{ Caroline } Class of 2013 | Raleigh Cary Senior Photographer

1 Comment music, Portraits, Seniors

Last weekend Caroline and I met for her senior session.  When we first discussed her vision for her session, she mentioned that she composes music and would love to be photographed with a grand piano.   I’m always up for a challenge and began searching my resources to see if we could make this happen.   Luckily, I finally found one! Meredith College was kind of enough to let us use a gorgeous Steinway D in the Carswell Music Hall.

Let me tell you, the first time I walked into this music hall I got goose bumps!  I was thrilled to have found such a great venue with such an amazing instrument.

We began her session at the piano.  I asked if she had brought any of her compositions.  Caroline told me most of her pieces are played through memory.  Awesome!

She played  while I adjusted my lighting, and we got this gorgeous shot …

(  I was on cloud nine working to this ethereal music – one very talented young lady)

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We kept the mood quiet and statuesque.

I am blown away by her presence & beauty.  Top of the favorite list.

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Then it was time to head outside for some fun in the late day sun!

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A gorgeous and simply contagious smile!

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We changed locations for a little edginess.   She painted with her shadows.  LOVE!

Talented, witty, smart & kind.  Caroline, you are an amazing girl & I truly enjoyed our time together!

~Kathy

Alex & Sam | Raleigh Cary Family Photography

0 Comment Children, Family

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I was thrilled when my girlfriend of many years asked me to photograph her children this year.  We used to hang out a lot when they lived in our neighborhood, but they’ve since moved away.  We do our best to see each other as often as life allows, but sadly it’s just not often enough!

These children are super kind and you can tell from the pictures how much they really love each other!

This session was held at their house and I loved incorporating their beautiful home into their photos.   There really is no place like home, especially this fabulous daybed on their screened in porch!

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It was a perfect North Carolina fall day!  The weather was simply divine – we stayed outside for the rest of the session and found lots of gorgeous color!

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Thank you mother nature for the breeze that so perfectly arrived for this image…

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Thanks again Stacy – loved seeing you all!

~Kathy

Ocracoke 2012

0 Comment A Slice of Life, Beach

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Every year, for my birthday, we make a family pilgrimage to one of the best spots on Earth.  If we’re lucky we make it twice in the same year.

Friday we woke the kids before sunrise, and began our 3 hour trek to the ferry.  It’s exciting, and we all love it!

Upon arrival to the ferry I pulled out my camera (well, yah!) only to discover that my favorite work horse lens wasn’t working.  I panicked, thinking how could I make this trip without a camera? I don’t have an iPhone (yet), so that’s not an option for me.

I then discovered & remembered that in the rush of packing I had in fact put my oldest lens in the camera bag.  Yup, the one that came with my original camera several years ago.  Thank goodness, although she doesn’t take sharp pics as I like.  But that’s okay.  I learned to let go and I think I took more pics than usual this year just because of it!

Sunset on Ocracoke Island.  Life IS good.

Looking forward to lots of fall shoots coming up this month & next – whoo hooo!

~Kathy

Simple Lighting Technique Pt.3 | Raleigh Portrait Photography

1 Comment Portraits

The third and final installment of this series.

(You can read part one HERE and part two HERE.)

You may recall in part two I utilized a lighting technique called split lighting.  This type of lighting splits the face  into equal halves with one side being in the light, and the other in shadow.

For part three, I decided to face my subject towards the light 100%.  I wanted to achieve soft, bright & even light.

We are using the larger piece of foam board for the background.  We are using the smaller piece for …. a man made breeze!

This is the result:

ISO1000     f/3.2   1/250th

First of all, I LOVE this image!

  Second of all, I love sharing it because you would never know she was in pajama pants on my front porch with her big sister waiving a foam board in her face – which of course resulted in this fabulous grin!

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Time for big sis to step into the wind zone …

ISO 500     f/3.2    1/400th

I love the soft, flowy feel to this image.  I wish I had unpinned her bangs – probably would have resulted in more hair movement.

And lastly, we stopped the wind and used that same piece of foam board as a reflector placed to her right waist area (you can see it in her eyes if you look closely)

ISO 500     f/3.2    1/400th

Mmmmm love those freckles.  Mmmmm I dig the light in this image so much.

If this was a paying client I would probably remove some of the redness from her eyes.   If I print it I will!

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I hope you enjoyed this series & are inspired by this information. I’d love to read any comments that you may have!

If you are on Pinterest, I have a board dedicated to lighting.  Click HERE to visit.

If you have any other ideas for tutorials please leave ’em in the comments too.

Thanks!

~Kathy

Amy & Brad | Jones Chapel Meredith College Wedding

3 Comments Love

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From the moment I met these two at their engagement session, I knew right away that this love is true & lasting.  I feel so blessed to have met these wonderful families, so open hearted,  kind & just great folk to be around!

Happy marriages begin when we marry the ones we love, and they blossom when we love the ones we marry ~ Tom Mullen
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Much love & happiness to you both!

~Kathy