Another year of dance is in the books for the Barr family, and this year was her best yet! But, I did not expect Ella to take such joy in watching all of the dancers on the stage. Maybe we will have two ballerinas in the home soon… And with any luck, TWICE as much glitter!

I was setting up for a shot I really liked and wanted to try with Emily and Ella. I began by setting up the lights and trying to get them metered in, when Christy came out with the girls ready for pictures. So, I had them go ahead and get in position, that way I could better meter them. Ella got the giggles quickly and was very happy, so I was hopeful to get the image I wanted. But she got so tickled I went ahead and took this shot before the lighting was completely set up. The key light was not on yet, and the fill lights for the seamless were a little overexposed. The overexposure caused the light to wrap a little more than I wanted, or so I thought. With a little work in postproduction, I pulled a quick snap shot in to being one of our favorites of Ella.

Once I finally got the lights correct, with help from Emily and Christy. I finally was able to get Ella to look up at her sister for the shot I originally wanted. Everything came out exactly like I wanted and in good time too. Because with babies, they can be overjoyed one second and cranky the next. I am very happy with the image I wanted, but the quick snap shot was the one we love. With a little work in post production, I was able to bring the backlit image to proper exposure. With her hands clasp together, and that infectious laugh, the bad lighting and crop is easily overlooked. Because it is in this photograph, I captured Ella, completely.

Capture info for first image, Nikon D700 and 80-200mm f2.8 AF-S, and two SB28′s fired in the white seamless at 1/2 power, Elinchrom Ranger RX Speed AS with 53″ Midi Octa.

Capture info for second image, Nikon D700 and 80-200mm f2.8 AF-S, and two SB28′s fired in the white seamless at 1/2 power.