows you to use your flash at higher shutter speeds than 1/250 sec. (Were you ever wondering why it never let you get your shutter above 200 or 250?) The trick is to have your subject face away from the sun, so they aren't squinting, and you aren't getting that horrible mix of flat/shadowed light casting over their face. Shooting in manual, expose for your background and use enough fill flash to bring the light back into their face/skin, etc. I adjusted the flash's power right from my camera. (You can consult your camera's manual if you don't know how to do this). Or just leave me a comment below and I can try to walk you through it!

ISO 100, f/2.5, 1/3200sec


ISO 100, f/2.2, 1/1000 sec


ISO 100, f/2.5, 1/3200sec


ISO 100, f/2.5, 1/2000sec


And this one was taken in the shade but I had to include it because they are going to have a beautiful 20x20 gallery wrapped canvas hanging on their wall! Love it when clients go BIG!

ISO 200, f/2.2, 1/250sec


To schedule a children's session, please visit my website for more information or email christene@csphotopro.com

Baby K Sneak Peak | Virginia Beach Baby Photographer

Baby K put up a good fight today to stay awake! She was such a doll though. And big Brother got to hold her for the first time. He's big on monster trucks and loved drawing me pictures of birds on his magna doodle. :) Thank you to this special family for letting me capture these moments!










www.csphotopro.com

Peep Peep! | Virginia Beach Children's Photographer

This is how I will remember him at 2 years old. His train obsession has spread to all corners and levels of the house. I often catch him just like this. Too tired to sit up and play. He'll watch the trains as they travel around and around on the track that he built. And once in a while, I'll hear a "Peep, Peep! out of him.

Hoot Hoot! | Virginia Beach Children's Photographer

Simply ME by Mandy has created these oh so cute owl hats for Halloween! The kids weren't too happy to be dressed in their fall attire in our 90 degree heat but I'm sure they'll love them this fall! You can email Mandy at simplymemandy@yahoo.com if you'd like your own handmade hat!

Whose Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf? | Virginia Beach Children's Photographer

A child's playground... Where gnomes hide. Where straw houses are blown over. Where a tea party can be had sitting in chairs carved from logs. Where you can ring the bell from the Old Woman's shoe and swing on a tire at Old McDonald's farm.

The Storybook Forest at the Norfolk Botanical Gardens

Meet B! | Virginia Beach Children's Photographer

I always saw myself with boys. We waited on a nursery, secretly hoping for bunk beds, late night giggles and wrestling matches to come. He has only been with us for 3 short weeks, but has brought so much joy and fulfillment to our family. Logan is eager to hold him, and at the first sign of squirming, is eager to shove him back to me. A few days back Logan asked to hold his little brother and I found myself in stiches laughing because he had pulled his shirt up to try and "feed" him. I love calling them "My Boys", Dad included. I feel a bit outnumbered now, but uniquely loved at the same time. I cherish the early morning snuggles from all three of them, and soak in that last hour in the morning when Daddy takes both boys for me. We feel so very blessed. Here is our mini man, Brayden James...








and my love...

A Father's Day Portrait Party | Virginia Beach Family Photographer

So, I've been hiding these pictures since about April or May. I did a very special portrait party for the deployed daddy's for Father's Day. Here are just a couple from our 2-day, 9 family mini sessions! And to all the deployed daddy's out there, wishing you all a wonderful Father's Day! And to my hubby who is probably the only one out on the ship reading this blog, I'm trusting that you aren't sharing this link in case they haven't seen their pictures yet ;) Love ya babe!

Sneak Peak: Squishy baby cheeks | Virginia Beach Children's Photographer

I am so in love with this little guy! He slept like a dream as long as he wasn't confined to tight spaces like wraps or knitted bowls. I guess he's more of the rugged hanging loose kind of babe. :) A big thanks to his mom for letting me capture the first few weeks of his life!

She's ONE! | Virginia Beach Children's Photographer

This little spit fire was on her own program today and it was quite the challenge keeping up with her with my big ol' pregnant belly in the way :) She is also my last shoot until this baby decides to make his/her entrance. So, here's a quick sneak peak for Jenn and Nate. I hope you guys didn't get too wet during the freak downpour today!

black & whites | Virginia Beach Children's Photographer

Here's some black and whites from a recent newborn session. Sometimes I love the simplicity that black and whites offer...








And I know this one isn't black and white, but wanted to share it anyways. There is something that I love about it.

Little Boys.... | Virginia Beach Children's Photographer

Isn't that every man's dream to fish in their undies? :)

Maternity Sneak Peak: Rain Baby | Virginia Beach Maternity Photographer

I had an idea in my head for this shoot and I'm sure it would have happened had I not brought my "afraid to let go of my pant leg" toddler with me who I think scared little A into not wanting her picture taken. So, lesson learned and we are going to try again this weekend. Lukily for me these are very good friends of ours and I can bug Sarah anytime I want to work on my photography skills :) I did manage to get a few, so here's a sneak peak for her!

Baby M. | Virginia Beach Children's Photographer

I had such a wonderful time chatting with this beautiful little girl's mom. We think Baby M. just wasn't feeling too well today and wasn't in the mood to make her portrait debut. Sometimes that happens and I've learned to be very patient and flexible with newborns. But, she has the cutest nursery and I can't wait to go back for a reshoot next week to capture some lifestyle portraits of her!

Sneak Peak: Baby H | Virginia Beach Children's Photographer

Meeting Baby H. today made realize what a large toddler I have. :) I really could have stayed there all day photographing her. What a gorgeous, tiny little girl she is. Thank you for letting me into your home today to capture such a precious time in her life!

And I have to give a big blog shout out to Simply ME by Mandy Enete whose talented work I'm going to be featuring! I felt like a kid in a candy store with all the gorgeous samples she provided to me. Mandy is another rockin' military wife and mom who is following her passion and starting her own handmade business! Check back on her site for updates when she rolls out her summer line!

Girlie Girl | Virginia Beach Family Photographer

While I was out in California I was able to stop by and say hi to a friend of mine, Dominique of D. Long Photography. Her work has absolutely blossomed into this incredibly unique style and I love watching her grow as an artist. Her daughter is the reason I would love a girl. She has this infectious laugh. Her little tongue curls out, her eyes squeeze shut and she has the girliest giggle you can imagine.

Twinkling Lights | Virginia Beach Children's Photographer

This picture didn't go exactly how I had envisioned it. The layout of our living room was a little awkward to get the shot I wanted, but I thought I would share how to get the twinkling lights in a picture like this one. You know when you squint your eyes and look at a street lamp the lights turn into a starburst? Well, the same thing happens when you close up the aperture. Think of it like your camera is squinting. I took two pictures for this shot, both from a tripod. The first I set the aperture as high as it would go, to f/32 and got the twinkling lights effect. Then we brought Logan over to the tree and he started pointed out the lights and ornaments. The second shot was taken using bounced light off the flash, I angled it towards the top of the wall directly behind me and set the shutter speed back up to around 125 so it would freeze Logan's small movements. Then I merged the two photos in photoshop and came out with this final product. Try it on your tree and see what you come up with!

Yarr | Virginia Beach Children's Photographer

Wishing everyone a safe and Happy Halloween!



Spiderweb brush is provided by redheadstock on Deviantart!

Blog Assignment #5...Props

I was so thrilled and honored to have the chance to make Baby E's first portrait! I've been patiently waiting to try out a new prop purchase of mine and Baby E couldn't have been more cooperative for the task. So, this weeks blog assignment is also a teaser post. I've been scouring here and there for props to use that add to a picture instead of distract. I've found Etsy is a wonderful site for all things homemade. Some things I've learned though with props is to always ask yourself if you are adding a distraction to the picture, or is the prop enhancing the story? Another lesson to take from this shoot is to let the lighting be your guide on where to shoot. We ended up shooting in the breakfast nook area of their house because they had these great corner windows that let in beautiful natural light. I knew I wanted a darker background for these pictures to contrast with the cream colored yarn, so we placed a table on its side a few feet back from where Baby E was "swinging" and it made for beautiful blurred darkness.

So without further ado, introducing Miss E!

18 Months

Where did the time go? He's 18 months already. He loves crashing cars but he's afraid of loud trucks. He can eat more food than I can, throw the granddaddy of tantrums, and give the biggest hugs and open smile kisses. I completely adore him and only wish he could stay little, in my arms.