RSS
Welcome Welcome to my blog! My name is Farrah Braniff and I am a portrait photographer in Houston, Texas. I specialize in contemporary portraits of babies and children.

This blog is a place for me to feature my own personal imagery, images from my studio, my travels and the news and happenings of my family. I have two little boys (ages 5 and 6). You will see them a lot on this blog. They are my inspiration in so many ways.

This is a great place to learn a little about me and my work. I hope you'll take a moment and look around. Use the navigation links at the top to find the entries by category, check out the FAQ, jump to my websites and so on.

Thanks for stopping by!
SCS-introMay2.jpg

Digital Photography Class!
Taking your photography to the next level

Are you tired of feeling discouraged and confused when it comes to your digital camera?  Would you like to take better pictures of your family and friends? I thought so! Come join me on Saturday, May 29, 2010 for a special event at my studio. I am teaching a one day digital photography workshop for beginning photographers shooting with a digital SLR camera.  

Some of the topics we'll talk about:

Camera controls- learn how to really control your camera, know how to shoot in various modes, and learn what all those letters and icons mean.

Finding good light, dealing with bad lighting, and using your flash better.

Metering the light, you can control your camera and not always the other way around

Composition, color and creativity!

Lenses and equipment.


Limited to 25 students! Please reserve your spot now because this class will sell out.

Where: Farrah Braniff Photographs: 1210 W. Clay, Loft 18, Houston 77019
When: Saturday May 29, 2010 from 10 am until 4 pm (1.5 hour break for lunch)


Price: $95 per student
The class spots will fill up fast so please reserve your spot today, (713) 255-2882.

To learn more about my work, please visit the studio website.
View comments (0) Add a comment Send to a friend
This week I am showcasing a really lovely image by Haley Hickman. I found this image while browsing on Flickr. Flickr is such a great resource! It's a fantastic place to share images, get inspired, get ideas and make connections with other photo folks. I love just browsing around and seeing what amazing and creative things people are doing. Plus, you get to see work from all around the world! If you haven't gone and checked it out, you should! Go create a free account and start exploring. But, I digress, let's get back to Haley and her very cool image...

HaleyHickman.jpg
This image was originally posted in a Flickr group called Bench Monday (by the way, Bench Monday is just an example of the fun, quirky things that you can find on Flickr). What struck me about this image is how all the colors go together so well. I love how, despite that fact that the image is in full color, it has a similar simple quality to that of a black and white image. This is because it has color harmony. The color palette is simple, coordinated and harmonious. It's easy on the eye.

I also love how playful the image is. All too often we rely on something happening to create a subject for us. When you create something just for experiment's sake, though, it can be such a great learning experience.

I have written before about composition and how simple compositions help the viewer out and make the image clear. Color can do this too. It can help define your main subject, lead your eye around an image, highlight a particular part of an image and so much more. A simple way to play with color is to use a particular color throughout an image. You can play off the color of a person's eyes or their clothing.

Blog_madeline.jpg
Alexander_blog.jpg
So, the next time you pick up your camera, keep an eye out for interesting color compositions, simple color schemes and harmonious colors. Better yet, grab your camera and go create something just for fun like Haley did! One of the best ways to learn about photography is to experiment and practice.

I have started two new groups on Flickr. One is The Monday Lesson Pool and the other is the Favorite Shot Friday Pool. Please come join the fun and add some images into our pools. I'd really love to see what you are experimenting with! You can also leave links to your images in the comments section below. We're perched on the edge of our seats waiting for you to join in...Come on, don't be shy!

Many thanks to Haley for sharing her image with us today!
View comments (0) Add a comment Send to a friend
I'm remembering Santa Barbara and Summerland, which is where we took our annual summer trip in 2009. I'm dreaming of this summer in San Francisco. I'm so grateful that we do this trip and I love looking back at them. I just feel lucky and I hope the kids remember these trips at least a little bit because I sure do. Happy Love Thursday everyone, go hug someone!


View comments (0) Add a comment Send to a friend
April 6, 2010
EmailWS_2010.jpg
We still have a few sessions left for our White Sale promotion this Friday and Saturday. The White Sale is a day of fun, high energy sessions for children. We have special promotional pricing and packages as well. The sessions are best suited for children who can sit up by themselves and on up in age from there. Each 30 minute session will allow enough time for 2 children. If you have 3 or more children, please book two consecutive sessions. These sessions are for children only (sorry parents!).

Sessions are $150 and include a set of custom designed notecards with your children's images on them. Interested in a session? Call us today! (713) 255-2882.

View comments (0) Add a comment Send to a friend
blog_5282.jpg
I know, you're used to seeing images of children and babies but we do shoot a few other things here at the studio too. This time of year we see a lot of high school seniors. This is Tasia. I love this shot!

I used to teach high school and really enjoyed it. High school kids are right in the middle of such an amazing time in their lives. It's a crazy mix of uncertainty-insecurity-opportunity-bravado-creativity-inhibition and righteousness (just to name a few). I taught photography and I loved seeing what they came up with and how they saw the world around them.

How about you guys, any favorite shots this Friday?  Please submit links to your images, blogs, etc. in the comments below or upload your images to our Favorite Shot Friday Flickr Pool. Don't be shy! The images don't need to be perfect- just loved by you!
View comments (1) Add a comment Send to a friend
Berta Boice says: WOW! So beautiful - the lighting is perfect! (04.02.10 @ 11:10 PM)