Special Effects

Meet new baby K.  He was born this month!  So sweet and small and just plain precious.

Since baby K was a holiday baby, I thought it would be nice to have twinkle lights behind him to celebrate the seasonal timing of his arrival.  Only the lights were added later in the post-processing.  This is the pre-twinkle light version below.

I love having the option for fancy, extra touches.

And here is the very timeless, black and white version.

In my sessions, many images are edited into three versions.  I have found that my clients enjoy having the extra options and I enjoy the creative nature of it all.

My life :: Christmas Greetings

My family celebrates Christmas, and though I know there is a large gamut of beliefs and practices I'd love to wish everyone a Happy Holiday and more specifically, a Merry Christmas! 

Our Christmas card below.

Wishing you all the best!

Love,

Marla

oh how I love me some babies! :: newborn portrait

I am the baby whisperer.  This may not be common knowledge but in the last few newborn sessions I've had--baby whisperer, that's me.  I think it must be my calm nature and how much I adore holding a new baby in my arms (and not have to take them home with me of course), the little babies must be able to sense that my arms are comfort-safe-haven-city. This last newborn I had the extreme pleasure to photograph put up a little fight in the beginning; but even he was no match for my baby voodoo magic.  Yes, the heat was set to 80 degrees, and I was using my fancy white noise iphone app, and applying the 5 S's method from The Happiest Baby on the Block to said baby, but I still think it's me. =)

See, this lovely little man was no match.  I won.

Isn't he just gorgeous?!  I just love me some babies.

i heart faces :: black

This week I'm using a photo I shot a while back.  I love the hat here on this sweet little newborn!  So cute and funny at the same time. =)

Other fantastic photos with a "black" theme can be seen at iheartfaces.com.

i heart faces :: let them be little

My daughter Eva is 7 years and 7 months old.  I remember the moment I met her, it felt as if I had known her my whole life.  She was the most beautiful little thing I ever saw and all she wanted to do was lay on my chest.  It was heavenly.  And I remember thinking, "oh how I wish she would stay this little forever!"  She grew though and fortunately I became more and more enamored with her, which was seemingly impossible at every step.  Each time I would notice these new and amazing things about her and each time I would say to my self, "oh, how I wish she would stay this little forever!"  Darn that girl, she keeps growing up in front of my eyes!

A few weeks ago, we had a really warm day in the higher 80's and I knew it would be the last one.  So after school I thought a photo shoot was in order to celebrate the last warm day of the year.  Eva was excited at first, but when I found the right spot, she wanted to play with the grass and rocks and pick black berries and NOT be my model.  So I went with that.  Because before I know it, she won't think that our adventures are the best thing ever.

The picture below isn't the best portrait I snapped that night; but to me, it really captures the part of her that I wish would stay.  That "little" part that is eventually going to slip away.

There are many more very sweet "let them be little" photos at iheartfaces.  You can get there here:

i heart faces :: raise your hands

Initially, I thought of a different photo for this i heart faces challenge:  a lovely image of my daughter spinning around with her hands in the hair.  Though I realized after seeing it again that her hands aren't actually as visible as I thought.  

I edited the image below last week and I just love it.  This boy's serendipitous smile and the sense of utter contentment is so sweet.

Other i heart faces entries can be found here:

Maternity Sneak-Peak :: Susie

One day a few months back I had the sweetest voicemail from this lovely lady below named Susie.  I've known Susie on a friendly-acquaintance type level for several years now and her voicemail was serious heart-candy for me, praising my photography.  I was overjoyed that she wanted me to do her maternity and newborn photos. =)  She is the sweetest ever and so gorgeous and I think both of those qualities shine through in these photos below.

Cole & Piper :: children's custom photography session

Last month I had the pleasure of photographing a super adorable brother and sister combo:  Cole and Piper.  I drove out one Saturday morning to the small little town where I grew up to play with this young heart-stealing duo.  There were a few things that struck me while spending the morning with them. 1) I am so in love with my job, and 2) I met the most delightful little boy who actually caused me to want one (oh my), and 3) being asked to do this is such a flattering and honoring request.  Thank you Jen and Spencer for the pleasure of spending the morning with your family!  You're doing a fantastic job.

This image was the first one I captured that morning and is one of my favorites!  He loves her, undeniably... but poor Piper!  Girl just needed a little rescuing. =)

This is another image that I just love to pieces.  I don't know why exactly, it could be that it's beautifully imperfect.  It's not a perfectly captured portrait; but the expression here is wonderful.  Those gigantic blue eyes are quite lovely too. =)

i heart faces :: props

iheartfaces.com is an online community for photographers, of all levels with a focus on faces.  Each week, there are themed challenges and this week's theme is Props!  This gives me the opportunity to post a photo I just edited yesterday from my Summer Whimsy Mini-Shoot event that took place this last weekend.

The photo below utilizes a tent I made from tree branches, bailing twine, and a cute sheer fabric that provided the loveliest diffused light.

Other fantastic submissions can be found here:

i heart faces {props}

Summer Whimsy Mini-Shoot Extravaganza! A Portland, Oregon Photography Event

Simply Splendid Images is excited to present the "Summer Whimsy Mini-Shoot Extravaganza!"

I have been planning this event for well over a month, each little detail meticulously thought out and decided upon and I am so thrilled.  The full details are listed below here:

Details, Details, Details....

WHEN:  July 15 & 16, 2011.  That's a Friday and Saturday.

WHAT:  My Mini-Shoot Extravaganza is an awesome photo experience opportunity!  Participants will be given 30 minutes of time in a highly styled photo shoot venue.  This event is themed "Summer Whimsy."  My inspiration board below will give you an idea of how the event will be styled.

WHAT cont. :  There will be 3 specific vignettes that will be a great mix of cute and whimsical meets modern.  Think Anthropologie meets West Elm.  Additionally, there will be lots of unique, kid-friendly props.

WHO:  Due to the nature of the styling, this is a special event targeted towards families with children aged 6 months to about 11 years old.

WHERE:  The Mini-Shoot Extravaganza will be in a very safe, private residential back yard in NW Portland.  I have chosen this venue due to it's centralized location; variety of landscape, and it's privacy.  No one will be watching, walking by, or adding to potential distractions.  Location address and details will be given to those who book for the event.

HOW MUCH:  An $85 fee covers the session time for up to 3 people (each additional person adds $20).  Each mini-session will have a guarantee of 10 gorgeous images to choose and will be gifted an 11x14 print of choice.  Of course, all sessions will have the opportunity to order additional print products as desired.

*Session fees must be collected prior to event to secure appointment time.

HOW WILL IT WORK:  To ensure the efficiency of the day, all families must arrive 5-10 minutes prior to their scheduled appointment time.  After introductions and becoming situated, we will have 30 minutes to take as many beautiful, fun images as possible.  Each session is guaranteed at least 10 images to choose from, but perhaps more. The turn around time for editing will be 3-4 weeks; however, sessions will be edited in the order in which the sessions are booked prior to the event.  Meaning, that the first family to book a mini-session will have their images edited first.

HOW DO I SCHEDULE:  Contact Marla at 503.984.1823.

WHAT IF:

• What if I need to cancel?  Is my session fee refundable?

Please try to give as much notice as possible so that another family will have the opportunity to secure your appointment time.  Session fees are non-refundable; however, they are transferable.  If for some reason, you need to cancel your session, I will apply your session fee towards a session scheduled for another date.  A minimum of 24 hours notice must be given for all cancellations for session fees to remain transferable.

• What if I am late?

Sessions are being scheduled in blocks.  If you are late, we will have less shooting time together.

ANY OTHER QUESTIONS:  Contact Marla at 503.984.1823 or by email at marla@simply-splendid.com.  I am happy to answer any questions you might have.

As an additional note, I can't wait to share this experience with you!  If by chance the response is greater than my capacity for the 2 dates, I will schedule another mini-shoot event for August.