I’ve always said that if I had nine lives, I would spend one of them as a professional photographer. I absolutely love a beautiful photo. I love the creative use of light and angles and perspective and the sheer joy of capturing life as art.
After my son Wynn was born I bought my first dslr camera- a Canon EOS 20D- used, from a friend who does professional photography and who was looking to upgrade her camera. I didn’t have the slightest clue how to operate the camera once I had it in my hot little hands so I signed up for an online course that I saw advertised on my friend Layla’s blog. I was such an eager student and soaked up as much as I could during the four week course on basic photography. I also took a second class from the same instructor-an overview of editing in Photoshop. I have been taking and editing pictures constantly the past few months. I just love, love love it.
My dear friend Tracey asked me to take pictures at her son Cole’s first birthday party this past weekend. It was so much fun. This is such a rewarding hobby-Tracey told me that she cried when she saw the photos I captured and that was just the best compliment I could have asked for. Here are a handful of photos from Cole’s first birthday party.
This last photo is my favorite from the day-daddy kissing the icing off baby Cole’s hands. His eyes aren’t even open and you can see the profound love on his face.
All photos taken with my Canon EOS 20D with a 50 mm 1.8 lens, edited using PSCS5 (and free actions from The Pioneer Woman)
Is photography a hobby of yours? How did you learn your dslr? Any fun sites or books that you recommend?
I can’t thank you enough for those photos. they will always make me teary eyed. love you friend!
Dear Erin,
Cheers to you for trying new things!
It’s such a waste to dream and not act.
I hope to hear from you soon.
Best,
Coastal Blue Ocean
What a lovely eye you have to capture these images. They are touching and I don’t even know these people!
And how timely that posted about this….I just got the news from the camera shop today that my 9 year old camera has bit the dust – not worth fixing. I’ve been checking out other blogger’s cameras (Centsational Girl, Lettered Cottage, Fly Through My Window all have talked about photography on their blogs.) I will definitely look into yours – it sounds like you’ve been happy with it and it certainly takes a beautiful picture! (along with the photographer!)
Thanks so much, Lisa
Love the shot with the cupcake toppers. I’m more of a analog b&w photography person myself, but I’ve borrowed dslr’s from my art school and really enjoy those too. If you’re interested in portrait photography you should look at Richard Avedon’s website. That man is an inspiration; his use of light and pose really bring out the character of his models.
Beautiful photos Erin! And, yes, the last one is priceless.
Oh Erin, what beautiful pictures, you really do have the gift for this. I hope you will fully pursue it, it would bring such joy to others.
joy
I do love photography and like you, have just recently invested in it in the last couple years. It is so incredibly rewarding, but I should really take a serious class as you did. So far lots trial and error and PW have gotten me where I am. 🙂
Also, I love the first one best – so charming. But they’re all lovely.
Beautiful images!
Yep, I love photography too. Taught myself how to use my Nikon D700 and have been struggling with Photoshop for what seems like forever.
So nice to discover your lovely blog!
Anne
These are so lovely!
Not sure from what other blog I popped over from, but glad I did. You take some great photos. Love the photos from Coles first bday and that last one really captures the whole day. You should share it on sweet shot Tuesday of at http://www.my3boybarians.com Every Tuesday she has sweet shot Tuesday where you can share your latests “sweet shot” and that last one is definitely sweet. : )
Mamarazzi is a great book for moms! You would love it! I attended a class at Click Workshops in Alpharetta, GA! I love taking pictures. My subject, my 2 year old son, is really on the move now so that makes it very challenging! 🙂 Love your pictures! Very Beautiful!