Family Portraits and Overcast Skies—These are a few of my favorite things!

November 1, 2017/by kmiller

I love shooting in overcast skies, especially family portraits, oh and I love The Sound of Music too. I keep finding myself using lyrics from that show in blog posts. But overcast skies are where it’s at—even lighting on everyone which is super helpful in keeping up with little ones on the move, because I don’t have to put much thought into adjusting for changing light. Because of this, I don’t think I could ever move away from Pittsburgh’s overcast climate! While we have a lot of cloudy days here, you can’t count on the weather. So whenever those cloudy days coincide with my sessions, I count it as a blessing!

The sun had started setting and the skies started to clear, so it was the perfect timing for a portrait backlit by sunset.

I love seeing kids be kids and breaking up the posed shots with fun action shots can be so good for keeping kids interested!

We were on a mission to get some more fall foliage in before the sun set completely. I love how this little one is pulling her family along as a fearless leader!

We made it in time to capture a few shots before the sun went down.

I really like this one of the four of them on the blanket. What a handsome family they are!

Cranberry Family Portraits: On-Location with Little Ones

October 25, 2017/by kmiller

I know this sweet family from church and was blessed to be able to make some portraits of them this fall. It’s great to get outside for family portraits, especially with little ones because they aren’t confined to the limits of a studio (i.e. – sitting still so that the light is right and the tripod doesn’t need to be adjusted…as a mom of two young boys, I am a firm believer in the least restrictive environment!). Although I will say, it’s a workout for parents to keep their little ones close and engaged. But the results are so worth it!

I just love the sweet and pure faces from little ones this small.

We were shooting right into the sunset on a particularly sunny day for Pittsburgh!

I love walking shots, and for little ones it’s easiest sometimes to put them up on a parent’s shoulders.

And I love this moment where this sweetheart pauses just long enough for her close-up.

And this happens at almost every session with toddlers. Dads love to turn their kids upside down and the kids love it too!

Here’s our fearless leader leading the way!

And this is probably my favorite shot of the whole family. So blessed!

North Park Senior Portrait/Family Photo Shoot: Combining Sessions

October 18, 2017/by kmiller

The last senior portrait session I wrote about made me chuckle because it was a high school guy who was obliging his parents. This session was later that same day and this high school senior guy actually requested me for his portraits! That felt awesome—but I should point out that I’ve known him since he was a little boy. His mom and I go way back and it was such a treat to photograph him and his family!

We started by the huge pine trees off of Pierce Mill Road. I just love that setting for a high school senior guy! It’s majestic and fitting for this high school senior as I’m certain he’s going to do great things!

This might be my favorite so I’m voting for this one as his yearbook photo! Isn’t it great that students are no longer limited to stuffy cookie-cutter portraits for their yearbook these days!?

There are lots of occasions where families want to combine sessions and I’m happy to do that within the designated time for the photoshoot. We were already at the park on this gorgeous day, so why not capture a couple of shots of the whole family?

We’re so blessed in Western Pennsylvania to have so many gorgeous settings for portraits. And what a treat to photograph this family there!

And because portraits of husbands and wives don’t happen often enough after the wedding day!

Cranberry Senior Portraits: No Muss, No Fuss for High School Guys

October 4, 2017/by kmiller

Occasionally, I’ll get an inquiry from a parent with a son who is not particularly looking forward to his senior portraits. Let’s be honest, there aren’t many young guys out there who are eager about their senior portraits. Of course, I’d like everyone I photograph to anticipate their session with happy thoughts, but I understand and know that after the first few minutes, said senior will likely feel a sense of relief that it’s really not so bad. At least, this session concluded with a resounding, “that wasn’t painful” or something along those lines.

We started this session at 8 a.m. which is early for any high school student, but this was my last available session before the senior portraits deadline. And while he said he likes to sleep in until about noon on the weekends, this guy handled the early morning like a champ.

We went to Cranberry Woods, which is such a nice and convenient location for portraits.

I encourage my seniors to bring a change of clothes for two looks and I like this casual look on him. And it’s his favorite soccer team, which is all the better when there’s a story to go with the clothes.

For me, this was such a great start to the day. And I think it was better than expected for my subject too!

If you have a high school senior in need of portraits, I’d love to hear from you! Send me an email at info@captivatingimagery.com or give me a call at 412-427-8371.

Cranberry Family Portraits: Cranberry Woods

September 26, 2017/by kmiller

One of my favorite nearby places for photos is Cranberry Woods, a business park off of Route 228. It’s usually quiet and has lovely woods with tall grasses and if a family is looking for a location in Cranberry, this is it! But shhh! Don’t tell anyone.

This family just welcomed home a baby girl three months ago so this session is part newborn session, part family portrait, all outdoors at sunset. And we couldn’t have picked a better day, so I’m thankful for the gorgeous weather on days like these!

Where else can a family walk through the woods without tripping on roots or fallen branches? I’m telling you this secret won’t last long.

I just love seeing siblings give kisses—is there anything sweeter when they do this without any prompting?

It’s a good idea to bring a blanket along for family pictures. I keep this navy picnic blanket with me for family sessions, and some families bring their own to compliment the wardrobe!

Goodness gracious, there is something that’s just so satisfying seeing a big sibling hold a baby sibling. Everything just feels right in the world.

We stopped for some portraits of this little sweetheart. At three months, she was very interested in the world around her and kept looking up at the trees. But then she’d flash a sweet smile my way when the camera got close.

And we definitely needed to take some time to photograph this cool little dude.

I really like photographing families from above like this, but I like to give families warning that it can get pretty chaotic. And I’m not sure of why, but it does in a fun way!

One of the things this mama was looking for in her session were portraits of her and her husband individually with each of their kiddos. And I love taking an opportunity like this to focus on the relationships between parents and their little ones.