Picking photos that you love is probably one of the hardest things to do. That’s why we have a wonderful designer with a keen eye, incredible intuition and an understanding of what our clients want who helps them decide which images to edit. She’s brilliant at seeing what photos are timeless.

Editing is a hard thing to do. It’s especially hard when you are the photographer of those portraits, which is why you would never want me around when deciding on my own work because I want them all. I’m like the mother of my photography so how can you throw your baby out??

Because editing is so difficult I too put off deciding on my photography to choose for the website, which is why it sat still for a few years. I did use those years up by watching my kids grow so this was not wasted time. Now they are really self-sufficient so I have the time. But I still procrastinate about it. Luckily, my studio manager gently, but firmly, cracks the whip and I jump. We created a whole new look to the website and are slowly transitioning it to the new format. I hope you enjoy it and that its working well.

Please check out the new photography website by clicking on Linnea Lenkus Photography.

This is just the beginning. Now that this huge beast has been lifted off my chest I feel free to keep adding to it constantly. So please check back periodically.

The post My Photography Website appeared first on Photographers - Linnea Lenkus Fine Art Portrait Studios.

A new baby is like the beginning of all things- hope, wonder, a dream of possibilities.

-Eda J. Le Shan

Photographs move us on a daily basis. We think that by choosing the perfect baby quote to accompany each baby image is a wonderful way to share and inspire fine art with the world! For inspirational baby quotes and memes about new beginnings and many more set to the photography of Linnea Lenkus, please click on this link. We hope that you will find many more images and inspirational quotes that will motivate and inspire you!

Spread the word. Pin this. Facebook it.

If you are in the Los Angeles area and are interested in booking a photography session with the best fine art studio portrait photographer in Southern California then please call us. Visit the main website at http://linnealenkus.com/. We have two studio locations, one in the Long Beach/Signal Hill area and another in Pasadena. Both are conveniently located near major airports in case you are travelling here. Linnea specializes in baby, maternity and family portraits. Her years of experience combined with her unique creativity and mastered lighting technique ensures that your photographs will be extraordinary. She also photographs fine art nudes which you can see by going to http://boudoir-photography-los-angeles.com/. Sessions are anywhere from 1 to 2 hours long and wardrobe is a creative collaboration of items that you bring in and what we have in our studio.

For more information please contact either studio at (562) 981-8900 or (626) 744-9104. When you call us to schedule a photography session we can discuss in detail what to expect from your fine art experience.

The post Inspirational Baby Quote appeared first on Photographers - Linnea Lenkus Fine Art Portrait Studios.

By the way, I didn’t take those images above.
This is just a screenshot of the article.

Melissa Erickson, a writer with GateHouse Media News Group, contacted my portrait studio wanting child and family photography advice from a Los Angeles photographer. I am always happy to share my experience in the photography industry with others especially tips for taking great family portraits. Below is the entire interview and you can see what other photographers had to say in the actual article by clicking here.

Can you offer some tips for taking family portraits?

Hire an experienced photographer and make sure that they have images on their website that are similar to what you want. Too often most people will hire someone who is not experienced and they will not get what they want.

As far as taking family portraits yourself, you have to be patient. And you have to be direct about what you are seeing. Usually one or two members of the family are reluctant to be photographed so it takes a bit of humor and a bit of honesty. I will often say something to the effect of, “Hey, that smile looks so fake, let’s try it again.” Often I will model for everyone what I want them to do.

Preparation is important. What should people do before hand? Outfits? Locations? Time of day? How important is the arrangement of the group?

Preparation is very important. Talk with your photographer before the session about where you will have your portrait session and coordinate the outfits for that location. Matching tones of clothes (not necessarily matching colors) are important so that no one member of the family will stand out, unless they are the kids. Kids are the stars so it’s okay for them to stand out!

The golden hour right before sunset is a great time to photograph, as everyone tends to look warm toned. However, I tend to like photographing early in the morning because here in Southern California the sky becomes a big softbox of even light before our fog layer burns off. Plus you tend to have more time. If you don’t get that perfect image in that golden hour then your portrait session will be mediocre. But frankly, if you have a good photographer, any time of day should be fine.

The arrangement of the group can be important. I prefer something loving that shows how a family is close and affectionate. I ask everyone to hold each other. But then another twist is to do something that shows the independence of the members. I like to play around with all sorts of arrangements. It takes talking and understanding their comfort levels and their personalities to know what to capture.

During the shoot, what advice do you have? How do you handle unruly kids? How close should you get? How many photos should you take?

I prefer not to call portrait sessions shoots because as Ruth Bernhard told me, “Shoots are for guns, not cameras.”

My advice during a portrait session is to ask questions and converse about the world. That way everyone can relax and kids get to see that I’m cool.

With kids, I make sure to act like one. However, with unruly kids, I usually will have to tone down my kid to get them to behave. I often ask the parent to leave the room when I have an unruly child because usually they are acting out for the parent. I also will show them the back of my camera so they can see themselves and understand that they affect what I’m doing.

I don’t stop a session until I know I have at least 20 excellent portraits to choose from. You can always tell an inexperienced photographer from an experienced one by how much they are pressing that shutter. The inexperienced ones are doing a crap shoot, hoping to get something good. The experienced ones know how to do it and they don’t waste the client’s time doing it. I usually take 1-2 hours in session but most of that is talking, trying to put a relaxed vibe on the session. I’ve actually heard of some photographers who take 5 hours! My gosh, how exhausting for the client to waste their time on inexperience.

Do you have any ideas about location options? My editor is interested in photos outside of a studio.

I prefer to photograph in a studio where I can control light and bring the simplicity of human emotions to the foreground. One of the reasons I prefer not to photograph on location is that the background becomes a distraction from the real reason to create a family portrait—to celebrate the bond of the family.

If you want interesting locations, look at the world around you because I think what is relevant to your life is what would be the best. If you love your home, why not photograph at home? If you are cosmopolitan, then why not an urban background? I do tire of the typical family in white on the beach which is ubiquitous in Southern California.

Lastly, how do you bring the family’s personality in to the photo?

Over the many years I’ve photographed families I have come to believe that although the family is a unit, there are individuals in that family that have a variety of relationships. I try to understand those individuals first and foremost. I ask a lot of questions since everyone in the family has an opinion of each other. Then I joke around quite a bit, but that’s just because I see everything as humorous. A family portrait should extol the family unity and yet respect the individuals.

The post Photography Advice appeared first on Photographers - Linnea Lenkus Fine Art Portrait Studios.

I consider myself old school when it comes to creative photography direction. I think it’s more about talent and experience that make a portrait sing. I respect the beauty of light done well having spent countless hours of getting my own lighting exactly the way I want it. The giant overuse of bad props has become so popular that I just had to say something! I see so many gimmick photographers out there with bad lighting and in their baby photography treating babies like props themselves by posing them in contrived and unnatural ways.

These orchids were relevant to this portrait.

Since I’ve been around the block longer than most of my fellow photographers I can name the decade by the prop or gimmick used. I recommend that if you want a timeless portrait that you consider the devices that date your portrait.

Recently we received a call from a young woman that made me snicker. She said, “I would like something super creative, you know, with some rose petals.” Oh brother, that was so 10 years ago! At my portrait studios we try and explain the difference between creativity and using props as a crutch for the lack of. Because, photographers listen up: props should be relevant and authentic.

We could prop your baby up in an unnatural pose or hang them from a tree branch (5 years ago). We could place a butterfly or a rose on their back (10 years ago). There’s body painting (20 years ago), Greek columns (30 years ago), and don’t forget huge styrofoam numbers (40 years ago). I tried all of that for a brief second and it felt so foolish and uncreative to me.

There are exceptions when the prop has relevance. A couple of years ago I photographed an amazingly strong pregnant woman who came to me for maternity photography. Her husband and father of her child had passed away. I was so moved at her stoic nature and her strength to move on as a single mother. She told me that she felt his presence every day as I broke down and cried. When I asked her to tell me more about him she shared with me his obsession with orchids and that he grew his own. I felt strongly that we needed to represent him in the pregnancy portrait. I immediately told my assistant to run and get some orchids from the nearest flower store and we then created something that was RELEVANT to her life. The irony of the story was when she returned for baby photography and we again brought her husband into the baby portrait with the orchids, her baby started sneezing—she was allergic to the flowers!

To me the creativity of excellent portrait photography comes from connection and from the interaction of light and shadow to set a mood. When you can FEEL what a person is experiencing by looking at a photography portrait, then you have moved your subject and have done your job. It’s that simple!

Photographers, please consider my advice. Really great photography comes from real life.

The post Creativity or Gimmicks? Listen Up Photographers appeared first on Photographers - Linnea Lenkus Fine Art Portrait Studios.

31 Surgeries

The Healing project began in 2009, when my youngest children reached a new stage where they expressed more independence from me. It compelled me to look back and I realized how grateful and, honestly, fortunate I was-—and still am—-to have such healthy children. I wanted to express my gratitude the best way I knew how—through my portrait photography. Not only that, but I wanted to do something in honor of those that didn’t have the comfort of healthy children.

Comfort Me

I partnered up with the Stramski Center, part of the Miller Children’s hospital in Long Beach, California, to create a body of photography work that focused on the families of children with special needs, both mental and physical. The results were compelling portrait narratives of solidarity, perseverance, and hope. I was touched with the amount of loving parents devoted to their disabled children, and with their siblings who showed such unreserved affection.

Love From A Distance

Healing is a portrait project that I hope poignantly presents the nuances and realities of parenthood. It is also my hope that through my participation in the Optical: Portrait Stories exhibition, I bring awareness, again, to the reality and devotion of families with special needs children.

If you are in New York City before August 25th, please go to the Porter Contemporary Art Gallery to see my work and the work of four other photographers.

The post New York City Art Gallery Exhibit appeared first on Photographers - Linnea Lenkus Fine Art Portrait Studios.

Did you see it? It was in the Los Angeles Times, the Press Telegram, the Pasadena Star-News, and probably more but I just don’t know where. I’ll get back to you on that.

Click on the ad above to see it full screen.

You know, I’ve just been going along for over 20 years as a photographer, trying to do great work in my Los Angeles photography studio. Some years have been great and some years not so. And it’s true, I’ve had Bank of America behind me the whole time. I am really impressed with the Small Business banking division and that’s what makes me stick with them. My small business consultant, Viktor, is very cool, and I feel like I can talk to him about anything, throw an idea at him and he’ll consider it; he’ll alwaysgive me great advice.

Looking at that ad I realize, in hindsight, that being a photographer has always been my dream and so I achieved it. It’s so nice to have Bank of America give me a thumbs up. Thanks BofA!

The post Bank of America Ad appeared first on Photographers - Linnea Lenkus Fine Art Portrait Studios.

I have been looking for many years, frankly obsessing, and looking for a photographic paper and to work with a private printer, a person who had the sensibility and sensitivity to print my artwork in an even more exceptional way. After many attempts and disappointments I have FINALLY found the perfect fine art printer to do so. She is a wonderful artist and technician and fully understands my vision.

I am ecstatic to present to you “LUSH” which is a fine art photography paper that presents your portraits in the very best light, the very best way. I don’t know of any Los Angeles photographer who prints on this incredible paper. All I can tell you is that this paper and the experience behind it will make you always say, “Amazing!” It makes me giddy with delight.

The word “LUSH” is perfect for it. When everyone sees my new portrait paper, they always say, “Wow! That paper really is Lush!” Of course. And it’s one of those things that needs to be seen in person, it’s yet one more service that sets my portrait studio apart.

My photography regular prints and gallery wraps are now completely private and handled by women I trust, women who have the greatest aesthetics.

Call for an appointment to see this amazing photographic process. I cannot possibly show this on a computer, you have to see it in person. You’re going to want this once you do see it.

The post Introducing LUSH Fine Art Photography Paper appeared first on Photographers - Linnea Lenkus Fine Art Portrait Studios.

This charity event took place in my three Los Angeles portrait studios, on five separate days. We raised several thousand dollars for local shelters. That makes me proud.

It was very crazy, but what fun we had! Here’s a sweet video of a few hectic hours. Dog photography is fun to do, but only with well-behaved dogs. There were a few there who made me question doing the event again.

Enjoy the video:

The post Dog Photography Fun appeared first on Photographers - Linnea Lenkus Fine Art Portrait Studios.

See you there.

The post Linus Galleries Opening Reception appeared first on Photographers - Linnea Lenkus Fine Art Portrait Studios.

Yes, it’s true that I need your help (it’s also true that I’m a pet photographer, or rather, a dog photographer).

I’m worried. Pet euthanizations (a fancy way of saying pet killing) in California are up, budgets for caring for unwanted pets are down, and there are countless foreclosure pets crowding the animal shelters. It breaks my heart in ways I can’t describe.

I love photographing dogs. For some reason, we understand each other. I’ve had many dogs come over and sit on my feet. I guess that’s their way of saying I’m theirs. So when a dog comes to my portrait studio, I am so happy that I have to agree, I am theirs. It breaks my heart to know that these wonderful creatures can be safe and sound one day, and the next day be facing death as they sit in their cage at an animal shelter. I just don’t understand it.

I feel that I have to do my small part and so I am instituting again,
Dog Days, my dog charity event.
Click above or on the photos for more information about the dog event.

And here’s the cool thing- – you can be in the portrait too! Come on. Call us.

Here are the dates but you have to call for an appointment:

Pasadena:
545 S. Raymond Ave., Pasadena, CA 91105

Corner of California Blvd.

Saturday, September 10th, 2011

9:30 am to 6:30 pm

Irvine:
212 Technology Dr. Suites H&J, Irvine, CA 92618

Saturday, September 17th, 2011

9:30 am to 6:30 pm

Long Beach:2699 E. 28th St. Suite 416, Long Beach, CA 90755

Saturday, September 24th, 2011, 9:30 am to 6:30 pm

The post I’m a Southern California Pet Photographer and I Need Your Help appeared first on Photographers - Linnea Lenkus Fine Art Portrait Studios.