Happy Halloween

Second Star to the Right, & Straight on 'til Morning.

images courtesy of ana brandt

xoxo, K

Ana Brandt's 10 Tips for Photographing Children

School is around the corner (if it hasn't already started). Then Halloween, Thanksgiving, & the holiday season. So many picture opportunities! What a perfect excuse to have my good friend, Ana, post about a subject she knows tons about (& trust me, I'm taking notes). Please, help me welcome a woman who specializes in infant and child (& just about everything else) photography - Ana Brandt of Ana Brandt Photography in Old Town Tustin...

If I had a dollar for every time a client told me their child won’t look at their camera or take a photo, I could quit my day job. Yes, it can be challenging, but it is possible. The best way to do it? Don’t let them know it. If you are telling them Mommy is going to do yet another photo shoot, chances are they might run the other direction, or do everything in their power to drive you crazy. I love to catch my kids off guard and I often don’t mind what they are wearing. My girls in these photos were wearing pajamas and on a couch in my garage – which I found for $25.00 at a garage sale and couldn’t figure out what to do with it, so there it sat. Turns out the lighting when the garage door was opened was amazing, and it reminded me of back in the day when I had a garage studio! So here we go, with the Fall season upon us, here are some tips to help you photograph your children.

1. Be prepared with your camera at any moment: all too often we see things and wish we had our camera. I have a camera in my car at all times, in my purse and at home. No, you can’t have three cameras. But, if you can keep a small one in your purse or car (and no the iPhone doesn’t count) you can be ready.

2. Go unnoticed: I love to grab my camera and long lens and just work with available light and sneak around when my kids are playing. They get very used to the camera and will sometimes just look up at me and give me a great expression.

3. Don’t force it: grabbing your kids and putting them all on the front step and asking them to say cheese will rarely work, unless they are really trained, and even then, you may get fake smiles. If they are all playing together nicely, ask them to all jump on each other so you can get a quick pic for Grandma. I use Grandmas name because if I say Mommy, they won’t comply. If I say Grandma, I can usually get a quick reponse.

4. Forget perfection: That’s what photographers are for. You want to be able to capture those fun moments – even the messy, muddy, all over the place moments. Save the perfect portrait family taking pictures for trained professionals.

5. Learn to see the light: Before you snap that shutter take a look around. Where is the light falling. Does it look dark or is it too sunny you can’t see anything? Chances are the photo isn’t going to come out great either. Move the child and look at the light again and you can usually see a difference.

6. Go for cover: You are going to get the best light when it is diffused in some way. Whether its under a cloud cover, under a tree, behind a bush, a rock at the beach or wherever – you get the idea. On the bright days, run for shade that is not too dark, and still allows light to fall through.

7. Get in the photo: Yes you can get photos of you and the kids. Ask your husband to take them or when your kids are ready have them take some photos. Some of my favorite photos were taken by my children.

8. Get down to their level: On your knees, on your belly, whatever you need to do, shoot at the childs level.

9. Keep it simple – Pay attention to backgrounds, clutter and other distracting elements. Keep them at least 6 feet away from walls to avoid shadows.

10. Don’t stop: Whatever you do, don’t stop taking photos. Much like continually putting barrettes in a little girls hair until she gets used to it – so is taking photos of your children. Pretty soon they will adjust and will be asking you to take their photo!

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Ana Brandt is a Mama of 3 and runs a portrait studio in Old Town Tustin, California. Sessions are available on location or in studio.

Want to learn more? Check out Ana’s MyLIFE Workshops coming this Fall (a hands-on class, where she actually teaches YOU to take great pictures using your own camera). Sign ups are available now. Visit: www.mylifeworkshops.com

xoxo, K
images via ana brant

An Introduction.

I don't believe I've ever properly introduced the
newest member of the Just Spotted family...

xoxo, K
images & design via ana brandt photography

Baby Bump

It's amazing to me, when I realize, that just a few short weeks ago my belly was very BIG & very, very round. I'm not usually very comfortable in front of the camera, but I am so glad a good friend talked me into encouraged me to do these pregnancy photos...

xoxo, K
images via ana brandt

Ana Brandt Photography

A while back, we wanted to have some family pictures taken. At the suggestion of a friend I called Ana Brandt Photography, & I definitely wasn't disappointed. She "provides portraiture for all stages of life starting at the very beginning." Their goal is to "create classic, simple portraits that will last a lifetime". At their studio in old town Tustin they do everything... maternity, newborns, little ones, bigger ones, families, even silhouettes. But, you never limited to the studio. They also love adventuring outside of the studio to the beach, park, or where ever else you might want to go... even your own home. &, they are always offering "special sessions", Halloween, Santa & Easter sessions (with live bunnies) just to name a few.

Ana is one of those people, that once you've met, you'll have felt like you've know each other for ever. Her style is very relaxed & natural, & with three kids of her own, she definitely has the patience needed to work "active" children, like mine. I love that she says their sessions "are mainly controlled by your desires! When you come in for a session, you can let us know what you would like. Whether it's a casual family session, closeups of a toddler, or pink tutus for a little girl - we will structure the session around what you are looking for. After that it's up to the children! We leave plenty of time for our sessions, and if the little ones take a break, than we do!"

For more information about Ana & to view her incredible portfolio, be sure to check out her website, I can pretty much guarantee that you'll fall in love with her work as well.

Ana Brandt Photography
365 El Camino Real
Tustin, CA 92780
(714)730-8200

xoxo, K

Happy Halloween

Hope you have a wonderful, safe & fun-filled holiday.... to infinity & beyond!

images courtesy of ana brandt photography

xoxo, K