I'm so excited that you read my newsletter containing a small preview of all the exictment that is about to come in Kristina Rose Photography.  Thanks for stopping by and I hope you're able to snag a session.

A little more information about the locations:

Deerfield Trail

First and Main Trail - there is a short trail behind the shopping center closest to Anytime Fitness.  It has great light and I even snapped a little photo of my son that you can see on here on Instagram...make sure to follow me while you're there!

The Location TBD  - Colors change as the season goes along.  As the session time gets closer, I'll be able to provide a better idea of where the best colors and light are for the sessions.  I'll be in touch for this location, but it will be in the Christiansburg/Blacksburg area.

Sign Up for your spot below:

Please note: to secure your spot, you must pay for your session in advance.  If it rains, we will reschedule.  And if you don't receive a confirmation and the time you selected doesn't get crossed out, your submission was not received.  

Pay for your session here

Complete the questionnaire below:

Make sure to check out my Facebook live post for more information - https://www.facebook.com/krosephoto/

Please remember that studio mini sessions work best for children ages 5 and under.  Sign up below and you'll receive more information soon.   If you sign up for a Saturday morning time, I will email you later with choices.  That's the first weekend of soccer games for my children and we don't have schedules yet.  When we do, I'll be in touch.  Thanks for understanding a momma's need to watch her babies play.

A few weeks ago, I was relaxing on my couch (a rare moment) and one of my favorite pictures of my youngest child caught my eye on my wall.

This was taken in 2013 at the Georgia Aquarium.  My biggest goal when going there was capturing one of these photos.  Unfortunately, my other two children weren't in the best of moods that day and afraid to get close to the glass, so my youngest got the most photos taken.

My goal for these tips is to make them simple and easy - if in some cases you want to use a cell phone.  You just need to understand how to use light.  So even though this tip could get rather complicated, I'm going share the most basic tips to remember when you journey into the aquarium.

You can not use your flash. 

In photography, you should always be searching for light.  In this case, the light comes from the water.  If you want to capture the fish, your flash would bounce off the water/glass and you'd have a big flash reflection staring back at you.  That's no fun at all.  Now believe me, I can go into all sorts of camera settings tutorials on this subject (my photos were shot in manual mode), but if you don't know anything about ISO, shutter speed, and aperture, it would only confuse you.  However, if you want to learn, I do offer camera classes from time to time, so send me a message if you are interested.  But for now, if you want a lovely silhouette shot and other basic aquarium photos, here are a few tips.

1. You want your camera to expose for the water.  So if you are using auto mode on your camera, you want the focal points to read the water to figure out the settings for your camera.  If you are using an iPhone, tap the water on your screen and it should expose for the water, putting the people in a shadow.

2. Take the picture from a slight angle.  It helps to get rid of distortion from the tank glass.  You can see in the top photo, that I am a little to the left of the tank.

3. For a good silhouette, separate your subjects.  Here is a straight out of camera (SOOC) shot that was taken of my kids and me.  It's still a sweet photo even though it's not edited.  It gives you an idea of what you can expect.   I would love to have been able to have the kids looking up, holding hands, and a big fish to swim by.  But hey, when you're photographing your own kids and sharing the space with a few thousand other visitors, you get what you can get.

4.  Use the light from the tanks to light your subject.  For this, you need to position yourself and your subject so that there is light on their face and you can take your camera reading from the light on the face.  Here is another SOOC shot of my son checking out the fish.  I didn't use my flash and just took the photo from the side so I could capture the look on his face.  Let's be honest, this photo isn't going to win any awards, but this is my baby and it makes me smile.

5. Take the smiley-posey-posey picture outside.  But do it before you go in when they are excited and not when you come out like I did.  Mine kids were done at this point.  Just trying to keep it real in this post.

And there is a nice ol' before picture of me.  Ya'll know I have to love you to share myself 25 pounds heavier.

I hope these tips will help you when you visit an aquarium and you'll be able to capture sweet memories of your kids.  These photos were taken almost three years ago for me and looking back, sure did make my heart smile.  

That's the goal of photography. If it speaks to you, that's all that matters.

Make sure to subscribe to my blog to get tips and hear about specials and updates.

 Leave a little love in the comments section and feel free to share. 

If you've ever had a session with me, I'm sure you've heard me say, "Get Closer!"  It's a little awkward.  I understand.  That's not the way people typically "pose" for pictures.  

Take a look at this picture below.

It's cute, right?  Everyone is looking.  We have some fake smiles, but it's ok.    After I snapped this photo, I asked them to get closer, hug up, and that's when I got this.

This is a much sweeter family photo.  

Here's another good example.  I start out placing people and then I shoot a couple photos before I say, "Get Closer!"

And when you get closer, your smile changes, and those fake smiles seem to vanish.  You not only look more connected, you feel more connected.  

This is just one simple tip that you can use when you are snapping a quick family photo.  The closer you are, the better the photo.  It feels awkward, but closeness conveys love and a family is love.

This cute family was fantastic at being close, but check out the simple difference between these two photos.  It's just a head tilt, but there's that sweet sign of love.

This family came prepared to show some love.  And it's just that simple.  Touch heads, hold hands, lean in together and watch your photo transform.

I hope you enjoyed my first Tuesday's Tip.  Make sure to subscribe to my blog to get tips and hear about specials and updates.

Leave a little love in the comments section and feel free to share.

A couple of years ago, I had a request to photograph little girls in their mom's wedding dresses.  And I am so glad that someone suggested it!  Those pictures are some of my favorites and I think they are ones the mothers will cherish.  I can't even imagine the feeling I will have when I share my daughter's on her wedding day.  Only two years have passed and she's already changed so much.  

The friend who suggested it, had the most fantastic idea to share.  She has three children, two boys and one girl.  After her daughter was photographed in her mother's wedding dress, she planned to have it cut and made into items that each of her children will either display or carry with them on their special wedding day.  How amazing and thoughtful is that?  And what an treasured gift to leave for your children.

This probably won't be the last time you hear me say this, but I've realized as my own children have gotten older, you never recognize the true treasure of a photo until time passes.  And when you pull it out a few years down the road, the emotions come pouring with it.  

I'm excited to offer these special mini sessions again this year.  Sign up below to create this special memory for your daughter.

Mini Sessions are $100 and the include:

• a 25 minute session
• a private online gallery to share with family and friends includes color and black and white images
• digital download and copyright privileges
• $15 print credit

After you choose your time, you will be directed to paypal to collect payment.  Payment is due at the time of booking.

It's dreary and cold, but the month of LOVE is coming up.  I'd love to celebrate with some winter mini sessions.   

So if you need a few updated pictures of your child, now is the time to do it.  My favorite thing to do is have a simple backdrop and then have the option of adding some Valentine themed props at points during the session.  That way, you can walk away with classic photos and some with a little holiday flare.  These mini sessions work best for children ages 5 and younger and will take place at my in-home studio.

Mini Sessions are $100 and the include:

• a 25 minute session
• a private online gallery to share with family and friends includes color and black and white images
• digital download and copyright privileges
• $15 print credit

Please check out my pricing page for all updated pricing for 2016.

So sign up today and included in your gallery will be templates for some Valentine's Day cards!

After you choose your time, you will be directed to paypal to collect payment.  Payment is due at the time of booking.

This little dude is just precious and I can't wait to document his life.

I had almost given up on newborn sessions.  I just wasn't finding my true love for photos.  Sometimes we get lost in the sea of photos we see online.  I follow many photographers on facebook and they all have beautiful work.  But when I did a newborn session, I was always drawn to the white or black backdrop or blanket or being the home for a sweet session in the baby's environment.  I never really got into all the big bows and colorful sets.  I did them from time to time, but I never really loved that work.  I like the simple and classic looks, which I always incorporated into my sessions.  I just felt like I wanted to do more of it and leave out the "glam".   I want to look at these photos years from now and I don't want them to age.  I felt like I was doing something wrong

I came across this other photographer who referred to her work as "less is more".   WOW!  That statement really hit home for me.  I want to see the baby.  All of little features and a details that are important.  I want the work to focus on the love the parents have for baby.  So here it is - my first session complete of my "less is more" style of newborn photography.  I certainly hope to offer more of this and attract clients who want to same classic look.

This is mine.  We've been friends since 6th grade - wow!  And then when she asks for me to document the special time in her life, I am beyond honored to do it.  Her husband is pretty great too.  And this little dude coming into the world later this year is so lucky to be able to call them mom and dad.  I can't wait to meet him.  Check out some of the photos from the maternity session.

And we just had to snap a photo of us together to end the session.  I miss you, favorite friend.