twb photography blog

first day of school

TracyWB — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 17:14:48 +0000

New clothes to wear, new teachers to meet, new friends to make – how can they not be excited for the new school year? I was somewhat sad that they would not see their friends from their preschool last year since this year we got into the class at the school that is bike-riding distance from our house. Of course, they didn’t seem to mind a bit. And it makes it easier to bring along a favorite toy – in Leslie’s case, the okapi and for Kadel, a little horse (of course).

Kadel loves to give kisses…

My beautiful blue-eyed girl…

And the lovely Leslie…

Enough with the photos, mom, let’s get going!

Sigh. My babies are growing up but I love to see how much they love to learn. The pride in their voices as they tell me some new little tidbit they learned (like “some lizards can change colors!”) just makes me grin from ear to ear!

a conversation between my 4-year-old twins…

TracyWB — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 20:58:02 +0000

Last Saturday, we spent some time on Pearl Street Mall in Boulder and walked by a busker doing his fire-eating shtick. A few days later, while driving around town, I heard this conversation coming from the back seat.

Leslie: When I saw the man eat the fire, I FREAKED OUT!

Kadel: I didn’t freak out. I was brave.

Leslie: You’re more braver than me. If someone eats fire, I freak out.

Totally understandable.

laura + tyler … lafayette colorado engagement

TracyWB — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 15:43:17 +0000

I shoot a lot of weddings for a local studio which has been fantastic for the experience but the downside is not being able to get to know the brides and grooms very well prior to their wedding. However, last month, I was asked to shoot the engagement session as well as the wedding (which, by the way, is tomorrow). Laura + Tyler were so easy to work with as they seemed immediately comfortable in front of the camera which is perhaps because they are so comfortable just being with each other.

Love this sassy look that Laura gave Tyler.

Awww, so sweet.

How gorgeous are they!

Saving the best for last… Tyler, you’re looking rather dreamy here and, Laura, could you be any more in love?

It was wonderful getting to know Laura + Tyler and I can’t wait to see how fabulous they look tomorrow at their Columbine Unity Church wedding and Omni Interlocken Hotel reception.

michelle … longmont colorado maternity photography

TracyWB — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 15:14:28 +0000

Michelle is another wedding photographer with whom I have been privileged to work and I was soooo excited for her when she told me last fall that she was expecting because I know what an amazing feeling it is to have a baby (two in my case!) growing inside. She asked me in May (I know! I’m hopelessly behind but trying my best to catch up.) to photograph her in her final weeks. Of course, I was delighted! We walked from her house over to Golden Ponds in Longmont on a sunny Sunday morning where I cruelly made her sit on the nearby train tracks…

We didn’t stay there long though. This one I looooove. Michelle, you are fierce!

Yep, that’s a baby allright.

Her husband, Tom, was willing to be a hand model for a few photos.

Back at her house, Michelle got comfortable on the velvety goodness that is her deep purple comforter.

Work it!

Don’t look now but you’re glowing, Michelle!

In June, Michelle gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, Ruby. Such sweetness! I’m excited to photograph mother and daughter together soon.

the goodson family … boulder colorado

TracyWB — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 16:35:19 +0000

Well, hello there!

So, I’ve been a bit of a slacker when it comes to blogging and I’m determined to change that. Call it my new second-half-year resolution. And what better way to kick it off then with the beautiful Goodson family.

Lisa contacted me in the early spring after she found out who took the photos on another friend’s Christmas card (me!). And it was my absolute pleasure to meet Lisa, John, and their adorable boys when I showed up at their house in May. This family was so easy and comfortable in front of the camera that I ended up spending twice as long as I normally would. I couldn’t believe that Tyler (3) and Jack (1) never got fussy or uncooperative once. I’d like to think that I helped create the relaxed atmosphere of our shoot.

And now on to the photos!

The blue eyes were just killing me.

Tyler shows so much love for his little brother.

This is one typically active Boulder family.

From their house, we moved down to a park that was overrun with dandelions.

John showed Tyler how to make a dandelion necklace for his mom. Too sweet! And you can see where the gorgeous blue eyes come from…

Jack!

And now for a little Lisa + John alone time. Boy, I would’ve loved to do their wedding!

Doesn’t this last photo just scream SUMMER!?

Thank you to all the Goodsons for inviting me into your home. Stay cool.

kids rule … colorado wedding

TracyWB — Wed, 12 May 2010 16:43:50 +0000

Young kids with their perfectly smooth skin and their big honest eyes, how can you not want to photograph them? Maybe they’ll smile or maybe they’ll look at you like you’re an alien but no matter which, I can’t get enough of them. After the bride and groom, they’re my favorite subject at a wedding.

Prior to the ceremony, the ringbearer was heckling guests to sign the guest book. And this girl (I love her hair!) was just egging him on. So amusing!

I love this expression of hers right after she was reprimanded not to play with the flowers…

Moments later, though, she got to enjoy the thrill of petal throwing.

And you could see on her face how much she was diggin’ it. Her little sister was just mayhem on wheels (and I mean that in the nicest way. )

So much seriousness in such a little person…

“Are you shooting with a Canon or a Nikon? Because I only smile for Nikons.”

Aaargh! The eyes! Resistance is futile.

Next up… the bride and groom.

flowers, flowers, everywhere…

TracyWB — Fri, 07 May 2010 21:49:07 +0000

How about a little mother nature love for today? These images are from the backyard wedding that I helped my friend Mollywog shoot last weekend.

More to come…

lighting seminar with joe mcnally

TracyWB — Wed, 05 May 2010 18:16:19 +0000

Last week I was one of hundreds at the Colorado Convention Center to attend a seminar with Joe McNally on off-camera lighting techniques. Not only does Joe have a great sense of humor and ability to connect effortlessly with a large audience (at one point he mentioned the number “750″ when referring to all of us) but he makes beautiful images with seemingly little effort. But with over 30 years experience and many awards and accolades to his name, he’d probably be able to make better images than most of us with his eyes closed. I’m not going to dwell on that, though.

To demonstrate the different techniques, Joe had two different models to pose for him. First up was Lindsey who could probably look good no matter what the photographer’s level of experience or equipment. I didn’t take any pictures during that time because I was busy taking notes (sorry guys!). As the lighting setups got more complex (and thereby, less likely for me to be using them), I grabbed my camera out to snap a few photos. This happened to coincide with the use of the male model, Solomon.

On either side of the stage, there were two enormous screens to display the images as Joe took them. Here’s one of Solomon giving us his “blue steel” look.

Joe has an incredible way of setting the models at ease. Here he’s explaining how he’d like Solomon to jump with the ball but not before commenting on his utter lack of basketball skills.

My view of the leaping Solomon from roughly a half mile back…

Joe’s version using, I believe, a minimum of 4 off-camera flashes…

Now it’s time to get up close and pensive…

During break time, I was hoping to get Joe to autograph the book I purchased (The Moment It Clicks) but he was always swarmed with other eager wannabes.

Joe through the iPhone…

No idea what he’s talking about…

After break, Solomon changed into his “street clothes” and Joe used even more equipment that I may never be able to afford. Bah! Who needs it?

Lindsey came back out for a little more face time. She’s so average looking, isn’t she?

Lindsey had a hard time doing serious poses in the beginning what with Joe constantly making wisecracks but she managed near the end to get her composure. I guess that’s why she’s paid the big bucks. Although I have no idea how lucrative modeling at a seminar is.

Even though some of the more elaborate setups are not something I’ll be experiencing anytime soon, it was fascinating to see how quickly and easily Joe works and I look forward to trying out some of the more simple setups in my own work.

To get an idea of Joe’s humor and to see what he wrote about the seminar, check out his blog post.

because you can never have too many…

TracyWB — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 22:55:05 +0000

This little beauty is getting a test-drive at the wedding I’m shooting tomorrow with the lovely Molly down in Larkspur.

I needed (no really!) a bag to carry a couple lenses and a flash around for easy access. I’d really like to get a shootsac with one of their fantastic floral covers but it’s just not in the budget yet so I’ll be giving this a try in the meantime. While the exterior is kind of boring, I just love the interior color. It gives it a little more pizzazz. Yea baby!

Next up… a bag for the new laptop. Hmmmmm…

7 days… plus one

TracyWB — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 16:08:09 +0000

A week ago, the shrubbery in our yard looked like this…

Now it looks more like this…

I turned the last photo into my new wallpaper. Love it! Happy Spring everyone!

…

And that was where I was going to end the post when I started writing it yesterday, but then I woke up today to this:

Heavy sigh.

But as is typical it’s already starting to melt. Yea! I am an eternal optimist.