Mid Year Client Survey.

I love to hear feedback from my clients.  I have set up a mid year client survey to get your opinion about a few things. In appreciation for you taking time to complete the survey, anyone who completes it will be entered into a drawing for a free photo session to be held this fall.

To complete the suvery please to go:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BL6VKJB

Please complete the survey, then leave a comment on this blog post to let me know it is completed. Share with your friends so they have a chance to win too!

Thank you.

Baby Robins

So over the weekend we were doing yard work, the trees needed trimming.  So we decided to clean up the weeping cherry tree we have out front.  There was a stray branch hanging out over the sidewalk.  We didn't think to check for a birds nest cause the branches are so small and we have never had one in the tree before.  We were wrong.  We cut the branch and out fell 2 baby chicks and an egg and mama bird flew off mad.  We felt so bad and we had to fix it.  So we trimmed the branch without touching the nest so we could scoot it up under the tree.  We used a spatula and a spoon to scoop up the babies and the egg.  I wasn't sure the babies would make it after the fall, the heat, being so low and that's even if mama bird returned.  Well to our relief she did return and she came with reinforcements.  We have left them be all week and its been killing us not to peak.  Mama has usually been on the nest.  Tonight she was gone for a bit so I took advantage to pull out my zoom lens and take a few pics (didn't want to get to close and upset mama bird any more).  The chicks have grown so much already.  I am so glad they are doing well.  Without further ado, here are the babies!!!!

4th of July Fireworks!!!

Do you want to know how to photograph fireworks? With 4th of July just days away I thought I’d Share some tips to help you get started.

Fireworks Displays are something that evoke a lot of emotion in people as they are not only beautiful and spectacular to watch but they also are often used to celebrate momentous occasions.
Of course it’s not just a matter of going out finding a fireworks display – there are, as usual, things you can do to improve your results.

1. Use a Tripod

Perhaps the most important tip is to secure your digital camera to something that will ensure it doesn’t move during the taking of your shots. This is especially important in photographing fireworks simply because you’ll be using longer shutter speeds which will not only capture the movement of the fireworks but any movement of the camera itself. The best way to keep your camera still is with a tripod.

2. Framing Your Shot

One of the most difficult parts of photographing fireworks is working out where to aim your camera. The challenge you’ll face in doing this is that you generally need to aim your camera before the fireworks that you’ll be photographing goes off – anticipation is key.

3. Focal Length?

One of the hardest parts of photographing fireworks is having your camera trained on the right part of the sky at the right time. This is especially difficult if you’re shooting with a longer focal length and are trying to take more tightly cropped shots. I generally shoot at a wider focal length than a tight one but during a show will try a few tighter shots (I usually use a zoom lens to give me this option) to see if I can get lucky with them. Keep in mind however that cropping of your wider angle fireworks shots can always be done later to get a similar impact in your photography.

4. Aperture

A common question around photographing fireworks displays is what aperture to use. Many people think you need a fast lens to get them but in reality it’s quite the opposite as the light that the fireworks emit is quite bright. I find that apertures in the mid to small range tend to work reasonably well and would usually shoot somewhere between f/5.6 to f/16.

5. Shutter Speed

Probably more important to get right than aperture is shutter speed. Fireworks move and as a result the best photographs of them capture this movement meaning you need a nice long exposure. The technique that I developed when I first photographed fireworks was to shoot in ‘bulb’ mode. This is a mode that allows you to keep the shutter open for as long as you hold down the shutter (preferably using a remote shutter release of some type). Using this technique you hit the shutter when you hear the firework and hold it down until it’s finished exploding (generally a few seconds). You can also experiment with set shutter speeds to see what impact it will have but I find that unless you’re holding the shutter open for very long exposures that the bulb technique works pretty well.
Don’t keep your shutter open too long. The temptation is to think that because it’s dark that you can leave it open as long as you like. The problem with this is that fireworks are bright and it doesn’t take too much to over expose them, especially if your shutter is open for multiple bursts in the one area of the sky. By all means experiment with multiple burst shots – but most people end up finding that the simpler one burst shots can be best.

6. ISO

Shooting at a low ISO is preferable to ensure the cleanest shots possible. Stick to ISO 100 and you should be fine.

7. Shoot in Manual Mode

I find I get the best results when shooting in manual exposure and manual focus modes. Auto focusing in low light can be very difficult for many cameras and you’ll end up missing a lot of shots. Once your focusing is set you’ll find you don’t really need to change it during the fireworks display – especially if you’re using a small aperture which increases depth of field. Keep in mind that changing focal lengths will mean you need to need to adjust your focusing on most lenses.  I usually set my focus to manual and put on infinity.

8. Experiment and Track Results

Throughout the fireworks display periodically check your results. I generally will take a few shots at the start and do a quick check to see that they are OK before shooting any more. Don’t check after every shot once you’ve got things set up OK (or you’ll miss the action) but do monitor yours shots occasionally to ensure you’re not taking a completely bad batch.   Also experiment with taking shots that include a wider perspective, silhouettes and people around you watching the display.

Usually my settings are around ISO 100, F/5.6 and Bulb Mode, focus set to infinity.

Better Beach Photos

Well Summer is officially here!  YAY!!!  So that means vacations and days at the beach.  I love the way photos turn out at the beach.  Here are a few tips to help you achieve better beach photos.

1.  Utilize Pathways and Architecture
     The walk to the beach is a great opportunity for beautiful photos.  You can use the piers, restaurants, dunes and any other  local spot to bring out the  uniqueness and charm of the location

2.  Watch for reflections
     Reflections add additional interest to the frame.  Be sure to avoid chopping unnecessarily if adding to an image.  Shadows are a great point of interest too.

3.  Photograph with your back to the sun.
     The beach sun can create harsh shadows, but if you work your way around them until they are fully lit by the sun, you can avoid deep shadows.  Direct sun in the face causes squinting which is unflattering.

4.  Embrace Texture
     The beach provides many opportunities to incorporate textures into your images.  Sea shells, sand, terry cloth, water, etc, they all add a uniqueness to an image.

5.  Use a polarizing filter
     A polarizing filter cuts through haze and reduces glare as well as deepening blue skies.   They are relatively inexpensive and easy to carry, so why not!

Remember to always have fun and document your families wonderful adventures.

Because you were there too!!!

Everyone knows how important it is to document life, capture memories for our families because the years are fleeting.  You need to be in the pictures as well.

So you don't like you photo taken?  Neither do I!!!  Get over it! Get dolled up so you feel great, it will help you want to get in front of the camera.  No matter what you look like your kids wont care.  They just want to know who you were, what you like and what you looked like at 20, 25, 30, 30, 50 and on.  Also they want to see you interacting with them in photos.  Do it before its too late, time is not guaranteed.  Photo's remind us of loved ones once they are no longer with us and of those great times we once had.

Need ideas how to take self portraits?  Here are some tips.

1.  Use a Tripod
     Not necessary item, but definitely makes it easier.

2.  Choose your setting, then your settings
     Prep the area you will be shooting.  Be sure it is not cluttered.  Pay attention to the light and
     cameras vantage point.  Set your aperture, ISO, Shutter & White Balance.

3.  Pre Focus
     Very Important step.  Have someone or something in frame where you will be, set focus, change
      to Manual Focus to lock the focus.  The Shoot

4.  Close Down
     Use a smaller aperture then you normally would if were behind the camera.  This will help ensure
     everyone is in focus.  (5.6 is a good starting point)

5.  Use a Remote &/or the timer
     This will allow you to sit relaxed and get the shots you want.  An there's no running to beat the
      shutter!  Take series of photos to show interactions.

6.  Don't Always be Serious
    Have fun! Make faces, let kids pose/come up with ideas, try new things.  Just be sure to have fun!

They don't even have to be elaborate photos.  Use a point and shoot or cell phone and do the whole arm extended group shot.  As long as you are together in the photo that's what matters!  So get out there take some photos and enjoy making memories. 

Another option is to hire your favorite photographer and have them do the work for you and then you can just enjoy the process and end results!!!