Jan
01
2014Hey, there.
Are you expecting a baby in 2014? This giveaway is for you.
Know someone expecting a baby in 2014? This giveaway is for you to share! Hop on the Quiet Graces Facebook Page and share today’s status with them to let them know all about it. I promise you’ll be their favorite friend 😉 And don’t worry… there will be other giveaways for you to enter!
Here is a link to all of the giveaways I’m hosting this month.
Click Here to Book your Session for a Chance to Win!
Wondering if I’m the newborn photographer for you? Read this post here to find out.
Fine Print
Any due date in 2014 is eligible. So if you just saw the word “pregnant” on your test, please book! If your due date is today, please book! If you had your baby less than two weeks ago, please book. I limit myself to just 3 sessions each month to ensure quality and protect my primary role as mama to my sweet babies. Booking early guarantees my availability.
Only clients who book a session between January 1, 2014 and January 31, 2014 are eligible for this giveaway and special.
Session fee must be paid in full for eligibility to win.
All clients must meet the $200 print minimum for their newborn session before receiving their free announcements.
No prints and products are included with the winner’s 6 month & One Year Session.
Giveaway closes January 31st. Winner will be notified Feburary 3, 2014.
Not eligible to be combined with any other discounts or offers.
Dec
31
2013In just a few days, I may or may not be celebrating 3 decades here on this earth. Ahem.
So for the past month, I’ve been plotting together with some really awesome people who also run small businesses about how to give you gifts for my birthday.
You read that right: I’m giving you gifts for my 30th birthday.
I’m starting off tomorrow with announcing a limited time photography special that also enters you into a giveaway to win free sessions! You’re not going to believe what I’m about to do.
So do me a favor? Jump on the Quiet Graces Photography page and share my status with anyone you know who might be expecting a baby in 2014? I’m pretty sure they’re going to thank you profusely! 😉
And don’t worry, there will be giveaways for those of you who aren’t expecting a little one as well. Stationary, art, music, and more are up for grabs in the next week or so! Stay tuned!
Dec
31
2013Hey there, free beginner photography class. Our year is coming to a close now and you all have grown so much. I have about 5 posts left on the agenda and two of those are showcasing the remaining hardcore member’s class projects (ahem). I’ve got a big project in the works for the beginning of January, so here’s the remaining class schedule:
January 14th: How I would edit an image both in Lightroom and in PSE. Step by Step.
January 21: My Final Project (it totally ended up something completely different than I thought it would… and I really need to get a few more shots to complete it).
January 26: FINAL PROJECT DUE DATE.
Technically I just need one person to turn in on this day. I’m totally nominating Amber because most of her project is up already and she’s having a baby very shortly. You hear that, Amber?
January 28: Showcase of Amber’s Final Project
February 4: Showcase of Teddy’s Final Project
February 11: Showcase of anyone else who wants to jump back in (Jessica? Teresa? Andrew? Olivia Fulmer—I know you read these… get out there and shoot for me)
February 18: Showcase of anyone else who wants to jump back in (Jessica? Teresa? Andrew? Olivia Fulmer—I know you read these… get out there and shoot for me)
Any other Tuesdays I might need for your final projects… and then I’ll close out with some final thoughts. If you’re just now stumbling onto this class, I’m planning on reworking and re-releasing this for 2015. I’ll likely get a whole ton less wordy for that go round :-p
Editing Software on Automatic
So I promised I would share some of my favorite actions and presets for those of you who wanted to do somethings on autopilot. So here’s my favorite sources and much loved actions in my unusually small arsenal.
Actions
How to Install Actions
Favorite Free Actions
Everyday Elements (my favorite is InstaClean)
Coffee Shop (I don’s use a lot of hers now that I’ve developed my own style… but there are some great ones here!)
MCP Actions Freebies (Facebook Fix is a Must have for me)
Paint the Moon Freebies (My Favorite is no longer free, but if you like her style, these are so fun!)
Pure Actions Freebies (My favorite is Baby Max BW and Taste of Pure No Ordinary Slumber)
Favorite Paid Actions
I have and love MCP Newborn Necessities (more the retouching actions than the effects actions), but I think Complete Workflow looks amazing for a beginner wanting to invest!
I’m pretty sure I would love Everyday Essentials (but I’m committed not to buying anything action related)
Lightroom Presets
Keep in mind I have only had Lightroom for about 2.5 months at this point. I haven’t amassed a lot of presets because I knew what I wanted out of Lightroom and just invested quickly in what I needed.
How to Install Presets
Great post by Pretty Presets on how to install presets.
Free Presets
Besides the Black and White Film Presets I talked about in the Black and White Post: I have used some of these.
Presets Heaven Project 365 has some great black and whites.
MCP Actions Freebies: I love some of these very much.
Paid Preset
The only set I own is Erin Tole’s Big Sky Presets. I’m not a fan of her black and white because I’m a black and white purist/snob who doesn’t like toning. 😉 But some of them are amazing if I turn off the toning/coloring. I love the color ones though. If I nail exposure, sometimes all I have to do in PSE is smooth the skin and heal any blemishes. That was the time saving that I bought LR for!
To be fair, I could NOT get white balance in this mixed lighting room. It was insane! So I made a huge white balance adjustment in Lighroom. About to test out a coffee filter trick…
Pretty Presets is one I’ve heard amazing things about if you want to invest!
Dec
30
2013I’m starting a new tradition here at Quiet Graces for just a few kicks and giggles (and to show off the babies I photograph one more time!): the Greenville SC Newborn Photography Superlatives. So, without further ado, let me tell you about the things I remember most about little person who graced my studio.
Most Smoochable Lips
I mean look at those lips!
Best Hair
Logan (Could not stop running my hands through this soft beautiful hair… no lie.)
Sleepiest Baby in the History of Quiet Graces
I know… it’s an awake shot… but I seriously had to tickle this little guy, turn off the the heater, and fan him to get this open eye shot!
Sweetest Sibling Image Ever
Tristan, Jackson, Sullivan, and Baby Elliot.
Older siblings rock. It normally takes about 30 minutes to get a shot with a two year old and a newborn; not that it’s a bad thing, just a reality of photographing a two year old. It was just so different to have kiddos who followed directions!
Super Mom and Dad
Seriously with 5 under four years and two sets of twins in two years, Jordan and Jennifer parented with such grace in their weakness. So blessed to hear the story of Jordan’s reaction to the announcement that they were expecting twins again!
Chunkiest (and most adored) Baby in the History of Quiet Graces
Topping out at around 10lbs at his session at two weeks old, Lazaro had rolls for miles!
Best Newborn Skin
I barely edited this baby’s skin. She was gorgeous and oh so sleepy.
My Favorite Mama Image this Year
Knowing their story and seeing Jenn’s grace, beautiful. And I still can’t decide if I love color or black and white better; this rarely happens, I always have a preference!
Bravest Mama
Sarah, Shawn’s Mama.
This shot was taken right after the 13 days of rain we had in the middle of this summer. Shawn’s mom really wanted a magical outside image. What you don’t see in the image is her standing over him and fanning away the hoards of mosquitoes for the 5 minutes we were outside. This is in addition to her persistence about rescheduling this session multiple times due to weight gain and sicknesses issues!
Best Cheeks
Squeezable from every single angle we captured!
Best Newborn Frown
This frown still makes me laugh, especially since he’s such a happy-go-lucky little guy right now!
Most Doted on Little Brother
I can’t wait to hear the stories of these two growing up together. So precious!
The Family Shot I can’t Believe Happened in One Frame!
Cora
(I can’t wait to blog more images from the session!) I took about a hundred frames of this image trying to make sure that I had one of every person looking at the camera pleasantly so I could head swap to make this image. Nope. We nailed it in one frame: a near impossibility with a newborn, 15 month old, and 3 year old! Incredible!
Dec
23
2013This vintage newborn photography Greenville SC session may very well be my new favorite. It’s still a toss up between my other favorite newborn of 2013… but it’s close 🙂
I’ve already told you just a little bit of Jenn and Abel’s story, but sweet Henry is an entirely new chapter. The following two images contain precious heirlooms from Abel’s daddy: vintage sunglasses and cowboy boots from when he was a child. Not my ordinary style, but I love incorporating meaningful pieces for clients.
This image is a composite image: Photoshopped Magic. Babies can NOT hold this pose.
Jenn has spent the last couple of years battling a medical condition that had her on medication not conducive to growing a baby. They were well into the adoption process when God planted this little surprise gift.
Jenn has come alongside of me in some of my most lonely seasons and spoken words of grace and encouragement over my motherhood journey. Those days of 3 babies aged two and under were long and hard, and before God gave her Henry, she mothered me into a better mama. She’s a children’s minister at her church, so I’m sure I’m not the only recipient of her ample gifts.
All that to say that I’m so excited to see Jenn and Able become parents themselves. I love you two… and I’m only a phone call away on those lonely days.
