My business keeps me so busy that I rarely think to spend some time just photographing for fun. Yesterday afternoon, I took Porter out for a play at Jamaica Plain Pond and brought along my camera and a 35mm lens. The sun was glorious, and the little patches of snow on the ground made everything sparkle. I love that the grass there gets covered in a slippery carpet of acorns. It’s very cold right now (you’d never recognize me underneath the giant knee-length winter coat, balaclava and thick gloves) but I’d so much rather that and have the sun shining. I honestly don’t understand why winter in the northeast has such a bad rep. Anyway.
Here are some photos, just for fun. Art, I guess. Marg, if you’re reading: these are for you. And for mum and dad, too.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
On Saturday I headed down to South Boston for my first belly session of the year. It was crazy cold out, but bright and beautiful, and Barbara and Ryan’s house was awash with sunshine. Perfect! This was my first time photographing a belly session 100% indoors, and I have to say, I kinda like it. You’re forced to work more creatively with the spaces you have, and expressions and interactions become so much more important when there aren’t any spectacular landscapes to distract from your subjects.
We started the session on the beautiful staircase just inside the front door. The light there is strong and directional, meaning lots of good shadows to work with. I also loved that I could change my perspective by photographing down from the second floor, shooting over the banister, or photographing straight on from the doorway.
I love working with both parents together during belly sessions - to me a belly session is about the couple, and their relationship, and the shared excitement of welcoming a new family member. That being said, it’s always fun to get some solo shots of mom too - especially when she’s glowing as gorgeously as Barbara …
The front door made a great backdrop for some silhouette shots … and the living room was bathed in the most amazing light - it was so bright, in fact, that I ended up closing the blinds for much of the session.
We finished the session upstairs in the front bedroom. I loved the clean white decor, and I totally loved the photos we took there. We ended with some boudoir-style belly photos on the bed, and I’m hoping that Barbara and Ryan might let me show one or two when they receive their full collection. Fingers crossed! 
Thank you both for welcoming this stranger into your home and playing with me for an hour and a half. Good luck with the arrival of your new baby (due so soon, on February 12th!)
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Last Saturday I got to hang out with two of the most amazing people I’ve ever met - Pants (Chris) and Kelly Alice. They are quickly becoming two of our best friends here in Boston, and I adore them. A little while ago I asked how they’d feel about helping me out with some photos - I’ve been wanting to break into gay and lesbian weddings for quite some time, and after getting accepted into the fabulously titled So You’re EnGAYged I decided I couldn’t wait any longer.
We started with a couple of quick shots in my studio room - it was pretty cold out and I knew I had to have some images that showed off their awesome tattoos …
I loved that we also managed to show how playful they are with each other. Then, we headed out to Jamaica Pond, to the little bench where Pants proposed.
I love the mood in these two black and white shots:
You’d never know the pond was teeming with people that afternoon (just what you want when your photographer is asking you to be intimate, ha!)
I love how Pants is smiling here. She was trying really hard all afternoon not to show her teeth, and she’ll probably kill me for posting this … but how can you not love how genuinely happy they look?
I was super excited when Kelly Alice told me that they’d brought along a bottle of bubbly - and a third glass for me, woo-hoo! Nothing beats a little al-fresco drinking in the afternoon.
After we’d exhausted the engagement bench, we made our way over to my favorite spot in JP … stopping by this tree on the way:
Some snuggles to warm up:
The last shots of the afternoon are some of my very favorites. I think everyone was feeling a little more free and easy after the Champagne. Thank you, thank you, thank you to my amazing and utterly loved up friends. I hope you enjoy your photos!
© 2010 Kate McElwee Photography
There will be lots more of this beautiful couple coming later this week. Can’t wait!
I’m excited to announce a small exhibition in Jamaica Plain, MA, next month. Myself and five other fab local photographers will be showing some of our favorite Love Scenes - images that represent love and romance. The exhibit will be on view by appointment with fab realtor Edana Spicker (agentedana@gmail.com) of McCormack & Scanlan throughout February, and we’re hoping that you’ll join us for a brunch reception on Saturday, Feb 6 from 11am through 2pm. There’s more info on the event page on Facebook - click here. Looking forward to seeing you there!
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Right before Christmas, I ordered up another studio sample album with photos from Jeremy + Ophelia’s beautiful July 2009 wedding, a 9.5×9.5 Fine Art Album. This album is a little different to the Flush Mount Album, and it’s also a little more affordable. The main difference between this one and the Flush Mount is the printing: instead of being printed on photographic paper, it’s printed on fine art paper with a soft, velvet-satin finish. The colors are saturated and vibrant, and the printing is very sharp. Another major difference is that it comes with a photowrap cover as standard. Other options are available, including funky 3/4 leather binding, with just the front cover as a photowrap (I’m excited to order this style for my next sample).
The other big difference is that the pages are much thinner - these pages are soft and flexible, like thick card, whereas the Flush Mount pages are much thicker (around 2mm) and more solid. The image below shows the optional dust jacket. I recommend adding on a dust jacket if you’ll be carrying your album around with you as it offers a little extra protection.
It’s been interesting watching the reactions of recent clients and other studio visitors when presenting the two album styles. Most people have a very strong feeling about which style they prefer, with around two thirds preferring the flush mount albums. I really like both, but I would probably choose the Fine Art book for a high-end guest book upgrade, or portrait album, and the Flush Mount for my wedding album.
I thought it would be fun to show you some sample album designs too - here are a few of my favorite spreads from the Fine Art Album:
I like a really clean, simple design as I feel it enables the story - and the images - to really shine. Here are a few more spreads from the reception part of the day:
There’s no comparison to seeing the albums in the flesh - so let me know if you’d like to set up an appointment to visit the studio!
© 2009 Kate McElwee Photography
by Kate
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