The last of 2014

I am really bad at this blogging thing.  In 2015 I am going to resolve to do more blog posts.  I have some really great things planned for this year.  Exciting things, new things, things that are going to force me out of my comfort zone.  I'm excited and terrified at the same time.  This year I hope to do a lot more videography and also a couple of things that are new to me.  Boudoir photography and possibly a couple of weddings.  Every year I get a growing number of inquiries for weddings, so I think I owe it to myself to see if it is something I enjoy.  I am also in talks with a local band to get some custom music for sessions and videos.  Once that project gets going I will be sure to introduce everyone  to the band.

Ok, enough rambling.  Here is my last session of 2014.  It couldn't have been a better session either.  This little one is such a blessing.  So beautiful, and she was just perfect!

Here she is.  The many faces of baby :-)

Such a little angel.

All of that hair!!!!

Ask anyone who has done a session with me, I'm a little obsessed with baby feet.

If you would like to see more from this session, check out my Facebook page.

How To: Photograph Fireworks

How To: Photograph Fireworks

Happy Independence Day!  Every Year on the 3rd we go to my Aunt and Uncle's cottage on the lake for family/friend time, fireworks, and amazing food.  There is usually some swimming involved too and last night was no exception.  We were worried the fireworks would be cancelled because of the rain, but the rain didn't even stop my kiddos from taking a dip in the surprisingly warm water.

If you are attending the fireworks this year, here are some tips to help you get some great images.

1. Use a tripod.  This is essential.  You need to use such a long exposure that it would be nearly impossible to hand hold your camera.  Most of my exposure times were anywhere from 2 seconds to 20 seconds.
2. Set your focus on your lens to infinity (shown below).
   
3. Set your camera to a small aperture (the larger the # the smaller the aperture which lets in less light).  Depending on the look I was going for, I shot between 6 and 20.
4. Set your shutter speed to BULB.  By setting your shutter speed to BULB, you will need to press the shutter to start your exposure and hold it the length of your exposure, releasing when you are done.
5. ISO:  I set my ISO to 100  to get images where I wanted the sky to be black.  If you would like some more of the background to be visible, increase your ISO.

   

   35mm f/10  ISO 400  8:00s
   

   
   

   
   

To capture this image I used an aperture of f/10. I set my camera to an ISO of 400 hoping that the fireworks would illuminate the sky enough to be able to see the lake and the silhouette of Liz sitting on the dock. I also used a longer shutter speed of 8 seconds to make sure that I got enough light from the fireworks.

35mm  f/22  ISO 100 15:00s

In this image, I wanted the sky to be black, so I used an ISO of 100.  Because my aperture was set to f/22 (letting in less light) and my ISO was set so low, and these particular fireworks weren't very bright, I used a shutter speed of 15 seconds.


I hope you are able to get out and take some great pictures of fireworks, while spending time with friends and family!

DIY Maternity Dress

DIY Maternity Dress

So, I haven't been doing a very good job of blogging.  Okay, who am I kidding, I stink at this blogging thing.  One post in a year!?!  I am going to try to make an effort to do some more blogging of sessions, DIY projects, whatever you guys would like to read.

You are welcome to use this tutorial to make as many of these as you would like, but please don't sell dresses made from this tutorial, and please don't sell my "pattern".

Here is my third attempt at a maternity dress.  I also made a matching skirt to go under so that this wasn't too revealing.  If you are interested in making this, I purchased everything from Joann Fabrics.  I bought all of my items at the Joann Fabric's store, but I linked to similar ones that I found online.

You will need the following:

2 Yards of Lace
I can't find the specific one I used, but I used one similar to this. The color is Tango Red.
1 Yard of coordinating Rayon Spandex
I used this Chili Pepper
Spool of coordinating thread
This thread in candy apple
1 Yard of coordinating thin rope ribbon (called rattail)
I used this, but in red
1 spool of coordinating satin ribbon
I used a smaller spool, but similar to this one

Cut a 9 inch x 29 inch panel off of the top of the lace.  

Cut 2 pieces of the same size of the coordinating fabric.

Cut the remaining piece of lace in half so that you have two long pieces, 

with two finished edges.

Place on solid panel flat, with the lace panel on top.  Place the long lace pieces on top of the 

sandwiched fabric.  The finished edges should overlap slightly in the very middle of the 

sandwiched fabric. (Yellow pin).  Pin the lace in place.  

At the 3 inch mark, grab a one inch piece of lace and pull it to the 2 inch mark.

Pin in both places shown.  Skipping an inch, grab an inch of lace, folding it over to the 

inch before, and pin, working in one direction first, and then the next.

Follow instructions on the other side.

Pin the other panel of coordinating fabric on top and sew a straight stitch. 

I sewed a second stitch closer to the edge, once I took the pins out to make it a little sturdier.

Take out the pins, trim the fabric, and place it right side out.  Push the extra lace to the sides.

Pull the coordinating fabric over the lace from of the chest of the dress.  Now you will have

the top portion of the dress, inside out.  Pin, and sew with a straight stitch.  

I stitched this twice too.

Turn the top right side out.

Cut eight 4 inch pieces of the rope ribbon, loop them, and tack them 4 each on the inside of the

tube top of the dress. 

With a short zigzag stitch, run back on forth over the hooks twice.  

Trim extra on the loops.  Fold the fabric in nicely to make a finished edge.  With the short zigzag stitch,

sew the ends of the dress top.

If you want to make a sweetheart top, with big stitches, hand stitch down the center of the top,

pull it tight, and secure.  

Loop your ribbon through the corset back.

Now do a happy dance, because you are finished!

 

 

What other DIY projects would you like me to blog about?

 

 

 

Find me on Facebook or at www.HeatherLarisonPhotography.com

Stephanie and Lillian

Here we go.  My first blog post!  I hope to use this blog to share what I am working on at the moment…

Yesterday I had a newborn session scheduled for the evening, but we had to reschedule it.  I was itching to get outside with my camera because in New York it was finally feeling like a spring day.  And you don’t want to let one of those pass you by!  So I called my sister and asked to her to over with my niece so that I could take some pictures of them.  Even though the sun was shining it was still a bit chilly outside, so we only stayed out for about 15 minutes.  But in those 15 minutes I was able to capture some great images.



 

 Aren't they gorgeous!

 

The love between Stephanie and Lillian is something amazing to see!

I can't wait to see what other memories I can capture this spring/summer!

 

To get updates on what is going on with Heather Larison Photography visit our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Photography.HeatherLarisonPhotography and hit "like"!