New all about me section

I am slowly starting to put together my photography business plan. One of my first jobs is to work on my website and my branding. So you may see some changes around here. This section being one of them. It has taken me forever to complete this section, it's so hard to sum up a life and a vision in just a few short words.

I remember thinking when I was just a little girl that I wanted to be a photographer, or maybe a teacher (doesn't every little girl want to be a teacher?). After a long detour - a degree in Psychology, marriage to my very best friend and then the birth of our three wonderful sons, I'm back on track to my dream job.

I bought my first DSLR camera in 2007, I remember being so nervous and excited as I unwrapped it from it's box and switched it on. I also remember using it for the first time - a family walk in the woods, where I took my first photographs with it, I still love those photographs.

I knew then I wanted to turn my love of taking pictures into a career. I felt then, and still do now, a passion for creating and capturing family memories through photographs.

So thanks for stopping by and reading my photography blog. Take a look around, leave a comment (something nice please), and why not book a session with me for you and your family.

Emily x

Loving editing

Nikon D80, f/1.8, 1/1,250 s, with 50mm lens

I made the changeover to shooting in Raw a few months ago, and I'm so glad that I did. It has meant that I have greater flexibility when editing my pictures now. This photograph was pretty dull SOOC (straight out of the camera) but I'm really pleased with the final edit.

Just a little frustrated...

I'm giving myself 18 months to get this photography thing down. I know I'm making progress, there's just so much to get right - light, camera, composition, editing, etc. But I just keep making the same mistakes, and today it's focus (Tayler & Nathaniel, not quite focused). I'm sure it's because I was using my new lens - perfect for indoor shoots, but not perfect for group portraits like this one. At least I know where I'm going wrong, and I can try and fix it. I'm worried because I'm sure those 18 months are going to fly by and before I know it 2012 will be here and I'll be open for business.

Today's giveaway from Rebecca...

I purchased this book last year, it really is great. I love the whole concept of e-books, especially one as user friendly as this.

It's great that Rebecca is giving a copy of this book away today in her giveaway week!

Rebecca Cooper Giveaway

I've been a fan of Rebecca Cooper for a while ever since I stumbled across her book Real.Life.Scrapbooking. I have picked up so many great tips from her both for scrapbooking and now photography. She is currently running a sweet little giveaway week and today it's a lovely camera strap by Cotton Candy by Natalie.

I've considered making my own but I'd just love to own one like this. Thought I'd just spread the word. Rebecca is running giveaways every day this week, check out her blog if you're interested.

Family photo shoot, just because...

Nikon D80 aperture f/1.8, shutter speed 1/4000 s, with my super duper 50mm 1.4.

I am absolutely loving my new camera lens. This is just one picture from a little shoot I did today with my boys. This lens can do no wrong in my book, I love it. That combined with a little masking technique I just picked up and I'm a happy women. Great studio quality pictures (what do you think, I'm pretty chuffed) from my front room.

Lovely new lens

Nikon D80, ISO 640, shutter speed 1/640s, aperture f/1.4, lens 50mm.

Whooo hooooo! New lens! So, so, excited! Just loving the effects it gives. Very little editing going on here! How great. I did use a couple of actions Brenda's, Coffeeshop's and Pioneer Woman's. It helps that I had the cutest girly in the world to photograph.

Snot Nose Kid

Nikon D80, f/4.5, shutter speed 1/80s, ISO 1000, lens 18-70mm @ 60mm.

Can you tell the difference between the too pictures?

They are the same pictures just edited slightly differently. I'm just experimenting a little to find my favourite format for posting pictures on this blog. I think in the top pictures the colours are a little more vibrant, but the the bottom picture has more realistic colour. What do you think?