jfieldsphotography.com

A Little Bit of Country

J.Fields — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 04:00:24 +0000

It seems I am running short on times these days as the busy season starts to kick in. I did want to take a moment to share just a few from this family session. I’ve known this family for a few years now and just love working with them. I had the opportunity to take the oldest daughter’s senior pictures almost a couple of years ago and now I get to photograph the entire family. Some of you may remember the “Giving is Awesome” contest I did last year…well, this is the family that nominated the winner of that contest. We decided to photograph at a location not too far from where I live and on some property where they board their horses. I love doing shoots out in the natural elements of the rural country! The weather was beautiful as well as the lighting. If any of you reading this have done a session with me before then I’m sure you’ll recognize the girl in the middle of this first shot. She assists me on several of my photo shoots.

I LOVE the skies in Kansas. So of coarse I had to get a few incorporating this beautiful sky before the sun set. And if there is any blur in these next couple of shots, it is because I was laughing rather hard too. I’m not sure why the moment was so darn funny….it just was!

Friends

J.Fields — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 03:11:01 +0000

My college experience was truly amazing in every way! My education and spiritual growth was more than I could hope or ask for. I also was blessed with fabulous roommates. They were like sisters to me…my second family away from home. I was able to visit a couple of them out in California last April. I had so much fun on my visit. One of these roommates is Angie. She is just as beautiful, if not more beautiful, than she was in college. Angie was my running buddy. I loved to run in high school, but I loved it even more in college and I attribute that to my runs with Angie. Because of her, I was motivated to push myself to go further. We pushed each other, I guess you could say. We ran our first 1/2 marathon together. I hadn’t seen Angie in almost 15 years. Spending time with her again was like going back in time. It was so good to reconnect with you Angie!! Let’s not wait another 15 years. She now has this amazing family that consists of a wonderful husband (who makes amazing bread!!) and 5 beautiful children (4 living children and 1 darling little boy who is waiting for them on the other side.) I had the chance to spend a little time with her family and take some pictures before Angie and I headed off on our girls’ retreat in Southern California.

I loved his expression in this next shot. I ran up and scared him.

These two make such a great couple. They are a perfect match…a perfect balance. I knew Brian in college too, so it was fun to see them together after being married for so many years. They seem even closer and happier than on their wedding day. It was so great seeing you guys….you both are amazing! And thanks for being such a great roommate and friend Angie! I look forward to our next reunion.

Mother & Daughter Album

J.Fields — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 02:03:54 +0000

I wanted to share my most recent album. This particular one is of a mother and daughter. I love doing these kinds of shoots and putting the album together is just as much fun. The sprinkler pictures from this session are what inspired me to take some sprinkler shots of my own kids. The first image in the series is the cover (it shows the back and front of the album). All the rest of the pages follow accordingly, with most of the layouts showing the full 2 page spread. This is printed as a 10×10, 20 page album.

Beautiful Baby!

J.Fields — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 22:28:24 +0000

I just wanted to share a few from a recent session of this darling little 9 month old baby. I’ve been photographing her since birth and I just adore this family! My first impression of the mom was how calm and peaceful she was. I couldn’t possibly imagine her ever raising her voice at one of her kids. The kids are just at sweet and loving towards one another. They are truly a beautiful family on the inside and out.

We did this session at the Kauffman Gardens and it was so darn hot outside. Regardless of the heat, I think we still got some beautiful images.

Sprinkler Fun!

J.Fields — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 19:06:13 +0000

I’m so excited to share this post with you I can hardly stand it! I did a session a while back for a client of mine who wanted some shots of her daugher playing in the sprinkler. I was so pleased with how the shots turned out I knew my summer couldn’t come to an end without getting some of my own kids in the same setting. So here you go…some fun sprinkler shots of my own kiddos. Oh, and thank you to my neighbors and good friends Bill and Pat for letting me use their yard, sprinkler, and water! You guys are the best. I’m sorry about the muddy mess we made in your yard. And to you other photographers who want some lighting tips on how to get these shots, just read at the end of the post. I’ll try to share some other tips in future posts as well.

You wouldn’t be a normal kid if you didn’t try and sit on the sprinkler water! I think we’ve all done it!

I was getting so darn hot taking these I had to get in a few for myself. And Kudos to my dear husband for taking these next 4 shots! You did great Wes!

Photography Tip: These were take in the morning (about 9:30am) with the sun to the kids’ backs. I used 2 Canon Speedlights, one on camera and one to camera right, with no difussion. I also had a darker background of trees for the backlit water and subjects to stand out against. I used my 70-200mm f2.8mm L lens to keep far enough away to avoid getting wet but still able to get up close shots. ISO 200 f/5.6 1/200ss. Everything was edited in Lightroom 3.0.

Location, location, location

J.Fields — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 03:25:43 +0000

Since entering the wonderful world of photography, I have learned to see the world differently than ever before. I see the world through my lens. When I am driving I am ALWAYS looking for places to take pictures (which can often times being a driving hazard…my husband can attest to that.) When I see a field I am visualizing how it will look through a particular lens with my camera set at specific settings. I don’t just see flowers and grass, but I see the colors and textures and they way the textures appear through the blur of my lens in the forground or background of the image. Sometimes the colors will look more vivid in my eyes because I am looking at the final product as I visualize the scene. I know what can take place in photoshop to intensify the colors, brighten the image, and enhance the mood of the image. I see all this when I take in the scene. Often time clients will be a bit surprised at the location I’ve brought them too. I can see a bit of doubt on their faces when they look at the surroundings, but they aren’t seeing the final result like I am. They aren’t seeing it through my lens and my eyes. They trust me though and the results are better than they expect.

Being a photographer, I realize more now how important it is to trust the vision of your photographer. When I get my own pictures taken I prefer to not interject too many of my own ideas. I prefer to follow their vision…it will always produce the best results. I know from my own experience that if I can’t visualize it then it won’t turn out great. I know I do my best work when I can be free to follow my own vision and capture my subjects as I see fit.

Some of my favorite locations are ones I stumble across when I least expect it. About 6 weeks about I was driving down a road I’ve driven down hundreds of times before, but at this particular time there were Day Lillies growing wild along side of the road. The light was beautiful, the grass length was perfect, and there was a beautiful backdrop of trees behind the scene as well. One thing I’ve learned about doing sessions in the natural surroundings is that the scenery can change in any particular spot throughout the year…and from year to year. You have to take advantage of the moment when you see it. Right when I saw this particular spot I spoke to my client sessions I had coming up that week and told them I wanted to do their photos in this new spot. They were more than willing, so I shot 3 sessions in one week in the same location. I’m so grateful I did because the lillies are gone now and I doubt that spot will ever look the same again. Here are some photos in the lillies and grass.

Families are Cool!

J.Fields — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 16:51:58 +0000

Meet the McNeil Family! They are anything but boring. They are also kind, caring, generous, down to earth, incredible cooks, funny and a wee bit crazy…but in a very good way! ;) It’s always fun to spend time with them and always fun to photograph them. Their beautiful faces and fun personalities make my job easy and enjoyeable.

I met Ann over 2 years ago, and she’s been coloring my hair ever since (and she’s awesome at it). She currently owns 2 salons in Overland Park: Envogue Salon, and Tribeaolgy Salon…both of which are great and staffed with experienced stylists. Be sure to check to them out. If you go into Tribeology Salon be sure to take a look at my work on display there.

This first shot was posed completely by them. I don’t think the composition of their poses could have turned out more perfectly.

Of coarse we got some “normal” portraits too.

Nick was the official sunglass holder.

I should also add that Nick can cook up some amazing and delicious food!!

I look at this picture and can’t help but think it should be titled: “She says jump and they say how high!”

If you haven’t noticed yet…this one is definitly full of spunk and personality.

She’s completely gorgeous, isn’t she?!

Had to capture the teens in their element…texting!

Never a serious moment with these two.

I also want to take some time in this post to share with Ann and her family how very sorry I am to hear of the passing of her father John Rauber. My heart aches for you and your family. Your father was a wonderful man and I am grateful I had the chance to get to know him.

I had the oppurtunity to photograph John and Judy for their 50th Wedding Anniversary so I got spend a little more time with them and am so glad I did. They’re such a great couple!

Here is a little more info about John:

John Wayne Rauber passed on to Eternity on Thursday, June 3 due to an accidental death.

John was born on January 12, 1940 in Jackson County, Kansas City, Missouri to the parents of Violet and Edgar Rauber. John had an active and happy childhood and participated in many sports and other activities. John graduated from East High School in Kansas City, Missouri in 1958. While at East High School, John lettered in Basketball. John enjoyed playing basketball until he was almost 40 years old after which he refereed a number of years.

John met Judith Ann Stotts in 1959 and was immediately smitten. Judy and John were married soon after on November 6,1959. They lived for the first few years in the Liberty, Missouri area and then moved to Johnson County, Kansas for a number of years. They then moved to a rural area of Spring Hill, Kansas. Before John’s retirement in 1999 Judy and John lived for 15 years in the Overland Park area.

In 1999, Judy and John retired and moved to Holiday Island, Arkansas (near Eureka Springs, AR). They loved the area and John played many rounds of golf on the Holiday Island Course. John enjoyed tremendously his retirement and all of the benefits of not holding a regular job. He did however work on many contracting jobs at Holiday Island and in the local vicinity. John was an extremely hard worker and literally “died with this boots on”.

John loved being a friend to all he met and very much enjoyed meeting people and helping them in anyway that he could. John knew no strangers and was a friend to all and known by most as Big John the tease. John loved to have fun with people but was always loving and kind.

Judy and John were very active in their church from the time that they were married. Their marriage was sealed in the Salt Lake City, Utah Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in 1964. They have held many callings and positions in the church over the last 50 years. John served as a Basketball Coach to the Youth for many years and was a great example to the boys that he worked with in the Youth program. Over the past 4 years Judy and John worked as volunteers in the St. Louis, MO Temple. They made many great friends there and enjoyed the work tremendously. They have had a tremendous commitment to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and have been dedicated followers of His example.

John was preceded in death by his mother and father; brother Douglas Rauber and his sister Shirley Ann Rauber. John is survived by oldest brother Alan Rauber and his dedicated and loving wife of 50 years, Judy, his son Stephen Rauber of Parker, KS and his daughters Leslie Jennings of Paola, KS and Ann McNeil of Prairie Village, KS. Grandchildren, Jake, Blake and Allie Jennings; Rachael, Keli, Meagan, Stephanie, Emily and Isaac Rauber; Ryan, Karly and Tessa McNeil and great-grand children Aubrey and Jonathan.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, June 8 from 6-8 p.m. at Mount Moriah South, 10507 Holmes Road, KCMO. There will be another viewing prior to Funeral Services on Wednesday, June 9 from 9-10:30 a.m. with the Funeral Service to follow at 11 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 28750 North Hospital Drive, Paola, KS 66071.

You will be dearly missed John! Thank you for the Legacy you left to those you loved and associated with. My prayers and condolences go out to your dear family.

Toddlers in Spring

J.Fields — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 06:05:06 +0000

I had some cute little toddlers turning one this Spring. This is such a fun age to capture and we had some beautiful weather and surroundings to capture them in. I love Spring!! This first little girl has not only been in front of my camera for a year now, but I’ve also been photographing her older brother since he was a newborn as well. I just love this family.

I’ve been photographing this little girl since she was born as well. I always love the field shots so I was happy to do some in this shoot…the grass is so pretty.

The one year old in these next shots was one of happiest little toddlers I’ve ever met. She was always smiling….so cute!

And I just had to end with a couple shots from this adorable little girl’s 6 month session. I just love these shots with dad!

I Can Fly!!

J.Fields — Mon, 17 May 2010 17:50:54 +0000

Well, I am excited to bring you this post because this session was just so much fun! This little 3 year old boy was a dream to photograph…fun, active, full of personality, completely cooperative and he engaged so well with the camera. Family shoots with just one child are great because it is easy to just let everything center around this one child and there are some fun poses that do just that. For this shoot I came up with an idea I had never tried before but thought it would work well with this 3 year old boy. This pose worked GREAT! All the shots came out just as I had imagined!!

Of coarse, I couldn’t just post one or two from this series. There were too many great ones!!

And not only can the kid fly, but he can play ball too!

And I just want to say kudos to the fabulous parents (and grandparents ;)) for doing such a great job raising such a wonderful boy!

Senior Session

J.Fields — Sat, 15 May 2010 02:50:17 +0000

I’m way over due for a blog post and I’ve got lots to blog about, so stay tuned because I plan to do some catching up here. I just wanted to take a minute to share a few pictures from a recent senior session. Senior sessions are probably my favorite, and this session was no exception. The weather was absolutely perfect this day too.

Loved the sun flare in these shots…and the awesome tree! I’m a big fan of cool trees!

Mom and sister joined in for a few shots too. Aren’t they all so dang beautiful?!!