New E-Mail Address

We just moved and have a new e-mail address. I realize the ad in the paper still had our old one. If you want to set up a session please call or e-mail me!

hartwick@signatureblue.com

641.780.5242

My First Senior Session

Nick came down to Pella to have his Senior photos taken last week. Nick is Ty's second cousin and with this being my first senior session, I'm glad there was a level of comfort there for all of us.  Teenagers are a lot different to photograph than the children that I'm used to. I needed to have several poses thought through (okay, I had notecards with ideas stuffed into my back pocket that I pulled out several times...hehe). At any rate, I think we had a lot of fun!

Jen+Kyle=Everett

Jen.

One of my best friends from long ago.

The kind of friend who you can not talk to for four and a half years and still feel like nothing has changed.

Yet, so much has changed in both of our lives since those care free days of....singing Def Leopard in my car, serving tables at Bontels, bonfires, sleepovers, silly boys, dances and football games.

Although a year younger than me in school, she has always been a wise friend. One to turn to for sound advice. Honest advice.

She looks at the world differently than I do at times. She helps me to see things from a different perspective. She is grounded.

It has been amazing to see my dear friend graduate from college, get a masters degree, become a great wife and an amazing mother. Although I don't get to talk to Jen as often as I once did (or would like to!), she is still the same easy-to-talk-to, down to earth friend she once was.

 It makes me so happy to see you so happy Jen!

PS-I'm so coming to visit you!

Jen was asking what I do to edit a photo. I often give clients several options on their CD of the same photo. The above is obviously the B&W option. Below is my color/edited version that gives the picture a little bit of boost. The last photo is what I got straight out of my camera before any edits were made (now you can see why the editing process is so important!).

 (Below) SOOC:

 

I love E's precious face in this one! What a sweet smile :).

Lots more to come...just a few favs as I was uploading after our session tonight!

Thoreson Family

What an adorable family this was to photograph! Seriously, they are beautiful!! We had a lot of fun in the nice weather last week taking these pictures! Just in time for the tulips. Hope you enjoy your photos Thoreson family!

Tulip Time

When the Ritzert's asked me to do some pictures in their Dutch costumes I was very excited! They are one of my biggest supporters in getting my business going. Thank you, Amanda for all your kind words, recommendations and of course support through this! I love your Tulip Time pictures, and hope you do too!!

I hate to admit this, but this was only my second session in which I shot in full manual mode the whole time! Usually I switch to Aperture mode on my camera when the kids start to run around the lighting changes. I just finished a class up in DM and so was very encouraged to try this on my own. I'm much happier with the pictures, see for yourself :).

Baby Taityn

I got to visit with the De Vries family a few weeks ago and take a some photos for Taityn's announcements. There is something so sweet about a brand new baby. It's been awhile since I've taken pictures of anyone other than my kiddos and it was fun to get some more practice in!!

Ford Family

The Ford Family is under construction. They are finishing up their basement and wanted some family photos showing their work-in-progress. The photo below is hilarious. These kitties were very photogenic and wanted to be in most all of the photos :).