I want to preface this by saying that I DO NOT shooting maternity portraits! Despite what you are about to see, I am a wedding-only photographer. After posting Gara and Brandon’s maternity session I got several inquiries for families, newborns, and maternity sessions, and while I’m very honored, weddings and wedding-related portraiture consume my life. If you’re interesting in hiring a photographer to shoot your maternity session, there are several wonderful photographers in the Dallas area who specialize in family portraiture and can do some beautiful work for you! I highly recommend Lidia Boicu or Heather Essian.
That said, once in a blue moon I do make an exception and shoot something non-wedding-related. Brana is a fellow wedding industry professional (she helps keep things at Posh Couture Rentals running smoothly) and an all-around lovely person, so I couldn’t resist getting her and her husband Adam in front of my camera. Unfortunately we didn’t quite get the lovely sunny day we were hoping for, but we decided to take the gloomy weather and make it work!
If you need some stunning rentals for your wedding or event, be sure to give Brana and her staff at Posh a call. They do amazing work!
Between seniors, newborns, and maternity sessions, it seems like I have really been stretching my creative muscle lately! Gara is a good friend who I owed a huge debt to after she referred one of my all-time favorite weddings to me, Jenni and Cade’s gorgeous garden affair, not to mention all of her invaluable legal advice, so naturally I couldn’t turn down the chance to photograph her, her husband Brandon, and their beautiful unborn baby boy Travis (who has now joined us – welcome to the world little T-rav!). Gara loves photography as much as I do, so we had been planning for this session for weeks, and I hope it was everything she dreamed it would be! Here are some of my favorites from the session:
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- The couple looks so nice and really breathtakingly beautiful! wonderful photos as usual.
- Seriously, how great was this session? So many awesome ones!
- SO SO SO SO SO SO amazing. I actually enjoyed these even more than your weddings.
- OMG I L*O*V*E these!! The ones with the sheer fabric are absolutely ridiculous awesome. I think I stared at them for like 5 min each lol. WOW!
- I love the silhouette shot of them back to back.
One of the things I pride myself on is being a strictly weddings-only photographer.. Weddings require so much time and attention, and it’s really tough to shoot 25+ weddings a year and do anything else (or at least do it well). That said, every now and then I do something completely out of my comfort zone. Not only does it keep me from being burnt out, but it gives me a chance to think outside the box and push myself as a photographer. When friend, wedding coordinator, and fellow Kappa Delta Kelly Simants of Sweet Pea Events had her little boy Carson, I couldn’t resist getting that cutie and his beautiful parents in front of my camera for a newborn session!
While he was napping I couldn’t resist getting some details off all his cute little baby parts.. I just adore those little baby fingernails!
This it was playtime with Mom and Dad! Carson wasn’t too sure what to think of this one…
I think I speak for women everywhere when I say that there is nothing sweeter or more endearing than watching a Daddy with his child. My boyfriend Jason took a photo of his brother Joey holding his son the day he was born, and it’s one of my favorite photos of all time. I tear up just thinking about it! This one has that same effect for me.
This is Carson’s adorable cousin Taylor, who stopped by for a few photos with her new cuz!
Last but not least, the many hilarious faces of Carson Simants!
I had a blast with baby Carson and his family and it was so wonderful getting to stretch my photographic muscles and try something different! That said, if you’ve got a newborn and you’d like some beautiful photos, I strongly recommend hiring my good friend Brittani Louise, she is a wonderful person and a great photographer!
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- Beautiful! I'm doing a newborn session this weekend and these are inspiring!
- OK...I see babies every day and I even teared up and smiled on these. So precious stace. Another one of your beautiful sessions.
- Stacy Gorgeous images...! Favourite Image I would have to say is the one with the Yawn... absolutely adorable...! I feel like coming over and shooting with you. It is clear, there would be so much you could teach that I could learn... if only... ;-) Best Wishes Mehul.
- oh, Stacy....baby's are so wonderful. You captured this so beautifully! and about your last statement....does that mean you are not going to be adding a baby division? :D
- These are soooo beautiful, Stacy! I love that baby-ness.
Wow, this session has a lot of backstory to it… Be forewarned, I’m about to get really mushy here.
Brittani and Corey Oliver have a very special place in my heart. Brittani was my college roommate and best friend throughout college. She was always a source of inspiration to me – from her great fashion sense to her amazing design style to her general all-around craftiness, pretty much everything she touches makes me go “That’s SO cute!” So, it’s no surprise that when I saw her photographs in college, it made me want to get into photography. Because of her, I decided to purchase a Canon Rebel (the old school film version, then eventually the digital version, back when it cost like $1500) and take a few photography classes. That, of course, started me on a crazy whirlwind path that changed the course of my life. Luckily, I got to return the favor when I played a part in helping her get to know my friend Corey (a financial genius who has played a huge part in helping me get my finances in order, make major advances towards being debt-free, start saving for retirement, and generally spending smarter), who would eventually become her husband. They were my very first clients for my wedding photography business, and had it not been for their wedding, it’s very VERY unlikely that I ever would have become a wedding photographer.
Given that these two have shared so much of themselves with me, I’m always anxious to find some way to give back to them, so I absolutely jumped at the chance to do a Valentine’s Day portrait session for them. It takes very very little convincing to get me to photograph a beautiful couple, even less so when they’re two of my best friends! These guys were total troopers, battling Britt’s influenza-B and 100+ degree fever and Corey’s allergies to cats and horses (we shot most of the session at a horse ranch), as well as risking an illegal trespassing charge and a missed flight, but it was sooooo worth it in the end. I absolutely LOVE these photos! Okay, enough talk, onto the photos:
I firmly believe everyone should have a great photo of themselves, plus Britt and Corey are entrepreneurs who both own their own small businesses (Corey makes awesome handmade furniture and Britt is a children’s portrait photographer) so I took some time to do some headshots of them. They returned the favor for me, but I’ll post those later!
These two are truly amazing. Separately, they’re two of my favorite people in the world, and have helped me in inumerable ways. Together, they are my inspiration for a good marriage. They openly love each other, they make time for each other, they work together towards common goals, they make sacrifices for the benefit of each other and their marriage, and they really do seem to have a great set of priorities. They have taught me that a relationship, especially a marriage, is not a passive thing that just happens. It requires effort and work and planning, and both people have to be fully invested to make it work. B&C, thanks so much for being the best friends I could ever ask for, I love you guys more than words can say!
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- Stacy, these photos are AMAZING!!!!
- These photos are fantastic! You can tell they are amazing people through the photos. I LOVE the first one and the one where they are sitting around the horses. I love them all. His vest is H-O-T. Great work all around!!
- that chick is smokin' hot!!!!
- These are STUNNING! I could seriously look through them over and over again. Loving it!!
- Wow Stacy! They are awesome! I really love the ones at the horse ranch! And you would never know they we "sick"
- Amazing photographs, Stacy! Brittani and Corey are so incredibly lucky to have you as a close friend!
- Your work is always fabulous, but this post is absolutely amazing! Gorgeous images!
- stacy, these are some of your best photos ever, and i can't WAIT for you to reveal all your new branding!!
- Wow! Wow! Wow! These are stunning! I'd almost give my right arm to have pictures like this with my husband!! I met Brittani last year at a seminar and wondered what happened to her! Glad to find her site again. Well done Stacy!!!
- I agree with Kristel. Gorgeous session :)
- Mama's proud!!!
- Amazing how life comes full circle. God works in mysterious ways... and it's a lesson to learn how much we can change someone's life when we recognize and put faith in someone's talents. These photos are steamy... seriously... did you feel like you had to leave? ;)
- you are seriously the most talented woman ever. every thing you do amazes me!! the day i get engaged i will be contacting you to do my wedding and engagements!! i will fly you to nashville & take care of everything! keep up the amazing work
- these are by far my favorites of your work! beautiful work + beautiful people= FABULOUS images!
- What a wonderful pictures, love them all, nice pp'ing and excelente couple to be photograph. both are beautiful, they really enjoy it and the show how much they loved each other. this comments are coming from Venezuela :)
- Every single image is GORGEOUS!!!! I don't even think I can pick a favorite.
- Wow, this session ROCKED!!! Loved everything, you truly have a talent of capturing the inner beauty of someone.
- These are all amazing! I love each one! and the variety! Fabulous job!!
- Wow! Stunning photography Stacy. Nice work. you really brought out the romance in Corey and Britani!
- I love this shoot! Very inspiring and the variety of shots you were able to capture was terrific!
- beautiful session!!! I love it!! ............... The new branding is awesome too!!! :)
- WOW ... you really nailed that session! Definitely my favorite so far.
Tips for Photographers (T4P) is a regular feature where I talk about a cool tip that I think will benefit my fellow photographers. For more T4Ps, click here!
Lately I have received a lot of questions about what kind of gear I use, so I figured it was about time for an updated What’s in My Bag post! When I’m shooting, I always carry the same gear on me:
Shootsac
Canon 5D Mark II
Canon 50 1.2L (stays on my camera 90% of the time)
Canon 100 2.8 Macro (mostly for detail shots and some portraits)
Canon 16-35 2.8L (great for big sweeping ceremony photos, wedding party photos, large formals, and reception dancing photos)
Canon ST-E2 Wireless Transmitter (for firing my flashes)
I like to work light, so this is the only gear I actually carry around with me (plus copious amounts of memory cards and batteries). I also have a second gear bag that holds all my miscellaneous items. This gear serves as my backup kit, as well as supplemental gear for my second shooter, should she need it.
Lowepro Pro Roller 2
Canon 5D (backup camera)
Canon 70-200 2.8L (used during the ceremony for closeups)
Canon 28 2.8
Canon 85 1.8
Canon 50 1.4
Tamron 28-75 2.8
Canon 580 EX (2)
Canon 430 EX
Canon ST-E2 (backup)
Canon flash sync cord
Lowell ID 100w video light w/ 4-way barndoors + Bescor battery
2 Lightstands
1 Monopod (to use a light-on-a-stick, as held by my assistant)
Here are a few things I DON’T use (nothing against any of these items, I just don’t find them necessary for my shooting style):
-Tilt-shift lenses or Lensbabies
-Pocket Wizards
-Filters
-Flash diffusers (I have a couple but they have been gathering dust since I bought them)
-Strobes
-Flash brackets
-White balance tools (ExpoDisc, grey card, etc)
-Reflectors (again, I have a couple, but I never use them)
There are a lot of neat gadgets and gizmos and add-ons that the camera industry pimps out, but in my experience most of them are either gimmicky or easily replicated in Photoshop/Lightroom. Gear is useful, but only to an extent. The truth is, if you can’t take a good photo with a Digital Rebel and a kit lens, you’re still not going to take good photos with a 5D and a 50 1.2L. However, if you CAN take a good photo with a Rebel and a kit lens, investing in professional-quality equipment will help you take the quality of your already-good images to the next level.
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- I just picked up a 50 f/1.2 today so we will see if I fall in love with it! Also thanks for lending us your video light..it sure came in handy when I lost my keys at the after party shoot yesterday.... :)
- Nice... I liked the pro roller but ultimately got the AW Trekker 800 instead... still fits in an overhead... although I do miss the wheels :( How do you find the ST-E2 system? I use PW's +II's... Reliable, but sometimes a tiny bit cumbersome on the flash end of things. I've been using the 24-70L on the 5Dmk2 since January... awesome combination, but man i'd live to do a wedding with the 50 1.2 for a change just to see what I can do with it... i'd love the 85 1.2 more... but man $2400 up here in Canada!
- The 85 1.2 is FAR too slow in focusing for me. It's like molasses.. It takes foorrreeeeverrr to focus, and if your subject is moving, forget it. Great for portraits but pretty terrible for PJ stuff. I try to avoid zooms at all cost, and pretty soon will be trading in my 16-35 for a 35 1.4. ST-E2s have never been anything but stellar for me. I've seen a lot of complaints around the net but I've never had any problems at all. May invest in the new line of PWs, but still doing some research on that one!
- Good point on the 85 1.2.... I didn`t even think about that, especially being well adjusted to the lighting fast focusing of the 24-70. I`d probably throw it out the window after the first walk down the aisle ;) But i`d love to try the 24 1.4 or the 50 1.2 for a session... i`d probably be an instant convert :)
- Great info, as always:) I had the 50 1.2. it was way to soft:( even at 1.4 and 2.0. How do you handle that type of lens...I was trying so hard to love it but it did not work at all. Have you shot wide-open let say at 1.4 or 1.2?
- Ben, I virtually always shoot wide open at 1.2 (except for group shots, which I do at f4), and really haven't had softness issues. Maybe you had a bad copy? The focus can be hard to tack with moving subject, so I try to refocus and reshoot really important things like portraits 2-3 times, to make sure I've got at least one that is dead on.
- Truest words ever written: "... if you can’t take a good photo with a Digital Rebel and a kit lens, you’re still not going to take good photos with a 5D and a 50 1.2L."
- Really thinking hard about what to buy this summer as far as flashes and lighting go. I have a couple of dark weddings... and was curious in what instance you use your Lowell ID 100w video light w/ 4-way barndoors?
- "The truth is, if you can’t take a good photo with a Digital Rebel and a kit lens, you’re still not going to take good photos with a 5D and a 50 1.2L. However, if you CAN take a good photo with a Rebel and a kit lens, investing in professional-quality equipment will help you take the quality of your already-good images to the next level." No truer words have ever been said.
- Amen to this! "if you can’t take a good photo with a Digital Rebel and a kit lens, you’re still not going to take good photos with a 5D and a 50 1.2L" Oh, so true! how many photographers I see with tons of equipment on top of them that take really crappy pictures!
- So the gear info is really great and all...and I must agree with the "if you can't take good photos with the rebel then your not with the million dollar equip." but what kind of information (books, lectures, workshops, etc.) did you find helpful in becoming a better photographer??? I know how to use the stuff...how do I become "better"? Any suggestions?
- I've only photographed my first wedding in April this year - with a Digital Rebel & kits lenses. I was so nervous I nearly puked but it all turned out fine. I've found your work inspiring - everything I'd like my work to be really. I'm only 4 months in and I seem to be making headway - based on my 1 wedding experience I have 7 weddings booked for summer and another 4 new client appointments over the next 3 weeks. I've got 2 new lenses which I love - 50mm 1.8 and the 28-135mm and they've made a great difference. I'm hoping that my photo's with my rebel turn into much better photo's when I get my 5D II later this year. Btw your pricing guide has been a revelation - thankyou.
- Thanks for sharing your gear bag with everyone. Your portfolio is awesome and definitely an inspiration for me. Love seeing all the primes. Oh, and thanks for the awesome pricing guide!!!
- Hey Stacy, It is always interesting to see what equipment others use, especially when they have put it in practice, so thank you for posting your information. I read your comments regarding the 85 1.2L, question, was that the newer Mark II version? (I understand that the newer version focuses much faster.) I am looking at that and or the 50 1.2. I do mostly portraits so that is also a consideration for me so I was leaning towards the 85 1.2 and a 50 1.4 See you in January! Regards, Ethan
- Either lens is good for portraits.. The 85 1.2 is probably better for portrait work due to the longer focal length, but I swear by my 50. I haven't used the 85 Mark II so I don't know if the focus is faster or not.
- Hi, I just found out your site and I think its great! and very useful.... thankyou for the tips! I am thinking about buying a Canon, but dont have much budget and i am changing brands (from Nikon to Canon)so I was thinking about the Canon D50, but I would like your advise if its possible. thank you Ana
These two are near and dear to my heart for a lot of reasons, especially because I had a part in their first meeting, so I was very excited to be able to be there for them as their wedding photographer. The venue was spectacular, the weather (despite an impending hurricane) was perfect, and the people (many of which were my friends, as well) were typical Texas awesome. You’ll see a lot of black and white images in this post.. Something about this wedding was just so classic and romantic, and I feel that black and white really allows the content and emotion of the image to come out. I think that treatment really suits this set of images well. Here are some of my favorites:
My two former college roommates.. The girl on the right giving the toast, Brittani, was my very first bride!
Allison’s bouquet toss was hilariously eventful – it required three tosses, two of which were caught by her unsuspecting mom! Alli just doesn’t know her own strength ;)
I am pretty sure Alli and Matt do not want to be reminded of the state their poor car was in that night.. Here it is BEFORE most of the destruction.
Alli and Matt, I am so thankful to be able to call you guys friends, and to know that so many strange twists of fate came together to bring all three of us together. Hopefully I can come visit your beautiful new home next time I am in town!
2 Comments
- Loving the whole entire wedding Stacy! Beautiful! and beautiful photos too. Feel like I was there.
- I happened upon your website today, and your work is GORGEOUS! I'm excited to keep up with your blog!
Although I absolutely looooove shooting seniors, I don’t get to do it very often because so much of my time is focused on my wedding clients. So I was definitely excited when I got the chance to photograph this awesome girl a couple of weeks ago at one of my favorite spots, Addison Circle. At first I was bummed to see that Octoberfest had taken over most of the park, but we decided to make the most of it and get some really unusual stuff. Here are a few of my favorites:
Thanks for hanging out with me Alex, I had a blast! It was especially great to know that the session fee from your photos went towards a great cause that means a lot to us both :)
If you’re a senior and are tired of the same old studio shots (think Napoleon Dynamite: “Now make a fist and ease it slooooowly under your chin.. This is starting to look really good…”) and want something more fun and modern and YOU, send me an e-mail, I would love to work with you!
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rachel - Stunning, as usual Stacy. Your work makes me so happy! I love how you've branched off into maternity/baby too. That world deserves your talent!
Nathan - Great work. I really like these shots. I am a professional photog as well, but a bit intimidated to do maternity shots with my wife, but this gives me inspiration!
Kelly Simants - Oh wow, these are awesome Stacy! Love that Brana!
Jenna - I just recently found your website on a random search for photographers...and i must say, you are amazing! Your work is truly beautiful. I read up on all your advice about business building now. It has become a habit. I'm addicted. Thanks!
Jenna - Amazing! I just randomly found your website while searching for different photographers, and I am SO glad that I found this site!...I've become a little addicted, I must say. Everything I have seen so far is beautiful. And I love your business information and tips. Great stuff!
@stevenhodgson - That's right. Stay OUT of maternity! Just kidding. Fabulous work as always! Really like the OCF one. @zarias would be proud! The front focused one is really cool also. Would love to know how you shoot at f/1.2 and still keep both faces in focus.
Andreas Varro - Nice set of lifestyle photos, really unique. I admire the silhouette picture at the bottom. Cheers Andreas Varro ps. i really miss the rss button. get one! i need to subscribe :). Or did i miss it ?
stacyreeves - You don't need the RSS button to subscribe! Most RSS readers can automatically detect the RSS feed if you just enter the primary website URL.
Ruth - Beautiful work, Stacy! It's fun to see you doing something a little different rather than weddings. That man has giant hands!
imthiaz houseman - for someone who doesn't shot maternity, you do an amazing job. these are stunning!
Susan Hydzik - Really awesome shoot! So many great photos! Love the black and white side lit one- awesome!