naked baby [behind the scenes] | Louisville, KY Newborn Photographer

Isn't there something authentic and natural about a naked baby.  There is something about a little one, in his most natural form, creates some of the most simple and beautiful images. This post is about how one newborn portrait setup can create many gorgeous images. Same baby, same blanket, same pose.

I wanted to take a moment, in the midst of all of the editing I do, I sometimes get so pigeon-holed that I don't see the simple beauty right in front of me. This black blanket has seen a lot of newborn shoots (and all the extra stuff that come out of with said newborns). But it always ends up helping me make great images, the kind that show off that sweet new babe.

I have included a behind the scenes shot to show my little setup. I placed my bean bag poser right in front of the sliding glass doors to utilize as much natural light as possible on a half-way gloomy fall day.

I also placed an inexpensive studio light (continuous light, not strobe) outside of the door and a reflector above baby's head. You can also see my little heater set up a safe distance from baby, keeping him warm and happy.

Everything from detail shots, to wider full body portraits, you can get all of these different images while baby is comfortably snoozing away.

But time after time, this little black backdrop creates some of my favorite images.

Here's to sleeping (naked) babies, and sleeping like a baby.

Xoxo,
Mich

P.S. Only 6 more likes needed over at my facebook page before we can draw a winner on the big GIVEaway. So hop on over to the facebook page to like and nominate someone now.

Veda [12 days new]

How about this sweet girl named Veda ::swoon:: What a gorgeous name for a gorgeous little one. I had the pleasure to meet her a couple weeks ago in the middle of my tornado that is fall sports season, so I apologize that this is tardy. But I just had to share, better late than never right?  Without further Ado meet Veda
...and her big brother Whitt.

I am just in love with all of this real lifestyle love. There is nothing better than a Thursday morning with a brand newbie and your loves.

XOXO,
Mich

Hazel [2 days new] | MHP Louisville, KY Newborn Photographer

This sweet little pumpkin was an absolute angel!  Her momma must be pretty good at this whole thing too, because she only spent 36 hours at the hospital and looks amazing. Hazel is only 2-days-new in these photos so can you believe that this beautiful mom (and dad) just had a babe two. days. ago.  Unbelievable! Love you both!

Xoxo,
Mich

P.S. ITS THE LAST DAY!!!! The Giveaway needs a few more likes over on the Facebook page to be on! So get on over there and LIKE, SHARE, NOMINATE!

Full Details on the Blog: http://mhaasphotoblog.blogspot.com/2014/07/digital-giveaway.html

Giveaway Entry Thingy (Giveaway Tab Above): http://tinyurl.com/npyocwt

Full House | MHP Louisville, KY Family Portrait Photographer

I pulled up to a pretty amazing house yesterday for my morning shoot with this little family. Truth is, I was scoping out the neighborhood as an area where my hubs and I would love to move. Then I saw this house and was blown away by the gorgeous design and modern feel. Then I found out dad (Chris) is pretty good at this kinda thing. Yeah, this house...a dream. And TONS of natural light.

The cat was not impressed - but really this photo is just an excuse to see more of their awesome house ;)

Happy Wednesday!
xoxo,
Mich

What Do I Wear? | MHP Louisville, KY Family Portrait Photographer

Session is booked. Check!
Kids are still out of school. Check!
Hubs has the morning off work. Check!


Now what do we wear?!?


This question is one that I get a lot. And although I love perusing the mall, it seems that is the last place to find clothes that fit (your body and budget) and coordinate the night before a photoshoot. So I am trying to make this a little easier on you all.

First, what is a good photo post without pictures?

This is one great example of a colorful summer style board. I love these little boogers and I intend to make some of my own, but this little diddy was made by Whattowearguides.com (<--- theres a ton more fun there too)

 

This family (ahem Mom) did a great job coordinating for a very sweet pink and teal combo. I love that the clothes COMPLEMENT but are not too MATCHY, MATCHY.

Here are a few other great looks and ways to show your style.

  a simple black dress

accessories | shoes, hats 

 

even jammies

 

or

a suit and tie

 






Speaking of matchy, matchy, I think Pinterest and I were a match made in heaven. I mean, if I could get paid to pin and organize things all day, I would hop right on that. But I digress, I have started a cute little board on my Pinterest account that give some awesome ideas for what to expect at your shoot (more info on that in another post) and TONS of clothing looks from classic and timeless to trendy and, shall we say, MOD.

http://www.pinterest.com/mhaas01/mhp-what-do-i-do/

What is a "What To Wear" post without a "What Not to Wear" section?

Here it is, just a couple of points though, really.

 

And here are a few store suggestions, for lots of different price-ranges.

The most important thing is that your family looks like YOUR FAMILY. Not someone else's family, not a family out of Pleasantville if that doesn't fit your style.

So if you guys live in jeans and T's.
Wear jeans and T's.

We can dress it up a bit with sweaters and accessories or grass stains and mud spots. I want your family to feel comfortable in their skin, and their clothes.

And all else fails, most everything looks good in black and white ;)

By the way, did you see the Giveaway going on until Aug. 1? Nominate a loved one for a Free Digital Session! Wahoo!! Like and Share on Facebook!

Nominate someone you love to WIN a free photo session!

Ok Kids!  Listen, er, Read up! Summer is officially upon us and there are some gorgeous days for photos in the next couple of months. I have decided a little giveaway is in order. I have been bad and my little biz pages have been neglected lately.

What better way to get in the fun-loving spirit of summer than nominate someone you love for a free digital photo session!?!

Soooo here's the skinny...

When Mhaas Photography's Facebook page reaches 300 likes I will be giving away my newest offering, a free Digital Photo Session ~ including a session fee and at least 30 high resolution images!!! A $300 Value to one lucky winner.

To Enter...
Scroll down to the Rafflecopter Widget below. You get 1 entry each to:
-Like MHaas Photography's Facebook page
-NOMINATE SOMEONE other than you, TAG THEM in a comment with @
-POST A PIC of them for some extra fun, cell phone photos gladly accepted.


You can nominate as many people as you want, one each day.

like this

~Session is good for one (1) outdoor Family, Kids, Newborn, Engagement, or Maternity session (1-3 hours of shooting time) and at least 30 high resolution digital negative images. Limited to 5 people included in session.

~Photo Session winner will be chosen by random drawing on August 1 or when MHaas Photography Facebook page hits 300 likes (whichever happens later). The winner will have 1 week (7 days) to contact me to redeem/schedule session.

~No need to be a client already, all are welcome to enter. No purchase necessary, package cannot be redeemed for cash, and session must take place in the metro Louisville, KY area, subject to MHaas Photography availability.

Like and Share away!!!

(Enter via rafflecopter below, wait a minute then refresh if you don't see it.)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

For help finding your comment link



*I have the discretion to say no to any request for any reason, no awkward family photos here ;). If you don't like my photo style or don't know anyone to nominate, this particular giveaway is not for you ;) 

Need for Selflessness

I have been trying to find a great cause to get behind recently. I have been experiencing this strong urge to find or develop a means of helping others in some way. Maybe it is because I have been away more than I have been home lately. Traveling with work is trying at times, but it makes me really appreciate what I have at home.  I am blessed beyond measure to have a wonderful home where I can rest my head, and a husband with whom to share that special sanctuary.

There are so many people that do not have those luxuries, that are plagued with so much adversity simply because of their locale. But my friend Kate Hamilton McNatt who writes an adorable blog over at Southern Dwellings has just introduced me to an amazing effort called Noonday Collections. They offer jewelry, handbags, and other accessories all handmade by women just like you and me from many impoverished countries across the globe. 

The company's founders "spent years living in resource poor areas of the world and both dreamed of starting a business that would alleviate poverty through entrepreneurship."

I am so impressed with the underlying mission to help empower the family. They strive to make more money for the artisans to keep their own families together, and a portion of proceeds go to help orphans find a forever family. That really made this something I wanted to let you all know about (hence my new button on the right check it out --->).

So here's what you can do:
- Check out some of my favorite pieces below
- Head over to Kate's Noonday Collection website and buy some stuff
- Learn more about Noonday Collection's Story here
- Share this gorgeous stuff with your friends, Kate even does Trunk shows!

     

 

I may have to pick this up for me. I would love to use this gorgeous tray for my newborn sessions.

Shopping = LOVE

Lets change the world!

XOXO,

Mich

Throw Back...Tuesday [record screetch] | MHP Louisville, KY portrait photographer

Who doesn't need a little nostalgia sometimes and a little look back at where they came from?

This is especially important for the little ones, since kids seem to grow faster than everything else known to man, except maybe those pesky dandelions in the front yard.

In case you missed it, I posted a little throw back of Miriam and her ever-growing little one Logan earlier this month here.

The point of the post was to encourage you to hire a great photographer, whether it is me or not, to capture the feelings you experience.

As a parent,
                  a child,
                            a sibling,
                                          a friend.

All of these feelings deserve to be captured and looked upon often to remember and re-live.

That photo was taken at 6 months old, momma was soothing Logan after he realized he was not a fan of grass. His little teeth were coming in and his little Sophie teething giraffe were in nearly every. single. photo.

But that one photo was all worth it. This one.

Logan has since grown quite a bit in size and intellect and that photo got me thinking - what other photos might need to resurface and do some reminding? 

One thing that parents really love are successions of images to see how the little one has grown.
Here are some of his beautiful parents awaiting his arrival,
                                                                                just after birth,

newborn,

  

3 months,

and little Logan Man looking dapper at about 15 months old.

Look how much these little girls have grown in just about a year!

Another beauty that I have had the pleasure to capture several times.

 With a new baby sister

And this adorable blonde,

who has a sister all her own as well.

 These little clients sure are growing and growing and growing.  

We must make them stop. 

What? Not Possible? 

Fine.

Well, how 'bout a photo shoot to catch them while we can?

Contact me for more info or to schedule a session before its too late...

xoxo,

Mich

mhaas01@gmail.com

P.S. Know and/or love a young client above (ooh I'm Dr. Seuss with these rhymes) Leave a comment and share the love (on facebook).

P.S.S. Stay tuned for a super exciting secret post coming soon! Hint: Free stuff is involved! Ahhh!