• How I Got the Shot | Fall Yardwork Play

      by SimplyHollyJo on September 4, 2020 , No Comments

      People are often surprised by the shots that I get of my kids. Especially my mother. When you show one great shot of your kid, it’s easy to forget how many failures came before that one shot was captured. From Here, to There (Before & After) First of all, here’s a shot of what I started with and where I ended. I removed a few distractions in the background and made the focus fall on his face. The Challenge Photographer’s child. Well, for me at least. But in general, kids don’t want to sit and stare at the camera. So […]

      Photography
      Read more

    • Relaxing in the Grass | How I Got the Shot

      by SimplyHollyJo on July 24, 2020 , No Comments

      I did another How I Got the Shot from this session and said how this little girl and her brother were not really interested in this session. B was actually very interactive and helpful. She wanted to help me with my blanket and gear, and was eager to show me things. So I used that to my advantage to help get some shots of her relaxing in the grass. The “Trick” As I’m sure I’ll state multiple times, these aren’t really “tricks” so much as tools, or ways to reframe “problems.” By taking what I learn from kids in these […]

      Photography
      Read more

    • How I Got the Shot | Standing for Joy

      by SimplyHollyJo on July 10, 2020 , No Comments

      Kids are not always ready for family photos. Or any photos at all. That’s okay! I know, as a photographer and a mother, how stressed parents feel when their kids are less than cooperative during a session. But I just run with it! Kids are kids! They want to run, explore, play, and not sit still. So I just explore capturing kids using that energy. For the Heritage Park family session that included B, both he and his sister wanted to run and explore. So I just went with it and found ways to tie their desires together with capturing […]

      Photography
      Read more

    • Capturing Quarantine | Cardboard Houses Photo Shoot

      by SimplyHollyJo on June 1, 2020 , No Comments

      Early on in the shelter-in-place phase of life this year, I began thinking up a studio shoot focused on capturing quarantine. I wanted something fun, but themed to this time. I debated toilet paper and leaning supplies for a while. But I mean, who wanted to waste toilet paper at the time? And I also didn’t have any clorox wipes or lysol or anything. So it just seemed empty and lacking. I had always thought the “white box” collage images I had seen around were fun. But I didn’t think that it was something print worthy, I guess, so I […]

      Kids, Life, Photography
      Read more

    • How to Photograph Your Kids | Everyday Mama

      by SimplyHollyJo on March 29, 2018 , No Comments

      So you want to photograph your kids…I mean who doesn’t?! Let me give you a few tips: 1: Have Realistic Expectations Know your kids’ abilities and limits. Don’t expect them to pose perfectly for you if they are toddlers or simply always on the move. You MIGHT get some fun posed shots when they are older, but personality always comes into play. There is also the dreaded “photographer’s child syndrome” where it’s almost impossible to get a good shot because your kid currently wants to throw your phone or camera at the wall and run away! 2: Take Photos. A […]

      Kids, Photography
      Read more