Um, hi!

Holy bejeebus. It's been forever since I posted anything. This blog has sort of fallen to the wayside as I've been busy with other projects. I have taken SO MANY photos though over the last few months, and have a lot of updating to do. So, be on the lookout for that.

In other news, I am so grateful for what 2010 has given me. I have been so blessed to have so many wonderful friends and family who love my work, and continually throw my name out there when friends ask for photos. Everything that I have done has been through word of mouth, which to me is so amazing.

I am looking forward to 2011 and everything that it will have in store. I'm trying a lot of new things, and have some new ideas up my sleeve, so be on the lookout!

Erin & Brad

Last weekend, my beautiful friend, Erin, got married to the love of her life! I was lucky enough to be able to be there for her, help her out, and snap some great photos!

I love you both, & I wish you nothing but the BEST for your future!! Conratulations!

AnnMarie, Steve & Emily { Family Portraits, Fayetteville, NC }

I love doing family portraits! They are always so fun. Steve deployed within a few days of this shoot, and hopefully is safe and sound wherever he is! But these guys were so much fun! :)

Baby Berklie { Newborn Photography, Fayetteville, NC }

See that adorably awesome preggers lady up in my header? Well, she finally popped a while back, and she was awesome enough to let me snap some photos of her newborn! Berklie was five weeks olad when we took these photos.

The poor thing CRIED the entire time we were trying to make her a star, but we still managed to get some really great photos of her and their family.

Love you, Mary!! Thank you for allowing me to be such a huge part of your life!



Can I PLEASE pinch those cheeks??!

Katie & Alex { North Carolina Weddings }

Katie & Alex were such a CUTE couple! I had so much fun photographing their wedding back in late May. It was also the first time that I had photographed a true military-style wedding. The location was gorgeous to boot.

Thank you for letting me be a part of your day!

Peyton & Bristol { Fayetteville, NC Child Photography }

Earlier this summer, I had the pleasure of photographing two of my favorite kiddos, out at White Lake, NC. We had a good time, and got some great outdoor shots, down by the water.

5 Tips for Photographing Children

Photographing children can be hard. EXTREMELY hard. And at times, seriously frustrating. Have you ever tried to get a two year old to sit and pose exactly the way you want them to? Not so much, right? And don't you just love those fake smiles they plaster all over thier cute little faces?

While I am still semi-new to photography, I am learning a few things along the way. One of my repeat clients has a daughter who is seriously adorable. But also seriously wired. Lets face it, most kids really could care less about having thier picture taken. Photographing her [and other children like her] requires a few tricks.

1. Catch them in action. Forget trying to pose them, and make them sit where you want them to sit. Most parents realize that their kids can be a little crazy at times, and more than likely, if their child is under the age of 6, they aren't expecting posed photos. Let them run around. Let them play. And set your shutter speed and ISO a little higher to get rid of the blur. Action shots can be just as cute and great as the posed shots.

2. Location, location, location! Pick a place that will be fun and familiar to them. This could be a playground, their backyard, or anyplace that they will have a good time. This will make them a little less stressed, and more likely to be natural.

3. Get down to their level. You may have to get dirty, but shrinking down to their level will make you a little more trustworthy. It will also make for better, more creative shots if you're down on the ground level.

4. Telephoto lens, people! I have found, especially with the YOUNG kids (2 or 3 years old) that having a camera directly in their face makes them a little less likely to want to cooperate and/or be natural. With a telephoto lens, I can stand back a ways and "spy" on them [sort of]. With not being directly in front of them, it helps with that "natural" look.

5. Prepare to take lots of photos. Kids are hard. We've figured that out, right? So don't be afraid to click away. They move quick, and you may not always get the right shot the first time. I tend to take way more photos working with children than I do with adults. Simply because they are quick. So click that shutter button! You will be happier you did when you find those perfect shots.

*New Watermark*

I've been trying to come up with a cute new watermark to take the place of my other one. The one that does the job, but that I don't really love.

So, I came up with this (you can click to make it larger):

Thoughts? Honest opinions, please! Is it annoying? Distracting? Totally perfect?

*Photojojo*

If you're looking for a fun, creative site to take your photography to the next level, check out Photojojo. Their blog is fantastically wonderful, with witty, creative ways to spice up your pictures, as well as interesting articles in whats new in the photo world.

And their store has so many cool and AFFORDABLE photography essentials.

Their seat belt camera strap, for example? A must have.

Sign up for their newsletters -- I promise you won't regret it.

Deb & Mickey {Fayetteville NC Portrait Photographer}

Thank you to Deb & Mickey, who let me be a part of their 25th Wedding Anniversary! We had blast, even though the weather was blazing hot! The joys of Summer in the South!

*Photo 365 Project*

Back in April, my husband I took a trip home to Seattle to visit some family and friends. This of course, resulted in a lot of beautiful photos that I have been sharing over at my other photo blog that I am doing with my good friend, Tucker. I will obviously be posting plenty of photos here, but some of my favorites will end up there, as well.

Tucker is also a fabulous photographer, so you will get double the pleasure every day. Be sure to check it out!

And We're Off!

Whew! PB Photo is up and running! (Sort of!) I am looking forward to sharing my photos with everyone -- both ones that are taken for others, and ones that I take for myself. I also plan during this process to show you what I'm learning as I learn it! I am self taught, and am still learning things about my camera every time I use it.

Photography for me is a great release. It has been wonderful these past couple of years learning all that I have. I have been lucky enough that others appreciated what I can do, and started asking me to do it for them! I love my client! :)

So please check back often -- I have lots I plan on sharing!

Welcome

Hello! My name is Brittany. I am a marketing/advertising guru by day, and a photographer by passion. I run Porta Bella Photography. I hope to show you the projects I'm working on that aren't showcased on my website. Please comment and please feel free to contact me if you would like to book a session.

Thanks!