I am really enjoying doing this type of newborn sessions where couples just hang out with their new addition (you know, like in real life).

No bowls, complex posing, babies swaddled hanging from branches and all that jazz… just authentic love.

Thanks Cameron and John for letting me capture some moments with your little one!

Aren’t baby smiles the best?

Yup, I can already tell she’s Daddy’s little girl

Miranda was looking for newborn images, which immediately made me hesitate, due to the fact that I have no desire in being Anne Geddes.

However, when she described the intimate images she wanted me to capture I said YES with no hesitation.

No posing, no hanging a newborn from a branch while swaddled in antique fabrics, just pure and simple life and real interaction.

I couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunity that you guys gave me.

I must say, if this is what newborn sessions can be about, then I want to be a newborn photographer as well

I remember when I saw Isabela’s first smiles, people immediately told me: oh don’t get all excited, it’s just a “gassy smile”.

Gas or emotion, I take it! Seriously little Everett couldn’t be cuter than this. By the way, how awesome is that name?

You know how sometimes you meet people and you immediately know they are going to be amazing parents? That’s exactly the impression I have of these two. I spoke with them for a short period of time, and I just knew.

And then of course, I experienced it as I saw how they love this precious child!

Miranda, you are one gorgeous Mommy! Beautiful inside and out. Your kindness just shows

This has been by far one of my most challenging sessions, yet one of my favorites up to date.

I’ve photographed a couple of families, but little “G” was the cuttest and most mobile subject that I’ve had to photograph in my short period as a picture taker. She was in constant movement all the time, yet it was absolute perfection because it got me closer to the style that I absolutely love and strive for!!!!!!!

I seriously can’t get enough of the following images.

I had sooo much fun with you guys! Thank you for being so awesome!!!

I’ll start with my all time favorite image from all the family sessions I’ve done so far! I can’t express how much I love this:

I feel like I should live there now!

The girls were absolutely great little models! I had a fantastic time with them!

I’ve wanted to post pictures in B&W for the longest time, so you guys are the chosen ones! (Don’t worry, I’ll give you stuff in color as well).

But since I make my own blog rules, this is how I will showcase this beautiful family!

I love children running, it is my absolute favorite!

I felt so bad for the kiddos by the end of the session, because we were all frozen

I swear, I got in my car and I could barely move my face.

But even though we were so chilly, we managed to have some fun and get some cozy family pictures to warm our hearts… I know… that was cheesy… ok off my soapbox, here’s the session:

I love this one

Suzanne, you are gorgeous!!!

Thank you guys for being so brave and for spending some time with me!

E+A=O and M. Easy math, correct?

We met during the weekend in windy 30˚ weather to get some pictures, so by far, this has been the coldest day in which I’ve ever worked. Congratulations guys for the honors?

But seriously, this family blew me away. They were as excited as I was about the session, and they were just themselves having fun, and I absolutely loved that!!!

Dad told me at the very beginning: I like the non traditional pics. And that earned him 50+ Brownie Points!

I would say that for the cold temperature, a 3 year old and a 7th month old, and for spending with them roughly over 30 minutes, we absolutely rocked the session!

Thank you guys for doing this with me! Virtual hugs to all of you!!!

All the stuff that I talk with Isabela definitely payed off! I was sooo proud I was on top of my show characters and whatnot!

We talked about Thomas the Engine, Backyardigans, and pretended to be tons of cool stuff

Remember that time when we were looking for giraffes hiding down the rocks at Blandy Farm?

This last image melts my heart! The way “O” talks to his baby brother and makes him smile is absolutely priceless. He is such a good big brother!

At the end of their session they were surprised that for the first time nobody was crying or upset after the “oh so cherished” picture time!

It was great to capture their interaction, and when I get to hang out with families like this, I kind of wish that Isabela had a sibling  or some siblings, but then again: it is a momentary kind of wishing one kid is enough for the Collegemans.

Thank you guys for being amazing, and for rocking your best posses in front of me!

Everyone just radiated joy and excitement, and that is what Weddings are all about. No matter how stressful the event can be, ultimately it’s about the happy union of 2 people who are in love.

Jess and Sam perfectly fit in this category. They seriously couldn’t look any happier than they did!

I vote for having tons of mirrors on every single Wedding!

Can you tell this is one excited and eager Groom? Sam, I look at this image and remember your awesome big smile before seeing your beautiful Bride!

Dear moment right after the first kiss, you are my favorite to capture!

Seriously Jess? Could you be any prettier? Don’t think so…

I predict amazingly beautiful babies in your future!

Oh, I’m sure you are totally wondering if I was crying as I was capturing this next image… and yes, I was. The next 20 images I shot after the Maid of Honor made this emotive speech were painful for me… all my mascara got inside my eye, so I was crying of emotion and pain. I looove this pic!

And then there’s this. Jess’s Dad, you melted me Sir! I sooo wish I had a picture like this with my Dad…

I’ll end the post with this picture. I love these moments when nobody is looking and the Bride and Groom are just enjoying the moment! Jess and Sam, you are just too adorable for words!!!

Funny Fact during the Wedding: So recently I have been sooo obsessed with Alex Clare’s music. That kind of “replay all day long until I memorize each and every song” kind of obsession. So of course, I’ve watched couple of his videos and I knew exactly what he looks like. So, it was time to photograph the Ceremony, and at this point I hadn’t met the Groom yet, and when he walked out of this little room, I freaked out a little bit. I felt a little starstruck. For 5 seconds I felt like I was photographing a celebrity Wedding. Seriously, Sam is Alex’s doppelgänger.

Unrelated update regarding the Wedding:

Yesterday (12/10/2012) I met Alex Clare, and they don’t look so similar once you’ve met both

]]> http://karlacollegeman.com/2012/11/20/wedding-photographer-in-winchester-va-jess-and-sam-get-married-at-the-historic-mcfarland-house-in-martinsburg-wv/feed/ 2 http://karlacollegeman.com/2012/11/14/gear-review-canon-extension-tube-ef25-ii/ http://karlacollegeman.com/2012/11/14/gear-review-canon-extension-tube-ef25-ii/#comments Wed, 14 Nov 2012 16:23:01 +0000 karla http://karlacollegeman.com/?p=3951 I thought I would give reviewing a try, because there are couple of lenses/gadgets that work fantastically well, and that are way more affordable than other options.

Am I an authority to review photographic gear? No

Am I the best photographer in the world? pshhh of course not (I still consider myself a dudette with a camera)

Am I the most technical person in order to explain all the details from this apparatus? Seriously… no

Do I like saving money? Ding Ding Ding Yes!!!

I decided to begin with the Canon Extension Tube EF25 II, because I have been using it for a while, and because as of today it is $909.05 cheaper than a Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM Lens.

This little guy extends the distance from the back of the lens to the sensor, which means you can take photographs at shorter distances to the subject.

You will be pretty darn close to whatever you are photographing, unlike with a Macro, and yes, no image stabilization. It’s all manual baby!

But, seriously, I don’t have the need (or the dough) to purchase a Macro so far, so this little tube has performed fantastically when it comes to objects that need to be emphasized (Engament/Wedding rings, flowers and as you will see in a little bit: eggs… Wait what? Yes I photograph anything and everything that gets in front of me)

The Pros: 

• Built is pretty good. It’s pretty much a sturdy metal ring. Haven’t dropped it yet, but I am fairly certain nothing would happen to it.
• Sharp results. It takes a little practice, but once you play with it for a bit, you are good to go. I always use it with my 50mm 1.4 at f/4 and everything looks great
• Price. Almost $1000 on savings, I’m sold!
• Weight. Yes, one less lens to carry around. If I took the Macro, say to a Wedding day, I would only use it for rings and some details, but that’s about it. So yes, not worth investing on the Macro for me.

The Cons:

• Versatility. I have used the 100mm Macro and a beautiful Zeiss 50mm f/2.0 Makro-Planar ZE Macro Lens, and you can get further away from the objects in order to create better/more complex compositions with those two. While photographing, for example a Wedding cake, you can get more elements from the cake than just a tiny detail.
• IS. Yes, stabilization is the bomb. No, I don’t mind holding my breath for 3 seconds when I use the extension tube. However, I must say, if there is any kind of breeze or wind, prepare yourself to be frustrated, very frustrated!!!!

Here are some examples of the shots that I have done with my extension tube, and so far I am happy with it.

In conclusion:

Are you just starting to get into photography? Do you love Macro shots, but you can’t afford to spend on a Macro?

Go and buy this puppy, it will be fun and it will give you good results once you get a hold of it!

Now is it better than a Macro? Nope, but it’s a good option out there.