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Frances Morency Photography is finally introducing mini – family fall sessions after many, many requests.  I have decided to leave October 2, 2010 open for mini family sessions.  Every year I get bombarded with requests for fall family sessions and this year is no different.  I have been reluctant in the past to do mini sessions during the fall season because of the time restraint………..the fall season is so short, so this year I’m alloting one day for a marathon session.  This is the perfect opportunity to come out with your family for a half hour session and get prints just in time for Christmas cards or gifts.  Family portraits are the perfect, so hard to buy for grandparent gift.  These 30 min. session are not solely dedicated to families.  I am available for children sessions, couples, pets, babies or personal photos.  Just pick your slot time, email me and I will book you in.  The only pre-requisite for these sessions is payment will be required in advance in order to secure your session time.  Good luck everyone………limited time slots available.

I love children photography!  There is something about capturing the true child………you know what I mean?  Unposed, natural, completely innocent and free.  Photographing children is not easy as many mothers out there can attest to.   I have been asked on numerous occasions to help moms capture what I capture.  I started in photography by photographing children and to this day I still find it the most challenging session especially the young ones 12 months to 18 months or so.  You just have to let them go and do their thing and capture them as they are.  Getting them to sit still and smile  is out of the question and you will rarely see me go that route.   Family sessions with children that age will almost always have a toy in hand or treat, but the best way is to have an interactive session where you can capture the family having fun, walking, tickling, or playing with a pet.  I rarely use props, but will be sometimes bring or use a clients unique chair or sofa.  I have been scouring the antiques markets lately for really funky furniture.   My favorite age is 6 to 10 and then high school students 16-19.  This age group really allows you to be creative with clothing and locations which is the most fun.  I ask all my clients to bring a suitcase filled with items they never wear or items from mom and dads closets.  I have been known to take clothes off of mom and dads backs for the child’s session.  The kids really hate that, but the images usually turn out incredible and all is well.  I always bring along my own suitcase of goodies as well.

This image of two little girls was photographed some time ago and overlooked during proofing.   After a session, when I’m proofing I pick 75 of my favorites from about 200 then end with a final 40 or so images, so sometimes when I go back to a session months later I can actually find one that I initially overlooked for whatever reason.

Photoshop is not one of my strong suits.  I’m an old school photographer, and learned back in the 80′s the old fashioned way…….with film and a darkroom.   I went to school at Sheridan College for the 2 year photography program in Oakville, Ontario where I made my decision early that natural light photography was what I wanted to do.  Studio lighting was just not my cup of tea, nor was industrial, commercial, or product photography.  I loved people and especially photographing kids.  Black and White photography was a passion and I mastered the art of hand coloring the images……..again old school.  I actually painted on fiber based black and white images with a paint brush or q-tip and oil based photo paints.  My camera of choice has always been Nikon and I still have my Nikon F100 and don’t think I will ever get rid of it.

Years and years later, after saying many many times that I would never go digital………….LOL  I took the plunge.  It just got more and more difficult to get film, drive to the lab (numerous times to drop off, proof, and pick up prints.)  and available darkrooms to work in were becoming scarce.   So I bought my first digital which was also a Nikon (D70S) which I still use as a backup to my newest addition (Nikon D700),  off I went.

Going digital was the hardest thing I had to do.  It not only involved the camera, but now I had to learn how to process the images myself on a computer with photo imaging software like photoshop.   Anyone who knows me knows that when I put my mind to something I usually go at it 100%.  So, I bought the computer, bought the software, bought the camera and all the extras that come along with it and off I went.  Needless to say, I still spend hours and hours on the computer working, researching and learning my craft.  If it wasn’t for photography forums like ilovephotography and countless others and photographers offering mentoring programs like michellekanephotography and briannagraham and the secret workshop to offer guidance then I wouldn’t be where I am today.  I love what I do and I will continue to challenge my skills, grow and educate myself until I can’t anymore.  So , as of today here is a sample of my work before and after.  I have been asked countless, countless times to show what an image of mine looks like straight out of the camera (sooc) and then after I have worked on it.

So here is a sample:

SOOC with minor exposure tweak

Final Image

SOOC with minor exposure adjustment

Final Image

Senior High School Photography with a high school senior includes a minimum of 3 locations and 3 wardrobe changes.  I suggest packing a suitcase with many alternative items and accessories, because you never know what I will bring to throw into the mix and you will be very surprised what looks great on camera may not always look great in public.

This is Ashley, a gorgeous 16 year old who was up for anything during her senior high school photography session.  Ashley had spotted my website after viewing photographs taken by Frances Morency Photography of her friends.  One particular session had caught her eye and that was the location she chose for her Senior Session.  Senior sessions are multiple location photography sessions with numerous wardrobe changes and usually include a hobby or personal interest. In this case, Ashley is a black belt in Tae Kwon do and a very impressive young lady, who has travelled to many different countries and won many tournaments.  We met in Brampton and the location was in and around the old train station.  There were numerous backgrounds in the area to choose from………railroad tracks, abandoned buildings, fields and old train stations.  These images are deep, dark, and the colors are very saturated.  These are my favorite types of sessions and post processing.

The session begins with a few test shots to allow the model to get comfortable, give a few pointers and allow parents to see that their daughter is in great hands.   Teens are usually most comfortable without mom and dad around and soon become very at ease with me and their surroundings.  This age group is my favorite because it allows me to be the most creative with wardrobe and backgrounds.  All my images focus not only on the subject, but the backgrounds and surroundings are extremely important in order to create a well rounded image.   Natural light, on location photography rocks!

This is a Senior High School Portrait Session taken in the industrial section of Orangeville.  This gorgeous model was up for anything so off we went.  Portrait photography is all about the model and the location for me.  I incorporate the background as much as I focus on the subject.  High School Seniors are slowly becoming my favorite sessions because of the fact that we can be creative.

This Senior high school session took place in the badlands near the Forks of the Credit.  I have never photographed there and wanted to take a model with me for some time.  This particular model was open to the location and was looking for some new head shots for her modeling portfolio.   We started out in the badlands with the red clay dirt as a backdrop, and the light was absolutely stunning.  The model was very comfortable with being photographed and with the 2-3 wardrobe changes we were able to get some incredible images.

Senior high school sessions involve 2-3 locations, multiple wardrobe changes and a very creative style of shooting.  This particular session did not involve hobbies or props in any way, but senior high school sessions can and usually incorporate hobbies, sports, pets or locations that are relevant and important to the model being photographed.  These session usually last approx. 2 hours.

Anyone interested in a senior session for the 2011 graduating year should contact me in the next couple months for booking.  info@francesmorency.com

Looking for something other than the standard, studio images of you in your cap and gown?  Well, here it is………really cool images of who you really are.  The jock, the cheerleader, the rebel, the car guy or just simply you in your final year of highschool.  Stop wasting your money on grad photos you are never going to show off.

Instead book a Senior Session with Frances Morency Photography and show your family and friends who you really are.

This is one of the models from Brianna Grahams Workshop which I attended in Grand Rapids, Michigan.  We photographed so many models that weekend that I never really got around to processing all of them.  I absolutely love this girl and I am so glad that I went back to these files and had the chance to work on them.  Better late than never!!!

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