So we shot this at my studio. It was supposed to be a mini session, but I have such a hard time keeping it mini when my clients are like old friends!  I think Michelle was a little confused when she walked in… what’s this big white room… where’s the studio part?  It’s evolving, but I can still shoot and have it turn out exactly as I like.  It makes me so happy that on a rainy Sunday, I can still eek out a natural light session in there!

So until we meet the babe, here are the other three!  Let me know what you think!

I love sneaking out on Sunday mornings.  I love it when it’s in the high 70s in March.  I love Charlestown.  I love repeat clients.  I love clicking with parents so that it’s just really easy to shoot.  And I love super cute kiddos.

Meet Corey & Jim.  I photographed their beautiful wedding on Halloween weekend.  You know, the one during the snowstorm?  It is sort of ironic that I shot their maternity session the only other day this winter when there was snow on the ground.  And it was about 20 degrees out.  Cold cold cold.  So we shot indoors, but that’s fine, we were able to accomplish some beautiful studio shots, not all of which I can share.  Suffice to say, the are dramatic, and gorgeous, because, well, so is Corey.

In addition to the studio shots, we played around with Clementine… she was awesome.  My studio is dog friendly, and I am more apt to stock dog treats than I am lollipops!  And at the end, we thought it was important to capture Jim, just the way he is… just a simple guy from KC who likes his BBQ and bourbon!  I laugh when I think of how many husband/client discussions are had around meat smokers, rubs, marinades and where the best butcher might be.

I should add that Corey is the one responsible for my awesome hair color, as she works at the FABULOUS Giraud Studio (for North Shore folks, they are beyond exceptional).  But I almost hate saying that, for their sake.  For those of you who see me on a daily basis, well, you know it’s not often pretty (dare I admit I’ve been standing in dried sweat workout clothes for a few hours now… and I haven’t actually “done” my hair in 4 days… and by “done” I really mean “brushed”).  But when I do wash, dry and “do” my hair, usually I get some form of a compliment and I sort of lob that right back over to Corey (and  Joanna… and Omar… and, well, Heidi!).

So here are the images.  I am dying to get the text that Corey is in labor.   I can’t wait for her newborn session! Actually, that’s a lie.  I am completely conflicted because my hair is ripening as we speak, but I need probably another two weeks before it’s ready… and that’s Corey’s due date.  There is a teeny tiny little part of me that is whispering “how dare she.”

I have so much more to say about this, but I can’t because I have a 20 month cyclone destroying my office… too sick for school, too well for home and into Sharpies & Post-its.  And I have to pack us up for our trip tomorrow.  And do about 10,000 things.  Like post nursery contest updates, and all that jazz.

So these can pretty much speak for themselves.  Love.

Anyway, I grabbed some shots yesterday and am sad to say that my camera is definitely needing to go back to Canon.  Though they promise me I will be at the front of the repair line and I’ll have it back (or a rental) for Thursday.  I was able to get a bunch of great shots (more than what I am posting), but I am breathing I sigh of relief that I rescheduled all my sessions because I’d be in tears if this happened with a client (like every shot I would say “I don’t know Erica, I just do not know.”).  But I love these… and hope I can get the rest to her without making her wait 6-12 months (because that is the poor treatment I give my friends and family and myself!).

Quick update… added this one and it could be my fav maternity shot EVER.  If you are curious how I shot this, read on, otherwise just skip to the pictures!  I shot this at ISO 500, 1/200, f/3.2 on my {broken} 5DMK2 with my 24-70 L.  Probably metered about +2/3 of a stop over 0 (where I typically shot, rarely do I meter to 0).  I put Erica up on  a chair (which is sort of mean to do to a woman who is 35 weeks pregnant) since the only way I could get the light right was to shoot up to it (and avoid the white railing behind her)… the light was pretty high and only come through a few branches.  Then I got below her and moved around until the light was partially behind her, partially giving her edge light.  I focused right on the edge.  With a Canon, the only focus point that will allow you to do this is the center one.  The other focus points will search and not lock.  This shot is remarkably similar to how it was SOOC.  I adjusted white balance (added red, reduced magenta), slightly recovered a little Bokeh (+15), and jacked up the blacks to 25 for her tank top.  In PS I tweaked curves a tiny bit, added color balance layer and added a vignette.