The Stoffer Fam

I tried my hand at family photos again and once again I had done my research and had all these ideas for poses and when I got there, I blanked.  My on the spot creativity needs some help.  But anyway, I hope they find something they love in the mix, otherwise I told them they HAVE to ask me again. I LOVE taking photos, I can take candids like its nothing... no pressure right? But taking posed pictures of people makes me shake in my boots, I wish I was more confident with it... I get so hard on myself and analyze every photo I take thinking of what I could of done better (to a fault)... blah... but that being said, the Stoffers are the chillest people ever and their baby girl is SO darling and it was a pleasure to do this for them.  I was grateful they were willing to let an amateur get some practice.  I still would never dare charge anyone for my photography, I feel way to amateurish for that, hopefully they find something they like!

Trail of Hope

It's been a while since I posted on here! I've been meaning to...

I was especially inspired during my most recent trip to Nauvoo a couple months ago. 

Walking to the end of the Trail of Hope, facing west over the Mississippi, and reflecting on all the Saints left behind was emotional for me.

And continues to be so now as I, in my own small way, left the midwest for Utah.

I was looking at these pictures feeling inspired all over again, and thought I'd share.
Does anyone have any photos of Nauvoo they'd like to share? Because I would love to see what touched you during a past visit there. Especially if you got any with one of those gorgeous sunsets. Unfortunately I was at the river in the middle of the day- not the best time, but I did my best!

Olbrich Garden's

I took these at Olbrich Garden's yesterday and I just liked how they turned out...

 My personal favorite, the lighting on this was so ideal....

Beautiful Emma

Here are a few of my favorites. I realize I really just do the same kind of shots- but oh well-- I'm such a beginner. I think it's just nice to get to take pics of a dear friend's baby for her. It was a wonderful hour for me to spend time with this little one!

Slightly blurry, but I love her smile in it.

I think Bethany is stunningly beautiful here.

Smiling for her mommy!

This one is my favorite. I love the angle of light. Plus, I have a thing for little feet.

My first try...

Last week I took family pictures for the very first time.  I had done candids and couple shots at my sister in-laws wedding, but taking a large family portrait was very different.  Posing people is HARD! Space and shade were very limited.  They were all together for graduation and decided last minute that they wanted to get family photos taken before the one family moved out West indefinitely, so they put all their trust in a complete amateur.  We hurried and put together a time that would work and the photos ended up being taken on a 5 ft wide piece of lawn with bushes in the background and an ugly asphalt parking lot in the foreground. They turned out pretty good considering our limited time and limited ground space for actually taking photos.  They are such a great family and I was happy to do it for them, I just hope they were happy with the results.  My editing skills are super lame so don't judge those.  I still have a LOT to work on for future attempts... if any of you have tips I'd gladly take them, but here are some photos from that photo shoot.  I snapped a bazillion and there were just some poses where I couldn't get a kid to smile or stop making a face for the life of me... oh well, kids will be kids and thats okay!! Enjoy...

normal vs. vivid

I went to the arboretum in Madison to go for a run and take some pictures the other day and I came across this gorgeous tree full of pink blossoms.  I'm not too into photo editing A. because I don't really know how and B. because I love pictures of things as they are to the naked I... I took the picture because I like what I saw right? So why edit? Anyway, I've always gone back and forth between putting my color settings on my Nikon on "N" for normal or "V" for vivid.  What do you guys do? Which do you prefer? Can you even tell a difference? Here are the purty pink blossoms taken on both settings:
Normal (a softer look):

Vivid (much more vibrant):