Having Some Fun

My brother Matt and sister-in-law, Gina, are both really talented. Matt can pretty much pick up any instrument and play it well and he writes music too. We always enjoy hearing his latest songs when we're hanging out as a family. He took a photography class last year that really connected with his creative side and he jumped right into it. Gina loves photography too and is always snapping photos at our family get-togethers! (She's also an amazing knitter and even plays the drums!)

After throwing the idea around for quite some time they decided to start a photography business! I'm so excited for them and know they're going to do great! And it's been fun to get to share with them some of the things I've learned over time. They want to mainly focus on HS Senior photography at first, so I thought it would be great to get a group of high schoolers together and do a shoot with Matt & Gina. It would give them a chance to build their portfolio and really, I just thought it would be fun! So these fantastic teenagers volunteered to be our subjects in the freezing cold, windy December weather and did such a great job! (Thank you Elizabeth, April, Hannah, Brennan & Jillian for being so wonderful!) Matt & Gina's website is in construction mode, but to book a session with them, you can check them out here: www.corneliusphotoworks.com
They live in Eugene, OR, but will be doing photo shoots in surrounding areas too. Bookmark their blog to follow their progression.

I really like photographing groups in a setting where we're doing something active. We had arranged to have a green canoe that day and be able to do some other fun "lifestyle shots", but that fell through at the last minute. But it was great just to goof off and shoot anything we wanted. I also put down my 85mm lens that day and only shot with my 50mm and I re-fell-in-love with it. :) I use to only shoot with a 50mm until I bought my 85 and it became my favorite lens. (I rarely take it off my camera.) But I think I'll be using my 50mm a lot more again! You go 50, you go! :)

If any hs seniors in the future want to do their senior sessions together (in a group) I'm all for it!
Here are some of my shots from that day.