Tucson Portrait Photographer: Newborn, Infant, Baby, Children, Family & Maternity Photography

What to Wear ~ Down East Basics Bloggers Mixer {Tucson Photographer}

Last night my friend Leah and I were invited to a super fun bloggers event at a great store in the Tucson Mall called Down East Basics:

We were there so we could check out their Spring collection (even though there is a blizzard warning for Tucson today...haha!) We had a great time hanging out with girlfriends and checking out all the adorable clothing and sales that are currently going on, plus they had some door prizes and goodie bags for us. But most importantly, I got to take photos of some of my favorite outfits to show you how you can incorporate them into your next photo session!

Take for example this beautiful yellow dress with pearls:

This would be your starter outfit and going off of the rule that you are dressing your family as if you are all in "one outfit" so to speak, I would put Dad in some nice dark blue jeans and a nice white t-shirt with a black or grey buttoned vest over it. He could also wear black pants if he wanted to. The kids could go to H&M and pick out some of their cute outfits to go along with this hip look and you are set for a fabulous urban Spring session! :) Give me a call, we can set one up!

Next up...I love this scarf:

This would pair perfectly with a cute pair of skinny jeans and black flats for your next headshot, what are you waiting for? Contact me and we can get you scheduled right away! :) The scarf not only adds color, but adds texture too.

Finally, a favorite dress of mine:

And I would pair it with this adorable sweater that Leah found:

The ruffles on the sweater are so sweet and girly and also add some texture and are also good at hiding any love handles if you happen to have any like me! ;) I usually don't like to do too much pattern in my photos, but the pattern in the dress above is subtle enough that it wouldn't draw attention away from the faces, but keep in mind it would have to be the ONLY pattern in anyone's outfit. If you have to choose more outfits for other family members, use the colors from that pattern to pick the solid colors they will wear, so dad or brother's color would be a solid sage green polo or button down, sister could wear that pink color dress, etc. Then everyone is coordinated, but NOT matching. Make sense? :)

Don't forget the accessories:

And the winner from last night? This super adorable dress that Leah is oohhhh-ing and ahhh-ing over! I think I saw at least 5 women taking it home with them! :) Thanks Down East Basics for such a fun evening! ~Michelle

I received a $25 gift certificate as a thank you for attending this event, but all opinions are my own.

Michelle Rasmussen specializes in Custom Children's Portraiture and Lifestyle Photography, from Maternity & Newborn through High School Senior Portraits, including Family Portraits and everything in between.  To see her portfolio and additional information, please visit the main  website at: www.wondertimephoto.com Thanks!

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It's All about the Catchlights in the Eyes {Tucson Photographer}

Here is another short tutorial for you moms and dads, or grandparents who would like to take better pictures of your children since I can't be with you 365 days of the year! ;)  When I am photographing children, my favorite thing is to photograph them making eye contact with the camera and capture some emotion that will move the viewer when they look at the image later on. In order to draw attention to their eyes, which is my goal, I almost always try to get what's called catchlights in them.

Catchlight are defined as is a light source that causes a specular highlight in a subject's eye in an image. A specular highlight is a bright spot of light that appears on shiny objects when illuminated. Adding a catch light can help draw attention to the subject's eyes and eyes without catch lights are often said to appear dull or lifeless according to Wikipedia, and I happen to agree. This is why I prefer to try and get catchlights in as many of my portraits as possible, especially childrens portraits. Here's an example for you:

Here, the sky behind the photographer (me) and in front of the subject is acting as the light source which is creating the catchlights. I'm standing in the middle breaking it up, which is a good thing so we can see her pupil.

This photo is the same as above...the sky is acting as the light source and creating the catchlights across the eyes with me, the photographer breaking it up in the middle of the pupil. I fill the eyes with a spark of joy and happiness...of life.

Here again, the sky is creating the catchlight, but it's off to the subject's left side since he is turned toward the building.

By looking into any subjects eyes you should be able to see what direction the light is coming from based on the catchlights and sometimes you can see reflections of camera equipment and people too! :) Try to look into your subject's eyes the next time you are taking photos of your children and get those catchlights to add some spark of life into them! Hope this was helpful. If you like these articles feel free to leave me a comment! Thanks! ~Michelle

 

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Get In the Photo - Please! {Tucson Portrait Photographer}

Posing A Family & What They Should Wear ~ Tucson Portrait Photographer

I am Michelle Rasmussen, Tucson Portrait Photographer, owner at Wondertime Photography, and I would like to share with you two important things today about family portraits. Whether you are having your portraits taken or you are taking a family's portrait, these are two important things to know which will improve your photo.

I am going to show you 5 photographs that all have these 2 important factors in common that make them stand out from other family photos that do not have them: 

1. All the families are posed so that their heads make a triangle if you were to "connect the heads as dots", except one, and that photo has the family making motion (walking), so it's ok.

2. All the families are pretty much following the rule of dressing as if they are one person and there is no more than one pattern and the rest of the outfits are picked from those colors.

Here baby is wearing the one pattern, mom is wearing two colors from her dress and dad is wearing a lighter shade from dress - perfect!

Here Baby is wearing a black and grey striped dress, so mom and dad each are wearing one of the solid colors from her dress and it works perfectly with this blue door!

Same family, parents didn't have to change, but they changed baby's dress, and all mom had to do was slip on a pink sweater to change the look of the entire family's "outfit" - I love it!

Toddler is wearing black and silver stripes and a "pop" of pink so mom and dad keep their clothes toned down so the attention will stay on her and mom's belly. Lovely!

This mama could be a stylist! This outfit is perfect, I don't know how else to describe it! I just love it, and then when we found the houses to go with them, it got even better! YaY!

The more people you start to add to the session, the harder it can be, but it's totally worth it to take the time and effort to do this as your photos will look so much better if the subjects are coordinated nicely with one another and your photographer takes the next step to pose them so that you get eye pleasing "connect-the-dot-triangles" with your subjects heads. 

I hope you find this article helpful, if you do, let me know by leaving a comment down below. If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below also. Thanks! ~Michelle

Michelle Rasmussen specializes in Custom Children's Portraiture and Lifestyle Photography, from Maternity & Newborn through High School Senior Portraits, including Family Portraits and everything in between.  To see her portfolio and additional information, please visit the main  website at: www.wondertimephoto.com Thanks!

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Tucson Portrait Photographer ~ How I Got That Shot!

Get In the Photo - Please! {Tucson Portrait Photographer}

Last week I talked about "How I Got That Shot" and to sum it up, you basically want to go out with your kids, either with me, as a family or on a one on one "date" and just relax, and have a really good time with your children while practicing with your dSLR camera or if I am taking their photos, just sit back and relax and enjoy the moments with your family and allow me to work with them, they usually respond really well to another "parent" and that way everyone gets to enjoy the experience! :)

This leads me to my next bit of advice - Get in the Photo! If you are holding off on getting your family portraits taken or find yourself constantly slipping out of photos, you might regret this one day.  There is an excellent article written in the Huffington Post called, Moms Explain Why They Are Getting Back In The Picture and I highly recommend you read it if you don't like getting your photo taken.  We are all a little guilty of this, myself included, but I am making more of an effort these days to get back in the Photo! Here are some recent photos where I am happy to say I was in the photo with my boys (even if my appearance wasn't what I envisioned it should be, I just told myself, they wouldn't care, they only cared that their mom was with them and loved them enough to go do this fun urban adventure with them.)

Below Shelbie and I are checking out what we have gotten so far, lol! I am so happy with all of the photos from our family photo session from this year - a big thanks to Shelbie for coming along and helping me to "Get in the Picture!" :)

There are time in the past that we have done some very special family vacations where I have awesome photographs of the boys, but I now regret that I am not in any of the photos.  For example, we went to Utah this past summer and got some cute shots of the boys, but no photos with me included.  Here's one photo of my youngest when we went to the mountains:

I'm also regretting that I'm not in any of the photos from when we took a wonderful family vacation to California for our oldest son to attend Surfers Healing Camp. Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining, just regretting that I didn't make more of an effort to get in the picture for my boys so they would have those photos of me later on and know that I was with them on that trip.

There is some good news! When the boys were 4yrs and 2.5yrs we went on a photo-adventure on Christmas day that my hubby took a photo of me walking with the youngest and I am so happy he did it, even though I wasn't "photo-ready" I just cherish that photo to this day! It's such a real and genuine moment, and my little guy is SO tiny! Oh, I just LOVE him! :)

So the moral of the story...Get In the Photo! Whether it's a professional photo session or a fun snapshot at home, always get in the picture! Our kids love us no matter what we look like and the most important thing is that they see that we loved them enough to take the time to stop our busy lives and get in the photo with them! ~Michelle

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Wondertime Photography Workshop ~ Sat. February 9th {9am-3:30pm}

Wondertime Photography Workshop ~ Sat. February 9th {9am-3:30pm}

Need help learning how to take better pictures of your kids or grandkids?

Are you frustrated because you upgraded to a dSLR but still aren’t getting the images you were hoping for?

Do all of those camera buttons overwhelm you?

Do you tend to stay in the ‘green’ automatic mode?

Does technical jargon like ‘shutter’ and ‘aperture’ and ‘ISO’ scare you?

Do your images sit on your camera card for months, never downloaded, backed-up or impossible to find on your computer?

If you answered YES, this workshop is for YOU!

Many parents purchase a DSLR camera (one that has interchangeable lenses) in hopes of not missing a moment of their children’s lives, but are not satisfied with their images when they appear on their computer screen. They just want their images to be better.

Wondertime Workshop is a Basic dSLR Workshop by Wondertime Photography that teaches parents and grandparents how to take better pictures of their kids ~ since I can’t be with you during the other 364 days when we aren’t together for our portrait session. ;) We will focus on concepts you can easily put into practice, just by understanding lighting, composition, perspective and age appropriate techniques. We will not be addressing business topics or Photoshop editing as this workshop is not for professional photographers or those who aspire to become one.

A few basic things we’ll cover:
• The basics of photography – exposure, aperture, shutter speed, ISO
• Lighting – training your eye to see the light inside and outside
• Camera settings – auto vs. manual settings
• Composition, perspective and storytelling
• Lenses and focal length
• Tips for great images at any subject's age
• Output – downloading, storing and printing images
• Q&A with me
• Hands-on practice during live mini-shoots (inside & outside…with models)

WHO: Nine lucky ladies and/or gentlemen! (Each workshop will be limited to 9 participants plus their host so we can have some great discussion, figure out our cameras and practice our skills.)

COST: $175 (plus tax)
Included is the 7 hour workshop, a workshop manual, lunch, snacks & drinks, and some fun goodies. If you schedule a 2013 Spring session with Wondertime Photography on the day of the workshop, you will receive a $100 credit towards your session purchase.

WHERE: Tucson, AZ (location will be emailed to participants)

WHEN: The workshop will be on Saturday, February 9th 2013 (9am-3:30pm)

WHAT: Bring your DSLR camera, 2-3 of your photos you aren’t happy with, and your questions.

HOW: Sign up by emailing Michelle at michelle @ wondertimephoto . com (take out the spaces) to reserve your spot. Sign-up is on a first-come basis. The first 9 emails I receive will get a spot, and then a waiting list will be started. Cash, check, PayPal online or Credit Card over the phone for $187.43 is due within 5 days or your spot will be given to the next person on the list. Fees are non-refundable, but may be transferred to another attendee.

Oh! And for those of you with a digital point-and-shoot or a film SLR, you can still learn how to take better photos…we’ll just spend part of the time talking specifically about DSLRs. Remember, this is a basic photography workshop and is NOT intended for professional photographers or those who aspire to become one. If you just want to learn how to take better pictures of your kids, this is definitely for you!

Thanks! ~M

Michelle Rasmussen is a Certified Professional Photographer and specializes in photographing families, children, babies and maternity. Web: www.wondertimephoto.com Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/wondertimephto/

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Tucson Portrait Photographer ~ How I Got That Shot!

Ever wonder how professional photographers get children to laugh? Especially little boys??? :) Well, I know many people received cameras over the holidays as gifts and may be wondering how to best capture their own children's giggles and you may even be a little frustrated with some of the fake smiles you have been getting - I know I do when my boys give them to me.  So today I'm going to give you a little behind the scenes info on how to get some genuine laughter that will be contagious.

The first thing I recommend is to make it a date. I always have two goals in mind when I go on a photo date with my boys:

1. Have a wonderful time making memories with them.
2. Come away with at least one amazing wall portrait that will remind us of the time we spent together and how much fun it was.

Sometimes we go on a little adventure in the mountains or the desert with a cape and a sword and sometimes it's just walking around downtown listening to and watching the trains that they love so much. But in between all of this we get to stop and take photos at spots that we decide are good spots - I like to let them "help" me decide on some of these spots too.  The next thing to consider is if you are going alone or with your spouse.

If you are looking for some practice with your new dSLR camera for example, it might be a good idea to take each of your children out on a "singles" date at different times so that you can focus on each of them individually without having to worry about the dynamics of all of the siblings together.  But if you are looking for a shot of the siblings together, then I would suggest to tag team with your spouse or a friend!  When my husband and I go out together we get many more "keepers" in a much shorter time frame as we now work together as a team, even in challenging situations like photographing our own children.  Here is a photo session from awhile back with our boys and you will find out what our "secret weapon" was to getting them to laugh! ;)

And that's How I Got That Shot and it's been hanging in our living room as a 16x20 wall portrait since then reminding all of us of the fun day we had hanging out as a family! ~Michelle :)

Michelle Rasmussen specializes in Custom Children's Portraiture and Lifestyle Photography, from Maternity & Newborn through High School Senior Portraits, including Family Portraits and everything in between. To see her portfolio and additional information, please visit the main website at: www.wondertimephoto.com Thanks!

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The Second Wondertime Workshop by Michelle Rasmussen ~ Registration NOW OPEN!

The Second Wondertime Workshop by Michelle Rasmussen ~ Registration NOW OPEN!

Need help learning how to take better pictures of your kids or grandkids?

Are you frustrated because you upgraded to a DSLR but still aren’t getting the images you were hoping for?

Do all of those camera buttons overwhelm you?

Do you tend to stay in the ‘green’ automatic mode?

Does technical jargon like ‘shutter’ and ‘aperture’ and ‘ISO’ scare you?

Do your images sit on your camera card for months, never downloaded, backed-up or impossible to find on your computer?

If you answered YES, this workshop is for YOU!

Many parents purchase a DSLR camera (one that has interchangeable lenses) in hopes of not missing a moment of their children’s lives, but are not satisfied with their images when they appear on their computer screen. They just want their images to be better.

Wondertime Workshop is a Basic dSLR Workshop by Wondertime Photography that teaches parents and grandparents how to take better pictures of their kids ~ since I can’t be with you during the other 364 days when we aren’t together for our portrait session. ;) We will focus on concepts you can easily put into practice, just by understanding lighting, composition, perspective and age appropriate techniques. We will not be addressing business topics or Photoshop editing as this workshop is not for professional photographers or those who aspire to become one.

A few basic things we’ll cover:
• The basics of photography – exposure, aperture, shutter speed, ISO
• Lighting – training your eye to see the light inside and outside
• Camera settings – auto vs. manual settings
• Composition, perspective and storytelling
• Lenses and focal length
• Tips for great images at any subject's age
• Output – downloading, storing and printing images
• Q&A with me
• Hands-on practice during live mini-shoots (inside & outside…with models)

WHO: Nine lucky ladies and/or gentlemen! (Each workshop will be limited to 9 participants plus their host so we can have some great discussion, figure out our cameras and practice our skills.)

COST: $200 (plus tax)
Included is the 7 hour workshop, a workshop manual, lunch, snacks & drinks, and some fun goodies. If you schedule a 2013 Spring session with Wondertime Photography on the day of the workshop, you will receive a $100 credit towards your session purchase.

WHERE: Tucson, AZ (location will be emailed to participants)

WHEN: The workshop will be on Saturday, February 9th 2013 (9am-3:30pm)

WHAT: Bring your DSLR camera, 2-3 of your photos you aren’t happy with, and your questions.

HOW: Sign up by emailing Michelle at michelle @ wondertimephoto . com (take out the spaces) to reserve your spot. Sign-up is on a first-come basis. The first 9 emails I receive will get a spot, and then a waiting list will be started. Cash, check, PayPal online or Credit Card over the phone for $214.20 is due within 5 days or your spot will be given to the next person on the list. Fees are non-refundable, but may be transferred to another attendee.

Oh! And for those of you with a digital point-and-shoot or a film SLR, you can still learn how to take better photos…we’ll just spend part of the time talking specifically about DSLRs. Remember, this is a basic photography workshop and is NOT intended for professional photographers or those who aspire to become one. If you just want to learn how to take better pictures of your kids, this is definitely for you!

Thanks! ~M

Michelle Rasmussen is a Certified Professional Photographer and specializes in photographing families, children, babies and maternity. Web: www.wondertimephoto.com Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/wondertimephto/

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The Second Wondertime Workshop by Michelle Rasmussen {Tucson Portrait Photographer}

The Second Wondertime Workshop by Michelle Rasmussen {Tucson Portrait Photographer}

 

Need help learning how to take better pictures of your kids or grandkids?

Are you frustrated because you upgraded to a DSLR but still aren’t getting the images you were hoping for?

Do all of those camera buttons overwhelm you?

Do you tend to stay in the ‘green’ automatic mode?

Does technical jargon like ‘shutter’ and ‘aperture’ and ‘ISO’ scare you?

Do your images sit on your camera card for months, never downloaded, backed-up or impossible to find on your computer?

If you answered YES, this workshop is for YOU!

Many parents purchase a DSLR camera (one that has interchangeable lenses) in hopes of not missing a moment of their children’s lives, but are not satisfied with their images when they appear on their computer screen. They just want their images to be better.

Wondertime Workshop is a Basic dSLR Workshop by Wondertime Photography that teaches parents and grandparents how to take better pictures of their kids ~ since I can’t be with you during the other 364 days when we aren’t together for our portrait session. ;) We will focus on concepts you can easily put into practice, just by understanding lighting, composition, perspective and age appropriate techniques. We will not be addressing business topics or Photoshop editing as this workshop is not for professional photographers or those who aspire to become one.

A few basic things we’ll cover:
• The basics of photography – exposure, aperture, shutter speed, ISO
• Lighting – training your eye to see the light inside and outside
• Camera settings – auto vs. manual settings
• Composition, perspective and storytelling
• Lenses and focal length
• Tips for great images at any subject's age
• Output – downloading, storing and printing images
• Q&A with me
• Hands-on practice during live mini-shoots (inside & outside…with models)

WHO: Nine lucky ladies and/or gentlemen! (Each workshop will be limited to 9 participants plus their host so we can have some great discussion, figure out our cameras and practice our skills.)

COST: $200 (plus tax) The workshop on a Saturday in February 2013 (TBD)
Included is the 7 hour workshop, a workshop manual, lunch, snacks & drinks, and some fun goodies. If you schedule a 2013 Spring session with Wondertime Photography on the day of the workshop, you will receive a $100 credit towards your session purchase.

WHERE: Tucson, AZ (location will be emailed to participants)

WHEN: All day on a Saturday (8:00-3:30). Dates will be announced on my blog and on my Facebook page. Registration will open up next week on Friday 12/28/2013 on a first come, first served basis.

WHAT: Bring your DSLR camera, 2-3 of your photos you aren’t happy with, and your questions.

HOW: Sign up by emailing Michelle at michelle @ wondertimephoto . com (take out the spaces) to reserve your spot. Sign-up is on a first-come basis. The first 9 emails I receive will get a spot, and then a waiting list will be started. Cash, check, PayPal online or Credit Card over the phone for $214.20 is due within 5 days or your spot will be given to the next person on the list. Fees are non-refundable, but may be transferred to another attendee.

Oh! And for those of you with a digital point-and-shoot or a film SLR, you can still learn how to take better photos…we’ll just spend part of the time talking specifically about DSLRs. Remember, this is a basic photography workshop and is NOT intended for professional photographers or those who aspire to become one. If you just want to learn how to take better pictures of your kids, this is definitely for you!

Thanks! ~M

Michelle Rasmussen is a Certified Professional Photographer and specializes in photographing families, children, babies and maternity. Web: www.wondertimephoto.com Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/wondertimephto/

The First Wondertime Workshop by Michelle Rasmussen {Tucson Portrait Photographer}

  Need help learning how to take better pictures of your kids or grandkids?

Are you frustrated because you upgraded to a DSLR but still aren’t getting the images you were hoping for?

Do all of those camera buttons overwhelm you?

Do you tend to stay in the ‘green’ automatic mode?

Does technical jargon like ‘shutter’ and ‘aperture’ and ‘ISO’ scare you?

Do your images sit on your camera card for months, never downloaded, backed-up or impossible to find on your computer?

If you answered YES, this workshop is for YOU!

Many parents purchase a DSLR camera (one that has interchangeable lenses) in hopes of not missing a moment of their children’s lives, but are not satisfied with their images when they appear on their computer screen. They just want their images to be better.

Wondertime Workshop is a Basic dSLR Workshop by Wondertime Photography that teaches parents and grandparents how to take better pictures of their kids ~ since I can’t be with you during the other 364 days when we aren’t together for our portrait session. ;) We will focus on concepts you can easily put into practice, just by understanding lighting, composition, perspective and age appropriate techniques. We will not be addressing business topics or Photoshop editing as this workshop is not for professional photographers or those who aspire to become one.

A few basic things we’ll cover:
• The basics of photography – exposure, aperture, shutter speed, ISO
• Lighting – training your eye to see the light inside and outside
• Camera settings – auto vs. manual settings
• Composition, perspective and storytelling
• Lenses and focal length
• Tips for great images at any subject's age
• Output – downloading, storing and printing images
• Q&A with me
• Hands-on practice during live mini-shoots (inside & outside…with models)

WHO: Nine lucky ladies and/or gentlemen! (Each workshop will be limited to 9 participants plus their host so we can have some great discussion, figure out our cameras and practice our skills.)

COST: $200 (plus tax) The introductory workshop on Saturday, July 30th is only $175 (plus tax).
Included is the 7 hour workshop, a workshop manual, lunch, snacks & drinks, fun goodies and awesome door prizes. If you schedule a 2011 session with Wondertime Photography on the day of the workshop, you will receive a $100 credit towards your session purchase.

WHERE: Tucson, AZ (location will be emailed to participants)

WHEN: All day on either a Friday or Saturday (8:00-3:30). Dates will be announced on my blog and on my Facebook page. The first workshop will be Saturday, July 30th, and registration opens up tomorrow (Wednesday, June 29th…first come, first served!)

WHAT: Bring your DSLR camera, 2-3 of your photos you aren’t happy with, and your questions.

HOW: Sign up by emailing Michelle at michelle @ wondertimephoto . com (take out the spaces) to reserve your spot. Sign-up is on a first-come basis. The first 9 emails I receive will get a spot, and then a waiting list will be started. Cash, check, PayPal online or Credit Card in person for $214.20 $187.43 is due within 5 days or your spot will be given to the next person on the list. Fees are non-refundable, but may be transferred to another attendee or another date.

Oh! And for those of you with a digital point-and-shoot or a film SLR, you can still learn how to take better photos…we’ll just spend part of the time talking specifically about DSLRs. Remember, this is a basic photography workshop and is NOT intended for professional photographers or those who aspire to become one. If you just want to learn how to take better pictures of your kids, this is definitely for you!

Thanks! ~M