Are you struggling with your camera settings when taking pictures in low light? Learn ISO in Photography and how to choose ISO. First lets talk about ISO – do you remember ISO film? You would walk down the film aisle and have the choice of 100 ISO film…200, 400 and maybe 800 speed film. You could walk into a specialty camera store and get much higher ISO Film – but in my mind that was for the “professional” photographers who knew all of the right camera settings! Well ISO is just simply this…a sensor inside your digital camera that sense light. Thanks to technology we can change our ISO camera setting for each picture if we needed to (but don’t worry you don’t have to!!!)…unlike film days where you were stuck with 400 speed for at least 24 images, as a roll of film. What does ISO Stand For? Let’s define what ISO is by definition. ISO simply stands for the International Organization of Standardization, which is the main governing body that standardizes sensitivity ratings for camera sensors. In Digital Photography ISO measures the sensitivity of the image sensor. The same principles apply as in film photography – the lower the number the less sensitive your camera […]
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10 Fun Family Gardening Adventures
Spending time in the garden with the family is a great way to build memories and fill those cherished scrap books, but thinking up fun activities isn’t always as easy as you might think.Fortunately, there are plenty of great ideas out there, and we’ve pulled together ten of our favorites to inspire you to get out in the garden with your loved ones. 1. Drive-In Movie Theatre Projectors are very affordable these days, and with the addition of some garden furniture or even just a blanket, you can turn a summer evening into a homemade drive-in movie experience.For added drive-in movie effect, and to bring a little creative flair into the proceedings, have your children make their own “cars” out of cardboard boxes. 2. Obstacle Course Obstacle courses are a great way to have fun, get a little exercise, and for the younger members of your family to burn off some of that excess energy. You’d be amazed at how easy it is to make an obstacle course out of things you have around the house.Of course, you will need to think carefully about what you use and where you put it for safety reasons. It’s best to keep everything […]
Teaching Your Children to Love Science Through Hands-on Experiments
Who says the dark, cold days of winter have to be boring? Let’s face it, Parents, we have become experts at homeschooling and remote learning. If someone else provides the content, we help our children do the assignments. However, your confidence might wane if someone mentions a “science experiment”. But science does not have to be complicated. Science should be both fun and educational. So, interactive science experiments are exactly what your child needs to survive the winter. So, let’s get ready to turn your kitchen into a mini science lab to entertain children of all ages, but especially those between ages four and six. And they just might learn something, too! No-Air Balloons All kids like balloons and understand that they need air to inflate. But do they actually need air? Let’s see what happens when we use some everyday ingredients and supplies to inflate balloons without using air. Ingredients and supplies. Small bottle or jar with an opening small enough that a balloon can stretch across it Lemon juice Baking soda (one tablespoon) Balloon You can also include a funnel if you have one, but this can also be done without one by using a small measuring spoon. […]
Portrait Photography Tips for Beginners
Use this guide to step your skills from to pro level with these portrait photography tips for beginners and beyond… What I wish someone had shared with me. Hi there, I wanted to talk about a few things that I wish I knew when I started doing Portrait Photography. There are so many things to think about when it comes to photography. It is not just owning a nice camera and shooting in auto Modes. 1- Shoot in Manual Mode I would suggest learning in manual mode first. I think of it like this, I learned to drive with an automatic transmission and now I wish I had learned on a stick shift… because trying to learn to drive a stick was difficult and I gave up. I did not learn to shoot in manual mode when I started. I worked in a portrait studio and we never learned the ins and outs of how a camera works. So when I went freelance I was shooting in auto modes and didn’t know why my camera was doing what it was doing. What a disaster. When I decided that I wanted to take my photography to the next level and create […]
How to Take Pictures with Smoke Bombs
Learn how to take pictures using smoke bombs to take your photography and creativity to a whole new level! Find the best camera settings for smoke bomb pictures as well as most important tips! Smoke bombs are such a fun idea and addition for a photoshoot. Smoke bombs are great for unique and different kinds of photos but can also be hard to master as a first timer. Talk about bringing your creative juices in photography to a whole new level! Today I’m sharing some of my top tips on using smoke bombs in your pictures with clients to get amazing shots. How to use Smoke Bombs in Your Photography 1- Safety with Smoke BombsSafety is a big thing to remember when using smoke bombs. It’s FIRE! Smoke bombs do let out fire when you first pull the string so you always want to make sure to point it away from your clients andyourself. The smoke bomb will get warm while holding so make sure the client is aware of this if they are holding it. Always remember SAFETY first for your clients and yourself. Always do a trial run before you are with your clients or practice with someone […]
Start to Finish for a Cake Smash Session
Wondering how to photograph a cake smash session? Get PRO Cake Smash Tips including cake smash photography camera settings and lighting setup BE SURE TO READ part 1 of the Cake Smash Series! How to Photograph the Perfect Cake Smash Session if you haven’t already so you aren’t lost here in part two! Welcome to part two of my cake smash explanation! I went over prepping for a cake smash, preparing the parents and what I use to shoot with – so now we’re going to go over the technical aspect of it all…like our cake smash photography camera settings as well as composition, cake smash photo shoot props and how to edit your pictures in the end. What is a Cake Smash Shoot? The trend started when parents wanted to use a child’s first birthday pictures for party invites and then it slowly led to taking pictures of the one year old eating his/her very own cake. Capturing a cake smash photoshoot can be pretty cute and quirky, depending on the child’s personality! What is the purpose of a Cake Smash? Smash cakes are a small frosted cake made just for the birthday boy or girl! Give the cake to the birthday […]
Ultimate Guide for Pro Newborn Photography tips
My newborn photography journey has been filled with just a many tears of frustration as tears of joy. I am very passionate about my work and a perfectionist to my own fault. So when Erin asked me to guest blog with a “newborn photography tips” article, I didn’t even hesitate in saying yes. It is my hope that this will help you along in your journey with a few less tears of frustration. I would like to preface this article with a small disclaimer. Since photography is a creative profession, there are lots of ways to accomplish the same results. I do not feel at all as if I have figured everything out or that I am and “expert”. These are just a few tips and tricks I’ve picked up along the way, some through experience and others through mentoring. I hope they help you grow as they’ve helped me. Before we jump into the basics of your newborn photography studio or set up lets cover a few basic questions you may have or even your clients may have. What settings should I use as a newborn photographer? Having the settings on your camera correct will help minimize your frustrations […]
Ultimate Guide to Maternity Photography
Learn the best maternity photography tips and tricks – from when to take maternity pictures, what to wear and how to pose for maternity photos. Maternity Photography Tips After weeks and weeks of carrying a new baby it gets harder to feel as special and beautiful as when you first discovered that little bump exposing itself to the world. What exactly is Maternity photography? Maternity photography is a great option for families who want to document how beautiful it is to bring another member of the family into the world. After all trying to take selfies of anything round is a hard feat without the right angles. Below I have included a few maternity photography tips and tricks that have helped me in my sessions with my clients. What should I wear for a Maternity Session? ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS consult your client/photographer with wardrobe options. Some photographers have their own closet of various maternity outfits for any momma-to-be’s dreams. Others have a quick how to guide on what not to and what to wear, both are great options. I choose to consult over the phone and get to know my clients personally. I ask questions like… would they want something […]
How to Photograph Christmas Lights
Stumped on How to Photograph Christmas Lights? This is a step by step on setting your ISO and aperture for creative pictures of Christmas lights. I love lights. I love bokeh, and I looovvveeee Christmas lights. Every year I look forward to getting our tree, stringing it with lights and getting the decorations hung. Not for the same reason as most people, though. I just want to sit my kiddos in front of the tree and photograph them! The subtle amount of light given off by those tiny bulbs inspires me, and I want to help you find that same “ahhh” moment. How to Photograph Christmas Lights Lower your F-stop. Creamy bokeh…. need I say more?! The lower your f-stop, the dreamier that background is going to be. Go here to learn more: What is f-stop? Be Mindful When Choosing Your Shutter Speed- When photographing Christmas lights, you’re likely in a less-than-well-lit atmosphere, and that’s ok. Don’t try to compensate with lowering your shutter speed too much. Kids move, a lot. You want to “freeze” them and avoid motion blur. I suggest going no lower than 1/160. Crank Up The ISO- Again, you’re likely in a less-than-well-lit atmosphere, and this […]
How to Take Family Christmas Pictures
Use this guide to learn How to Take Family Christmas Pictures. Teaching you how to take pictures with Christmas lights in the background and how to take Christmas light photos Holidays are special because of the memories with family that they create…memories that you’ll treasure in your heart forever. Here are some tips on taking family Christmas pictures that you’ll treasure in years to come. Choosing the right moment – Shoot moments that pull at your heart strings; ones you just want to bottle up and keep forever. Posed photos are nice, but in 20 years, you’ll want the real moments. (Go ahead and take those posed photos though!) There is just something special and magical about a Christmas tree decorated with twinkle lights. Even the oldest of kids can be caught admiring it. How to Take Family Christmas Pictures Here are some suggestions: * Capture firsts – Is it a little one’s first time seeing/decorating the tree?* Capture family traditions – Is there a special ornament that gets hung up every year? Do you read a special book?* Capture details – Little hands, little feet, chubby cheeks, the look of wonder on a child’s face…* Capture tender moments – […]
Strawberry Overnight Oats
This post has been sponsored by Kellogg’s and Light & Fit. All thoughts and opinions are my own. As we’ve gotten into our new school year routine and rhythm I find myself loving and thriving on our schedule. One priority has been to get back into a regular pattern of exercise. Making my morning routine solid with a plan has certainly helped. Thanks to this easy recipe using Kellogg’s® Special K® Red Berries and Light & Fit® Original Greek Strawberry yogurt (both found at Target!) my breakfast routine has been “kicked up a notch!” I’m loving the new change to fuel my day with a fast start! #breakfastison If you pick up these two items needed for this fresh and tasty recipe you can snag a % off both products with this Cartwheel offer from Target, valid until October 20th! Light&Fit – Save 10% Special K – Save 15% What I love about the Strawberry Overnight Oats is that I can make it up ahead of time – and within 10 minutes I’ve got 3-4 mornings of breakfasts made up ahead of time – BAM! You can easily double or triple this recipe at any given time if you need […]
How to Edit Newborn Photos
Get the confidence to edit newborn red skin to getting smooth baby skin tones in your pictures! Here are the BEST tips on how to edit newborn photos. How to Edit Newborn Photos Newborn editing can seem daunting at times, but once you find what works and how to combat the red and yellow skin, newborn skin editing can be a breeze. I am going to show you step by step of how to edit newborn photos in Photoshop with every newborn session. I have included images of my process to help show you (I happen to be a visual learner) my process and the difference from start to finish. Baby Photo Editing To begin I do believe getting your image right in camera is the first and foremost important thing you can do when looking to do the best baby photo editing you possibly can! I use an AB400 and an 86” PLM that creates a beautifully diffused light perfect for newborn photography. I angle my light between a 45 degree angle and a 90 degree angle. The light is set to 1/16 power, ISO 160, shutter speed 1/160, and I shoot at F3.2. Discover the Perfect Newborn Workflow […]
6 Tips for the Best Pet Photos
Curious the best camera for dog photography? Wanting to take professional pet photos of your cat or dog? Use the 6 tips to guide you in pet portraits. Pet Photos What settings should I use on my camera when photographing my pets? I personally prefer to shoot in full manual mode, but if that seems too intimidating at first, then try one of the more semi-manual modes like Aperture Priority or Shutter Priority. The biggest game changer for me in terms of getting more in focus shots was learning about back button focusing. It’s essentially a camera setting that allows you to use a different button to focus other than the shutter release. In many cameras, you may see an AEL lock button on the back, or some even come included with the AF On button. That is typically what you would want to move your focus button to and then you’ll be free to use the shutter release to actually take the shot. My personal recommendation for professional pet photography and wildlife is to use Auto Focus Continuous. This is essential, especially if you’re using back button focus. It allows you to maintain focus on your subject as long […]
9 Amazing Astrophotography Camera Tips
Are you dabbling in Astrophotography and Landscape photography? You want to get the best DSLR camera for astrophotography and lens. Astrophotography Camera Landscapes – From Sunset to Sunrise I’ve always been a bit of a night owl. Sleep all day, up all night. Even as a teenager I can recall my mum constantly having to drag me out of bed. Most people grow out of it, whereas I did not. Something which made our family hikes all the more difficult when growing up. Long wintery walks with a hot flask of tea. Sunny, albeit sometimes windy beach days with a few egg sandwiches. Don’t even get me started on my dads so called short cuts along the way. Memories and experiences that I will treasure for a lifetime. Days that nurtured my love for the outdoors, specifically the mountains, lakes, skies and seas of wales – my home country. The ideal playground for any landscape photographer..whether you’re learning the basics of photography or are an expert, it’s beautiful! Where, when and how do you begin? Astrophotography Tips Over the years I’d made a habit out of pinching my dad’s camera. Finally fed up of it, my parents gifted me my […]
9 Things to do in Atlanta with Kids
Traveling and looking for things to do in downtown Atlanta? Find 9 things to do in Atlanta with kids that are fun and family friendly. A big thank you to all that hosted us for our stay in Atlanta: AC Hotel Buckhead, Legoland Discovery Center Atlanta, Stone Mountain Park, Zoo Atlanta, Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola and Children’s Museum – Atlanta There are so many many many fun places to visit in the Atlanta area and especially spots that are family friendly with kids. Whenever we visit a new city I like to do my research and look up the best spots to visit, eat and tour. Many times that doesn’t mean we hit up every spot I find…it just gives us options once we get to that city and get a feel of where we will be, what we will like to do and of course if we’ll have time for everything. The past few road trips I’ve learned a few things…usually we simply don’t have time for everything…but this three day trip to Atlanta we packed it out! Can I tell you how much fun this was…so fun and I feel like we totally maximized our time while […]