The Best Family

My cute friend and neighbor, Brittany, gave me the opportunity to take her families pictures recently.  Her son Grant and my daughter Gabbie enjoy playing together and I am glad to have someone who's kid doesn't beat the crap out of Gabbie AND who also feels the same way I do about certain things (nudge, nudge Britt!).  Grant had the cutest expressions and you can tell from these pictures that he is a very  happy little boy who knows he is loved.  Thank you again Brittany! I hope you like them!

The Three Musketeers

I have been behind in blogging because I have been super busy but I just wanted to post some pictures  of my most recent work.  For those of you who read my blog, you will know that Todd and I spend a lot of time with the widow of our deceased best friend and their two daugthers.  I had the opportunity to take their family pictures and I am very happy about the way they turned out.  Kelly told me she wanted to do something whimsical and so we headed up to Big Cottonwood Canyon to find the perfect spot.  We literally parked the car and walked into the woods and this is what we found.  After being stung by a bee twice between the eyebrows and falling into a stream three times, these pictures were well worth the adventure.  These three little ladies have been through more in a year than most people have to endure their entire lives and I am constantly amazed by their strength.  They deserve only the utmost happiness that life can bring to them and we will always, always stay close to them and love and support them. 

The Sukers

Is it wrong to have favorites? So far, this family has been my favorite to work with.  There were very few pictures that didn't work well and their children are absolutely stunning.  They are such a cute family and I feel I was able to get some "real" reactions and expressions out of them instead of the posed crap I hate in photographs.  Thank you Suker family!  You guys are beautiful!

I heart faces-Chalk Challenge

I follow a blog on line called "I heart faces".  It is a site for photographers: amateurs and professionals to gain inspiration and learn all about photography. Each week they have a challenge and this week it was "chalk".  The catch is is that every picture has to have a person's face clearly showing in it.  Gabbie has a very bad habit of eating EVERYTHING that isn't food.  Crayons, markers, chalk, toilet paper, dirt...YOU NAME IT!  I took this picture of Gabbie, caught in the act, eating chalk. Upon getting after her, she was giggling like crazy.  Gabbie's no dummy!  She knows what the word "no" means but continues to do whatever it is I ask her not to.  If you look closely, you can see the blue chalk in her teeth. What a weirdo...I hope this bad habit ends soon!

The Rosales Family

Next up...THE ROSALES FAMILY.  This couple has to be the sexiest couple I have ever met!  Thanks Mirella for the opportunity to practice!

Sneak Peek for Janel...

Thank you Janel for the opportunity to take your family pictures.  Here is a sneak peek of what I've been working on.  You have a beautiful family! I hope you like these!

Thank you Janel for the opportunity to take your family pictures.  Here is a sneak peek!  I hope you like them!

Crane and Co photography

Dear Friends-

I am amazed at the response I have received regarding my free family portraits. Quite honestly, I was NOT expecting the amount of family requests I have received!  I'm sure it's because I was offering the session for free although I'd like to think it's because of my stellar skills! Heh,  heh, heh...

I've recently decided with the influx of requests coming in that  I will need to start charging for photos.  The most time consuming part of photography is the time spent editing pictures in photoshop and after many long hours of working on just one family, I am going to start charging a processing fee of $75.  That is a killer price considering what other photographers are charging.  There are two other women in my neighborhood who are photographers-who are incredible mind you AND have had a lot more experience  and they charge $300-$400 for an hour of their time with your family.  I also have a friend who takes pictures and she charges $95.  Sure, you can go to Kiddie Kandids or Sears and have your pictures taken but those studios don't take the time to edit well or give your pictures special attention to detail and quality AND they don't look as good!

I just want to make it clear that if you already left me a comment and have talked to me about getting your pics taken, I WILL NOT CHARGE YOU.  The $75 is for any new requests I get from today on. Thank you all for your support and for the opportunity to increase my knowledge and skills. With your help, I will be able to finally do something I enjoy! :)

Utah State Fair

I haven't been to the fair since I was a kid and Todd and I are always looking for fun things to do with Gabbie was well as Kelly and the girls.  We went twice this weekend and I had a lot of fun taking pictures of the lights from the rides and practicing with slower shutter speeds. I am having a ball learning photography! 

Anyone want free family portraits?

Hello Friends-

I am looking for an opportunity to increase my photography skills before I go "live" with a side photography business and I am offering free family photos this fall.  Like I've said before, I know many people who have as little or less experience than I do and have jumped butt first into opening a business and their lack of knowledge shows in their work. I refuse to do that and so I am taking my time learning the ropes and improving.  If you or anyone would like to have some family portraits taken for Christmas cards or just a yearly family picture, I would be happy to do it free of charge so I can practice.  The good thing about this is is that if you hate them, you don't have to pay for them and they will look better than pictures taken at Kiddie Kandids or by Uncle Bob!  The only thing you will have to pay for is prints and I have an outside company I go through who does an excellent job.  If you are interested or know someone who is, please respond to this post or email me at: trcranefam@gmail.com.  For those of you who read my blog, you have already seen these pictures but I wanted to post some of my favorites to show you what I've done.  Free family picture session for the holidays?  Who can beat that and produce great results?