Brian and I always love going to New York and this time was no different.   We met the most fabulous ladies at our New York/New Jersey Confidence Workshop.  Thank you so much for the best memories!

As you know, day one of our workshop, we dive right into the basics of digital photography.  We talk about composition, lenses, ISO and so much more.  We also get our attendees immediate practice on everything they are learning by scheduling babies to come in as our models.  We split the women into groups and ask them to “think outside of the box”.  We want to push them to be creative in their composition, trying views and angles that they haven’t tried before.  As you can see in this “behind the scenes” image, we had some challenging spaces to work with our babies in.  One was on a stairwell and the other a very dark room with little light.

Hopefully by giving them tough spaces to work in while they are “practicing”, it will empower them to take amazing photos regardless of where they are when they leave the workshop.  I do have to say, “The ladies totally ROCKED these images”!

I love the quietness and comfort that these images from Jessica Sudusky convey.  Lovely!

Gosh, hand and the baby’s head shots get me all the time!  I just plain love this shot!  Way to go Laura Hanis (Our Running on Empty Winner)!

And this snuggly moment is so precious Laura!

Nikki Buchalski, what a super shot of “Baby S”!  Nikki used a low f-stop to make this cute little face pop right off the image.  The golden light in the background really adds a beautiful color dimension to the image.

In “Your Baby in Pictures” I talk about how great it is to capture the connection between a mom and her baby.  Sarah Cruz, you did a fabulous job at that with your images.

Christi also got this great shot with mom!  We don’t see much of mom, but by looking at the baby’s face, we know that the baby feels protected and loved.

Another version of this image, you can never lose by shooting the baby over mom’s shoulder.  I love to have the mom dress in a simple black cami on top.  The continuity of the skin on her shoulder with her baby’s skin, really softens the image and creates that timeless look.   Courtney Henry captured “Baby C” looking right at her.  You caught that fleeting moment…Very nice!

I keep going back to this image from Meg Hansen.  I think it is the angle and viewpoint that she took this image at, different than a straight on shot.  It totally changes the composition and dimension of this Baby S in this image.  Great work on “thinking outside the box”!  It is so fun to push yourself to shoot your subject at a different angle that you usually would.  Next time when you go out for a session, take your normal shot of your subject, then take 5 more shots, changing your viewpoint, as you walk around your subject.  You will surprise yourself with this challenge, for sure!

Kristen Fair, WOW, did you ever work the window light on her face.  Beautiful, even light!  Because you had her facing the window light, it created those fantastic “catch lights” in her eyes.  And your black and white conversion is so pure and full of joy!

Jeanine Capan got in close to capture the sweetness of “Baby C”.  Don’t you just love the “Drool Bubble”?  So many times new moms do not want to be in any pictures with their babies because they are “not happy” with their body so soon after birth.  We have all been there, right?   Jeanine captured just enough of mom in the background, especially her beautiful smile!

We talk a lot about what we want the photo’s story to be before we even lift our camera up to our eye.  With digital, we can shoot endless photos and not know what we even are taking pictures of.  But if we pause first, find our story, and then compose, every photo we take holds that much more meaning.

The love this mom has for her baby just spills out of this image.  What a wonderful moment of tenderness you captured Bo Daley!

Speaking of “catch lights”.  Bo has her so perfectly placed in front of the window that they bounce right out her eyes back at you.   Beautiful Bo!

I totally had to add this picture that Jessica took of Brian!  I am so blessed to have Brian at my side through all of these workshops!  And look at that creamy, blurred background!  Yay!

Thank you for allowing Brian and I to speak to your hearts this weekend.  I hope you all have a new sense of empowerment to go out and tackle your dreams.  It brought joy to my heart to watch friendships and confidence grow this weekend.

But this isn’t all from the New York Confidence workshop.  Tune in Friday for Part 2 of New York!
XOXO
Me Ra