For the first time in over 20 years I will be able to actually spend Mother's Day with my Mother. I am making her lunch today and then attending a family party Sunday. I hope all the Mothers I know and also those I don't have a wonderful weekend.
all photos & content © Lara Rossignol
Little Hudson was just over three weeks old when I did this shoot almost two months ago. Newborns may be one of the toughest subjects to photograph. Babies this tiny just don't do much, except sleep, eat and poop.
But they are remarkable little beings and capturing this time of utter newness, is worth the challenge. I like to keep clothing clean and simple but one fun accessory can have a lot of impact. Sweet knitted owl hat by etsy seller The Stitchery Boutique.
Beautiful light, simple but fun scenrios can add a little extra magic to the moment. The unexpected always makes for an interesting photo.
Don't forget to move in close, no matter how in love with your main composition, shoot variations.
This one will go a long way in proving the cabbage patch myth, when Hudson wants to know where he came from. This image is actually a composite of the two photos below. Not too difficult, since the step the watering can sits on provided a fairly clean line to join the two.
After resizing the images to match and cloning out part of the handle on the basket, it was just a matter of cut and past. I also added a little lens flare coming through the trees for some extra bling... do not be afraid to experiment.
For more creative ideals on compositing images check out this book on innovative photoshop artist Maggie Taylor.
all photos & content © Lara Rossignol
After a week of lovely days, warm enough for open windows and flip flops, I am so ready for the dogwood and cherry blossoms. Heres to putting winter to bed (fingers crossed) and bring on the sunshine!
For some super kawaii finds check out my newest sponsor: Speights & Faron Boutique. Who specializes in fresh new designs imported from France. Très chic!
Here is a little kawaii video I found via my pal Sarah. I love it cause this is exactly what I look like when I drink, which is why I usually don't. Take a good look at the "styling"... so funny!
top photo & content © Lara Rossignol
P.S. Today is the last day to enter the UPPERCASE giveaway.
I recently traveled with my friend Dana to Manchester, Tennessee. One of many road trips in the pursuit of pool winnings and adventure. You did not have to look very hard to find cool vintage signage & architecture.
I used a Canon G10 and processed them with a combination of Lightroom, Photoshop with the Picture Show iPhone app.
all photos & content © Lara Rossignol
I have said it before but it bears repeating, there is no underestimating the importance of the right model for the right job. Working with agencies and meeting with models is all part of my process. So important and time consuming is this task, that for big jobs you can and should hire a good casting director.
I first request submissions from the agents and then let them know which girls/guys I want to see in person. I rarely do an "open" casting, I would rather weed out those that are just not right. This is why having good up to date pics from the get go is important. I like to be organized and keep a list of all the talent I am expecting. I provide a generous window of time for the casting and try to be flexible since I know some travel quite a ways. Some drove from Birmingham and Tennessee for this go see.
Now with digital cameras it is easy to shoot some quick test shots to see how they move and take direction. A lot better than the old days of snapping polaroids. I give a lot of direction when I shoot but I like a model who can grasp the concept and give it her own spin. A girl that can be natural and yet fully aware of how to work the camera is pretty rare.
Atlanta is a small market for fashion and only a few agencies here handle models of the caliber I am looking for. Many of these models are brand new and have little experience or their photos are not up to date, all good reasons to see them in person. On occasion, you see a girl that just has "it" ... as was the case with the above Grace B. from Factor Women. All of 15, I thought she was pretty exceptional.
And just for fun, check out this juicy look on the world of modeling.
all photos & content © Lara Rossignol
1) Sarah Woods 2) Marta Maria both with Click ~Atlanta
This has been a tough week, lots of catching up and prep work for upcoming jobs. I am organizing a casting for one gig, not my favorite but sometimes very necessary to the outcome. On top of that, we are not out of the woods weather wise and this is always a major concern when planning shoots. It is the one factor beyond your control and can shut down a shoot completely. Spring can not come fast enough for me!
all photos & content © Lara Rossignol
Izzy, Picture Show app, casting, go sees, photography, prepping, tgif Share Article 4 Comments 
One last Halloween treat...a visit from Little Red Riding Hood & Ariel the Mermaid. When I first moved to the south, I was excited at the prospect of having trick or treaters. Not really something that happens in NYC. However, I soon discovered my location was not really ideal and found it was easier to turn off the porch light and hide like most of my other neighbors. But not before I get a visit first from Julia and Emma.
And here is one more trick for you. These images were shot with my Canon G-10 and then processed first in photoshop, resized and then emailed to myself. I open them on my iPhone, save to my camera roll and then opened again with Picture Show, my absolute favorite photo app. It lets you choose cool frames, filters and effects. You can also choose a fairly high resolution so you can print your results. By doing it this way you can start with a higher quality image than one shot with your phone's camera.
all photos & content © Lara Rossignol
I found this great site with free templets you can downpload to make your own kawaii masks. A easy peasy project you can actually wear or use to decorate your home.
I printed out the masks on heavy orange colored inkjet paper so I could use it for backing the mask. I carefully cut it out and then used an x-acto knife to start the eyes but finished with scissors. I then traced it onto the back side of a pretty japanese paper and then cut it out the same way. I then used a glue stick to attach them together, giving it a little more weight. I used a hole punch to make the side holes and a light weight twine to attach it.
My current blog crush is the fun and super kawaii Thompson Family-Life. Just check out her groovy Halloween decorations, her entire blog is full of yummy eye candy. Danielle is a talented designer, scrapbooker and photographer and also offers up some super fun scrap booking materials and embroidery patterns in her etsy store: Tiny Bazaar. Oh and she lives here in Atlanta!
No, this image wasn't flipped. Atticus is laying in my lap while we indulge in our favorite Sunday activity... chilling.
all photos & content © Lara Rossignol
