findlay – Katlin Shuherk Photography

01|52 Fifty-Two Week Photography Challenge – Week One

Fifty-two photos in Fifty-two weeks – one photo a week for a year.

This is one photo out of four and it was hard to choose which one to actually post for the challenge. That’s typically the problem, though, when you’re a photographer. It’s so hard to cull images, and it’s even harder when those images are of your own child. But I think that’s the beauty and importance of taking on challenges like this – to push us to learn how to choose one photography out of multiple and really make that decision based on a multitude of factors. For example: Am I choosing this one photo for the technical aspects? Or am I choosing this because of the emotional connection it has? Or is there another reason? Why do I want this one to tell my story for 2020?

This photo isn’t technically perfect. My daughter’s face is dark, and her face isn’t in focus. She was laughing, threw her head down, and focus went on her hair. But the emotion is captured – and that’s what I love about it. It is a perfect portrayal of her and her spirit.

One of the things I hear the most is “how do you get your child to actually S I T for pictures?!” – or – my favorite from clients “I apologize in advance for my children – they are wild and may not cooperate.”

Sophie is pretty uncooperative, y’all. She was laughing at a poop joke in this photo. But often, I have to have her sing, dance, or tell her own jokes (usually involving, you guessed it, poop). My sessions are not pose and act perfect – they are capturing the subject. So many times I am chasing kiddos around Litzenberg Park (that gorgeous farm park just outside of Findlay, Ohio) and having them dance and sing – just like I have my own daughter do when we are taking photos in our own yard.

Settings:
ISO 100 | F/2.8 | 1/180

My set up was literally a chair in my living room against the wall. I used my Canon 6d with a speedlight. I use a 550EX Speedlight – an oldie but goodie. It was positioned up and slighting pointed behind my head. My lens was the Sigma Art 35 1.4. I edited with one of my new presets – and I’m starting to name them! This one is going to be “Onyx”. My first preset bundle will be available to purchase towards the end of January. However, if you’d love to try a free preset – join the Katlin Shuherk Photo Community and you can get an exclusive download link!

Investing in Family Portraits – Why It’s Important

Sometimes it’s really hard to budget for photography – I get that.

I really do. That’s a huge part of why I ever picked up my first DSLR – I wanted to be able to take photos of my own daughter. But the one thing I really can’t do is take photos of my own family. Sure, my husband can take photos of me and I can take photos of him and our daughter but it’s really difficult (even with a tripod, remote, and timer) to do one with all of us.

So, I have made it my mission to get photos take of us at least once a year. I can’t be a photographer and not actually have photos of my own family.

Here is why I think it’s super important – when I am older, when my daughter is older, where will my presence in her childhood be? Will it be documented? Or will I be the one always behind the camera (or phone)? I think it’s important to have photos of myself and with her for her. These are images that my grandchildren will have and their children. These are memories.

Sometimes it’s really hard to budget for photography – I know I said that already. But it is. But it really is an investment. These are things that will be cherished not only by you to be hung on your walls but by your ancestors. Woah, right?

So I challenge you, if you are on the fence because of money – start setting aside a few dollars a week. Message me. Set up something. I’m super flexible. I offer payment plans. I want you to have memories to cherish. I want your children and grandchildren to know you were present.

Okay, so just twenty more pounds and then you’ll book, right?
Let me tell you a secret – your children, your husband, your family – they don’t see those pounds.

Get the session. When you see your photos, you’ll feel beautiful. And, when you kick ass at the gym and lose those twenty pounds, book another session JUST FOR YOU and we will rock that one like a friggin’ hurricane!

Your kid is just way too out of control and you’re afraid it’ll be too difficult to get a good photo.

*inches glasses down on nose* Y’all need to take my kiddo for a day and then come back at me with this. I know she looks perfect in photos but I promise she is the WORST model. One shoot – the one with the 4 other girls that we did in Lima – she sang the entire shoot…about poop and butts. Poop and butts. I love children. I am a teacher. And if we start shooting and your kiddo is a little rambunctious, that’s okay.

I digress. Talk to me. Message me on Facebook about your hesitations. If there is a will, there is a way – I promise. I am in this to get your memories documented and on your walls – just like mine.

Yes – that is a toy hanging out on my wall decor.

So my kiddo painted that artwork in the middle. The photo on the right is a piece I won from mpix – I love supporting other photographers!

My doggos!

This photo goes to show that memories live on. This is my grandpa’s Navy photo from the 1950s. Your grandchildren will have your photos on their walls – think about that!

A Seriously Super-Girl

You ever get the chance to meet someone who just does something so freakin’ amazing that you kind of forget how amazing it is until you’re reflecting back at it all – and then it hits you…”wow, that person is just really that awesome..”? Yeah, that happened to me this weekend, and I’m just so glad that I was able to gift her with some portraits that she can use to further her work of…well, awesomeness.

This weekend…I…hung out…with…SUPERGIRL!!!!!

Supergirl had people honking, parking their cars to taking photos, and two young men – Elders of the church – stopped to ask her a few questions. She created so many smiles Saturday morning just by being present. It was definitely encouraging when we live in a world that sometimes feels so heavy.

Okay, so she has a real name, and it is Kendra. And Kendra really is that awesome. (I know I have overused awesome at this point – but I really haven’t because she REALLY IS AWESOME!) Kendra, and a troop of other superheroes dubbed Heroes 4 Hope based out of Alter Ego Comics in Lima, Ohio, regularly get together to bring joy and happiness to people all over the area.

They are seriously the best people ever. I’ve had the opportunity to hang with them and take pictures at a few events, and the glee (had to make that reference – get it, Lima?) they bring to others is so inspiring. This organization is growing, and it’s awesome to watch it blossom into a serious force.