Tag: photography

Wanna know what to do with that growing stack of photographs? As a woman who has oodles of photographs of all shapes and sizes, I know how quickly they can overwhelm a person and a house. Sometimes framed, sometimes put in a book, sometimes thrown in a drawer, photographs seem to just pile up waiting to be taken care of one day.

Well, that day never comes, does it? Not for me anyway. I’m no Martha Stewart when it comes to loving hands at home making scrapbooks and other neat things, though I admit I do like the thought having those cool homemade things ready to display.

Whether digital or paper photographs, here’s a list of six easy ways to deal with and display those photographs:

1. Digital Photo Album: If your photos are mostly digital, then make a photo album. It’s actually really easy, especially if you use iPhoto on the Macintosh. Most of the web-based applications actually read your iPhoto library, so it’s as easy as dragging and dropping the images. I use MyPublisher.com, but I hear Shutterfly.com has a really simply website to use, too. Leave the printing and binding to them and – viola – you have a personal book that looks beyond professional!

2. Brag Book: If you’ve got lots of loose photographs that are itching to be put in some sort of order but you don’t have enough time or patience to put together a whole paper scrapbook, then make this little number. OK, OK, it’s from Martha Stewart, but it’s a really good idea and is simple! Here are directions.

3. Multi Photo Card: Minted.com has this really good idea for a photo card for those relatives who cannot watch your little one grow day by day. Again, best for digital photos. It’s basically a mini-scrap book – either accordion or book style.

4. Instant Photo Album: Another Martha Stewart idea, but this one doesn’t seem to require much in the way of craftiness or time. The basic idea is this – get a pile of photographs together (they need to be the same size). Put nice paper on the front and back then stack the photos together and clip with binder clips so they don’t move. Glue one side (like a pad of paper) and let the glue dry. Remove clips and, presto, your own little flip book.

5. Photo Storage Boxes: The oh-so-original idea of storage boxes. But, let me tell you – they come in handy and can be quite beautiful sitting on your bookshelf. Much nicer than a stack of loose photos.

6. Flat File Storage: If you’re really ambitious you can always get a flat file system, maybe even find a really cool old architect’s flat file with lots and lots of skinny drawers. You’ll probably never run out of room if you go this route!

Holiday time isn’t the right time to be thinking about decluttering and spring cleaning – but, maybe you could put some of those photos to use as presents! Just a thought.

Birthday parties are filled with activities, food and fun – what’s a better time to capture your little one’s precociousness on film? Here are a few tips to keep in mind when you’re following around the tiny tot’s with your camera:

1) always follow the cake (or cupcakes) – endless kodak moments pop up
2) get on their level – in order to show how they interact with their world, get down to their height to you can see what they see.
3) keep your eye on the background – the simpler the scene is behind your child, the more they will stand out of the picture
4) have fun and get your camera in there – people always want to see the photos, even if they don’t particularly like stopping what they are doing to pose for you
5) get unposed shots, too!

Pregnant women are undeniably adorable. I find that there is something about seeing a woman with a big belly that makes me feel happy. Although, having been one of those women once, pregnant woman don’t always feel quite so adorable.

I photographed a beautiful woman the other day and, during the shoot I kept thinking that I should share a little about how to photograph a pregnant woman so that the soon to be mom looks great and not as huge as she may feel.

Without giving away the store, I decided to give a few tips for those moms and dads who want to take pictures of the pregnancy as it progresses. That way, many many pictures can chronicle the process.  Of course, there are many professionals out there (myself included) who can document the momentous occasion, but you might want to give it a try yourself, just to see what you can come up with.  If that is the case, then think of these ideas when you pick up your camera and start to shoot.

First, PROFILE. Shooting from the side rather than straight on will show more of the belly’s curves. Sometimes if you take a picture straight on of a pregnant woman, they can look large rather than pregnant – any trust me, no one wants that.

MYSTERY.  Yes, everyone will know it’s a pregnant belly, and sometimes they may even know it’s you in the photos, but nothing is sexier than a little mystery, even in maternity photographs.  There are many ways to do that, and here is my favorite photograph of a pregnant woman that incorporates a little seductive mystery.  We used what  we had around us and thought beyond the typical boobs and belly image.  In not showing everything, you may discover you reveal much more.

That should get you started!  Happy shooting.

After weighing all the different variables like price per card, design, paper the card is printed on and such, I found one company that really does it for me this year. Originally, when I recommended www.iprintfromhome.com, I thought they only offered a few choices of designs and, truthfully, the designs looked a little too dinky for me. Well, on second look I noticed that they offer a *self* design option that works great! You can upload a photo with your own text and BAM! you’ve got a card you designed yourself. It helps if you have Photoshop or some other photo editing software to add text to the photo…Here is our Holiday card…

And, here’s the second option I made:

I couldn’t decide between the two so I ordered both…They cost roughly $1.00 per card. Not bad!

Just Google “holiday photo cards” and you’re likely to be overwhelmed with choices.  I know I was!  I did a little digging, ordered from some companies and found a few that really do an excellent job with quality photo cards with an eye toward good design.  I culled the list and here are my top picks:

1)  Mango Ink – Talk about beautiful design.  I love their sense about blending words with photographs and, honestly these are about the best I’ve seen.  They offer sqaure, folding and rectangle options and claim to be fast, fast, fast…that’s good if you’re like me and, best efforts not withstanding, you wind up doing Holiday things at the last minute.  Take a look and see…

2)  Tiny Prints – Always a good choice, these guys have so many designs to look through.  The site is easy to navigate and the ordering process couldn’t be easier.  Make sure to use a good photo that will print up well and I’m certain you’ll be happy.

Start now!

You many think it’s early to take photos for the holidays, but these months do fly by.  Plus, you’ll need time to select the right picture, order cards and address them you’ll be much happier if you’re not doing this at the last minute.

1)  Relax.  When it comes to taking portraits of your children (pets, too!) for the holidays make it as relaxed as possible.  Take them outside even if they are dressed up and let them get comfortable in the surroundings.  Late in the day is best, around 4 pm or so as the sun is best then – still bright but nice and warm. And you, too, behind the camera…relax.

2)  Side light.  Face your child toward the sun, now move her 90 degrees either way.  Use the sun to highlight the side of your child’s face and body.  You want illumination, but not a blast of light hitting her directly in the face.

3)  Take TONS.  Take as many photos as possible and then some.  You’ll get a few in there that are good and many that are not.  If you’re using digital, then shoot away!  If you’re using film, then get a 36 roll and shoot away.  Ask your child to NOT look at you, then to look at you.  Then ask that they play with something then NOT play with something.  Give them lots to do and change it up often – kids change their expression so quickly so be ready to snap when they change activities.  The more you have, the more you can choose from.

4)  Get on your knees.  If you and the camera can look your child in the eye, then you’re on their level.  You’ll want to do this so the image doesn’t look like you’re looking down on your child.  You can even get below them and tilt the camera up – make them look like stars!

5)  Manage the background.  The best portraits have the simplest backgrounds.  If you have to, move things out of the way or move yourself around so there is little in the back to distract from your beaming child.

Good luck and happy shooting!  And remember, if you feel like this is all too much, there are always photographers and studios willing and able to help you out.

Here’s my daughter in her birthday hat – I haven’t followed my own advice and taken holiday portraits yet…that’s for this weekend if we can carve out the time (like there is any to spare!).  But, I did take this pic for her birthday card so I thought it *sorta* fits the bill.

Halloween is approaching and pumpkin patchs have sprouted up every where.   We went yesterday to scout out pumpkins and take some festive photographs in the patch. 

I thought I’d share a few tips on photographing outdoors in bright and direct sunlight.  You’d think taking pictures outside in the sun would be easy.  It’s not!  Often what you get is bright, harsh highlights with deep, dark shadows and little in between. Here’s a quick pic of my daughter – she’s having a blast, but the photo isn’t one of my best…It is, however, an example of what I’m talking about.  Half of her face is too bright, the other half is too dark.

This might sound funny to you, but look for shade – I’m serious.  If you find a nice shady spot, chances are with all that sun you’ll get very even light bouncing around so you can photograph without getting all that contrast.  Try arranging the pumpkins and making a fun little obstacle course for your little one to play on.

If shade isn’t available, then use the sun as side lighting.  Here’s one that works.  By letting the sun shine to the side and behind her, you can avoid all that harsh contrast.  If you’re really prepared, you can use a fill flash, too, to kick some light into her face.  Sometimes, if I’m caught without my flash (like yesterday) I’ll use something big and white to reflect the sun.  You’ll have to experiment to find the best positioning, but as a general rule keep the white card (or paper or hat or shirt or whatever works) directly opposite the sun.  Move it around and watch where the sun goes.  Of course, as you’re doing this your little one has stopped looking at you, moved away from what you wanted to capture in the first place and probably has toddled away…beware!