Tuesday, April 21, 2009

The Faces of Twelve

Updated to add: Thanks, honestly, for the nice comments. I was thrilled with how they turned out. Not because I believe in my own fabulousness, but because I felt they really showcased her personality and (best of all!!) didn't cost an arm and a leg since I took them myself. (No, we won't consider the cost of lens in this equation .... that's a "gimme") :)

To answer a few questions:

6. Achieving 11: I used my photo editing program (I use Photoshop CS4) and ran a "faded" action. You can do the same thing by using any photo editing program and lowering the saturation of the entire photo. If you don't *have* a photo-editing program, then I have no clue .... basically, if I can't take shortcuts with technology, then I'm lost!

5. Lens: I used my new Canon 85 mm 1.8 lens.

4. Where: Shara, there is an overturned semi (don't ask me, who even knows) in a field next to the Dolese plant on Wilshire between Rockwell and Council. The rust-ish background is the underside of the trailer and the graffiti'd part is the back of the trailer. I'm sure I was breaking every OSHA code known to man by letting her climb on it, but I got the exact background I was hoping for, so it was worth risking arrest, ha!

3. Skirt: purchased from a vendor at the OKC Affair of the Heart craft fair in February. I found TONS in little-girl ballerina sizes, but only one booth, with only one skirt, in a size 8-10. I snagged it, felt grateful when I got home that it fit Brayden, and have been kicking myself ever since that I didn't think to get the person's card.

2. Favorites: Brayden's favorite is number 12. And although no-one asked (ahem) MY favorite is number 11, although I can't choose between the "faded" action (which is what I have in this post) or the original in all its vibrancy.

1. Looks like me: I know, isn't it funny? Although, anyone who has ever seen Brayden's birthmom (Hi, M!! <-- waving frantically) has said she and I could pass for sisters, so I suppose its not too odd that Brayden might look a little like me. Except for when she's in trouble. Then she looks just like Blaine.

Again, thanks for posting your opinions .... its great for me to read them!
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Every year I force encourage my children to let me take pictures of them on (around) their birthday. Despite the fact I am falling farther and farther behind, I still consider myself a scrapbooker and like to have the visual documentation of how they grow and change each year.

Brayden's birthday is in February, and while that wasn't a problem in balmy Georgia, now that we live in Oklahoma we've discovered we often have to wait a month or two for weather nice enough for outdoor photography. We had such a day yesterday ....temps in the high 70's, and little to no wind .... a RARITY here.

I was also excited to take her photos this year because I had purchased and Lord knows I needed to justify my new lens. I was really hoping for some quality snapshots.

I'd love to hear your opinions, and I've numbered the pictures so if you'd like to leave a specific comment, I'll know which image you're referring to. For the record, I did not increase color or vibrancy or hue or contrast or anything on any of them. In fact, they came out so vivid that I actually DECREASED the color on some of them ..... guess when you combine the perfect outdoor light with a clear day and a good lens, you get good color ... to the point of kaleidoscopiness ... yes, it is a word. I just made it up.



#1.



#2.



#3.



#4.



#5.



#6.



#7.



#8.



#9.



#10.



#11.



#12.


Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go perform cpr on my own uterus, because it's shriveled up and crying at the realization of how grown up my baby girl is getting.

46 comments:

karen in birmingham said...

I like #10 - she still looks like a little girl. Not so much in the others. Oh yeah, that's what happens.

Leeann said...

Number three is my favorite. I love the exuberance of it, as well as the light on her face. On a few of those others of her twirling, her face is in shadow, at least partially. My other favorite is the one of her sitting down with her knees up .. I can't remember the number now. Maybe 13? She is sitting and the dress is dipping down between her knees. Very natural smile on her there.

Good job!

Leeann said...

Okay, not 13. It was 11. The one I liked second best was 11.

Anonymous said...

I love 3, 6, 8 & 10 for the quality of the photos as well as showing the fun-loving spirit of a 12 year old! I also love #12 for the pureness! Brayden is really turning in a beautiful "young lady" -- why can't they stay little for longer??

Great job on the photography!

Barb
babs8903@yahoo.com

Lisa L said...

No. 12. She is beautiful! No wonder you are so proud of her..

A Mom said...

I love # 8 - but all of them are great

Pam D said...

2, 8, and 11 were my top picks; 8 was my favorite. Because I don't know her in "real life", I may have picked differently if I knew her. Those three just seemed to showcase her personality while being clear and without shadows on her face. 8 just looks joyous, fun, and spontaneous. She's lovely in all of them; almost a teen (yikes!). I love her outfit, too...

vgsmom said...

I'll leave any actual photography talk to Jim, but I loved them all. #3 and #8 stand out but I don't think I could choose. Does she have a favorite?

shara said...

good qestion from vgsmom- which one does SHE like the best? They were great shots. I would look at them and think "okay- 3 is my fav... no 4 and then 3..." and on and on.

i like 11- fun and spunky. And the ones w/ her twirling. love 'em.

WHERE did you take these? i was tryinig to place it but can't.

shara said...

Okay- I looked at them again-
#11, #3 and #12- in that order. And, I like #9, because it reminds me of a look my nieces give me- fun and silly. It warmed my heart to think of them. Maybe that is something of your kiddo as well- fun and silly. Heavy sigh.... they just keep growing.

M said...

6,8,9 I like the play of the light. Please tell me she did not spray paint the wall for the occasion!

Kristen said...

wow! I love 3, 7, 8, 10, 11 & 12! they are all amazing!! wonderful job ;)

momof2Boys said...

I love 1,3,8,10 and 12.You do such a good job. It is hard to believe Brayden is 12. I was following Kendrie's caringbridge in 2005 it dosen't seem like it has been that long.

Kim
from Texas

joanne said...

gorgeous...every single one of them ;D

Alisa said...

8 and 11 are my favorites, if I had to pick. i like them all.
Love the outfit- love the location. What does she think of them?

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness is she growing up! Is Miss B going just a bit gothic?

Number 1 looks like "Oh my God, are we done yet???", lol.

Number 12 is my favorite. I love closeups anyhow, but I also really like her expression on that one.

Number 11 would be my second favorite, very sweet.

Number 10 looks like she is getting ready to br frisked, lol.

Number 9 looks sassy and cute.

The dancing/twirling pix are adorable, but I can't really see her cute face too well in those.

She is beautiful. I know what you mean by growing up too fast. My firstborn baby just turned 15, :tears: I also have a 12 yr old son, a 9 yr old daughter and a 7 yr old son, who I still call my "baby", hehe.

Rita

Angie said...

8 4 1 and 12 are my faves just lovely photos

hyzymom said...

OMG! I can't believe it. Seems so long ago when we were sitting in the Mom's group and they were so LITTLE! I love #8 and #9. Love her style. :o) You think your uterus is shriveled now... wait till she gets BOOBS! You wouldn't believe Brenna now. She's all grown up. I can't think about it too much. :o)

Anonymous said...

For some reason, all I see is a little red 'x' in a square and yet on other blogs the photos are visible. I read you everyday and I feel cheated when it comes to the photos!

Angie said...

I love #6 & 8. The skirt is fabulous! My daughters would love something like that...where did you find it??

Great job on the pictures!

Trish in Leesburg, VA said...

I love all the pictures but especially number 10. Also- I love love love the outfit! Where did you find that skirt?!?!

Trish in Leesburg, VA said...

oops! I was #11 that I liked the best! :)

Sharon C said...

#3, #8. #12 are my favorites...show both her BEAUTY and her "attitude". LOVE the skirt and t-shirt combo. So "with it!" : ) Thanks for sharing Kristie!

Anonymous said...

I love #3 and #8. Great shots overall too.

Anonymous said...

They are all wonderful but I can't choose between 1 and 12 as my favorites....from a professional opinion the "S" curve the lighting created on her face is remarkable..and I also believe that a picture should reflect the time as well and 12 year olds are brooding and a little more serious and dark and I think you captured that perfectly in 12....I also love 5 for that reason its not about how the person actually looks its a photo of her personality and I think you've done an awesome job with that....by the way is it just me or is Brayden looking more like you each year?

Bridget from Canada

Anonymous said...

I like them all really but #12 is my favorite!

Anonymous said...

LOVE the pix!! What a pretty girl Brayden is. I feel your pain, too. My youngest (a daughter) recently turned 13...boo hoo hoo. It's sometimes wonderful, but oftentimes sad, too. :*(

Mary Z

leeanne said...

Great pics Kristie! I love them all but I think that #11 would be my fav too. Brayden is sure becoming quite the young lady!! Daddy's gonna be busy!!

Anonymous said...

I just love #8 - her expression, the light on her face, the movement of her skirt. Great shots!

Diane in Cincinnati

Anonymous said...

She is so gorgeous!! I love number 12.

Sherri
www.caringbridge.org/oh/kara

Lorie said...

Kristie,

Great photos! What lens did you use?

Jennifer said...

How did you do 11? I have been trying to achieve that effect forever but have not had any success yet. They are all great photos, I couldn't pick a favourite.

URBAN BLONDE said...

Kristie, I absolutely love them all! Because each photo shows a pinch of personality!

If I had to chose an absolute fav it would be Number 11. That pic to me shows a girl on the cusp of teenhood!

PS I had to laugh when I saw the first one with the wrinkled brow. Please tell Braden to try and stop that and she can thank me later! LOL It was told to me at that age and I didn't listen and now I have a nice permanent line going across said forehead. LOL

Anonymous said...

#3 and #11

Beautiful!!

Wendy
Canton, MI

Natalie said...

They're all great, but I do really like 11. They're such fun shots!

Dianna in Louisiana said...

I can't choose a favorite because they are all so good and different. But, if I had to pick one, it would be the last. You really capture the transformation Brayden is making from girl to beautiful young lady. I must say, it's been way cool to watch you just get better and better with your photography skills. This definitely looks like a professional shoot.

cakeburnette said...

What a beauty! And such a talented photographer! I enjoyed this post IMMENSELY and look forward to this year's edition of the other two!

jadine said...

Brayden, you are beautiful! What fun pictures :)

Kristie: "I need to go perform cpr on my own uterus" <--- I'd like to see a picture of *this*!

Brenda said...

The pictures are so so so awesome! My personal fave...Number 8, but all of them are terrific!

Care said...

Those are fabulous photos! Can I bribe you to take some pictures of my trio some day? Seriously, very good shots. I live off of Rockwell, may have to borrow that setting some time.

Allison said...

Wow - she looks older than 12 in #12. She's a very pretty girl Kristie!!!!

Kelly said...

#11 is my favorite. THey are all awesome!

Kelly said...

P.S. - To anyone who is interested...you can edit your photos for free on www.picnik.com. Not as sophisticated as photoshop (of course) but still lots of fun and VERRRRRRY Very easy. It's the only thing I use! I have Gimp but haven't learned to use it yet! Wish I could find someone to help me with that someday!! :(

sportzmom said...

Love your photos! Especially the one with the rust-ish background! I think I might have to buy myself a new lens if it means my pictures will turn out like yours!

Anonymous said...

Ummm Weird. All of them.

sierragirls3@sbcglobal.net said...

I think they are all great, she is beautiful and I love love love the skirt! My 8 year old would love to have that skirt! 2 and 10 are my favorites.