Why Your Color Photograph Doesn't Look as good in B&W | Batavia NY Family Photographer

Do you love Black & White photographs?

I know I do! There are times when I get special requests to convert a color photo to black and white. You see, when I edit my photos, I give every family their gallery in all color edits with the exception of a few that I will convert to Black & White, but only if I think the photo can handle the conversion. So, because of the way I edit and the requests I’ve received, I decided to do a little write up about my “why” I don’t convert all of my images to Black & White.

To start, we need to define Dynamic Range- Dynamic Range has to do with, but is not limited to, the light being captured in a photograph. Simply put, an image created with a lot of light and a lot of shadow would be considered an image with a great deal of dynamic range (high contrast). These types of images covert to Black & White beautifully!

If you look below I have shown 2 examples. One has great dynamic range while the other, even though it’s a great shot, is 1000% better in color!

With that said, I will do a Black & White conversion if requested but, if you truly love Black & Whites and want them in your gallery, please let your photographer know this before your family portrait session. This way they can be fully prepared to photograph your family for the Black & White conversion.

Black & Whites are created in camera with the light and the location.

Currier Family | Batavia Family Photographers

Batavia, N.Y. Baker has a secret to share!

I had the pleasure of meeting Kirsten from KMC Cakes a few months back. She asked if I could photograph some display cakes for her shop.  She has some real talent, this one! Not only are her cakes super yummy, but the detail and design of her cakes are so intricate it's almost hard to believe they're edible! She made my son a Ninjago, Lego cake for his birthday and his face when he saw that thing is something I'll never forget.  She is worth every. single. cent!  She is based in Batavia, N.Y. but she works with families and wedding couples all over Western, N.Y. 

Now back to our regularly scheduled program......

Kirsten had mentioned to me that she wanted to have some family photos done, so we scheduled a date, and planned their family portrait session. Being a family photographer in Batavia, N.Y. this worked out splendidly.  Low and behold, she had a surprise for me! We had to re-planned their family session, and had SO MUCH FUN!

Sure, the bugs ate us alive at the beginning, but you'd never guess by their beautiful family photos.  I should also mention that their little 3 year old daughter was a riot.  She was so ready to show off her dance moves, running skills and bug catching.   See Kirsten's "secret recipe" below (along with all their adorable family photos). 

Greis Family | Batavia Newborn Photographers

Meet the Greis Family!

Mama invested in a Fresh-48 session around Thanksgiving last year (2016), but I didn't know until I checked my account notifications.  I was so flipping excited! Problem was, I couldn't say anything. Do you know how hard that is?!

I had the pleasure of meeting this little beauty last weekend. I couldn't be happier for their little family. Mom of course let me sneak in lots of snuggles. That's the real reason why I offer Fresh-48 sessions.  I get in my baby fix!  I love getting to work with this family because they're so laid back and fun to be around.  Mom and dad are so in love with their little ones, it's hard to not get great photos. Even Grandma and Grandpa were in a "new baby coma." It's actually a really beautiful thing to witness grandparents meeting their grandchildren for the 1st time. 

Take a scroll through their images below to see what I mean and while you're at it, see if you can guess what the family named her. 

Pietrzykowski Family | Batavia Family Photographers

Check out this adorable little family!

Mom contacted me, get this....BY PHONE! What a concept. Nobody ever calls me anymore, lol. Anyways, I was super excited to chat with her about their session.  She was super open to just about any ideas I had and just wanted some photos of them as a family.  When we finally had the opportunity to meet (the day of their session), mom mentioned to me that her and her spouse are not very photogenic.  To me, love is always photogenic.  I eased her concern with my shooting style and it was going to be more natural and playful rather than super posey.  I don't know about you, but I think they ROCKED their family session! 

There was also a little pressure since I knew that this little family had driven a loooooooong way to be photographed.  See, dad just graduated from school to be a State Trooper.  They currently reside in the Adirondacks with hopes that they will soon be able to re-locate back home. Home being here near Batavia, N.Y.  

I was so relieved when mom sent me an email after they viewed their gallery that read, "Hello! First off, I just wanted to say thank you again for capturing memories of our family. You are hands down the most enjoyable photographer that we've worked with."

That made my day!

Scroll down to see their family photos that they selected as their favorites!

Baltz Family | Batavia Children's Photographers

Meet the Baltz Family

Mom contacted me about having her family photographed and mentioned that she had not had any professional photos done since her oldest was 7; he is now 16.  Of course as a family photographer I was sad, but as a mom, I understood.  Life happens, and as your children get older they are more active in sports and extra curricular activities that just surviving the day is a victory in itself.  Upon mom's inquiry I investigated a little further about her children; names, ages, etc. When she mentioned that she had teenagers I was nervous.  A majority of the families I work with have younger children usually ranging from newborn to about 10.  I was nervous because teenagers, generally speaking, 'have it all figured out'.  They don't usually enjoy being photographed, and when I say they I mean boys, and they DEFINITELY don't like to be photographed with their siblings, and even more-so........{gasp} TOUCHING! 

These kids were the exception to the rule. They seemed to really enjoy each others company and totally went with anything I asked them to do.  Mom was so very awesome during the whole process and you could definitely see how much she loves her children.  She was so kind to them and had fun cracking silly jokes with them. You could tell that they have a wonderful bond. 

Mom drove all the way out from Henrietta, N.Y. to have these portraits done with me; a photographer in Batavia, N.Y. and I am so grateful that she trusted me to capture some really genuine and beautiful portraits of her children.  Have a look at a few of the images she hand selected to share and display in her home. {psst....my personal fave is the last one.}

The Baltz Family

Ranlett Family | Batavia Family Photographers

Meet The Ranlett Family

I had the pleasure of photographing the Ranlett Family, and I am so excited to share a few images they chose from their gallery.  Mom did a great job picking out their wardrobe for their family portrait session. I mean, it's  not really hard when you have such a beautiful family to begin with. Am I right!?  Their little girl is the same age as my son and her personality is totally opposite of his. My son would've given the photographer a scowl for probably the entire session......not her! She was so happy to be there and gave me so many smiles. She was non-stop hi's from the moment I met her. Mom and dad did a great job wrangling her to get some really gorgeous family photos.

I would like to also give a shout out to dad for such a selfless act. He just got his hair cut just prior to their session. He grew it out and donated it. It took him 2 YEARS! His haircut was done at Jagged Edges Salon here in Batavia, N.Y. My son is doing the same thing and once I heard dad had done this, I decided to share his story with my son.  My son is 9 years old and sometimes worries that he'll be made fun of if he has long hair. Showing him that other "boys" are doing it, gives him a little more motivation to push forward with his goals. Thanks dad for being the motivation that my son needed.

Scroll down to see a few of their family photos. *Disclaimer* The last image I posted just because. It's totally out of focus, but dad tossed baby up in the air so high that mom, myself, and baby were terrified. Meanwhile, dad was totally having fun. You can see it in her face. I re-live that moment every time I look at the photo, hahaha!

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McLaughlin Family | Batavia Family Photographers

Meet the McLaughlin Family

Amy, mom, is the owner and groomer of Amy's Fluffy Friends here in Batavia, N.Y. She's a hard worker, loving mom and wife, active community member and one of the strongest woman I know.  This family has been through a lot in the past year and I am just so happy to see these beautiful, genuine smiles on their faces. They face the grind every single day and every single time they're in front of my camera their love and devotion for each other radiates.  They're so fun to work with and they go along with pretty much any crazy ideas I have. Dad is so on board with having their photos done, that is makes for a smooth session and you can just see how happy he is to be a part of this little family. 

I should also make note at how beautiful mom looks in her floral dress and yellow Cardigan. Her wardrobe is by Pollyanna & Dot; a local dress shop located here in Batavia, N.Y. You can find more info about her shop HERE.   The dress shop is owed by Ashley Bateman and she has been dressing Batavia and surrounding areas for over a year now. Amy loves her shop and she looks fabulous in her dresses!

Take a look at a few images from their gallery below. Enjoy!

Turner Family | Batavia Family Photographers

Oh Boy!

Check out this adorable family.  Mom has her hands full with this crew of boys. I can absolutely relate to her life as a mom.  I'm sure she cleans the toilet at least 1,200 times a day and if she doesn't I need to know her secret because I know I do!! One of the greatest things about being a mom of boys is that boys LOVE their mommas!  I definitely know this momma is loved so very much by her littles and I was so fortunate to be able to witness and capture their little snuggles with her.

I also need to give a shout out to dad and big brother because they were fantastic to photograph. Let's face it, dad's and older children usually don't enjoy having family photos done, but these two were so happy to be there and it definitely shows.  Or maybe they didn't and they're great actors! Either way, BRAVO!

Have a look at a very small collection of their gallery below and leave them some love in the comments. 

To book your portrait session with your Batavia NY Family Photographer CLICK HERE I look forward to hearing from you.