Introducing Metro Detroit's Happiest Baby...

Last winter, I took a class from Stacy Bratton, one of the premier children's photographers in the US. Among other things, she explained that it's a general rule that all children's shoots should be done in the morning, with as few going past 2 pm as possible. (Children are almost always happier in the morning.) She said that she has done very very few successful shoots after 4pm, and now refuses to schedule at such times. I have heeded her advice very closely since that class and have had much success as a result.

But yesterday, I discovered what may be the happiest baby in Metro Detroit... I have photographed her twice and have yet to see her cry. Our on-location shoot began at 4pm, and this little girl is all smiles! I was able to take advantage of the setting sun, something I am rarely able to do. The pictures came out fabulous, albeit because the weather was cooperating, but mostly because of this darling little girl.

Here are some of my favorites from the shoot...

Enjoy!

Beth

The Birmingham Community House

I've had a couple of folks ask when the Community House Early Childhood Development Center Photographs will be published. Originally, everything was scheduled to be complete by Monday, but I wanted to get a couple of the pictures redone, and so the pictures will likely be delivered the middle of next week.

The proofs will be sent home with each child, and as always, the gallery will be online at Pictage.com. (Of course there will be a simple password to ensure privacy.)

I don't have model release forms for all the children, and therefore I cannot post any image on my site without that paperwork. However, there is one image that I can share. This image respects the privacy of each child but still allows each of you to see how cute these little kids are!

I had blast photographing this. The children were all extremely well behaved and the faculty was wonderful to work with...

Enjoy!

The Robinson Family

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of meeting the Robinson Family for the first time. They are a very close family and this is obvious in their pictures.

The little boy was hilarious. He was at his happiest when running somewhere - anywhere - at full tilt. I think the first picture describes the shoot quite well. He had the cutest little grin, and was moving about 100mph! (Thank God for fast lenses!) Fortunately, the day was gorgeous and the grounds were vast, so he was able to run just about everywhere he wanted.

Here are some of my favorite "fleeting" moments from this shoot...

Enjoy!

Mr. and Mrs. Sanderson

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of assisting in a wedding. A wonderful photographer and friend of mine, Slavica Vidojevski had the reigns on this. I am going to post a couple of pictures for the bride, groom and the family on the website until the duration of the pictures are ready to post. Remember, these are only the few that I took as the assistant!

Okay, now about the wedding... I must admit, of all the weddings I've ever shot, I have never seen two people more in love than these two. Every time they looked at each other, it was like they were in their own world. This was the couple's second marriage, and their children played a huge role in the wedding. The entire event was all about family and fresh starts. It was truly a joyous occasion.

The day was absolutely breathtaking. The sunset was gorgeous and the location they chose to get married at was incredible. However, I must admit that the couple is what made the pictures. I'll take a couple madly in love in the middle of the rain over an awkward couple in sunshine any day...!

Attached are only some of the pictures (the main ones from Slavica will be posted to my online gallery in about three weeks.)

Enjoy!

A Face with a Name...

So, I'm getting a lot of requests to put a photo of me on the website. (I have admittedly slacked on this item for some time...) I will try to do so sometime this week.

So, for those of you who have never met me, here I am. Hopefully this helps to put a face with a name.

Have a good day!

Brown Family

I was visited by the Brown Family this morning. The youngest family member was without a doubt the center of the family's attention (as it should be!) She was so energetic, had the cutest little grin, and darling ringlets. The family of eight this morning was so patient while everyone took turns to get their picture taken with the little lady. And she was a trooper... most little ones don't make it much past 20 or 30 minutes...she was a champ for over an hour!

One of the pictures shown below is a generation picture. The picture shows four generations of family. It means a great deal that this family would entrust me with an event as important as capturing this.

Many folks ask me why I chose to pursue photography, and what the catalyst was. It is without a doubt the ability to remind families and couples how important they are to each other. My hope is that in 20 years, this young lady will pick up these pictures (shown below) and remember her great grandmother and also remember how much her mother loves her. She will have these memories for the rest of her life... and that gives me tremendous satisfaction.

Anyway, here are some of my favorites from this morning... Enjoy the little ringlets!

McDowell Shoot

This morning I had the pleasure of shooting the McDowell family. This little boy was so happy during the shoot! He really had a wonderful personality, and it was obvious that his mother and grandmother's laid-back yet supportive demeanor allowed him to thrive in the studio. Check out his eyes and eyelashes... they are amazing! Here are some of my favorites from the shoot this morning.

Enjoy!

Picnic

Yesterday I was asked to shoot a company picnic. I was aked to be there by 6:30 to shoot the golfers. The sunrise was gorgeous, and made getting up at 5:00 worth it!

After running around in a golf cart, I went over to the main picnic, where I was able to capture some unposed shots of parents and kids interacting, which (as you may know) is among my favorite things in the world to shoot.

I couldn't post all of the pictures, as I don't have permission from more than one or two sets of parents. However, I just love the picture of the boy watching the baseball game, and so I am modifying the picture to protect his privacy, but still posting it for all to look at.

Enjoy!

$100 Gift Certificates (Free... first come, first served!)

I have a few $100 gift certificates left that I had given to previous clients earlier this year. These certificates are valid for $100 in free photographs with a new photogaphy session. (Unfortunately, they are not valid on previous sessions.) These gift certificates expire in 2007.

I have a few of them left, and if anyone would like me to mail a gift certificate to them, I would be happy to! If you wish to receive a certificate, please e-mail me at beth@bethmerritt.com and provide your mailing address.

Why I am doing this, you ask? I see this as a way to meet new clients, and to also thank my existing clients. So, whether this is for yourself or for a friend, feel free to request one!

Have a great day!

Triplets!

I must admit that one of my favorite shoots has to be the three triplets I have been shooting since six months old. Every time their mom calls up to make an appointment I get really excited. I have taken pictures of them three times now, and every session has been so much fun!

This family is truly one of the most amazing families I have ever met. Most people can barely handle one or two children... let alone three toddler triplets. The patience and love their mom and dad have for their children is humbling, and I think the pictures show just how amazing this family is.

Anyway, here are some of my favorites from the shoot. (I absolutely love the ones of Dad and his daughter!)

Enjoy!