Senior portraits at the pool - {Albuquerque senior photography}

I have been working on senior portraits like crazy!  The problem is that of course all the seniors need their proofs back well in time to order pictures to send with graduation announcements, which needs to be soon!  I booked more than I should have, and in fact if you're a senior wondering if I might have an available appointment, sadly, the answer is no.  So I am low on sleep but I'm having a lot of fun with these images.

This girl is a very competitive swimmer and in fact got a scholarship to UNM because of her swimming success and talent.  We met at West Mesa to do some pictures there.  We actually did a lot more pictures on other days in other places, but this is what's ready to post, and they have been waiting sooooo patiently that I thought I should post what I have.

I love the medals shot. :)










I brought my ring light to the pool.  Obviously I am excited about my new ring light. :)  And what a fun portrait!




Perhaps she was laughing at me, as I was trying not to slip & fall into the pool, while quickly walking alongside her as she swam?


Okay, who looks this gorgeous just after they step out of the water??? :)

Senior portraits at the school - {Albuquerque senior photography}

My next senior portraits are for this really great guy. Originally his mom had asked if I could do pictures with him and his friends. Then their schedule changed, but we still did some portraits at the school, and rescheduled the friends photo shoot for later. I'm so glad it worked out, because it was a great session and I love how they turned out.

His mom had the idea to use this sign.  I have to admit I hadn't noticed it in the past, but it was perfect for senior portraits.  I love the colors behind the sign too.






One thing I've been serious about this spring with senior portraits is off-camera flash.  Our blazingly bright mid-day sun here in Albuquerque is so hard to use for photographers.  We tend to head for the shade, but this year I decided that the blue sky and full sun is worth working for!  I've been really glad because this is what is really looks like here, right? 




I love the football shots - I'm always really happy when seniors bring sports equipment or props of any sort.  I think it's so important that senior portraits aren't just a quick shot in a studio - wearing a drape or jacket - but can really highlight your personality.

Senior athlete - {Albuquerque senior photography}

Senior portraits are back in full swing!  Some seniors like to do them the summer before school starts, and some seniors are so busy that they wait until the end of the year.  (When, of course, they are even busier, but a deadline can make all the difference - for me too!)  In fact I think this amazing girl probably would have been happy to do them earlier in the fall  but I was busy enough to put it off.  Anyway!  

This girl, who was voted most athletic in her class, is not only a great all-around athlete, but she's a great all-around person too.  She is upbeat, smart, and has great university goals.  I'm happy to know her!  I loved doing senior portraits - even though it was freezing cold and eventually her chin froze up :) - she was lots of fun.



Not only was it cold, but also windy.  Not exactly a photographer's dream!  But she was a great sport, and sometimes it's fun to have movement in your hair... (sometimes...)








Once we got off the mesa and down to Old Town, it was much nicer.  I guess standing at the edge of the mesa is a windy place to be. :) 






And she's also a musician - she is an excellent violinist.  (I've heard her play a few times, so it's not just hearsay!)




This is one of my favorites!


I did manage to get some volleyball pictures of her last fall.  I really enjoyed seeing this game.  I think she was team captain, and played a bunch of the time, which was great for my purposes. :)

Look at those catchlights! - {Albuquerque portrait photography}

I am so excited - I got a new ringlight! They are so much fun - I bought it thinking of senior portraits (of which I am doing a. lot. right now) but they are also really fun for kids or anything informal.  You can see the really neat circular catchlight it creates in eyes. 




So if you're coming here for portraits, I just might get it out!

A really amazing newborn smile! - {Albuquerque newborn photography}

I met this sweet little baby last week - she was so perfect for newborn portraits!  She is just 10 days old here.  She was awake and happy, then went to sleep and let me move her around all I wanted.  Her eyes were so clear and bright - I was glad she was awake for pictures too.  And keep reading for the most amazing smile...


I guess it's only amazing if you know that newborns don't smile when they're awake.  Usually when they fall asleep you can get pictures of those sweet little sleep-smiles.  But this was a fully awake smile, and I got 3 frames of it, so it lasted!  Amazing, right?


And here's a sleep smile, also very sweet. :)

Wishing for a pretty yard... {Albuquerque child photography}

I am SO ready for it to be green out!  The weather feels like spring (including the horrendous Albuquerque spring wind) and there are spring bulbs blooming.  But everything is still brown & dry!  I can't remember the last time we had rain... could that be the problem? :) 

My daughter had been wanting me to take her picture, so we went out in the bare front yard for a few minutes.  She was so sweet and cooperative (any photographer will tell you that their own kids are usually the hardest to work with!) and laughed at my silly jokes.  I love her.  She is growing up so fast.








Her brother wanted a marshmallow too (that's how I bribe them to be in pictures for me).  I don't know how he eats with no front teeth!


They are such good buddies - I love this picture of them together.  He really does take care of her, and she adores him.

Newborn baby boy - {Albuquerque newborn photography}

This little guy was born a nice big size -he is just barely 2 weeks here (I think) and for sure looks big & healthy, not like a tiny newborn.  He slept perfectly, the whole time!  That doesn't happen very often - I loved it.  It's so fun to get to work with these sweet little people - a blessing in my life.