Mill Creek Photographer, specializing in newborn photography, baby photography, and maternity photography.

6 Month Baby Photography Sitter Session, milestone photography session

May 9, 2017

I just adore milestone sessions! I offer mini sessions for babies age 3 months -12 months, and they are the PERFECT way to capture those adorable milestones. Milestone baby mini sessions are offered once a month, and include 5 digital images (via digital download). Mini sessions are 20 minutes, which is the perfect amount of time for baby’s short attention span. Photographing babies is definitely my passion, and I adore getting to see my tiny clients during their milestone session. Many of my babies come in every few months!

Some ideas for your next milestone mini session:
-Baby’s first smiles
-Baby lifting head/tummy time
-Baby is sitting unassisted
-Nursing photos
-Baby standing
-Baby crawling
-Baby eating solid foods (bring in baby’s favorite food, lets play!)
-Baby walking!

Book your mini session with June Bug photography and cature those fleeting moments!

New backdrops in studio! Perfect for newborn photography and sitter sessions.

April 26, 2017

Those of you who have visited the studio already know this…but I have a bit of a prop addiction. Taxes this year were a bit of a shock, as I totaled up how much I actually spent on props & backdrops throughout the year. I definitely love to find unique, beautiful items to have in studio for clients to use.

I typically stick to solid, neutral backgrounds, as that is totally my style…but I recently ventured a bit out of my normal comfort zone and purchased a few printed backdrops. I am totally loving the versatility of being able to clip a backdrop up to my wall and change the look of the set up completely! I have a small collection of printed backdrops, and I figured I should show off what I have so clients can take a look ahead of time and let me know if there is a special drop they would like to use for their session.

I photographed several of my favorites, including a beautiful peachy floral backdrop that looks gorgeous with our white barn wood floors. The floors are real wood, and the backdrop is just clipped to my wall. I love that the fabric pulls nice and tight and looks so seamless! This is the perfect size for newborns photography sessions, as well as milestone and sitter sessions (This little lady is 6 months old, and looks just gorgeous, doesn’t she?!) I, of course, have coordinating outfits and props for each of my backdrops.

The next backdrop is so bold, girly and gorgeous! Loving those black and white stripes, and the florals add the perfect touch. I think this would be amazing for a cake smash set up!

My headboard is super classic, and neutral. I can easily pull up the futon, and create a soft, bright, cozy bed set-up. This backdrop is amazing for maternity mamas, newborns, babies…its a little small for families.

I have two different versions of this solid/painted backdrop. This one is a warm gray/brown, and I just love how well it goes with all my woodland props, hats, and more. I literally have a basket full of JUST animal hats. I have a problem. The other is a bit cooler, and would be perfect for a newborn overhead image, or for a nice solid backdrop with the white barn wood floors.

I am so excited to start putting these backdrops to use! Let me know if you see something you LOVE and we will be sure to use it for your next session!

June Bug Photography specializes in newborn photography, baby photography, maternity photography, and family photography. We have a gorgeous studio in the heart of Mill Creek, Wa. Serving Snohomish County, Bothell, Everett, Edmonds, Monroe, Mill Creek, and the greater Seattle Area.

DIY Moss Chair, woodland inspired photography prop tutorial.

April 18, 2017

Sometimes I get hairbrained ideas. Then I make messes. Sometimes, my ideas work. Usually they don’t. Meet my moss chair.

This one worked. And I love it. I plan to head out this week to photograph my own kiddos on the chair..in the woods. If we’re being totally honest, I plan to dress my 6 year old son up as Puck (Midsummer Nights Dream)…told you I had weird ideas.

Anyway, I’ll show you how I made mine, just in case you want to make a moss chair of your own! I did use these for my spring mini sessions this year..and the moss was MESSY in studio. I had a vaccum handy, and it all worked out..but, fair warning.

Materials:
Chair. Don’t worry about the color/condition of the fabric. Find a chair with a SHAPE you like, and legs you like (unless you want to cover those too). I found mine on craigslist for $10 because a cat had scratched up the fabric.

Moss. I bought preserved moss from amazon (I used one of these boxes and filled in any space with moss I collected myself). MOSS

Adhesive/Glue. I used locktite construction adhesive. You chould use LOTS of hot glue, or another brand. (here’s a link to the brand I used…but I bought mine for much cheaper at a hardware store ADHESIVE

Paint/Fabric Medium. If your chair is red (like mine), you might want to paint it green first. I didn’t want red peeking through the moss. I mixed come cheap green acrylic paint with some fabric medium. Worked like a charm.

All said and done, I spent about $90 (and 2 hours of my life) to make this little guy.

To start, I pulled off the seat cushion, painted the entire chair (and cushion) with green paint mixed with a fabric medium. I didn’t want the chair to be too stiff…although I don’t know if it would have mattered after layering on so much glue and moss.

After the paint had dried, I used a caulking gun to apply/smear adhesive on the chair. I worked in small sections and layed out chunks of moss that I planned on sticking to the char. This was fun, and didn’t take as long as you might think. The moss can be easily torn and or smooshed to fit into the spaces you need. I pushed the moss into the adhesive, and moved to the next area.

I worked around the chair, in small sections until the chair was covered. I left the space where the cushion goes empty, and covered only the TOP and front of the cushion. I could have just tossed the cushion and covered the entire chair…but I wanted the height of the cushion.

Any small gaps, holes, etc. I filled in with small bits of moss. I ended up going outside a collecting a bit more moss to add some variety to the color of the chair. I didn’t preserve the moss I found…so it may end up turning brown..but for now it looks great.

I’ll post photos of my chair in the woods if the rain ever stops, and I get a chance to photograph my kiddos this week!

Newborn session, baby girl! Mill Creek newborn photographer.

March 25, 2017

This family is so sweet! Big sister was so excited to hold her new baby sister, and had practiced a few different poses the day before their session. She hung out in the studio while I posed her baby sister, and was so patient waiting for her turn to hold her!

Mom and dad requested a birth stat image to use for their birth announcements. I just love this set-up, it so simple and sweet. The photo is a great way to present new baby to friends and family, and it reveals birth weight, height / length, time of birth, and birth date.

Newborn photograpy, baby girl!

March 15, 2017

Welcome to the world, tiny one!

This little lady has SO MUCH HAIR!! At just 2 weeks old, she is simply perfection.

Mom and dad are so clearly in love with their newest family member, and I had so much fun hanging out with them during their session. I am loving this adorable bunny hat (by That’s the Cutest Thing), and it is definitely getting a lot of use as we approach Easter. How cute is she in her little bunny set up?!

Book your newborn session today with June Bug Photography! I specialize in newborn photography, baby photography, cake smash session, as well as family photography. I have a gorgeous natural light studio in the heart of Mill Creek, WA.

Babies and Pugs! Mill Creek Newborn photography session with June Bug Photography.

February 27, 2017

I had such an absolute blast meeting this beautiful family last week! Buddha the Pug is a pretty big deal, (check him out on instagram!) and he was so sweet during his baby sister’s newborn session.

Sweet girl totally rocked her session, and Buddha made a few cameos too! I just love how cozy the two of them look together! Mom, Dad, and Buddha have travelled the world together, and the newest addition to their family will certainly make their adventures even more amazing!

I had fun talking photography gear with dad while baby nursed. He’s a photography teacher, and I loved hearing a bit about their program, and that the kids are getting their hands on some pretty awesome gear!

Naughty Elf On the Shelf: Stranger Things by June Bug Photography Mill Creek family photographer

December 16, 2016

It’s that time of year again. Time to break out the elf for my annual naughty elf on the shelf photoshoot..and then hide him away so my kids never know we have one. Yup. That’s right. Worst mom ever.

Stranger things is pretty much the best show ever, so I decided to pay a tribute to the show with this year’s Elf on The Shelf photoshoot. Check out Joyce’s green jacket. GAH! AND THE ASHTRAY?!

Also, RUN!

Melissa Jenkins of June Bug Photography specializes in newborn photography, baby photography, maternity photography, family photography..and elf on the shelf photography. We have a gorgeous studio in Mill Creek, and serve the greater Seattle Area including Mill Creek, Seattle, Everett, Monroe, Bothell, Edmonds, Snohomish, Snohomish County, King County.

Today’s Photog Crush, Ali Roddam of Bellaphoto

December 12, 2016

Today’s Photog crush:

I am a part of an amazing group of photographers that inspire me on a daily basis. We love supporting each other, learning from one another…and dishing about just everything.

My photog crush of the day is…

Name: Ali Roddam

Business Name: Bellaphoto.ca

Specializes in: Newborn, Maternity and Family photography

https://www.facebook.com/bellaphoto.ca

http://www.bellaphoto.ca/

https://www.instagram.com/bellaphotoca/

-How long have you been in the photography business? Oh my goodness, I have been doing photography since I was 12!! Can you believe that! A friend was starting at an afterschool program, and it sounded fun! It was mostly pinhole camera, and then I got my first Pentax K1000 (which I now have tattooed on my arm lol).
After highschool i continued to college, and graduated from the Langara Professional photo imaging program.

Then I didn’t touch a camera forever.
I thought the idea of kids photography was lame.. And babies are gross. Until I had little people.
I have been running Bellaphoto for the past 7 years!

-What the most fun part of being a (newborn) photographer?
Snuggles. I love love love babies. I am 93% sure I am done having my own, so now I have a job where I get to snuggle babies all day long! I also love melting look the parents get as they see their gorgeous baby posed in the most adorable way.. A look of omg.. I made this. For a lot of parents their newborn session is kinda the first time they just get to relax and really see their baby, the first week can be so stressful, I try to give my parent an enjoyable and relaxing experience.<3

-Are you brave enough to show your growth? A photo of one of your very first sessions, and your most recent session?
Oh heck ya!
Like I said I have been doing photography for like a million years, so I knew how to get exposure, and focus on point.. But posing a baby.. Man that junk is hard!

-Tell me something that would surprise most clients about the newborn photography industry:
How hard newborns are. I thought i was the $hit when I started bellaphoto lol. Then I tried to photograph a newborn.. Omg all it did was squirm and cry.. Don’t babies sleep?!?! I vowed then to never photograph a newborn again.. I was scarred.. Then a few years later I decided.. I want to do this.. And I want to learn how to do it right. It took a TON of research and studying before I would even attempt a newborn again. Also.. how insanely expensive my adorable props are.
Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate every stitch, every knit and purl.. Which is why I have no problem paying the big $$… but i don’t think clients realized i have paid close to $50 for a single bonnet before (WHAT!!! My jacket didn’t cost me $50 lol)

-Coffee vs Tea…vs Vodka? The secret is to actually put the vodka in the coffee, and ride that baby all day long. 🙂
I recently started a blog regarding my obsession with both Coffee and Vodka, and the adventures of my family moving to our new rural home! https://coffeetillvodka.blogspot.ca/

Break down a typical day in the life of YOU. What does a typical day look like for you?
Wake up at 7:40.. We should be up at 7:00, but again i didn’t think I would sleep in.. so the alarm wasn’t set.
Race around to the kids screaming WAKE UP!!! We need to leave soon!!

Realize my youngest has secretly been up since 4:30 am watching TV.. Awesome.

Look in the fridge and realize there is no food, and question if sending a box of mac and cheese to school with them could be considered a “deconstructed” pasta. And pat myself on the back for what a progressive parent I am.

Instead make PB&J and thank the LORD that there are no allergies in their classes this year, as Peanut Butter is one of the only constants in their diet, then the apple slices, yogurt and finally the baby carrots that I know i am going to throw out at the end of the day, but at least make me feel better about my choices.

Politely and sweetly ask them to get their bags and shoes.
More Forcefully and sternly ask them to please get their bags and shoes.
Yell loudly to get their bags and shoes.
SCREAM AND THREATEN WITH TIME OUTS ALL AROUND IF SHOES AREN’T ON THEIR FEET IN 30 SECONDS!

Deal with a sobbing child yelling that I am “SO MEAN” and a surly child saying “”she would appreciate if I just asked nicely”.

Dropping the blessed little darlings off and heading straight to the coffee shop for a Venti Americano.

Walk into the studio and breath a soothing breath.. Look at my beautiful things and how clean everything is, there are no lego or dirty socks in site…. then…

Session
Edit
Pickup
Dinner
Betime
Vodka
Edit
Vodka
Rinse
Repeat.

What “gear” do you use? Do you shoot with natural light or studio lights? I LOVE LOVE LOVE Natural light.. But living in the The Comox Valley BC, we get really great natural light.. Like 3 months a year, so I have learned to use strobe to create a similar look.
I also shoot on Canon bodies.. This is not because Canon is better, or Nikon is worse. It’s because in 2003 I walked up the the counter of Lens and Shutter in Vancouver and said.
“I currently shoot on a Mamiya, I am looking to get a digital camera, what should I get”
To which the consultant replied “Canon bodies are 20% off this week”
DONE!
Now $10,000 in lenses later… I am kinda stuck 🙂

If you could travel back in time, and give yourself ONE piece of advice about your business, what would it be? Treat it like a business! Yes $50 is awesome at the beginning… but once you realize the amount of hours and cost that go into creating that image… I have been doing photography for 20 years, I deserve more that $5/hr. Also, selective coloring is NEVER ok.

Here are some of my favorite images:

Free Snow Overlay! Tutorial for making your own REAL snow overlay and free download of snow overlays. Mill Creek newborn photographer.

December 6, 2016

Hi guys! Want a free snow overlay?

It snowed!! I got a little overexcited and spent all day taking pictures of the snow and creating my own overlay. You are welcome to download these and use them! I’d love to see what you come up with.

Below is a tutorial for using my snow overlays on your own photos, as well as a video tutorial for how to make a snow overlay of your very own!

Video tutorial: How to use a snow overlay (You can download my snow overlays here)

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD SNOW OVERLAYS

Want to make your own snow overlays? Here is a step by step tutorial for that too!

An interview with Jennifer Traylor Photography. Central Virginia Family Photographer

December 3, 2016

My photog crush of the day is…

Name:Jennifer Traylor!

Business Name: Jennifer Traylor Photography

Specializes in: Newborns and Baby’s First Year

I met Jennifer last year (or was it two years ago?) at a photography workshop with the amazing newborn photographer Kelly Brown at Creative Live. She is one of the sweetest people I’ve ever met, and we’ve kept in touch since meeting. Jennifer is an amazing Central virginia photographer, specializing in baby pics, newborn pics, maternity pics.

We got together for a group interview, here are Jennifer’s responses

-How long have you been in the photography business? I have been in business since I started super part-time in 2010. My first studio was in 2014 and moved in to my current studio space in 2015. We built a very private studio on our property, so it keeps me close to the family while actually allowing more time for clients.

-What the most fun part of being a (newborn) photographer? I love interacting with the new parents, especially Mom, giving her encouragement and support.

Tell me something that would surprise most clients about the newborn photography industry: I think most people think it’s a super easy job and that baby just lays there, happy and sleeping. It takes a lot of patience, knowledge of how baby responds to certain things, time, and training. Did I mention PATIENCE?

-Coffee vs Tea…vs Vodka? Slightly sweetened ice tea

Break down a typical day in the life of YOU. What does a typical day look like for you? My studio day usually starts about 8:30, setup session for the day and answer emails until the session starts at 10am. If its a newborn, session will last anywhere from 12 on. Then its get in a quick lunch, clean up, load images to computer, backup, and get to editing. I have to get my kids off the bus around 3:45, so I’ve got to be finishing it before then. I also might have an ordering session after lunch or early evening.

What “gear” do you use? I shoot with a Canon 5d mark iii and my favorite studio lens is the Sigma Art 50mm. Outdoors I prefer the 85 or 100. Do you shoot with natural light or studio lights? I shoot with studio light and love it for the consistency.

If you could travel back in time, and give yourself ONE piece of advice about your business, what would it be? Believe in yourself, even when the chips are down. Head down, eye on the ball, drown out the crowd, dream for the fence, swing like your life depends on it. (I played softball ages ago) Also I would get business coaching sooner. Its so hard as an artist to focus on the ins and outs of a business but if you get all of that wrong, you can’t make images without clients, period.

What is one dream you have for your business? I would absolutely love to have a business partner or assistant one day. I love having company and I think it would make work even more fun.

Here are some of my favorite images: