Sometimes we’re asked to work in client’s homes.  I enjoy this— I like new locations and new lighting circumstances.  I usually prowl around their home and look for the best light, which can be found in the oddest of locations! Garages are almost always a good bet, but in this case, the kitchen table was my choice.

Here’s my sweetie husband, Jon, sticking his face down by the scale so I can test the lighting on his face.  Oh, the things he does for me! (Don’t worry, I pay him well).

Then, using the tablecloth as a background, because I love the color harmony it brings to the scale.

Then… baby Katherine, curled up so sweetly.  Tada!

This is just one of many beautiful images created of Miss Katherine.  See more on Facebook.

One good thing about this glorious heat… babies sleep well when it’s 100 degrees and they’re cuddled in softness.

See more of 6-day old Cayden on the Calotype Facebook page.

Remember, this is Julie speaking. The write of the Perspectives blog.  The photographer for Calotype. The one that’s currently six months pregnant.  The outdoor temp has hovered close to the surface temperature of Mercury for over a month now, so between Indoor vs. Outdoor portraits, which one do you think Incubating Photographer will choose?

That’s right, our air-conditioned, custom-designed-for-incredible-light, natural light studio.

Why? Because not only is it totally uncool for clients to sweat while I’m photographing them, there’s also such a variety of things I have to work with in the studio.  My couches, my various-colored walls, my rugs, my screens, and so forth.  Outside,  I am limited to grass, sky, dirt, trees, and the occasional drive-by truck.  (Speaking of right outside the studio, of course.  If we travel, we have creeks, bluffs, random buildings, rocks and other Ozark landmarks, many of which are quite beautiful, if not too over-used).  Speaking of over-used, let me spout a little and say,  “I hope it’s not your dream to be photographed on a train track, because this artist may shoot herself if she sees another senior picture on a railway, especially if it’s black and white with the jeans colored back in…”  But that’s another rant.

So yeah, in July I love to work indoors. I vote for the inside…

Wait, that’s beautiful!  Simple green grass, beautiful sunlight.  They’re not sweating!  It must have been taken in breezy 70-degree weather! Perhaps we traveled to Seattle!

See? How could any kid smile like that in hundred-degree temps?

Well, here’s the truth, people.  These images were taken this July, at 10:3o in the morning;  it may not have been a hundred yet, but it was closing in fast.  No obvious sweating on the client’s part, because I’m the Queen of Getting it QUICK, and little Miss Shailyn was smiling because she’s a sweet, well-adjusted little girl.  (And her daddy was behind me making boogie faces, which always helps).

I’ll have to admit… honestly, I love working outdoors as much as I do indoors.  There’s perks to both.  There’s disadvantages to both.  I know I said earlier that outdoor scenery can be limiting, but you simply cannot beat the simple glorious glow of sunlight.  I love it, love it, love it, and I love the results, every time.

(Of ourse, I love the results of my studio work every time, so maybe I just love everything…?)

In conclusion, I’ll let you settle the matter.  If you dream of your family being photographed in the brilliant sunlight, the field grass waving softly in the wind, we can make it happen.  If you think you’ll smile better in air-conditioned comfort, or you simply love the look of the indoor studio, then we can make that happen, too.  What matters most is that we create an emotional, lovely portrait that captures exactly what you see in your head, and you can spend the rest of your life gazing at your beautiful wall portrait of your beautiful family, knowing you made the right decision.

But this guy looks pretty amazing in the cool of the studio, you’ll have to agree.

Featured in the blog post: Carli, part of the Millikin family from way over in Claremore, OK; Mr. Jack from Rogers, AR, and the sweet Coger family from down in Siloam Springs, AR.  You can see more of their images on our Facebook page.

An older Calotype image, from three years ago, was featured on the Baby Noises blog as one of their top ten maternity Christmas portraits. Thanks, Baby Noises!

Mommy, Daddy, and new Mr. Hayden, from Bella Vista.