Class of 2016: Sadie's Summer Session

Wow, the school year is set to begin in a matter of weeks. It's exciting for everyone, particular young adults who are preparing for their senior year of high school.

I always enjoy senior photos and strive to create images that reflect the individual portrayed.

I noticed that wild flowers were plentiful at Spirit Mound, a perfect picturesque backdrop with a feminine touch. Sadie enjoys the outdoors, so it suited her well.

An active member of her 4-H chapter, Sadie brought a project that she completed for the fair. I love when clients bring props that are meaningful for them.

Black Eyed Susans were prominent on the south side of Spirit Mound. I had noticed that purple flowers were abundant on the north side of the park. How appropriate for the purple and white Beresford Watchdogs!

From time to time a family suggests a location that has historical importance for them. Sadie's grandparents got their start at this farm place. Now abandoned, it is so full of character and is a perfect environment for a portrait.

The Bridges of Beresford is another location that Sadie is quite familiar with as a member of the golf team. I think it's a wonderful spot and have photographed a variety of portraits here.

To wrap up this session, we had a little fun. Friends, don't try this at home.

I have a lot of fun spending the evening with Sadie and her mom. I look forward to our fall session so that we can make use of the turning fall leaves!!

More information on portrait sessions can be found online at www.sieversmaphotography.com, I invite you to follow my work on www.facebook.com/sieversmaphotography

Welcome Trinity: Newborn Session

Trinity was such a good little lady during her newborn session!

Would you believe I was set up in her parents' dining room? When I say that I bring the studio to you, I'm not kidding.

Trinity's big brothers wanted to help me set up.

I was eager for this session, first to hang out with Trinity. Second, my husband and I made the bed that we used!! I wanted to make a wrought iron style infant bed. We used old wire hangers. My husband welded them together according to some doodles that I had made. Then we painted the frame black. It was a fun project, though my husband says that it'd be best to buy new wire the next time around. It would be easier, it's true. I also had a lot of fun sewing the bedding that went with the bed.

I arrived around 9 a.m. and began set up. I was done packing my car around 1pm. Now, some of that time was spent gabbing. LeAnn (Trinity's mom) has been one of my best friends since sometime in middle school.

It does take some time for a home session, though. I try to bring a few backdrops and work with what parents have on hand for their child as well.

Trinity, you are beautiful. Welcome to your family!

Welcome Trinity: Birth Day Session

LeAnn and I have been friends for a LONG time. We'd pass notes to each other in school, had many overnight stays and spent HOURS on the phone. I got to see her and her family regularly in their first four or so years. Her oldest children were the subjects of many photographs as I learned photography once upon a time. Then they moved across the state and I didn't get to see them as often, nor did I get a chance to photograph her boys very often. Aleesha and Jamie were the flower girls in my wedding.

Finally, a year ago, LeAnn and her family moved back to this side of the state, to Vermillion even!!! I was thrilled. Then, they learned that they were adding to the family!! I was excited for them. And, I was eager to offer my photography services. My skills have evolved since their oldest was little. To be honest, I'd never had the opportunity to try birth photography. If there was anyone I could ask to try this genre out, it was LeAnn.

I was out of town the day that she was scheduled to be induced. I thought that Trinity would have arrived by the time I got to town. But, I was able to join the family for awhile and await her arrival.

Communication is important with any client, best friend or otherwise. We agreed that if LeAnn and Chet wanted me out of the way, that's fine. I photographed a few waiting images. My plan was to be discreet and stay by momma's head. It worked out great. But, when a cesarean delivery was needed, I waited outside with the maternal grandma. It was still amazing to see Chet walk out with Trinity in his arms.

Trinity has a wonderful family surrounding her. She was the tie breaker with two older sisters and two brothers to show her the ropes.

Mom did wonderfully!!! She was a rockstar!

I'm so glad that we've been a part of each other's lives for better than 20 years. I'm thrilled that your kids like me. I think that they're a great bunch too.

Welcome to the family, Trinity. I look forward to watching you grow up too.

Rugged Gear Carts for all Shooting

I imagine that many people understand that when a photographer goes out, they take a camera, lens, and the needed accessories. But what about the tripod, extra lenses, perhaps a SECOND camera body and that's just if you're a natural light photographer. What if you are working on a portrait session, trekking around an urban environment and hauling lights and reflectors with you? I outgrew my camera back pack years ago, especially when I photograph weddings. I have several totes, each for their own designated category of gear. It takes effort to haul my gear from the car to the church or into the reception. It is becoming difficult to find a bag or a case that is large enough to hold almost everything, but not be too cumbersome itself.
My friend Chad Cable, and fellow photographer, has had similar difficulty toting his photo and video gear as he works on projects. Chad also works for Rugged Gear, a company that specializes in producing carts to haul guns for competitions. A different category of shooting, rather than ammo I need a spot to stash batteries. Still, the two genres can utilize the same cart fairly effectively. AND Rugged Gear is looking at adapting it's current line of carts to meet a photographer's need specifically. The question is, what can stay the same and what should be adapted?
Chad has used a Rugged Gear shooting cart as a dolly for his video production. He reached out to me to see if I would like to work a cart over and offer my own thoughts on how well it is suited for photography work.

I am on board for trying new gear!! As a photographer, gear acquisition syndrome is a very real issue, thus the difficulty in carrying it. I got to try out the burgundy cart that you see below.

                                                       Image from www.ruggedgear.com

I tried to compose some ideas before I received my cart, but that's tough to do without seeing it in person. At first glance, it looks like a stroller. I've been using a large stroller for two years and understand how portable they are.  One can haul a lot of 'stuff' fairly easily. In this instance, I also had been told that lightstands fit well where guns would typically reside, especially if they are extended. You may even leave the strobe head or flash attached.

Standing around in the RuggedGear office, we were able to brainstorm a few more ideas. There is a tray at the top where a sports shooter (not football) would stash their ammo. We thought that would be a nice spot to store small accessories that a person may need quick access to like batteries and a white balance filter. It could be improved by adding a cover of some sort to the top so that it could be zipped or snapped shut. It would be nice to not have to unload every small item when you load and unload the cart into your trunk.

I was also given a clamp that could be fastened to the side of the cart to hold another item. I intend to try it out by attaching a light stand to it. The cart could be a base for an upright light. I've run into issues photographing on location with a light and an umbrella. The umbrella catches a breeze and tips over. I believe that the cart would be heavy enough to keep that from happening. Perhaps it would take longer for me to break an umbrella diffuser again.

Before I pushed the cart out the door, the guys at Rugged Gear were able to show me how easily the cart collapses. There are releases on either side. You simply reach down and pull up, allowing the cart to fold in half. If you need to break the cart apart further, the wheels also come off. The cart fills my trunk, but I am able to close the lid. My husband was able to load the cart into the trunk in a more compact fashion. I need to practice, I think that I could get better too. If the front wheel is turned more, I believe that would help. That's an instance where it's an issue of my technique.

 
I was hesitant about this system. I didn't see how I could be very efficient if I had to pack all of my gear in their cases anyway, just to break the gear apart and load into a cart. Turns out, it's not too different from when I used a luggage cart or another transport cart. PLUS, this collapses better than the other options and holds more equipment. The only difference is that I removed the light stands from the case that I usually carry them in (golf bag) and my strobe lights came out of their suit case as well. 
 
I looped the strobe cases around the gun holders. The light stands stacked well on top of my camera and flash bags. I forgot to bring bungee cords along, those would have been helpful. My husband was a dear and delivered a few to me. Toting back to the car went more smoothly with those. I also would suggest shortening the straps on the strobe light cases if you also decide to hook them over the gun brackets. I found that the cases rubbed on the wheels.

Initially, I thought that a drawstring on the mesh bag would be handy. However, it's a great place to stash extension cords. And the cart travels well with the cords in the bag. That's an item that doesn't need to be unpacked.

 
There are pouches around the cart that would be great to hold lenses if you are switching between a couple through the shoot. I found that they also hold snacks and a beverage handily.

 

The cart was quite a bit messier on the return trip to the car. BUT, I did try leaving the strobes assembled on their respective stands. I also had to throw my case with video gear in it on top of everything. The bags and lights all stacked into my car and back into the trunk well.
The cart does come with a rain cover. I'm not sure that it would cover all gear in this particular situation. If I were photographing outside, I don't think that I would be carrying ALL of this gear either.

I have had the opportunity to use the cart at a second wedding, with similar success.  I made sure to have the bungee straps with me.  That really is a critical step in securing the load and making the transport smooth.

The reception was outdoors and I appreciated the minimal effort needed to push the cart back to my car.

Overall, I like how the cart is setup in its current form. A cover for the top tray is my main suggestion. I think that I might add some long Velcro straps to help lash items to the frame for quick transit. I have some additional shoots coming up this summer, including a wedding reception at a state park. I would also like to use the cart during a portrait excursion. I want to try out my plan to use the cart as a light base. 
 
I also think that the cart by Rugged Gear would be a nice tool when out on a photo walk with friends. No one person would have too much gear to haul, but perhaps three friends could share pushing it along with a cooler of choice beverages. After my initial use of the cart, I think that it's a great piece of equipment for all types of shooting.

If you are interested in checking out more products, the company's website is www.ruggedgear.com, or you may call an associate at 1-800-784-4331.

 

Cardboard Craftiness

I really like crafting things.  Wait, strike that, I love it.  I come by it naturally.  My mother hoarded supplies in case of creative inspiration.  I have a whole room filled with fabric, some paper goods, glue sticks, plus a variety of books and photography items.

When inspiration hits it may take awhile before I get around to making the item in mind.  Make no mistake, I will get around to it and it will be awesome.  Except, when sometimes it isn't.

I really love including things that reflect who the child is and what they are into when creating portraits.  My son has enjoyed tractors since the day he was born.  He loves other things, like pushing buttons on my camera to...  But he really is into tractors right now.

I thought that it would be cool to build him his own tractor.

I began breaking down and hoarding cardboard boxes about six months or so ago.  They fold flat and are easy to stash.  Lately, we always have large diaper boxes on hand too. 

I probably waited a little too long to start the project (about six weeks before his birthday), it wasn't done quite in time for his two year portraits. 

I worked over the course of a month, beginning in the living room on the floor and then moving to a space upstairs. 

 

I  had measured my son and worked to create a tractor that would 'fit' him... but I neglected to measure our door frames.  I got very nervous when I had difficulty moving the project to another room.  The good thing about cardboard is that it flexes. 

My son loved it immediately.  He soon figured out that it was something for him.

 

 

I lost track of how many sticks I put through my glue gun.  I'd say at the very least a dozen.    I used brown paper to line the interior of the cab so that the diaper box graphics could be covered.

I had a lot of fun putting this together.  I've been told that I should make a pattern and sell it.  I don't know about that.  That's the fun about a piece of art, usually you don't find two that are the exact same.  And, I would have no idea how to go about creating instructions for something like this.  I do think that I may be able to make a second one more efficiently. Or, it'd be more elaborate and no time would be saved.  :D

I was asked if I planned to paint the piece.  I imagined it being just cardboard.  I thought that would clearly convey that this was a play thing that may have been imagined by a child in possession of cardboard.  I like the simplicity of an unpainted tractor.

I think that it photographed really well too.

  

   

Thanks for visiting my blog.  I can be commissioned to create an imaginative piece for your session as well! We are post portrait session and the tractor is still being played with.  We bring it out in the yard when the weather is nice.  It will live in my son's room until he is done playing with it.



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Travel in Time for a Senior Session

    Josh and his family live in New York City, but his mom grew up in Beresford, South Dakota.  Home visiting over the holiday's, Josh's mom and grandma wanted a few more poses of Josh in his senior year of high school.

 

     Phyllis, Josh's grandma, suggested the old family homestead.  Her father and grandfather were born on a farm near Beresford.  Decades have passed since anybody has dwelled here.

     I loved the site.  I've driven by it a number of times, wishing to do some photographic work there.  The homestead is an excellent abandoned site, complete with a windmill.  Typically those fall apart before the buildings do.

 

     I love creating sessions on location.  I think that portraits taken at locations that are meaningful to the subject are the best.

 

     While the property looks abandoned, it isn't completely.  A herd of cattle, also managed by the family, loiters near by.  They were hoping for a bite to eat.  They're used to being fed whenever Merril stops by.

 

 

     I was able to photograph Phyllis and Merril with their grandkids, the fifth generation to step foot on this property.

 

 

Thanks for braving the day.  It was chilly, but lovely.