Guest Interview: @alyandlittles: Morning

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#alyandlittles, #featuredartist, #guestinterview, #sharesix, #sharesix_morning

I feel like I am back behind again. How does that happen. Life was definitely hectic for me in March and the beginning of April but it does seem to have settled down now. So I am doing some catch up. @alyandlittles was out featured artist for the morning theme and I have caught up with her to learn a little bit more about her.

Tell us a bit about yourself?  And …  Are you a hobbyist or a pro?

I’m a hobbyist photographer who loves to capture the daily lives of my children. I’m a mom of two small children who keep me very busy! I recently got accepted into the Click Pro program at Clickin Moms, this process really helped me analyze my images and made me a better photographer. The process was an amazing experience and I’m so glad I did it. My favorite things to do other than photography are going on walks, playing the piano, and blogging in my spare time. Aside from lifestyle children photography, I also really adore macro and nature photography. It’s a nice outlet when I need to give my children a break from the camera. I adore capturing genuine moments that unfold between my subjects (usually my children). I am also a huge fan of getting in the frame myself, with my children or by myself. I feel like self portraits are a great gift to give to your children, saying, ‘I was there, too’. I will often hand the camera over so that I can be in the frame as well. I think it is so important.

Macro is one of my favorite types of photography. I love capturing the beauty of nature and to also give my kids a break from the camera.

Tell us a bit about your photography gear.  What is the lens do you not have but you desire to have the most?

I shoot with a Nikon D610 and I have a few different Sigma lenses. I have the Sigma 85mm 1.4 ART, Sigma 35mm 1.4 ART, and the Sigma 24mm 1.4 ART. I love all of these lenses for different reasons. When shooting outside I have the 85 on my camera 90% of the time. When shooting indoors, I have the other two on my camera about 50/50 depending on the look I’m going for. I just got the 35 and am still trying to get used to it! I just recently sold my macro lens (mainly because it was so old and not doing what I wanted) so I would love to get a good macro lens that has an aperture of 1.4. For now I stick to macro extensions that do a fairly good job when paired with my 85.

I adore capturing little milestones of my children and also jumping in the frame myself.

Describe your style of work and how you found your style.

My style is forever evolving, that’s what I love about photography! There’s always something new to learn. I think I would describe my style as honest, lifestyle, and fun. My editing is very small, I like to try to get my images as correct in camera as possible. I like to show you how I see the world. Unlike some photographers, I got into photography before I had kids. This really pushed me to find the light, find the shadows, take pictures of things other than children (because, children are SOOOO easy to photograph, they are just so cute!) and it really pushed me as a photographer. By the time my son came along, I had a pretty firm grasp on exposure, composition, and light. I love using natural light in my work, but I also really love making any light work for me. Like bathroom light or hospital light. Life’s moments don’t always happen in pretty light and I believe it’s important to use any type of light in your photography.

I did a shot just like this with my son, so I had to recreate it with my daughter. I love capturing my children with their dad and the genuine scenes that pop up day to day.

Are you a creative person, ….have you always been creative, ….what inspires your creativity?

I honestly don’t think of myself as a creative person. I’m not crafty at all, in fact I hate crafts! Photography is the only form of art I enjoy. Honestly, other photographers usually inspire my creativity. I think it’s pretty rare when I think of something myself haha! My husband is a very creative person and he also inspires me from time to time. I also find that my 3 year old son has amazing ideas about photography so I ask him for ideas sometimes.

I recently started a project of capturing my son with my mom’s dog. It’s been fun trying to come up with new ideas. This image is definitely my sons (and the dogs) favorite idea yet! Ice cream for the win.

Who is your favorite photographer, living or dead?

Ansel Adams, hands down. His work is so inspiring and beautiful. I’m always amazed when I look at one of his photographs.

Both of their expressions just melt me in this image and I really love the light. I love capturing my children’s bond with their daddy.

What is your favorite quote?

“Don’t you quit. You keep walking. You keep trying. There is help and happiness ahead… It will be alright in the end. Trust God and believe in good things to come.” Jeffrey R. Holland

I really adore their growing relationship and capturing it as it matures. They love each other. They laugh with each other. They explore together. And It’s only going to get better as little girl starts to walk and keep up with big brother!

Thank you Alyssa for sharing a little bit about who you are and your style of photography, we loved learning more about you. Don’t forget to check out her Instagram page at @alyandlittles.

We look forward to seeing your images on our Facebook page and our Instagram Page.  The theme this month is {OrdinarytoExtraordinary} and we still have another week so tag us with #ordinarytoextraordinary

Share Six: June: 2020 From Ordinary to Extraordinary

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#blackandwhite, #ceriherdphotography, #cobertphotography, #distortion, #feathers, #itsstilllifephotographybyelizabethwilson, #kgledbetterphotography, #lynnegrantphotography, #micheletremblayphotos, #monochrome, #oof, #portrait, #sharesix, #sharesix_ordinarytoextraordinary, #sharleenstuartphotography, #sunset, #wiredtothemoon_

It’s been a challenging 12 days, along with a challenging 3 months, for all of us I am sure. Battered with the Corona Virus, the unemployment level, lack of income and now the death of George Floyd and the outcry by people of all color.

My heart goes out to the mother and family of George Floyd. Nobody should have to watch their child’s life ebb away in this manner. This is a tragedy in the US. Many are out there protesting. Some of us may be out there protesting. The US is burning in many cities, looting is happening and tear gas is being sprayed. If you are out in the midst of the protests, please stay safe

Our topic this month is taking the Ordinary and making it Extraordinary. We have the chance to do that with what we do and say. I know that I been shocked with some of what I have seen this past 12 days and I know that I have heard friends of color speak out and their words have resonated with me. I want to do better, I know that I can be better. I have always been one to say All lives matter, I firmly believe that. However, the other day I was hit in the face with truth, only when black lives matter, can all lives matter. Lets take the our Ordinary and make it Extraordinary. Reach out and let your friends of color know you are there for them. Be willing to listen. Treat each other with respect. Help those that need help.

This month the Share Six blog group has share with us their take on {Ordinary to Extraordinary}

Sharleen Stuart Photography

Michèle Tremblay Photo

Ceri Herd Photography

Janet of @wiredtothemoon_

Lynne Grant Photography

This is a tough theme, but I hope that you are all inspired by what has been shared. Put your thinking caps on and show us your art.

We all hope that you and your family will continue to stay safe, and well.  We all know how tough this time is for each of us.  We are thinking of you all.

We look forward to seeing your imageson our Facebook page and our Instagram Page.  Don’t forget to tag the Instagram posts with #sharesix_ordinarytoextraordinary.  Each month we feature one artist on our Facebook and Webpage banner.  We will also do an interview with the featured artist, so share your images to be a part of this opportunity.

Look out for the new theme on July 6, 2019