Little M's Birthday Party ( photo shoot)

I was super surprised and totally honored when my old friend Jessica asked me to photograph her little daughter, M's First Birthday.  I couldn't wait.  I love to photograph different situations and people. I feel like I learn so much every time I photograph something new. And she was going to pay me...bonus!

Her mommy did up her party in a ladybug theme complete with a bunch of stuff from Etsy.  I'll get the links from her later. But it was super cute including this cake.

It was a great day, a little overcast and then a little rain but that light made for some great photography.

Apparently, her little boyfriend even came :) She better snatch him up now. Cute little guy.

She even took time out of her party to push her big brother on the swing.  Look at those bloomers.

Then of course it was time for this little cutey to get some cake...

It was present time....

M and her Daddy

She thought she was a present.

Look at that smile with her new rocking horse. And the happy grandma in the background.

 I took about a ba-jillion  pictures and  have already knocked it down a ton but I still have to make some cuts and tweak the winners so off I go.  This was so much fun. Thanks Jessica for letting me be a part of her special day.

Technical Stuff for other learning photographers like me

The light was great that day. The overcast-ness of the day rocked. I was shooting mostly in Manual with a little AV thrown in there. My aperture was all over the place depending whether I was inside or out  I did tend to shoot more wide open(2.8) to get that soft background. However then I had a bunch of shots that the focus was not tack sharp in and I know that is why. Sigh. I hate that. It's just part of the leaning curve I suppose.  I was using AI SERVO a lot more for this since the kids were always moving but it's a little hard to get used to. It's a whole different way of focusing. Sometimes I miss my manual film camera. It was all up to me and if it didn't work, I knew why.

The indoor shots had a very high ISO of 1000-4000 even with some flash thrown in there. Again, I'm still learning so indoor stuff is where I need  a bunch of practice. I had to help them in post-processing ( I use Photoshop)

Monday
What is the Gunny Sack -Making the world Cuter -Debbie Doo -DIY Show Off
DIY Shop - Lines Across My Face -I should be mopping the Floor
Great Fun 4 Kids

Tuesday
How to Nest For Less - Tip Junkie - My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia -The Kurtz Corner
Sugar Bee - Romance On A Dime - Debbie Does Creations - Funky Polka Dot Giraffe
The Winthrop Chronicles

Wednesday
 Thrifty Home - Someday Crafts - Sew Much Ado
- Junk in Their Trunk  - Southern Lovely  -SNAP

Thursday
 Beyond the Picket Fence - Somewhat Simple - Live Laugh Rowe
Loving this Crazy Life - The Shabby Cottage
The Taylor House- House of Hepworths 
Two In Diapers-Mommy Brain Mixer


Friday
Naptime Crafters - Stay At Home Nation
Young and Crafty -  My Turn(ForUs)
Delicate Construction
Serenity Now
Here Comes the Sun

Saturday

Six Sister's Stuff

Cheerios and Lattes
Natasha in Oz -Say G'Day