Baby {V} | Newborn Session | Peachtree City Newborn Photographer

I was the middle of creating this sweet baby girls birth announcement when I realized I needed to blog her adorable pics!! I had such a great time with her and her family. She was the sweetest baby, but just didn't feel like falling asleep until the end of our session. But a good 20 minutes on her Momma's chest did the trick.  

She is really a gorgeous baby girl, isn't she?  That Daddy is gonna have to fight the boys off with a stick...am I right?  I can't wait to watch this sweet girl grow as I'll be taking her 6 month and 12 month pics too!!  Exciting!!

The {T} Family | Magic Hour Session | Fayetteville Family Portrait Photographer

This was another one of my awesome Magic Hour sessions! I just love being a part of this program!! Tracy is currently in remission from breast cancer.  Thank Goodness!!  I couldn't be happier for her and her family.  She told me some intimate details of her fight with cancer.  For people like me,  who have never had to fight this disease, I don't think we'll ever understand what cancer patients go through, the misery they and their families face.  I'm thinking a free photo session is the very least I could do for them.

I just met Tracy and her family at their home in Fayetteville.  It was perfect timing b/c one child was leaving the next day for Europe, another daughter is leaving soon on a mission for her church and another daughter almost didn't make the session b/c of bad traffic driving home from college.  I think this session was meant to be!  They are a great family, full of love and support for one another.

The {W} Family | Fayetteville Family Photographer

Meet the sweetest little family!!  Since they have 5 kiddos, we decided to make it easy on the parents and have their session at their home. When I got there, I was shocked at how relaxed I was.  All the kids were doing some last minute preparations and in the same area of the house and it was so QUIET!!  No screaming, no fighting, and they were all helping each other.  I don't know how they do it, but those kids are AWESOME!!    If you were to walk into my house with my 3 little girls there would almost always be screaming and squealing, and probably fighting!!  LOL!  

Anyway, these kids are the cutest and their parents are too!  Take a look for yourselves...

FREE "First Day of School" Printable | Dorothy Nicole Photography | Atlanta Photographer

I've got something super special for you today... It's a FREE download created by my awesome graphic designer and friend, Alison Chandler!!  She's created a printable for your child to hold for "First Day of School" pictures.  If you're a Mom, I know you take them...you know, those pictures of your child right before school showing off their CUTE new clothes and bright and shiny shoes!!  I LOVE them and I LOVE seeing all the pictures you post on FB.  

Whether your child is going into preschool, 2nd grade, or even 5th...we've got you covered!!  Simply click HERE for the downloads, pick the one(s) you want, download, and PRINT!! 

Alison is a designer, entrepreneur, wife and mother of two four-legged children. She has over 10 years of experience designing logos, brand identities, invitations, editorial and web design. Contact her if you have ANY graphic design needs.  She'll be happy to help!!  And tell her Nicole sent you! :)

Alison Chandler

Alirj@me.com

alisonrjohnson.com

ENJOY!!  And seriously, I'd love to see pics with your child holding these cute printables.  Please post to my FB page HERE or simply tag me (If you'd like)!  I can't WAIT to see them!!

ALSO, don't forget about the AWESOME frame giveaway I'm doing over HERE!!  It ends Friday at Midnight!

PS...my daughter is actually going into Kindergarten!!  I printed the wrong one!!  haha!  I didn't even notice until she had already taken off her new clothes...oh well!  Thank goodness the REAL first day of school isn't until next week. :)

Photography Tips ~ Proper Lighting ~ Dorothy Nicole Photography

I frequently get emails asking questions like, "What's a good camera to buy?" or "What editing software do I use?", and other similar questions.  I get it!  You want to be able to take better "everyday" pics of your own kids!  And who can blame you?!!  I wanted to as well, that's what first ignited my interest in photography.  

My answer, as far as a good camera...the best camera to use is the one you have with you!!  Seriously!!  In this day and age, even cell phones have a pretty good quality to them.  Personally, I lug my iphone around a HECK of a lot more than I do my fancy camera.  And it takes pretty good pics, especially if I am outside b/c natural lighting is AWESOME!!  Which brings me to my topic...Lighting!!

It's doesn't matter the kind of camera you have or how you edit, if it's not a good image, there's only so much you can do.  So I am going to be regularly making posts with little tips to help you take better "everyday" images of your kiddos and family!!

So, LIGHTING....It's a BIG deal!!  Below I took some images of my daughter (ignore her pouty face, she can't help it, but it's cute, right?).  I had my camera on the same exact settings, but different lighting situations, facing towards a window, sitting beside a window, and sitting with her back to a window.  These are straight out of the camera, NO editing!!  Take a look...

This is my daughter with her body facing a window.  Pay attention to how clear it is. Her complexion looks smooth. If you look close you can see light (or even me) reflecting in her eyes.  PS, eyes MAKE a picture GREAT! :)

Ok, this is my pouty little girl sitting next to a window. The light is coming in from the left.  Her eyes are not so clear, the image isn't quite as crisp.  Her complexion is a little blotchy and look at the shadows...eek!

Ok, same camera settings again, but this time she is sitting in front of the window, light is behind her.  Her eyes are dark and AGAIN with the SHADOWS, ugh!!!  I guess her complexion isn't as bad as the last one.  Definitely not a sharp image that I would want to hang on my walls.

So, as you can see, lighting is pretty important.   The same rules apply if your outside as well.  

One more tip.  If you are outside in the middle of the day, try to find some good shade.  You'll still get the awesome effects of natural light but without all the squinty eyes and shadows.

Now, go practice with your kids, it's ok if you just have a point and shoot or an iphone, You'll definitely see a difference if you use proper lighting! :)

Also, don't forget the giveaway I have going on right now!!  Enter to win some cute stuff HERE!!

TTFN,

Nicole

PS, come on back and leave me a comment telling me how you did! :)

The {R} Family ~ Peachtree City Family Photographer

I was so trilled to meet this family and their new baby boy! They have 1 set of twins and a brand new baby. You know they are busy!! Honestly though, my favorite part of this job is meeting sweet families like this! There are so many great families and good kind people out there, I love it! :) 

 I enjoyed editing these pictures as they are all so adorable. I hope you enjoy taking a peek at them!