Well, what can we say? Is she not an absolutely adorable little girl? Full of life and love. To be five years old again – running around having a blast – not a care in the world. The perfect little subject on a picture perfect day.

The weather has been so amazing this past week. We could not have asked for more perfect weather for this late afternoon family portrait session. Papago Park (adjacent to the Phoenix Zoo) is such a lovely little spot. Besides two people fishing, I think we had the place to ourselves.

Great weather, a fun photogenic family, a quiet park and that great afternoon light – ingredients for yet another great family photo session!

These two puppies are just beyond adorable! What a pleasure to photograph these two little Maltipoos at their lovely home in North Scottsdale. They were so well behaved, they didn’t even complain when Keith suggested that they jump in the drawer and pose for a picture or two. These two dogs just rolled with whatever Keith threw at them. And did a great job!

Dog photography can be very interesting. I guess it is similar to photographing children – you have to be prepared for just about anything. You must be ready at any moment to capture your picture. Instinct, timing and enlisting the help of the owner to call the dog’s name, wave a treat or just make a crazy noise will certainly help your cause.

A dog portrait session, much like a children’s portrait session is always a compelling adventure.

What a great idea – have a family portrait session and get dressed in your pajamas and slippers, set off streamers and celebrate New Year’s Eve. I love it!

We have seen this family grow – the little boy was just a tiny little baby when Keith first photographed this family. Every year when they are photographed, it is so beautiful to see how he and his sister have grown. They are such fun, beautiful children. It is so wonderful to watch this metamorphosis right in front of the camera.

This mom’s goal is to send out New Year’s cards – simply a great idea in my mind!

This year we are also sending out New Year’s cards – I love the idea. Partially because I can be a procrastinator. But I’ll blame it on this being our busiest time of the year. Whether you are a children’s family portrait photographer inundated (I say that with a huge smile on my face) with holiday sessions or a mom trying to get things in order for the holidays – this is such a busy time time of the year. I think New Year’s cards are such a stress reliever. No pressure. You don’t need to have them to their final destination by New Year’s Day – you just need to have them where they are going sometime early in the new year!

Happy 2011!

There’s nothing we love more than when the phone rings (or the email bings) and it is a family wanting a portrait session with their dog (or other four legged friends). I love this pit bull, a striking subject and a dedicated family member.

This family has the desert as their back yard – such amazing scenery!

When a client contacts us for a dog portrait – we usually get asked the question: “Where should the session take place?” Our answer is: “Wherever your dog (or pet) is most comfortable”. It is really important to decide on a setting that suits your dog’s personality. If your dog is a couch potato, then an indoor session at home is in order. A dog that has a lot of energy will feel carefree being outside, whether it be their favorite park, your back yard or a desert trail.

Dogs don’t usually stay put for too long, we are always prepared for a great action shot or a portrait that displays your dog’s expression and personality. Figure out a dog’s tendencies and take advantage! A great shot is sure to follow.

There are wedding dates that are the first to book each year – one in particular is the weekend of Columbus Day. I don’t think that Keith has not booked that weekend since he has been a professional photographer (yikes, is it really almost 15 years?). When it comes to popular dates for family portraits, without a doubt, the most popular day, the date that is booked every year, at least once if not twice, is the day after Thanksgiving. It makes perfect sense, everyone is together for the best holiday of the year!

Our morning session was with an extended family that could not have been any nicer.  Grandma and Grandpa live here in Scottsdale, but the rest of the family lives all over the country. What a great idea, everyone getting together in beautiful, sunny Arizona for Thanksgiving. Everyone stayed at the Four Seasons in order to be close to Grandma and Grandpa. A family member mentioned that they haven’t all been together in years – making this visit extra special and a reason to have it documented. There were four generations – I think 21 people in total (and a new little one on the way)! This is what makes our job all the more special, knowing that you are capturing a moment in time, our images will become part of their family’s history forever. That is truly touching.

Besides that, I would rather be with Keith photographing fun families than braving department stores shopping on Black Friday!

Hi All,

Let me warn you. If the sight of a gorgeous four month girl upsets you then turn away now. The little girl I was privileged to photograph here is as sweet as sweet gets. She was so present and cooperative that it lead me to believe that modeling is an inherited genetic trait. Her mom is a model and if I am right then the explanation is easier than explaining why the sky is blue to my daughters. If not then I will give up trying to figure it out and just count her parents lucky for having such an easy going baby. With that said… look and enjoy (unless of course you heeded the earlier warning).

Sincerely,

Keith

Hi All,

Did you know that Kodak makes more than cheap digital cameras, printers and paper? They still make photographic film. Really! I know that there are photographers out there who never made a living with out being able to see the image immediately after exposure. That of course is VERY handy but it was science fiction not that long ago. In those days Polaroid instant film (many different types) was used to make sure that everything was as expected before you exposed your first frame (mostly for commercial photography). None of this is currently important of course as technology has moved on and most people don’t care as long as the end result appeals to them. Film did/does have a certain something though that is inherent. I can’t put it in words but it is there. It can now be faked of course digitally but it is still a fake. A finished photograph left you with a sense of achievement and craftsmanship that I don’t feel with digital. There is/was a merger of science and art if you went through the process fully yourself (even more so if you shoot collodion). Lastly, well made film cameras were great investments in the craft. For example… the images in this post were shot with a Norita 66. A camera that was last made in the early 1970′s. I also recently used my 41 year old Hasselblad 500c on a commercial assignment. Hasselblad still makes and sells film cameras in addition to ridiculously expensive ($38,000) digital ones . Both of those cameras work as if they were new. Today, cameras are more computer than camera and as such they become obsolete quickly. It is such a shame. I am attached to just about every camera that I have owned (I still have many of them) and used prior to digital. Now I think of digital cameras as merely very expensive tools. They don’t wear long enough to develop a personality.

What do you think?

Sincerely,

Keith

Hi All,

Here are a few photos from a fun group I worked with recently. They had me laughing a lot of the time and even tipped me with a bag of grapefruit. Mmmmm… grapefruit. It was really good. Thanks again. I hope you all enjoy the sneak peek.

Sincerley,

Keith

Hi All,

Here is a quick collection of images I shot of an adorable baby and I thought I would share. Feel free to say awww…

Sincerely,

Keith

Hi All,

These are just a couple from a series I shot this morning but I need to surprise his parents with something. This little guy is all of eight months and couldn’t be a happier kid. He has great parents (I know them so I can say that with some certainty) and a beautiful and attentive older sister. He is starting the game of life with a full deck. I look forward to seeing him grow.

Sincerely,

Keith