I really start feeling comfortable to shoot with my camera on either fully manual mode or semi-manual mode. There were a couple things that I did learn during the shoot: check the clothing (as well as the facial expression) and to instruct the models better to get a good portrait shot. Although it is important to instruct the models, I am not good at ‘barking’ instructions – I am more the gentle type. I do start to get my point across though; which makes me happy.

Here are a couple of my personal favorite shots:

The first ones are of Erin…

…and Gloria…

Thank you again, Ladies

If you are interested in booking a session, please use my contact form.

Until next time…

Iris

In the meantime I have been learning — a lot. I am also planning on getting my professional license to set myself a little apart from others. Did you know that only 8% percent of portrait photographers have their professional license? Well, that spurs me on.

I do have a photo shoot on Saturday — building my portfolio. I ordered some gear from Lastolite – I am very excited about the Tri-Reflectors (they will be here for my shoot on Saturday – yeah!!!). Thankfully I still have a full-time job to fund my photography …

I do want to share a portrait I took a couple of weeks ago at a Multi-Culterual Festival in a neighboring city. I am planning having a large print for your home. Let me know what you think:

Hopefully next week I have some photos to share from my shoot on Saturday. I will be out at Superstition Mountain Museum

Until then…Toddles,

Iris

We  wanted to wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Please keep your eyes on my website, because in January of 2010 I will be looking for ambassadors for my portrait business.

Thank you for stopping by today…

Iris

But let me show you what I did do. I had another Senior session last weekend: Mark. Although I wanted to have his Senior session other than at Tempe Town Lake, we ended up there. This time I went the other direction toward the Arts Center.

Mark is attending Corona High School in Tempe. He is planning to join his older brother at NAU in Fall of 2010.

Let me share some of my personal favorite photos from Mark’s session – I chose two each from his formal wear and jeans/t-shirt outfit:

What a great smile, Mark. The purple shirt goes well with his eyes…I think…

The next shot I like because how the lines behind Mark come in to focus on him…

The next shot is on the top of my favorite list. I used an action by Sarah Cornish (Denim & Dirt) to bring out the ‘grungy’ look of the pole behind Mark…

On the next photo I used my flash, kneeling down to get the up-look…

So…let me know what you think…I really had a great time with Mark (even though it was really, really busy at TTL)…Thank you Mark for choosing Iris Nelson Portraits for your Senior photos. Best wishes for your future.

If you are interested in setting up your own Senior session, please use my contact form so I can get in contact with you.

Thanks for stopping by today…until next time,

Iris

I believe that TTL was the perfect location taking Garrett’s Senior shots; the different backdrops make the portraits interesting. I was thrilled to hear that the photos were liked by Garrett and his family. I am excited to take the family portrait next weekend.

Here are my personal favorites from Garrett’s session…

Thank you Garrett for choosing Iris Nelson Portraits for your Senior 2010 photos – I am looking forward seeing you and your family next week.

If you are interested in setting up your own Senior 2010 session, please use the contact form to inquire about available dates.

Thank you for stopping by today…

Iris

I wanted to share a couple of the pages with you. The first one is the cover page (of course the original will not have my watermark on it )…

The second one is a page in the middle of the book…

I think this is a wonderful product to offer clients. This is something different that your normal reception book or large photo.

If you know of someone who is interested in an engagement session and would like to have a book created for their wedding reception, please let them know about my services

Thanks for stopping by today…

Iris

Also, I made a template switch this past week. When I saw the template on my hosting company’s website, I knew that I wanted it . What I especially like about this template is that my visitors can see some of my work on my main blog-page. I probably will update the photos in my header more often so you can see what I am up to …

Thanks for stopping by today…have a super blessed weekend…

Iris

What I have learned over the past 4 months is getting out of my comfort zone. You see, I don’t like to be ‘bossy’ — it is just not in my nature. But when you are taking photos, you need to be ‘bossy’ . Bob and Krissy made it really easy for me – they followed my instruction without much grumbling .

So, here are some photos from the session at Scottsdale’s ‘Civic Center Mall’ (it is actually a park)…

Don’t they make a beautiful couple?

Krissy is a gorgeous woman…

This shot totally shows who Krissy really is – full of fun and laughter…

This is just a sweet shot (I think) …

Fun, fun, fun…

Thank you Bob & Krissy for allowing me to share these shots on my website. Now I am working on a little surprise for the two of you …

If you are looking for some couple/engagement photos, I would love to hear from you. Just fill out my contact form so I can get in touch with you.

Thank you for stopping by…I hope to see you soon at a session.

Here are a couple of my personal favorite shots. I know that Heidi (the girl’s mom) might not agree with me — but that is okay…

Well, Katherine is a beautiful young lady. I think that Katherine had a lot of fun during this session (I hope). The great thing was that she followed all my directions – so sweet…

The next shot is my husband’s favorite …

And of course, I have to share Heidi’s favorite shot …

Here are some shots of Ashley. I fell in love with her freckles…She reminded me of myself — I too had a lot of freckles (still have) .

My personal favorite…

My husband’s favorite…

and Heidi’s favorite (well she had two favorites, but I am only going to share one – lol) …

I also want to share a photo of both of them in one shot. I just love Ashley’s big smile in the background and Katherine’s thoughtful composure…

Let me know what you think. I know that I had a blast with these two sisters. Now I am getting mentally ready for my next photo session on Saturday – Engagement at Scottsdale Park (I am so giddy)…

Thanks for stopping by today…I hope to see you soon.

I am excited to start up again. I have two sessions booked for this month – YEAH! I can’t wait until next weekend — a family session at Freestone Park . Thank you Jennifer for recommending my services.

To make sure that I didn’t get too rusty with portrait shots, my beloved and I went to Freestone and Scottsdale to take some practice shots…the model? Corky – our ‘new’ Chihuahua. We adopted Corky from the local pound on August 24th. He has character, to say the least…Corky actually makes a pretty good model .

“What do you think of my profile”…

Sitting nice…

“I am so cute”…

I am glad that Corky was so kind to have his portraits taken …As I was typing up this post, he had fun in the backyard, getting all muddy…don’t ask.

Well, I hope to see you again soon…Next time I hopefully will be able to share a couple of family shots from my next assignment.

Take care and be blessed…