I am excited to help give you some basic photography tips to help you create stunning photos with these photography tips and tricks! Basic Photography Tips Using a DSLR camera or the camera on your phone – these basic photography tips are essential to elevating your images to go from amateur to pro. Don’t try to tackle them all at one time, rather practice your technique and master one at a time! Put your subjects’ back to the sun – this will keep your subject from squinting as well as provide some beautiful back lighting to your subject. Try to find even light – either look for a fully shaded area or if it’s sunny and you can’t avoid it refer to tip #1. Sometimes you just can’t avoid full sun – so do your best! Avoid strange shadows or “hotspots”- You know those shadows you get from trees? Avoid these spots – or wait until golden hour Don’t cut off people at the ankles!! Either do a full body picture or if you cut your image from a full body never cut at a bend of a limb – i.e. ankles, knees, waist – go above or below those […]
75+ Popsicle Stick Crafts for Kids
75+ Popsicle Stick Crafts for kids each with minimal supplies and prep! You can plan a fun craft for any occasion! Make, play and enjoy!
5 Latest Preschool Toy Trends and Safety Tips
Thank you The Toy Association for sponsoring this post. Keeping kids safe while they play is the #1 priority for The Toy Association and its members. Tis the season! I honestly can’t believe the time of year has come when we are making our gift lists and checking it twice! I do love this time of year and it’s probably my favorite time of year to shop as the stores are full of festivity and life… the gift options are endless and for the most part everyone seems to be in a happy mood, right? Usually, I find that this time of year is when I find some of the most unique gifts and toys. When buying for my own preschooler and of course my nieces and nephews it’s so much fun finding these types of gifts and toys. Through learning more with The Toy Association, some simple things to keep in mind when shopping for toys. As I’ve educated myself, I want to also share these safety tips with you. A few things to keep in mind when purchasing toys this holiday season – hopefully you’ll use these tips as a little checklist for you as you shop this […]
11 Tips for Making Kids Headshots Amazing
Are you taking kids headshots and looking for magical tips so the kids cooperate and smile? Child headshots can be easy and fun –> learn how. Maybe your child is modeling and you need the best headshots you can get! Your kids may need dance headshots or you’d like to learn tips to just help kids cooperate in general when it comes to taking their pictures. I get it…either way I can promise that these tricks and tips will help you create magical headshots! Child Headshots Child model photography has become a much higher demand which means you have to step up your game and get the BEST headshots you can to showcase. You want your kids headshots to shine and catch attention all while showcasing the childs personality at it’s best. So here’s my best tips for you in hopes you can do just that… 1- Use natural lighting Many don’t have access to an entire studio lighting set up. If you don’t, there is no need to worry – natural light can be just as beautiful if not even more beautiful! Use natural light indoors by being close to windows or doors. If you have access to great […]
50+ Senior Picture Poses for Girls
You’ll find 50+ senior picture poses and images plus 23 posing tips that will lead you and guide you to the BEST photo poses for girls Senior Pictures can be super fun with the right outfits and doing your best senior picture poses! Get our free Girls Posing Ideas and tips for amazing senior photos. Updated July 2019: Before we jump into all of these amazing tips for senior girls posing ideas. I will say this, if you are looking for senior pictures poses for girls you are in the right place – we can almost promise we’ll answer all of your questions to ideas for posing! BUT if you are looking for senior pictures for guys then we have a place for you to head to now –> Awesome Senior Picture Ideas for Guys. If you don’t feel like reading through all of the senior photo tips and senior picture poses –> take a look through this gallery of 50 photo poses for girls and you can use this as an inspiration and guide! Senior Picture Poses 1: Angles With senior girls you want to photograph them at different angles, essentially find their good side and stick with it. […]
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 Host a Friendsgiving
This post has been sponsored by Huhtamaki, Inc. makers of the Chinet® brand. All thoughts and opinions are my own. You’ll be most successful with your Friendsgiving gathering if you keep it simple and easy on yourself as the host/hostess. One major way to simplify is to use the Chinet® Classic WhiteTM line products so you can make cleanup easy on yourself! That is the equivalent of not having any dishes to wash when your guests leave!!! So, let me share with you more on how I’m keeping life simple for the fall holidays! What is Friendsgiving? As we are approaching the fall holidays, it’s time to start thinking about gatherings with family and friends. A very popular time to celebrate with friends is Friendsgiving, which is a time set aside during the fall Thanksgiving season to gather with dear and precious friends. The celebration doesn’t have to happen on Thanksgiving day, just around this time of year. How to plan for a Friendsgiving? If you are planning a Friendsgiving this year, you’ll want to keep a few things in mind. Keep it simple. Relax. Enjoy the time. Don’t make this a huge event that is stressful and time consuming. Make it […]
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 […]
Ultimate Guide to Engagement Photography
Learn amazing and simple Engagement Photography tips from perfect locations to amazing ideas of engagement poses for couples. Engagement Photography Tips Engagement photography and couples photography sessions should be fun and carefree and your clients should feel comfortable. You should capture their genuine love and emotions and leave them feeling like they just had the most fun and they can’t wait to see how great their engagement photos will be. Whether it be for an engagement session (which generally happens 1-2 months after you are engaged and before the crazy wedding planning begins) , anniversary session or a “just because” couples session, there are a few things that can be done to make sure it is a great experience for you and your couple. Location Scouting Before you even begin talking to clients it is super important to getout and find a variety of locations. Most areas have a lot of photographers,so it is helpful to find some different spots that aren’t used by every otherphotographer. You want to be unique and different from others so thatclients have a great reason to come to you! I still use the “popular” spots ifrequested but I also have a list of spots […]
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 – […]