Cansler Photography – One Story at a Time family portraits, senior photography, children's portraits

Finally October the Beautiful

Posted on 20. Oct, 2009 by Cansler Photography.

Wow sun at last! This past weekend we got out and enjoyed our first taste of beautiful fall weather. The temprature was perfect and slightly crisp and the sky a beautiful azure with the sunlight streaming through the trees. Magnifcent. One of the fun things about my job is that I am always noticing and appreciating beautiful lighting.A friend of Helen’s had told her about a short trail at Harrison Bay State Park for mountain bikes. So on Sunday we headed over to Harrison Bay about 4:30 pm. Sydney loves to ride her bike but she had never ridden on an actual trail for mountain bikes.  The trail is very easy but has lots of roots and a few rocks  so was a good introduction to mountain bike paths. She had so much fun that we went back and did it again on Monday evening. We went a little later and as we were riding around the path I picked out several spots that I want to do kids or family portraits. Yes, you will have to hike but you will end up with a portrait like no one else. The lighting was beautifully dramatic and the lake shimmered in the background. 

I took a couple of photographs with my point and shoot to give you an idea of how pretty it is. So the first person that calls to schedule a session on this trail will get their session for FREE. It is so cool that I want to do a rustic portrait out there.

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Three’s Company

Posted on 17. Oct, 2009 by Cansler Photography.

Last December, John called and said that he wanted to get his wife Pam a custom gift certificate for a special occasion.  Peggy my assistant created a cool certificate using an image from their previous session. In talking with John I learned that Pam had looked at all the photographers in their area (they had moved to Franklin) and had been unable to find what she was looking for so was planning on calling me to do a new session.  Obviously he got her a present that she wanted because he said that she was thrilled when he gave it to her. (Hint, Hint to all you guys who don’t know what to get.)

This summer Pam called and scheduled a session for all of the kids. She had done a formal portrait of her oldest and she wanted to take a complimentary portrait of each of her girls. As always, I asked what time the youngest child would be happiest and as is typical, Pam said morning, so we scheduled the session first thing one morning. The day arrived and when everyone showed up at the studio it was beautiful. Even though we had planned on doing formal portraits inside I wanted to try one image outside because of how nice the morning was.First we sprayed everyone with bug spray to help with itching then walked down the street to a location that had pretty lighting and incredible depth.  After some major scratching, we were able to get the photograph. (The bugs didn’t seem deterred by the Deep Woods Off.)

The kids did fantastic and we were able to get what I wanted so then we went in to do the formals. Photographing children is so much fun because of the wonderful natural expressions they give you. All it takes is working with them, relating to them and talking to them. (Sounds easy dosen’t it, NOT). This time it was easy and all too soon the session was over. I told Pam that when all her friends in Franklin saw these images I might have to move to Nashville because her kids made me look good.

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Twice the Fun

Posted on 16. Oct, 2009 by Cansler Photography.

Bee called several weeks ago to schedule a session for her grandbabies. Over the last few years we have had the fun of photographing all her grandchildren at three years old. One of the things we have done is to keep the portraits all on the same theme so that they will look great as a constantly growing grouping. This is a common thread that seems to run through all my conversations with grandparents, they want portraits  that are reflective of each childs personality but flows together as an overall collage.

When we had talked on the phone Bee described the children’s personalities and told me a little about how they related to each other. Of course the first thing she said was that they were twins.  I was thinking this is going to be fun, twin three year olds, YIKES.  As all of you know everyone talks about the terrible twos but I think it is more like the terrible threes. But I was looking forward to the session anyway because their older brother had been fun to work with so I thought it would be OK.

When they arrived I met them at the car and I quickly knew I had nothing to fear. They jumped out and were excited to meet me and were very animated about telling me about getting their photograph taken. Their mom Liz and grandmother had done a great job preparing them for having fun with us. Thanks guys.

First we started with a couple of images of the two of them together, they were as close to perfect as you could ever expect from three year olds.  I told them to hold hands and then hug each other, obviously we got some silly photographs but what mattered is that we were able to capture the really sweet ones also.

After they were done and they changed their clothes then my assistant Blaire went and got them presents and took them to pet our bunny Sable.

As they were leaving, it was amazing to hear two three year olds tell me thank you for taking their picture without any prompting from mom or grandma. Sometimes the stars align, everyone is in good mood, things go smoothly and we end up with amazing photographs. (Other times nothing seems to go right and we still end up with awesome images, go figure.)

Thanks Bee and Liz for letting me share a brief moment in your children’s lives.

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