The importance of professional editing

The search for a newborn photographer can be daunting. I can’t even begin to imagine how hard it is for a new mother to find someone trustworthy, within her budget, that can capture everything she wants in her little one’s newborn images. To me there is SO much more involved than taking “good photos” … 1st there is newborn safety, a priority in my studio at all times and in every pose. 2nd, the use of fun and unique props, items that I’ve spent years collecting and piecing together to make my images unique and to make images that stand out in our industry. Finally, there is the use of Photoshop and other editing programs that are available, and to use them to the best of my capability. Photoshop alone is a beast of a program and I’m not sure I’ve ever met anyone that has mastered every single option within it. However, I have studied and learned under some of the best mentors available and I take pride in knowing this program and constantly learning and improving my skills. So when you choose me to be your newborn photographer you can know without a shadow of a doubt that you will get the BEST newborn professional editing and retouching I can offer. My ideas change and grow daily to match my skills and although I typically do not show my straight of the camera images, I wanted you to see just how much editing can go into just one image! Enjoy!

New RF Article

I couldn’t be more thrilled to show you guys my newest interview with one of the (if not THE) best photography magazine’s on the market right now, RF Rangefinder. Of course, this interview could not have happened without the help of my most amazing friends over at Tamron. There are sooooo many photographers out in our world today and they chose to talk about my images and my perspective! How neat is that right? Rangefinder (Rf) is the award-winning monthly magazine for wedding and portrait photographers, and the official publication of Wedding and Portrait Photographers International (WPPI). I’m honored to have my associates with WPPI and my deepest hope is to continue on with WPPI in the most immediate future. Being a military spouse with a husband that is deployed I have found the last few years very challenging when it comes to being 100% active in organizations such as WPPI, but I know that they all understand my challenges.

So go check out the article!! https://www.rangefinderonline.com/sponsored-post/tara-ruby/#gallery-3

All the world loves a clown

This adorable little sweetheart was born a little over 4lbs! Can you imagine? She visited me today and we had so much fun creating cute girly and whimsical art portraits for her mom to cherish for years to come! And the smiles were non-stop!! I'm pretty sure I have never had a little one smile as much as she did!

If you've followed me for awhile you'll know that I love capturing clown images and I figured we were WAY past due on a girl clown. I mean, it's 2021 and at this point in life girls can be ANYTHING that they want to be right? Even the most gorgeous and sweetest clown there ever was!

I'm seriously in love. And of course, I couldn't create these amazing images without the help of my MANY MANY photographer vendor friends. Backdrop by Intuition Backdrops, Fur by Mama Knits, clown outfit by Pitter-Pats Creations, and her clown bonnet is by Off My Hooks.

One of my favorite quotes regarding clowns is from an Old Actor, Red Skelton. I use to watch him with my grandmother when I was little. She loved him and we would laugh at his simple sense of humor. I hope you enjoy it almost as much as I did and almost as much as the image we created today!

“If by chance someday you’re not feeling well and you should remember some silly thing I’ve said or done and it brings back a smile to your face or a chuckle to your heart, then my purpose as your clown has been fulfilled. ”

— Red Skelton

They fight for him

Our US Military, in my opinion, are the backbone of our country. The fight, serve and defend our nation against more than the normal US citizen will ever care to know. Being a disabled veteran myself, I have never shied away from the fact that my heart is in serving our military, even if it's only from behind the lens of my camera. When both a mom and a dad come into my studio and tell me they are both fighting, I find that a little piece of my heart pulls their way a bit stronger than other families. I can't even begin to imagine the thoughts of deployments, separations and just time away in general from their littles. But yet, they figure out ways to make it work. So because they are both working so hard, I push myself to make the best art I possibly can through my imagery so that they have the best that I can offer them in return for all that they are doing for me.

Today's family was one just like that. They brought their uniform pieces and asked me to make some magic with them. With the help of my vendor friends at Intuition Backgrounds (or check out their FB Page) with her amazing and dark backdrops and floordrops. This fun outfit is by Lily Mily Boutique and is always a HUGE hit with my milfamilies. Finally, this stunning American couch was designed just for me and my amazing families by Gorecki Lukas Handcrafted photo props all the way over in Poland. It's amazing how much can happen when friends work together to support these amazing families!! I mean, come on .... look at how cute he is!

I'm so sorry Mrs. Walker

It's only been a few weeks since we lost a few of our great soldiers here at Fort Stewart. This one hit as close to home as it's ever gotten since the soldiers were in my husband's unit and surviving loss is never easy. You learn real quick what "military family" means during these types of trying times. I know being a military spouse in this situation I questioned many things and I felt fear deep down that I didn't even know existed. These things happen on the news right ... but never here at home.

So you can imagine just how surprised I was when Mrs. Walker reached out to me asking to do this photo session together. Of course, I couldn't say no and we met on a cold day at Fort Stewart. I will have to say that Taylor surprised me from the very beginning, she is stronger and braver than I could ever have been just days after losing her soldier.

There were smiles and laughter and stories shared and fun images of Cole. I found out that they were both younger than my oldest child.... drink that in for a minute, this could have been more than just my husband ... it could have been my child.

Taylor ... The most meaningful moment is when you put your ball gown on, the one he never saw you wear. I just can't wrap my head around how unfair that seems ... it makes me want to throw a ball just so that you can dance the night away in that gown. You are SO beautiful in it!!!!

I hope that these images show the love, the joy that their relationship was... Taylor, you will always be Cole's wife. Your bravery is inspirational and I am beyond honored to have been able to help you along your journey. You will forever have a military family here to support you and like I told you during our session, you will always have a seat at my dinner table if you just need a home-cooked meal.

Surviving loss is never easy. If you or anyone you know needs help, please refer them to TAPS at https://www.taps.org/ . Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors helps military families as they work their way through a loss such as this.