Meg Sexton Photography » portrait photographer

Ask Meg Mondays | Bay Area Photographer

Meg Sexton — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 17:06:21 +0000

I’m so thankful to all of you who read the blog. Really and truly if I could give you all big huge hugs, I would. (And if you’re not a hugging kind of person, than you get a cookie.) Without you, I’d have nothing to talk about, and I really do enjoy all my talking.

There is so much information floating around out there in blog land. In an effort to be more helpful and pay it forward, I’m taking my Q&A sessions public! Back in May, I asked for questions on my facebook page. I got some great question there and through email. Here are a few:

Alison asked: What is your favorite piece of equipment?

This is easy. Hands down, my favorite, and most used, piece of equipment is my 50mm f/1.2L lens. I love how versatile this lens is. I love how little distortion I get while shooting portraits but it still allows me to get nice and close to my clients. And of course, when I chose to shoot wide open, I get incredible, breathtaking, buttery bokah. And that makes me weak in the knees.

Both of these images were shot with the 50mm. See that bokah in the right image?

Settings:
ISO 200
f/1.2
1/1000 sec

Now, I know the price tag prohibits a lot of you from picking up this gem of a lens, but Canon offers a GREAT alternative in both the 50mm f/1.4 for about $375 and the completely affordable “nifty fifty” 50mm f/1.8 for only a little over $100. I promise neither of these will disappoint!

Laura asked: What software do you suggest for Post Processing?

Hands down, I recommend Adobe Lightroom. I use it to sort my photos, cull my favorites (for both personal and client shoots), and do all of my initial edits. It’s relatively inexpensive, very user friendly and a great way to get started in post production. If you find that you still want some of the functionality of photoshop, there is very easy integration between the two programs.

For those of you just getting started with post processing, Scott Kelby has some really great, easy to get through instructional books.

Julie asked: Do you offer Mentoring?

I do! I have online and in person mentoring opportunities available for any photographer outside of my area. Prices start at $125 per hour. Feel free to email me for details and package pricing.

To ask a question for the next installment of Ask Meg Mondays, email meg@megsextonphotography.com. I’m looking forward to hearing from you!

Johnny Danger {Benicia Family photographer}

Meg Sexton — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 04:32:59 +0000

It always amazes me that I’m as lucky as I am. I have GREAT clients. (And a fabulous job to boot.) Getting to shoot Amy and her family was like a dream. I mean, as a clothes horse myself, I really do love it when my clients have an interest in fashion. But I’m over joyed when their husbands do too! I love that John had almost as many accessories with him as Amy. Thank you John, for being a good sport. Seriously, you’re awesome.

Johnny, at 17 months, was an absolute riot. This kid is obsessed with trains. Obsessed. If I had known in advance that this kid could be first in line at the Thomas the Train convention, I may have steered them towards a different location. But as luck would have it, we could hear the trains passing us from our Benicia destination. Every 10 minutes or so we’d stop shooting and let Johnny point and yell and just generally be excited at the passing train cars. I loved it!

I had so much fun with you guys. And I just know our boys would have a budding Bromance.

To book a family session with Meg, please email meg@megsextonphotography.com

A post from the road {Bay Area photographer}

Meg Sexton — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 16:36:38 +0000

Thanks to the wonders of technology, this post is appearing while I’m 30,000 feet in the air, on my way to Las Vegas. (For geeky photography reasons. WPPI!) I couldn’t leave without just a little sneak peak at yesterday’s session.

Aren’t you excited about what’s to come!? I am!

Excited {Bay Area maternity photographer}

Meg Sexton — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 03:26:33 +0000

This little girl is a pretty lucky baby. Her parents are funny, really funny. The love they have for each other and for her already is indescribable. And they may not be a baby out there whose parents are more excited to me her.

Kori and Brian met at a party in college and from the details I’ve heard, they knew almost immediately that they were meant for each other. And really, I’m not sure I’ve met a couple more perfect for each other. From the jokes they told to the stories one would start and the other would finish, they just had a way about them. They were game for anything and everything I asked them to do, and never complained when I stuck them waist deep in wet grass. (I love it when clients trust me!) We dodged rain, dark clouds and freezing wind, but I am so excited about what we got. And Kori, you are simply stunning. You make a gorgeous pregnant lady!
Thank you Kori and Brien for being game for anything and everything. I had a blast in our makeshift flower patch.

To book a maternity session with Meg, please contact meg@megsextonphotography.com

Horsing Around {Bay Area Lifestyle photographer}

Meg Sexton — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 09:06:25 +0000

Ms. Madison and my baby, Grayson, share a birthday. Because of this fact alone, I knew I would like her. I felt like Renee (her mother) and I have a bond. Labor, childbirth, recent first birthday parties…. We totally did those things together! (Even if we weren’t actually together.) I do also realize that I could just be a stalker wanting people to like me!

We got rained out of our first attempt at shooting Madison’s 1 year portraits, but luckily, we came up with an even better, and even more fun location for the make-up session. Canyon Creek Ranch. Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous. (And I’m holding myself accountable for taking Grayson there when he is old enough to get on a horse!)

I had a lot of fun with you guys, so thank you Renee and Jason, for being willing to follow me and my crazy antics. I think the photos we got were worth every mud covered shoe!

To book a family session with Meg, please email Meg@megsextonphotography.com

Merry and Bright {Bay Area portrait photographer}

Meg Sexton — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 17:41:27 +0000

The Christmas deadline is fast approaching!

To all of my wonderful clients, if you are still debating your print order for the holidays, please make note that the deadline for 12/25 delivery is this coming Wednesday, December 16th. Hopefully you are all enjoying the season as much as I am!