SnowShow for Lucy Holley, her niece Lily and their dog Bella
“I love the photos!!! They are stunning!”
~ Lucy Holley
Winter Mini Session for Rufa Akhmedli
Winter mini sessions.
Rufa Akhmedli wanted a bunch of portraits to use on her Instagram account. They had to look different enough, as if taken on separate occasions. Rufa brought 3 charges of clothes and I was amazed how quickly she changed into yet another gorgeous outfit within the allocated 30 minutes still keeping her poise.
Winter Mini Session for Victoria Detweiler and her new husband
Winter mini sessions.
Victoria Detweiler booked a session for all her extended family but it was so cold that day that the rest of the siblings chickened out.
I always say that the brave and stoic get it all. Victoria’s session turned into a romantic shoot with her new husband who went along with any idea I came up with on how he could say “I love you” to his young bride in a silent photograph.
I wish all the happiness in the world to this sweet and beautiful couple.
An Ode to Winter with a Macro Lens
Still testing my new Nikon camera, this time with a macro lens Nikkor Z 105mm f/2.8.
Love this prime lens for its versatility. It’s very sharp and produces really beautiful portraits with a swirly bokeh. I can capture a dog running at me at full speed or a bird taking off from a tree branch or a feeder.
Having switched to the macro mode, I can fill the whole frame with a close up of a water droplet frozen mid-flight from a tree leaf at f/18, still hand holding the camera.
All this beauty was captured last week and now the Winter Wonderland has melted away and Spring is in the air. Can’t wait for the cherry blossom!
If you would like to lend me your dog to test this camera’s boundaries, please reach out. :-)
From Pennsylvania with Love - February 2022 edition
New Nikon camera with Nikkor Z 70-200mm f/2.8 again.
I had to bring this lens again into the woods as the light conditions were perfect to capture the sunshine reflected in every single icicle on the the branches. In my eyes the sparkly winter wonderland wins over the bright-colored fall foliage we enjoy in Western Pennsylvania
I wanted the snow fairytale and I got it and now it’s gone sadly. I must say judos to Joyka who patiently waited for me stopping every five minutes and completing our morning hike only by lunchtime that day.
If you would like to lend me your dog to test this camera’s boundaries, please reach out. :-)
Testing Nikon’s focus tracking in combination with an ultra-wide lens
I continue testing my new Nikon camera - this time with Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 on.
It was the last day when we could enjoy the light reflected from every single surface - leaves, tree branches, snow flakes before it all melted away. I thought that I needed an ultra-wide lens to capture the overall atmosphere of the ice kingdom while it lasted.
What I also love about shooting wide is this wonderful feeling of a participant in the scene, not a distant observer.
If you would like to lend me your dog to test this camera’s boundaries, please reach out. :-)
Testing Nikon’s focus tracking with a hyper-active dog playing in the snow
I decided to test my new Nikon camera with all my lenses. This time I have Nikkor Z 24-120mm f/4 on.
Love this lens for its versatility. I can start shooting Joyka when he’s quite far away and keep zooming in until he bumps his head on the lens cap (he does this quite often actually). Wide angle shots give the feeling of presence, as if you are part of the scene. Zoomed in shots offer a nice separation from the background. Both options are available within milliseconds by turning the zoom wheel on the lens all the while the dog is closing up on me.
The only downside is the aperture that wouldn't go wider than f/4 but then again, when the background is not completely obliterated, it offers great for story telling.
Regardless of the distance from the subject or numerous distracting objects around it, the camera locks its focus dead on Joyka’s eye with an amazing sharpness!
If you would like to lend me your dog to test this camera’s boundaries, please reach out. :-)
Testing Nikon Z9 focus tracking: dog on the run
I am getting to know my brand new Nikon Z9 camera and its outstanding focus tracking abilities, this time with Nikkor Z 70-200mm f/2.8 on.
Joyka is finally cleared for unlimited physical activity, so we are back to daily hiking. This Golden loves to run fast. Anyone who ever tried to photograph a dog galloping at you knows that it’s not easy to get your photos in focus. But not with the Nikon Z9! This camera tracks not just Joyka, but his eye with admirable determination. Every single shot. Wow!
If you would like to lend me your dog to test this camera’s boundaries, please reach out. :-)
A Golden Retriever on a hiking trail: Winter
As we are anxiously watching the snowflakes outside, bracing for the snow storm, a few positive winter photos are in order. Our Golden Retriever Joyka loves winter and all winter activities - hiking, playing with snowballs and especially “helping” to shovel the snow out of the driveway.
Senior Portraits: a Winter Session
If you ever wondered what the winter scene looks like in senior photos, here are the photos that we took with my daughter on one of the hikes on a snow day. Book your senior session before the beautiful white snow melts!
Lifestyle Snow Portraits for the Wall
As far as winter photography goes, fresh snow ranks second only to the Christmas lights. It’s so light and clean and beautiful, like in a fairytale. Is it too cold to pose in a fancy outfit? Who cares! Put on a warm coat, hat and gloves and get the most out of the day.
Winter Wonderland Action Dog Photos
Here in Pennsylvania, winter offered some perks... finally. After miserable ice rain at night came broad sunshine in the morning and I couldn’t resist taking my 70-200mm lens for a hike. The reflections in the icicles were spectacular. And as always, I ended up taking photos of Joyka. He’s my best hiking buddy and gets all the attention.
Jumpin’ for Joy in the Snow
Why else are snow days great for besides playing snowballs all day instead of school? If you have a dog that hikes with you every day, like Joyka does with me, such days offer a welcome break from scrubbing all that mud from your dog and your hiking boots. Actually, you can even use that old granny’s method of winter rug cleaning on your dog. Make your pup roll in the snow and then brush it all off. Believe me, Joyka’s coat gets a couple shades lighter after such treatment.
Family Portraits in the Snow
As far as winter photography goes, fresh snow ranks second only to the Christmas lights. It’s so light and clean and beautiful, like in a fairytale. Is it too cold to pose in a fancy outfit? Who cares! Put on a warm coat, hat and gloves and get the most out of the day.