Kim Pace Photography Blog

Elementary Flash Back

2010-09-08T01:06:21Z

I have known Leon since I was --> <--- that little. Way before crows feet and kids came along. There is a common bond you share with friends that you have known before you even knew who you were.

And old school friends accept you for who you are. I mean Leon has seen my big hair, long black trench leather jacket days and he still speaks to me!

When I first photographed Leon's family it was right when I first identified my style. I was still ironing out the kinks but I managed to get photographs they loved. When he contacted me to photograph his family again this year I was ecstatic. I mean I am still growing as a photographer, but I don't feel as paralyzed as I first did when I photographed his family the first time.

Let me just talk to you a bit of Leon and Patty's boys. They are all sorts of funny. Here are three boys so very dynamically different but who mesh so well that they are almost like a comedy routine.

And? They totally have me convinced that they like me. LOL

Look at how handsome they are!

And here are Mom and Dad.. I so love this photograph of them..

Can you hear them laughing? Makes me smile!!

This photo is one of my favorite from the day..

I want to thank Leon, Patty and their very cool little men. I had a great time re-connecting with you again and I can't wait to see you guys soon!

If you want to see more from this session head over to my Facebook Fan Page. :)

Me, Me, and Me... oh and Me

2010-09-07T00:32:31Z

I have blogged on and off now for three years. It is something that is super addicting to me which makes no sense because I am literally the worst writer ever. No seriously, if my blog posts were graded I would get the big ol' "F" on each one. (if my friend Angie is reading this I totally know she is shaking her head!!)

My blog. Ugh, I hate the word blog. You mention you have a blog and you get the look. And for those of you who blog you know exactly what that look is like. Kinda like the look Nina Katz gave Carrie Bradshaw in the bathroom in Season 5. If you were obsessed with Sex and the City like I was you totally get that sentence, but if not, you can move along to the next paragraph. lol

This blog here has taken on various overhauls. I can never make up my mind. I love the idea of being real and who I am, but I also like the keep it professional side too. However, I am jumping ship to the more personal side of me for now. For a while anyway. I want you to get a sense who I really am, and not just the posts about how amazing my client sessions were.

To kick off things off I am going to present you with random Kim-ism's so you can get to know me both professionally and personally.

~ I love how library books smell. (random why that was my first share, but lets go with that).

~ I never really know where anything is. This drives my husband insane because I will send him 14 other places to look before I finally remember where "it" really is.

~ Before every photo session I still get super nervous and wonder why anyone hires me.

~ Starbucks Venti Chai Tea Lattes are laced with some sort of crack. They are ADDICTING!

~ Being 5'11" you are never considered "cute". I am WAY to big of a girl to be cute.

~ I quote movies all day long. To myself. Because if I said them out loud people would be giving me that Nina Katz look I mentioned earlier. Just to prove the point, there is a quote from Duece Bigalow, Male Gigolo that I would totally say to my previous random fact but I won't say it for fear of Google slapping me on the "potty mouth" blog list.

~ I used to make my Mom video tape a cartoon called "Pepper Ann" so I could watch them when I got home from work. I was 25. Thankfully now we have DVR and I can hide my inner child and catch up on all the iCarly's I miss all on my own. (that Spencer is so nutty!!)

~ Reading makes me happy. I love to read. Though now I know you don't believe me after that last random fact right?

~ Reality TV is 85% of what I watch. I am addicted. Throw "Real Housewives" in front of any city and you can probably bet I am watching it (though I am sooo out on DC and Georgia.. LOL)

~ Cooking. blah. It gives me chills thinking about it. If I had my way everyone would live off of Chai Tea Lattes, or have a personal chef. Now I know why my Mom would hand us boxes of cereal when I was a kid and say dinner is served.

~ Kraft macaroni and cheese is the cheesiest. Velvetta is just wrong and tastes like Elmer's glue.

~ I secretly hope one of my boys falls in love with photography.

~ If given free time you will find me napping. Napping is underrated. A great nap totally triumphs things like, hmm, the fall sale that is going on at Lucky Brand Jeans. (which is amazing by the way!!)

~ I own at least 26 pairs of jeans. No lie. And some of them are like 15 years old. I know, I know, but old school Gap Long and Lean are like magic pants and I will never part with them.

Okay, maybe I will stop here. Only because the Housewife of NJ reunion special is on (see fact #9 )

**just a small side note, I am doing a What the Heck? post on Friday. If anyone has any other questions you want to ask me about photography please feel free to email at kim@kimpacephotographyblog.com. I always keep who wrote the question anonymous, so if you worried about that, now you don't have to be!!

I Heart Faces Photo Entry - Photojournalism

2010-08-30T05:16:25Z

Have ya'll checked out I Heart Faces? It is a great site for photo loving people like myself.

This week I Heart Faces theme is Photojournalism. I love Photojournalism. It is seriously my love. There were so many photos that I thought of entering for this weeks challenge but I narrowed it down to a favorite of mine.

This is little T.. I love how he is staring out thewindow of a very cold winter morning holding his little blankie buddy in his diaper. I Heart Faces said we were allowed to share up to five photos to tell the story, but I think little T does a good job with just one. :)

The missing sock memories..

2010-08-29T04:24:56Z

My kids hate my camera. They literally throw their little hands up and run. Ask them to look in the camera so I can see how stunning their blue eyes are and they squint so much you can barely see the pupils.

Little monsters is what they are. Or. Just maybe I am a p.i.t.a. (insert giggle)

Last week while picking up my youngest from daycare the teacher shows me some photos they had taken of him when he was an infant. My heart melted. Because standing next to me was a three year old that can talk your ear off until the cows come home. Not that I have cows, or have ever waited for them to come home, but I would imagine it takes a very long time. :)

Or even just recently going through the photos I have taken from this summer. The summer which I clearly remember saying to my kids on the first day of it, that it will be so much fun, is coming to an end.

And I know I didn't take enough photos. We went to the beach a million times and I have one photo. Or to the icy store where we sat outside and counted cars. I said to myself, ah, next time I will remember. Now the end of the summer is here and next time is too late.

Just a few days ago I missed a moment when my little guy dragged every pot and pan out onto the floor to make me dinner. At the time all I saw was a HUGE mess, but now, sitting here thinking about it all I can do is smile. A memory that is missed because it is not on a photo. It is a memory that will quickly be replaced leaving it to the "missing sock" pile of memories.

It drives me bananas because this is what I do. I take photographs so that others can treasure that time and place of their lives and I am constantly missing my own. All due to my own fault. I let my over crazy brain take over with how things need to be in "order" and I miss out on the fun. (stop shaking your head for all that know the real me.. LOL)

I know I have said this here before here on the blog. And if you are a client I am always telling you to make sure to take pictures of "piggy pops" (their little feet) because their feet grow so quickly that they alone tell a story. Well, so to be repetitive I want to say it again. Take a photo. Even every other day. And then take those photos and save them up online, and wait for a snapfish.com, or a shutterfly.com to offer you a photo book for $10.00 and get those photos printed into a keepsake book. (usually every two months they offer these types of deals and now that the holidays are quickly approaching you see more and more of them!)

Here are two photos of my boys that I took one night last week that I love. They had just finished washing my husbands car with him and they were being sooo silly. I love it because it quickly reminds me how we were dancing outside, nearing dark and just being fools. This is a memory that could have been lost forever, but now I have it and one day I can show them and tell them the story.

Now, someone pass me my camera. :)

Happy Shooting..

Thank goodness for Facebook - Long Island Family Photographer

2010-08-23T01:40:21Z

I love Facebook for so many reasons but my number one reason it has introduced me to so many long lost friends, and to new amazing photography clients.

Meet the "M Family". Now, the "M Family" was the best of both worlds. I went to school with Jenn and Paul. Like way back in the day, junior high school. And what is so crazy, they live like right about the block from me and know so many of the same people.

I was extremely honored to come to their home and photograph their ridiculously cute family. When Jenn told me they had a ten year old boy I was nervous. Sometimes boys at that age get shy in front of the camera but Lil' P proved me w.r.o.n.g!!!

Look at this face - a true smile!!! And then when I asked him for a serious face, he nailed it again.. How handsome right? And he helped me with some tips on how to get "the dark dude" in Harry Potter. Score!
Now meet "G". She was hysterical. Giving her brother rabbit fingers behind his head while we did family shots, telling me all about her friends and that she is on Team Jacob. I told her I would still like her because I am soooo Team Edward! :P Her bedroom was amazing. Right down to a mini chandelier on the ceiling. She also allowed me to photograph her and her best friend since she was little, little.

And, now, please let me introduce little O. She is two. Two and so full of personality she kept me rolling. She was so incredible taking directions on where to stand, where to look, and how to sit. Did I mention she is two? Umm.. that usually never happens! She adores, I mean ADORES her brother and sister. And the girl knows how to rock a tutu!!

Can you stand how cute they all are together?

And check out how adorable they all are together!
Umm.. wow did I ramble on this post.. what can I say, I had a great time. Thanks so much Jenn and Paul for a GREAT photo session.

To check out additional photos from this session (yes, there are so many other great ones!!) Head over to my Facebook Fan Page.

Meet Christine - a Survivor, a Fighter & a Walk

2010-08-19T02:46:41Z

Breast Cancer.
I cannot say the word without getting annoyed.
Some of you may know the battle my own Mom fights.
Stage 4. My Mom. It never stops hurting when I say it.

But if you talk to my Mom you would never know how hard the battle has been because she is determined to live life.

I have been apart of a network called Think Pink Photography. The network helps breast cancer survivors and their supporters to celebrate life with charitable photography sessions. Their site is currently down, however, I am still participating in this organization because of how closely affected I am to this awful disease.

A few weeks ago while I was on vacation with my Mom and boys I received a request from Christine. Christine wrote "I am a breast cancer survivor still going through radiation treatment (following surgery and chemo) and want to get a photo of me the way I am now - not quite completely bald anymore but pretty close to it! I have been documenting this journey in a blog, and I would love to get some photos to complete this terrible and wonderful journey I have been on. Thank you. Chris "

I was able to share with my Mom immediatley about the inquiry and she was and is so supportive of anyone that can stare down the evil and give it the finger.

Please allow me to introduce Christine... She is a Sister, a loyal friend, a talented actress, and can make you feel as if you have known her forever in an instant. (She is even great at ditching the cops!! hhaha right Chris? )

We had so many laughs together. Real laughs. And we talked. Talked about the horror of chemo. We both shared stories, me of my Mom, her of her own experience.

Now meet the fighter. The woman that has endured so much in her life was diagnosed with stage one breast cancer earlier this year.

There needs to be a cure. There HAS to be a cure. SOON. On October 17th, 2010 at Jones Beach, NY I will be walking for my Mom. For my Aunt. For my best friends Mom. And for Christine. And for every Mom, Sister, Grandmother, friend, Aunt, cousin that you know that is suffering for the disease.

When I set the goal for $100 I thought it was a little high. With the economy like it is, it was hard for me to ask for donations. But when I did I was BLOWN away. Have I mentioned I have the most amazing friends and family in the WORLD? I have raised nearly $400 so far and I still have about 60 days left to raise money to help find a cure.

You can watch my video here : MY BREAST CANCER TEAM PAGE

I want to thank Christine for contacting me. You have touched my life with your story. You are a soulful person with so much personality. I truly hope you see how beautiful you are in these portraits!!

THANK YOU AGAIN!

Beachy Little Girl - Long Beach Photographer

2010-08-13T02:04:00Z

When Jennifer contacted me to photograph her little girl she informed me that she is turning six months old! Half way to ONE! It is such a huge deal because time moves so fast and that sweet six month stage is gone in a blink.

While we were chatting Jennifer let me know that she loves Halloween and I nearly screeched because, um, hello, I am a Halloween Junkie. I dress up every year, and I make my kids pick a theme costume every year. We have been the Incredibles, Pirates, Cops and Prisoners..

Okay, I digress.

When I arrived to Jennifer's condo in Long Beach I was blown away by the light. And then the cuteness of Baby E. I mean check out this face!

And can you just die of cutness overload with this piggy pop photo?

You can tell Baby E is adored!

And lving across the street from the beach.. can you beat the view she gets to see everyday!!

I have to share one more.. Check out how Diva-licious she looks decked out in pink beads and a tutu!

Okay, one more.. because this shot melts my heart..

There were so many others that I want to share, so head over to my Facebook Fan page and check them out!!!

Thanks so much again Jennifer and Gerald for opening your home to photograph your beautiful little girl!

Hodgepodge & a plan

2010-08-09T01:26:25Z

Let's pretend I have had a minute to pull together a single, well thought out idea over the past two weeks. And let's pretend that I don't have about four sessions sitting in queue waiting to be edited (you're next Leon!). While we are at it, let's pretend I really have time to blog, no less redesign the blog.

My life is always on repeat, fast forward.

or. Fast forward, Repeat.

I have mentioned this before. I am kinda like Bill Murray in Groundhog Day.

Well, except I am not a dude.

But what I am is FINISHED.

Finished with redesigning the blog.
Finished redesigning the website.
Finished redesigning my twitter page.

Now stay tuned for some new awesome sessions.
New awesome tutorials.
And all my mindless thoughts.

Happy Shooting! :)

Questions & Answers - You ask, I tell

2010-07-30T01:53:47Z

Way back when (like eight months ago, ha!) I used to have a weekly blog post called What the heck? Friday additions. And well I miss sharing my tips and mistakes with you all so I am going to put Q & A up when emails come in asking me questions on my style of photography.

Yesterday I received an email asking the following:

"As I looked at your latest post with the little guy on the bed, I just couldn't help but wonder what lens you primarily use? It must be a prime, cause it is so crisp? Would you share with me your favs? I am so curious about it- I am WELL aware that it is nothing to really do with the lens or camera type - but can't help but wonder- which for most of your work?"

My favorite lens ever is the 50mm 1.4. Seriously, I love it. I use it 98% on my newborn sessions. On my family and toddler sessions I use the 24-70 2.8. It is versatile and so crisp! I try to always put my focal point on the left eye or in the middle of the eyes. But with a moving toddler that is not always possible so I try to get as spot on to the eye as possible. I do move my focal points so it is set to wide so I can have the ability to move the focal point quickly. Having the correct exposure truly helps with nailing the eyes. :)

When I am photographing a fast moving toddler or child I am always one to two stops above the lowest f-stop the lens allows so that I am able to capture a crisp shot.

My favorite actions, there are two. I offer clients three variations. They get a regular color edit, MCP Actions Pecan Pie, and Lily Blue Honey. I then finish the photo off with Kubuta's Magic Sharp.

On my photos I take time to really look at the image to see how the image feels. Some images look amazing in black and white, others look amazing in just a basic color edit, etc. I don't spend a ton of time processing the photos either. I will say that getting the exposure right when you first take it, really makes a difference.

I hope that helps you E.. :)

If anyone else ever has a question regarding my photography you can always email me at kim@kimpacephotographyblog.com or leave a comment. I am here to help as other have helped me!!

:) Happy Shooting!

Little Man J Makes Turning One Look So FUN! Suffolk County Photographer

2010-07-29T01:39:51Z

A couple of weeks ago I met little J. He was shy at first, didn't want Mommy to be to far away. That is when Mommy really turned on her Mommy powers and little J opened up with smiles!! She even jumped on the bed with him to make him belly laugh!! How awesome is she?

Little J was fast. Like lightening fast! He was all go go go.. But I managed to get some super cute photos of the little man.

Look at those eyes!!!!! All natural!!

There are so many other cute ones from this session with Little J.. Please head over to my Facebook fan page and check them out.

And lastly, thank you Christine!!! I had a great time photograhing your very handsome little man!!!