I take pictures...

I take pictures a lot...

I take a lot of pictures...

They aren't all perfect...I don't have a secret formula or equation that I plug into my brain or camera and it automatically spits out the exact picture I'm envisioning...

Along with knowing your equipiment and having some basic rules for composition, I think there are some other "helpful tips" that come into play when you are really working for quality imagery...

In this little installment of {Teach It Tuesday} I want to share with you 6 changes that you can make in order to strengthen a photo...

Here is the first photo:

1. SHOOTING ANGLE:  My goal was to capture the essence of this little girl...So I got her all comfy on the bridge and we were chatting and laughing and I'm sure I had something I was trying to balance on my head and it kept falling off to make her giggle... I was above her, but I wasn't honing in on what was most important...there wasn't depth to the image...so I started to inch forward...

2. APERTURE: for the first image, I had my aperture fairly wide, but at my distance and what I was putting in the background, it wasn't really making a difference. I either needed to correct my angle so that more background would blur OR I had to come even closer...I chose the latter...

3. FILL THE FRAME: I decided to get even closer to her so that the background became a complete blur...this helps with depth of field, it also allows me to zoom in on the personality points that I'm trying to capture.

A couple weeks ago I was asked to speak at the Middle School Photography Club.

You all know that I still have a heart for teaching...I love it!  I don't love all the political and yucky stuff about it (and who likes ANY of the yucky stuff about any job?...but, I could do without paper grading, tests and parent conferences)

Anyway...I was thrilled to once again get the opportunity to teach to these kiddos, as I've done every year since my eldest started MS.

This time, I wanted to incorporate a project for them...one that would force them to look at things from a different perspective.

I found some information regarding Triptych Photography.  For those that are unfamiliar with it, it's basically a group of 3 pictures!

The pictures are of the same subject, but can be different angles, depths or even just slight variances to the subject. The possibilities are endless.

I enjoy these types of projects every once in awhile...and I find that I am drawn to those types of frames in my own home....the ones with 3 openings for pictures...

Most of the time people use those frames for different children...

But, what if we had an entire frame for each child instead...and those 3 images told a story, described the "character" of that child instead?  Wouldn't that be such a conversation piece and something your children would love seeing?

Here are some links to some examples of Triptych photography...some are subtle and some are way out there...

Triptych Explanation
Triptych Inspiration

I'd LOVE to see YOUR tries at this...be sure to post on our Snapshop Grads Facebook Page...if we get some fun shares, perhaps we could do a contest!!

The attractive part of this exercise is the "storytelling" elements...It's confined to just 3 images...it's not overwhelming like a scrapbooking page or an entire album to post on social media.  It's just looking at a moment, an event and choosing 3 things to focus & draw out...

Are you willing to try?

All in all, there aren't any fast held-to rules for editing in black and white...and photography IS an ART...and therefore, it's subject to the likes and dislikes of the people viewing the end products...Our job as storytellers and photographers is to "write" the narrative in the most memorable, emotion-provoking, REAL and raw way that we can...so that it's not just a "pretty picture" hanging on the wall, but a narrative about a life worthy of showcasing!

It's another "teach it Tuesday" post...and since I've recently stumbled upon the ability to screen cast and coupled that with my love of photoshop, I thought I'd give another taste of photoshop for those of you that are still on the fence about the Adobe Photoshop Elements program.

The February 2016 Snapshop class was this past Saturday and it's probably my all time favorite thing to do...I love spending quality time with people, in a comfortable environment, teaching and helping people learn how to understand the functions and capabilities of their cameras.  Ultimately, we are always shooting to get the best image straight out of camera! (SOOC)

However, in the learning process, or even in the advanced stages, LIFE happens and we need to "tweak" a few things here and there!

Click It classes are designed to help begin that process.  Here is an example of the things we cover in the beginner workshop of photoshop elements:

Understanding the workspace (set up and tools)
Understanding the way photoshop functions (layers, destructive & non-destructive editing)
Global Editing (things you apply to an entire photo: exposure, contrast, color)
Saving your photos (PSD files and jpeg files)
Bonus: your choice of one retouching/finishing tool (sharpening, black&white/color, vinette)

These basics allow you to take a photo from start to finish and give it that all over pop!

Depending on where you are in the process of understanding photo editing, during one on one Click It mentoring sessions OR in a Click It Up (part 2) you might be ready for even more...to enhance in specific areas of your photo and take your portraits to the next level...this would include learning how to:

Utilize an in depth understanding of Layer Masking/Clipping Masks
Remove background distractions
Fix blinking eyes or turned heads
Change to a beautiful black & white (w/or w/o matte finish) and add color too
Add a vinette to your final image
Use Actions to achieve a unique look and save time
BONUS: add text and/or create you own card

In this "preview", I will demonstrate one of the many techniques that are possible in photoshop elements to achieve a "vinette" for your finished photos. It is helpful to understand the basic functions of photoshop in order to get this result as this is a technique that is taught in the Click It UP workshop.  However, I hope it will give you a feel of the program and perhaps get you excited to try a one on one with me!!!

See HERE for details.

(remember to click on the HD setting to see it without the blur)

Everyone sees "life" through their own unique set of "glasses"...the same is true for a photographer. Each one sees "life through the lens" in their own way too.  However, in order to produce what one sees in their mind's eye, I think we often travel through different phases of our understanding and then our performance of that knowledge.

I spent many years in phase 1...I struggled to find someone to help me get to the next level...to push me into the next stage so that I could begin to produce images that I dreamed about...

However, once I finally grasped those "phase 1" concepts, and I spent the time honing in on those pieces, I felt confident to move onto more and more...

I wonder where you fit???

PRE Phase:  This isn't really a phase persay, it just happens to be where most people are...People like to take pictures...pictures of themselves (selfies)...pictures to post on instagram...pictures to make someone smile...You use an iphone, a point & shoot or whatever you have handy...

for some, this phase gets old and you yearn for more...



Phase 1: The Falling in Love with Photography Phase

This is where you start taking photography more seriously...You get a "big girl/boy" camera and maybe even a new lens. Here are the things that you begin to work through in this phase:
- Understanding Aperture, Shutterspeed, ISO and how they work together
- Manual Mode & Metering Light
- Depth of Field and how that affects aperture & your images
- Composition Basics
- Finding Light and it's color (white balance)
- Determining & nailing Focus

It's in this stage that a Snapshop is super handy!!!  This is where I teach you how to do all those things listed above...

between phase 1 and phase 2 comes a lot of PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE

Phase 2: The Telling the Story Phase

This is the phase where you are comfortable in manual mode.  The buttons and photography lingo isn't scary anymore and it no longer sounds like gibberish.  Understanding HOW to get your camera set up to take a picture is like 2nd nature, so you are able to relax and really "see" in your surroundings...and then determine how you will capture the moment in a fresh, new & unique way to "tell YOUR story"
Here are the things you focus on in this phase:
- Toggling your focal points
- Back Button Focus
- Bouncing Flash
- Utilizing Natural Light (indoor and outdoor)
- Play with Dramatic Lighting (low, backlighting, etc)
- Introducing further equipment (if you haven't already obtained a prime lens)
- photo editing
- Connecting with the "story"

between phase 2 and phase 3 comes a lot of PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE

Phase 3: The Letting Loose Phase

This is the stage where you start to find your own voice & style...you let go of the comparison and determine how YOU SEE the moments and you document them accordingly.
Here are some things that you MAY do in this phase:
- shoot in full sun or ANY light
- start your own business
- explore other types of photography such as landscape or portrait or sports
- more developed composition (golden triangle, golden spiral, etc)
- dramatic editing
- shooting film
.........the list can go on and on.....

Photography is a never ending learning process...Once you think you've got it figured out, you discover how much more you want to learn...If you are beginning phase 1 and want to get a good grasp of concepts so that you can gain confidence and continue on, be sure to contact me about attending the upcoming Snapshop!!!

In my head, I live in this dichotomous world...

I'm rather "frugal" when it comes to all things money and I'm also a DIYer to the nth degree...Which is one of the reasons I got into photography in the first place.  If I think I can "do it myself" then, by golly, I'm going to do it...

(and if you could see my basement with my plethera of junk piles...you'd understand my passion for "making do" and "upcycling" things...)

HOWEVER, I'm also a professional photographer who charges money for services, and although my pricing doesn't necessarily reflect my expertise just yet...they aren't garage sale prices either...

That said, I truly believe that investing in a professional photographer for family pictures and senior pictures is IDEAL for the sake of your own sanity (and that of your offspring), as well as the quality of imagery & processing that takes place.

And yet, I know that for some, Senior Photography just isn't in the budget...it can be (and according to the work involved for a photographer, it should be) expensive!  So for that reason, I'm going to share just a little bit of what I know about Senior Photography! Pinterest does a great job of putting lots of images out there, but you've all seen the "pinterest fails"...so, although they are a great starting point for creativity, don't let it be your end all...YOU are the only YOU...and YOU have the eyes that are in YOUR head...and therefore, YOU have something to offer that noone else can see...

I know this to be true because my best friend is a photographer as well...we've done LOTS of weddings together in the past and it amazed me EVERYTIME how we could be in the exact same place, seeing the same thing, but we each would "record" it differently!

That said, there are a couple of things to keep in mind when setting up for a Senior...

Obviously there are the first two tips that go along with any senior photo session:

1) Fun Outfits!  This is PLURAL for a reason.  Senior photography is vastly different than family photography...there aren't "relationships" to be captured...but rather, individual personality...and multiple aspects of that personality!  Therefore, I advise my seniors to have at least 2, if not 3 outfit changes that represent WHO they are, when they feel most pretty/handsome, when they feel most comfortable...

2) GREAT Locations with good LIGHT! Again, we have PLURAL...this takes TIME and behind the scenes work constantly...different times of day, watching how the light hits different locations, etc...I look for different options like nature, urban, classic, academic...have a pocketful of places that exemplify YOUR senior!

These other tips have to do with Posing!

I'm going to stick with girls for this post, as Katelyn James has already posted this sweet guys posing guide on Pinterest and I have it pinned to My Board for you to peruse!

In reality there are COUNTLESS posing strategies for girls...however, for the sake of my own time management, as my list of fall edits is now over 25...WOW! I'm going to hone in on just a few..each one can be used in different locations/settings...but ultimately, it's noticing a few key things in each situation:
* how the light hits her face
* what is tack sharp in the image (i.e. THE EYES)
* how flattering the pose works for the individual

3) Posing

Here are my top 3 "go to" poses when it comes to Senior Girls:

* Power Stance:
   What it IS: Standing with 1 or both hands on hips, or hands in pockets, or hands behind back! It                             reflects their confidence, their "fun factor"...I'm trying to glean their personality from                           this pose!
   What it is NOT: gritting teeth, standing with hands down at sides, hunch back, slouching, etc





* Sitting on steps:
   What it IS: Letting knees fall together to create angles instead of just a box, so to speak. Using                                arms & hands to create emotion...hands down is more playful and fun...hands by face                          evokes emotion & intimacy/personable
   What it is NOT: seductive, grungy, keeping legs straight up & down without a different camera                                     angle, etc.





* Close Ups:
   What it IS: This one is truly important with regards to focus and I MUST nail it...eyes MUST be                            tack sharp in close ups.  This is the essence of a person...therefore, my aperture is wide                        open. I often use principle of thirds on this, and these are often the ones that I will                                duplicate in black and white.
    What it is NOT: random crop of a regular posed picture, soft or blurry pic, shadowed or darkened                                  image.





Final Tips:  Watch for stray pieces of hair & clothing malfunctions...Be sure hands on face aren't a distraction or smooshing skin...don't forget CANDIDS: these are the moments that they aren't looking at the camera, but rather just talking or laughing...these are often my MOST favorite captures! Candids often happen unposed, waiting for things, or just the unexpected...




These are just a few of my tips from Senior Photography...I hope they help you develop your own style and "viewing through the lens"...I practice lots on my own daughters for fun..it's not JUST for Seniors...but, it's hopefully a good starting place when photographing individuals rather than groups/families!

Have a great week!

I've had a few FULL family sessions here lately...

When I used to shoot weddings, I had lots of large group images to shoot as well...

Photography can already be daunting when you are really wanting beautiful story-telling images...but, throw roughly 15 different individuals into the mix and things get a little crazy...

and not just with the photography part...

there's posing and keeping kiddos happy and lots of checks and rechecks...

Here are a list of things that I tend to run through the checklist in my mind as I'm photographing large groups...

1. Try to keep everyone on the same plane:  This means, you almost want to pretend that everyone is a mime and they are trying to get out of the "box" so to speak (are you picturing everyone with white gloves and painted faces putting their hands on the imaginary glass?) The more you are able to keep everyone's faces somewhat on that "plane" the better chance you have at being able to still get some beautiful bokeh AND getting sharp images.


2. Keep in mind your depth of field as it pertains to your aperture.  There are two schools of thought here...1) you CAN have a low aperture...even as wide as 1.6 with lots of people (see my example above) However, IF that is the case, it is IMPERATIVE that you not only keep them on the same plane but, you also have to keep in mind just how far away you (and your camera) are from the subjects.  The further away you are, the wider IN focus area you will have.
2) bump your aperture up to at least f4.  If you remember in our Snapshop class we talked about aperture and I gave you the example of the telescope?  The higher the number, the more in focus...but, you will also lose bokeh if you go too high.


3. Have everyone touching in some way. This goes more in line with my philosophy of photography than anything else, but the last thing you want with large group photos is for it look like a mugshot line up.  Typically, with large groups, in my line of "work" they are FAMILY...so remind them to get close...even into each other's personal space...it's only for a little bit of time, but very worth it in the end.

4. Line up feet.  This pertains more to groups that are only in one line, but people tend to want to form a "U" shape instead of staying on that "same plane" as I mentioned before.  Sometimes I just have them scooooot back on the ends to form a straighter line.

5. Keep your shutterspeed FAST!  This is critical!  Especially if your aperture is lower...It also sometimes means that you have to bump up your ISO to compensate and allow for that increased speed.  You still need a good amount of light!

6. Check your LCD screen.  Yes, this takes time and you have to make people wait a second before moving...but, the alternative is to realize AFTER everyone has moved out of position that you have blinks or someone's head is hidden or there is a blur somewhere...I typically will sing them a song or tell a joke or do something to keep their attention IN THEIR SPOT while I do a quick check!  

Friends, I hope this helps you when you are planning your get togethers this fall and winter!  I know large family pictures can be challenging, but if you keep these tips in mind, I know that they'll help you in getting those images that you envision!!!

(if you are still having trouble, I would definitely look into getting your lens and/or camera cleaned & calibrated just in case there is a mechnical issue...especially if you've tried all these suggestions listed above)

HAPPY FALL Y'ALL!!!

"Moooooooooommmmmmmmmmm, it's too BRIGHT!!!"

My daughters all have sensitive eyes...

I mean, their eyes literally start to water the minute they hit the outdoors on a sunshiney day...We've invested in sunglasses and hats to help...but, I'm sad to say, they are just going to end up with eye wrinkles when they get older because in full sun, their eyes resemble slits on their faces instead of actual eyeballs...

Some of you know what I'm talking about...you've tried to get pictures at the park, or at the fair, or even on the beach in the summer and everyone is squinting or there are hot spots or racoon eyes...

What can you do?  Do you just skip out on midday picture taking fun?  Do you just resolve in your mind that you aren't going to get any "good" pictures of your kids during the hours of 10am to 5pm any particular day unless you are indoors?

Ummmm...Heck to the NO!!!

Here are some tips that I believe will help you as you determine to capture the lives of your kids, in any situation...whether it be swimming in the sunshine, playing at the park, playing an outdoor sport...

It takes a little preparation on your part and of course some practice, but these "micro" adjustments can have "macro" results on your final images!

Here we go:

1. SPOT METER:  This means to set your metering to SPOT.  Canon & Nikon have different metering options...you can read THIS post for more information about that. Spot metering forces your camera to just measure the light that you need to expose for your subjects FACE only...it won't take into account, the bright sun/blinding light...it only reads on your subjects face.  This may cause you to adjust your settings such that it blows out that background, but at least you won't end up with silhouette pictures and you'll be able to SEE the smiles from the moment!

2. RE-POSITION: Sometimes this refers to YOU and sometimes it refers to the SUBJECT.  If you are taking pictures specifically, you can reposition your subjects...for example, if there isn't necessarily a "moment" happening, but rather you are documenting the "characters" of your story, you can move them (continue reading the other tips) OR you can move yourself...You may have to shoot right into the sun, and maybe even use your lens hood or hand to block the sun into your lens (sort of like the visor in your car).  You want to have your subject turn AWAY from the sun.  This helps to avoid the half & half shadows on faces or even the racoon eyes that the harsh light can cause.



3. TRY TO FIND SHADE/FILTER/BLOCK LIGHT SOURCE:  If you are in an area where there is shade, go to the edge of it.  You don't want to go into a cave or so far into shade that you lose the authentic color and lightness of the environment...Use trees or structures to filter the light OR to actually BLOCK the harshness of the light...You still are able to get the beautiful rays, but without the harsh spot causing hazy halos or the inability of the camera to focus on anything.


4. LOOK FOR NATURAL REFLECTORS: You probably have recognized that indoors, it's easier to take a picture in a room painted a light khaki or pale yellow or even white as opposed to a dark red or brown room.  It's because walls become natural reflectors of light...it's the same outdoors in full sun.  If you are in a shady spot, you don't want dark photos because everything is contrasted so drastically...so look for natural reflectors, with your back to the sun or under a tree...find light colored sidewalks or a pond or even a building with light colored siding...use what is around you to naturally give you the light you need.

5. WATCH FOR HOT SPOTS, RACOON EYES AND HALF/HALF SHADOWS: I mentioned this a little bit before in my #2...be aware of the light as it hits your subjects.  You won't be happy with the final result if everyone has "black eyes" or if one eye is shut on the sunshine side of the face...Be ever aware of the direction of the light, the angle at which it falls...

The easiest times of day to shoot are typically early morning and then just before sunset.  The sun isn't at full force, so squinting is rare, but the light is soft and yet bright enough to give you the glow that you love...HOWEVER, "moments" don't always revolve around OUR time schedule...so be watchful and prepared so that you can not just capture moments, but capture them in a way that is meaningful and tells a story!

Enjoy!!!

Today is my birthday...woot woot!!!

So, in honor of that AND {Teach It Tuesday} I thought I'd give a few tips on how to photograph a birthday event!  Most of the tips have to do with composition, but there are some technical aspects to consider as well!!!

I take pictures of my girls' birthday parties all the time, and when I can't do it, I get my BFF to come over and capture the important parts for me...

I went back to one of my favorite "themed" birthday parties for one of my girls...it's been almost 3 years since then, but I think the images will help in illustrating my "tips"

Here we go!

1. DETAILS:  This is probably my favorite part...especially if you have a "themed" birthday party.  Just like setting the "scene" in a story that you read, "details" help tell the story of the party itself...it gives you the "feeling" and helps you imagine yourself or remember yourself back to that moment in time!

Technical things to remember: find your light source and be sure that it illuminates the objects appropriately.  Use your camera settings to give a feeling of depth and "something happening behind the scenes"







2. CATCH the ACTION:  Especially for children's birthdays, there are a lot of expressions being made, action going on...have your camera ready...be inconspicuous so that you can capture those unexpected moments...surprise them and quickly take the picture...zoom in close, and then use a wide angle to show the entire scene.

Technical things to remember: Indoors especially you'll have to watch your camera settings.  This might mean limiting where you stand due to your light sources OR it might mean upping your ISO.  Do not lower your shutterspeed so much that you get blur.  Remember to use the tips on getting SHARP images as well