Because getting pictures taken is SO expensive

In our current situation, we don't really have extra money for getting pictures taken. Nowadays it seems like almost every female (not really, but quite a few) is starting their own photography business. Most of them just have nicer cameras than I do, and I feel like if I had nice camera my pictures would be just as good. There are a few that are genuinely talented. However, they are all so over priced! I know the camera and equipment are expensive, but the customer pays for the prints and the time and sometimes if the photographer has it, their talent. I just cannot justify paying $200 for a session and then on top of that paying for prints. Not everyone is that expensive, but with all these free lance people they have driven up the prices (I really don't have anything against photographers, I just don't see how people can actually afford them!).

I still wanted pictures of Elanor though. So, I set up my own little studio in Elanor's room (as it has the best natural light in the afternoons) and tried to take pictures. I used a white curtain and draped it over the back of a large arm chair and then collected items for Elanor to hold and look at while I took pictures. My camera, as I have mentioned many times, is just a point and shoot (and 4 years old), so the quality is just so-so.  Elanor was not all that easy to work with, as she kept walking off and did not like having to stay put. I edited the pictures a little in Picasa. I mostly just brightened them and changed the filter (B&W, sepia, antique).

How do you think they turned out? I put her in my grandma's baby clothes, which I love! So, if you are in a similar situation as we are (no money), try making your own studio and get some great pictures out of it! Picasa is free by the way and has so many editing tools that are fun to play around with. I am definitely going to do this again, but probably when Tyler is around to keep Elanor contained and entertained.