traditional family portrait photographer

For the past four years, I have been trying to perfect the art of creating a modern family portrait without being completely cheesy or posed. In short, this is hard to do. It seems as the number of family members increase, so do frustration and awkwardness. Generally my focus is on INDIVIDUAL portraits, and at the end of a session, I throw everyone together and hope for something good. And I admit, some portraits been clever and looked good, but never ever have I had one that looks traditional YET cool. Until now. As I pat myself on the back, I please take a look at this shot:I added a heavy vignette around the edges to modernize the overall look and help focus on the faces of each family member. I think that I love how natural and comfortable everyone appears (although it was about 45 degrees outside). Also, the height of each person varies enough that your eye moves easily from left to right and ends with the girl on the right, who is so cute and happy.
It also helps me when the mom (and dad) trust me. I LOVE clients that say "just do what you do" and so if I ask them to wear their favorite hats and scarfs (because it is Oregonian) they just do it. Even if they don't match. Like these two supersweet sisters, who evidently thought I was funny.I really enjoyed photographing this family. I am pretty sure they thought I was a tad bit nuts, but luckily, that is ok with me!

Attention Current Clients

Current Clients of Danielle Anthony Photography: I am cleaning house and offering DVDs of your session's high resolution images for $250. If you would like yours, contact me by December 31, 2009 & I will mail it to you ASAP! January 2010, the DVD price will be $500.

next year's rockwell-esque Christmas card?

So, I am LOVING myself a little too much because of this odd photo (taken during a Christmas portrait session last Sunday). I think its because of how she's positioning the little doll/santa/elf. Plus, they both have striped legs. I can see my bird logo and Merrrrrry Christmas in fancy type on it. Green sweaters and blue eyes are always a good combination. Her dad made faces at her from outside the window. Genius.We also shot in my studio, and this is one of my favorites from that session:

family photography in the winter!

It is almost impossible to photograph a family outdoors when it is 37 degrees of foggy. I have a studio that is warm - but I would way rather photograph multiple people DOING something rather than sitting and smiling on my white vinyl background. However, fog and cold children make for red runny noses, and a 'happy' photo almost impossible. BUT, like last Sunday, I try anyway. And for the record, I got 152 photos of this family in 1 hour flat.When I do a family portrait, I also capture each child; the gist of their personality - if they are pranksters, nurturing, funny, shy, a camera lover (or non-camera-lover) and those shots that are almost always my favorites.

TWO guilty dogs

Since Dan's lab Samson has come to live with us, I have been battling with two misbehaving dogs. I just walked into the bedroom to find Marvin drinking my caramel truffle coffee on the nightstand - gross. Yesterday, Dan was welcomed home with a destroyed kitchen: apparently, Marvin jumped into the sink and shared those goodies with Samson. Also, a whole wheat bread carcass was on the floor, so an ENTIRE loaf of bread was consumed (we assume Samson actually ate the bread, but Marvin pushed it down to the floor for him).

Marvin has taken to peeing one inch away from Dan's guitar cases EVERY time we leave him. BUT if we (remember to) shut the bedroom door, (so he can't see the instruments), no peeing occurs. Instead, he poops where adjacent to the Dans music collection.

Samson's only really annoying trait is that he will plow your ass over if you stand between him and food, so after faceplanting once, I learned to just move aside. Currently I am searching online for protective Whippet football gear for Marvin, as he continues to get bruised by a big brown linebacker K9. OK, one more annoying truth. Samson has humped holes into Marvin's beautiful argyle sweater. Proof of the bad doing. I seriously need Ceasar Milan.

my (lighthearted) holiday card

I totally waited until the last minute to do our family holiday cards - so, thanks to www.tinyprints.com and rush shipping, I will have these in my hands next week! The inside says "hope you have a lucky new year" from Dan, Danielle, Marvin & Samson - and I told a brief version of our story. Super cute.

accessories photographer, accidental client

Last week I got a email from Carolina Manufacturing, a company who manufactures a pink bandana shown on this puppy weimaraner - which is a little nuts, because the photo is almost four years old... The marketing folks had randomly found it on Flickr and wanted to feature the image in their newest product catalog. This photo below was actually my favorite of that puppy session.I considered being a pet photographer for about three months, but quickly realized that babies were easier for me. HOWEVER, I really want to photograph a Great Dane with a baby, and an English Bulldog with a toddler, so if you have that one of those combinations, please email me.
I used a different pink bandana in this photo, and I am not sure if it is the same manufacturer or not. This spaniel was so excited by the whole pet portrait process that her moms tight leg hold was needed to disable her from wiggling away...

Video from my photos created by my client

I have some clever clients, check out this crazy cute video made from their "all star family holiday portrait" session photos!

They are all-stars!

It's a good thing when clients have good ideas - like the Klinks, who wanted their Holiday cards to incorporate Converse Allstar shoes. Crazy, but awesome!
AND, I was shocked when I said "hey, what do you think about letting your son play in the puddles in the parking lot? He will get wet, but the photos could be awesome" SHE SAID "let's do it!" Love it. Here is the shot they featured on the card - signed by all family members. How cute. She used scrapbook paper, a cool digital collage and type in Photoshop and a curly paperclip. Makes me want to assemble a super cute crafty holiday card. Perhaps with two dogs.

halloween, one month later...

TRIPLETS. I photographed three little ones on Halloween day here in Oregon. Two boys, one girl. It wasn't terribly hard to tell the two boys apart: one was a camera hog (which I completely approve of), and the other didn't know I existed, and the little girl was crazy shy and not terribly fond of my camera equipment. All three were sweet and had the BEST costumes. adorable.And, I loved the decorations. Clever.

seriously good hair

I am furiously editing and filling Christmas orders and HAD to post this yummyness. A sweet fellow all wrapped up for fall weather. Handsome and sporting the best hair EVER.

I want Dan to have hair like this. Spikey, messy, fantastically similar to a mohawk... That would make him the most noticeable badass scientist in Oregon.

Marvin's new fancy sweater

Marvin has a fancy new sweater. Evidently, 68 degrees makes him shiver, and I just can't watch that all winter long... How handsome!

incredibly flattered; stamps

In the past week, I have received two letters with stamps created from MY PHOTOS. I am not sure why, but it is more exciting than seeing my photographs in a magazine, mostly because it is just crazy flattering. Like the invite for Mike and Julie's December wedding (upper right) where I had no idea that my hand holding image was being made into a stamp... Nina and Joon's wedding invitation envelope (lower right) from last June also had a Danielle Anthony Photo stamp, so, I grabbed the three envelopes and photographed them!

Thanks fantastic clients: You have made my day!

cd for COOL.

Every once in a while I photograph musicians. Like Dave Cudo, a saxophone player, who is creating new CD packaging with designer Jeff over at Madison Avenue Collective. Here are a few photos from our session where my assistant Silvina, Jeff and I followed Dave around Corvallis. Since I needed him to be in character, he played most of the time. Here is my favorite shot of the morning, partially because of the instrument/body shadow and partially because of the odd cropping. The hat gives the photo style. I love the lines, how off center it is.. Cannot wait to see the final CD package and hear the new music!

1 week in NC - girls portraits

Last week in North Carolina, I photographed 8 girls (2 newborns), 7 boys and 11 sets of parents over a span of six days. I learned a few things: Very little separates a 9 year old boy from his XBox (especially if photos with sister is the alternative) , pizza and ice cream are universal 'good listening' motivators, princess costumes must match slippers (even if they do not fit), I miss NC barbeque in a bad way, and Dora the Explorer bandaids have the power to make up for a pretty big fall (off a swing). Oh, I learned one other thing: escalators look really cool juxtaposed with fancy Christmas dresses and patent leather shoes!

1 Week in North Carolina - Boys First

After 8 days of crazy photoshooting, with halloween and holiday outfits, sleeping/crying babies, a few dogs and tons of happiness, I am back in Oregon and editing a serious amount of photographs. I cannot wait to show my clients ALL the photos, so here are a few of the photos: boys only.

Julie & Mike, engaged

I met Julie my second or third day in Oregon. At a dinner party. And she was polite and friendly, like a new stranger should be. Then I met Mike. And he was perfectly nice as well. THEN, I witnessed the two of them together, and (I mean this in the nicest of ways) they kinda grossed me out.

This couple kisses ALOT. and hugs. And gazes lovingly into each others eyes (over french fries and ketchup) as if no other humans are around. My momma taught me not to stare, but I found myself unable to turn my eyes away from their public display of affection, and I admit I felt a bit envious of their completely evident love. AH LOVE. (Insert photo here because not everyone wants to read your stories, danielle)

I kinda stuck my foot in my mouth about a month ago, (after one or three cocktails at my Birthday Celebration), when they were smooching at the table and I said "OK YOU TWO, whaaaaaaaaaat is the deal with all your kissing? I mean, am I supposed to turn away, or do you want everyone to watch?" silence. laughter. the whole table cracked up at my self -appointed voice of reason. Julie's answer warmed my heart when she said that she had N E V E R felt for anyone like how she does for Mike, and that when they lock eyes, they feel completely alone and happy. Which is Sweet. And Admirable. Then I felt bad and asked if they wanted me to shoot their wedding. And they did!!!

The conversation made me think about how concerned I tend to be with my public smooching and hugging. I mean, I love Dan; I want the whole world to know... So, I made the decision right then and there to hold hands, kiss, giggle and stare longingly into Dans eyes WHENEVER I felt like it, from that point forward. I am so happy for Mike and Julie. And I am happy they trust me to photograph their wedding. Where kissing, dancing and smooching of all sorts is totally allowed!

Mom Magazine Ad

This little Oregon baby photograph is so cute, that I created a whole ad around his adorable eyes. This will be my Oregon magazine debut, and will be seen in Corvallis, Albany, Salem and Eugene in the Oct/Nov issue of Mom Magazine. Look how different this ad is from my last ad in Charlotte Baby & Child magazine (mine is on the left). Interesting.Earlier this year, I photographed two birthday parties for Mom magazine. Raeann, the owner & mother extraordinaire, told me that my photography will be featured in the spring issues. exciting!

happy times for me (and Dan)

I have a very happy announcement. I wanted to wait to post this, to build excitement & intrigue, but I just can't stand it, I am just too thrilled to wait...

Dan asked me to marry him. On one knee. And after I caught my breath, I knelt down too, cried all over the place, smooched his sweet perfect lips and smiled out "yes, of course" and we hugged and grinned at each other and then hugged some more.

He proposed in a romantic and completely unexpected way: After we had cooked dinner and were dressed for bed & playing scrabble (I was sporting one of his dress shirts with yoga pants technically), he asked me to dance (a song called "will you dance with me Molly"). This isn't atypical for us, we dance round the house quite a bit, but it felt wedding-reception like to me, which made me a little teary with happiness, and he mentioned that he might want to play this song at our wedding. And, I didn't think much of that either, since we've been shopping for rings, talking of possible wedding dates and venues, etc. We've been to too many jewelry stores and haven't found the right ring yet because it must feel artsy and custom (and not flashy).

So, I sat down to continue with our scrabble match, and he came into the living room and asked me to stand. OK. Then BAM. Down he went. Onto his left knee. In blue striped pants and a white tee shirt. (I needed a tape recorder, because I don't exactly remember what he said) I am pretty sure it was something like "Danielle, (long pause while taking my left hand) will you marry me"?

Then he stammered something about the temporary ring he'd gotten for me on his last Leaf Science trip to NC, and how he could NOT WAIT to propose until after my real engagement ring was designed/bought... So now, I am wearing a shiny squarish band. BECAUSE I AM ENGAGED.

life is good.

I facebooked this information about five hours ago and we already have 58 responses! Here are a few of the comments so far (which make me incredibly happy).

• Congratulations! I am over the moon happy for you!!!!
• Danielle!!! That is such exciting news :)
• YAYAYAYAYAYAYA... OMG Awesome news!!! Congrats guys... I am super happy for both of you... Pics? xoxo..
• WHAT!!!! C-0-N-G-R-A-T-U-L-A-T-I-O-N-S - when is the wedding?
• Congrats ya'll - clearly a North Carolinian wrote that
• I am so super excited for you two... what a cool love story. I bet NPR's This American Life would do a segment featuring you guys!
• You look so happy in your pictures. I'm glad Dan has put a smile on your face.
• Your Dad is pretty excited about his new fishing buddy - my mom!
  
  and my favorite so far:
• I knew that Danny was smart--he just proved it! - from Mrs. Necessary, our math teacher in 7th grade!

So there it is. Happy us.