Merry Christmas, Happy New Year !!

Happy 2013!!! I cannot believe how quickly this holiday season has come and gone...and without any holiday posts from me. So sorry about that!! Believe me, I tried, but blogger was having some issues and I could not get any pictures to post during the month of November or December. It would freeze up every time I tried to start a post that included pictures...and you know me, I cannot do a post without photos ;) So anyway, I hope you all have enjoyed a joyous holiday and are ready to start this new year! Ours was wonderful despite the flu and bacterial infection that plagued me for weeks! We took the kids on a surprise Disney World vacation right before Christmas and it was the best trip ever! I'll be posting those pics soon! For now just a few from our Christmas. I let myself off the hook this year and didn't use my camera much...just enjoyed the moments. However, here are a few snapshots, and some instagrams ;) just to show we are still here and smiling! The first set of photos are from my table at our church's Holiday for Her dinner event. I was going for a peaceful woodland feel! Have a great day all! Looking forward to a year full of blessings and possibilities!

The Lynch Kids: combined family shoot and a little story behind it {greensboro nc childrens photographer}

A little over a week before Christmas I had the chance to do a combined session for my 3 children and my nephews on my husband's side in order to create a surprise photo gift for my in-laws! My BIL met me with his two boys and we headed to a local field. The lighting couldn't have been more beautiful and the kids were so well behaved and followed instructions. The photos were coming out beautifully and I was so excited with what I knew was going to be an amazing gift! However once I returned home and uploaded my images to my computer I discovered that my memory card had gone corrupt and many of favorites were completely destroyed and unsalvageable. All that were left were bits and pieces of images..."truncated files" was the term photoshop kept using...I was devastated. I called my husband in tears, completely frustrated and heartbroken with the situation. "But they were so good" is all I kept saying over and over. I was forced to step away and leave the ordeal at my desk since we were committed to being a part of a live Christmas Nativity at my church that evening and I was already running behind. It was probably a good thing. Once I returned home late in the evening I was able to sit down clear headed and see what images could be saved. Fortunately it was not a total loss and the more I weeded through them the more little gems I discovered that were perfectly fine. The more I found, the more I was at peace with the ones I had lost. No use crying over spilt milk, right? At least when there's still a few good sips left in the glass. In the end I was more than happy with what I could save. That worn out memory card has been replaced and the finished gift was perfect. I created a 16x20 mounted & framed storyboard for them to hang on their wall as well as a framed 16x20 mounted image of all 5 grandkids. They LOVED them! Happy ending!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christmas Card Photos: 6 Simple Tips for Getting THE Shot!!

It's that time of year again!! Time for the dreaded holiday card photo!! The very mention of those words together sends my nerves into a frenzy! As a photographer I'm used to photographing other people's children...keyword "other." Photographing your own children is a whole different beast entirely. It's a challenge to say the least. Someone is always grumpy. Someone is always crying (oftentimes it's me, lol). Someone is always running away. It's just not a fun task...usually. The degree of difficulty will vary depending on your children's ages, temperament and the # of kids you have. Keep your expectations low if you have 5 kids ages 5 and under...that's insanity (you've been busy *wink*) but there are ways to make the picture getting process go a little more smoothly. I hope these 6 simple tips help in your holiday photo endeavors:)

Tip #1: Plan Ahead
Have a plan for your session prior to wrangling all the kiddos together. Make sure your camera battery is charged and your memory card has plenty of space. There is nothing worse than getting your kids all set up only to have your battery die or your screen flash "no memory!" right when you are getting ready to push the shutter. Trust me...you do NOT want to deal with that!
Another thing that goes along with this one is make sure you have all prop items ready prior to bringing the kids in. Your 2 year old is not going to sit still while you go searching for that box of ornaments you were wanting him to play in. (plastic ornaments please...no glass!!)

Tip #2: Pick the Right Time of Day
If you have a little one who naps don't plan a shoot in lieu of their 3 pm naptime and think that your session is going to be anything but disastrous. No one wants to try to photograph a fussy baby or an irritable & cranky toddler. Try to pick a time during the day when your kids are most rested. Make sure they are fed too...a hungry child is a whiny child.

Tip #3: Dress Cute Yet Comfortable
That adorable frilly lace dress may look beautiful on the hanger but might be a little too itchy for your 3 year old. If you simply must have your daughter photographed in frills and lace make sure the dress is lined in a soft fabric or that you have another layer of clothing between the dress and her skin in order to avoid fits of itching. Opt for clothing that is comfortable and that kids can move in. Holiday pajamas make adorable Christmas card photos for kids (matching footed pjs for adults..not so much!) Dress the kiddos in coordinating colors with layers...but not necessarily in matching outfits. Pinterest is a great place to get "what to wear" ideas!! Use them!

Tip #4: Give Them Something To Do
Kids like to be doing something. Have an activity planned as part of your shoot so that your kids will actually want to participate and the smiles in your photographs will be more genuine and less contrived. Real authentic smiles are the best ones after-all! Obviously this one will really depend on what is appropriate for the ages of your children and their abilities. Decorating Christmas cookies is a great idea for many ages. For our children we took a little Christmas tree and a basket of ornaments to a nearby field and it was AWESOME! The kids loved getting to stand out in the field and decorate that little tree.

Tip #5: Let Them Play
Kids are kids. Let them do what they do best! Sometimes the best shots aren't the ones you had in mind in the first place! After our little mini session involving the tree I simply told my kids "go....run!" and they did....and those images are some of my favorite images of the evening. In fact that center image in the group of three you'll see below was the only thing I put on the back side of our Christmas Card this year. Just that one image of them laughing and running..because it reflected them perfectly and it wasn't even a part of my plan. Oh, and that last shot at the very bottom...it's going on my wall...BIG!

Tip #6: Don't Stress
This coming from someone who does the complete opposite when it comes to photographing her kids. HA!! But if I have learned anything in my photographic journey it's that if you stress, your kids will read that stress and will reflect it back in their behavior. And then you'll stress more...it's a vicious cycle. So try to relax and make it a fun experience. It doesn't have to be elaborate. Everyone doesn't HAVE to be looking at the camera and smiling...sometimes it's just not gonna happen and that's ok. I guarantee you that that photo of all 4 kiddos leaning into themselves laughing hysterically because daddy made a funny noise will be the best one anyway :)

 

  

Crafting by Christmas Light

Today is a pretty dark and dreary day so I thought it might be fun to do a little craft time with Ella. I decided on a simple reindeer puppet craft that is is easy enough for a preschooler to make and I thought it would be fun to do our crafting by Christmas Lights. So I pulled up a couple of kids chairs in front of our tree to use as a table and got our supplies together.

You will need:

cardstock (we used a glittery one)
pipe cleaners
wooden dowel
googly eyes
bells
red or black sequin or pom-pom
twine or ribbon
glue (tacky or hot glue...hot glue for adults only)
any embellishments you want

Simply trace your child's hand onto the cardstock and cut out. The fingers will become the reindeer legs and the thumb will be the head! Cut sections of pipe cleaner to make antlers...we twisted two smaller pieces onto two larger pieces. Glue antlers onto the back of the thumb and let dry. Then simply glue on eyes, nose and other embellishments. You can tie a bell around the neck using twine or thin ribbon. Finally, glue your wooden dowel onto the back of your reindeer to create a puppet. Make a reindeer for each family member using their hands and then have your kids put on a puppet show! Happy crafting!

Holiday for Her 2011

Every year my church, LCC, does a holiday event for women called Holiday for Her. It is one of our largest events of the year involving amazing inspirational speakers, catered dinners and beautiful decor! Every table is individually hosted and decorated by the women of our church so no two tables are alike. Each one is different and unique. I have been attending this event for 10 years but this was the first year I hosted and decorated my own table. I've been wanting to do one for years but it takes planning and I never got everything together until now. If you decorate a table you are responsible for supplying everything needed...from linens to dishes, silverware to centerpieces and everything in between. You may decorate your table in any theme of your choosing. Most choose a holiday...Christmas, Thanksgiving , Easter etc...some choose a decor theme. The only requirement is that you have a bible verse to go along with your theme. I wanted to do something involving birds, nests, moss etc. Not sure what I would call it...something between enchanted woodland & feather your nest. I filled different size apothecary jars with moss, lights, eggs, nests, feathers and birds and set them up on stacks of vintage books and then surrounded everything with lots of candles, tall and small. It was beautiful all lit up! The verse that went along with my table comes from Psalms 84:1-4. It reads:

How lovely is your dwelling place, LORD Almighty! My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young— a place near your altar, LORD Almighty, my King and my God. Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you.

It was a fabulous night and I cannot wait to do a table again next year!

Holiday Twinkle Minis are HERE!!

Who doesn't love the twinkling of white lights during the holidays?!! Now you can have the magic of those lights captured in a unique holiday portrait of your children! Click the contact link above to book now!

Sorry It's Late

For those of you who didn't receive an actual card this year (so sorry I didn't have enough to send them to everyone), here it is! I meant to post it sooner but never got around to it. This was the winning group photo of the kids...all holding hands, looking at the camera, AND smiling! It was actually one of the first ones I took! Hope everyone is enjoying their "day after". We're still watching Christmas movies over here...not ready to let it go just yet!

My Sweet Niece: a newborn session

It's been 5 weeks since she was born and due to all the rain and overcast days we just haven't had enough light to do baby Kendyl's newborn portraits...and believe me, I've been itching to get my hands on her. Yesterday morning we finally had the chance. One thing about doing newborn photography is that it is really important to try to get them photographed during the first 10 days of life. They are sleepy, and bendable, easier to pose, and easier to soothe (usually). At 5 weeks it's a whole different ballgame. Kendyl was wide awake and did not want to go to sleep. The first hour of the session was spent trying different poses to which she was not going to cooperate. An hour or so into the session she succumbed to sleep and we were able to get "the" shot! Isn't she a doll? And to think I get to see her whenever I want!

side note: I'm so glad we did the session yesterday before our heat went out. Today we awoke to a 58 degree home. Heating guy is on the way. Hope everyone has a toastier friday than we are! Off to sit by the fire!

White Light Bokeh

I love Christmas lights! White ones to be exact! They are just so elegant and beautiful and I love the bokeh that you get when they are photographed in the background! There's just something magical about those beautiful glowing spheres! Don't ya think? You can achieve this same look by stringing lights on a wall and putting your kids a few feet in front of them. And of course you don't have to use white...colored lights will look super cool!! Try it!

Merry CHRISTmas!!

But the angel said unto them, "Fear not; for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be for all people; for today in the city of David there has been born unto you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:10-11

May you and your family experience the blessing of the Greatest Gift Ever Given...a tiny baby, born in a manger, sent by God to bear the burden of our sins so that we may have eternal life with HIM...our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ!! Happy Birthday Jesus!!