One of my antique shop finds is this plum velvet doll chair. It’s the perfect size for little ones and it photographs so beautifully! I love how it complements the delicate gown.

Speaking of antiques.. I adore this antique carriage and was thrilled to try it with a baby old enough to sit. Baby E seemed to enjoy the view!

Babies are so sweet and pure, and the simplicity of au naturale photographs is art. At this age the “flying baby” pose they naturally adopt when on their tummies is so cute! They just want to take off.

Finally.. how could you resist this face on a Christmas card? I can’t think of a better way to spread joy and holiday cheer. Stay tuned for more of Baby E, as I photographed her family at the beach. Her big sister is just as cute as she is!

At 19 days old, this sweet baby girl wanted to stay awake so she wouldn’t miss a thing. Wide eyed and alert, she was curious and calm.

Eventually, though, she drifted off into sweet slumber. This is one of my all-time favorite newborn photographs- isn’t she divine?

Once asleep, she was quite content to nap in the antique baby carriage.

Many thanks to the R family for sharing your beautiful little miracle with me!

The connection between these little princesses and their mom and dad was amazing- this family is so full of love! From running along the beach to exploring tidepools and digging for buried treasure, there was no lack of fun. Mom and Dad wanted lots of natural, candid shots of the kids being themselves- which I love.

The littlest princess had just celebrated her first birthday, so Mom wanted some special photographs. She was sweetness personified! Such a gentle spirit.

Big sister has a vibrant personality and boundless energy. She has the cutest curls and gorgeous eyes, and made my job so easy!

Thank you, N family, for a wonderful evening. I enjoyed meeting you!

Holiday Greetings: Sharing Your Smiles
10 tips for getting the perfect photo for your family’s holiday cards

For many families, the holidays bring an annual tradition: the family photograph. You know the one- the perfect card photo, with everyone looking right into the camera and smiling their biggest, brightest smiles. The one you mail to family and friends around the globe so they can see how the kids have grown since last year.

With the popularity of digital cameras and affordability of digital SLR cameras, many families are opting to take their own family photos. These tips will help your family capture a photo that’s uniquely you. With a bit of planning and some basic camera skills, you’ll have a picture you’ll be proud to share.

1. Location, location, location
Choose a spot that’s meaningful for your family. Your home or yard can make a great backdrop. Think of the activities your family enjoys- the beach, hiking trails, etc. can make great places to take a photo. Churches and places of worship are another option.

Candid shots can make beautiful greeting card photos as well. Your family, hand in hand, walking along the beach; everyone sitting in a tree happily chatting with someone else; or engaged in an activity together such as paddling.

2. See the light
Avoid photographing people at midday because it will create harsh shadows on faces. Earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon are the best times to shoot.

For beach portraits, photographing within an hour of sunrise or 45 minutes before sunset will give the best light. You don’t want to be squinting into the sun, so make sure the sun is behind you. You may need to turn on your camera’s fill flash, especially if you are shooting just at sunset and want to capture the beautiful sunset sky.

For other locations, look for shaded areas near sunny spots and position your family in the shade facing the light. Keep your camera’s flash turned off for a natural look.

3. What To Wear
Unless your family usually dresses in matching aloha wear or white polo shirts, skip those and instead opt for clothing in coordinating colors. Soft greens and browns look good on most people and lend a seasonal feel. Avoid T-shirts with stripes, large text, or graphics, and use bold colors like red sparingly. Make sure your clothes fit well and are not too loose, short, or revealing. Have fun and don’t be afraid to be creative- kids in holiday pajamas make cute photos!

4. Enlist a friend
Even if you can figure out your camera’s self-timer, rushing back to jump in the photo at the last second is difficult! Ask a friend to help. Having someone behind the camera can help direct attention and ensure that all faces are toward the camera.

5. What’s your angle?
When photographing your children, get down on their level for the best angle. Families should stand or sit closer to one another than usual, to fit everyone in the frame and because a small space between people seems larger in a photograph.
For more flattering portraits, shooting from slightly above is slimming. Turn your body at an angle to the camera, lift your chin slightly and stick out your neck. When smiling, try to open your eyes a little to avoid a squinty look. If you’re sitting, remember to keep your knees together. Put your arm around the person next to you or keep your hands at your side or in your lap. For larger families, posing on steps is a good way to get everyone in the frame. Try shooting from a few slightly different angles - straight on, slightly above, etc. Depending on the number of the people in the photograph, it’s probably best to have the camera about 6-10 feet away for best focus and composition. If you’re photographing one child or two children close together, 3-4 feet is a good distance for close up head shots.

6. Watch your back
Leave some space between you and your backdrop- don’t sit or stand right against a wall or greenery. Keeping a few feet away will help blur the background and ensure your family is the focus of the photo. Before you press the shutter, look for distracting background elements such as cars, rubbish, and other people nearby. Make sure there aren’t any trees, telephone poles, etc appearing to stick out of someone’s head.

7. Smile!
Don’t say cheese! For babies and young children, a noisemaker such as a colorful rattle or train whistle can get kids’ attention. Have everyone tickle someone else to get natural expressions and laughter. Adults should look at the camera and keep smiling to make it easier to get a good photo with the kids looking at the camera.

8. Murphy’s Law: Kids and Pets
Use bribes and treats sparingly and only when necessary, as their effects are short-lived. Lollipops, large plastic ornaments, and Santa hats can make good props and help hold kids’ attention. If all else fails, you can try for one good shot of each child and look for card templates that include more than one photo.

9. Check it twice
Take two photos in a row to avoid getting the perfect picture.. where someone blinked. If blinking or squinting is a problem, have everyone close their eyes, count to three out loud, and tell them to open their eyes. Check your camera’s LCD to make sure the photo looks good. If the pictures are blurry, or the background is bright (overexposed) but the people are in deep shadow (underexposed), try turning on the flash.

10. Fit to print
Costco, Wal-Mart, and Sam’s Club all offer premade templates. Either upload your photo online, or take it in to the lab to design and print photo paper greeting cards. Folded cards and mailable postcards are available through VistaPrint and online photo lab MPix.

Lisa Hoang is the award-winning founder of Windwardskies Photography in Kaneohe, an on-location photography studio specializing in child, family, and baby portraiture. She has photographed professionally since 2000 and is a member of the Professional Photographers of America (PPA). Her work has appeared in local and international publications.

This session was a collaboration, photographed with friend and fellow photographer Anne. Her beautiful maternity lo’i photograph was the inspiration for this image.

The cozy cocoon enveloping baby is designed and created by photographer and artist Sara Smalley and available here for purchase. It’s even softer, stretchier, and more cozy than it looks!

I love the gaze of a calm, alert newborn. There’s something incredibly powerful about the innocence and beauty of of those first days. She was such a sweetheart, both awake and asleep.

Doesn’t she look like a little blossom? Even at almost 3 weeks old she was the best little model. I loved meeting her and her family. Thank you Anne for introducing us!

We played and explored, ran and jumped, and had a great time!

One last picture- to show even color looks good in black and white:

I offer clothing consultations with every session, as well as styled sessions where I recommend and purchase clothing for your child.

I photographed Vanessa as a baby- be the first to find her on the Tiny Moments Photography web site and email me where she appears, and win a $50 gift certificate towards your next session!

The image above is one of my favorites not only from this session, but of all time. I’d been on the lookout for a carriage like this for quite awhile, and was positively giddy when I was the first to claim it. And I was able to get just the shot I envisioned with it on my first try!

I had quite a few new props for Krislyn to try out. Friend and fellow photographer Sara Smalley has created a line of baby wraps that are super soft and simply gorgeous. I loved the earthy fall feel of this one.

Babies also love furs, and Krislyn was no exception. She was so good too- hardly fussed at all! She did not like being on her tummy, and would wiggle her way out of any stomach position. It’s always fun to guess a baby’s temperament and see how accurate I am a year or so later. In this case, I think Krislyn’s disposition is sweet and mellow, but she’s smart and stubborn so she’ll really let you know if she’s bothered by something.

In other words, poor Dad doesn’t stand a chance- he’s already wrapped around his daughter’s little finger. And from the way he was beaming, I don’t think he’s ever been happier!
Speaking of glowing, new mom Donna is even more radiant now than before.

I love being able to capture “before and after” series like this one.

A teeny tiny smile! It’s so exciting to capture those brief, fleeting sleep smiles. I’m sure they’re having pleasant baby dreams when they smile like that.

Mom and Dad, I hope you enjoyed this sneak peek! You’ll be getting your gallery very soon. Thanks so much for sharing Krislyn with me. Your family is beautiful, inside and out.

I managed to make some time in my schedule to take C out for a mini session. I had grand plans- a rocking horse in a field, followed by a quick “bath” in the bucket, complete with bubbles. C is a water baby- loves the bath, the sink, the wading pool, the ocean, you name it. Well, after dragging the bucket, water, and bubbles (and of course the horse!) across the field, he decided he HATED bathing outdoors. Wouldn’t even sit down for a moment. All I could do was laugh. This child has his own mind, no doubt about it.

Fortunately, we fared much better with his birthday cupcake, a Cake Couture delicacy. He couldn’t let a lick of the frosting go to waste!

Cross one big to-do item off your list in September or October- your holiday cards! Send personalized portrait greeting cards to friends and family. Available in flat postcard or folded designs, these press printed cards are sure to make an impression.

Holiday sessions focus on capturing your family’s personality and run 45-60 minutes in length. Within two weeks of your session, you will be shown 10-12 images from which to choose.

Book your holiday session for September for $495 and receive:
(1) 11×14 mounted gallery print
(2) 8×10 gift prints
(16) Wallets (same image as the 11×14)
(24) Custom designed press printed flat holiday cards or (1) digital file

Or book for October for $750 and get the above, plus a full set of proofs in a keepsake box.

All print orders over $500 will also receive a 5×7 accordion album ($350 value).

Dates to Remember
Holiday sessions should take place on or before Monday, November 10 for guaranteed holiday ordering. Sessions scheduled after this date are not guaranteed for holiday delivery, although every effort will be made to get your order delivered prior to the holidays.

Print orders must be placed and paid for in full by Wednesday, November 26 for guaranteed holiday delivery. Custom products such as canvases, coffee table books, and session albums must be ordered by Monday, November 10 for guaranteed holiday delivery.

Session availability is limited and weekend sessions book quickly, so be sure to reserve your preferred holiday session date and time soon!

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