Class of 2014 - Isabel {Leander, TX Senior Photographer}

What a fun session to photograph! I've taken Isabel's photos before and she's always full of laughs and smiles.  This session was no exception.  I love it when things go this smoothly.. and I especially love a few good outtakes!

Here's a little peek of your senior pics!

It's a Beautiful Day for Photos! The Sun is shining…. {Leander, TX Photographer}

"It's such a lovely day for photos! The sun is shining and…"

Stop. Right. There.

Most clients have an image in their mind of the perfect photo. The sun is shining brightly, the sky is bluer than blue, and it's beautifully warm without a breeze. You wouldn't believe how many times I hear this.  You also wouldn't believe how many times I am asked to reschedule because it's a cloudy day.

No.  Believe me, you think that is what you want, but it isn't really what you want. You want your skin to glisten. You want your eyes to sparkle. You want your photo to be bright and lovely.  Yes.. I want those things too, but I want them in the shade of the beautiful clouds.

Full sun does wicked things to photos. It creates beastly shadows and ugly, bright, hot spots on the skin. It makes you squint like nobody's business. It washes out the colors and blows out the sky.  The sun can be evil when it comes to photography.

So, the next time you have your photos taken, don't look for the noon session in the full sun.  Go in the early morning, or in the evening just before the sun sets for the beautiful warm glow that the sun will give. Look for clouds and beautiful shade. If your photographer has a reflector or diffuser, that's even better!  Your eyes will be open, your skin will look lovely, and your photographer will thank you.

In the end.. it's a win/win situation!

The photo below on the left is a full sun photo with no retouching. Notice the harsh shadows, and bright spots on the side of her face and on her arms.  That cannot be fully corrected, even in Photoshop.

The photo on the right was take a few minutes later, slightly different angle,  the same location but in a different spot, using a big diffuser to block the harsh light.  Beautiful, even light.  This photo very has little retouching.

Which one would you rather see on your wall?  :)

Spring, Senior Pics.. this and that {Leander TX, Photographer}

It's been awhile since I've updated but there is a ton of stuff going on in my life right now! I'm back in college to get my degree that I've put off for entirely too long!

Anyway,  I can start off by saying that I really have missed just going out with my camera and shooting nature. So over the past few weekends, I've done just that.  About 3 weeks ago.. give or take, the bluebonnets started blooming.  They are still in bloom, but won't be around for long.  So I thought I'd go out and get some photos. My kids are all teenagers and getting them into the bluebonnets is now like pulling teeth, so the bluebonnets are alone in the photos this year.

Also.. my daughter is nearing the end of her junior year so I thought today would be an excellent day for a few quick shots in the flowers. She was not thrilled. haha!  Anyway.. I got my photos with a little bit of bribing (or do we call it blackmail?) and she only got a little bit scraped up.  It's so hard for me to believe that my only little girl will be starting college next month as dual enrollment along with her last year of high school!  I still see her as a little three year old with chubby cheeks, bossing her little brother around without a care in the world. <3  They really do grow up too fast. 

With all the tragedies happening lately, it's been very hard to deal with emotionally.  I've had Boston and West, TX both in my prayers. So, if anything.. hug your loved ones a little longer tonight and capture those moments with your camera whenever you can. They are priceless! 

I hope you enjoyed these photos and a little glimpse into my life today!

Until next time… 

Homecoming! {Leander | Cedar Park Senior Photographer}

I love photographing teenagers.  They are always so much fun and the sessions just fly! The photos always turn out better than expected and it's a wonderful experience all the way around. These three girls are friends, and they went to the homecoming dance together.  I got so many great shots, that it's hard to choose!  Here are a few…

We are now listed on Thumbtack! {Leander and Austin TX | Portrait Photographer}

Thumbtack is a great way to find and verify any services you might be interested in.  Deborah McCloud Photography is proud to be a new member of Thumbtack.

Feel free to check out my photography services on Thumbtack!

Kaytlynn {Leander TX | Senior Portrait Photographer}

As promised, here is the other half of the duo!  This beautiful young lady is my best friend's daughter and she is one of the sweetest teens I know! I just couldn't pick a few photos, so here are some of my many favorites!

Melissa {Leander TX | Senior Portrait Photographer}

A sneak peek of a super sassy young lady who was full of fun and personality. I enjoyed this session so much as it was done with a friend of hers, a dear friend's daughter. Those two girls had me laughing the entire time!  Here's one half of the duo!

Luke {Leander TX | Senior Portrait Photographer}

I've been a very busy girl lately and finally have found some time to update my blog.  This handsome guy is my cousin. I was so excited to do his photos and he had some great ideas.  Enjoy!