30 Day Photo Challenge

I am going to be doing a 30 day photo challenge in January 2013.  What it is, is there is a theme for each day.  You are to take a photo with that theme and then post.  I would love to see a few people join me in it.  Here is the list for January 2013.

2013 Prices!!!

After polling clients and family I have decided to add packages back into my pricing structure.  Not alot else has changed.  Please feel free to let me know what you think.  I hope you book a session soon!!!  More prices available for specialty items and specialty session.  Please contact me with any questions.  Thanks!!!

How to get those perfect Christmas Tree Star Light Photos

Who doesnt want the perfect christmas tree photo?  Well here is a quick guide on how to get those "star" light photos.  Hope you enjoy!

Here is what you need:

-camera
-lens
-christmas tree
-tripod (or something steady)
-patience* (This is most important)

Step #1 Set up your tripod

Don’t worry if you don’t have a tripod. You can use any stable item! The most important aspect is a long shutter speed time, hence the tripod. This is our first line of defense against any movement obstructing the pretty starbursts we are aiming to achieve.

Step #2  Set your Baseline Settings

To get the starburst light effect you need to have a high F/stop number which means a slow shutter speed.  Here are some examples of the different settings.  I used ISO 800 as I had no other light source on.  You can do this with additional lights and lower your ISO but the starbursts will be less apparent.

F/22 at ISO 800 is my favorite.  Try your own out and let me know how it works for you!

New Year New You January 2013 Special

Join us in celebrating the New Year with a photo shoot just for you.  Use this special to get a new headshot, a new online profile photo, show off your new winter gear, or just to have some fun.  We all know  as the person taking the photos we usually do not have many of ourselves.  Here's your chance to have some fun professional photos taken just for you of you.  Bring a friend and you will both receive a special gift from KRP Photography.

Getting it Right in Camera

There always talk about how auto settings are so bad.  Well I say go for it for a while until you learn the feel of your camera.  Then venture out and try the manual setting and find what works for you.  Here is a great chart to show you all about the different settings.

Here is some information on all the different parts of this chart.

Exposure:  In Photography, exposure is the amount of light allowed to fall on each area unit of a photographic medium (photograpic film or image sensor) during the process of taking photograph.   To get a properly exposed image you must have the right settings for your aperture, Shutter Speed, ISO and white balance.

Aperture:  Aperture is referred to the lens diaphragm opening inside a photographic lens. The size of the diaphragm opening in a camera lens REGULATES amount of light passes through onto the film inside the camera the moment when the shutter curtain in camera opens during an exposure process. The size of an aperture in a lens can either be a fixed or the most popular form in an adjustable type (like an SLR camera). Aperture size is usually calibrated in f-numbers or f-stops. i.e. those little numbers engraved on the lens barrel like f22 (f/22),16 (f/16), f/11, f/8.0, f/5.6, f/4.0, f/2.8, f/2.0, f/1.8 etc. Each of this value represents one time the amount of light either more or less in quantity. Meaning to say, f/16 will let in 1X the amount of light than a diaphragm opening of f/22 and so forth; while on the other hand, an aperture of f/4.0 will let in 1X lesser than that of f/2.8 etc.   Just remember the smaller the F/Stop the more light it lets in and the larger the F/Stop the less light, see above photo.

Shutter Speed:  In photography, shutter speed or exposure time is the effective length of time a camera's shutter is open.^[1] The total exposure is proportional to this exposure time, or duration of light reaching the film or image sensor.

ISO:  ISO indicates your digital camera’s sensitivity to light. The higher the number, the less light is needed to take a photo that is correctly exposed (not too dark or too light).  Here is a little guide to help you choose the correct ISO.

White Balance:    White balance (WB) is the process of removing unrealistic color casts, so that objects which appear white in person are rendered white in your photo. Proper camera white balance has to take into account the "color temperature" of a light source, which refers to the relative warmth or coolness of white light. Our eyes are very good at judging what is white under different light sources, but digital cameras often have great difficulty with auto white balance (AWB) — and can create unsightly blue, orange, or even green color casts. Understanding digital white balance can help you avoid these color casts, thereby improving your photos under a wider range of lighting conditions.

Here are some of the basic White Balance settings you’ll find on cameras:

• Auto – this is where the camera makes a best guess on a shot by shot basis. You’ll find it works in many situations but it’s worth venturing out of it for trickier lighting.
• Tungsten – this mode is usually symbolized with a little bulb and is for shooting indoors, especially under tungsten (incandescent) lighting (such as bulb lighting). It generally cools down the colors in photos.
• Fluorescent – this compensates for the ‘cool’ light of fluorescent light and will warm up your shots.
• Daylight/Sunny – not all cameras have this setting because it sets things as fairly ‘normal’ white balance settings.
• Cloudy – this setting generally warms things up a touch more than ‘daylight’ mode.
• Flash – the flash of a camera can be quite a cool light so in Flash WB mode you’ll find it warms up your shots a touch.
• Shade – the light in shade is generally cooler (bluer) than shooting in direct sunlight so this mode will warm things up a little.

Hope this article helped clear up a few questions, if not feel free to contact me.

Baby "P" Merry Christmas

This little cutie is always all smiles.  Its so fun to photograph him and he makes it so easy!  Enjoy!

Whats in my camera bag???

One of the questions I am asked most frequently is what camera and lenses I use. So let me start by saying I really love my camera and lenses. They are amazing tools that help me make the images I see in my head a reality. But I’d like to state for the record what you already know. The camera, lenses and gear are not what make a great image – the person using it does. There are so many things that you need to pair with that great gear to realize a fabulous photograph … knowing how to compose your image and create unique art, how to capture true emotions, how to achieve proper exposure, how to nail your focus, how to process your images well, etc., etc. I do believe, however, that having the right tools to do your job as a photographer will definitely improve your final results and in some instances give you more creative freedom to get the shots you are dreaming of. I think there is a balance between “the camera doesn’t matter at all – an artist can create beauty from absolutely any gear” and “you must have the latest and greatest expensive gear to take good photographs.”

This is definately not all of my camera equipment I own, just what I carry with me on a daily basis (minus a few things) Now, with all that said … let me introduce you to my large family of tools that do such a splendid job in helping me create my images. ;)

I also usually have gum, candy, a little toy & bubbles if photographing a small child.  Sometimes I take a color checker with me and a reflector also.  (none shown above) 

My bag was getting way to heavy with all my gear so I had to cull and decide what I really needed when I went out on a shoot, even then I do not carry my entire bag with me, I take what I need and come back for items if needed.

Included in my bag is:
1.  My Jill-E Bag - this was a great investment, it is stylish, fits everything I need, yet restricts me
     enough that i do not carry everything all the time.
2.  My Canon T2i camera body with a Tamron 28-75mm lens - this is my goto setup for almost all
     my shoots.
3.  My Flash - hardly ever use it, I prefer natural light but I carry just in case.
4.  Canon Shutter Release - This handly little tool is a life saver for when I want to be in a picture and
     do not have an assistant to push the shutter button.
5.  Battery Charge (not marked) - I carry this just in case i need to charge up my batteries.
6.  Business Cards - Always need to have your contact information on hand
7.  Pen - Sounds simple but is great for the contracts that need signed, notes to remember for later, etc
8.  Canon 50mm lens - This is my backup lens, mainly due to being small and light weight
9.  Light Meter - Used to ensure proper exposure on location

So there you have it.  If you have any questions about anything in my bag please feel free to ask. 

Before & After

What you get is not what you see (at first)

Like a lot of my photographer friends with an online presence, I get a lot of emails and messages asking me about how I create my images. I can’t really say that I have one set workflow that applies to all images I work on on my computer. Each one requires a different approach, even if some things remain constant. Sure I use Lightroom, Photoshop, and a host of third party plugins but I’m not going to write about those things today.

I would like to share a few before and afters with you:

With the right editing you can really make an image pop and enhance the subject without changing alot.

Editing can also drastically change the feel of an image, you can set the mood with the right changes.

Posing Can Really Change The Look of Your Photo

I got this great information from Sue Bryces blog:  http://www.inbedwithsue.com/2011/07/15/more-girls-with-curves/

Posing can make a huge difference in how your photos come out.  The new pose is a standing recline.  No more shooting down, just get them to dip forward slightly.

Be sure to check out the link to see the difference the right pose can make.

Size Does Matter

If like many people you struggle to know what image size would be good for a wall presentation then this blog post is for you.

A 8x10 image is typically seen as a standard enlargement size for most people however if you look at the image below, you will start to get a sense of just how small a 8x10 image is, particularly if you intend to purchase this size print for a wall presentation. 8x10 images work well for framed desk prints but you have to start thinking a whole lot bigger if you intend to display images on your wall to create a visual impact.

Choosing the right size portrait for your wall will be dependant upon the available wall space you have to fill & obviously it also depends on what image configuration you would like & the end result you are aiming to achieve. If you are choosing 3 images to be presented together for instance then you may be able to go with 3 slightly smaller images. Of course if you are are going for a single image above a fireplace or sofa then you really need to be looking at the bigger enlargements as explained.

I am happy to offer any of my clients advice regarding image presentation, so if you are unsure of how to present images from your session please let me know.  I offer a range of beautifully selected products which are carefully created by skilled craftsmen using high quality materials, so you can rest assured that you will be receiving a quality product that will last for years to come.

Here are some example layouts as well:

Makeup for your portrait session

Doing makeup for photographs is a little different than every day makeup. Some things look great in person but don't translate well in pictures. Here are a few makeup tips to help you look your best when you are photographed:

1. Use matte colors - Although shimmer can look great when applied properly, if you are a little unsure about what to do, it's always safe to go with matte colors. Matte makeup won't reflect light, making it easy to apply and easy to photograph.

2. Fill in your brows - Even if you don't fill in your brows on a daily basis, fill them in for your pictures. Your eyes and face will look so much more complete if your brows are looking polished. This especially goes for blondes. Blonde eyebrows will disappear in photographs.

3. Makeup will photograph 2 shades lighter -   Makeup doesn't translate as vibrant in photographs. I recommend doing your blush, eyes and lip color a little more vibrant than you normally would.

4. Use powder - Even if your makeup is applied perfectly, if you look shiny in your pictures it can ruin your whole look. Once your makeup is complete, use a finishing or setting powder to make everything more matte. I recommend even taking some powder with you (or oil blotting sheets), especially if it's a warm day.

5. Wear false lashes - I have never had a bride who didn't like wearing false lashes, even if they were hesitant about them at first.  If you want something more natural, buy the individual lashes and just put a few on the outer corners.

6. Apply your makeup in natural light - When you put on your makeup, sit by a window or in a room with a lot of natural light. This will give you the best idea of what your makeup really looks like, and how it will look in the pictures.

7. Wax - makeup does not adhere well to peach fuzz. Whatever you normally wax on your face, wax it before your pictures. I suggest waxing at least 48 hours before your pictures to give enough time for any redness and swelling to go down.

8. Wear lip gloss- I, myself, never wear lip gloss. I am a chapstick girl through and through. But when it comes to photos, lip gloss is a must. I consider my lips on the smaller side, so wearing lip gloss really helps them look full and plump in pictures.

9. Wear black mascara - Some people think black is too harsh for their skin tone, but I promise that when it comes to pictures, black looks good on everyone. Wearing black mascara will bring out your eyes a lot more than brown will.

What to Wear - Clothing can make or break your session.

Its the age old question, What should we wear for our photo session.  Well an outfit can truley make or break a session,

TIMELESS CLASSIC

Jeans w/ black shirts

Darker wash jeans with a black shirt is a great basic for a family portrait. Black is generally slimming for anyone who wears it and hides a multitude of sins. Jeans are causal and the darker wash keeps the contrast factor down, so that the true focus of the portrait can be the faces and expressions of the subjects. I highly recommend this for newborn and baby portraits and for classic family portraits.

TIP: Check your black shirts for fading, especially if its an older shirt. Black is a staple in any wardrobe, so if there is any sign of fading, invest in a new one for your portrait session!

MODERN CLASSIC

Same color family, variety of tones and textures

If you find all black a little dull or too formal for your family portrait, there is a easy option for making things more casual and interesting. Wearing tops that are all still in the same color family (such as blues or grays, as shown below) but varying the tones (dark vs. light) and textures of the individual outfits, can have a really nice effect.

If monochromatic is still a bit to “dull” for your taste, but you want to stay classic, try mixing subtle & harmonious colors together. I recommend working with only a couple of shades to keep it simple. The trick to this look – remove the darkest and lightest shades and work with the mid-tones. Grays, creams, khakis, and pastels.

MODERN POP

Multiple coordinating colors

This type of outfit coordination is more difficult to work with, but can be phenomenal if pulled off correctly. The outfits may all be different, but have colors, textures or tones in common. Below are a couple of samples, but the possibilities are truly endless!

ADDITIONAL ADVICE

Individually we look great, but together we clash!

This is by far the most common mistake made. Individually each member looks fantastic, but once you place everyone in the group shot, the patterns and colors all start to clash and compete with each other. To help combat this, lay each outfit out on your bed and look at them all together as a group and ask yourself – what is the common factor in all of these outfits? How do they tie together? Then, is there any one outfit that your eye is immediately drawn to? If so, that will be the outfit that catches the eye of whoever views your portrait. Now, you may WANT this to happen (such as focusing the attention on your young child) but for most families, this isn’t ideal, so pull that outfit out and try another one.

The Pattern Problem

The number one cause of clothing clash in family portrait is pattern clash. If you are not comfortable coordinating patterns, then I suggest sticking with solids. Vary the tones or textures to add interest.

The trouble with white…

We think of white as clean and classic – easy to coordinate. But honestly, it’s not that great for portraits. First off, since our eye is drawn to the brightest/lightest part of a portrait, white outfits will compete with our faces for attention. Second, it’s not slimming. AT ALL. Lastly, it’s horrid to photograph in the bright Arizona sun. Please avoid wearing white shirts if at all possible for outdoor sessions or discuss with me prior to your session.

Avoid short skirts and sleeveless shirts

Ideally, your outfits should work both sitting down and standing up, so I suggest avoiding short skirts. I always advise against sleeveless shirts for adults for ANY session.

Choosing colors

Even if you feel confident in your ability to select a variety of colors and textures for your portrait wardrobe (and I am always willing to help if you are not!) one decision that can be difficult is deciding what colors to wear. My first suggestion is to look at the room where you’d like to hang the portrait. Look at the colors in that room for inspiration. My other suggestion is to think of the location of your session – a desert portrait lends itself to natural colors, an urban session to more fun, flashy outfits and a studio session can go either direction. These are not hard/fast rules (who says you can’t wear magenta in the desert?) so if you have some ideas and would like opinions, please let me know!

Ask your friends!

December Speical

 

This special is available until December 20, 2012 and can be used until December 2013.

 

 

 

Welcome to my Blog!!!

Finally this day has arrived! Everyone kept telling me that I should have a blog, and I just didn’t have enough time to sit down for several hours and put it together, so I had to do it piece by piece, and finally here we are. I know it still needs a little work, but I didn’t want to delay it any longer. So if you have any suggestions, or if anything doesn’t work properly, please let us know!

I want to thank everyone for support, my family, friends, Facebook fans, and especially my clients. Photography has become my life and if it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have the pleasure of having my Photography out there for everyone to see. Thank you guys very much for being who you are, and for giving me the pleasure of photographing your beautiful families, babies, and children.

Hope to see you soon in front of my camera!!!!!!