Happiness and authenticity captured in one crystal clear and heart-warming shot. Our community member Annie Whitehead, also known as annie9339 works with that: capturing excitement, wonder and authenticity. Annie is a family and children photographer inspired by the good stuff; the meaningful things in life as family and love. She hopes to be able to catch a glimpse of the sacred expressions of children and capture them for herself and others to treasure now and for the generations of families in the future. Enjoy our conversation!
Tell us a bit about yourself, how do you describe your photography style?
I'm a mom to four crazy and amazing little souls and wife to my best friend to whom I've been married almost twelve years. I run my small photography business, Harvesting Light Photography, part-time in a small suburb outside of Pittsburgh, PA. I would describe my photography style as authentic and magical. I strive to use natural light to bring out the wonder and excitement so inherently evoked in the everyday moments of childhood. When photographing families, I try to use light to emphasize the connections among the members.
In one sentence what has photography done for you in your life?
Oh boy, one sentence. Photography has given me the wonderful honor to freeze magical moments in time and physically be able to hand to my family and clients documented interactions, feelings and experiences that they would have never been able to see for themselves from the outside.
When did you start taking photos and what inspired you to get started?
Technically, I first picked up a camera about ten years ago when my first son was born. My husband bought a Canon Rebel xti and I immediately fell in love with it. We had one lens - a Canon 50mm 1.8 and I used it for every picture I took of him. But, it wasn't until about two years ago that I became determined to learn my camera and my real photography journey began. I started shooting in manual mode and RAW and from there started pulling images into Lightroom (and later, Photoshop) and loved the flexibility shooting that way gave to me.
Like so many others, it was my children that really inspired me to start taking photography seriously. When you live with little ones, there are just so many amazing moments that happen that you never want to risk filing away in your memory only to be lost. The good stuff of life, the meaningful stuff of life and family and love - that inspires me.
What has been your favorite shoot and why?
I truly enjoy every shoot, I really do. If I had to pick just one, it would probably be one at a lake with my third son last summer - who was four at the time. We went right around sunset and he had these clunky rubber boots on, no shirt and his little jeans rolled up. He was just so taken by the beauty of the light on the water and the fact that no one was there but us. With the crickets chirping and the warm sun filtering through the trees onto the lake, he splashed around in the water, not once noticing the mess he was making or how loud and crazy he was being. Just completely uninhibited and free, pure childhood magic.
Do you remember a difficult photo shoot session? What happened?
Yes, of course! Photo-sessions with kids are incredibly rewarding, but, kids are obviously kids. Kids are still learning how to regulate their emotions and can be scared or intimidated by people they just met (or just not feel like getting their picture taken). I try hard to get down on their level and talk to them gently and build some trust; even if it's just simply walking over to something interesting, a patch of flowers or some pretty leaves and hold them up and say, "Hey, look what I found, this is so cool!”. Sometimes I'll let them look through the viewfinder and press the button on my camera and then look at the picture on the back. If you can get them doing something fun, they feel so much more at ease and then can really be natural in the images. If all else fails: candy.
What do you carry in your camera bag?
I always have my Canon 6D and my 50mm 1.4 and my 135mm 2.0 in my bag. I love both of those lenses. I'm hoping to add an 85mm 1.2 and 200mm 2.0 in the next few years.
Do you have a favorite location and time of the day to shoot?
Yes, I do have several favorite locations around my area. Because I love using my 135mm (and I always shoot wide open) I need lots of wide open space. There's a farm not too far from where we live that has this fantastic field of wildflowers and a gorgeous peach orchard during the summer that I just adore. I also prefer golden, back-lit images so I typically shoot an hour or so before sunset.
Can you share three tips with your fellow photographers?
1. Study other images and figure out what really speaks to you. One thing we all have in common is the ability to be moved, so, find what moves you and then hone in on that style because then you'll really be invested in what kind of work you put out. For me, it's images with a very shallow depth of field from a long lens with lots of light and authentic interaction. Find what makes you connect with an image and then figure out how to incorporate it into your own style and experiences in front of your lens.
2. Allow yourself to truly appreciate the gift that is constructive criticism. Force yourself to see others' critiques of your work as a blessing. Someone took the time out of their day to tell you how you could possibly improve your work, so make yourself receive it as such. Some people may be nasty just to be nasty. Thank them for their input and be thankful that they cared enough to comment at all. Your work will improve, your rapport with others in the community will be strengthened and you will grow as a person and photographer.
3. Look for light. All the time. Start noticing where the light shines through behind a group of trees by the parking lot at your local grocery store around sundown. See how it makes the wheat in the field down the road look like it's glowing and dancing early in the morning. Look for it! Then (after you get permission from whoever owns the land, of course) keep a relaxed attitude and take one of your little ones, or a friend's little one and a toy that they love and let them sit there and play. Study how the light falls on them and try to angle them in a way so that they get that angelic glow around their hair. Be open to not getting the perfect shot. You may come home and upload the images and not really connect with anything. No big deal - just enjoy the experience and try again! As soon as you start putting pressure on yourself to get exactly the shot you want, you'll start to stress and whomever your photographing will pick up on your tension. As soon as they notice any frustration, it's over!
Please share one of your favorite photos with us with a short tutorial:
This is a different kind of photo for me as it was taken around 3 pm on a cloudy day (whereas I typically shoot on sunny or partly cloudy evenings before sunset). We had just gotten this airplane and aviator hat and my little boy was itching to get out for a walk after a few full days of rain. He loves pretending (and airplanes!) and I had been trying for a few weeks to visit this field that has some hiking trails around it only a few miles from our home. I loved the backdrop and how much room I knew I'd have between him and the surrounding trees and brush to allow for that creamy background and compression from my 135mm at 2.0.
My inspiration behind this photo was my son's ability to really get involved with whatever he is playing with. For post-processing I start all of my photos in Lightroom where I do most of my basic adjustments. For this one, I pulled the exposure down just a bit, pulled up the shadows and desaturated the yellows as I really wanted to focus on the blue/grey/brown tones and there was quite a bit of green/yellow in the grass. I also added a slight vignette. After Lightroom, I bring my images into Photoshop and do most of my work there. I worked on his skin and then really tried to bring out his eyelashes and lips with some sharpening and curves. I also worked with the tones of the image and brightening his face and airplane in curves and added some light behind him and from above using a radial gradient.
Please share some thoughts on your ViewBug experience as a photographer!
I have absolutely loved my experience as a ViewBug member. Not only has it exposed me to some of the most creative and beautiful work I have ever seen, but, it has inspired me to try new things and be confident to put myself out there as an artist. Entering contests can be absolutely nerve-wracking but it is SO fun to know you're a part of something with other people that consistently contribute to your knowledge and experience as a photographer. I have gained so much inspiration from the work in this community and I am so thankful to be a small part of it!
For more great photos by Annie, visit her profile, website, Facebook page and Instagram.
