A 10x20 custom collage

Sometimes during a portrait session, I'll have a few images that are just stronger as a group than they would be as solitary images. When this happens I like to put them images together as a 10x20 Custom Collage like this one that I did at a recent session.


When I create a Custom Collage, you'll have the option to purchase the prints separately to frame them as a grouping yourself, or you can order the 10x20 image directly from Crane Photography as either a framed wall portrait or a print that you can frame yourself. You can even request a different colored background or ask to have something printed directly on the image like names or a favorite saying. We call them Custom Collages because they are custom designed by me customizable by you!

I've Been Tagged!

My new favorite photography forum ProPS just started a fun game of "blog tag" and I was tagged two days ago by the illustrious photographer Kristi Eckrich! Here are the rules of blog tag:

RULES:
1) Link the person who tagged you.
2) Mention the rules on your blog.
3) Tell about 6 unspectacular quirks of yours.
4) Tag 6 following bloggers by linking them & leave a comment on each of the tagged blogger’s blogs letting them know they have been tagged.

Okay, here you go…my 6 “unspectacular quirks!”

1) I have a degree in Anthropology...the study of people's cultures, artifacts and evolution. It was a fascinating major but it took me almost 10 years of trying out careers to figure out that I didn't want to be a banker, business woman or archaeologist...I wanted to use my anthropological background to really observe people and photograph them being themselves...not just stiffly posed smiling subjects.

2) I once ironed my face with a hot iron. Yep, I nearly burned my lips and chin off. Why, you ask did I iron my face? Well I was trying to make my brother and sister laugh and I didn't know that my mom had just used it. Ouch!

3) I am NOT a cuddler, just ask my husband. I just cannot stand to be touched if I am trying to go to sleep. We have a saying in our house (one of many) "Wanna Cuddle? Grab a Dog." We sleep in a king sized bed with two pitbulls between us. But don't feel too bad for my hubby, I'm still a pretty darn good wife. ;-)

4) The sight or even thought of someone licking a napkin makes my skin crawl and my stomach jump with queasiness. I don't know what it is about napkins or those icky cotton balls you have to pull out of the pill bottle...yuck! I have a nails on the chalkboard reaction to them.

5) I have ADD which is actually a great condition for a photographer to have. Us ADDers see the world in a different way and we love the excitement of working with new people in new places everyday.

6) If given the choice between napping and just about anything else, I will ALWAYS choose the nap. I am a World Class napper and consequently a very well rested and pleasant person.

Thanks for tagging me Kristi! Now I'm off to tag 6 more unsuspecting victims.

The Last Hot Day of Summer

This past Sunday I had the pleasure of photographing the "W" Family. It was hot and humid but this family didn't let the heat phase them one bit. I have to say the "W" family wins the award for the best color coordination. "S" couldn't have done a better job picking out her family's clothing. I wonder if she knew how great those melon colors would look against their bright green lawn? Here are a few sneak peeks for "C & S." I hope you guys like what you see so far. I'm really looking forward to showing you the full set of proofs next week. Thanks for the great color-coordination and thanks to all 6 of you for being wonderful models!







Oh and a quick shout-out to my newest "employee" and assistant at Crane Photography. My husband Rich assisted me on this session and photographed the whole time in Manual Mode. I'm very proud of his progress and I'm so happy he shares my enthusiasm for photography!

Family Portrait Time

Wow, It's been a while but I'm finally back to blogging. I'm here to post some sneak peeks for the lovely "D" Family who I had the pleasure of photographing this past weekend. I've never met a cuter, happier little family. "G & G" are such a sweet couple and "A & J" are teen sibs who actually get along with each other...I was amazed but apparently pleasant teens do exist!









"A" - Good luck at college, and "J" - I hope you were serious about modeling for me because I will be calling soon! ;-)

Some sneak peeks from my Tyler Park shoot

Happy Monday! I had such a fun weekend meeting up with two great families at Tyler Park in Newtown, PA this past weekend! The weather could have been a little warmer, but these guys were troopers for me on the cloudy chilly day and I think we got some great portraits together. I have only started to proof all of the great pictures from Saturday but I had to post a few favorites today because I know Amy will be checking my site every 5 minutes until I do. ;-)
I hope you like them! I'll have more in about a week.
Thanks for being great models for me this weekend!

Love in the City

This weekend I got to meet a beautiful couple, Lauren and Jim, who let me take their engagement pictures in Love Park, Philadelphia. I have a few sneak peaks for the couple that I wanted to post as soon as possible. But I'll be back with more pictures in a few days.
Hope you like them so far guys and Thank You for being such great models and working your butts off for 2 hours with me. I think the hard work paid off!

Winter at the Beach

I recently spent a weekend at the North Wildwood Beach House and I was inspired by my Mom's Lighthouse decor to take a lighthouse photo worth framing. So I spent two hours on two different beaches photographing two different lighthouses in an attempt to get something frame worthy. Here are my results.

First I went to North Wildwood Inlet thinking I was going to photograph a traditional lighthouse. I actually had to ask for directions to this lighthouse because I was looking for the "New England" style traditional lighthouse. I was a little disappointed by what I found:
So the next day I made my parents take me to Cape May point so I could photograph a "real lighthouse." But in both North Wildwood and Cape May I got some great pictures!

Jack made my day today!

Jack woke up from his nap today and said those magic words that every photographer/parent dreams of hearing: "Mommy can we take pictures?" So here is Jack's latest photoshoot.

"My 2 year old is WAY cooler than me"


"Jack's first Gap ad"

Jack with his favorite Christmas present the Diego "Rescue Pack"

"We are from the planet of the toes..."
Silly Face

I never knew a 2 year old could give a sexy look...
Jack's "Broadway headshot" (kidding)

And finally my first attempt at a photoshop custom card. Mwah! Happy Valentines Day and thanks for visiting!

A photography play date with Jaime and Aiden

I recently met a cool chick who lives right in Mays Landing, has a 2 year old son and who is also hoping to go into the photography business in the near future. So we got together last weekend for a "photography playdate." We did a Valentines Day theme and let the boys play with the heart-shaped lollies Jaime picked up at Target. As the sugar kicked in, the pictures got cuter and cuter. I can't wait for Jaime and Aiden to visit again for more great fun and pictures!



Jack's lollypop broke as soon as he opened it so his pictures don't have the cute heart, just a slobbery sugary "nub."





And this last one Jaime took of the whole family. Thanks again for taking our picture! Next time we'll figure those lights out better to avoid the overexposure with your camera.

Happy Birthday Little Miss "J!"

I had so much fun photographing this little beauty in my new studio! "J" is celebrating her 2nd birthday and had lots of fun playing dress-up and sharing birthday cake with Jack-a-roni. "J" and her mommy are welcome back anytime for pictures of just to play!