Kindle the Heart Blog

So tell us how you really feel...

...about having your picture taken Mr. K

LOL!

I laughed so hard when I opened this image I nearly cried. I'm not sure what he was doing, but he was NOT sticking his tongue out a me (or anybody else for that matter). So FUNNY!!!

It has been said that laughter is good for the soul. I hope this gave you a good dose of laughter today!

Take a look everybody...

You're looking at the best behaved group of children I've photographed in a long time. I was a little apprehensive about photographing so many little ones together--especially knowing the main goal was to get a group shot. Can you believe they are all under SIX years old?!?!?!?!? They did an AMAZING job of listening and following directions. This is an actual photo---NO Photoshop "head swaps" here!!! Just wait until you see the rest of them A & K! A-MAZ-ING!!! Alright mommies, ice cream all around, and give yourselves a big pat on the back for your excellent parenting skills LOL!!

My how you have GROWN!

I had the privilege of photographing Mr. R again today. You may remember him from about this time last year (he is also the little boy on my splash page!)...

He has gotten taller, but he still has the same infectious smile and sweet personality! Here's your sneak peek Mom, Dad, Nana, and Pops!

We even got a little "friend" in on the portrait session LOL! I know this one is somewhat "out of the box", but it is one of my FAVORITES!!! I love his little hand holding that wooly-worm. So, so CUTE!

And of course, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to photograph Mr. R with his new puppy...

I had a GREAT time today J! I can't wait for you to see the rest!

Talk to you soon!!!
~M

I Meant to do that!

Make no mistake, my work is unique! I have a style of my own and it is somewhat uncoventional. My clients are usually looking for something fresh, stylish and more contemporary than what many “traditional” photographers offer.

That being said, there are some things you may notice when looking at my work that is different from what you might be accustomed to…

“Tight Crops” – This means super close close-ups where often the face fills most of the frame of the image. These images are about the eyes, and often the top of the head is not included in the image. I meant to do that!

“Not-So-Smiley”- So many of us have been brought up to believe that a smile is a requirement to make a great photo. So not true! I love a pensive look as much as a big grin. I meant to do that!

“Let’s Be Negative” – Negative space is when the subject is placed off to the side of an image and the rest of the image is empty—this is done for artistic impact. I meant to do that!

“Left of Center”- The most boring position for a subject in a photograph is smack dab in the middle! I know, I know, not what you always thought, right? Trust me! There is a little something in design called the Rule of Thirds that we photographers often employ to enhance visual interest.

The rule states that an image can be divided into nine equal parts by two equally spaced horizontal lines and two equally spaced vertical lines (like a tic-tac-toe board). The four points formed by the intersections of these lines can be used to align features in the photograph. Aligning a photograph with these points creates more tension, energy and interest in the photo than simply centering the feature would.

I know what you're thinking, "Huh?" Trust me, your child does not need to be right in the center of an image for it to be a good portrait! I meant to do that!

“The Light in the Eyes” The hallmark of good portrait photography is good lighting, and the hallmark of good lighting is something called a “catchlight,” – a reflection of light in the eyes. I love big catchlights! I purposely position my subjects for the best and largest catchlights, especially for close-ups. Flip through any parenting or glamour magazine and look at the eyes—what do you see? Big bright catchlights! A lack of catchlights leaves the eyes looking flat, dull and lifeless. I meant to do that!