When Kids Rule the Shoot | Graham Family Portraits

Today my daughter came up with a lot of ideas for me to take pictures of her. Her very own photo session! Most of them sounded just like the one we did in the rain several months ago (that I still haven't blogged!) It involves jumping, twirling, being silly and having Mom take pictures of everything she loves right now. And we did! After a while, her little brother wanted in on all the fun. He got to jump and play and be silly right along with her. This isn't my usual work I do with my family portrait clients, but why not? I often incorporate a child's playful side, engaging with their toys or current interests, why not take pictures of it as well? So yes, here is what happens when my kids call the shots for a photo session. Let's get some memories of what "almost 9" and "almost 7" was like. Because pretty soon that "almost" will be gone and replaced with "and a half!"

My Own Family | Holiday Pictures | Do it Yourself Style

Hello everyone!
The weather is cooling quickly here in Washington and the sun is setting very early.  I've been planning our holiday card photo for a long time now and most of the details came together easily.  For the many fans I have on Pinterest, we have been pinning Christmas tree photos left and right!  Some with snow, some clearly taken in September (short sleeve outfits and a warm golden glow!), some that are heavy with props, some that are simple and just the family.  Now I love a fun prop-heavy portrait session, but I became a photographer specifically to benefit my children.  Most children don't like a stressed out mom, or coming to an unfamiliar environment filled with cool things they are told not to touch.  And mine are no different.  So for my family photos my own motto is to keep it simple. 

I let them wear clothes they already know.  I knew my daughter would wear pink, and I helped her choose and black.  I knew we all owned coats that are partly black or grey or both.  A local Christmas tree farm agreed to allow me to take photos.  We happened to also get a dog that week and they were okay with that too!

I set my camera up and took a LOT of test shots without me in them.  The kids are used to looking, but they often make silly faces, which I won't see until I get home to edit.  So it was imperative that I take a lot, try and get some good faces so that I would have some to swap out with the silly faces they would make later.  As you can see (the bottom right) he enjoys making faces! 

My husband David was great at gathering them around getting them to smile for me.  I set the camera's timer and gave myself 10 seconds to get from my tripod to the set up.  It worked out pretty good.  It's not as good as it would be for a client.  Nothing replaces having a person be able to make last second adjustments! 

Some of my daughter's pictures looked better in black and white (middle right) so I tried out some snow overlays to try and play up the frost that was on the ground.  Just something for fun.

And at last, a new picture with just David and I!  Every couple needs a new photo every year! 

 

 

So thank you for visiting with my family! 

For more information on family portraits please visit www.ndrobbs.com or leave a comment here.

2012 Best of Western Washington | Wow, what an honor!

My business has been involved in the Best of Western Washington contest for 3 years now and I've gotta say, this is just such an honor!   I know many of the photographers in this category and they are not only amazing artists but good friends and great people to know!  I'm really proud of the local quality in this industry.  In fact, if I didn't have this photography business, I would have a hard time choosing who to vote for!
So much of portrait photography can come down to the personal connection between the photographer and the client.  Many of my clients either were friends first or are friends now!  I end up seeing them at my kids' school, at the grocery store, at church and around the neighborhood.  I love that most of the kids are already comfortable with me and that eases them into natural poses and faces.  I'm not a stranger with a giant black machine in front of my face asking them to do funny things.  I'm "AJ's Mom" or "Nickie from down the street" or "my mom's friend."  For some kids this makes a big difference. 
I love knowing the story that preceeds an engagement and a wedding!  I thoroughly enjoy getting to bring a little of that history with me into a session.  For a few folks, I met them in a mom group like MOPS or a playdate group.  I've seen their relationship with their child or husband grow and mature and then we get to express that together in pictures.
Things have changed over the last year from offering discs of the collection exclusively to offering prints that are ready to hang on the wall.  Each print package contains an album now!  Grandma and Great Grandma couldn't enjoy the pictures as much on a digital screen as they could with their hands.  I can bring our family pictures in my purse now and not need to lug my computer or ask Grandma to try and see them on my phone.  I'm really happy with the way things have gone this year.  I believe my clients agree! 
I'm not expecting to make it into the top five.  I know that I have a much smaller client base (about 10% in comparison).  But I also know that my clients are awesome.  They are cool and fun and we enjoy ourselves both during the portrait session and after!
So if you have a minute and haven't done so already, please log in and give it a vote!  One vote per email address each year!

BEST Portrait Photography

Thank you!

The Big L Family

I have worked with one branch of the L family for a few years now and was excited to hear that the grandparents were coming to town!  I couldn't wait to meet them and watch all the interactions between the families.  Sure enough, getting the two families and two sets of grandparents all together means a lot of commotion and a lot of fun as well.  I hope you enjoy this overview of our time together!



In a group this size, there's always one who wants (and tries) to run away!

The grandparents with the grandkids...

The whole family!

The grandkids each had a turn by themselves...

And the men had a few turns too...

Introducing my lovely new Fresh Face! |Graham Family Portraits

I'm so excited to introduce to everyone the winner of my Fresh Faces contest in May!
Meet Rori, a wonderful mom and wife, super active in her family and her kids' schools.  She is so busy helping others all the time!

We got really lucky with the weather and went to a nearby field.  The light was perfect, the sun was just about to set and we got these wonderful images!

Before you go, please take a few minutes to watch their video!

Autism Awareness Month | Puyallup Family Portraits

Dear Friends,
April is Autism Awareness month.  I was thinking about what to do - put out a blue lightbulb on our home, wear blue, put a blue ribbon on Facebook or my blog.  But it all seemed so small, so paltry, just a token of the love and care that I want to show for this cause.  Because Austism Spectrum Disorder is a huge spectrum, almost every kid is actually completely unique.  Just because they have a diagnosis or Autism or Pervasive Developmental Delay - Not Otherwise Specified doesn't mean that they fit into any kind of box that makes it easier to understand.  Each and everyone has unique strengths and weaknesses.  Just as all people do!  And sometimes their weaknesses are very obvious, sometimes their strengths are more obvious.  I wanted to celebrate these children and their families. 

So for the first time ever, and for a limited time only...

If you are a family or know of a family with a child on the Autism Spectrum, now is a good time to book some family portraits.
Please share this link and get the word out.

Spring News with ND Robbs |Graham Family Portraits

Welcome Spring!  Yes!
I am so excited to get ready for the spring and summer sessions.  So to kick things off on the right foot (a very happy, springy foot!) I am offering two special referral gifts.

For the very first time with ND Robbs...


THIRTY ONE GIFTS!
This lovely black and white Organize Utility Tote in Black Parisian Pop features FIVE external pockets and a very roomy (and wipeable) interior area.

I own one in another pattern and it is wonderful.  Call it a stylish diaper bag, a great on-the-go snack bag, or an in-the-car mail and be-ready-for-anything bag. 

THIS beautiful Thermal Lunch Tote in a brown version of Parisian Pop fits an adult size lunch.  It's great for being prepared at the park or at work.

These two beautiful totes will be given to whomever refers the next two new clients. 

Naturally there's a few rules...

1) Current friends and clients can refer anyone that has never been photographed by me before.
2) New client must book a session in order for the referee to receive their free gift.
3) New client's session must be booked for April, May or June.
4) 31 Gifts not applicable for wedding referrals.
5) Offer is limited to these two items only.

So spread the word on Facebook or on the phone!

And if you are the new client who is booking, there's a referral gift for you too.  Let's have a talk and make a plan!

The B Family | Graham Family Portraits

I love to donate sessions to local charity auctions.  Last year Mrs. B won this session at the elementary school's fundraiser!  It's such a great situation for both the school, the family that wins the session and a fun way for me to meet new friends and clients. 

Now that the trees have begun to turn colors out here in Graham, WA, we set a date for their family session.  It turns out all the color we needed was all within walking distance of their home!

The girls of Graham think he looks like Justin Bieber, his mom just thinks he's awesome.

The awesome guy in the middle.



And this little lady loved hamming it up for the camera!

Even the family dog got in on the fun.

Just a little further into Graham, there is a beautiful field with a rustic fence.  This complements the entire family's skin tone so nicely!

Happy Fall, B Family!  It was a pleasure working with you!