My First Blog Post/Pittsburgh Photographer

Hello world....The summer has come and gone, and my good intentions of getting a blog started in June....well, let's just say it obviously didn't happen.  But today is a new day and I might as well just jump in....

I have always LOVED photography....when I was young, I was the one in our family who took all our Christmas photos, picnic and family get togethers....and my sister was my "little model" growing up.  Of course at the time my camera was not the best, to say the least, so it wasn't until years later when my son was born that I became a little more "obsessed" with it.  I knew immediately that I wanted to capture every minute, so I was either going to have a TON of "okay" pictures, or I had to invest in a better camera and learn how to use it!....and so it began...Before digital I FILLED 14 shoeboxes with THOUSANDS of photos...my son was just 3 when the digital evolution took hold and then thousands became tens of thousands....I know, I'm insane.  As time has progressed and I've learned SO much more about digital photography, lighting, artistic editing....I've toned it down since it's easier to get what I'm envisioning in a lesser amount of photos.  Being a perfectionist is a double edged sword....I don't stop til what I see in the viewfinder is what I see in my head and what I want.

I've been photographing families since 2006...it started with helping friends with their Christmas Card photos, then branched out on a part-time basis.  My son's hockey schedule has kept us extremely busy for quite a few years now...during the season from August to sometimes May or June we were away almost every weekend.  In the last couple of years I've built up my business and have taken it full-time working with some AMAZING families, whose children have become, what I feel is an extension of my family....I love to see how they've grown in between each session and since they know me, it makes for a very relaxed and fun time, and the images speak for themselves.  It's so much easier to get a great shot when kids feel they can just be themselves.  Most of you know that my son is moving to Michigan for hockey in about a week, so I'll have more time on my hands and I will be throwing myself into my business!  There's so much that I want to do, and I'll need something to get my mind off how much I'll miss my baby. 

I've been wanting an easier way to show "sneak peeks" at session photos so that the families I work with can see something quickly...(as a Mom myself, I know how I'm anxious to get home and download photos when I take them of my son and nieces and nephews...I can't wait!  :)  And, I'd like to share some photos I take "just for fun" too....!  Not everyone is on Facebook yet..., so long story short, thought a blog might do the trick.   

I thought it might be fitting that my first post would include photos of my favorite subject....my son.  With him leaving, life has been moving at warp speed this summer getting ready.  We did manage to drive to the beach for a few days in July and he gave me some "camera" time...

LOVE going to the beach...

My baby.....what AM I going to do without him?

And so it begins...I hope you'll follow me in my journey and enjoy seeing some of my favorite photos from time spent with some really special families, including my own!  If you do, "like" my page on Facebook...I'll be posting links to my blog there as I post new photos...

http://www.facebook.com/debfoutsphotography