OpLove!!!

Hello everyone! I'm so sorry that I have not kept up with my blog. I have some great news though. I have just joined the OpLove organization. This is a group of photographers that use their talent to support our troops. We offer our time (a photo session) and follow up with a small album for the deployed soldier. This is to try and boost soldier moral and lend support to the families whose loved ones have been deployed.
You see after a friend of mine was deployed I decided I wanted to do something to give back to the brave men and women who fight for our freedom. I can't wait to photograph my first family! I do not have any scheduled yet, but will keep you all posted. Pass the word on about this organization to any families who have soldiers being deployed. If you would like to know more about OpLove, here is the website. http://www.oplove.org/ I really found this part of the site especially touching (this is where interested families go to get more information about the program and can find a participating photographer closest to them. http://www.oplove.org/index2a.php
May everyone have a Blessed Christmas and Happy New Year!

I'm back!

Hello all,

I'm so sorry I've been away from my blog for so long. I have missed writing and sharing with all of you.

I just finished editing this job and really liked how some of these images turned out so I have decided to post a few.

Enjoy!

:)

Boudior Sessions

Boudoir Sessions are very special. True they create beautiful images for the man in your life, however, they are special more for the woman in the photograph. These images make women feel powerful and sexy in their own beauty. Something they may or may not normally feel. I strive to make every woman feel this way. Feeling beautiful is a gift every woman can and should have. Featured here are two lovely women that embraced their beauty and sensuality.

Valenzano Winery

Christina and Dave decided to do their engagement session at the Valenzano Winery. A sweet little winery in Shamong, NJ. The property is beautiful, the couple was fun to work with, and the weather held up until we finished. Talk about luck.

Getting to know you session

The "Getting to know you sessions," also known as engagement sessions are so much fun to do.

This couple was a pleasure to shoot. They had a blast, regardless of the fact that it was cold out. They chose to do their session by the water. Here are some images for you to enjoy as well.

A Time to Relax

Sitting on a nice sunny patio in Florida, got me thinking about all the fun and different sessions that I could do with an adventurous high school senior.

When I was in high school, my senior portraits did not turn out anything like I expected. I wanted to have more of a "model" or "high fashion" feel. This is what I strive to accomplish for my seniors.


So, back to Florida... and all its beautiful water. Adding water to a portrait I feel adds a certain dynamic. Water can add a sense of mystery, it can symbolize innocence, and also add a dimension of light through the reflections. Brave seniors are encouraged to have sessions near lakes (with the option of going in the lake), pools, and fountains.


In my opinion, any setting that is out of the ordinary and lends to the seniors' individuality makes for a great session and wonderful portraits.

Portraits in the Woods

Recently I did a portrait of a father and daughter in the woods at Batsto. I chose a specific trail for them because there were many options for backgrounds--lakes, trees (of course), a bridge, sand, you name it. We had fun and got some great portraits too!

My sister...

Yes, as a photographer, I try to get everyone and anyone around me to model for me. My whole family has been suckered into that role at least once if not multiple times over the years. Afterall, I need to keep my portfolio fresh and updated.

The most recent, my sister. She decided to change her hair so before she changed the color I had her sit before my camera for a little while. I did her hair and make-up too. This is not a look she would normally chose for herself. :) I think it looks great on her. Enjoy a few pictures.

High fashion photography for models and high school seniors...

Since my senior year in college, I have loved doing high fashion type of photo shoots. I love working with people who are comfortable enough in front of the camera to not look at me strangely if I ask them to walk out into the ocean while wearing a bridesmaid's dress, or to climb up on some rocks while wearing a skirt. Sometimes what I ask a model to do may sound strange, but more often than not I'm right on the money and it becomes a great photograph.

I've started a Myspace page dedicated mainly to showcasing my high fashion model images and my high school senior images. I love doing photo shoots to help enrich models' portfolios. They give me vague parameters or a location to work with, and love the results.


High school seniors are a special group of people. I look at these photographs as their first chance to really shine and be themselves in a school portrait. You see, when I was a senior in high school I would have loved it if I had been treated like a model for a day. Don't get me wrong, my photographs turned out well, but I like to take it a step further and treat my seniors the way I would have liked, as if they were models doing high fashion type photographs. I also always try to keep it real and incorporate elements that represent part of their life, whether it be a pet, sport, or car.

Where to do on-location portraits...

Since I am predominately an on-location portrait photographer, a common question for me when I am scheduling a portrait is, "Where should we do it?"



There are several thing to consider when planning this. One question to ask yourself is "Do I want indoor or outdoor photographs?" If it is in the wintertime, make sure if you say outdoor you wouldn't mind being a little chilly especailly towards the end of the session. I have done great portraits in the colder months outdoors and even in the snow!



If you want indoor photographs at your house, make sure your furniture can be moved around if need be. Also, consider as an option a place important to you or your family, perhaps a yearly vacation spot. Even if you're not sure how conducive the spot will be to photography, ask! It might make for fantastic photographs. For example, recently a couple wanted their engagement photograph taken at the pool hall where they met. Even though they ultimately chose a different spot, the location, lower light aside, was a great idea.

Mommy and Daddy to be... :)

I just did a photo shoot of a "Mommy and Daddy to be." I love doing these. The love and emotion you find in their expressions is worth a thousand words. It was a very simple shoot, done in their living room. The available light was fantastic and I just had to share an image or two with you.

Welcome me to the 21st century.

Since this is the first entry, allow me to introduce myself. Hello all, my name is dawn elizabeth and I own Innovative Photography-a wedding and portrait business.

Photography is something I've always enjoyed, so I ended up with a BFA in Photography. Right after graduation, I started my business.

Why have I started blogging? Well, I always thought it was a waste of time. My sister, however has been blogging about her business, Smile Creations Crafts, for a year now. She has been after me to start. So...here's to sisters who don't stop bugging when it's a good thing.