Rochester, MN Photographer: What is the difference between studio and natural light?

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You may have heard people talk about photos in terms of “studio” or “lifestyle” or “natural light” Light makes a big difference in photography. The wrong light can ruin a photo and the right light can make you feel for a photo. Many times if you are searching for a photographer you may have an idea of the photos you like looking at but you may not know why. I want to explain some options that I offer to give you a better idea of what types of images you can expect.


Studio light

Studio light images are very common in my work. I use a one light PLM system. That may not mean a lot to you, but what you can expect is lighting that comes from one side of your face or subject. Some studio photographers use up to 4 or even 5 lights. I prefer the simple one light look for my images. It’s also much easier to use with a moving child! I use a series of backdrops and backgrounds to give variety to your gallery. With newborns I use the floor and also a posing table for images, but still using that one studio light.

Natural light

If we are doing photos outside I will be using natural light (the light provided by the sun) If in studio, we have some options between studio light and natural light. My studio light work happens in my main studio area. Natural light occurs in a separate room. Because having a natural light studio option is newer (2022) to me you will see less examples, but I’m hoping to add as I have more! My natural light studio has one window that we will use in a variety of ways. This studio is much smaller, so isn’t appropriate for a larger group. This studio is powered by the sun, so you will see changes on a cloudy day vs a sunny day. We also need to schedule natural light images during the daytime hours. Natural light gives darker shadows and I tend to do more lifestyle and natural posing in this area.

Rochester, MN Photographer: What to wear for an Extended family session

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Coordinating a large group family session can be quite the undertaking. Once you have everyone committed to showing up to the same location on the same day now you are hoping they will look good too!

Here are some tips to helping:

  1. Create a color palette. Where will you want these pictures to hang in your home? Do you have a decor style you’d like to compliment? Do you like subtle earth tones or do you love bold colors?

  2. Be direct but flexible. Give your family some guidance by showing them the colors you’d like them to choose clothing from. Some people create Pinterest pages for suggestions or just give a simple color palette. I’ve even helped families by having them send me photos and reacting to them to help narrow down the selections. For small children, I have a variety of clothing that I can bring to the session.

  3. Try to coordinate not match. If you love the outdated look of all white shirts and blue jeans, try to move your thoughts forward to current trends of coordination vs. matching. Having all the girl cousins in the same dress is fun, but then build off of that for others in the group.

  4. Make sure everyone is comfortable. If grandpa is in a tux and and he is used to wearing overalls then he will be very uncomfortable. Same with babies. Skip the frilly dresses if if will just make them uncomfortable in photos.

  5. What is your background. If you plan to be together outside with all greens, consider not choosing green as your main color so you don’t blend in.

  6. Overall, the best part is that you are all together for photos. These memories will always be there!

Rochester, MN Maternity Event: February 26th

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Rochester, MN Maternity event: Bump to Birth

Featuring Laura the Midwife, Special Guest Med City Doulas and Host Catharine Bliss of Bliss Photography

Event Details

Sunday, February 26th Open house from 2-4pm


Enjoy refreshments, networking with other moms, a complimentary maternity photo, Q & A with Laura the Midwife and Med City Doulas. Great giveaways and more! Register below for your complimentary maternity photo and to be entered into giveaways such as a free newborn session! (must be present to win)

Wardrobe available for use for moms to be!

*Registration not required, but encouraged.


Meet Laura the Midwife

Hi! I’m Laura, a Minnesota licensed and nationally certified professional homebirth midwife serving Rochester, MN and the surrounding communities. Birthwork has been a calling for me that began both long before and with the birth of my own children born at home with midwives in upstate New York. Moving my young family back to our roots in Minnesota started my 25 year career as a midwife.

Rochester, MN Headshot photographer: What to wear guide

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I know you want to put forth your best in your headshot. You want to look professional, not sloppy. You want your personality to shine but not come off the wrong way. Here are a few tips to make sure you look your best.

Let’s start with what you should NOT wear:

  • Busy patterns that distract vs. attract

  • Monotone can work, but not if you are matching the background

  • All white, I have some samples of this working very well, but it can be tricky

  • Ill fitting clothing, baggy or too tight are never flattering

  • Bare shoulders, unless you are outside on a summer day, think of a cardigan or suit coat instead

  • Neon colors. This isn’t the 80’s, please skip the neon

  • Clothing that isn’t you. If you are uncomfortable, your photo will be too

  • Casual wear belongs on the beach, not on a professional photo. A t-shirt can work great under a suit coat, but not everyone can pull that off

  • Wrinkles. Please check over your clothing to make sure it’s neat and fresh and doesn’t look like you pulled it off the pile in the back of your closet

  • Fabrics that are see through when light is on them, undergarments that are bright colored can show through

  • Undergarments that show

  • Glasses are great if you wear them all the time, but to avoid glare, skip them if you can

  • Accessories that are more of a bother then a benefit (necklaces that don’t lay well, an ill fitting tie)

What should you wear?

Consider what the photo will be used for:

  • Job or medical school application? A suit or professional attire is great

  • Updated socials media profile? A nice sweater, pull over, blouse, button up, polo shirt or plain top that is clean and neat

  • Magazine article? You may want to consider something from your work such a lab coat over professional attire for variety

  • Dating profile? Show your personality with a hat or layers

Here are some great ideas:

  • Well fitting suits are great (avoid if you have to borrow one that doesn’t fit or you haven’t worn one in at least 10 years

  • Ties, bowties, scarves all work well (consider patterns though to be sure they aren’t distracting, plain is best unless you want to show off your personality

  • Plain colored tops

  • Textures that lay well (avoid wrinkles or stiff fabrics that don’t sit well on your body)

  • Color (it’s ok to have color, you don’t want to blend into the background)

  • Accessories, I love hats and jewelry, but don’t go too crazy if this is for a job application


I currently offer these backgrounds (pricing changes if you are outdoors or on location):

Brown/Gray (Standard offering and standard company posing)

Gray

Blue (almost navy)

Light Brown

Light Blue/Gray

White (has a gray tone or can be adjusted in tone or color)

In studio lifestyle (using natural light)

On location lifestyle (additional charges may apply)

Rochester, MN Headshot photographer

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Headshots are an essential way to put your best foot forward. An online presence is everything. Your clients, customers, recruiters, fellowship and medical schools want to see you. Here are some examples of my basic headshot session. Looking for photos of your whole team, lifestyle or personal branding? Contact me for a custom quote.

Rochester, MN Photographer: Spring mini session

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With flowers not yet blooming outside, come on inside where spring has sprung!

This year enjoy a beautiful set full greens and florals. The sessions will be around 10-15min long and include 5 digital images and a plant! You are welcome to purchase more images as well as prints and products. All products from this session only will be 20% off. The session times will be discussed on email following your booking or you may email ahead to check on availability. Sessions will take place from 9-11am on March 19th.

March 19th

5 high resolution digital images in an online gallery

Sessions are 10-15min in length and take place in my Miracle Mile studio.

*choose the full gallery for an additional $200

Please contact me to cancel in case of illness. All sessions fees may be transferred but are non-refundable. If the date is not working out for your family, contact me for alternate times. This set isn’t a large set, so not appropriate for larger families, up to 3 people is preferred.

Rochester, Minnesota Photography products: Luxury Album

Introducing the newest kid in town. The 12x12 Luxury Album!

This is a spectacular new product that I’ll be offering this year. The luxurious feel and the gorgeous display are only the start.

This album comes in it’s own custom matching box. The box can be used to protect the album but can also be used to help display it as a piece of art in your home. The album and box are handmade in Italy and the custom craftsmanship shows. You can choose from a number of colors and fabrics such as linen to make it special.

Custom easy open ribbon protect the album from overhandling it

Thick pages add to the long lasting and enjoyable quality

The album starts with 20 pages or 10 spreads but can be added on to if you like

The box lid opens and closes easily with magnets

You can see the size and scale of the 12x12 album here but you may choose a different size then shown

The print quality is exceptional and you will see your photos as they are meant to be enjoyed

If you choose to purchase the 12x12 size, it will come with not 1 but 2 smaller parent albums. These are the perfect gift for parents to show off their new grandchildren.

The parent album may be purchased separately as well and has the same gorgeous print quality

Contact me to work on customizing an album for your family! If you’d like to see more, view a finished album HERE

First Year Baby Plan: Rochester, MN Photographer

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From that tiny newborn stage to walking and running, I love to capture all the stages in that first year. I’ve been photographing babies now for almost 17 years and I’ve had 3 of my own. With that combined knowledge I have found the best set of stages to photograph your baby for unique photos that really capture all their changes in that first year.

Newborn:

This is a given. You really don’t ever get this time back and there is a short window to capture babies in the newborn stage. I see babies from 7-21 days for newborn photos. Now if baby was born early then this time frame may be adjusted based on gestational age or due date. This also may be adjusted if there were complications after birth or you were just hoping to keep baby home for the first few weeks. You haven’t missed your window for photos, but we may just adjust what we do. Ideally babies should be around 7-14days. Due to this relatively short time frame, it is best to book your session when you are still pregnant and then I will set a tentative date that we can adjust once baby arrives. Parents and Siblings are usually photographed during the newborn session with the baby

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4-5 Month:

This stage is so fun to see their giggles and smiles. They are typically gaining more strength and can start lifting themselves up onto their arms. They may be teething, so chewing on fingers is totally normal. They love. to lay on their backs kicking and stretching. They may even try to roll over! I love using some. of the same props and colors from the newborn session through the stages.

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7-8 Month:

This is one of my favorite ages. Sometimes they are crawling or scooting but many times they are just ready to sit and smile cute. Stranger danger and clinging on to mom and dad can start to appear but we work through it. This is a great time to add on family again for family pictures. It’s best if baby is sitting steady on their own without toppling. Simple wardrobe is provided but you are always welcome to bring a special outfit!

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12 Month/ 1 year:

You made it a whole year! Hopefully most of the sleepless nights are behind you. Baby is now crawling, standing while holding on/running or walking with assistance. They are fast so we are on our toes catching them for photos. Some parents like to add on a cake smash for the 12 month session or do updated family photos. This is one milestone you don’t want to miss.

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Color Combinations for Newborn photos: Rochester, MN

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When you book a newborn photo session with me, one of the first questions I’ll ask is what colors would you like me to use? From there I work on designing coordinated and beautiful set ups that you can enjoy for years as wall art in your home. There are so many color combos and it’s so much fun putting these together for your newborn session.

Brown and Green

Brown and Green

Gray and Blue

Gray and Blue

Cream and Light Blue

Cream and Light Blue

Navy and Mustard/Yellow

Navy and Mustard/Yellow

Green and Gray

Green and Gray

Gray and Purple

Gray and Purple

cream and pink

cream and pink

Blue and Mustard

Blue and Mustard

Cream and Navy

Cream and Navy

Gray and White

Gray and White

Cream

Cream

Green and Purple

Green and Purple

Pink and Green and Cream

Pink and Green and Cream

Brown and Blue

Brown and Blue

White and Pink

White and Pink

Pink and Green

Pink and Green

Lavender and Cream

Lavender and Cream

Fall Rust/Orange and mustard

Fall Rust/Orange and mustard

Peacock Blue/Brown/Green

Peacock Blue/Brown/Green