Outdoor 6 Month Milestone Photography Session | Sweet Twin Baby Girls

Good morning!

I hope everyone is enjoying the sunny weather and adjusting to the new morning routine of school starting. For instance, my little one, Emma, entered kindergarten yesterday and I have to admit it’s been pretty quiet around here! However, enough about me – I am excited to preview the latest 6 month milestone session I have photographed for a set of twins. As a photographer, one who specializes in children and family work, I especially love return clients. Not only is it a fantastic compliment, but I truly enjoy the lasting connections we create. I love seeing your family grow and change; I adore being there to capture the milestones, and to also provide a consistent style of images to display upon your walls. The Z family is a wonderful example! I initially met them at their maternity session; then I photographed their beautiful twin daughters at their newborn session and now Miss G and Miss L are six months old! Whew! They’ve changed so much but they’re just as darling as the first time I met them. Here is are a few images that you may remember seeing:

They're a stunning couple! The soft, evening light took place in January and there is a certain tranquil stillness enveloping her bump. I love this particular location because it's private and the sunlight cascades beautifully over the subject!

Here is a sample image from their home newborn session. While I do provide custom and fine are set ups for each baby I photograph, I also love to embrace your own dynamic and photograph you in your own environment; each parent is lovingly holding their precious babies and basking in the unconditional love that is ever consuming: parenthood. 

Above are a few more images from Miss L and Miss G's newborn session! The colors were simple so we may best showcase babies; we also spent time photographing connection based posing. Sometimes, I love a black and white edit because it's soulful and resonates well. However...and here they are! Look below to see these stunning twins that are growing into beautiful little girls!

For their outdoor six month session, we opted for an early morning shoot beginning at 7:00 a.m. I had the Z family meet me at a local park in Cypress, Texas. It features trees, soft grass, and a small lake. It's wonderful for family sessions because there is room for kiddos to run and play, and the parking is fantastic!

Each twin has an adorable personality! So cute and spunky! I used my 100 mm f/2.8 macro lens here. I normally opt for a 135 or 200, but I like to change things up sometimes!

And of course, we have to make time for Mom and Dad to be in the images. Preserving your family bond and love is most important to me; because of this, all of my sessions include 6 subjects. I don't want to limit the photo opportunities.  Isn't Mom gorgeous?! 

Thank you to the gracious, kind and beautiful Z family for visiting me again! I have enjoyed every session immensely, and telling your story has been wonderful! I hope to see you again in the future as your daughters grow. Thank you again! It's been an honor and blessing!

Sarah Borchgrevink Photography is a Houston Newborn Photographer specializing in gorgeous posed newborn sessions. Her studio is located in Northwest Harris County. In addition to breathtaking baby portraiture, Sarah also offers stylish natural light family photography as well as dynamic outdoor maternity sessions for expecting mothers and couples. Sarah joyfully serves the entire Harris and Montgomery county areas including Houston, Cypress, Tomball, Spring, The Woodlands, Kingwood, Memorial & West Houston, Katy, Sugar Land, Pearland, Richmond, West University and Rice Village.

Natural Light Children's Milestone Session | Austin's So Cute at 9 Months!

As a photographer, working with babies and toddlers is a complete joy! The little ones are inquisitive, spunky and often full of soulful expressions. Take Austin, for instance, the latest kiddo who was behind my camera. He is 9 months of sweetness; beautiful eyes, long lashes, lips for days, and an adorable head of hair!

His nine month session was truly laid back. I selected a location that has warm, golden light to best flatter the subject. I also utilized one of my newest props – a wooden bucket. It adds a certain rustic element that works well with the environment. It is important to always embrace the spirit of the kiddo, as each child has their own dynamic. Austin was quite curious and sweet!

Here are some of my favorite images from his session. I am looking forward to seeing him again at his 12 month cake smash – it’ll be worth the wait!

A few of my favorite details are the warmth in this image; Austin is meant to be the focal point and the creamy, compressed background showcases him. The sun acts as a spot light on him! 

His expressions are precious! I love how he let me place him the bucket. Sometimes kiddos like this and sometimes they don't. No worries! Safety and his happiness is the number one priority so we go with the flow to ensure a smooth session and enjoyable experience for little ones. 

Peek-a-boo! Oh, Austin! I adore you! This is an example of an image I'd recommend for a large canvas on your wall. Swoon swoon!

For this part of the session, we moved over to the bridge. His little toes are so sweet here - one of my favorite details!

I always try to involve Mom if I can. I am keeping the rest of the Mommy and Son photos under wraps but here is a little preview. A quick outfit change for Austin was in order; Mom brought so many adorable options, so we had fun dressing him, haha!

Sarah Borchgrevink Photography is a Houston Newborn Photographer specializing in gorgeous posed newborn sessions. Her studio is located in Northwest Harris County. In addition to breathtaking baby portraiture, Sarah also offers stylish natural light family photography as well as dynamic outdoor maternity sessions for expecting mothers and couples. Sarah joyfully serves the entire Harris and Montgomery county areas including Houston, Cypress, Tomball, Spring, The Woodlands, Kingwood, Memorial & West Houston, Katy, Sugar Land, Pearland, Richmond, West University and Rice Village.

Cypress, TX Child Lifestyle Photographer | Embracing Natural Light and the Spirit of Little Ones

Good morning! If you follow me on Facebook or my photography work in general, you may know that aside from being a full time small business owner, I am also the mommy to two little girls, Emma (5 years old) and Lucy (12 months). I am also pregnant with number three - another girl!

And while I've always enjoyed photographing my littles, my photography business has allowed me to grow and develop as a photographer. I am constantly practicing, investing in new equipment, watching You Tube videos, actively participating in constructive criticism groups, and striving to better myself. The moment you think you "know it all" is the moment you cease to grow; a step back into the darkness occurs. Because of this, I take several sessions a month, but always make time to photograph my own kiddos. I don't want to miss anything and I am looking forward to having a beautiful collection of photographs as they age. 20 years from now, when they're graduating college or walking down the aisle, I want to remember their newborn features, first steps, or them jumping into a pool for the first time. I want tears of happiness to fill my eyes when I see photos of them playing together, or being carried on Dad's shoulders. Photographs are a concrete connection to the past - they're the chocolate chips to our cookie in life!

And as stated, I do not know everything about photography, though I do not what has been working for me, from a personal perspective. Often, fellow mommies ask me how to take candid and natural, less formally posed images of their own children. Because let's face it: a photographer may not be present the first time your little one smiles at you or when they accomplish a milestone.

First things first: my equipment. I am a prime lens (set focal point) collector. When photographing my children inside, I use a Canon 6d body and the following lenses: 24 mm f/1.4 ART, 35 mm f/1.4 ART, and a 50 mm f/1.4 ART. Outdoors, I use a 135 mm F/2L and a 200 mm f/2.8L. These, however, are not necessary to take nice photos of your little ones. I run a full time photography business so I am always lusting after the sharpest, best reviewed lenses. Something like 50 mm f/1.8 (roughly 125 dollars, great deal) is perfect indoors or out.

Secondly - perspective! Always get on the level of your children. Get on your tummy! Crouch behind the couch. See them for who they are; what are they viewing? What has caught their attention? I avoid saying, "Look at mommy!" Instead, I observe. I patiently wait and do not have expectations. After all, they're small children and it's not their job to "perform" for me; part of the magic of child photography is embracing who your child is and not forcing them into any posing.

Thirdly - settings! With my own children, I shoot at fast shutter speeds, such as 1/500 or faster usually. If they're moving, this helps to ensure the photo is not blurry. I also like wide apertures such as f/1.4 because I adore background compression (aka "the blur") you see in my photographs. I do not add anything like that in processing. It's all in camera. But remember: you'll also have to bump your ISO up a smidgen (which is your camera's sensitivity to light). I always select the middle focal point and then meter for the skin. It's important to retain highlights. And finally - I shoot in RAW. While I do strive to have everything right in camera, I like to have all the data at my hands. This helps in case my white balance was off or I slightly under exposed an image. 

And that's it! Have fun with your kids! And practice. Lots of practice. That's the joy of a digital age: with DSLR you have unlimited "film".