Canon 50mm 1.8 Lens Review

I got this lens for Christmas this year and was excited to use it for a session.  I previously had one, but it was stolen so it had to be replaces.  I usually shoot with zoom lenses so it was a little of an adjustment to shoot with a fixed focal length lens.  It is a very light weight lens so great for walking around.  Also a great lens to start with for getting used to the fixed focal length.

Pros:
Very Light
True to eye - closest to what you see naturally
Affordable - average price $100 on Amazon.com
Sharp Images - Take beautiful photos
Nice Bokeh

Cons:
Body is plastic.

Overall a great lens and I highly recommend it.  Here are a few photos take with the 50mm lens.

How to get Natural Smiles from Children

Everyone has that moment where you are all set for you photos, hair is done, clothes are pressed and clean, you have the perfect location and then you get ready to take the photo and you get that wonderful cheesy smile.  The one everyone has gotten at some point ( even myself as a professional photography get that smile from my son).

You think to yourself how can I get a real smile.  Here are a few tips.
1.  Act Silly - Do anything to make them laugh for real, sing a silly song, make faces, jump around. 
     The sillier you feel the better response you will probably get.
2.  Don't Say Cheese - Say anything else, pickles, pizza, puppies, etc
3.  Don't Smile ( or do any face BUT smile) - tell the kids not to smile and usually they start to laugh
     or have them make their favorite silly face, then you make yours and it should cause the giggles.
4.  Make the session fun! - take breaks, make it a game, run around all the things to keep the kids
     busy but ready to take a photo here and there.
5.  Seeing is believing - if all else fails show them a photo of the silly smile and a good smile so they
     can see the difference in the two.

Here area  few of my favs:

Phone Photography Tips

In todays day and age almost all phones have a camera.  Most of those cameras are close to comparable to many point and shoot cameras you can buy.  So why carry both.  Most don't.  In todays post I am gonna share a few tips on how to get better phone photos.

1.  Hold the phone like you would a camera - this will provide stability and balance needed

2.  Don't zoom with the internal zoom, zoom with your feet - avoids blur and grain

3.  Shoot the same thing a few times - this will help get the best photo

4.  Light - the lower the light the more grain you will have in your photo

5.  Set resolution and quality settings to the highest settings

6.  Keep camera as still as possible to avoid blur

7.  Move around and try different angles

8.  Clean the lens - your phone is in a pocket most of the time, it can collect a lot of dirt

9.   Process - You can use an in phone app or download to your computer and use software

10.  Clutter - try to avoid to much going on in your photo, more pleasing to the eye

All the photos above were taken with my iphone.  I definitely use my dslr for big events and those moments I want great photos for.  But my phone works for the everyday items or the random things you find during the day( I seem to take a lot of photos of bugs).

Hope these tips help you improve your phone photography!



February Casting Call & January Review

Well in January I put out a call for someone willing to wear a brightly colored dress in the snow and someone who wanted to do photos in a library.  I had people answer that call. 

Here are a few from those sessions:

 

FEBRUARY CASTING CALL:

 KRP Photography is currently seeking models for the following types of photo shoots.  These are very specific and all criteria must be met to quality.  The participant will receive digital files with a print release at no cost in exchange for participating.  Participants are required to sign a model release for the images so KRP Photography can use them for internet, media and print advertising.  Interested applicants should email KRP Photography at krpphotography@comcast.net with the wors "Casting Call Response" in the subject line.  Spaces are very limited and will be filled on first come first serve basis for those who meet all criteria.

This month I am looking for models for 2 sessions:

1.  Steampunk/Gothic themed photo session.  Attire is NOT provided.  Please contact me if you are interested and be prepared to send me a photo of the outfit you have in mind.

2.  A Pointe Dancer willing to dance in their shoes outside.  I have a cool graffiti bridge location I would like to take some photos at.

Thank you for your interest and I look forward to hearing from you.  If you are interested in either of these sessions please email me today so we can set up a time!

Stay tuned for next months session ideas!!!

Traveling Studio

Did you know that KRP Photography offers a traveling studio.  I do not have an actual studio space, I bring the studio to you.  I have lights, backgrounds and props that I pack up and come to your home.  This helps provide a calming, comfortable feel to your portrait session.  No dragging the kids out to an unfamiliar place or taking your newborn out into the nasty weather.  You don't have to leave the comfort of your home!So even though its cold outside you can still have beautiful photos taken, right in your home!

Here is an example of the traveling studio setup:

Here are a few examples of photos taken using the traveling studio setup:

How to Prepare for your Photo Session

So you found a photographer you like and have booked your session.  Now you have a few decisions to make.

1.  Choose your session style -
      A.  Formal - Usually done in a studio and everyone is dressed up

  
  B.  Casual - Can be done in a studio or at an outdoor location.  Everyone usually wears
            comfortable everyday clothes.

So as you can see the style of your session has a big impact on how your photos will look and the feel they will have when on display.

2.  The next choice you have to make is your location.  Usually you can choose between a studio or on location setting such as a park, your house, the beach, etc.

3.  Then you need to choose the clothing everyone will wear.  Everyone does not have to match in exact colors or patterns.  You want to coordinate with a pop of an accent color but not match.

                                                                        Formal sample:

 

Casual Sample:

4.  The last thing to think about is if you want a theme, like valentines, super hero, etc and what poses you would like to try.

Be sure to contact your photographer before you session to review all these item so everyone is on the same page and your session will go smoothly.  Its a great feeling when you get the photo of your family that you wanted!

 

Get to Know your Photographer

In an effort to help you learn a little more about who I am I had 2 posts planned this week.  My favorite things to do and my favorite places to shop online.  Since my whole house fell ill this week I am combining the two.

So lets see, my top 10 favorite things to do:( in no particular order)
1.  Spend time with family and friends - this is very important to me because these are the people 
     that are always there for you.
2.  Photography - It started as a hobby and turned into a business.  I love photography and still go
     out and shoot just for fun.
3.  Movies - Love love love going to the movies and seeing them on the big screen, eating popcorn
    and candy.
4.  Roller skate - I loved to do this as a kid and then took a hiatus.  Then later in life it is how I found
     my hubby and the tradition continues and we take our son now.
5.  Go to the Beach - I love all that is the beach, the sunrise/sunsets, the smells, the feel of the sand
     and water.
6.  Trying new foods - Our family is very adventurous when it comes to food.  If there is a new place
     opening up we will be there.
7.  Travel -  I haven't done a lot of it but I love to go to new places.  Road trips used to be a favorite
     but now its easier to travel faster with a family.
8.  Scrapbook - kinda goes hand in hand with the photography.  It is a great way to document your
     family and preserve those memories
9.  Read - I am a HUGE book fan.  I read all the time and my go to place when I am upset or bored or
     pretty much anytime is a book store.  I love the smell and just wondering around.  I hope books
     never give way to the digital era.
10.  Competition BBQ - My family has a KCBS Competition BBQ team called Bang Bang BBQ. 
       We compete several times a year and the best finish we had was at Hogs and Hops with 1st place
       ribs and 2nd place overall in 2012.  Great times had by all.

Part 2, my favorite online places to shop/visit:
1.  Amazon - Love this site, you can usually get great deals on just about anything you are looking for
     and if its not on there its gonna be really hard to find.
2.  Clickin Moms - This is a fabulous site for all stages of photographers.  They have a forum with a
      plethora of knowledge and a great store with training and cool gadgets.
3.  WHCC - This is the print house I use for all my photographic printing needs
4.  As for all those props and misc items for photos I go just about any craft store or online store I can
     to find what I am looking for

Hope this has given you a little insight into who I am.