She turned 7 months this week. Where is the time going? Easter was the perfect excuse to get outside and celebrate Spring! That was about all we celebrated in this dress. 60 minutes seems to be the upper limit for this little girl and her high fashion. At least we got to capture the dress on film because tomorrow I am sure this one isn’t going to fit anymore.
Be Young Photography School is about to be back in session with another Momtography course scheduled for June 26th. Have you been thinking about taking the plunge and attending? Some of our previous momtographers want to share just how inspirational they found this class and share how it’s changed their photography since attending! I hope you enjoy our first in a series of interviews with these special ladies.
Name: Sara
Camera: Canon EOS REBEL T2i
How many kiddos: 2 girlies
Age(s): 2 and “bigger than four-and-three-quarters”.
Tell us a little about what makes your kids tick. What are their interests, hobbies, favorites. What makes them unique? My almost-5-year-old is in perpetual motion: always jumping, leaping, spinning, running…always looking around, always distracted by the possibility that something else might be happening somewhere else that might be more fun than what she’s doing in that moment. This is a girl who knows what she likes, and this is what she likes: dresses, movie nights with popcorn, the Racing Presidents, Michael Jackson, learning to read new words, ballet shoes, sparkles and glitter, candy, being bossy, and going to restaurants.
My 2 year old is a bunch of sweetness…a hugger, a lap-sitter, a laugher, an enthusiastic user of “please” and “thank you”. She is a ham who will make her best silly faces for as long as she can to hold your attention.  She likes Elmo, Mickey Mouse, Skippy John Jones, baby dolls, a crib crowded with books and toys, and not sharing. I can’t resist her big brown eyes, still-plump baby cheeks, and wispy little curls.
Tell us what you love most about being a mom. This is a tough one! It’s hard to say something that doesn’t sound like a schmaltzy greeting card. On a practical level, I love the first moments of the morning when they are all sleepy eyes and snuggles and sticking-up hair. I love discovering the world again with them – the thrill of spotting a rainbow or the adventure of finding a frog or the drama of a thunderstorm.  I even love the tender pinch in my heart at the end of the day when I realize how many hours have passed since I last hugged them.
I find inspiration as a mother by remembering this quote from an “author unknown” email I once received: “As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. If we’re doing it right, we won’t be seen. And one day, it is very possible that the world will marvel, not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible women.”
Biggest frustration(s) with your photos pre-Momtography? My biggest frustrations were probably best characterized by this running monologue: Do I have enough light? I thought I did – why does this picture look so dark?? Let me try this again. That flash is so bright! Ugh. Their eyes are red. I think I have a setting for that. Wait – let me bring in another lamp. Hey! Come back! Can you just sit down for a minute? Sit down for Mommy, ok? Say cheese. CHEESE! Try again! UGH! That’s blurry. Can you look at Mommy? Put your hand down, ok? Just sit there for one little second. Hey – wait! Just one more! Can you sit down for just a second? Hmmmm, maybe we should try it in the other room. Where are you going?  (Sigh.) Ok, I guess we’re done.
What was the best tip or trick you learned from attending Momtography that you were able to use right away? Learning how to use aperture settings was probably one of the biggest concepts that I employed immediately. Although I am trying to focus most on learning to manipulate the manual settings on my camera, using my camera’s “Sports” function has been another valuable tip. It’s allowed me to capture some great action shots of my whirling dervish. The last concept that I’ve really enjoyed incorporating was the “rule of thirds” – it’s really helped me think about the composition in my pictures, whether as I take them or in editing later.
What is the BEST moment you’ve captured of your kids or family ever on camera. Anything special come to mind? My favorite moment ever captured on camera was my older daughter’s visit to meet her new baby sister in the hospital. I sure wish I’d taken Momtography before that. It’s my favorite moment, but it’s not my favorite photo!
Why should other local moms consider attending Momtography 101 on June 26th? Before I took Momtography, I had a great camera and a lot of enthusiasm, but I was pretty much a zero at getting a photo that I felt captured a moment or told a story.  95% of my camera’s features and functions were a mystery to me. Beryl is a great teacher: she focuses on what techniques and tools are most helpful and usable for the kinds of photos a Mom generally likes to take and she makes that scary photography vocabulary not-so-scary. If I had learned only half of what I did at Momtography, it still would have been enough.
Because I love teaching.
Because I love photography.
And because I love to inspire, motivate, and foster confidence with YOUR camera.
It’s back.
And you can register today by clicking HERE.
18 months ago my Calmer and I visited Tampa to reflect and renew after we lost Bella. We looked out on the ocean at sunset and mourned the loss of the life we were expecting. This week we returned to Tampa, with Brielle by our side, and looked out on the ocean with a fresh perspective.
We celebrated the life we are now living.
Bella’s memory.
Brielle’s future.
And the love we share.
UnBOWlievable is the leading American designer of quality hairbows, headbands, and hair accessories and Be Young Photography will be teaming up with the store yet again for a Spring model shoot to showcase their upcoming product line.  Do you have what it takes to be a model for this opportunity?
Be Young Photography & UnBOWlievable Tween Model Casting Call
Age Range: 10-12 year old girls
Date: Sunday May 1 – 4pm
Location: Fairfax, VA
Description:Â Looking for some young “tween” girls ready to show off their fun, spontaneous, and creative personalities while modeling the latest and greatest fashion in hair accessories.
Models will be required to sign a model release form but will be compensated with a 10-15 high resolution images and full printing rights. If you think you fit the description and are interested in participating in this project, please email a current picture to: info@beyoungphotography.com.
I first met Brandt’s mom during daughter Brooke’s modeling session for UnBOWlievable back in January. At that session she mentioned a “do-over” session for son Brandt’s senior portraits. They were looking for something a little different and more natural than the standard school backdrop, super posed, cap and gown type pictures.
Spring minis were the perfect opportunity to make this happen. And Brandt was a total a natural in front of the camera! A football star who is gearing up for college life at VA Tech, Brandt is excited about beginning a new adventure next year. Good luck on your college journey! I hope these photos fit the bill for a more natural senior session and you enjoy this little sneak peek.
Cheekers. Our munchkin. Little lamb.
We can’t believe you came into our lives 6 months ago.
It has gone by in the blink of an eye.
You started sitting this week. When we blink again we’ll watch you crawl, walk, and talk.
Thanks for filling our days and nights with lots of smiles. laughs. and love.
xoxo. Mama and Daddy.
This family has a lot to celebrate. One little one turning 4 (going on 30). One little one turning 7 months (and just saying her first word – “dada”). 9 years of marriage. And thriving family business.
Mom Kristen and I met shortly after my Brie baby was born when I decided to browse hair accessories at UnBOWlievable in the Dulles Town Center mall (because what mom doesn’t want adorable hair things for her little girl, right?!). Kristen and husband Chad are the masterminds behind this store and they are some of the most down to earth, passionate, and friendly people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. They are the type where you feel like you’ve known them forever after just chatting for 5 minutes and I absolutely love that about them!
The past few months I’ve done model shoots of their product line for in store promotions. This month, I was thrilled to finally get to spend some one on one time with their wonderful family and take some special images just for them.
With the arrival of Spring it was a must that we get outside and enjoy the gorgeous weather. Mom and dad got the two girls dressed up and accessorized we headed to the neighborhood community center. It’s apparent from these images that these girls have a lots of personality, style, and love for one another. Thanks for letting me come hang out with you on a beautiful Saturday afternoon B. family! I hope you enjoy your sneak peek.
I know you’ve missed these cheeks. They’ve missed you too.
Kisses and tickles always welcome.
Please refrain from pinching.
The next Momtography class is less than a week away and I know 24 more ladies are gearing up for an afternoon of fun, learning, and growth. I know I am excited to meet and work with them all! One of my favorite parts of our afternoon together is setting a little bit of time aside to share some of the resources I have found over the years. Resources I have found to be an invaluable and fun part of being a photographer and mom.
My #1, top choice, must have it now resource? SmugMug. Hands down. No contest.
SmugMug is a photo storage and sharing site famous for making your photos look amazing. Their tagline, “Your photos look better here” is no joke. With SmugMug you can store, view, and retrieve your original images at any time. You can print from their reputable photo labs. And you can even customize the look and feel of the site your liking. They have 3 affordable annual subscriptions plans to choose from based on your level of usage, but I think the service they offer is priceless. They also offer a 14 day free trial to give them a test drive. I highly recommend you give them a try and ensure your digital photos are in safe keeping.
#2 pick? Memolio.
They’ve appeared on the blog before. They’ve really been around here since I started out on this photography journey and have been such a supporter in me and my growth. I absolutely love what they’re about, their customer service, and their product. Memolio offers mini albums or brag books. Great gifts for the grandparents! Or for you slip in a purse to share with friends. Or for dad to keep on a desk at the office. So many uses in such a cute little package. A GREAT way to share all the fabulous images of your kiddos!
And now? It’s time for some fun!
Who doesn’t want custom camera bags, camera straps, or lens bling?! I love Etsy! And Etsy led the way to some of these amazing shops who are cranking out fun & custom photography goodies.
Martilena is making out custom dslr camera bags.
VMJESS is making custom, cross-body camera straps.
Happy Acres Farm is making cute cute cute lens bling animals to keep your kiddos looking at the camera!
These are just a select few of my top picks, but they are the ones that really top my list. I hope you stop by their stores and sites and tell them Be Young Photography sent you. I know they’ll be happy to see you there!