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Practicing My New Year’s Goal

January 7, 2015 Filed inPersonal,Photography Tips

Happy New Year, everyone! One of my photography goals for the new year is to get comfortable shooting at a low f-stop.  Even though I’ve been shooting for years now, I still get intimidated by an f-stop lower than 2.8.  Part of that is because I have a tremor in my hand which makes stability a little tricky when hand holding.  The other part of it is just a mental barrier.  I’ve told myself that shooting below f/2.8 is just too risky; it’s so easy to miss the focus when it’s that narrow.

Time to get over that! And what better way to get comfortable shooting below f/2.8 than using a squirmy toddler?! I figure if I can get her in focus, I can get someone who can stay even remotely still with no problems.

I consider all of these photos to be snapshots.  From a technical perspective, they are nothing special.  It’s simple window lighting.  Some shot using a broad lighting technique, others using short lighting.  Nothing ground breaking.  As a mother, however, I think the fact that my daughter is in them makes the most special photos in the world, and I will poke you in the eyeball if you tell me you disagree.  I believe anyone can get shots like this each and every day if they know how to work their camera and know a bit about lighting.  The whole trick is to be more engaged with the subject than with your camera.

On a personal note, I can’t believe how big my baby is getting! I have a feeling she’ll seem even bigger when the new baby comes in a few months.  Crazy!

The Dalles PhotographerThe Dalles PhotographerThe Dalles PhotographerThe Dalles PhotographerThe Dalles Photographer

Are you working on your photography skills this year? Check out my photography guides here!

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Simple Holiday Decor Idea

December 3, 2014 Filed inholiday ideas

It’s Christmas time!!! If you’re like most people, you’ll be taking all kinds of photos around your home this time of year.  So I thought I’d share a simple Christmas decoration idea that you can incorporate in your home to help make your home as photogenic as possible!

All you need is one large wine glass and 2 smaller ones (I got mine at the dollar store), a set of 10 coordinating ornaments, and 3 small candles.  You can also add a garland like we did (props to my husband- it was his idea!). Hooray for simple, elegant Christmas decor!

simple holiday decor

I originally got the idea here.

simple holiday decor

Garland courtesy of our backyard. 

simple holiday decorLove, love, love the bokeh the glitter creates!

simple holiday decorAnd one more showcasing the bokeh because I love it so. 

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Learn to Shoot in Manual Mode- Sneak Peak!

November 24, 2014 Filed inPhotography Tips

Does any of the following ring true?

  • You have a DSLR camera, but you aren’t really sure how to maximize its use.
  • You’ve always wanted to learn about photography but there are always diapers to change, dinners to cook, deadlines to meet, etc.
  • You haven’t signed up for an in-person photography class because you don’t know that you’d be able to make it to the class week after week. You need flexibility.
  • You’d love to have gorgeous photography hanging on your wall, but you just don’t have the budget to hire a photographer, or hundreds of dollars to learn photography yourself.
  • You know that these fleeting moments you have with your children are just that- fleeting.  You ache to capture them.
  • There’s a bubble of creativity within you that keeps trying to float up, but keeps getting stifled back down during your day to day life.

I get it.  I really do.  And all those reasons are EXACTLY why I created this course. Photography is an absolute blessing.  Photographs flood us with emotions when we look back on those preserved memories. I want you to learn photography.  And I want you to learn on your own terms, on your own time, within your budget.  Throughout my career, I have been fortunate enough to photograph thousands children, teens, and adults.  But I know it’s not enough just to have the background of a photographer.  You need someone who knows how to teach.  It’s my unique background combination as both a photographer and a teacher that will enable you to quickly and efficiently learn photography. Here’s what I’ve created for you: 

  • A 22 page PDF covering aperture and f-stop, shutter speed, and ISO.
  • 35 minutes of MP4 video taking you through and expounding on the important parts of the PDF.
  • Fun shooting suggestions to help you gain practical experience with each section.
  • Helpful visuals and photographs to inspire you.

Buying this course is the easy, economical choice.  As a professional photographer, my photography packages run from $950-$1550.  My mentor sessions range from $250-$450.  This course is only $60 and will get you on track to being able to fill the walls of your home with your own gorgeous photography.

“This is GOLDEN! In depth yet to the point and easy to follow along. I LOVE IT!”

Because you immediately get access to all the course materials, you can start and stop as you need.  You can watch all the sections at once or master them one at a time. You can go back and review sections when you need a refresher.  In short, you can learn how YOU learn best.  No need to work within an instructor’s schedule.

By the end of this course, you come to the realization that many professional photographers don’t want you to reach… Anyone can learn photography!  You’re wallet will be fuller, your memories preserved, and your creativity will thrive. 

Save even more by bundling! Save $15 when you buy Capture My Life, Capture My World, and Light Up My Life. Here’s a sneak peak! Watch the intro below:

P.S. (Did you know that subscribers get a special discount?!) 

Click here to buy! 

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FAQs: How Many Pictures Should I Take?

November 20, 2014 Filed inPhotography Tips

A friend of mine recently asked me:

How many “clicks” do you recommend in a shoot/moment? There are times when I have 500 photos from  a visit to the fair or something, and it can overwhelm me.  But i just start clicking and can’t stop!

Taking hundreds of pictures in one afternoon can be extremely overwhelming when you have to go through all those pictures afterward (a process known as “culling.”)  For that reason, I generally try to avoid getting to snap-happy.  I don’t know that I have a number that I recommend (though I’ve found I generally take around 100-150 in an hour if I’m doing a professional shoot and generally show my favorite 20-35 of those to the client).  But, I’m going to share something that my mentor taught me that has always stuck.  Before you click, ask yourself “Am I making this person look better or worse than they do in real life?” Even though we moms think our babies are the cutest thing to ever grace the planet, the truth is, it is absolutely possible to take a bad photo of a cute baby.  For example, shooting a close up from lower than eye level or having the light come from underneath.  I’ve found that if I slow down and ask myself how I’m making my subject look, I don’t shoot as much.
Also, you’ll find the better you get, the fewer shots you need to take.  You’ll know not to even bother with a shot because the lighting is bad, it’s an unflattering angle, etc.

Hope this helps some of you out there too! Happy Shooting!

awesomeacademy.com

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Family Photos Fail

November 17, 2014 Filed inPersonal

Remember last week how I was all, “I’m going to do one themed photo shoot each week for the rest of the year!”? I even had all the themes planned out.  Oh, fool that I am! I should have just kept my big mouth shut because this past weekend my theme was going to be “fall fun.” The location I was going to use was absolutely GORGEOUS.  The trees were all different colors, it was right by the river, and the grass was beautifully green.  So, naturally it snowed a good 8 inches this weekend.

Refusing to give up after only one week into this goal, I decided to go with the flow and change it to “winter wonderland.”  I thought I’d include all 3 (and a half!) of us in this one, just for fun! In my daydreams, the photo shoot resulted in beautiful photos of us romping around, tossing snow around like glitter from heaven.  It was going to be so freaking adorable- Parenting magazine was going to be begging to use the photos.

However, I’m actually a fairly practical person and knew that reality probably wouldn’t be that glamorous. We’re going to Utah next week and will most likely get our “real” family photos done then, so all I wanted was one cute picture to put in an album.  Apparently, I was reaching for the stars even with that goal.  See for yourself!

Failed Family Photos 1

I call this one: “Maybe people will think Lydia is actually laughing…”

Failed Family Photos 2

I call this one: “Please don’t notice that we are restraining our child.” 

Failed Family Photos 3

I call this one: “Suprise- click! Better invest in a remote control trigger already.” 

Failed Family Photos 4

I call this one: “Heeeeeere’s DADDY!”

Failed Family Photos 5

Ooooooh, my personal favorite! I call this one: “Merry Christmas! Love, The Creepersons.”

Failed Family Photos 6I call this one: “How are we surprised AGAIN?!”

Failed Family Photos 7I call this one: “Blurtastic Fun!” 

Failed Family Photos 8

 I call this one: “The picture that could have been: A lesson in why where you focus is so important” 

So what did I learn? Here’s the list:

1.  There is no frolicking and playing in the snow when your kid hates the snow and refuses to be put down.

2.  Buy a wireless trigger already! I can’t believe I don’t own a wireless trigger.  Ugh!

3.  Just because you could take photos of the 3 of you by yourself when she was a newborn, doesn’t mean you can take photos by yourself of the three of you when she’s a toddler.

4.  “Spontaneous” DIY family photos are a bad idea.  Just go with the professional ones.

5.  Announcing your goals publicly should be thought out carefully in advance.

I’m thinking of turning this into a “Failed Family Photos” mini album.  What do you think?!

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