Beautiful Girls!

So this was one of my rare in-studio sessions. I was late to this one because I forgot my memory cards – of all things to forget! That’s like leaving your film at home… But even though I was 15 minutes late and they had to get dolled up right after nap time, these girls were so cooperative. I was definitely impressed. Aren’t they beautiful? Mom must be so proud!

Competition Winner – Lara Grauer Photography

At the SPPA monthly competition, I was awarded second place in the Wedding category for this photo!

These kids have been so much fun to work with, and it thrills me that they get to be a part of my competition experiences! I think the best part about this photo is its genuine reflection of the children’s personalities. I admit I might tell people where to stand from time to time, but other than that, this moment is genuinely candid. These kids got all dressed up and *gasp* acted like kids! How wonderful! That’s what Lara Grauer Photography is all about – capturing those elements that make people who they are.

Sweet Sisters – Seattle Child Photographer

These girls are so fun! We had the best time making little “flip books” with my quick release shutter – they would act out little scenes and then watch them on the back of my camera.

Children’s Portraits – Midwest Edition

If you read my blog much, you’ve seen this guy before. This is my third year as his photographer, and I had a great time reconnecting with his family. They’ve been part of my annual midwest tour, and they help make my trips a lot of fun. What I love best about this group of images is the insight into character. The boy he is this summer has been captured in these images. Even as things continue to change, these photographs will always have a magical ingredient that defies explanation. That magic is what keeps me making photographs.

Newborn Baby Photography – 10 Days Old!

I got a rare opportunity to photograph a newborn, only 10 days old! So many people wait to have their baby’s portraits done until 3 months or so, and they miss out on this lovely opportunity. Thanks to the S family for welcoming me into your home.

One Day Only

Don’t let summer get away from you! Contact me on Tuesday, July 21st to book your summer appointment, and you’ll get a free mini session, or $150 off a complete session! This is an awesome deal, but it will only be available on Tuesday. Sessions must be completed by August 31st to qualify.

How to Dress for Portraits

This little guy was dressed so well for portraits! He looks stylish, coordinated, and clean. But what I like most is that he’s comfortable so he can relax and focus on being himself. There’s enough distraction with a camera around; who needs uncomfortable clothes on top of it? I always aim to reflect the moment, and the subject for who/what it is. These parents knew that to have a comfortable portrait that reflects their son’s real essence, he needed to be relaxed and comfortable.

And while we’re here . . . there’s a lot to ponder about the composition in this photograph; especially the use of lines.

Elements of Composition

There are many elements of composition to be considered when creating an image. Be it a painting, a sculpture, or a photograph, these elements are important to keep in mind. If you are looking for ways to improve your photography at home, composition might be one of the simplest places to start. It doesn’t cost anything in terms of new equipment or fancy software; just a few moments of thinking about what you want your finished piece to look like and creating that image from the beginning. To start you thinking about what is involved in composing a piece of artwork, here are some elements of composition:
Center of interest: The place you want your viewer to rest his/her eyes.
Subject placement: The area of the frame where the main subject is placed.
Simplicity: The idea of keeping out extra information that does not enhance the image or add to its impact.
Viewpoint and camera angle: The physical place from which a photograph is taken in relation to its subject.
Balance: The placement of different objects within an image that allows for a frame to be evenly (or unevenly) utilized.
Shapes and lines: The use of shapes and lines can help draw the viewer’s eye to certain areas of an image.
Pattern: Repeating elements in an image, or across a set of images.
Volume: How much or how little you use certain visual cues: color, pattern, size, etc.
Lighting: The quality, angle, and strength with which light falls across the subject and the background.
Texture: The visual communication of how something might feel to the touch.
Tone: The use of different hues to control the mood of an image.
Contrast: The degree to which middle-tones are used in an image.
Framing: The decision to include or exclude particular elements in an image, and where each element is placed.
Foreground: The area between the subject and the camera.
Background: The area behind and beyond the subject (farther from the camera).
Perspective: The literal and figurative place from which the artist created the image.

The list is long, and in some ways the elements overlap. But each can be considered with every click of the shutter. Every image has composition. Whether or not it was intentional plays a big part in the quality of your work. To start the ball rolling, what elements of composition can you recognize in the image above, and what does it say about the child who is featured?

Some elements I utilized intentionally for this child’s portrait include: perspective, camera angle, texture, lighting, and simplicity. What other elements are utilized, and what do they say to you? These are things to think about with every image you see – and every image you create. When you become more intentional with your photography, the quality of your work increases by leaps and bounds.

Posing Rhetoric

I’ve put a lot of thought into posing. I prefer to show things as they are, to study expression, energy, and composition as they are presented in nature, and harness them in order to display the beauty of life and nature as it really occurs. Our children are themselves every day without putting any effort into it. This is beautiful! It’s something we all cherish. The phases of nature pass us by, and through portraiture we are able to preserve these moments and experience their beauty for a lifetime.

Embracing nature as it is expressed is an ideal to strive for. But it isn’t the only way to work. There are often situations where the aim is to capture great portraits, but nature’s “poses” are not providing the best expression, energy, and composition for the photographic medium. In this case, a photographer might use what she knows to create a realistic scene that conveys a particular feeling that a person embodies. For example, after spending some time with the two sisters below, I found that they were energetic, happy, and fiercely competitive!  Nature showed me this; I didn’t make it up. I used this knowledge to create a scene that conveyed this aspect of the relationship to the viewer. While this race didn’t occur without direction, it resonated with the girls and led to a fun, vivacious, and authentic portrait.

From Wallace Stevens’ poem entitled Add This to Rhetoric:

“It is posed and it is posed.
But in nature it merely grows.
Stones pose in the falling night;
And beggars dropping to sleep,
They pose themselves and their rags.
Shucks . . . lavender moonlight falls.
The buildings pose in the sky
And, as you paint, the clouds,
Grisaille, impearled, profound,
Pftt . . . In the way you speak
You arrange, the thing is posed,
What in nature merely grows.”

The world we live in cannot truly be portrayed through art. People are who they are, things exist as nature created them. Our portrayals are merely interpretations of reality as we see it. But portrait artists are assigned the task of creating pieces that evoke a recognition and a memory of the gift that nature gave the world, so that you may cherish it forever. Photography is special because it is created by the very light that shines on nature’s gifts. That piece is true to reality and does not need interpretation.

How does a photographer strike a balance between capturing nature as it occurs and controlling the outcome in order to ensure beautiful images? This is a skill that separates the good from the great.

Coming for the Summer Heat!

My summer travel to the midwest is officially confirmed: I will be available for summer sessions in Chicago on July 29th and 30th! Contact me now to book your appointment – space is limited.

As noted early this spring, I will also be available for portrait sessions in Iowa City on August 1st and 2nd. Thanks to those who have already reserved times. You’ve made it possible for me to offer these travel sessions without travel fees! If you’re in Iowa City and you haven’t booked your appointment, contact me soon – there is one remaining time slot.