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

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

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 Photographer: Spring mini session

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, MN Couples photographer: Love is in the air

With 7 children, they don’t get very many opportunities to be just the two of them! We had some much fun creating some special memories for these two.

Rochester, MN Milestone photographer: Ben 4months

I love when newborn families choose the first year package. Watching them grow, is the best!

Rochester, MN Studio photography: Studio or outside

FAQ: Studio or Outdoor

I get ask this question a lot. Should I do our session in studio or outside? I believe there are so many benefits to both! I’ve many times discussed outdoor photos, but I’d like to spend more time on a studio session. Here are some reasons a family may choose a studio session:

1. They don’t want the weather to dictate their session time. In studio, it’s always cozy and has the perfect light. No rain delays, or waiting on golden hour. You can wear what you want and stay comfortable!

2. The light is always good. During the year the sun sets at various times. Very early (maybe before you are finished with school or work) in the late fall and winter and in the summer the sun sets far after some little ones are in bed. Mid day sun is not ideal, but noon may be the happiest time for your kids! You want them at their best, so choosing a time that is best for them and not best for the sun may be ideal.

3. Your children are contained. I have 2 shooting rooms in my lofted studio. So for little runners, we can close doors and keep them contained! For some little ones the studio lights can be overwhelming but for others they enjoy the flashes and are not distracted by nature.

4. Props. While I do bring some props outdoors, we have an endless supply in the studio. So we can switch chairs as often as your toddler wants to. We can also use bigger items like my bed set up or my Victorian couch for a clean and formal look.

5. Wardrobe options are as easy as shopping in my storage room and changing in my restroom. So you can go from casual to glam in one setting. For the picky kids, they can pick out a dress that they enjoy or many to play dress up and make the session fun.

6. A comfortable home look without all the cleaning! Many of my clients love a lifestyle look and so do I! Going in your home can be hard for some kids who are too comfortable in their own space. My bed set has a great lifestyle feel without cleaning or distractions.

7. Without travel time, we can spend more time on taking beautiful pictures. This is great for short attention spans. I can change out the set in minutes vs walking around on location.

Studio photos may be the perfect option for your family or if you can’t decide choose a session option that accommodates both!

Rochester, MN Family photographer

FAQ: Family sessions

As a Minnesota family photographer based in Rochester. I have seen a lot in my 17 years in business. I have worked with families of all shapes, colors, orientations, temperaments and sizes. I’m proud to say that my experience gives me a unique perspective into working with your family. Did you know that my educational background is in social work and organizational leadership? Fun fact. I grew up in a home where my parents were foster parents and counselors. I’ve have experienced a lot of chaos in my years and some will say I do my best in chaotic situations.

Family sessions are a lot to prepare for. You take the time to select great clothing (I’m always happy to help with this!) Make sure those clothes fit and your kids put up with them! Then you select nap times to work out and snacks on hand. For older kids or adults, you work around busy schedules and then hope that the weather works out!

Sometimes these things don’t go as planned. That perfect dress is backordered, your sunny day turns cloudy, a work event comes up, your 2 year old chooses that day to not nap. I do family photos every year myself so I know how it feels. I know the stress involved. I also know that in the end capturing their face is what is important. If they won’t keep their bow in their hair, or they end up choosing their dress, you have that memory. That imperfect time is captured and is realistic!

I am very understanding to all the pressures involved in family photos. There have been times I’ve called to say the weather may work out better on a day I’m not scheduled to work and then proceed to change my schedule so your day is awesome. In the end, I want your photos to be great. I also know that sometimes over tired kids light up for the camera and give the best smiles. I used to do photoshoots late at night to wear out my daughter for bedtime. :) I also know kids are flexible and adults are so happy to have those times captured. I would be rich if I had a nickel for everyone who was surprised I got so many photos from the session when it felt to them that the session was a wreck with their children. My camera is quick, I’m efficient and I know how to work with families. Let’s chat about your family session. I want you to have wonderful memories to hang on your walls, so let me help you create that!

Rochester, MN Photographer: Best season for family photos

FAQ: What is the best season to take photos?

I’m often asked what the best season is for photos. I love Minnesota because we have so much variety between seasons. Here are some samples of photos for each of our unique seasons.

WINTER

A few things to think about with winter photos. Dress for the weather. Layers are your friend. This is also the time to break out the cute hats and mittens, the fun coats and don’t forget boots. Add a pop of color for fun against the white snow. Do you love the fresh falling snow? Because I am full time I can many times be flexible to catch the fall snow. If you’d like to be put on a wait list for this let me know and I’ll alert you when I believe conditions will be right. Prepare outfits ahead of time so we can meet up! Snow sessions aren’t long. They usually happen all in about 15-20min or can be longer with warming breaks. I don’t recommend these for under 1 year. They just don’t understand snow and being cold and they can’t move much. The exception to that is if they are just in your arms vs. being set down. They are great for active families though so have fun with it!

SPRING

Spring is such an in between season in Minnesota. My favorite things are the green moss, the bluebell covered forest and the blooming trees. Bluebells only last a couple of weeks in May, so stay alert on my Facebook VIP group for announcements on when I’ll be booking those sessions. You will typically get warm enough weather and less mud for a longer outdoor session the end of April and into May. Soon though the spring will turn to Summer!

SUMMER

Summer in Rochester, Minnesota starts with Daisies in May along with creeks to splash in! In July it transitions to beautiful fields of wild flowers and into the cone flowers of August. It is a great time to embrace the warm weather, summer dresses and beautiful pastels of the season. I have so many fun and private locations to give your photos a very unique feel. Remember that the sun sets very late in the summer, so take a late nap and keep the kiddos up for the beauty and cooler temps of the late evening.

FALL

Fall in Southern Minnesota has so many looks. It starts in September when some of the earliest color starts to appear. I think September is a great month for photos since you do have some color but you still have warm temperatures for those who are more sensitive to the cold. October is always a very busy month for me as a photographer. Who can resist the brown grasses, orange leaves and golden sun. October and November are very unpredictable though so you will often see more reschedules to do weather and the colors really vary from year to year. I am able to get some great fall shots well into November, but remember after daylight savings that the sun sets very early! I will often travel to Northern Minnesota this time of year as well, so if you are looking for an adventure, some amazing color can be found just a few hours north of Rochester. Whichever season you choose, you will have some wonderful photos with beautiful light!

Rochester, MN Photographer: 2020 we made it

Thank you all for your support in 2020! When I had to shut my doors in March I was so scared. I cut out all advertising, I called to see what bills could be put off. I looked at our finances and budgeted how long we could last without working. I prayed for state/federal help to come through. And you know what? I didn't have to worry. I had clients contacting me asking to purchase sessions for sometime in the future. I had clients interested in purchasing prints from past sessions. I had clients write reviews, purchase gift cards, ask how they can help. I realized that my clients are more than just clients, they are friends. They are there for each other in times of need and there for me as a friend when I needed them.

When I opened in June, I had missed newborn photos for a couple babies. We did "newborn" like photos. After my first session in a mask, I came home and cried for almost 3 days. I cried because I couldn't do what I used to do. I grieved the way it had been. I couldn't hug the toddlers, or pose the babies like I wanted. I couldn't offer a handshake even. My glasses fogged up when trying to shoot and I had to purchase a new lens that would keep me at a safe distance with money I didn't have.

It didn't stop me. I bought 98723 masks to find the ones that worked best. I found a studio outside my home. I wore a shield and changed how I did things. I adapted to the new normal and so did you. I stood up for safety, I stood up for issues that I felt passionate about. My business grew. It grew this year! I'm still shocked and amazed. I grew too. I became a better photographer from afar. I learned to give verbal cues versus physical ones. Your babies smiled at my eyes and my noises instead of my funny faces.

I'm looking forward to 2021. We have a vaccine! We have hope. We have a new sense of purpose. We value our families more(and are excited for some space from them!) We have fallen in love with nature (and I have some some exciting new locations!) We have learned to ice skate, how to dress for a hike in the snow, how to travel safely and how to appreciate the extra time to play a board game. We have made it through 2020 and 2021 will be even better.

Thank you all. Thank you for your support, your kindness, your forgiveness when I've screwed up, your patience and your willingness to create memories with me!



Rochester, MN Photographer: Fed is Best

I had a vision for this session at the beginning of the year. Before Covid changed our world and lives, I brought together a group of amazing women and babies to help me to carry out my vision for this photo. I wanted to show all the ways women nurture their children and how we are all connected on this journey. In this photo I was able to capture women who breastfeed, formula feed, use donor milk, pump, tube feed, make their own food and buy what they need from the store. I wanted to show the support and connectedness on this journey of motherhood regardless of how we feed our children. Some of them made the choices to feed in this way, some found it the only option. However they came to their journey, their children are loved, cared for and nourished.

Rochester, MN Family Photographer: T family

I love when I have the chance to collaborate on a session. We worked together to find the perfect outfits and I found a great location that complement this family/1 year session!

Rochester, MN Children's Photographer

Happy Birthday to my youngest, Micah! He turns the big 5 this week! He loves all things Transformers (especially his daddy’s old ones) and hanging out with friends (which isn’t easy when you are stuck in quarantine at home in a pandemic) He talks constantly but loves to love on you. His favorite phrase is “I like you and love you” He melts my heart and I’m so lucky I chose to have him.

Rochester, MN Response to Covid-19

As you have probably been aware from most every other business in your news feed and email, there is a lot going on in our world right now with Covid-19.

Since I work with babies and families, my first concern is that everyone continues to make the choices that keep themselves healthy and protect those around them. I am continuing to keep my space clean. Lots of hand washing, wiping down surfaces and keeping contact to a minimum.

Since I work with many medical families, I especially want to support you however I can so you can keep working and doing the great work our city is world known for. Let me know how I can help you so your life is easier. I'm great at baking bread, if it's needed, my home is available, I can make deliveries as able and I can help you behind the scenes too by connecting you to resources like pumped milk, extra formula etc. Social media can be wonderful in connecting others.

For my own business, here are some ways to continue working together.

1. Now is a great time to stock up on wall art from past sessions (you may have time to hang it all up and I can ship direct to you)

2. You are always welcome to plan ahead for sessions by booking now (I'll be setting specific dates for upcoming mini sessions)

3. You can give the gift of photos to a friend or colleague (I offer gift cards virtually or by mail)

4. I'm relaunching a fantastic art portrait you see in the photo below. ORDER YOUR OWN HERE

Reschedules are always an option if you feel it's best to stay home at this time. If you'd like to get more creative with in home sessions, I'm available for that as well.

Thank you again for your continued support, I know our community will be the leaders in dealing with this and we will begin to see some amazing helpers working together.

Rochester, MN First year Henry and Lily

Celebrating your child as they grow throughout the first year is a joy for me as a photographer. I enjoy seeing those little personalities begin to emerge. My first year plan covers the newborn session and 3 additional milestones. I like to see babies around 4/5 months when then are just learning to hold up their head and smile. The next stage is around 7-9months when they are sitting steady without falling over and maybe not yet crawling. Lastly, we celebrate their birthdays at 12 months! Many times families will include mom and dad on one or multiple sessions as well. Enjoy this album layout from Henry and LIly’s first year!

Osceola WI Cascade Falls travel session

I have clients all over the state, surrounding states and around the world. I love to travel and would love to find a new and inspiring place we can travel to together or I can meet you at. Contact me at Catharine@blissphotographymn.com and let’s dream together!

Southern MN Family Photos