Introducing Lindsay Ammons Photography's Newest Member!

Well. I certainly did not mean to go this long without posting on this here blog. But I think my reasoning is sound...

Allow me to introduce Ellie, the newest addition to the Lindsay Ammons Photography family! 

So, as you can see, things have been a little busy. I took a short maternity leave after this little meatball came into the world, but, as Joseph Gordon Levitt once said in 10 Things I Hate About You… i'm back in the game!

For anyone who spent this winter in Chicago, as I did, let me express sincere apologies that you had to go through that. Secondly, allow my to ask how on earth we got through it?! How I got through it heavily pregnant is a whole other story, but I did keep busy shooting for most of it. Here are some of my favorite shots of late.

I hereby solemnly swear not to neglect my blog for so long ever again! Interested in booking a shoot? email lindsay@lindsayammons.com or call 312.324.4263. 

Chicago Pet Photography - HONDO!

I got an email from Hondo's mom that they wanted to do a shoot, and they hoped I had availability because they needed it SOON.  Hondo had been diagnosed with a blood cancer, and didn't have long.  I had set aside the entire next morning for editing, so I booked the shoot for the very next day.  I had the hardest time editing these shots because I honestly love them all. Hondo was such a ham for the camera, and his parents love him to pieces.  These are just a few of my MANY favorite shots from the shoot.  Can't thank you enough, Amanda, Brian, and Hondo for a fantastic shoot.

Amanda had sent me a shot just like this that was her favorite shot of Hondo 

of all time and she wanted to replicate it. I'd say we "got the shot!" 

I just love this family shot so much. Hondo's little head turn, Amanda's smile, 

how Brian is holding Hondo. Just a gorgeous family. 

Hondo's happy place :)

Classic pug head turn.

How can you not love these two?

Thanks for a great shoot Hondo! 

Berman.

All of my shoots are unique, but recently I had a *very* special shoot with an ailing golden retriever.  Berman is an older gal who is so loved by her family, they couldn't stand the thought of not having photos of her, even if half of her was shaved down from a recent procedure.  Through some creative composition, and spot editing in post production, Berman's coat looks gorgeous and we got some shots that I know they will treasure forever.

Emma flew in to see her old friend... these two share such a special connection.

Berman. 

We had to take advantage of this sun-filled dining room. 

Happy girl. 

“The greater the obstacle, the more glory in overcoming it.” -Molière

I thought I'd put together a little blog post about my shoot with Barney the Beagle, because it was one to remember. I like to think that dogs and myself have something of a special connection, a mutual respect and understanding. Let me sit down with you, give you treats, make beautiful photos of you, and i'll be on my merry way, leaving you to your napping, and guarding of the house.

Barney was different. If Barney sensed the "mutual respect" present, he wanted nothing to do with it. Barney didn't want me, or any other person, in his house or most especially near his momma.  It wasn't his fault, he's a dutiful beagle and as far as he's concerned his job is guarding the house.

After 20 minutes of trying to soothe and become pals, I admit that - in the words of Tim Gunn - I had concerns.  I honestly wasn't sure, for the first time in my career as a photographer, if we were going to be able to do the shoot. Barney was snarling, biting my feet (thanks to Chicago's never ending winter, I had boots on), and generally quite unhappy with the presence of a visitor.

I had a choice to make, do I walk away in the name of not getting bitten, or surge forward.  I devised a plan.  In the name of mutual respect, I would get no closer than 5 feet to Barney or his Mom.  Since I mostly shoot with prime lenses, and would be able to crop in post-pro, there would be no reason i'd need to get any closer than that. It worked, and we got beautiful images of Barney and his little family.  I would say this probably ranks in my top 5 of most difficult shoots, but just like the tough shoots before it, I'm very proud of the way it came out.

So much natural light pouring in. I love winter light! 

My husband saw this shot over my shoulder and said "Is that the dog that didn't like you? He looks like such a little angel!" I knew then I had done my job :) 

Barney chillin'. 

Barney and his precious mom. 

I love shooting against these old brick walls that are all over Chicago. 

A wedding shower...

Today I attended a friend's wedding shower.  I love attending this particular pal's festivities because she is marrying into a big, pushy, italian family and the family get togethers are so different from what this irish girl grew up around, it's like even the small family gatherings seem coated in bread crumbs and fried up good.  That's not to say my irish upbringing didn't have its perks, one would rue the day they challenged one of my family members to a drinking contest. But I digress.

I offered to bring along my camera and do some shooting.  What I didn't know is this italian wedding shower taking place at a mexican restaurant (seems it's cultural smorgasbord day here on the old blog) meant that each wall was a different color, which would ultimately lead my white balance to go awry quite quickly.  No matter how many times I used my trusty gray card, even the slightlest change in composure threw the white balance right off so that the photos would tint blue, then red, then yellow.... etc.  I was forced, as no photographer likes to admit, to shoot on AWB.

I thought I may be able to get away with shooting with my 35mm wide angle, but the aperture just wasn't going to be low enough (and I didn't want to go TOO high with my ISO, nor bust out my flash, especially since I was trying to keep a low profile) so I went to ole faithful, my canon 50mm 1.4.  This lens is a something of a workhorse in this photographer's bag. It takes such beautiful, sharp photos, I find myself shooting with it all the time. I think the photos ended up coming out pretty nicely. There were some hanging twinkle lights that made for nice bokeh, and some natural light that helped with my disaster of a WB situation.

The below photos were shot as follows:
Body: Canon D60
Lens: 50mm
Aperture: 1.4
AWB (bleh.)
ISO: 1000 (i know, i know, luckily lightroom's noise reduction tool is a miracle worker)
Edited in lightroom.

 Kristin saying goodbye to a friend. Notice those bokeh inducing twinkle lights in the back.

Favors.

Marisol having a good old time. Candids are my favorite types of shots, especially when shooting events. Marisol has such a great laugh and I think that really comes through in this photo. 

Kristin and Tony didn't have engagement pictures taken, so I goaded them in to taking some lovey pictures. I think they'll be happy they did.

Kristin and the very pregnant hostess!

I hope you enjoy the photos. Leave any questions or suggestions for better methods of fixing those pesky white balance issues in the comments!