LifeScapes Photo and Video

Three Beautiful Brunettes!

2011-10-28T10:32:00.010-04:00

This beautiful family opted for an outdoor fall sitting in our little neighborhood. With great grins and some fun outdoor scenery, we captured their love and joy with ease.

Be Yourself!

2011-10-20T13:50:00.009-04:00

These two have the coolest mom. And it shows! They are funny, smart, confident, and all-around-awesome. We can tell they are encouraged and loved and celebrated each day. What a joy to capture them each year.

Welcome Baby Wilson

2011-10-19T21:19:00.003-04:00

Got a chance to catch up with old friends while capturing them in this precious time as they reform their family around new baby Wilson's arrival. Beautiful!

An Honest Moment

2011-08-20T23:06:00.004-04:00

Again, I will share the image that changed me. We got the chance to capture the most beautiful 6-day-old baby girl with her family last week. Mommy looked AMAZING at not even a week out. There were adorable kisses, hugs, snuggles, and laughter. We captured all this; it was beautiful. And then there was this shot - in between shots. The new mother was not posing, was not aware of the camera, was simply and beautifully looking at her new baby daughter who until very recently had only been imagined. There was a stillness and the baby felt it, and settled into the grace of it. And Brian, ever the artist, felt it and snapped this shot. And there it is. The art of that stillness. The weight of that moment. This image reminds me to look at my daughter, now six-years-old, and just as fascinating and special to me as she was in that first week of life. To look at her. And to see her. To breath into that space of stillness and simply love my child.

Basket Full of Love

2011-08-18T22:19:00.006-04:00

This beautiful girl is so loved and so lucky. Welcome to the world, wee baby girl.

All Together!

2011-08-11T08:40:00.003-04:00

Thank you so much to the Tucker family for allowing us to stay at your home in GA during our visit. We had a great time. We hope you enjoy the images of your adorable children as much as we enjoyed capturing them for you.

A Model Family

2011-08-10T23:46:00.006-04:00

Silly daddies and cuddly mommies always make the sitting more fun for everyone. Keep it fun, loving, and relaxed! A model family!

This is the shot.

2011-08-10T23:21:00.008-04:00

This is the shot. I go through the images we capture. We always capture the images that meet the client's goals. That's a given. But there's always one picture for me. One that breaks my heart.
I gasp.
I sigh.
I smile.
I gaze.

I don't care who likes it, or who appreciates it, or who understands it. I love it. This is the shot.

How They've Grown!

2011-08-09T16:23:00.006-04:00

We love repeat clients for a few reasons. It's great to know they appreciate our work. It's fun to see how the kids have grown and changed. And in the case of this particular family, they are just amazing people. Such a fun and gracious group of people is a joy to capture whenever their family vacation brings them to the Bay.

Laughter, Dancing, and Love

2011-06-04T12:12:00.011-04:00

The most remarkable thing about Krisin and Lorne's wedding day was the laughter. With a focus on fun and candid images, we enjoyed every moment we spent photographing their joyful day. Chesapeake City, MD was a picturesque town in which to have the wedding events. From pre-ceremony images in and around the Old Wharf Cottage and the Blue Max Inn, Trinity United Methodist Church for the ceremony, and the town parks and sidewalks for the formals, we captured the bride and groom as they reveled in the great atmosphere and superb weather. The reception, at the watefront Bayard House, gave us a lovely breeze and spectacular view while the guests danced the night away to Mixologist Productions, Inc with Mac at the wheel. We wish them many more years of laugher together.

Time of My Life

2011-06-01T13:04:00.002-04:00

The music bounced off the walls of our studio as we captured this family. Modern to classic hits were belted out by family members to help create a mood of fun and relaxation. What a hit!

Nature Photography Workshop - Free Video Tutorial (Part1)

2011-05-25T14:03:00.000-04:00

Brian led a nature photography workshop at the Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge in late March, and we've got the footage edited and ready to view! This multi-part series is available on Youtube or by going to the Photography Exposed podcast website and subscribing via iTunes.

Part one of the free photography tutorial includes:

Introduction

What's Covered?
- Landscape
- Wildlife
- Macro
- Portraiture in Nature

Recipe for Good Photography
- Equipment
- Technique
- Opportunity

Composition basics
- Rule of Thirds

So break out your DSLR, and follow along for some great tips and techniques to help you become a better photographer! Note: Although this workshop is geared toward nature photography or shooting portraiture in nature, many of the content applies to learning photography in general.

Family Time

2011-05-21T19:23:00.006-04:00

We love babies, and big sisters who love their little brothers have a special place in our hearts. This adorable family enjoyed a quiet walk followed by some splashing in the sun-warmed bay. A perfect evening and an even more perfect family.

Making Sunshine

2011-05-14T10:10:00.005-04:00

The trick with outdoor photography is not actually the weather. It's the family. This adorable family braved a drizzly afternoon to capture these magical shots. They enjoyed seeing their little boy explore the nature at Terrapin Park and giggle at our silly camera. Dashing between the raindrops, we found the sunshine in their smiles and joy.

70 is a Beautiful Number

2011-05-06T19:09:00.010-04:00

Surprise! Margaret's family surprised her for her 70th birthday. Fun guests, delicious food, a healthy dose of laughter, and even a live Skype rounded out an evening celebrating a woman who is clearly loved and blessed. Margaret shined with an inner light that women of a certain age attain as they grow in wisdom, appreciation, beauty, and love.
See Margaret's birthday images here.

Not-So-Quiet Walks on the Beach

2011-04-23T17:22:00.002-04:00

One thing that's different between dating and marriage with kids is that going to a beach is a whole new experience. In addition to marveling at nature's constancy vs. moments by looking at the water, we see these things in our children. They grow, they change, we change, but the joy a child finds on a beach is constant. Their joy was our joy, and still is.

Engagement Photography - Look to your future...

2011-04-17T22:05:00.003-04:00

Kristin and Lorne enjoyed an intimate walk through wooded paths, across reeded causeways, to a sunset beach. As they connected with each other, we captured their laughter and love. "Look to your future..." Images coming soon.

Yee-haw!

2011-04-13T14:45:00.007-04:00

Brian had the opportunity to capture Ashley's 21st western birthday party via both photography and video. With a mechanical bull, live band - Anthony Ryan Country, and dancing, there was lots of good opportunities to capture Ashley and her guests enjoying the celebration. We'll post some video shortly, but here's some images from that night.

She's Gone Country

2011-04-08T16:11:00.009-04:00

Ashley's 21st birthday was so rich with fun and style, she opted to add some digital SLR video to her photography package. Rebecca compiled the video clips and some of her favorite photographs into a montage to create a video album of her day. The below short highlights is a summary of the events captured.

ASHLEY'S VIDEO LINK

Outdoor Spring Sittings

2011-03-17T19:19:00.005-04:00

A few days left to book a sitting at our Quiet Water's Spring Blossom Sessions. And we still have some sittings available for our Terrapin Park Beach Sessions next month. Call or email to book your session.
(888) 269-7564
info@LifeScapesPhoto.com

See a video of sample images at each location!

Free Nature Photography Workshop - Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge (Maryland)

2011-03-12T09:43:00.005-05:00

In collaboration with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Wildlife Refuge System, and Center for Environment and Society at Washington College, Brian Palmer will be teaching a Nature Photography Workshop at Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge on March 30, 2011, from 4:45 PM until dusk. The class will explore camera techniques, location lighting, digital darkroom and post-production applicable to wildlife, landscape and macro nature photography.

This event is free and open to the public, but reservations are required. Space is limited to 18 people. Refreshments provided during the 90-minute classroom period at the Visitor Center. Immediately following, participants head outdoors for hands-on practice. Bring your own camera, snack and water. Presented by the Friends of Eastern Neck and Washington College’s Center for Environment & Society.

For those who can't make it to the workshop due to location or after the allotted seats are filled, Brian will be making a podcast episode with video from the event on Photography Exposed, available for free!

Contact JoAnne Fairchild to reserve your seat.
jfairchild2@washcoll.edu or (410) 778-7295

Wed., March 30, 2011
4:45 PM to 7:45 PM
Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge
1730 Eastern Neck Road, Rock Hall MD 21661

Photography Podcast - Photography Exposed 006 - Tilt-Shift vs Lensbaby, Point&Shoot vs DSLR, and renting photography equipment

2011-03-01T09:00:00.003-05:00

In this episode of Photography Exposed, Christopher Stokes discuss the decision to bring an inexpensive point-and-shoot camera on a trip to Italy. Brian Palmer talks about lens selection and how to determine what you need, without paying much more for what you don't need. For a photo road trip to Pittsburgh and Cleveland, Brian rents a Canon 24mm TS-E Tilt Shift lens, and discusses the differences between using it and an inexpensive Lensbaby. See real time through-the-lens examples of what a Tilt Shift lens can do for you!

Runtime: 14:54

As usual, it would help us if you subscribe to us on iTunes, even if you watched this episode on YouTube. There will be some episodes that we can't put on YouTube, due to length restrictions. By subscribing, you'll automatically download the latest episode when you run iTunes. The program and podcast are free, but if you like it, please "like" us on Facebook, and please leave a comment and rate us on iTunes!

Photography Podcast - Photography Exposed 005 - PocketWizard FlexTT5 for Nikon, TTL vs non-TTL lighting, and Sensor Density Demystified!

2011-02-15T12:07:00.000-05:00

Brian Palmer and Christopher Stokes discuss the newly available PocketWizard FlexTT5 RF transceivers (now Nikon compatible). B&H Photo Video claims shipping in 7-14 days from the taping of this show, and is taking orders. This segues into an overview of TTL vs non-TTL lighting, and what the FlexTT5 or MiniTT1 modules can do for your lighting workflow. A listener asks why her 6 year old Nikon point-and-shoot camera produces a better picture than her 3 year old Panasonic point-and-shoot. Brian compares two images she emailed us and gives an overview on camera sensor density’s role in the overall quality of the image.

Runtime: 13:24

Subscribe to this photography podcast via iTunes for free!

Photography Podcast 004 - Interactive Photography Exhibit and Photography on the Chesapeake Bay

2011-02-06T11:37:00.004-05:00

Co-host Christopher Stokes joins Brian Palmer to showcase the combination of a traditional photography exhibit with an interactive use of QR bar codes which show text and video content for each photo. Photography Exposed Interactive Photography Exhibit is available at the Kohl Gallery on the Washington College campus now through Feb 27th, 2011.

Chris and Brian also talk about the Chesapeake Bay Photographer’s Sailing Adventure, a 4 day photography centric trip Brian led in October with students of the college. The video, which won a 2010 MarCom Platinum Award and a 2011 Annual Educational Advertising Award, features images from the 5 students and photos and video shot by Brian.

Brian also mentions an upcoming interview with photographer Tim Babasade. Brian and Tim took two trips to the American south west in 2009 and 2010, and the upcoming podcast episode will talk about specific locations they visited, and also generic trip planning ideas.

Runtime: 15:00

As always, the photography podcasts are available for free in iTunes.

Photoshop Podcast - Photography Exposed 003 - Creating Mini Planets

2011-01-25T11:02:00.000-05:00

I taught Digital Imaging at Washington College this past fall semester, and for one of the assignments, I had students go photograph several images to stitch into a panoramic image, and fold into a mini-planet, like this one. I was making short videos like this for out of class review in case anyone had difficulties, and I thought it would make a good episode for Photography Exposed.

In this example shown, I shot several overlapping images around in a 360 degree sweep, based on a central point on campus at Washington College. I used Photomatix for tone mapping the images, which might be an extra step you may want to skip if this is your first time trying this.

The actual processing of the images and folding into a globe-looking image was all handled in Photoshop CS4.

Subscribe to the iTunes feed here for free! (you must have iTunes installed)

Photography Podcast - Photography Exposed 002 - Timelapse Pioneer, Jay Burlage

2011-01-15T10:00:00.001-05:00

For our second episode of Photography Exposed, I interviewed Jay Burlage, a pioneer in developing hardware, software and techniques used by timelapse enthousiasts and professionals around the world. Jay goes by MILapse online, since he lives in Michigan, and has taken a couple hours of his time to speak with us via Skype.

This interview is a bit niche for some viewers, and at nearly 90 minutes, it may be a lot for a beginner to appreciate. So, having warned you, if DSLR time lapse is your cup of tea, or you would like to learn how to do it form a pro, click through to the iTunes link.

In addition to the interview, this podcast features by my and Jay's timelapse work, as gives specific examples of software and hardware to use for producing MILapse worthy results!

Click here to subscribe via iTunes!

Photography Exposed Podcast - Mitch Epstein - American Power

2010-12-11T10:29:00.001-05:00

I'm experimenting with a new project, which we are calling Photography Exposed, which lives at PhotographyExposed.tv. This is a photography podcast geared to all experience levels, where we'll look at a variety of broad and some very niche topics.

For our first episode, we had Mitch Epstein come to discuss American Power, his new photo book that asks everyone to look harder at their daily relationship with power.

In American Power, Mitch Epstein investigates notions of power, both electrical and political. His focus is on energy – how it gets made, how it gets used, and the ramifications of both. From 2003 to 2008, he photographed at and around sites where fossil fuel, nuclear, hydroelectric, wind, and solar power are produced in the United States. The resulting photographs contain Epstein’s signature complex wit, surprising detail, and formal rigor. These pictures illuminate the intersection between American society and American landscape. Here is a portrait of early 21st century America, as it clings to past comforts and gropes for a more sensible future. In an accompanying essay, Epstein discusses his method, and how making these photographs led him to think harder about the artist’s role in a country teetering between collapse and transformation.

The podcast is available for free on iTunes. If you have Apple's iTunes installed (free app), then follow the link below and subscribe for free! Runtime: 58:23.

Click here to subscribe via iTunes

Kids with Character

2010-11-01T09:43:00.005-04:00

We had the opportunity to photograph these sassy children through the portrait sittings we did for Colonial Nursery School. Annabell and Philip gave us great face and attitude. Love the different aspects of their relationship and personalities that came across in the images.

Celebration of Life

2010-01-26T14:33:00.003-05:00

We really enjoyed the grace of this beautiful family celebrating life. The spirited children, charming teenager, and loving father added to the feeling of family as we captured the beautiful Elizabeth in this special moment in time.

LifeBrushed Beauties

2009-12-01T15:32:00.000-05:00

These two cuties have been our pleasure to capture for years now. For their first LifeBrush, I created two versions from which to choose. In the end, they got one of each! What adorable subjects to paint.

A Baptism Day

2009-10-15T14:38:00.006-04:00

After having creating the video album for this couple 2 years ago for their wedding, we had the pleasure of doing both photography and video for their first child's baptism day. The beautiful Greek Orthodox ceremony was followed by a studio sitting to capture the adorable toddler in her finery. We followed up with a LifeBrush for the family's wall. The images above include some close-ups of the LifeBrush painting to show detailed brush-strokes. Overall, wonderful day with a lovely family.

LifeBrush on the Beach

2009-10-10T11:37:00.001-04:00

Love this very dynamic shot of my brother with his girlfriend. Taken with a beach-friendly point-and-shoot, not the best quality or color. Sent it through some filters and did some adjustments to get the richer version you see at the top. Then painted the below image for them as a gift - extra brushy. Love the final result. We got this one printed on a canvas gallery wrap.

Jessica and Eamon tie the knot in Westminster Hall, Baltimore

2009-10-04T02:22:00.008-04:00

Jessica and Eamon tied the knot today at the historic Westminster Hall in Baltimore, MD. What a thoughtful couple! They arranged for a guide to make the historic catacombs accessible, and even prepared a guided tour. Thank you for the opportunity to capture your special day! Congratulations on the start of your new lives together!

Two Dreams

2009-06-20T10:03:00.006-04:00

Can you believe these adorable little ballerinas? I love the tu-tus and minxy smiles that go with them. What a fun shoot with a family that's up for anything! I am currently working on a LifeBrush painting for one of the fantasy images. More on that soon.

And they found each other...

2009-06-14T12:34:00.001-04:00

Katrina and Michael wed this past Saturday in a lovely ceremony we were happy to video tape. With a charming minister that brought chuckles and tears to their guests with his heartfelt homily, we look forward to editing the footage into a completed video for them. We are so glad these two found each other.

1 is a wonderful number

2009-06-12T20:28:00.003-04:00

Dear little Vallery turned 1-year-old this week! I was invited to capture this thought-filled toddler to commemorate and record her in this moment. Mom and big brother Daniel joined Vallery for her feature shoot to increase the fun and comfort. Daniel spontaneously started kissing his sister on the head during one of our sets. Little boys are priceless! I especially like the profile with the thumb. Sure we captured those smiles, too, but the thumb shot's seriousness really seems to highlight who Vallery is at this beautiful age. Happy Birthday, sweet girl!

Love for Two, Under One

2009-06-07T17:22:00.003-04:00

This couple had such love for each other, and clearly for God as well. Julie Anne and Matthew made their vows to each other and to God through solemn promises and song. We really enjoyed the spirituality of this couple's ceremony in a quaint victorian church setting. We loved every detail down to her antiqued lace parasol.

Spirited Love

2009-06-06T16:26:00.002-04:00

In photographing weddings, engagement sittings, and family portraits for so long, we have seen so many different relationships. We strive to capture the honest truth with our photography and film production. With all this close observation and intention, we have seen many types of love. Some couples have a quiet, yet deep love. Some couples have a new, fiery hot love.

This particular couple was so spirited and playful, it's clear their common sense of humor is one of the key features of their great relationship. They were up for anything from jumping, leaping, dipping, dancing, kissing, and splashing. (The splashing was their idea since we don't usually splash near our equipment... hahah.)

We can't wait for their wedding this August! Here are some of our favorite photographs from the sunset photo shoot.

Save the Date

2009-05-21T14:53:00.002-04:00

During a windy afternoon over Memorial Day weekend in St. Michaels, Brian's brother and his fiance wanted a few casual shots of their interactions for a "Save the Date" magnet they were sending out this month. This is my favorite shot from that imprompu afternoon.

Family Time

2009-05-21T13:42:00.002-04:00

We were lucky to spend the weekend on our boat in St. Michael's with family and friends. These are our favorite photographs that tell the story.

A Waterside Wedding (even a swan on the guest list)

2009-05-16T18:30:00.000-04:00

Kim and Dan got married in Oxford, Maryland - a quaint waterside town on the Eastern Shore, that prides itself on its small town feel. The hospitable Banks offered their beautiful waterfront home as the venue for this intimate wedding. We loved the bursts of red accents amid all the blues, greens, and tans of this outdoor setting. Even a glowing, white swan couldn't resist making a glorious appearance during the wedding ceremony.

Congratulations, Kim and Dan! We can't wait to incorporate these images into your wedding video! What an dimension they will add to the finished product! Your shots at the Capitol capture your love of your country with exquisite and meaningful architectural backgrounds, while the photographs at your wedding capture the two of you, together, and with a love as natural as the scenery around you.

The Capitol

2009-05-16T16:17:00.000-04:00

Brian and I had a private guided tour of our nation's Capitol Building in Washington, DC while photographing our latest couple, Kim and Dan. We really tried to capitalize (yes,... my pun was bad, but unavoidable) on the architecture of this historic and significant building for our adorable, patriotic couple. I must say, my patriotism received a boost of it's own from seeing the musket balls embedded in the stairs from 1812 and to all the valuable and beautiful artwork commissioned to celebrate our remarkable country. Thanks, Kim and Dan, for this opportunity and for your adventurous attitudes.

iStockPhoto Hot Shots - 5/12/09

2009-05-12T23:41:00.006-04:00

iStockPhoto.com has something like 45,000 photographers, who've submitted about 9 million images, of which about 3 million have been accepted. Each week they send out a newsletter to contributors called "iStockPhoto Hot Shots", which features the top 8 images submitted that week. We are excited and honored to find that one of our images was chosen at the top 8 this week! (second row, second image)

Thanks to Heather and Dusty who allowed us to submit their photos to iStockPhoto.com! This isn't the first time we've been featured on iStockphoto. Twice before, we've been featured on the homepage with the "Free Image of the Week". Few photographers are selected to have their work featured this way. I don't know of any others who have been featured twice this way. Go us! :)

Love and Silliness

2009-05-02T10:29:00.003-04:00

The above boy, featured last month with the Colonial Preschool images, visited our home studio as his family wanted to capture their toddler with her older brother. The above shots show how much love they have, and how much silliness! We really enjoy photographing kids when they get relaxed and act natural. There's nothing so beautiful as the truth from children.

Baby A

2009-05-02T10:18:00.000-04:00

Our artful school photography for Colonial Preschool inspired this mom to bring her 5-month-old baby to have a shoot of his own. The relationship between the mother and baby was so touching. Brian and I were glad we could capture the art of their interactions and with our photography.

Hold On - Hold Hands

2009-05-02T10:09:00.001-04:00

At the shoot of this adorable family, we were inspired to capture the final images of the mother and father holding the hand of their toddler, Drew. The shape, colors, imagery, ... everything about this image speaks to me about how we need to stop, focus, and enjoy the shape of our lives and the beauty of our relationships. It's really that simple.

Next Smile

2009-05-01T10:23:00.003-04:00

We have been capturing images of this baby's older sister since she was a wee 3-month-old. We really enjoyed photography the new baby sister, 5-months-old, with her bright eyes and adorable round face. We can't wait to photography both girls together soon!

A Life in Bloom

2009-04-29T10:03:00.000-04:00

One of my favorite trees is a dogwood, even with their likelihood to die within a few years of planting. After our third try to plant one in our yard, we finally have one that is doing well enough to give us the beautiful white blooms I adore. And what better than to put our girl into those blooms as a frame to her life-filled eyes.

Beauty in Repose

2009-04-28T20:11:00.005-04:00

We just learned that we were awarded a Gold Hermes Creative Award for the above portrait, "Beauty in Repose". This photo is one of my favorites, and we are so pleased that it was recogized by the Hermes Creative Awards for 2009!

Brian and I are always looking for the truth with our photographs; well here it is. I think there is really something quite remarkable about the emotion in her expression. Thank you, Dolores, for allowing us to capture this image.

The Art of Love

2009-04-17T10:42:00.003-04:00

This couple's up-for-anything style resulted in some unique engagement photos. Brian traveled around nearby Chestertown with the couple to capture photographs at different inspiring settings such as abandoned trains and churches, family docks, and blue-sky fields. The love of most couples is apparent. I feel these shots not only capture their love, but also feature their powerfully artful sensibilities.

Family of Three

2009-04-15T11:35:00.000-04:00

These boys came for a shoot with their dad, and just loved the whole experience. The laughter at our silly monkey ABC's and the freedom to be themselves resulted in these images. And they had their own ideas on how they wanted to pose. It was adorable! I actually love this last black-and-white photograph. You might not send this one to Grandma, but their expressions and body language really speaks truth to me.

Teen Model

2009-04-06T10:43:00.003-04:00

An amazing young girl had her first formal shoot to start building her portfolio for teen modeling. With some changes of outfits, lighting, and scene we got these photographs of this dancer/model's grace and beauty.

Snails and Puppy dog Tails?

2009-03-21T10:35:00.000-04:00

These boys are so adorable, I can hardly associate them with snails, but maybe puppy dog tails? The twin boys just delighted in mom's amazingly funny kung-fu poses while we snapped and arranged them for their sitting. This was our second sitting with Drew and Jake as we captured them 2 days before their first birthday eating matching cakes. You might remember those adorable feet covered in cake from our home page slide show on our website, www.LifeScapesPhotoandVideo.com.

Teens and Tots

2009-03-21T10:27:00.001-04:00

Photographing another CAMOM family with twins brought the fun dynamic of mixing teens with tots. Everyone really enjoyed mixing it up with some non-traditional group shots such as our pinwheel that resulted in my favorite shot above. Great family and a fun shoot!

Big Brothers Shine

2009-03-21T10:17:00.007-04:00

We really enjoyed photographing the Boag family this Saturday. With beautiful new twins, it's amazing that this family was able to show up on time with everyone looking so together. We photographed a variety of family poses focusing on group shots of the children with some individuals shots. Big brother Griffin really did an amazing job helping hold the babies and giving his best smile while little brother Garrett's cheeky smiles lightened the morning.

A Child's Face

2009-03-21T10:00:00.004-04:00

As a mother of our beautiful daughter (who appears in our blogs frequently), I have experienced first hand how fleeting the moments are. "They grow so fast" is a common phrase because it is so true! And in our busy lives, how often can we simply sit and look at our child? And even if we made the time, how often do they actually sit still? Haaha.

So as photographers and parents, we really value our opportunities to photograph children and babies to capture these moments in time. Many studios can snap a shot of your child smiling, in a traditional pose. We can get those also, and do capture that on a regular basis, but the art that really draws me is the close-enough-to-see-the-downy-hairs-only-children-have images. I love the soft light, tight framing with our 105 on a black or neutral backdrop. These images can be smiling or even simply thoughtful as children often are. As long as the emotion is genuine, it's my favorite type of shot.

We are pleased to be able to post some of these photographs captured during Colonial Nursery School's spring photography fundraiser. We are donating 75% of the profits from this charity photography event back to the non-profit coop school. Colonial is a wonderful place where the parents, teachers, and children work together to create an environment when all participants grow and learn together. And we were happy to be a part of photographing their students.

A Painting - as promised

2009-03-10T21:13:00.004-04:00

As I mentioned before, I intended to paint one of the images from Elise's fantasy shoot this past weekend. This is actually a new shot I had not posted previously, but for this gallery wrap, I decided to do a shot that had much more space around the edge for the "wrapping" part of the canvas.

I am currently accepting commisions. 888.269.7564

Fantasy In White

2009-03-08T21:04:00.000-04:00

We are venturing into a new style of portrait photography - fantasy! We have been gathering flowers, tulle, garlands, wreaths, garden benches, and some gauzy white dresses to help create an other-worldly fairy/antiqued feel in our images. Our first run on this style this past weekend was a great success. With our own live-in model (aka Elise, our daughter), we captured the above fantasy inspired photographs. I intend to paint one of these images and get it printed on canvas for above our fireplace. (Now we just need one of her looking devilish to balance these angelic shots.... hahah. )

My True Passion

2009-03-03T08:30:00.008-05:00

Again, the convergence of my passions painting and photography has left me in an inspired and satisfied place as it's has overlapped with the passion I feel for our beautiful daughter. As our daughter rarely even sits still for photos, there is little chance of getting her to sit still for an entire painting. So to capture her in this portrait, I used a favorite photograph from her first year to create the oil painting. Believe it or not, her eyelashes are really that amazing! I love this painting because it represents one of Brian and my favorite days. As a new family, we took Elise to the park on a fall day for a photoshoot - every picture captured the magic of that blue-sky day!

To commission your own digital painting, contact Rebecca at info@LifeScapesPhoto.com or visit our website http://www.lifescapesphotoandvideo.com/ .

LifeBrush ~ passions converge!

2009-03-02T14:53:00.011-05:00

Brian and I consider ourselves very lucky to be able to follow our passions in life. And even better when our passions converge - in this case, painting and photography!

We are now offering our exclusive LifeBrush service as part of our business, http://www.lifescapesphotoandvideo.com/. You can now commission works of digital art from your favorite photographs. I use my array of digital tools to hand-paint your image into a painted image which we can then print on fine art canvas or even have gallery wrap for the ultimate finished presentation.

Don't be fooled. There are many filters out there that claim to do this same service, but the brush strokes are random and do not match the image, which results in a static and unrealistic painting.

With our LifeBrush technique, in this form of digital expressions, the possibilities are endless as I recreate and enhance your favorite images with my interpretive brush strokes. Above are some images from weddings we have photographed and a creation from an old wedding photograph scan from over 35 years ago!

To commission your own digital painting, contact Rebecca at info@LifeScapesPhoto.com or visit our website http://www.lifescapesphotoandvideo.com/ .

A Sunny Winter Day

2009-02-22T12:35:00.006-05:00

We really had a great time enjoying a warm winter day with Pam and John, and their twins, Zach and Zoe. This great waterfront park, Lake Elkhorn, in Columbia offered many seagulls, ducks, and a nice dock for a casual shoot collecting our families enjoying the moments. Brian brought his amber flash gel to help maximize the blue sky and make the day even warmer. I think these will find a home in my office.

Sugar and Spice!

2009-02-07T20:30:00.001-05:00

We got the chance to photograph our first set of twin girls today. Ashley and Alexandra, also part of the CAMOM (Columbia Area Mothers of Multiples) group, are turning 1 in a few weeks; their parents wanted to capture this precious time. With a combination of a formal sitting on backdrops with lights, and some natural environment shots with only a camera top flash, we captured some great moments with these tiny tots.

A Coast Guard Wedding

2009-01-24T12:04:00.007-05:00

Young couple, Kelli and Daniel's wedding was a spirited affair. From adorable couple's beautiful ceremony to the dancing and singing at the reception at the Crowne Plaza, we had so much to capture for them. This coupled wanted some traditional posed photography to record family members, the bridal party, and of course, the couple on their special day, but a documentary style photography with many black and white images was the primary focus. Brian even got to explore some interesting perspectives with a special distortion lens. Great fun was had all around. Congratulations, Kelli and Daniel!

The Big Move

2009-01-05T18:25:00.000-05:00

It's 2009, and in keeping with our trend for the new year, Brian and I are updating everything from our website to the bathroom sink (shame it wasn't the kitchen sink); we are moving our old blog over to a new site. We hope to include more photos, links to our favorite venues, and even short videos to display all the fun we are having with photography and video. We love to pursue these arts both as part of our business www.LifeScapesPhotoandVideo.com as well as for artful documentation of our family, friends, and other interests such as sailing around Annapolis, nature and the outdoors, and stock photography. We hope to import our older blog, and add many new entries highlighting the fun we are having with various portrait sittings and amazing wedding experiences. So bear with us as we fill in the gaps from the last year and update our many new and exciting events.

Twice the Fun!

2008-10-29T19:44:00.003-04:00

Today we had the opportunity to photographed another set of twins from the CAMOM (Columbia Area Mothers of Multiples) group. Jake and Drew are turning 1-year-old in a few days, and their parents wanted photographs to capture them at this amazing age. With their favorite "Cars" book and Chicken-Dance-Elmo, we got some grins and some awesome portraits of these adorable boys. For the end of the sitting, their mom had the genious idea to give them each their first cake - we just love these shots!!

Downs Park Family Photoshoot

2008-10-05T21:24:00.004-04:00

We finally got a chance to capture Randy and Anji's family, now that their May wedding is behind them and things have settled down. The young boys really enjoyed the scene at Downs Park in Pasadena. At this waterfront location on a blue fall day, we photographed some individual and group shots for this fun family in lue of their complimentary engagement sitting prior to their wedding.

Sunset Photography and Warm Sunny Smiles

2008-10-04T21:19:00.005-04:00

What a delight! We enjoyed capuring this kackie-clad family as they strolled and had moments of discovery and joy at Terrapin State Park on the beach. With a picturesque sunset, cheery smiles, and some pending ice cream, we all had a terrific time with wonderful images as a record. We used our amber flash gel to maximize the details in the water and sunset - one of our priceless tricks-of-the-trade.

Three Beauties

2008-10-04T20:54:00.006-04:00

We had the opportunity to again capture a beautiful family - Julie and her charming daughters at Terrapin State Park on the water at sunset this past weekend. With a hazy walk across the causeway being our first backdrop, the family was all warmed up by the time we got to the beach. This family, who we have had a chance to photograph in the past, prefers documentary style photography where we capture them in candid moments having fun and sharing love.

The photo of the girls running down the beach really captures their personalities and ages in a way that I love. That final image speaks to me of the path from quirky, carefree childhood into the grace and joy that give a final hurrah before the pre-teen "colt" years.

A Rockin' Couple!

2008-09-27T20:52:00.005-04:00

Matthew and Anna, an adorable couple we just fell in love with, celebrated their wedding this weekend at the charming Harbourtowne Resort in St. Michaels, MD. From the pervading calm, to the surprise sunny day, to the couple rocking the night away, everyone had a great time as they reveled in the joyous and fun-loving event.

Angel Face

2008-09-05T10:58:00.003-04:00

I photographed this aspiring teen model this weekend to help her build her portfolio. She really excelled on creating a variety of different facial expressions. As photographers, we need to be able to guide the models, give direction, and help them create the look we are imagining. So in addition to studying the tips of photography, we also study the art of modeling. I really enjoyed working with her to help her try different poses, angles, and expressions. Great job and good luck!

The Ups and Downs of Life - (all on a single wedding day)

2008-08-10T21:07:00.003-04:00

Megh and Ryan maintained their cool through the delays, upsets, and turmoil surrounding the big Bay Bridge Truck Incident of '08 which occurred the morning of their eastern shore wedding at The Oaks. Luckily, they called us right when they heard of the accident so we were able to jump in our car and head down 5 hours earlier than planned. As a result, even with the major delays and back-up on the bridge, we were able to get there in plenty to time to begin our photography and video of the couple and their family getting ready.

With a moving ceremony full of intimate smiles and joyful laughter, the couple held hands as they joined their hearts. As their reward for being such a perfect example of God's love and patience, just into their reception, everyone rushed outside to delight in the promising symbol of an exquisite double rainbow! We have never seen it's equal!

Inside the Box

2008-07-11T14:41:00.004-04:00

Brian got to explore photography as fine art this past week with the help of Heather, a colleague, art student, and fellow photography enthusiast. Heather broke into her awesome collection of gowns to capture this shot at an abandoned water treatment station at noon. Using advanced flash and filter techniques, Brian was able to get this shot to appear darker and mysterious, rather than bright and sunlight as it really was. Thanks for modeling, Heather. Brian really enjoyed this shoot.

A Blushing Couple

2008-05-31T16:14:00.003-04:00

We were able to video the wedding ceremony and reception of Katie and Andrew, who joined their lives at the beautiful USNA chapel in Annapolis, MD this weekend. The touching ceremony was presided over by her father, who is a minister. The high-school sweethearts were so cute, and constantly blushing as they danced the night away and circulated among family and friends.

A Brady Family

2008-05-14T14:10:00.002-04:00

Brian and I had the opportunity to meet with a couple who are planning their wedding for the end of May. This intimate affair will be the joining of two families that will result if 4 boys! They are even having a Medallion Ceremony as part of their wedding ceremony so the families will be joined. What an adorable bunch! We can't wait to see them all in tuxes! The Randy and Anji have decided to change their complementary engagement sitting into an outdoor family portrait some time in the fall. Locations we discussed include Patapsco State Park, Terrapin State Park, Quiet Water's Park, and Downs Park. In any of these waterfront or wooded waterfall locations, their family will be just adorable. We look forward to capturing them on their wedding day as well as next fall's family portrait.

Florida Fun and Photos

2008-04-07T14:19:00.006-04:00

We have a wonderful time in Florida this week. Brian had the opportunity to go to the Photoshop World conference. He just loved honing his photography and Photoshop skills, checking out the Pictobooks display, and taking classes a wide variety of photography related topics from some of the best in the industry. Meanwhile, our 2.5 year old daughter and I had the chance to visit Disney World for the first time. It was just amazing. Both before and after the conference, Brian visited the parks with us and got some amazing shots, but when it was just her and I, we only used our small waterproof point-and-shoot. All around, great learning experience and great vacation. We hope to go back in another year or two.

The Oaks

2008-02-07T22:12:00.002-05:00

We just met with a charming bride, Megh, to schedule a photo and video shoot for her August wedding at The Oaks, a beautiful hotel in Royal Oaks, MD. We have not shot at this location before and are always excited to experience a new venue. We look forward to meeting Megh's fiance, Ryan, at their engagement shoot this summer. He must be quite a guy to capture such a lovely bride.

A Manatee Wedding!

2007-12-23T21:55:00.002-05:00

Like many couples, Rob and Christina decided on a destination wedding. Unlike many couples, manatees influenced their decision. They decided to have their wedding at Homosassa Springs Wildlife Preserve, mainly for that cute and lumpy mammal - the manatee! I'll admit I did not see the appeal before visiting this preserve, but all the couple's guests, ourselves included, came to adore these gentle slow creatures as we watched them beg for sweet potatoes, roll over for a tummy rub, and nurse their babies underwater. From the greenery, to the quiet walks, to the run-away flower girl (hmmm she looks familiar), we had a blast capturing the day. The wedding location was a huge success, with all the guests having a great time and the couple being surrounded by a place they loved as they joined their lives together.

A Vintage Veil

2007-12-17T20:54:00.002-05:00

This weekend we captured a couple who decided to have their wedding in the heart of Annapolis's most beautiful and historic areas. We really enjoyed shooting a wedding in St. Mary's Parish with those amazing vaulted ceilings. And we just loved the cala lilies and vintage inspired short veil. For more images from this wedding, visit our website, www.lifescapesphotoandvideo.com/.

Stephanie and Dimitri - brave couple with an all-kid bridal party!

2007-12-01T18:37:00.002-05:00

Rebecca and I met with a newly engaged couple yesterday to discuss shooting their wedding on December 1, 2007. I’m looking forward to shooting at St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedraland the Willard Intercontinental in DC, both very beautiful locations!The last wedding I shot at St. Sophia was beautiful, but Stephanie and Dimitri have an exciting difference…The bridal party is about 20 children between 4 and 8 years old! Children can be unpredictable, but Stephanie already has “training” planned out to get them ready.

A Couple With Flair!

2007-11-17T10:33:00.002-05:00

Woodrow and Leslie had a beautiful wedding this weekend in Pasadena, MD with a reception at La Fontaine B leue. This couple really had some pizazz with corset bride and bridesmaids dresses, and some sassy poses to top it off. And all the dancing gave us some fun opportunities to capture the couple as they boogied down. For more images from this special wedding, visit our website www.LifeScapesPhotoandVideo.com.

Horses on the Beach

2007-11-13T10:27:00.002-05:00

Brian and some fellow photographers took their annual camping trip to Assateague State Park this past November weekend. The goal was some guy time, photographing some inspiring nature (actual snow on the dunes in November!), and possibly capturing images of the wild horses that roam there. They did eventually spot some of the magnificent animals; although they were too far for good photo ops, the memory of the wild beasts charging along will stay with them forever.

The Weekend Surprise - "An All Plaster Cast"

2007-11-04T09:44:00.002-05:00

Rob & Christina - Engagement Shoot - Nov 4, 2007 Rebecca and I had a great time photographing Rob and Christina’s engagement shoot and portions of their Zen inspired wedding shower this past weekend. The groom surprised us all by showing up Saturday morning with a cast on his leg for a broken ankle he had gotten the night before on a rock climbing adventure. Needless to say, we adapted the type of shots we planned to get at the engagement shoot so that the cast was not featured as we captured the couple's interactions. We’ll be flying to Florida in December to shoot their wedding, and we had a great time getting comfortable shooting together and taking advantage of a gorgeous fall morning at a local New Jersey park. The doctors say that the cast might be off in time for the wedding. Let's just hope!

Going the Distance!!

2007-10-27T22:34:00.002-04:00

Brian helped organize and participated in a Photography Marathon in and around Annapolis, Baltimore, and Chestertown. This past couple of weeks has been an intense series of workshops and excursions that he led at Washington College. This is the second year Brian ran the “Photography Marathon”, an opportunity for budding photographers to learn the basics, some advanced concepts, get their hands on some high end gear, learn to shoot and direct models, and get out for some excellent photography excursions on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. I’ve posted a few samples of my photos while I wait for the student photographers to do their post processing and submit their favorites to me

Zee Broadcast

2007-10-19T21:17:00.002-04:00

We had an awesome new opportunity to shoot a production for the Chairman of Zee Broadcast, Mr. Subhash Chandra at the VISARTS Metropolitan Center for the Visual Arts in Rockville, MD. Mr. Chandra was presenting his philanthropic ideas to the top business owners in the DC area. Mr. Chandra is doing more than his part to bring education to struggling villages around the world. We were inspired by his presentation as we videotaped, and are pleased that our footage was used to create a production that will air on Zee TV in the upcoming months to promote his positive work. Good luck, Mr. Chandra, and thank you.

Polynesian Wedding

2007-10-13T23:12:00.002-04:00

Erin and Tony - Oct 13, 2007

Again, Brian had the opportunity to shoot a wedding with fellow Annapolis area photographer, Dave Harcorn. Erin and Tony’s wedding on Saturday was at the beautiful Herrington on the Bay’s Polynesian Bridal Lawn and Paradise Ballroom. What a fun couple, and what a gorgeous day! They had absolutely ideal conditions for their wedding. With abackdrop of the Chesapeake Bay and a beautiful sunset, photos were amazing. For more photos from their day, visit our website.

Boats That Go VROOOM!

2007-10-13T23:10:00.002-04:00

US Powerboat Show - After a successful shoot at the sail boat show in Annapolis, and having several photos accepted by iStockPhoto.com, I decided to attend the powerboat show in Annapolis the following week to shoot stock photos.These Annapolis boat shows are different than many others, because the majority of the boats are in the water. They bring in hundreds of boats, ranging from glorified dingies to huge luxury yachts. As they bring them in, they build a network of floating docks which span across the harbor and edge of the anchorage, floating and fixed by anchors and temporary pilings. I was amazed by the price tags on some of these yachts… and the big ones were by appointment only (so I never got to see those up close).

The Silent Sailors

2007-10-07T23:09:00.002-04:00

US Sailboat Show, Annapolis, MD

I’ll be heading out in a few hours to attend the US Sailboat Show in Annapolis, one of the most well known sailboat shows in the country. I’ll be shooting for stock for IStockPhoto.com. With so many beautiful sail boats straight out of “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous”, I should get some nice photos. I just hope it’s not so crowded that I have trouble getting shots empty of random show patrons.

A Train to Talk About

2007-10-06T23:02:00.002-04:00

Chris & Mark - Brian had a great time today photographing Chris and Mark’s wedding at the Martini Lutheran Church in Baltimore, and reception and the Sheraton Baltimore Washington Airport. We are so happy how the images of Chris's train came out! And the reception was one of those weddings where the energy level was high all night, and the reception was ending before we knew it. Congratulations Chris and Mark!

Duanji & David - The Koi Room

2007-09-30T22:50:00.002-04:00

This past Sunday, Brian and I photographed Duanjie & David’s wedding at 2941 Restaurant in Falls Church, Va. The building, although oddly named, is a beautifully designed lakeside restaurant with a contemporary and Asian inspired decor. Large coy live in ponds that surround the building, some even living in small ponds inside. Man made waterfalls create a beautiful backdrop for portraits. It was an interesting collection of friends and family, primarily a mix of Chinese, Canadian, and New Zealanders.

The Caveman Attends a Wedding?!

2007-09-15T22:43:00.002-04:00

Laura & KeithBrian shot a beautiful wedding on the 15th, with what was likely to have been the most fun reception I’ve seen. The guests were up and dancing hard all night. Laura and Keith are a fun loving couple who’s friends seems to have had many of the night’s song selections pre-choreographed. Either that or they were quick to join in and ad-lib along. The word around the reception was that the Geico Caveman from Geico’s TV commercials was present. Apparently the couple had relatives who were Geico execs, and the Caveman was either a friend or family member.

Family excursion & studio photography session.

2007-09-08T20:25:00.002-04:00

Rebecca and I took the little one to Patapsco Valley State Park for an afternoon of fun, including some photography by the Cascade Falls section of the blue trail. With the rainfall being light recently, there was more of a trickle than a fall of water, but falls are always a beautiful place to photograph.
Later that night, Rebecca and I shot some photos for our portfolio and for selling on iStockPhoto.com, including some business scenarios and extreme makeup experiments. Rebecca usually does a great job art directing and with makeup, but we are new to shooting extreme makeup. We thought it would be good to test it out before bringing in models for a more formal session.

Twin Babies - Twice the Love

2007-09-01T22:38:00.002-04:00

What a fun time we had photographing Pam and John’s twin boy and girl! At only 3 weeks old, but arriving 3 weeks early, it was a nice way to celebrate their due date!

Sunset Engagement Shoot

2007-09-01T19:22:00.002-04:00

We had a beautiful late afternoon and evening to photograph Mark and Chris's engagement in Quiet Water’s Park, Annapolis, MD. We shot at several locations around the park, taking advantage of the grounds and ideal lighting. We finished the evening with the setting sun and fiery sky for our backdrop. We look forward to their September wedding day when we will get a chance to capture all the great smiles, laughter, and love they have found in each other.

Budding Model

2007-09-01T19:03:00.002-04:00

9-1-07
Brian and I were pleased to have met Jen Johnson,a model from Model Mayhem who came to our studio in the evening for a stock photography session. New to modeling, Jen brought a great attitude and look, and took direction well, while still improving easily. We worked with some outfits Jen brought, but also took shots of her in some scrubs.

A Hairy Leg???

2007-08-25T18:48:00.002-04:00

Brian had a great time today shooting Charlene and Carl’s wedding! Although is was a hot day, we lucked out that the skies remained clear throughout and well after the wedding and reception, releasing heavy rains and lighting on us later this evening. It was a beautiful ceremony, set on the grass beside the first hole of the Maryland Golf and Country Club in Bel Air. The ponds and mature trees made for a scenic backdrop, surrounded by the rolling hills of the golf course. Charlene and Carl looked like a million bucks! As most know, the traditional bouquet and garter tosses are often followed by the man who caught the garter putting it on the leg of the woman who caught the bouquet. Charlene and Carl are a fun loving couple and played a funny joke on their unsuspecting guests. They had the man who caught the garter wear a blindfold before he put the garter on the woman’s leg. Just before he went to work, Carl traded places with the bridesmaid who caught the bouquet and freaked out his friend who was not expecting Carl’s hairy leg!

Our Favorite - Morningside Wedding

2007-07-01T20:23:00.002-04:00

Showed up early to a wedding as usual, and brought my camera along to capture the beautiful grounds. This is my favorite shot. I just had a wonderful time capturing the magic moments through video and photography for Lana and Matt at their beautiful Morningside Inn wedding. The blue-sky was perfect for an outdoor ceremony and cocktail hour followed by an intimate reception in the hall. Congratulations!

Blue, Green, and Yellow

2007-06-16T20:07:00.002-04:00

We just loved shooting this last wedding with Dave Harcorn, fellow photographer. Dave invited us to join him on a shoot for Warren and Molly, an adorable couple that really had a knack for creating a picturesque wedding with tiny flower girls in big colorful bows and beautiful smiles all around. The wedding, at Herrington Harbor, was just beautiful, but our favorite part was the fun of getting ready with so many cuties, the bride included!