Jason, Olga, and baby Victoria

Jason met Olga while on a mission trip to Russia 10 years ago.  They didn't fall in love at first, but over time they developed a friendship that blossomed from there.  Theirs is such an inspiring love story.  I wanted to share it with you.   

After they married in Russia, Olga moved to the states to live near Jason's family.  They had a beautiful ceremony here in the states as well.  Baby Victoria was born several years after that after many years of waiting and prayer over her arrival.  What a blessing she is!

I chose to photograph their family in the small chapel in the Pioneer village at the Arboretum in hopes of capturing that spirit of prayer that surrounded Victoria's birth.  The setting was beautifully lit and perfectly peaceful.  I know this image will mean a lot to their families.

Victoria's adorable dress was a gift from her Grandparents.  After the more formal pictures were finished, Victoria donned her Halloween attire.  But, by then she was plum tuckered out.

Higher ISO = Increased Grain

One advantage to increasing your ISO setting is the ability to photograph in lower light without using flash.  However, doing so will most likely result in increased graininess in your images.  Higher ISOs (especially in later model cameras) give an image a foggy, fuzzy look.   

Graininess is not all bad.  In fact, some photographers purposefully choose a higher ISO with the goal of increasing the grain to creating an old-time feel to their image.  Graininess can also give an image a romantic feel.  Remember those old Hollywood portraits?

With the newer SLR models coming out, grainy images at higher ISOs are all but a thing of the past.  In order to get that dreamy, grainy, romantic look photographers will now have to turn to editing software. Chances are, however, that most of you won't own one of those cameras any time soon, so I thought a little "visual" was in order to help you see the affect ISO has on your images. 

Below are three very similar images all shot at different ISOs.  The first image was shot at ISO 100, the second at ISO 400 and the third at ISO 1600.  You can really see the grain in that last image.  If your goal is crisp and sharp images, shoot at the lowest ISO possible.  If you like the softer look of grain in your images, shoot at higher ISOs.  Just remember to adjust your other settings accordingly.

ISO - it's really just another tool to allow your creative juices to flow.

New Beginnings

I've been a blogger for the past year now.  It has been a great way to document the special times in my family's life.  Having a place where I can celebrate, contemplate, dream, and even vent is good for my soul.  It has also been a great way to stay connected with our loved ones who live so far away.  I love it!  It's high time I start a blog for my photography business as well.

Photography is so much a part of my life now.  It just makes sense that I should document the stages of this wonderful new adventure of mine - this business that I can call my own.  I want to be able to look back years from now and remember how far I've come - and from where I came.  Like other things in my life that are important to me, I also want to share this experience with others - especially with those of you who help to make this business such a success - and a joy.

So, welcome to my newest baby - my photography blog.  You will find some of my favorite images from recent sessions, news of upcoming events and special offers, and from time to time even a helpful photography tip or two.  So visit often and stay awhile.

In honor of this new beginning of mine, here are some precious pictures from a recent newborn session.  What better way to celebrate a fresh start!