Beloved | Kate, Justin & Jake | Crib Tales Photography

As I mentioned earlier, I attended a fantastic photography conference last month in Las Vegas. I learned so much at the conference and really turned a new corner with regards to my business and my portrait style. One of the most unique discoveries I found was a new movement in the world of photography called “Beloved.” Quoting the Beloved website:

Beloved is an emerging photographic genre centered on the creation of meaning-rich portraits that express the individual, beautiful personality each person is born with, creating an opportunity to celebrate the relationships that fill our lives with joy and purpose. The Photogenic Technique of Beloved gives photographers a clear and simple way to move past the “camera smile”‘ to easily capture the authentic, photogenic expressions and the naturally beautiful sides of our personality we share with our loved ones.

This genre isn’t really completely new to me – I’ve always tried to elicit very natural, organic emotions and expressions from my clients. I’ve always wanted silliness, laughter, joy, and love to be at the very center of what my style is all about. And most of my clients, I think (and hope!) would attest to this. But this new movement takes it a bit further, really making the session about building on those words – silliness, laughter, joy and love. I am asking my clients to open their hearts a little bit more, to actually make the session a moving, family experience. I’m so excited to delve further into this over the next several months. But I did have a chance to try out some of the ideas on one of my favorite families a few weeks ago. Justin and Kate (and baby Jake -who was in for his 9 month portraits) agreed to let me try some Beloved out on them. We had just a few minutes left in our session (Jake was ready. to. be. done.) and I tried a few simple invitations on them. I saw a true love come forth from both Kate and Justin. It was silly and joyful, and most of all, full of love.

ps – I’ll be posting Jake’s 9 month studio pictures tomorrow!