Zoe's Outtakes

I love to show outtakes from fun kid photo shoots. Sometimes, to get beautiful, soft pictures like the ones on my website, this (Zoe is the first image in Kids - Studio), we have to do some silly things to get there!

At M. Larson Photo, kids are encouraged to play, make jokes, make funny faces, talk to me and when the time is right, goof off! In between all the fun, I get portraits of their unguarded moments.

More Pics from the Winter

Hi Everyone,

Just wanted to share a few more pictures from a wonderful photo shoot I did with a young woman back in February. We were having so much fun during this shoot that we both lost track of time and ended up working together for hours! I guess that's a good reminder of why I dedicate a full day to one shoot only - just in case! There were so many pictures to choose from in the end, but I thought I'd share a few of the artsier choices. Enjoy!

M.

This first one was taken on a "new" vintage camera of mine. I quite like the way it turned out but it would not be the same after a while - so I sold the camera on Ebay and now this photo is the only one of mine that can have this look!

Crawling is fun

Oh Boy! This little guy could crawl like you would not believe. In the last frame, you can see he is about to crawl right out of the studio! Mom and I certainly got our exercise by chasing him, picking him up, and taking him back to the "starting line" over and over again. But, it was a lot of fun for all of us.

Every baby crawls at a different age and it may happen quickly! It's always a great time to bring them in for a new photo shoot to document this brief stage in their development. They have that look of the first taste of freedom that comes from being able to go where they want!

Best,
Martha
M. Larson Photography

Happy Birthday to me!

In the spirit of showing some old photos this week, I thought I'd share one of my own. Besides, it's my birthday and I can post if I want to!

This shot of me, with such a baby face, was from early 2001 and was taken during my first ever maternity shoot. I was so absorbed in my work that a friend and fellow photographer caught me unaware and took MY picture! It will always be one of my favorites because every time I look at it I realize how far I have come from a 23 year old learning my craft (with film!) to the photographer I am today.

I would like to say a big "THANK YOU" to everyone who has helped me along this journey and been so supportive in helping me achieve my dreams.

Featured in Red Tricycle!

Big news for M. Larson Photography today - we are being featured in a Red Tricycle Dedicated email! This email will go out to Red Tricycle's subscribers in the Seattle area and is all about my Vintage Photography for children and maternity portraiture.

In case you can't read the text, I have copied it for you here:

What is it about a vintage photo that evokes such strong emotion? The small, square silvery silhouette that offers a glimpse of days gone by is a treasured reminder of your family, your history, your heritage.

Wouldn't it be cool to capture your own family in that same dramatic, retro style? Seattle photographer Martha Larson fell in love with vintage photos from the 1940s and 1950s and began offering vintage portraits as part of her children and maternity photography business. The response from clients has been overwhelming and vintage has now become the biggest request of new clients. As you scroll through the photographer's beautiful, haunting gallery of vintage portraits, you can see why clients adore Larson’s artsy, modern-meets-retro approach.

Larson is clear to point out that this is not a Photoshop technique (though she can edit and enhance the shots post-production) -- she actually shoots with vintage 40s and 50s cameras, authentically reproducing the look and feel of early and mid-century photos.

Currently the only photographer in Seattle utilizing this iconic style, Larson shoots vintage primarily with pregnant women, couples and children and always shoots digital alongside (though 9 times out of 10 clients favor the old school shots). Who says nostalgia isn’t what it used to be?

Vintage Inspiration

We all have photographs of our parents or grandparents that we love. That's why I knew I had to use a new way to bring vintage style to children's portraiture in 2008. I use some of the same beautiful cameras from the 1940s and 50s; with a twist into today's modern photography.


I used to dig through boxes of old family photos and pull out my favorites. These are from my parents' childhood circa ~1946. There is so much nostalgia and emotion wrapped up in vintage images. For my parents, they are memories, and for me they are glimpses into the past.

I have found my favorite way to create modern kids portraits that allow us to feel that emotion now, about the photographs of our own kids, in 2008! You can see a lot more on my website at M. Larson Photo.

Copyright 2008, M. Larson Photography

New Baby Announcement!

Congratulations to Anne and Rob from my Winter Babies Post, whose little girl Madeline was born on February 28th - just in the nick of time before leap day! Maybe mom and dad will even send along a photo for the blog. Best wishes Anne and Rob!

Mom and Baby

Look at this little monkey - isn't she so cute? This shoot wasn't my traditional baby shoot - this one was all about mother-daughter-bonding through nursing. I was able to capture some beautiful tender moments with mom nuturing daughter but during a little break (for all of us!) I snapped this quick shot of Shiloh looking full of personality!

Sneak Peek!

I had a really fun shoot today with a cute little redhead boy at Gas Works Park in Seattle. Gas Works can be a great place to photograph kids - especially little boys - who love to check out the metal, wheels, or "machines" as this little one called them.

He is almost two which is a great age to photograph - they're full of energy and interested in exploring the world. This is just a little sneak peek for his parents - I am sure more shots from this photo shoot will go up soon!

Best,
M. Larson

Women of All Ages and Stages

I love to photograph women - whether they are expecting a baby or just beginning to chart their paths in life.

Women are very often the ones behind the camera, making sure to be the historian of their partners, children, and family. Often, women only get their portraits made on their wedding day and when they're expecting a baby - but there is so much more to women's lives than just two major events!

You will want to look back on all different stages in your life; admire how young you looked, admire how strong you looked, or just marvel at how you've grown over time.

Woman are always looking for a little me-time and trying to find ways to celebrate themselves. Giving a woman you love (yes, even yourself!) a photoshoot devoted only to her can be an experience that will last far beyond the few hours we spend shooting together.

I am currently developing a portfolio devoted just to women. I would love to photograph you at any stage in your life. Watch my website at M. Larson Photography for a debut of this portfolio soon! And contact me if you'd like to be a part of it: info@mlarsonphoto.com



E - I had fun at our shoot!

M.Larson

p.s. Does the staircase from this shoot look familiar?

Winter Babies

You love the look of maternity photographs taken on the beach but your baby is due in February!?! Don't worry! I have plenty of Pacific Northwest babies born from October-March and their moms still get great beach and nature-inspired shots without having to hide inside the studio. Seattlites are hardy souls and there are plenty of gorgeous sunny days in winter even if it takes a little creative scheduling to get to them!

With some warm sweaters and jackets you can have outdoor maternity shots that are fashionable and have the right feel for a winter baby. You can stay wrapped up nice and warm (and wrap up baby too), we can bring a thermos of herbal tea, and hats and scarves give an unexpected twist to traditional maternity portraits.

There are lots of winter maternity shots on my website: M. Larson Photography.


Thanks for reading,
M. Larson

New Toy!

That's right, I've bought myself another vintage camera (or two, or three). This one is nicknamed "Chubby" because he can't quite fit into the contraption I built especially for Margot. Maybe someday I will get around to building Chubby his own homemade lens contraption but for now he will just have to squeeze a bit. The look is a bit cleaner, and softer, with beautiful edges. I think it may be very well suited to babies, in fact! Stay tuned!

Fantastic Vintage Motherhood Shoot!

Recently, I met with Anne and her husband for a maternity portrait shoot. Anne is pregnant with her first child and was intrigued by my "Vintage Motherhood" portfolio. We met at Newcastle Beach Park, which I scouted a few weeks ago and it turned out to be a great location. You can see how we used the dock, the beach, the trees, the logs, everything!

There were so many pictures I loved from this shoot that it was hard to narrow it down to just these!

Scouting

I am still new to the Seattle area so I often go out exploring the area and scouting for new shooting locations! I love the beaches, lakes, forests, gardens and other beautiful Pacific Northwest landscapes. Using nature as a big creative element in my images, rather than fake "school photo" backdrops, ensures that each client ends up with a beautiful work of art. This approach works especially well with maternity portraits.

So, today I was off to Lake Washington and look what I found! I can't wait to put some people into these landscapes and create some lovely nature-inspired portraits. Stay tuned to see these places again in future photo shoots!

Newcastle Beach Park: Easily accessible off the 405 near the 520 and the 90 in Newcastle - the east side of the lake. There are two beaches, a forest path, a beautiful dock, logs to sit on - and just about endless possibilities!



Somewhere near the Washington Arboretum, there's this wonderful staircase that I found. It looks like a fairy tale and I can picture it being good for women, maternity, and older kids. I imagine it even in the rain or snow - beautiful!

Child's Play

Just thought I'd share this lovely nostalgic image I made today - a great rope swing and an entire list of swing games that belong to some nearby kids.

I love the imagination that kids bring to all their activities! This is what I bring to my photo shoots that make them work differently from other photographers. Kids are encouraged to imagine, play games, and otherwise not "sit-still-and-look-at-me-now-smile!" We sing, make silly faces, roll in the grass, play red-light-green-light, do cartwheels - and anything else that makes them forget that they are getting their pictures taken!

Happy New Year!

Hi All,

Happy 2008! In addition to my professional work, I take a picture-a-day. I bet that's something most of you didn't know about me! Yes, I try to take at least one image, every day, no matter what. Today, for 1-1-2008 - it's this one. Enjoy!

2007 Wrap-Up

Well, 2007 has been a big year for M. Larson Photography! Most notably, the move from New York to Seattle!

I have been thrilled to meet so many new families in Seattle - and it has been a privilege to photograph you! From pregnant moms to little tiny newborns, robust 6 month olds to sassy 8 year olds, and beautiful grown, independent women - I thank you for welcoming me into your families this year.

Other accomplishments include starting this blog and developing my new signature style, working with vintage cameras.

I wanted to post some of my favorite, previously un-blogged images from some 2007 photo shoots. Earlier in the year, some of my best work came from the studio:

The beautiful mom expecting TWINS!


I am proud to say that this triptych now hangs in her home as a large framed 10x30 print.


The cutest little 6 (going on 26!) year old who put on her "America's Next Top Model" moves for me and gave me a range of expressions I have never seen in one person before:


And a quiet, shy, understated mom-to-be who graciously let me into her bedroom where beautiful afternoon light poured in the windows:


A big THANK YOU to everyone who made this such a successful year for M. Larson Photography.

Surprise for Christmas

I did a shoot on the Oregon Coast in August that included 3 wonderful people and 6 energetic dogs! Wow, that's a lot of activity! But, I found if you tire them out with long walks on the beach, you just might be able to get all 9 of them at least sitting still in the final shots!

T contacted me, with Christmas coming up, to make some very special gifts for his mom. He wanted a beautiful print of the image below (mother and son, walking on the beach) and a special little photo book of all the dogs and people together. I was more than happy to do this for him since I am a huge fan of giving photos as gifts for the Holidays!



The mini-photo-book turned out great - especially using all vintage photography!

New Mom - New Baby!

Happy baby birthday to Kristin, one of my prettiest mommas this year! We had a wonderful photo shoot back in October, (when the weather was still sunny and beachy and allowed bare tummies), and today she had her baby girl, Emma. Congratulations to mom and dad and welcome little baby Emma! I look forward to photographing you as you grow.

Sneak Peek

I just had to share a quick sneak peek - my favorite photo from a recent shoot with little Julia in her very own cornfield! How lucky is she to have a great big maze/fort/hiding-place/cornfield in her own backyard!? And how lucky am I that I got to be a kid again during the photo shoot with this little one?!