Make a Splash! (i Heart Faces Photo Challenge!)

This month's iHeart Faces Photo Challenge theme is "Make a Splash!"  This theme was particularly difficult for me to capture with my daughter.  She suffers from Sensory Processing Disorder, which is an Autism spectrum disorder.  It causes her entire sensory system to be ULTRA sensitive to all sensory stimuli.   She feels continually bombarded by stimuli.  The resulting physiologic over-arousal and emotional dysregulation negatively impacts her daily functioning.   (A person suffering from sensory processing disorder might feel pain, for instance, when something or someone touches their skin or react extremely negatively to loud noises.)

Water and pools are one of these stimuli's for my daughter.  She is only 4 years old and truly WANTS to enjoy the water and play with other children, but most times the "splashing" and "unexpectedness" that come along with playing in the water overwhelms her and lead to mega meltdowns.  (Tears, shortness of breath, panic attacks)  So EVER getting a shot of her SPLASHING was going to be out of the question.

Nevertheless, I decided to sign her up for a week of swim lessons this summer so that she could get some more experience with water, in hopes of not seeing it as a threat.

On the last day of the class I decide to bring my camera with me in hopes of getting a few shots of her in the water.  Much to my surprise, on that last day of class, I found that she was finally having a FANTASTIC TIME in the water!  I couldn't believe my eyes!

I was so happy to have gotten this shot of actually participating in the class, practicing her kicks and ENJOYING HERSELF!  
I find myself everyday feeling so grateful to have been blessed with such a wonderful daughter who brings so much joy to our life.

I truly HEART this face of my little almost swimmer!

Debbie

Polka Dots & Bows Photography

A Portrait View from the Back...

A Portrait View from the Back...

Last week I was photographing these twins and I they were so cute and SO fast!

Some of my favorite shots were these that were from the back. 

They show a real feeling of curiosity which, to me, is the essence of childhood.

This was one of my favorites because they are totally 2 year olds!  

"Please sit here."  "I'd rather climb here." :)

Happy photographing everyone!

Photographing the Style at Katie's Hair Design

Last week I had the wonderful opportunity to photograph for Katie's Hair Design.  

Katie is an extremely talented hair stylist located in Batavia, Illinois.

Visit her website HERE!

Here are a few of the photos from our shoot...

A few shots showing off her wonderful work!

 Katie's Hair Design in Elan Hair Salon

 

Thank you for a wonderful day Katie's Hair Design! I am looking forward to working with you again!

How to Take Stunning Dance Recital Photos at Home

It's Dance Recital Time! 

Time to take a posed photo of your dancer with their arms over their head in 5th position and feet in 1st position in front of your house...NOT!

Capturing your cutie in their tutu or costume can be such a blast!

1.  Find a good background.  Normally I would head right outside as I prefer natural light, but it was pretty cold outside (even though it is May!).  In these photos, we are inside our local high school.  I decided to take our photos the day of the dress rehearsal because there would be much less people around the lobby and surrounding areas.  I looked around and found a brick wall that looked pretty descent.  I had the girls stand in front of it for their photos.  

2.  Keep that shutter speed moving fast (I use "Drive Mode" on my camera, it is called Shutter Speed Priority on other brands) and have your dancer move around and show you some of their moves.  This can be more engaging and creative than typical posed photographs.  Your child will have more fun too and be more into the photographs! ( I was hoping to get a few more movement photographs from my little one, but the weather was so cold we just did more indoor fun shots instead.)

We started out with just a cute shot of the two of them together...

still turned out adorable.

Then, with my shutter moving quickly, I caught these two ballerinas engaging each other while I was trying to get those more "posed" photographs...I should have known better to just let have fun!  I always get the best shots that way!

  They were SO cute together!  Try experimenting with black and white as well as color.  It can add depth and feeling to your photographs that you may not have seen before.

3.  Set up a backdrop at home!  We took these photos in our home studio.  There are lot's of tutorials on Pinterest on how to make your own photo backdrop, or you can just hang up a blanket or some fabric.  I LOVE to use natural light so our backdrop it set up right next to the window.  

Have someone entertain and help keep your child engaged in the photo taking process.  Here, my dancer's grandma is behind me making sure she is all smiles.  :)

Try some different backgrounds.  

4.  Try a variety of "poses".  Have your dancer both stand up and sit down so that you wind up with a variety shots to choose from.

Don't forgot to try out black and white as well as color! 

5. Be flexible!  This is a lesson I have had to learn the hard way...but one that has truly paid off!  During our shoot my little one was SO distracted by a robin outside.  She kept going over toward the window, so when she did, I quick took advantage of her gazing out of the window.  I was so excited with the results I got!  Here is my final edited photo.

and one in black and white.

I hope you have a blast photographing your little dancer!

Some Mother's Day Love and Some Fun Too!

Capturing the joy, love and curiosity of a child is one of my favorite things to do as a photographer.  I love these photos from our Mother's Day of two of my favorite girls interacting and playing.  You just never know when you will capture love at it's finest!

-Debbie

Welcome!

Welcome to Polka Dots and Bows Photography!

Check out this super cute best friend photo shoot!  These two are just too fun!