Tips for Family Photos

This is something I’ve been thinking a lot about lately, I hope you enjoy and learn something new and let me know what I missed.

 

1. The more you stress, the more your family stresses, the more it shows in the pictures. I can erase a zit, but I can’t shake a look of stress off (without face swapping, which is also useless if every photo has that stressed feeling to it). Unless you’re going to a studio where you’re paying by the hour, a lot of photographers understand that it takes time for everyone to feel relaxed in the front of the camera. Take breaks, if you have kids, let them play, just talk to your photographer a while and let them learn more about you and you about them. Drink some water, have a (not messy) snack. This gives everyone a nice break between shots/scenes, and you as well as your spouse and kids can be better rested for the next shot.

2. Kids read off your cues. Kids are smart, and are always watching adults to see what’s going on and what they should do. If you’re relaxed and happy, your child may be a bit rambunctious or super shy at first because this is something new to them and they’re not sure how to respond yet. Keep your cool and your smile genuine and eventually they will follow.

3. Trust your photographer. Most likely, your photographer knows what they’re doing. If you have an idea though, for sure let them know. They may know what they’re doing, but they’re not a mind reader.

4. Plan ahead. Talk to your photographer ahead of time, and not just through email/text/facebook message. Give them a call or meet with them to go over ideas, locations, what to wear/not to wear, what’s important to you and what you want or don’t want. This lets each of you get to know the other before hand and you will feel much more confident going into the shoot.

5. Stuff happens. No shoot is ever perfect. It could take two hours to get the perfect happy family photo you want. In the meantime, don’t stress, make some fun memories and photos being goofy and maybe even getting some shots of just you or you and your partner. You’ll hang the formal photo over your mantle, but you’ll cherish the goofy candid photos for years after.

6. Drink water and bring more with you. Water helps clear out your body of toxins and has a nice refreshing effect. Photo shoots are a lot like workouts, bring some water and snacks to keep you and yours from getting too dehydrated and tired.

7. Do what you want, it’s your shoot after all. Get a last minute idea? Want props in your shoot? Want to try something no one’s ever done before? Do it!

8. The shoot is to be enjoyed, not just endured. Photoshoots are work for everyone involved, and tough work at that, but don’t forget to enjoy it too. Bring a game or play tag. As stated before, take a water or play break. And even during pictures, do something silly. I know I love when families do silly crazy faces together or do a jumping shot or something. Everyone relaxes and the smiles are more genuine after.

9. Bring a friend. Someone to help hold your stuff, who can touch up your hair if needs be, who can watch the kids when you’re getting your own portraits done, and if you kids see someone else they know and are familiar with, they behave a bit better, generally speaking 😉

10. Bring a blanket. Or two. Blankets make great props and are great for break times when you’re not sure what is on the ground. Have your kids all roll into burritos, get a photo of just your feet sticking, get a photo of your partner or child kissing your cheek. Boom. Cuteness.

Be patient and the smiles will come

Rachel and Kyle Sneak Peek- Mt. Timpanogos Temple

If ever there was a good day to get married in February, I’m pretty sure it was Friday, February 18th. Though it rained the day before and the snowed the day after, most of the day was a pleasant overcast. And, luckily for us, during at least half of our session at the temple it was sunny and the sky cleared up. Pretty amazing, right?

Anywho, here’s a quick peek of Kyle and Rachel’s big day. These two are beautiful, it was such a pleasure to get to know them. They were so full of love, not only for each other, but for everyone around them. Beaming. Incredible. And I got to be there for it. Yeah, I’m a pretty lucky gal.

Roberts Family at the Salt Lake City Library

It took a while for the kids to warm up to me (and really, who can blame them? Someone they don’t really know with a camera in their face?), but when they did, the photos were absolutely gold! Here’s some of the fun we had!

The Roman Family

Here’s the rest of the Roman Family at Memory Grove in Salt Lake City! Need I say more? I’m pretty sure I don’t. Except for this last thing: I LOVE this jump shot. Love it.

 

 

Chrissy Hawkins Makeup Artistry

Here’s the rest of the fabulous set of Models Angie, Tasha, and Nicole. To see more of Chrissy Hawkins’ Mad Makeup skills head over to http://chrissyhawkinsmakeup.blogspot.com.

Enjoy!

Sneak Peek of the Roman Family!

Last week I met up with Monica, Dan, and their wonderful family. We shot at Memory Grove in downtown Salt Lake City. The weather was beautiful! Yet surprisingly got a little chilly toward the end of our shoot. Lots of fun and laughs were shared, and here’s a sneak peek of this awesome family. Enjoy!

Newborn Owen! ~ Utah Photographer

Meet Owen. He was only 5 days old when these were taken, and he was so adorable. Look at that hair! Amazing 😀

Sneak Peek!

Last week I had the pleasure of photographing 3 lovely models. They were modeling Chrissy’s mad makeup artist skills! These girls are absolutely gorgeous, and here’s a small sneak peek preview of them. More are to follow, but here’s one of each gorgeous lady to show you how beautiful they are!

Meet Tammy, the Mother’s Day Contest Winner!

I was finally able to meet and shoot with Tammy, the Mother’s Day contest winner. We met at Wheeler Farm in Murray, and let me tell you one thing: it was HOT! Luckily we tried to stay in the shade. I couldn’t imagine having to be out in the sun for a couple hours of shooting. I don’t think we would have made it. But we did, mostly due to the shade though. .Despite the heat, it was wonderful. I may have said this before, but I love Wheeler Farm. There’s so much there to enjoy, and it’s a photographic gold mine.

Tammy was great, despite the hot sun she was ready and willing to go all over the farm and try some of my ideas. I just loved how outgoing she was, I mean just look at her on the tractor. There were plenty of goofy moments shared by all of us, and I don’t think there could’ve been a better winner for the Mother’s Day Contest Winner.

There was also a fair there while we were shooting, so after we were done we got some snow cones. Really, you can’t beat two hours of shooting in the heat followed by a 25 cent snowcone. It’s one of the most refreshing things. Ever.

This next part might sound a little weird, but often after shoots I feel like I’ve made a new friend. I feel that photography is a fairly personal thing. There needs to be trust between the photographer and subject/model to achieve the best photos possible. If someone doesn’t trust me or isn’t comfortable around me, it shows. So when I shoot I get to know people, and I feel like I really got to have a cool little insight on Tammy. Not only is she beautiful on the outside, but she’s beautiful and bubbly inside as well. Thank you Tammy for shooting with me, I have loved getting to know you and it was so much fun working on the photos.

 

 

Take That Murphy’s Law! ~ Utah Photographer

Murphy’s Law n. Any of certain humorous axioms stating that anything that can possibly go wrong, will go wrong.

 

My most recent brush with Murphy’s Law was this past Monday, July 19.

Here’s a little backstory: A couple of months ago I was listening to Panic at the Disco on a drive home from work. I was listenin to “When the Day Met the Night” off of their Pretty. Odd. Album. This song was always a favorite, and the thought hit me. I should do a shoot based off of the song!

So for over a month I thought of locations, outfits, makeup, models, and a story line, right down to a timeline of the shoot. This was one shoot that I knew exactly what I wanted. The week before I tried to doublecheck on everything. Everyone was still excited.

Then I found I wouldn’t be able to do what I had planned at the location. I hurried and found another one.

The day of the shoot (two hours before it was supposed to happen) my male model told me he had been bitten by a spider, lost his voice, felt like crap, and was in bed all day. He said he could still make it if I wanted, but I’m not that cruel. I told him to stay home. My female model volunteered her boyfriend, so it was all good, we just had to push the time back a little.

But then my makeup artist wouldn’t answer me or get back to me. And he ended up flaking as well.

If anything can go wrong, it will. And it did.

But you know what Sheena (my female model) and I said? “Let’s do this anyway!” After all, we had both taken off work and spent time and effort on this shoot. Countless e-mails and texts, planning, coordinating schedules and idea, etc.

So we did. We shot at the International Peace Gardens. Sheena and her boyfriend, Estevan, were amazing. My husband helped me so much by assisting me. We were not able to do some of the original concepts and ideas that I had due to location and makeup changes, but we rocked it. There were plenty of laughs and fun, and although the shoot wasn’t how I had envisioned it, thanks to Estevan and Sheena, there were some pretty amazing photos made.

Murphy’s Law tried to take one last stab at the shoot by making my speedlight fall off its stand, hitting the ground hard… but I shoot Nikon, so the flash acted as if nothing had happened. Not even a scratch on it. Yay Nikon!

I’m not giving up on my original idea though. I’ve got a more reliable makeup artist in the works right now, and it might take a bit more time, but I’ll get the shots I originally planned for.

For now though, here’s some of the fruits of our labor, more to come later after I’ve fully processed the shoot. Enjoy!

The Rogers Family

I had the chance to work with Project Barker Baby. Through them I was able to do a shoot for Heidi Rogers and her family. We shot at Layton Park, which is really a beautiful park.

I had so much fun with this family. No kidding. Everyone was fun and full of ideas. It was such a treat for me to work with such a creative family that wasn’t afraid to say “Let’s try this!” This family was awesome, and it shows through in the photos.

Enjoying Nature and Family

Over Memorial Day Weekend my husband Jordan and I headed up to my grandparents’ cabin near Macks Inn/Island Park, Idaho, as did most of my siblings and their families. That’s right, there were 20 of my family members there at once. We used every bedroom, couch, hide-a-bed, and a good chunk of the loft to fit all our bodies in there. But it was soooo much fun. For one thing, there was a plethora of fresh eggs, pancakes, maple sausage, and bacon every morning, topped off with mugs of hot cocoa. Plus everyone in my family has a great sense of humor.

My brother Aaron and his wife Chan and their kids Shelby, Gretchen, and Bailey were lucky enough to venture out into Yellowstone Park and see a Grizzly mama bear and some of her cubs. Jordan and I made the trek out into the Canyon area on Sunday, where we stopped for a bite at the Soda Fountain, a diner inside one of the gift shops at Canyon, it’s designed to look like a 50’s Diner (as that’s when most of the buildings in that area were built). The cheeseburgers were amazingly delicious, I can tell you that right now, and well worth the $8.60 and wait time. We then went down a trail and saw a black bear lounging among some trees above the river. So. Cool. Aside from that we saw tons of Elk and bison. Tons. Everywhere. We also got stuck in traffic because people didn’t want to use the pull-outs and wanted to park in the road instead. Yeah. If you ever go to Yellowstone, please don’t be one of those people.

Just chillin with the river right below

When we got back to the cabin, we just hung out and relaxed. I was sitting next to Memerice on one couch and Miley was on another playing with Marni’s iPod touch. Out of the blue Miley looks over at me and says “Shea, I love you.” Surprised, but happy, I said “Well I love you too Miley!” Memerice said, “Wait, what about me Miley?” Oh man. Miley was smiling but when Mem said this the smile vanished and she gave Mem the stink-eye before looking back down at the iPod touch. Mem tried again, “I love you Miley!” Miley looked up again, and smilingly replied, “I love Shea too.” Laughter erupted, mostly from me and Jordan and anyone else who heard the exchange. I’ve always thought Miley was smart (she’s almost three years old),  but that little exchange took the cake!

Don't Mess with Miley!

The next day we ventured out into the park again, this time going to see Old Faithful, because really, no Yellowstone trip is complete without visiting Old Faithful, amiright? We ate in the cafeteria and watched the geyser erupt. We then walked a bunch of trails around there, seeing awesome things. Lots of geothermal hot spots, geysers, and boiling hot pools of gorgeous colors. We even saw a coyote running across a river, tip-toeing around the geysers, probably looking for a snack left from some tourist. We stopped at the Stink Pots (I forget the real name, my family’s just always called them the Stink Pots). While we were on our way there, a herd of bison crossed the road right in front of my car. I was nervous, since some of the younger ones were prancing and getting nervous in front of us, I really didn’t want to see a bison take on my car, but they eventually passed and we got on our way again.

On our way out of the park I had to slam on my brakes again since a younger bison was sprinting across a meadow out into the road, in front of my car.. again. Needless to say, you definitely need to stay on your toes while driving there!

Tuesday we hung out and shopped in West Yellowstone. My sister Marni, her husband Matt, and her daughter Miley, my mom, and Jordan, all headed to Arrowleaf Ice Cream. I’m going to go ahead and say your trip’s still not complete until you come here and also to the fudge shop a couple doors away.  Arrowleaf has always been a favorite, they’re kind of like Coldstone Ice Cream in that you get to mix in stuff, but I like Arrowleaf better because they have awesome huckleberry ice cream and they make their own tasty waffle cones 😛 Oh and they have fry sauce too. Next stop was the candy/fudge shop. They have a taffy pull and in the summer you can usually see them hard at work. We bought a few pieces of taffy, then a pound of fudge (hey it was buy 1 lb get 1/4 lb. free!) So we got Huckleberry n’ Cream, Raspberry n’ Cream, and Cookies n’ Cream (that one has oreos in it). And just about everything there is homemade, so it’s way fresh. It’s awesome. Really the perfect treat that you can take home. While my mom and Marni were ordering I took out my fudge and asked Miley if she wanted some. “Mmhhmmmm.” She replied. I asked her if she wanted white (cookies n’ cream), purple (huckleberry), or pink (raspberry n’ cream). She didn’t even need to think about it, “Pink!” I took a sliver and gave it to her. I don’t think I even needed to ask, she loves pink! She kept asking for more after that.

On Wednesday we headed up to Mammoth Hot Springs, where you can usually see elk roaming the meadows and around the buildings, but we weren’t so lucky. The springs were cool to see, though some have become dormant, they’re still awesome to see. We also stopped by Norris Basin to see some of the geysers and pools there. We got to see why they tell you to stay on trails, even when the ground looks safe. Near one part of the wooden trail, it looked like someone or something had just barely stepped off the trail onto the ground. There’s now a hole with boiling hot water trying to spew out of it. Right under and next to the trail. Yowza!

We came home on Thursday, happy to be home but already missing the laid back aura that surrounds Yellowstone and Island Park. I’m already trying to plan our next trip up.

Gorgeous!

Miley hanging out up in the loft

Me in front of Snaggletooth the Bear

Jordan in front of Snaggletooth

Jameson’s “Zoolander” look

Don’t Mess with Miley!

Jameson’s flying

Bailey being cheesy

My awesome husband Jordan taking some photos

Just chillin with the river right below

Rolled down my window, took the shot, and rolled it back up!

Struttin her stuff

Sneak Peek of Talysa’s Mock Bridals ~ Wedding Photography

Here’s a teaser of some shots I did with Talysa a couple weeks ago at the Salt Lake City Library. It might be geeky of me to say this, but I really love shooting in places downtown. There are so many looks and things you can do in just a relatively small area. You can achieve elegant looks, grungy looks, and everything in between, and it’s all just a matter of moving a few steps or trying a different angle.

Kudos to Talysa, she was a trooper! And she’s absolutely gorgeous! Check back soon to see more bridal shots of her downtown. Also I want to give a big thanks to Jackie Riley, who did Talysa’s hair!

It’s warming up, and love is in the air. If you plan on getting married this summer, set up a consultation with me today. Summer is starting to fill up!

Classic Movie Star ~ Utah Photographer ~

Last week I gave a sneak peek of Magen, a model I had the opportunity to work with at a workshop. As I stated before, Magen took direction like a champ and was as nice as could be! Some of the photos of her even remind me (and several of my friends I showed the pictures to) of Rachel McAdams (who also happens to be one of my favorite actresses). I really enjoyed shooting with her, and as you can tell, her makeup is beautiful. Isaac Meyers did hair and makeup, and he did a fabulous job. You can see more of his stuff at http://www.immakeup.com.

Anywho, the workshop was a blast as I was able to meet a bunch of other photographers in the area. I love meeting new people, and at a workshop like this it’s great because you all have something in common right off the bat: photography! That night I also discovered my appreciation for photographer Richard Avedon, he shot many of the classic movie stars such as Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, Charlie Chaplin, and Elizabeth Taylor. He also shot music greats like the Beatles, Bob Dylan, and Judy Garland, so you know, he’s kind of a big deal. If you’re curious as to what his stuff looks like, check out http://www.richardavedon.com. His work was used as a sort of inspiration for the workshop.

Enough about that, though, let’s get to the photos!

Smiles for Haiti… Help the Cause! ~ Utah Portrait Photographer Shea Daisy

A photo colleague, Edric Morales, has encouraged me, along with many other photographers out there, to do something for Haiti victims. I intend to help in the the best way I can right now, by using my photography skills.

Now hear me out, for $75 for the first hour and $50 for each consecutive hour you will get a portrait session for an unlimited amount of time, all photos edited, a DVD with all high resolution images, and 50% percent of the proceeds will go to Haiti victims. Get great photos, a good feeling, and give a little to those who need it so badly right now.

Same thing with family sessions 🙂 Contact me with how many are in your family and I will give you a quote. 50% will go to Haiti relief efforts.

My Own Personal Christmas Story – Utah Photographer RaShea J. Drake

I thought I’d write a little about Christmas, seeing as it’s that time of the year. Christmas brings both fond and sad memories for me, but mostly fond ones 🙂 I imagine Christmas has this effect on most people. If you have any memories please feel free to share. I love to read a good story. This post is probably the most personal I’ve ever posted online, but it really made me realize what the season of Christmas is about, and so much more.

The most poignant memory for me is about my dad. I’m the youngest of six kids (my oldest sibling is 15 years older than me), and I was always a daddy’s girl. I’d hang out with dad, play card games, go fishing, and I’d always refill his Coca-Cola for him. I loved and looked up to my father, he was my hero. He wasn’t big on expressing his love vocally, but he’d always find a way to show it. There was one thing always concerned me growing up. My dad was a smoker. Even at a young age I could hear his coughing bouts in the middle of the night. In the back of my mind I sometimes wondered if he’d stick around to see me grow up, graduate, and get married.

Eight years ago, exactly one week before Christmas, my mom and dad went out to dinner with his siblings. The rest of us stayed home, we played rummy and watched tv. The phone rang and one of my brothers answered. We didn’t think much of it until he came in and told us that dad was in the hospital. He had a heart attack. Needless to say, we were all shocked. We all thought that maybe someday something might happen, but we ( and by ‘we’ I mean ‘I’) never expected it so soon.

I grew up going to church, I was always a good kid. I prayed most every night. But I never prayed like I did after I heard that my dad was in the hospital. I hit my knees, bawling, and said all I wanted for Christmas was my dad. That’s it. I would do anything for that.

That was a rough night. We were able to go visit my dad at the hospital. My dad, the gruff n’ tuff railroad electrician who was tan from years of working outside, was pale as could be with an oxygen mask over his face. In such a situation what can you say? I said probably one of the worst things a person can say, but in my mind it needed to be said. “Dad… are you going to stop smoking now?” My brother nudged me, but I still don’t regret saying it. My dad motioned for me and my brother to come over. He started touching his oxygen mask, so my brother rearranged it, but my dad shook his head slightly and started trying to tug the mask down. My brother put it down for him, and my dad looked at me and puckered his lips a little. I leaned over and kissed him, and we put the mask back on.

We then went to talk to mom, and she told us he’d have to be moved to St. Mark’s downtown for heart surgery (triple bypass).

The next few days are a bit of a blur for me. I still went to school, but I could hardly concentrate. I remember the day of his surgey I was freaked out all day. All went well, however. My family visited him the first chance the doctors let us. It was hard to see my father, excruciatingly pale with stitches running down his chest. But he was alive. Tired and sore, but alive. I couldn’t help but wonder if he’d be able to be home for Christmas.

Here’s the most spectacular part. The day before Christmas the front door opened, followed by dad with an oxygen tank in tow. He was ginger in his movements, and tired easily, but we were all so happy we didn’t even care. Needless to say, that was the best Christmas ever. I don’t remember many of the gifts I received that year, but I do (and always will) remember the joy of having him be with us. There were many smiles and some tears.

As an added bonus he quit smoking, cold turkey, something that must have been hard for someone who smoked for over 30 years. Eventually he started going to church with my mom again. Just over a year ago he and my mom were sealed in the Jordan River Temple. And this year, 6 months ago, he was able to attend my own temple wedding at the Salt Lake Temple.

If you ask him today about giving up his habit cold turkey, he usually says something to the effect of “It was a no brainer. I wasn’t done living yet. I had to get to the temple with my wife and see my first grandson!”

Every year at this time I give a little prayer in my heart in thanks and I think back on that Christmas for a few moments.

Have a story you want to share? Tell me in the comments or send it to my e-mail at sheadaisyphoto@live.com.

And Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, Kwanzaa and Festivus!

 

I know I already posted this photo before, but it’s the most recent one I have of my dad 🙂

My dad with his second born grandson just a few weeks ago

Love the Rain! ~ Utah Photography Shea Daisy Photo ~

Can I just say that autumn is my favorite season? Well it is. The colors, the cooler temperatures, the rain… I love it. Sure spring is similar, but let’s face it, fall beats out spring. Fall has Halloween, Thanksgiving, and awesome sales just before Christmas. Spring has… Easter. And Mardi Gras. And even though Mardi Gras is awesome, it just doesn’t beat Thanksgiving and Halloween (in my humble opinion).

I also love the rain. It sucks to drive in, but it’s awesome in other ways. It’s fun to snuggle up in a blanket and sit outside on a porch and listen to it and watch the lightning strike.

It’s fun to dance in. Sure, you get soaked, but nothing beats that carefree moment where you throw caution over your shoulder and let your inner child play. And… once you’re done soaking yourself silly, you can go get hot cocoa. Personally I love 7-11’s cocoa, I put shots of vanilla and creamer in it. Is that weird? Maybe, but don’t knock it til you try it! I’ve gotten several friends addicted to it.

You get to wear hoodies. Enough said.

I’d post pictures… buuuut, I haven’t really taken any yet. Now that I think of it, it’d be awesome to do an engagement or portrait session in the rain….

First Official Blog with WordPress! How Exciting, Right?!

So, I’ve had a blog with Blogger for a while but a bunch of other photographers I know really recommended WordPress, and I’ll be honest… I already like WordPress so much more! But enough about the act of blogging, and a little more about me and what I do.

I’m a photographer. I love to shoot weddings. Yes they’re terribly stressful for all involved (except for a lot of the guests, I think), but they’re so beautiful. I love to see the love between a bride and groom, how the flower girl looks up at the bride because she looks like a princess that just stepped out of a Disney movie (“Enchanted” anyone?), and, I won’t lie, I love to see how the groom looks at his bride, and vice versa. That sounds horribly cliche, but then again I’ve always been a romantic. And really, at what other time do you get a party that’s all about you and your love for another person?

Thaaat’s Me!