A special birthday for sweet little Harmony!

I just love this little beautiful face!
This past weekend I went to photograph a birthday party at the Aquarium in downtown Houston.It was such a joy taking pictures of little Harmony. She was so adorable and sweet. I think she had a blast at her 2nd birthday party too!

Mmm...birthday cake!

I think the word 'cute' was made up just for you. You are cuteness redefined to a whole new level. Happy Birthday to the cutest and sweetest 2 year old!

Things to bring to an engagement photo shoot or portrait session

Recently I posted about what to bring to shoot a wedding. Well here is a list of items that can be helpful for an engagement or portrait photo shoot. As its a bit of a different experience.

1.  Hair spray- to keep those flyaway hairs in place
2. lint brush- lint really shows up in pictures
3. Tell your client if they are wearing heels, to bring an extra pair of shoes for walking to different locations
4. Reflector
5. Small first aid kit
6. Extra SD card
7. batteries for your flash and camera
8. Encourage your couple to get their rings cleaned for those detailed shots
9. Small blanket for your couple to sit on something that is going to go well in your photos
10.  Mints, so you have fresh breath

Slightly off topic...but no too far off. I love watermelon! Everyone that knows me knows I love watermelon. 

Its refreshing, filling and hydrating. I usually eat or drink watermelon before a workout, in the mornings, or even before a long day of shooting! Like a wedding! Its perfect fuel and keeps me hydrated, as I really sweat when I go to shoot a wedding! Like really sweat! So heres what I do...cut up a watermelon that is ripe and blend it. I use my blend tec..then seal it up in a mason jar. 

Its perfect for hot summer days! You can add some mint to it too. 

Love is in the air

  Recently I had an engagement photo shoot with a the sweetest couple. These two are incredibly patient and very loving towards eachother. I am so happy for them and wish them the best! 

My secrets to making your make up last long on a photoshoot (well not really secrets)

 The last thing I want to worry about during a photoshoot is my makeup. I want it to look flawless, stay put and not look oily. So by trial and error I think I found my solution. Sometimes that is just what it takes, you have to test out different products to find what works for you. As everyone is different. 

My essentials consist of : 

A primer, I use Spackle tinted under make-up primer by Laura Geller

Foundation- Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay in Place- shade Pebble

Concealer- Mabelline Instant Age Rewind 

Eyeshadow Primer- By Urban Decay, Eyeshadow Primer Potion

To help keep all of this in place I use either a translucent powder or loose powder, sparingly

I like Elf Mineral Booster or Maybelline Shine Free Loose Powder in medium

As for a bronzer I use Wet N Wild the shade is called Bikini Contest its more of a matte finish

For a sheer finish, highlighter and bronzer I use Milani Baked bronzer in glow

Blush- because I never go without it, I use Milani's Luminoso Bake Powder Blush

Eye shadow and eyebrow filler- The Naked Palette 2 is perfect its by Urban Decay

For big Lashes I use NYC Big and Bold Curl- I love this stuff! 

Lip Liner NYX- Ever

Lipstick- Maybelline -Warm me UP

Gloss- Revlon Hot Pink Rose

Hair spray- Big Sexy Hair-this holds great

Fragrance- Faith Hill Soul to Soul- I know this is not makeup but I get so many compliments

on it, it smells elegant, warm and fresh. 

So here is a shot of everything straight from my make up bag! 

Application is important, I use a Sigma stippling brush for my foundation. 

Sigma F 180

This gives me an even application and helps my make up last. 

After foundation its important to set it with the translucent powder. 

You can even apply an "all nighter spray" Found at Sephora or Mac when you are done 

applying everything. 

I hope this helps you in some way! 

XOXO!

Somer

What to wear when shooting a wedding

  When I first started shooting weddings, I wasn't sure what to wear. I wanted to look professional and cute but I knew I needed to be comfortable too. So I know I should have worn the flats, but being cute was more important, hey it was my first wedding! So I went with a short heel. Never again! By the end of the day I was not only exhausted but my feet were about to fall off. The first day on any job can be so exhausting but this was beyond exhausting. I started shooting at 11am all the way to 7pm! Whew! That was a lesson learned!

  So my advice is find out what the colors are first and if its a traditional, semi-formal or formal. As if its an all white wedding and you wear all black, you are definitely going to stand out. Personally, I do not want to stick out like a sore thumb. The focus is the couple getting married and I do not want to take away from that. Especially when the couple are exchanging vows. As people's attention is brought to me anyway, as I am constantly moving around and maybe pointing a camera in their direction. Blending in the best way possible is what I aim to do. Then make sure you look well polished, professional and most importantly you are comfortable. As you will be bending down, stepping up on a rock or stairs. Its important to wear something that allows you to move around quickly. You can't go wrong with a well polished and professional attire any time. That's just my take on it! The best teacher is experience! 

12 Must haves for Wedding Photography!!

   So I have compiled a list of things I would bring with me when I shoot a wedding. This is just based on my experience.  Its better to be over prepared than not at all. Besides your bride will be so impressed if its you that saves the day when you have a safety pin for a dress that unexpectedly ripped! With all the other things a bride is thinking of some of these small items are the last on her mind. 

  1. 2nd Camera 

  2. Extra camera batteries with the  battery charger

  3. Extra compact flash cards, memory cards 

  4. Tripod

  5. Reflector with white, gold and silver sides. 

  6. Safety pins (big and small)

  7. Small sewing kit

  8. Scissors (small pair)

  9. Lens wipes

 10. Flash and batteries for your flash

 11. Lint brush

 12. Small first aid kit

     

  

A couple weeks ago I visited my hometown, Colorado Springs....I had not been back home for almost 6 years. It was a short visit. Of course I had to get some pictures of the scenery. It is so gorgeous! I sometimes wonder why I ever moved from there! I hope you can just feel the beauty as I felt the day I took these photographs. Family means the world to me and I am thankful for my beautiful family and cannot wait to return!!!

My parents, sister and my daughter. Here we visited an small town called St. Elmo. All the original infrastructure of the buildings was still intact. Just a little history preserved. It was beautiful.