New blog

For those of you who have been following this blog, please visit my new blog at www.rachelletelfordphotography.com/blog.

A Christmas Family

I really enjoy the contrast between the reds, whites, and blacks, but of course the little guy in the middle is the best part about the picture. This was my fourth photo shoot of him, and I have one more planned for his first birthday next month. I recognize that my white background is not perfectly white, and I'm still trying to figure out the best technique for white backgrounds, but I think I've learned a few tricks that I can apply to my next round of photos on this back drop. I love learning form my little mishaps. One of my friends gave me some tips that I can use next time!

Oldies but goodies from July

I just came across these and thought they were too cute to NOT put on my blog.

My first wedding

Thanks and little no thanks to Justin pressuring me into it, I photographed my first wedding. Just like in the movies, the wedding started late because the person driving the bride to the church got lost. We were worried about having enough daylight as it was, so that added a bit of stress to the situation. I took pictures in the darkest church I've EVER been in, up on the moutain with a dark overcast sunset, and at a reception in a dark restaurant. I learned a big lesson that day -- in order for me to be a good photographer I need to practice in bad lighting for those moments when it's all out of my control, like a wedding for example!

I know these aren't even comparable to a real professional's pictures, but considering that they paid me about 1/5 of what they would've had to pay someone else I don't feel too bad. It was my first time and they had to talk me into it, so all I can say is I did my best and learned a TON from my million bagillion mistakes.

All in all, I enjoyed myself. I like "hiding" behind a camera in social situations. I went to a church dinner last night for the Relief Society and sometimes wished I had my camera to hide behind.

Even though one can make thousands of dollars, most of my photographer friends refuse to shoot weddings because there is so much pressure. It's not like you can say, Oh that didn't go well, can we reschedule for next week. I guess I'm glad I did this one since it was pretty low key, but mainly because now I have money to buy Christmas presents!!!

After I took these pictures I was on Facebook and looked at Natalie Dean's wedding pictures, which are awesome, astounding, incredible. . . and wonder if I will ever be capable of such pictures. I hope!

The new little family. These are the groom's daughters.

The groom, seeing his bride walk down the aisle.

I added a look of film grain to this one on purpose to give it a classic film look

This one has its original soft look about it

I added a touch of a high-pass filter to define the edges a bit.

This was one of the last pictures I took on the mountain before my camera gave up and become unable to focus. Yes, they were being silly.

Grandma's favorite Grandchild, Natasha

She was the firstborn granchild in our family. She claims she must be grandma's favorite because there are more pictures of her around the house than any other grandchild. Yes, she was definitely doted on as a baby. I still remember seeing her for the first time. She was one month old. I was 11 years old and I had to fight with my little 4 year old sister for a turn to hold her. We were all surprised by her strawberry blonde hair. It has stayed a beautiful color, and paired with her blue eyes and long legs I'm sure she's breaking many hearts up in Idaho where she's attending college.

Kevin and his brother

While we were waiting for Valerie to change I played around taking pictures of Kevin and his brother Johnny. And, I should add, Johnny is an eligible bachelor who recently returned from a mission to South Africa. And he seems to have a great sense of humor. I LOVE these pictures because I had my aperture wide open, which is the only way to create the perfectly round circles of light in the background. I couldn't have asked for a better lighting situation. The bright shade was awesome!

Done with Val!

This is Valerie and Kevin, right after they came out of the temple.
Then she threw her hair up in a messy pony tail for pictures.