Benjamin Part 2

As a photographer, I know the first 30 minutes with a child is the best time to get the pictures you really want, because they are unpredictable. Benjamin was so amazing for a two week old baby! He was looking around and had his eyes open for most of the session. Even when he was falling asleep he kept his eyes cracked open just a little bit! He was so cute! I loved his wrinkly skin so of course I had to post a picture of that! He wasn't very happy though since I had placed him on his stomach!

I love his wrinkly skin in this picture! But he hates being placed on his stomach, and this is seriously the only time he cried during the session!

I just had to post this one! It is an inside joke, sorry! But he definately is a daddy's boy!

Baby Benjamin

I couldn't wait to photograph Benjamin! And he is such a handsome little fellow I was not disappointed! I tried to treat him like a baby doll, but he was having none of that! He was the perfect little angel until I tried to put him on his stomach! He wanted no part of that and he made his opinion known! He likes to be on his left side, and only on his left side! Here is a quick picture, until I get the rest of his images processed!

Amy & Andy

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Amy & Andy's Engagement Session

I photographed Amy and Andy's engagement session on Friday. They are an amazing couple! I didn't know a couple of engineers could be so laid back and romantic! We started in Salisbury then moved to the studio. I always get excited when I shoot somewhere new. Who would have thought that the somewhere new was in my backyard!

Ok, I just had to add a couple more pictures! I usually focus on the bride, and Amy certainly is gorgeous! I absolutely love the color of her hair, she has beautiful green eyes, and her profile is perfect! Andy always had a smile and was so patient while we went to so many locations! I love the way Amy is looking at him here. You can tell she adores him, and he also adores her. I have the sweetest picture of him kissing her on the nose! (They naturally fell into the most perfect poses.) Anyway, they are a great couple that is great to work with!

I love this picture in the back of the tractor trailer! This is actually three tractor trailers next to the studio!


I like all the color in this image with the farm equipment!

New Website & Shopping Cart

I have a new website! http://www.elainemcdonaldphotography.com I love the website and the ability to post larger images, but it means I will need to rebuild all of the galleries on the site and all of the client pictures. Yes, every wedding and portrait shoot! Since the images are much larger I am unable to use the previously saved galleries. (They looked blurry when I uploaded a couple of them.) I also purchased a new shopping cart, which means that when it is installed I will have to build the galleries again! If you need or want to see your pictures now, let me know and I will rebuild your gallery immediately! Otherwise, I will rebuild all galleries as soon as the new shopping cart is installed. (within 2 weeks) You will love the new shopping cart it is much easier to use. Check out the new website, there are many new pictures. Thanks for your patience!

Designing Women

I have been trying to decide whether to add a pattern to the sides of my blog. I was afraid it would be to busy unless I went with a tone on tone stripe. I just wanted to see what this would look like. Any opinions? Obviously, I have to much time right now! I just purchased a new website and will begin working on it as soon as it is sent to me. I also purchased a new shopping cart. Mine has just been to difficult for customers to use.

Megan & William's Wedding

Before & After

I am often asked what is the difference between regular images and retouched images. The photo on the left is straight out of the camera. The picture on the right is retouched. All images ordered and images in albums are retouched. DVD's are not retouched because of the extensive time involved in retouching images.

Tracy's Family Pictures!

I shot Tracy's family pictures this past Saturday. It was so cold outside! We decide to do outdoor pictures instead of staying in the studio. I couldn't believe how easy going everyone was! Especially Dylan! He didn't mind the cold and was the sweetest child! I couldn't believe it when he started eating leaves! You would think the first bite would have been his last! He liked them! Tracy likes black and white photos, but Dylan has the most awesome blue eyes! I couldn't stand to make them black and white! Judge for yourself, doesn't this baby have the most incredible eyes?!! Of course, you can see where he gets his good looks, his parents were amazing, too!

Several people have asked where I have been taking the pictures on the recent blog entries. All but one was taken at our studio.

And the same picture in black and white!


I decided to add a little texture to this one!

Is it my imagination or is that a smirk on Dylan's face?

And another sample of black and white.

Lori's Maternity Session Part 2

As I promised, here is part 2 of Lori's maternity session. I am excited that Lori has booked the baby plan! That means I will be seeing Lori and Ian at 2 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months and 1 year to photograph them with their new baby. She will also receive a custom designed baby book with all of her favorites from the first year. So check back and let's watch Benjamin grow!

(Ian was great during the session! The baby kept kicking the B off of Lori's stomach. Ian enjoyed putting it back. He even got all of the blocks together to spell Benjamin's name while I was photographing Lori! Thanks, Ian!)

I had to post the flare picture! It is always cool to get some flare!

Lori's Maternity Session

You might remember seeing pictures of Lori last year. I photographed Lori's wedding in September of '07. Lori and Ian came to the studio on Sunday to get maternity pictures! This is going to be a two part post because I am having such a hard time narrowing down their images! They are such a great couple and it is still apparent how perfect they are for each other! (Here is a sneak peek before I go to the gym!)

Lindsay & Ryan's Engagement Session

I had the best time with Lindsay and Ryan last Sunday! We went to Charlotte to photograph their engagement session. They are both so nice! I loved the color of Lindsay's hair!

I noticed when I was photographing Lindsay, she has a very unusual face. Photographing from different angles, her face has different shapes! Sometimes it is the perfect oval, and when you change the angle, she has the cutest square chin.She also has the greenest eyes! Ryan's are a unique shade of blue and green, and they make the cutest couple.

Ryan was especially helpful during the session. He didn't mind kissing Lindsay over and over! LOL But seriously, when he saw I was trying to get her reflection in the stone, he helped me find the most reflective area!

Lindsay showed me a picture of her bridal dress, and all I can say is, Wow! I can't wait to do her bridal session! It is the most unusual dress I have seen, and I have seen a lot of them! I actually pulled it up online and showed it to my husband and daughters!

I love the way her face is reflected in the granite!

Chelsea & Jonathan's Wedding

I photographed Chelsea and Jonathan's wedding in Statesville on the 4th. They were married at South River Baptist Church and their reception was held at the Statesville Country Club.

They are a cool couple totally in love! (Yes, I know that is the way it is supposed to be if you are getting married!) But seriously, I loved the way when they were dancing, Jonathan would put his forehead against hers or kiss the top of her head. You could just see the love they have for each other!

Their wedding was held at the South River Baptist Church and the reception was held at the Statesville Country Club. The details were awesome and Chelsea's mother did all of the decorations!

Thank goodness for navigation systems! Even with it I managed to get on the wrong road coming home.