Shuttergirl Photography

I ♥ Faces - On Your Feet!

2011-12-05T06:09:00.001-08:00

This week, the I ♥ Faces photo challenge is "On your feet," but since I prefer to be off my feet, I chose this photo. It is from a beach vacation...my favorite kind!

This photo was entered into the I Heart Faces photo challenge – www.iheartfaces.com

Molly Anna | Alexandria Newborn Photographer

2011-10-10T13:33:00.000-07:00

This sweet baby girl was a joy to photograph. Just 10 days old, she nestled down in her blankie and snoozed while I clicked away! Her mommy and daddy are so proud and so are their three hairless cats! Welcome to the world, Molly!

I had never seen hairless cats up close before...

She had obviously never seen a photographer before!

The Battersea | Petersburg Wedding Photographer

2011-09-05T16:37:00.000-07:00

An 18th century plantation house in the midst of a renovation, my two favorite newlyweds, and a beautiful summer day all made for my favorite shoot ever! I had the pleasure of photographing Holly and Eddie for their engagement shoot a year ago and they were married in June. I was approached by the president of the restoration society for the Battersea in historic Petersburg to photograph a bride and groom for their merchandising and advertising campaign. Holly and Eddie were more than happy to put their wedding finery back on and pose for me. We had a fabulous time going through the old rooms and talking about the history of this beautiful home. Thank you, Holly and Eddie for being such amazing models! You make my work so easy!

We scared a young man working on the property with this next photo...he looked up at the window at the exact time she was posing and you could tell that he truly believed that he had seen a ghost! We went downstairs to assure him that she was real and got a big laugh about his "close encounter."

There was no shortage of interesting places to shoot with great textures and interesting stories. Some we could figure out, like the one above (outhouse!).

The one below is beside an old tractor barn.

Holly, you are gorgeous!

Such a beautiful place...such a fun couple...

Morello Hoffman Kids | Outer Banks Family Photographer

2011-08-18T17:13:00.000-07:00

Love, love, love these two families!!! All the kids are so fun to photograph and are all naturals in front of the camera. Add in the beauty that is the Outer Banks, NC and you have all the makings for a great photo shoot! Of course, we had to compete for beach space with the "White/Khaki Family" and the "Blue/White Family!" Must have been a popular spot to take pictures!

Baby Levi | Hampton Roads Newborn Photographer

2011-07-27T07:40:00.000-07:00

This sweet baby is the third boy for a great family. He is surrounded by more love, more kisses, and more matchbox cars than any one baby can claim! He settled down after a brutal bout of hiccups and snoozed in a vintage iron egg basket. So sweet! Baby Levi, you will have a great life!

Sara Jane | Hampton Roads Maternity Photographer

2011-07-13T06:33:00.000-07:00

This mama is the personification of the phrase "beautiful, inside and out." She has a giving heart, a beautiful soul, and two of the most adorable little boys. And she is about to have boy #3. SJ, I love you! You are gorgeous! Can't wait to meet baby Levi!

Rachel | Hampton Roads Senior Photographer

2011-07-06T11:27:00.000-07:00

I have known this little girl since she was in kindergarten. Tiny little blonde thing, with a quick hug for everyone and a contagious giggle that lit her up from the inside. I love her mother as if she were my sister so, in some ways, this is my daughter who is graduating from high school. Where did the time go? Rachel, you have grown into a beautiful, young, engaging woman. Your future is ahead of you, go out there and get it!!!

Tim and Jennifer | Hampton Roads Engagement Photographer

2011-06-13T14:46:00.000-07:00

He is goofy. He would be the first to admit it. Loves to dance to Miley Cyrus' "Party in the USA!" He loves to make her laugh and he does it often. She loves his smile and his down to earth personality. They are getting married May of 2012 and I was thrilled to be chosen to take their engagement photos. We went to Yorktown beach because it holds a special place in their hearts. The Pub, the pier, and a mosquito infested bike path were some of their favorites. Tim and Jennifer, you are both so much fun and I had a blast taking your pictures. Here is your sneak peek!

Wolfle | Hampton Roads Children's Photographer

2011-06-01T13:51:00.000-07:00

I so love shooting sweet, high energy, adorable children. I also love parents who love their home and want to memorialize it along with their children. To me, homes are a reflection of a moment in time; a chair gets moved, a pillow gets changed, sometimes it's just a tablecloth, other times it is a coat of paint. The Wolfle's bought this house as a "fixer-upper" and lovingly restored it to it's original 1914 beauty. It has charm, character and life. Just like the children.

Fix it Friday | I ♥ Faces

2011-01-14T06:40:00.000-08:00

Original (SOOC)

I love Fix it Friday! (Is it Friday already?!?!)

This little sweetie's eyes tell the story in this pic but I am also a sucker for freckles. I boosted her eyes with MCP's Eye Doctor and then I ran DPM Lab's Color Boost and took down the opacity. Her lips were too pink and her eyes too aqua so I ran PW's Soft Faded and really liked the effect. Can't wait to see others' take on this cutie!

Playing with my New Toy | Hampton Roads Photographer

2011-01-12T06:23:00.000-08:00

The entire eastern seaboard is being pummeled by a snow/ice storm this week. Luckily for us, we got a little freezing rain and very little disruption. Ice storms are a bittersweet occurrence. Bitter for the havoc it wreaks on traffic, etc, but sweet for the photographic beauty it can produce. There is nothing like the sun glistening off icicles, the twinkling of ice encrusted foliage. I took my new toy out in the brisk morning air to capture these shots. I was shooting with my 50mm 1.8 again (obviously my favorite lens!)

Playing with my New Toy | Hampton Roads Photographer

2011-01-10T12:50:00.000-08:00

I have always been guilty of camera envy...every time I am out somewhere and I see another photographer, I have to check out their equipment on the sly...what are they shooting with? Canon or Nikon? Prime or zoom? Then I get more specific...if they are shooting with Canon (I'm a long time Canon girl), I will scrutinize everything they are using, what lens, what flash, what filters, I even check out the strap! I have been pining over the Canon 5d Mark ii since it came out in 2008. I couldn't justify the cost since I was still building my portfolio and establishing a client base, so I suffered in silence. I window shopped (online, of course), I rented once (bad idea, as this only made me want it more), I waited. I set goals for myself - if I can make $xx.xx, I will think about ordering it. I found out from the Canon site that they sell refurbished models that have never left the production facility at a significant discount. These cameras have not made it past an inspection spot on the line for such things as a crooked logo or a loose screw and are sent to another part of the facility to be "refurbed" and then sold. With a little help from my parents (thanks N&G!), I ordered one in time for the holidays. It has been everything I hoped for and more! While the learning curve has been steep and I have deleted more pictures than I have saved, I am soooo glad I upgraded! Over the next few posts, I will share some of my trials with my new baby! These we all taken with my 50mm 1.8.

Keatley | Hampton Roads Family Photographer

2010-10-18T06:29:00.000-07:00

Had the great pleasure of photographing this really fun family whom I have known since I was a little girl. The Keatley boys were a legend in our church - crazy smart, full of life, hysterically funny. Some things never change. They are grown now with children of their own who are turning out to be as smart, funny and full of life as their daddies.

Audrey & Alli | Hampton Roads Family Photographer

2010-10-04T08:10:00.000-07:00

We had a short visit this summer from my extremely funny, charming, and sweet step-daughters, Audrey and Alli. We spent a day in Colonial Williamsburg and Alli was especially willing to pose for me. Hurray! She is quite photogenic and we enjoyed running around looking for fun places to shoot.

Sister Audrey decided to get in on the fun for a few shots...

And then she was gone...

Proud daddy with his girls...

Can't wait for them to come back and visit!

Holly & Eddie | Hampton Roads Engagement Photographer

2010-09-18T07:00:00.000-07:00

For this series, you might want to ask your children to leave the room. Holly and Eddie wanted to get a little steamy and they really heated up the beach!

Holly & Eddie | Hampton Roads Engagement Photographer

2010-09-17T07:00:00.001-07:00

Holly and Eddie are big fans of the vintage look and wanted to incorporate that look into their photos. A vintage tux on eBay and a vintage dress and flower plus an amazing backdrop made for a beautiful series of photos.

Holly & Eddie | Hampton Roads Engagement Photographer

2010-09-16T07:00:00.000-07:00

Ah, young love!!! Holly and Eddie have to be the most awesomest, funnest, coolest couple on the planet! He is so smitten with her and she with him. We had an absolute blast shooting for their engagement photos. They were both full of ideas and so I am going to stretch this out over several posts. Enjoy!

Welcome!

2010-09-15T08:22:00.000-07:00

Welcome to all you lovers of the Cheeze! Thanks for coming over!

I ♥ Faces - Beach

2010-08-23T07:45:00.000-07:00

I am an affiliate!!!

2010-07-27T11:20:00.000-07:00

See those two new buttons over there? >>>>>>>>>>>>

I am officially now an affiliate for Kelly Willette's great tools and workshops! Click on them...check her out! She is a great photographer, teacher and motivator and I love her shooting guides! Best of all, she's local!!!

Check out Willette Designs and see how she can improve your photography - you don't even have to be a professional!

Contests!!!

2010-06-30T07:44:00.001-07:00

This is just what I need to get myself organized and rolling! Cross your fingers that I win!

Get it together now→win “Get It Together Kit” from @GITKIT / getittogetherkit.com at Paperie Boutique / paperieboutique.com by @shutterblog

I ♥ Faces - Babies

2010-06-14T04:22:00.000-07:00

I ♥ Babies! This week at I ♥ Faces it is all about the babies! This little sweet pea was just 7 days old. Ever so sleepy, she had just a hint of a smile on her face.

Check out more sweet peas...

Never Say Never Again| Hampton Roads Wedding Photographer

2010-06-01T07:42:00.000-07:00

Amber and Adam were the sweetest couple. High school sweethearts. Dating for 5 years. She has the deepest southern accent and calm demeanor, he has nothing but eyes for his girl. They were married at Cheehaw Park in Albany, Georgia, on a sultry, sweltering May afternoon. Her bridesmaids were barefoot and his groomsmen wore sunglasses. Adam leaves soon for a year in Korea without his beautiful bride. Amber, hang in there - being a military wife is both heartbreaking and breathtaking, I know that you will make an awesome one!

Mary & Dan| Hampton Roads Wedding Photographer

2010-03-16T17:43:00.000-07:00

Mary and Dan met when she accompanied a friend to a welcome home ceremony for her Marine boyfriend. They became best friends and crushed on each other for a while before they decided that you should marry your best friend. I have been saying since I started this photography business that I would never do weddings, but he is getting ready to deploy and they decided to do it sooner rather than later and pulled together a wedding in 3 weeks. I did it partly as a favor and partly because I respect the sacrifice they are getting ready to make. They chose the most picturesque spot at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay and the sun smiled down on them. A sweet, tender, small wedding - perfect for my first time. Mary and Dan, I wish you many years of love, friendship, and tenderness.

Sneak Peek

2010-03-05T13:50:00.000-08:00

This weekend I am doing something I swore I would never do...here is a sneak peek...

I ♥ Faces - "Hands On" Challenge

2010-02-22T07:00:00.000-08:00

It is funny that this week's challenge is "Hands On" since I have been photographing details lately. This is one of my favorite "hands" photo. Although I am partial since it is my boy's.

Front Yard Friends

2010-02-21T18:18:00.000-08:00

We had a beautiful day here today, so I took advantage and photographed these adorable front yard friends.

I ♥ Faces - Fix It Friday #44

2010-02-19T13:56:00.000-08:00

Fun with Fix it Friday! I was challenged by this photo. Underexposed and over exposed photos are the hardest to correct, in my opinion.

I started by cropping the photo to make the focus the sweet little girl. I adjusted the levels to fix the underexposure. Then I added lens flair above the house in the back and a 12:00 spotlight above the girl. I added a soft light layer at 50% and sharpened a little. Here is the side by side comparison. My edit is on the left.

Details - Swimmer

2010-02-18T07:00:00.000-08:00

Details - Piano

2010-02-17T07:00:00.001-08:00

Details - G-man

2010-02-16T07:00:00.000-08:00

Details - Legos

2010-02-15T07:00:00.000-08:00

Details - Valentine's Day

2010-02-14T09:09:00.000-08:00

Fix it Friday #43

2010-02-12T10:13:00.000-08:00

Original

I opened the photo in Elements 6 and cropped it in tighter. I ran Coffee Shops Baby Powder Room and enhanced her eyes. I, then, lightened her skin on the left side of her face to compensate for the excessive shadow. I created an adjustment layer, sampling a color from the bottom corner and created a vignette around the perimeter to get rid of the stair railing.

Such beautiful eyes!

For the next edit I only ran DPM's Oh the Drama and then cloned out the stair railing. I love the haunting feel.

This one scares me just a little...

To see more edits, head over to:

Details

2010-02-11T07:06:00.000-08:00

Someone once told me that the devil was in the details. As a photographer, I think that angels are in the details. I love a newborn's tiny feet and hands, a toddlers eyelashes and baby teeth, an older child's toothless grin, and the way a toy or instrument is held. I decided to do a series of details starting with my son. He is a blossoming guitar player and, while he is annoyed by his mother constantly taking his photo (as any 12 year-old would be), he was a beautiful subject.

Godparents|Hampton Roads Portrait Photographer

2010-01-31T14:13:00.000-08:00

My wonderful and loving Godparents allowed me to photograph them at their beautiful home. I love them so much!

Sweeeet Baby|Hampton Roads Child Photographer

2010-01-28T13:34:00.000-08:00

I am overcome with the sweet smell of a newborn's neck. She is sweet as sugar and just as precious. Her parents couldn't be more in love with her. This little girlie is beautiful!

I ♥ Faces

2010-01-12T14:31:00.000-08:00

My first attempt in "I ♥ Faces" and their challenge this week is your best face photo. The photo had to be taken in December '09 or January '10. I have this photo as my wall paper and I love it. It is of my handsome Bubba and I just melt into his eyes every time I look at it.

Dreamy, no?

Baby Blanchette|Hampton Roads Maternity Photographer

2010-01-06T07:25:00.000-08:00

I had the extreme pleasure of photographing this gorgeous soon-to-be mommy and her adorable husband just weeks before she is to give birth. We had a fabulous setting on the water and a beautiful sunny day. I can't wait to photograph their new little bundle when she finally arrives!

I love this next one...she should be a maternity model!

Impromptu

2009-11-29T14:42:00.000-08:00

Saw this beautiful family on the beach last week with a small stool trying to take a timed photo...had to help.

Arnett Boys|Hampton Roads Child Photographer

2009-11-20T05:30:00.000-08:00

Christmas Card Layouts

2009-11-12T10:16:00.000-08:00

Trying my hand at photo Christmas cards...

P|Hampton Roads Child Photographer

2009-10-24T17:56:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite subjects...my niece.

Beautiful, no?

Hoffman Kids|Hampton Roads Child Photographer

2009-10-20T13:09:00.001-07:00

Mary Cate and Charlie were so much fun to shoot. We had a beautiful, sunny day on the grounds of their school. Charlie was a goofball (in a good way) and Mary Cate was stunning and sweet. I can't wait to shoot them again in the spring!

Welcome!

2009-10-20T13:03:00.001-07:00

Welcome to my new venture! Shutter Girl was born as a result of a love affair with taking photos and a need to find a creative outlet. I have been interested in photography since I was very young and even dabbled a bit during college. I finally took a leap of faith and launched Shutter Girl Photography in August. I am hoping to create a small niche here in Virginia as a family and children's photographer who steps out of the "cookie cutter", mall photo, same old photography box. My hope is to be able to capture children in their element - at the beach, on the playground, in their own backyard - where they are the most happy and relaxed. I believe that I have an eye for capturing the spirit of my subjects and translating that spirit into a snapshot that families will treasure for years to come. So, follow me on my journey...