I’m Season – a stay-at-home mom, former microbiologist, and photography enthusiast. I currently reside in Northglenn, Colorado with my wonderful husband and two incredible kiddos. They are my reason for reason and the best support I could have hoped for on my photography journey.
For years I have existed with a camera basically attached to me but it was never my aspiration to make it a profession. Quite the opposite – it was my catharsis from my job in a laboratory. It also wasn’t something I actively studied so much as relying on increasingly fancier cameras to do the work for me. I think most people in the age of digital photography can relate. But we find ourselves frustrated that the camera doesn’t read our minds. For several years I took frustrating snapshots of my sweet babies and wished I could do better. But it was actually a once-in-a-lifetime photography trip to Iceland that forced me to get educated! Since then I have had an insatiable hunger for more knowledge about photography and it has been absolutely transformative.
I love photography on every level. From the scientific/technical aspects to the artistic side and emotional side. I’m quite guilty of (over)documenting my world. It’s because I know that time has a way of making the mundane and the minutia seem like everything that matters. It would be my pleasure to help you curate those details in your life as well. Let me use my knowledge to capture the beauty of those moments exactly the way your heart remembers them (and not just how the auto mode on the camera thinks you should).
Now at this point, most photographers’ websites will give you a cute rundown of their likes and dislikes. (Oh she loves sleeping in? Who doesn’t?) But we’re not speed dating and you can tell from my logo that I am in love with coffee! I want you to know what to expect from me as a photographer and how that can deliver your vision.
Preferred style:
Clean, timeless, and candid. I prefer tones and exposures that are true to life.
Editing:
I believe in editing images to make you look your best or to enhance the artistic beauty of a photo. I edit photos in Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Lightroom from camera RAW files. Sometimes my edits take a little longer because I give every image (even documentary style) the personal touch.
Approach to Birth Photography: I am a believer in honoring the birth space and making birthing bodies feel protected before, during, and after birth when I deliver final images. My goal is to focus on the emotions of the birth story and the miraculous details instead of putting the anatomy front and center. While I’m a big science buff and am fascinated by the whole process, I recognize that most women do not want a full frontal view in most cases. I choose my angles, lighting, and editing in a way that showcases the parts that matter and downplays distractions. This means that I often shoot close up, from the side, or via reflections to put an artistic spin on what could easily begin to look like medical footage. (Click here for more on my birth photography style)
Favorite Artistic Techniques:
Panoramas (even in an OR), silhouettes, shadows, reflections, framing with foreground objects, and fine details always make my favorites list.
Natural Light or Flash: This one really depends on the situation. For lifestyle and documentary sessions, I like to use ambient light whenever possible. I may augment the natural light when needed but prefer to let the location tell the story. For posed newborns and studio style portraits, I absolutely prefer to use a strobe and a large light modifier to create soft, flattering light. In births, I do a combination of on-camera flash and ambient light depending on the mood of the birth and the preferences of the family.
Wide Angle or Macro: I really love both but I find myself always gravitating to the closeups. In particular, I have noticed that I tend to frame newborn photos close up far more than other photographers. It is also a technique I use for documentary sessions to reduce distractions or create a feeling of intimacy.
Color or BW: I am ga-ga over black and white photography and think that sometimes images are undoubtedly more powerful in monochrome. I also think BW kills the depth of some images and color serves them best. I will provide you with a carefully chosen mix that complements the subject matter of your shoot.
Heroes: Photographers who most inspire me are those who can truly “see” light and/or manipulate it. I prefer to look at National Geographic images over light and airy weddings because I feel that they better utilize available light to create emotion and depth.
Goals: My short-term photography wish list includes twin newborns, surrogate births, adoption stories, and night portrait sessions with the stars.
My Flavor of Crazy: I’m a over-planner. I will scope out your location, take test shots, and worry about things well in advance of even the most simple shoot. I come from a long line of neurotic worry-warts. It’s the way of my people.
Who’s Your Friend There? I use a mannequin named Bald Betty to practice shots. Often she is just a disembodied head but the rest of her is never far away in my basement. (Much to my husband’s chagrin.)
Cameras: I shoot with two Nikon D750s and a D7100. They are high quality DSLRs that I trust.
Lenses: Prime lenses have their place but I prefer the versatility of zooms. My most used lens is my 24-70mm f2.8. I also love my 90mm macro for baby details.
Lighting: I photograph a pretty wide array of styles and subject matter. As such, I have a variety of flashes, strobes, and continuous studio lights to fit my highly various needs. My primary lighting for posed (newborn, family, maternity, milestones) is a strobe (Paul C. Buff Alienbees 400) and a large parabolic light modifier (a.k.a. the 6ft wide umbrella). At births I use on-camera flash. For weddings or outdoor shoots I will use off-camera flashes that are triggered by my shutter release.
All Right Reserved © Season Hurd Photography – 2020
