Kyle&Sheila 04.14.2012

briannakiilunen — Wed, 02 May 2012 20:56:44 +0000

April 14th started out as a rain-soaked Saturday. My wipers on full speed as I drove into the church that morning. I was thinking in my head of different places within the church that I could get bride and groom shots as well as some bridal party pictures. Not many places coming to mind…outdoor shots are hard to beat. By the time I pulled into the parking lot, the rain had stopped and the clouds were clearly headed out of town. We were able to get outdoor shots and even capture the spring trees that were in full bloom( it is pretty obvious I was in love with the blooms)!

It was such an honor to be a part of Kyle and Sheila’s day.

Beautiful flowers by Julie L.

The whole crew.

Thank you, Kyle and Sheila, for letting me be a part of your wedding day!

Bill&Heather 3.24.12

briannakiilunen — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 00:32:23 +0000

It is exciting when you see the first signs of spring, it gives you new energy. I was so honored to kick off the spring with photographing Bill and Heather’s wedding. It was an overcast day but the beautiful details made for a very pretty wedding.

This black and white of the men reminds me of a old, old photograph…something about it.

Bill and Heather’s first look was walking down the isle so we snuck out after the ceremony, just the bride, groom and I for a quick, quiet moment to capture some photographs.

…back to join their guests at the reception.

3 generations. Mother, Bride and Grandmother

The Sweet’s Table.

Thank you Heather and Bill for letting me be a part of your big day!

I consider myself lucky…

briannakiilunen — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 23:03:45 +0000

hanging out with yet another handsome, young gentleman:)

Stuart turns 1

briannakiilunen — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 14:21:17 +0000

It was fun to have Stuart in town this past weekend. Stuart turned 1 and we were able to get some pictures in. It is pretty entertaining how you must think creatively to get a 1-year-old to participate or even looking in the general direction of the camera. Stuart is walking and he is on the move!

Stuart’s mom(Joanna) came up with a trick. Put a small cheerio by the wall, Stuart walks back to the cheerio slllowly bends down to pick it up and then turns around with a BIG smile…perfect!

OCF (Off Camera Flash)

briannakiilunen — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 18:39:07 +0000

I tried something new the other day…a very quick venture. I have been wanting to try OCF for a while now. What ‘off camera flash’ is is when you have a light source(the flash that comes with your camera does not count) separate from your camera that is triggered when you press the shutter button to take a picture.

How this works is I put a trigger in the hot shoe of my SLR (camera) and then I attach my light source, in this case my 580EX flash, to the receiver(I ordered the Cowboy Studio brand from Amazon for $20). My 580EX flash attached to a light stand shooting through a large white umbrella toward my subject. Off camera flash is used when you want to expose your picture for the background(ex:a dark sunset night) but you want to light up your subject in the foreground. This extra light source will ensure that the photograph shows the dark sunset that it was and also shows your subject lit.

For those who have no interest in photography technicalities you are probably sleeping by now. But it something that I had a hard time getting my head around and had to give it a shot.

The umbrella light stand is off to my right.

Ellen and Elsie

briannakiilunen — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 01:05:57 +0000

My sister Michelle had a baby girl on February 5th. I was happy it worked out to see her just 5 days after Elsie arrived. She sure is a cutie and has my heart just like her cousin, Ellen.

I was excited for I also wanted to attempt my first newborn session. Looking through the pictures this week I see all to well it was my first time. None the less I had fun experimenting and look forward to trying again sometime!

My sisters were giving me a hard time because Ellen was content playing with her toys on the floor until crazy-aunt-Bri-with-the-camera penned her up in a boring basket for a photo shoot:)

Real life can be very cute too!

Elise

briannakiilunen — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 13:40:12 +0000

I was going through pictures from this fall and I couldn’t resist.

A black and white.

…looks like paradise right now!

briannakiilunen — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 01:02:21 +0000

Ahhh I can smell the grass and feel the heat!

Grant

briannakiilunen — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 03:35:15 +0000

6 months later….

I am always amazed at how time flies.

**This is my first attempt at an indoor photo session.

briannakiilunen — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 02:47:00 +0000

Tonight as I scanned through old photographs on my computer, I realized something. Maybe slowly but surely I am learning SOMETHING in all the books I have been reading on photography. Don’t get me wrong I have and will always have a lot to learn! I pulled up the three files of graduation invite pictures I have taken for my mom of my brothers and sister.

The first, Trent, was taken in the spring of 2009. Although I think Trent is a handsome, young man I don’t see anything right photography wise with the following two photographs.

Ben’s pictures were taken the following spring in 2010. The only improvement is moving the subject from the glaring sun into the open shade. Also there are hints of catchlights in Ben’s eyes which are a start as well.

Rhea graduated the following spring, 2011. Although I see much improvement from Trent and Ben’s pictures I also have many things I would change/correct in Rhea’s pictures as well. I hope my mom continues to trust me for this job. I also hope my product knocks her socks off by the time my youngest sister, Sara, graduates! Class of 2020!!