Special Event: Photography for Mommies (and Daddies)

DATE: Saturday, August 8th

TIME: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm

LOCATION: TBD

Have you ever wished that you could learn how to take better photographs from an expert?  Do you want to improve the quality of the family photographs that you do take?  Having professional portraits taken on a regular basis is invaluable, and nothing could replace the priceless gift of a photograph that captures you with your children.  However, I know that I can't be with you every day (no, honestly, I can't).  Thousands of picture-worthy moments are being captured by you, Mom or Dad, and I want to ensure that you create the best photographs possible.  

This is not for photographers, either professional or aspiring.  I will not cover any aspects of the business of photography, and I also promise not to get too technical.  This is a presentation for parents on how to take better photographs of their own family.  I will explain what makes a photograph great (subject matter, composition, lighting, etc.) and how I have created some of my award-winning images.  I will show you how to use the camera equipment that you already own, recommend some equipment that you might add to your arsenal, show you how to trick your children into being the perfect subjects, and cover when and where to take your family's photographs.  I will also address the basics of editing, printing and storing your photographs, so that you can finally get them out of your camera or computer and into books and frames!  

This event is more of a lecture with a question-and-answer period, though I highly recommend that you bring your camera with you.  A subsequent hands-on workshop for those who want to try these techniques on live models will be offered in the very near future to those who attend this presentation.

I am currently capping the workshop at thirty participants, so you must contact me soon to reserve your spot!  The fee is $129 and includes beverages and lunch, as well as a CD of my presentation to review at home anytime you need to.  This fee must be paid in advance to hold your spot.  Please email me at "teddi@teddiyaeger.com" or call me at 206-856-7960.  (If you can't attend this presentation but would like to attend one in the future, please contact me as well.)

I hope you will join me!

Will and Mariella

I love photographing this family every few months.  The whole family is gorgeous, and Will and Mariella have been so fun to watch as they grow!  I love those fleeting moments where siblings connect.  It's not easy when they are so young - you almost have to trick them into it and then be ready to push the shutter immediately.  When it happens, it is so worth the effort!

Twice the fun, none of the stress

Twin brother and sister, Oliver and Zala, could not have been cuter or more agreeable.  Posed portraits are a near impossibility with toddlers, and usually result in a lot of stress for all involved.  Which is why I don't do posed portraits with toddlers (or many of my subjects for that matter).  Instead, I prepare everyone for a nice, leisurely pace and we all take our cue from the real ones in charge.  The result is a stress-free session full of lots of great moments captured, such as the ones posted here.  

Making Mothers Visible

It recently hit me.  My children very well could grow up, look at our family photos and think that I was never around!  I've always just assumed that their memories of our time together would be enough, and that it didn't matter that I am in very few photographs of ours.  I will admit that I'm not fond of being in front of the camera.  I'm just starting to slowly shed the 30-40 pounds that I gained since getting pregnant with our first child.  I always feel tired, ragged, so I am far more comfortable behind the lens. 

But I realized that my children are very young, and truthfully, they will not remember a lot of these moments.  I won't remember them all either.  That is why portraits are of such incredible importance.  Photographs remember for us.  If I am not present in any of them, then how can I expect my children to remember the fun we have, or to see just how much their mother is completely smitten with them?  

So instead of waiting until all of the weight comes off (it's been five years now), I'm going to get on the other side of the lens.  I hope you will too.  If you are like most mothers, you are probably your family photographer.  That's great, as you spend every day with your child and are present for those priceless moments.  (In fact, I will be teaching a workshop for parents in August on how to take better photos of their kids.) But hiring a professional photographer is invaluable because only we are able to capture YOUR relationship with your child, and freeze those moments of all of you together as a family.

So follow my lead, mommies, and don't wait.  Your children love you exactly as you are.  So go ahead and get into the picture!

Introducing Natalie

Introducing Natalie, just over one month old.  I love the photos with her beautiful mommy, and couldn't believe her daddy's sky blue eyes.  They are both clearly infatuated with their baby girl and it's easy to see why!

Father's Day Surprise

What do you get the dad who has everything?  Especially if he is a talented photographer himself?  For one family, the answer was a secret photo session and the surprise of beautiful portraits on Father's Day!  We managed to pull it off despite a very inquisitive dad and joint busy schedules, and it was a blast!  (And the portraits were such a success that they moved this dad to tears.) Mission accomplished!

A different kind of baby photo shoot

These adorable (well, maybe just to their mama and to me) baby birds were just born a few hours ago in one of our bird houses.  We've been keeping an eye on them, cautiously, for the past week since discovering the nest.  There were six beautiful white and brown speckled eggs.  I'm not sure if all of the babies made it - I had just a quick peek and time to just take a few photos while the mama was out getting them food.  But I couldn't resist posting this - there is just something so sweet about them with their mouths wide open! 

By the way, I had heard that it was a good idea to "recycle" dryer lint by placing it outside for birds to use to build their nests.  Low and behold, look at what most of her nest is made out of - our dryer lint!