Veronica Reeve Photography

Valentine Card Examples

2012-01-15T15:37:00.004-07:00

I've had a few people interested in what the mini session Valentine cards are going to look like so I've made up a few examples. These, obviously, aren't in my studio like the mini sessions are going to be, but you get the idea...

Valentine Mini Sessions

2012-01-13T11:59:00.001-07:00

I'm soooo excited to announce these Valentine Mini sessions! Last year I made custom Valentine cards for my girls and I had a lot of people interested in having some done for their cute kids. So here goes! I've never offered a mini session for this price so spots will be filling up fast!

For questions, or to snag yourself a spot email me veronica@veronicareeve.com today!!

A Spy Birthday Party

2012-01-13T00:11:00.000-07:00

Last week we celebrated my little Sophie's 5th birthday with a spy party....

Secret code invitations were sent out.

"Your mission should you choose to accept it..."

They arrived at the Secret Agent Training Center, chose their code names, and filled out their name badges. My favorite, "Marshmallow Top".

Bad guys were drawn, and were the subject of target practice....

They had to maneuver through the "trip wire" (string) to deactivate the bomb (snip of the ball o' string)....

We played an intense game of pass the bomb (hot potato) to "Mission Impossible" and "James Bond" music....

Took a break from agent training and ate mini "bombs"+ ice cream and sang "Happy Birthday" to the birthday girl....

....and ended the party with a scavenger hunt to find their spy gear: Disguises, top secret notebook + invisible ink pen, and explosives...just the necessities.

Other activities included an obstacle course, I-SPY game, and freeze dancing to the spy music. They passed all their training requirements with flying colors and are now officially....

(cue Mission Impossible music)

SPY KIDS!

3 months old....

2012-01-12T22:46:00.001-07:00

Mr. Jack is already 3 months old. I know, crazy, right? I have to say, he is a very sweet boy. I'm a lucky lady. Adding a boy to the mix of girls has been so good, just what we needed. We are all gaga over him. Oh, and just a note: The dates for the February Basic Photo class have been tweaked just a bit - the on-location class is on the 11th of February instead of the 18th. Same time, just different date.

2012 Photo Class Schedule

2012-01-11T00:22:00.000-07:00

Did Santa bring you (or someone you know) a new camera this year? Yippee! Maybe you've had yours around for a couple of years? If you are interested in learning how to use your SLR camera the way it is meant to be used (a.k.a not in "auto" mode), check out my 2012 photo class offerings below.

Oh and tell a friend! Facebook, tweet, or just an old fashion telephone call....I'll give you a high five if they end up signing up!

{FYI: the promise of a high five can get my girls to do anything}

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-26T15:39:00.002-07:00

Hellooooo!

Long time no blog! I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas! My time off from photography after the baby was born has been soooo nice. There has been a lot of baby snuggling, watching him grow like a weed, and relaxing family time. However, as the new year approaches, I can't help but be excited for what is in store for my little photography business. I've had an incredible year with incredible clients and I can't wait for all the good things to come in 2012!! Veronica Reeve Photography will officially reopen as of January 2, 2012!! Yay!!

Here is a glimpse of our 2011 Christmas card...

front

middle

Christmas cards are one of my favorite parts of the season! I love seeing Christmas cards lining my wall with the smiling faces of my friends and family, don't you?

One last thing...check back for updates on the 2012 photography class schedule coming soon! I know a lot of people who got cameras for Christmas and I can't emphasize enough the importance of learning how to use your SLR camera the way they were meant to be used!

Happy New Year!!

Veronica Reeve Photography Sale

2011-12-01T00:16:00.001-07:00

I know it's been quiet around the blog but it doesn't mean that I haven't been busy! We had some really incredible families participate in the Holiday Mini Sessions at the end of October.

Here are a few of the cute babies I got to photograph:

In other news, I'm soaking in every minute with my sweet little boy.

Having a newborn in the house = happiness.

Did I mention that I had a baby?

2011-10-19T14:59:00.000-06:00

A sweet little boy has joined our home of girls. Blond hair? I know! I can't believe it! He's as sweet as can be and mom is sloooowly recovering herself (that's me). Here's a few samples of his cuteness...

His name is Jack.

Two Years Old

2011-10-18T00:20:00.001-06:00

My Hazel turned two this week. This little girl melts my heart on a daily basis. The dress she is wearing is a hand-me-down from her sisters. We were in Spain on a study abroad and, although we were on a poor-students' budget, I was expecting our first baby girl and we decided to splurge and buy just one dress. All the girls have worn it, so I wanted to be sure to photograph sweet Hazel in it before it was too cold and she outgrew it. Those chubby legs...that round face...that mischievous smile....(sigh)....they grow up too fast, don't they? I know it sounds cliche, but it's true.

Holiday Cards Preview

2011-10-17T10:47:00.001-06:00

I am sooooooo excited about my Holiday Cards this year and have been dying to share them with everyone! They have been designed by an incredible artist, who I am also proud to call my good friend, Jill De Haan. Jill has incredible taste, an eye for all things beautiful, is an incredible artist, and happens to be one of the sweetest people I've ever met. Really. She has been so kind to put her time and talents into designing these cards for my clients this year.

Here are just a couple of the cards that my clients can choose from:

If you would like more information on how you can send out one of these beautiful cards this holiday season email me veronica@veronicareeve.com.

Last Session Before Baby...

2011-10-03T12:22:00.001-06:00

One of my favorite families. Also photographed here and here...

C Family

2011-09-22T23:46:00.000-06:00

Best part of my job, hands down, is seeing these little ones grow. Recognize these guys!? They are getting so big and they are always so sweet! Tonight's session might have been a little crazy - lack of sleep might have something to do with it but I'm not going to mention any names ;) However, I was having a hard time choosing which pictures to post so that is always a good sign!

I'm a couple weeks away from delivering baby boy and I must look pretty funny waddling around, getting up and down off the ground in a not-so-graceful fashion, and walking like a zombie. Thanks to my clients who have been patient with me and my "condition". :) You are the best clients a gal could ask for!!

M Girls

2011-09-08T23:48:00.001-06:00

Sweet sisters, the same ages as my three girls, enjoying the last days of warm summer weather. This is actually our second attempt at photos, we got rained out the last time we tried (the summer weather in Utah has been unpredictable and quite a pain). Their mom is so great, I felt like we'd known each other for years. Meeting incredible new families like this one is one of the best parts of my job. Here are a few photos from their session....

Western Shoot

2011-09-02T01:32:00.000-06:00

Remember this family? Such a fun session. Well I got to photograph this family again, this time "Buffalo Bill" style. Once again, I'm blown away with their willingness to think outside the box and come up with such a fun idea for a session. Loved it!

Also, a shout-out to Libby = best assistant EVER!

M Family

2011-08-31T12:56:00.000-06:00

I love this sweet and oh-so-stylish family!! Their sweet mom (a super talented photographer) came up with the fun canoe concept and I just love the way everything came together. Have you ever seen a better dressed family?? Thanks M family!

For Sale

2011-08-24T14:55:00.002-06:00

I'm selling my Canon 17-40mm f/4L lens. If you are interested email me veronica@veronicareeve.com.

Holiday Mini Sessions 2011

2011-08-22T14:34:00.003-06:00

I've had a lot of interest in my Holiday Mini Sessions already this year so I decided to do an official post about them. It's never to early to start thinking about the holidays, right? Also, Baby Reeve will be here before I know it and I'd like to have my mini sessions booked before things start getting crazy.

So, for you who have already thought about what your children are wearing for Halloween this year and have your Holiday shopping 1/2 way done, I present:

There are more date options/flexible hours this year for your convenience. I will be taking 10 sessions and, if previous years are any indication, they will fly out the door before you have a chance to talk it over with your spouse (just kidding, I strongly encourage you to talk it over with your spouse), so contact me asap to reserve your spot!!

It's great to be two....

2011-08-06T01:40:00.001-06:00

Sweet Family

2011-08-04T12:30:00.001-06:00

This family was so great to work with - kids were well behaved, everyone was cooperative and helpful, and don't their outfits look so great!? Such great colors, coordinated, but not too matchy-matchy. They have three girls and a boy - just like we'll have - so they gave me some tips and got me excited for our little boy arriving in October.

There were so many great photos I had to do a mega-post.

Sweet Sisters

2011-07-21T23:38:00.003-06:00

Just one...

2011-07-21T00:21:00.001-06:00

Because who can resist those squishy cheeks and blue eyes!!??

Little B

2011-07-21T00:14:00.002-06:00

Little B is growing up!

Little Cowboy

2011-06-29T01:20:00.000-06:00

Photoshop Class

2011-06-24T08:57:00.002-06:00

B Kids

2011-06-22T23:14:00.000-06:00

These kids are sooooo well behaved and sweet! Loved this location, the light, ahhh perfect!

Basic Photography Class

2011-06-22T16:03:00.001-06:00

Come learn how to take great photos with your SLR camera!

I still have a few more openings in my Basic Photography Class.

August 4, 11, 18 from 6:00-7:30 p.m. and

August 20 from 9-11 a.m.

Tuition is $125 and is due immediately to reserve your spot.

Email me today veronica@veronicareeve.com if you would like to sign up!

Some recent mini sessions....

2011-06-22T10:11:00.001-06:00

Before and After - Can you believe it's the same little guy? Still so incredibly darling....

Love this family...before and after. :)

Miss S

2011-06-19T21:56:00.001-06:00

Love watching this little one grow...

T Family

2011-06-16T10:27:00.000-06:00

Look who's growing up! In case you forgot, you can also see them here and here.

...and their beautiful family.

Jessica's Bridals

2011-06-15T13:48:00.000-06:00

Great idea!

2011-06-07T23:18:00.002-06:00

Lovely "A" signed up for a mini session focusing on four generations of wonderful women. I really wish I had photographs like this from when my grandparents were still around. It's a good reminder for me to take some photos with my girls and their grandparents. Thanks for the lovely night ladies!

Oh and you might recognize this sweet little girl from one of my favorite sessions last fall.

S Family

2011-06-01T22:24:00.003-06:00

Cute little family and a fun new location makes for a great night! Thanks S Family!!

Something fun...

2011-05-31T10:54:00.000-06:00

I'm so excited to see one of my images on the front of Kids Life magazine! In stores now! Get your copy today....if you live in Germany!

He he he!

I was so flattered when one of the editors of this darling German children's magazine emailed me wanting to use this photo as their cover. I happily agreed, (with permission from the cute little guys mom, of course) after all, I did take 5 years of German in school so I do have a soft spot for all things Deutsch.

Thanks Martina! It looks great!

S Family

2011-05-25T22:56:00.000-06:00

There's nothing sweeter than a sleepy newborn in my book.

But they are pretty cute wide awake too....

Such a beautiful family! I'm so glad I got to meet them!!

Photo Classes

2011-05-21T23:59:00.002-06:00

Today wrapped up my Basic Photo II class. It was perfect! After a week of stormy weather the sun finally came out - just in time! Thanks to all the really amazing photographers who took my class and to the wonderful people who came to model at the shoot today.

My next class in August is Basic Photography (for beginners). Click here for more info. Email me veronica@veronicareeve.com to reserve your spot.

(just a few of our incredible models today)

Broc & Jessica

2011-05-18T10:05:00.007-06:00

One of the great couples I get to work with this summer. I'm so excited for Broc and Jessica's wedding. They are so fun to be around. Thanks to Libby for assisting on this shoot. It was a fun night. Oh, and also I am only taking one more wedding this summer, so if you or anyone you know is getting married, send them my way!

Help Wanted

2011-05-15T15:31:00.002-06:00

I need some models for this weeks Basic Photography II class photo shoot.

I am looking for...

A cutie little 6 mo. old + that can sit up but not crawl yet
An outgoing 2-4 year old
5-10 year old
Teens
A couple
A small family w/ cooperative children :)

We will be shooting this Saturday from 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. but you will not be required to stay the whole 2 hours. You will receive photos from all of the students for your time (these ladies are good!)

Email me a photo if you are interested veronica@veronicareeve.com.

SUPER SPRING SALE

2011-05-06T14:37:00.003-06:00

In celebration of the warmer Spring weather I have decided to have a SUPER SALE! (all caps, yes, it is that big!) Here's how it works....

I like to call it a "Choose Your Own Mini Session"

Includes:

30 min session for up to 5 people per session

Location of your choice in the Weber County area

Date of your choosing (Monday - Thursday only, subject to availability) in the month of May or June

10 full resolution images on disk w/ copyright release

for only (drumroll please..)

$150.00

I have never had a sale this big and mini sessions this flexible. So take advantage and hurry because I will only offer 10 spots and they will go FAST!

email me to reserve your spot: veronica@veronicareeve.com

Note: Payment will be due immediately to secure your spot.

Happy Spring!!

UPDATE: All spots have been filled. Thanks!!

Tonight I got to meet...

2011-05-04T23:31:00.000-06:00

The lovely and talented Nadine Wimmer of KSL news, who is just as nice as she is photogenic and beautiful! I've always been a fan of hers, so meeting her tonight was such an honor. I also scored a tour of the KSL studio - behind the scenes where all the magic happens (thanks Jen!) The weather was perfect, the flowers were in bloom, spring is finally here! Thanks so much Nadine, here are a few photos from our session.

O Kids

2011-05-04T09:36:00.002-06:00

These sweet kids make my job so easy! I loved spending the evening with them. The sun couldn't decide if it wanted to stay or go, so we took advantage of every time it peeked out from behind the clouds. I've photographed these sweet sisters two times before so I was very excited to meet the newest addition to their family!

Sorry

2011-04-28T22:09:00.001-06:00

It's been a while, I know. Life has been busy, and blogging has been put on the back burner. But I promise to be better. Spring has come, but in Utah, that doesn't mean much. Tomorrow there is snow in the forecast. Days are usually dark, cold, windy, rainy, or snowy. I've had to reschedule so many sessions it's ridiculous. On a positive note, the trees are just starting to blossom and the grass is starting to green up a bit...adding a little bit of color back into the brown drab world.

Here's a cutie that braved the cold winds and stormy sky. Freshly two years old and very curious about everything around her. I brought some yellow balloons along for the session, to add a little "sunshine". It didn't take long for her to realize that holding balloons was okay, but letting them go into the wind was so much cooler! Here's a few from our session tonight.

Winter Family Photos

2011-03-02T10:22:00.001-07:00

This fun and beautiful family didn't let a little white stuff stop them from getting their family photos taken. After all, we do live in Utah...the best snow on Earth. With beautiful mountains as a backdrop, why not brave the snow and take fun and memorable family photos?

I love this family and had a very fun afternoon with them playing in the snow. Here's a sneak peak:

Ready for summer...

2011-01-31T20:42:00.000-07:00

Now if we could only get rid of the snow and freezing temperatures...

Little M

2011-01-27T12:08:00.000-07:00

This morning I got a visit from such a charming little man! He is only a few weeks older than my Hazel. They would have gotten along great, I'm sure. He was such a busy little guy! His contagious smile and beautiful blue eyes...oh my! Here is a sneak peak from our session....

Basic Photo Class

2011-01-26T14:08:00.001-07:00

There are a couple of people who have dropped out of my Basic Photo class. What does this mean? That there is room for YOU! Email me today to reserve your spot.

And because it's been a while since I've posted pictures, here are some of my sweet and silly little girl....

Extra! Extra!

2011-01-19T10:46:00.001-07:00

There have been some changes to my photography class schedule this year:

The Basic Photography class in February is on Thursday nights: February 3, 10, 17 and Saturday morning, March 5. There are a few spots left, so tell your family and friends!!

The Basic Photography class in August is on Thursday nights: August 4, 11, 18 and Saturday morning, August 20th.

The Basic Photography II class in May is on Thursday nights: May 5, 12, 19 and Saturday morning, May 21st.

The Basic Photography II class in November is on Thursday nights: November 3, 10, 17, and Saturday morning November 19th.

If you are interested in taking a class email me veronica@veronicareeve.com. Thanks!

Wanted: Second Shooter

2011-01-17T14:52:00.001-07:00

Hey everyone! I'm looking for a second shooter for weddings in 2011. If you are interested send an email to veronica@veronicareeve.com and I will send you some more information. Please include a couple photos of your work or a link to your website. Thanks!!

*Thank you to everyone who emailed me interested in second shooting weddings with me this year. I am going through everyone's information and will be get back to you soon!

2011 Photography Classes

2011-01-13T21:09:00.006-07:00

Did you or someone you know get an SLR camera for Christmas??

Yippee!!!

Wait a second....Have you been disappointed with the quality of the photos you've taken? Wondering if it was worth the money you paid for it? Frustrated that you are getting the same quality of photos as from your point and shoot?

Well worry no more! Stop wasting precious memory making moments and...

learn how to use that fancy camera!!

Introducing the 2011 Veronica Reeve Photography class schedule...

and

last one...

Spots will fill up fast so email me today!

Email me veronica@veronicareeve.com to reserve your spot.

Winter Sale

2011-01-06T21:49:00.004-07:00

Happy 2011! How were your holidays? Mine were just perfect.

I had a great break but now I'm excited to get back into the swing of things. Last year was amazing. My business grew so much. I met so many incredible people through my classes and photo sessions. I'm excited to see what 2011 will bring. I am currently in the process of giving my business a "face lift" and can't wait to get a fresh new look. Actually, it's more than a face lift, it's an Extreme Makeover: Business Edition. Along with my new look will be new products, prices, and a whole new picture taking experience that I've had in the works for quite a while now. It will offer my clients a unique experience and images that will truly exemplify childhood and the personality of their little ones.

So I thought I'd start out the new year with a bang and help you out a little with your New Year's Resolution of "Get Our Family Pictures Taken" - that's on your list, right? Actually, my rates are changing and I decided to offer this deal one last time. So here you go...

Get a 2011 session (normally $100) + CD of images (normally $800) for

drumroll please....$400.00.

That's $500.00 off. About 44ish%.

This offer is only available for only the first 10 people who email me veronica@veronicareeve.com.

On your mark, get set, GO!

Fine print: Session must be redeemed in 2011. Session is for up to 6 people, additional people will be charged the regular rate. Your payment will be due immediately. Once I have received payment I will mail you a gift certificate for a session fee plus cd of images. Gift certificate non-transferable.

Closed For The Season...

2010-12-14T15:52:00.001-07:00

Veronica Reeve Photography is now closed until January 2nd. If you are interested in booking a session in the new year feel free to email me veronica@veronicareeve.com. However, I will not be responding to emails and phone calls until I am back in the office.

Happy Holidays!!

Basic Photo II Photo Shoot

2010-11-20T23:29:00.001-07:00

Today we wrapped up another great Basic Photo II class.

Note to self...wind + cold = not the best conditions for a photo shoot. Good thing our models were incredible, darling, and willing to put up with the harsh conditions. Thanks so much ladies!

Big thanks to the participants of this months Basic Photo II class. You are all so talented and I've had such a great time with you this past month. Thanks for showing up today in the less-then-ideal conditions. I can't wait to see all your pictures!!

If you are interested in taking a photo class in the new year stay tuned for a sweet deal...just in time for Christmas.

1 of 3...

2010-11-18T00:29:00.002-07:00

...new nieces we've welcomed into our family the last few months.

Tuesday Tip

2010-11-16T23:46:00.001-07:00

Interacting with Children – Part 1 (kids 18 months to 5 years)….

Every mom has experienced it. The lighting is perfect and the picture will capture a memorable moment – perfect for the blog or facebook. If only you could get your child to look at the camera, and better yet, smile for the camera. Here are some tips that I have picked up for children age 18 months to 5 years…..

Take "NO" out of your vocabulary...at least for a little while (unless they are about to hurt themselves, of course). Nothing can make a happy toddler feel sad and not in the mood for pictures than a stern reprimand. Remember! Happy parent=happy toddler vs. stressed parent=grumpy toddler.

Make it a game. Everything. Very important. Peek a boo, tickling, songs, jumping, dancing, making silly sounds with your mouth, hitting yourself over the head with a doll and saying loudly "Boink!"...you get the idea. Toddlers love that kind of stuff...and they can't resist looking at you + camera to get a better look.

Give them something to play with. What better way to encourage happy, natural, pictures than with a favorite toy or animal (nothing too distracting, simpler is better). Plus it will make them feel a little more at ease with their special toy.

Let them scare you.....and act scared. That's right, swallow your pride and scream little a girl when your little one jumps out and screams "Boo!/Roar!" It will make them think they've really got you, and they will laugh and laugh.

Next week…..Interacting with Children – Part II (kids 6 years to 12).

Baby N

2010-11-16T21:57:00.004-07:00

So nothing might make me more nervous than taking photos of a photographers family....yes, I think it officially tops the list. Luckily Baby N's mom is, not only a wonderful photographer, but very sweet, laid back and flexible ;) - which took off some of the pressure. That, in addition to having darling, photogenic siblings and a super cool dad = success! So now the scary part...the preview!! I hope you love them!!! (crossing fingers!)

Baby N is already a well photographed baby thanks to her mom so we focused more on the family.

Tuesday Tip

2010-11-09T23:44:00.004-07:00

Invade Personal Space!

One of the chief rules of etiquette tells us not to invade the personal space of others. No one likes a close talker, right? Photographers, however, are officially exempt from this rule. When taking photographs, especially of young children and babies, you are strongly encouraged to ignore this etiquette rule.

Don't be afraid to get close!!

Depending upon how much of a telephoto lens you have (i.e., how much you can "zoom" your camera lens), you want to be close enough to your subject so that they fill at least 85% of the frame, leaving 15% for the background.

Seems easy enough but a lot of people have a hard time with this....

How many times have you taken a picture of your child to show off their cute outfit and you are standing so far away from them that you can't even tell who the child is, let alone what they are wearing? Not only that, but when you look at the picture later you are distracted because of the laundry piled in the corner, the mail scattered on the couch, the dog, the leftover Chinese food on the table...I'm sure you get the point.

How do you avoid all these distractions and get a good shot of the outfit grandma sent you? Get in close!

When you get in close you:

1) Immediately eliminate distracting elements in the photo (goodbye Chinese food!)
2) Get a good shot of your cute child and their outfit (the purpose of the picture)
3) Get to see the child's cute expression and details in their sweet little face (that is growing and changing everyday - you'll never have this moment back)

Note: This Tuesday Tip only applies to photographs where the background is unimportant. If, for example, you are taking a picture of your child in a pumpkin patch as part of a family Halloween activity, you would need to get some photos of your surroundings to document the outing/location.

You'll love the results, I know you will. So go ahead, get a little closer, a little closer, and even a little closer. Scary close I like to call it. You won't be disappointed.

A favorite session...

2010-11-09T00:19:00.002-07:00

Doesn't this cutie just make you melt?

The fall rush...

2010-11-08T20:52:00.000-07:00

Remember this family from last year?

Busy, Busy, Busy....

2010-11-08T20:43:00.001-07:00

I love all the great families I've met this fall!!

Wrapping Up Mini Sessions

2010-11-08T16:13:00.002-07:00

...with all these beautiful people. We made it just in time, the snow started today and our leaves are falling fast.

Lots more sessions to post, stay tuned!!

Love, love, love this family

2010-11-05T00:46:00.002-06:00

Whom you might recognize from here and here and here...One of the first families I ever photographed (hopefully I've improved since then, yikes!!)!!

How crazy to see them looking so grown up!! They also brought along a new baby sister. Sweetest and calmest baby sister that their mom could ask for. Ooooh and they were all so sweet to me! I got compliments on my hair, the stickers pulled out of my dress, and they carried around my all my gear. I'm seriously considering hiring them full time (when they have reached a workable age, of course)...

Here are the photos from our fun afternoon together...

I said she was sweet, didn't I? A doll!

He's grown so much!

This sweet little girl has some serious personality! You should see some of the expressions she made...she kept me laughing throughout the whole session.

Such a great big sister and look at those big brown eyes! So pretty!

I am loving the last bits of color in the trees and the unseasonable warmth we've been getting this last week. I'm trying to take advantage of it before Utah finally realizes it's November and the snow starts falling. Thanks C Family, you guys are so great!!

Tuesday Tip...on Thursday

2010-11-04T12:11:00.001-06:00

What to wear? {Colors}

A lot of clients have no idea where to begin when it comes to What to Wear to a session. Here's a quick tip. Think of a Color Wheel (or glance up at the one I provided for you). This one is obviously simplified but you can get the idea. The colors opposite of each other on a color wheel look great together like Turquoise and Orange (very popular right now in design and home decor), Red and Green, or Purple and Yellow.

Here's an example:

Take into consideration your background...the yellow behind Sophie looks great with her purples...but wouldn't look as good if she was standing in front of a red building.

There are a lot more things to consider when putting together a family photo wardrobe but here's a good start. Have a great week everyone!!!

Technical Difficulties

2010-11-02T22:12:00.002-06:00

Due to technical difficulties Tuesday Tip will have to be postponed until tomorrow. :)

Halloween is coming...

2010-10-28T23:02:00.000-06:00

The only time of year when witches and princesses put their differences aside and celebrate friendships...

Tuesday Tip

2010-10-26T23:49:00.000-06:00

White balance....

By far my most F.A.Q. I get from photographers is....

"How do I achieve proper white balance?!"

White Balance is a complicated topic, and one that I can't fully cover in my short and sweet Tuesday Tips, but here is what I do to achieve (what I consider) to be the proper white balance.

Note: I say "what I consider" because the correct white balance really is different to everyone. Some people like warmer images and some like their images cooler. It is a preference.

So let's quickly review:

What is White Balance? White balance is the process of removing unrealistic color casts so that objects in your image that are white in real life, look white in your photo. Here is an example...

This picture was taken on a very stormy day, in the evening.

So what causes those icky color casts? Well, several factors affect the color in your photos, such as:

1. Lighting conditions (cloudy, shade, sunny, indoor)

2. Objects around you (Red building, green trees, etc...)

3. White Balance setting in your camera

So how can you achieve the proper white balance?

1. Use a gray card to set your custom white balance in your camera. Here's a great tutorial.

2. Be sure to properly expose your photograph (this will help a lot!)

3. Learn how to understand and find good light (a must!)

4. Shoot in RAW and use post processing to tweak the white balance.

I used to stress so much about white balance and which settings I should be using...until I started to nail my exposures in camera. That, along with understanding the character and quality of light, has helped my white balance issues disappear!

Now, I shoot in Auto White Balance (my camera does a good job in Auto, however some cameras do not) and correct any other white balance issues in Adobe Raw.

A last little bit of advice: Don't be afraid to walk away from a horrible color cast situation! If someone asks you to take a picture of their baby in a bright red room with horrible light (baby = lobster) politely suggest moving somewhere else....then pat yourself on the back for avoiding a white balance nightmare.

Till next time...

Mini Sessions 2010: Part II

2010-10-26T16:14:00.001-06:00

Here's the last of the first round of Mini Sessions. Aren't all these families beautiful??! Thanks to everyone for coming out and braving the cold weather!!

Mini Sessions 2010

2010-10-25T13:14:00.000-06:00

I look forward to my Christmas mini sessions every year! It's so fun to see familiar faces and meet new friends. I have a whole lot of pictures to look through, but here are the first few families...more to come.

Tuesday Tip

2010-10-19T23:09:00.010-06:00

Clean Up Your Pictures……

A quick way to make your pictures go from yawn to yowsers! (in a good way) is to clean it up...meaning...get rid of all that distracting visual clutter in the background. It's simple.

Do this by:

Positioning your subject or yourself in a way that will eliminate background clutter. Move around to see which angle will work best or change your location.
Cleaning up the photo - literally! Go ahead and throw that pop can in the trash and, while you are at it, move those newspapers somewhere else.
Get closer to your subject and magically the background clutter will disappear!
Use a lower aperture to blur out the background.

Here is an example from tonight's pumpkin picking....

Apparently my daughter Sophie is the go-to-girl for my Tuesday Tip examples. She's a bit distracted in this picture so she's giving me her cheesy smile/squinty eye while checking out which pumpkin she is going to pick.

Notice the super distracting car in the background. Ugh!!! What to do????

Answer: Change positions. Come at it from a different angle and zoom in closer. Voila! What car??

P.S. Sorry about last week's non-existent Tuesday Tip. I was out of town....in case you were wondering.

P.S.S. Okay one more picture of my baby from the pumpkin patch - I can't resist.

B Family

2010-10-09T08:50:00.001-06:00

Just one for now...

2010-10-09T08:48:00.000-06:00

Tuesday Tip

2010-10-05T23:49:00.001-06:00

The Rule of Thirds….

This week’s Tuesday Tip is very basic—one of the terms of art that every photographer should be familiar with and able to use.

One of the most basic photography composition techniques is called “The Rule of Thirds.” When taking a picture, imagine a grid of thirds in your viewfinder (like a game of tic-tac-toe). Place your subject at one of the four intersecting points of your imaginary grid instead of placing the subject in the middle of the frame.

Fun isn't it?

This technique creates a more asymmetrical composition i.e., one where the subject is not perfectly situated in the center of the frame and one that feels truer to every day life.

Obviously, this rule should not be used for every photograph and there are many photo opportunities where it is preferable to place the subject in the middle of the frame. But give it a try, I think you'll like what you see!

Here are some examples...

L Family

2010-10-05T22:47:00.001-06:00

This cute couple is absolutely head over heals for their little guy. He wasn't feeling too good for our session so he wasn't giving out too many smiles - but he sure was sweet! I really enjoyed this "urban" session. It's been a long time since I've done one. Thanks L family you guys are so fun!

F Family

2010-09-30T10:08:00.007-06:00

I've been lucky enough to take pictures of this family on several occasions. Here, here, and here to be exact. So, yes, we go way back. They are so fun to be around. We also swapped "living in the midwest" stories at the end of the shoot - awwww, memories. Here's a preview from our session....

She's been dancing since she was two!

Serious little man....ummmm....not really.....

Sweetest little thing...

Thanks F family! Also thanks to the picture taking stuffed bunny who assisted ;) !!

On a beautiful September night....

2010-09-29T15:46:00.000-06:00

A small preview of an amazing wedding....

Tuesday Tip

2010-09-28T23:14:00.000-06:00

Let's talk lenses...

In my first Tuesday Tip post Kim asked:

I would love to know what lense you use in what situations. How often are you changing them?

So here goes...

My all time favorite go-to lens is my 85mm 1.2 lens. I love it and I'll tell you why...You know that deliciously creamy "bokeh" (blur) behind my subjects? That is all due to this incredible lens (not Photoshop). It's a great portrait lens and gives a nice dreamy feel to pictures. I also use it for large groups of people - but I do have to stand far away from them and they probably think I'm crazy (ha ha ha)....I use this lens 85% of the time.

I also love my 24-70mm 2.8 lens. I like to use it around 35mm for a wide angle look. It's great to give a picture of fun, distorted look. I'll usually use this lens when I'm taking more candid fun kid/family/sibling shots.

I usually switch my lenses several times during a shoot. It is a simple way to completely change the look/feel of a picture.

Here are a couple examples of how a lens can change the look of a picture....these pictures were taken in the same area.

Notice: Dreamy feel, compressed tree, lots of blur

Notice: Trees appear further apart, less blur, more distorted look

Oh Baby B...

2010-09-23T13:05:00.001-06:00

...all dressed up for her blessing day and looking so incredibly sweet. Her grandma made the dress and it is so beautiful! People who can sew amaze me! Baby B and my Hazel will be in the same grade one day. I'm sure (hoping) they'll be the best of friends. :)

Tuesday Tip

2010-09-21T21:38:00.002-06:00

The Magic Button….

Like many photographers, I spent many years in search of the “magic” button on my camera that would help me get perfectly composed and exposed pictures every time. I would gaze longingly at the work of my favorite professional photographers and wonder what camera, lens, camera button, setting, or Photoshop action they used to achieve their photographic masterpieces. There must be some simple shortcut that they use, right?

Well you are in luck!! For today’s Tuesday Tip, I am going to share with you my findings (free of charge)……

Drumroll please....

Here it is: There is no magic button. That’s it. Oh, and there is no magic Photoshop action either.

Based upon the few opportunities that I have had to associate with some great photographers, I have discovered that perfect pictures can only consistently be achieved by (1) understanding and seeking out good lighting, (2) understanding and using your camera’s manual settings, (3) understanding the elements of and adjusting for proper exposure. No amount of post-processing, no Photoshop action, and no degree of an “eye” for photography can compensate for these three essential elements of good photography. One of my mentors, Jon Williams, often said “junk in – junk out.” If the image you put into your camera is no good, then there is no way you are going to salvage that picture by Photoshopping it to death.

As a photographer, I am obviously still seeking to master the three elements listed above. Making this discovery; however, was a liberating experience. I have not yet arrived, but acknowledging that the above three elements are the path to good photography has finally freed me to at least commence my journey to where I want to be as a photographer.

To be a great photographer (or even a good photographer), you need to consistently incorporate these elements into your photography. Here are some ideas on how to begin:

(1) Read your owner’s manual to understand your camera’s manual options (even most point and shoots have some manual settings)

(2) Practice using your manual settings in as many different settings as you can.

(3) Take a class, workshop, or check out photography books from your local library. (I teach a class and I also highly recommend the local classes taught by Jon Williams).

Mr C

2010-09-21T16:43:00.003-06:00

Cutest little curls and chubby legs. I just love Baby C! He is growing up too fast!!

Pssssst!

2010-09-17T12:51:00.002-06:00

There are still a few mini session spots open. Email me today to reserve yours!

A new favorite session...

2010-09-17T01:07:00.006-06:00

Warning to blog viewers before proceeding: Go pop some popcorn, pull up a chair, and get comfortable because this is kind of a huge post.

Meet the "B" family. I went to school with "BB" we'll call him, and have always thought he was a really nice guy. Now, ____ years later ;) , we meet again, this time to take pictures of his darling family. Their first time getting pictures taken, they say...but you'd never guess.

Oh, and thanks to Carly for assisting....holding the barb-wire fence, doing a great clicky noise to get the babies attention, holding everything...the list goes on and on.

Thanks B Family! I wish I could post all of them - you guys were so great!

Remember him?

2010-09-16T10:31:00.003-06:00

From this...

To this...

Don't you just want to reach out and squeeze those cheeks? So squishy!!

Proud big brother

We had to recreate the pose, of course.

Proud mommy - with her hands full! Thanks B family!

C Family

2010-09-16T00:58:00.004-06:00

Out of Area Photo Sessions

2010-09-16T00:41:00.003-06:00

Below is a list of upcoming out-of-area photo sessions I have planned. If you, or someone you know, is interested in booking a session in these areas email me veronica@veronicareeve.com.

October 11-16 San Diego/Carlsbad, California

November 4-6 Washington, DC

March 2011 St. George, Utah

March 2011 Las Vegas, Nevada

I'm considering trips in 2011 to...

Phoenix, Arizona

Seattle, Washington

For more information on how I can come to a city near you, email me veronica@veronicareeve.com.

Now booking 2011...

2010-09-15T11:51:00.011-06:00

It's official, all sessions are booked for 2010.

Now booking sessions for 2011!

P.S. For those of you who were hoping to book a session before Christmas you are in luck! There are still a couple spots open for the Christmas Mini Sessions. You can find out more information about them here.

Stay tuned for some exciting news...

Tuesday Tip

2010-09-14T22:27:00.003-06:00

Taking pictures in harsh light conditions….

Picture this: You are at the zoo, it's noon, and you want to capture your little boy standing next to his favorite animal (insert animal of choice here). You turn on your camera, take the shot, and when you get home and upload your picture onto your perfectly calibrated monitor (wink, wink) you pull up a very contrasty, harsh photo. His eyes are two dark holes, his hair has a large white sun spot on it, and your vision of blowing this photo up to 20x24 and displaying it in his (insert animal of choice here) themed bedroom are shot.

Hmm.....what to do?

Every photographer knows that the most difficult time to take a beautiful, properly exposed picture, is in the direct harsh light of the early afternoon. To deal with the difficult lighting situation you should….

....try everything possible to reschedule to a time with more favorable light conditions.

Or in this case - go to the zoo later in the afternoon/evening. Shooting at sunrise or sunset is ideal. Even the best photographers can struggle with harsh noon-time light. Sometimes rescheduling or postponing the pictures is not an option so here are some tips for dealing with harsh mid-day sun:

(1) Position your subject with his/her back to the sun, (a.k.a backlighting) and expose for your subjects face. Backlighting can help you avoid the harshest of shadows and give your subject a nice glow. One problem with backlighting is that it can blow out the sky (make it white instead of blue) behind your subject - but personally I'm okay with that. Another option would be to expose for the sky, and use a little fill flash to lighten your subjects face.

(2) Find some shade! Doorways, overhangs, sides of buildings, or shade from a tree provide nice lighting in mid-day sun. But be sure to avoid objects that will cast unnatural color on your subject. Standing in front of a big red wall might make your subject look like a tomato....just a thought. (note: sometimes trees are not a good idea because the sun can filter through the branches and cause big bright spots on your subject - so look for a big bushy tree)

(3) Find a way to diffuse or block the light. You could use a light filtering disk, a piece of wax paper, a large poster board, your zoo map....anything big enough to hold between the sun and your subject to block the light. Be creative.

Here are some examples of difficult mid-day light:

Here we are in the middle of the day fishing. Super bright. I positioned my girls so that the sun was behind them and I exposed for their face. Nice, eh?

Here's an example of #3. What you can't see in the picture is that my assistant is holding a large light disc over their heads to block them from the sun.

And here's the outtake. See? Creative cropping. :) I guess I need to buy a larger light disc.

I'm back...

2010-09-12T23:53:00.003-06:00

...from my photography workshop in L.A.

Inspired, motivated, excited, overwhelmed...

with new friendships, a whole lot of ideas swimming in my head, and ready for change.

Big, wonderful, lovely changes....coming soon.

Post Card To You

2010-09-12T02:23:00.002-06:00

Wish you were here!

Veronica

Out of the Office

2010-09-08T22:51:00.002-06:00

I will be out of the office until next week. I'm headed to a workshop in L.A. from one of my very favorite photographers in the world (Australia!)

I'll leave you with a quick look at this darling family....

Tuesday Tip

2010-09-07T23:30:00.006-06:00

Now that you have calibrated your monitor……

Now that you have your monitor calibrated so that you know that what you see is what you get (read about calibrating your monitor here) let's talk about a couple other ways to give your photos some TLC.

Firstly, don’t delete your pictures directly off of your camera’s memory card. Instead, you should download all of your pictures onto your computer and delete them from there.

Two reasons for this:

First, it is bad for your camera and your memory card. Most camera manufacturers discourage you from deleting pictures directly from your camera’s memory card. You should upload your pictures to your computer and then format your camera to delete the pictures. Formatting your camera deletes all the photos and is better for your memory card.

Second, sometimes it is difficult to tell exactly what you are deleting when you base your judgment about the quality of your photograph on how it looks on the tiny monitor on your camera. A picture that might look blurry or poorly exposed might look fine when viewed on your regular monitor and vice versa. Your camera's viewfinder can not be trusted! Also, you may delete a unique picture that you can only appreciate when you later view it on your computer. Some of my favorite pictures are the ones that did not look the greatest when viewed from my camera.

Moving on to my next bit of advice... Get your photographs developed by a professional printer or a printer that you have tested and trust.

Nothing can ruin a beautiful, technically flawless photograph faster than a poor printer. I (like all of you) take great pride in the photographs that I take. I work hard to set up and properly expose each picture. I spend time post-processing most of my photographs. I have calibrated my monitor to make sure the colors are correct. And I cringe to think that my photographs could be printed in some big box store in a mass-batch processor being run by a pimply teenager with no eye for photography and without a care about whether my prints turn out well. You spent a lot of money on your camera, lenses, and post-processing software – why cut corners on the prints themselves?

For this reason I strongly discourage (almost beg) my clients to let me use my professional printer to develop their prints and why I charge such a high amount for a CD of images. I know that with my printer what I see is what I get, and they do a fantastic job. They produces flawless, true to life prints in a variety of sizes, shapes, and finishes. I don't want people printing my images at low quality printers and saying "Hey look at this picture by Veronica Reeve." There are a number of online printers and local professional grade printers that provide similar work for almost anyone at a reasonable rate.

Before you hand over your carefully crafted photographs to a printer, make sure you have done your homework: ask a photographer whom you trust, ask to watch the printer process a batch, and/or send a couple of trial copies and compare the prints carefully with your calibrated monitor.

Tim + Jamie = Married

2010-09-07T23:00:00.002-06:00

Here's a sneak peek at Tim and Jamie's wedding back in June.

1 year later...

2010-09-06T21:51:00.004-06:00

Remember these beautiful kids?

Well here they are one year later. That newborn baby is now celebrating her 1st birthday. It was so fun to see how she's changed and become such a beautiful little lady! I still can't get over those blue eyes...amazing!!!

They brought along their darling cousins...

Hip Hip Hooray!

2010-09-06T00:42:00.002-06:00

Spread the word! Mini sessions are here and are going fast!! Email me veronica@veronicareeve.com to reserve your spot.

Reason 10,000 why I love my job....

2010-09-05T00:28:00.004-06:00

....meeting incredible families and hanging out with them for an evening.

They offered to take me out to dinner after the shoot. Unfortunately I had to decline because I had little ones to pick up...but seriously, how sweet is that?

Addison + Abby = Married

2010-09-04T13:08:00.003-06:00

Catching up: Addison and Abby's wedding back in June. Loved everything about it...

These guys know how to party!!!

Did I mention....

2010-09-03T11:47:00.003-06:00

I have a kindergartener now?

First day of school nerves...

Second day of school excitement.

So she's loving it. I go to wake her up in the morning and she's already getting dressed and asking when we can leave. I'm sad to see her growing up - I keep thinking about how she'll be a senior in high school in a blink of the eye. Time goes too fast.

Tuesday Tip

2010-08-31T00:00:00.006-06:00

Calibrate Your Monitor!

Today for the Tuesday Tip I thought I'd talk about something that I feel very strongly about...calibrating your monitor.

Calibrating your monitor is often overlooked by beginning photographers. They invest a lot of money on their photography equipment (camera, lenses, and filters), and ignore one of the most essential tools in the digital photographer’s toolkit – the computer monitor. Your monitor is where you view, sort through, and edit your digital images. If you care about your images, you need to make sure that the colors that you see on your monitor match the colors that you saw when you looked through the view finder on your camera, and that the colors on your monitor match your printed image.

Regardless of what type of monitor you have, you need to calibrate your monitor. With an uncalibrated monitor you cannot tell if you have achieved proper exposure, whether the color balance is correct, or whether your post processing looks true to life. With an uncalibrated monitor, you may tweak your images so they look good on the monitor only to discover that the images look horrible when printed.

When I first started taking digital pictures, I would spend hours carefully editing my images. When my prints returned, I was so frustrated to see that all of my images had a yellowish hue. This frustrating problem had a relatively simple solution: I calibrated my monitor.

There are a variety of methods to calibrate your monitor from looking at your monitor’s owner’s manual, to following free online tutorials, to purchasing calibration software. If you use a professional printer (which I highly recommend – more on that later!), then the printer will likely provide you with printer specific calibration. They can also send you a calibration kit with a printed image, and the same image on a disk that you can compare it to. That way you can tweak the brightness/contrast/colors on your computer until what you see on your monitor matches the printed image. The calibration method you choose will likely depend on how serious you are about photography and how much you are willing to spend. Whichever way you choose to calibrate your monitor, I'm sure you'll be glad you did. Being able to know that "what you see is what you get" is a good feeling. :)

Happy Calibrating!

H Family

2010-08-25T14:56:00.002-06:00

D Family

2010-08-25T10:17:00.003-06:00

Just a few for now while I catch up on all the work I'm behind on.....

This family was so incredibly styled. I love the bright colors, the layering, the coordinated but not "matchy matchy" outfits. Mom is an excellent photographer and a super mom too! Thanks D family!

Tuesday Tip

2010-08-24T21:51:00.002-06:00

Hi! So....I've been thinking, and I've decided that I'm going to try something new on my blog. Every Tuesday I'm going to post a photography tip. I get a lot of questions to my email and I don't always have enough time to respond, so I thought this would be a good time/place to answer some of those questions. Also, I thought I'd share some of the "tips" that I am frequently trying to work on myself, and things that I feel are an important aspect of photography. No, I don't know everything. No, I don't consider myself an expert in all areas of photography...but I have picked up a few things along the way, and I'd like to share those with you...my loyal blog readers.

Also, if you can think of any questions that you feel would be a benefit to not only you, but other blog readers, feel free to ask (email me or post a question on this post) and I'll try to get to all of them.

So....here goes nothing!

The very first Tuesday Tip of the Week (clap, clap, clap, clap)

Stop stressing and start shooting...

Do your “photo shoots” with young children and toddlers sometimes (all the time) end in stress and frustration (for both you and the “subject’)? Rather that instructing, positioning, and asking (demanding) that the child look at the camera and smile – take a step back and just let your child (or children) be a child. Let them play outside, at a park, or with their favorite toy. Let them splash in puddles. Let them play with their siblings. Buy them a new inexpensive toy to play with as part of the “shoot.” Let them dress up and have fun. While they do these activities, interact with them and shoot like crazy. The resulting pictures will be more natural and relaxed. The pictures will allow you to see, appreciate, and capture the essence of the child and will be much better than a stiff “say cheese” photo.

Examples:

This little guy did not want to sit in this chair in a "traditional" fashion. Get mad at him and risk watery eyes and a grumpy little guy for the rest of the session? No, go with it! You'll always remember his 2 year old stubbornness!

Let them play! Sit back, and watch their expressions as they are using their imaginations.

Small, inexpensive props (like this soda) can add a lot of character to your photos. Take photos at a park and not only do you have bright colorful images, but your child couldn't be happier!

Basic Photoshop Class

2010-08-19T08:52:00.001-06:00

Oh chubby baby....

2010-08-18T17:16:00.002-06:00