Thatcher & Ethan… and MUD!
I almost always photograph my boys when we do a limited edition portrait special. Last year, we did Mud Puddle Portraits for the first time I didn’t have time to get them in. I thought it wasn’t a big deal, since I had done portraits of them just a few weeks before. I WAS WRONG! When Thatcher and Ethan saw the images from the mud sessions, they both began whining and complaining that they didn’t get to do it! Honestly, Ethan must have reminded me everyday for a month that he didn’t get to do a mud session while one of his friends did!
I definitely wasn’t going to let that happen again this year, so they got a spot on the calendar for last weekend’s Mud Puddle Portrait Special. When my mom brought them in, they were literally jumping up and down. I have NEVER seen them this excited for photos before– EVER! They got dressed and raced out the door to the mud set. Most of the children I photograph for the mud sessions are a bit timid about the mud– its cold, squishy and most kids don’t seem to like getting dirty.
Here is the one before image I got just as they stepped into the mud:
And here they are just a few minutes later:
These two images are what they each decided to do in the mud. Neither one was told to do this– we just let them go wild!
Yes, its an insane mess. It took forever to get all the mud out of Thatcher’s hair. But they had the best time with their photos and they keep asking to do it again. I love that I got images of them being their normal “wild boy” selves. While these are far from the “perfect” images of posed children that so many people prefer, they are perfect to me. They capture who these two really are– and how fun it is to just be a kid in a giant mud puddle!
Mud Puddle Portraits!
Mud Puddle Portraits– Sunday, May 18th, 2014
Come play in the mud!! Mud Puddle mini-sessions are available on Sunday, May 18th for just a $29 session fee. Each mini-session can accommodate up to three siblings ages six months and up. Perfect gift for Father’s Day!
Nonrefundable $29 session fee is due at the time of booking. To reserve your time, call 850.339.5799 or email Linda@LongsPhotography.com
Jacksonville Professional Photographers Group
Last week, Olyn and I traveled over to Jacksonville to teach a program on photographing children to the Jacksonville Professional Photographers Group. Teaching to a group of professional photographers is always a bit nerve-wracking, but when you add in the unknown element of photographing toddlers at 8pm in front of the group… well… it makes you sweat a bit!
We had a great turn out for the program and we photographed three siblings ages 2, 4 and 6 and another pair of older siblings. All without a single tear! (From the kids or us!) We really enjoyed meeting everyone in Jacksonville and sharing our love for the crazy, silly world of children’s photography!
Mommy & Me Portraits
Mommy & Me Portrait Event– Wednesday, April 23rd, 2014
Just in time for Mother’s Day, our Mommy & Me portrait event is back! The black and white studio sessions are available all day and evening on Wednesday, April 23rd. There is no session fee, just a $99 minimum order.
Each mini-session can accommodate up to six people of all ages. Whether its just mom and the kids, grandparents, or even dad, this special is a great chance for a timeless family portrait!
Nonrefundable $99 minimum order is due at the time of booking and order credit may be redeemed only at your in studio order session. To reserve your time, call 850.339.5799 or email Linda@LongsPhotography.com 
SEPPA Print Competition
I think Tallahassee probably heard me screaming in excitement all the way from Atlanta! I entered images into the regional competition of the Southeastern Professional Photographers Association (SEPPA) and I earned some of my highest print competition scores ever! On top of that, the SEPPA competition is known to have some of the toughest judges around, so it makes the scores even sweeter!
Photographic print competition is one of the toughest, most humbling, most infuriating and best things I have ever done as a photographer. These competitions hold photographers to the absolute highest standards imaginable and they push you to be the best you can be behind the camera, in Photoshop and in your overall creativity. I have learned more from print competition than any other source in my photographic career.
At the SEPPA competition, I had two of my four images merit which is a huge success in itself! Most people that entered SEPPA did not fare so well. My entry “Entangled” scored an 83, which is a pretty high score for the tough SEPPA judges. Then, my image “Unwrapped” was judged and received a 94. I was in shock. This is the highest print score I have ever received and it came from such a hard panel of judges. It took two solid days before I could believe it was real!
I received the second highest score in Florida, and the eighth highest of all the entries from all thirteen states that are a part of SEPPA. I was only four points from the top score awarded at SEPPA this year of a 98. “Overjoyed” does not even begin to describe my happiness!
These achievements were not mine alone, though. These images are a result of the amazing people who have been my photographic mentors and peers. I am so lucky to have the guidance of some of the finest people in this industry. If you are a photographer or you want to be a photographer, then I strongly encourage you to join groups who can give you this guidance. For me, this was the Professional Photographers of America, the Florida Professional Photographers and the Tallahassee Professional Photographers Guild. Through these groups, I was able to learn and grow as a photographer and I was also able to connect with photographers who inspire me, challenge me and bring out the best in me. To them, I will be forever grateful and because of them, I will always be committed to giving back to the photographic community and paying forward what has been so graciously given to me.
“Unwrapped” 
“Entangled”
