Sunday

Happy Monday - Here is a FREEBIE!

Last week I stumbled on Sassy Designs on Etsy! Her prices are fantastic, she had these great design elements I'd never seen before and I so I bought them both (she's added a third since) immediately knowing that this was going to make my Christmas designing go much faster! Than I thought of you! I shot her an email and asked if she would want to do something for the go4pro gang. Well... She rocks! She came up with a brilliant idea, she is giving all of you an exclusive page element just for go4pro as well as 2 of her awesome papers. So you have everything you need to try it out!

Happy Monday! And a huge THANKS to Terry of Sassy Designs!



Photoshop: to use or not to use?

that IS the question! And seriously it's ALL about you! Do you know what I absolutely LOVE about photography? Well you get to find out either way.. Unless of course your really don't and then I would say stop reading. So what I love is this, how incredibly different one souls style is from another. I could have 5 different photographers photograph my family (by the way if you're interested...) and get completely different images from each of them. Thats freaking awesome!And with that thought (and a couple others) I was thinking about photoshop. I know many photographers who use little to know post production processing... I on the other hand am the blazing bold opposite of the spectrum. All though for the record, I would love to do way less as I get way better *blush*. But at the same time -seriously- I love photoshop, on my dessert island CS4 and my MAC are waiting for me right beside my camera and lens (uhh - in an airtight tent that no sand can reach of course)!
To each their own and that is part of the magic of photography. I lived in Hawaii for a few years and in leaving in the last year I have had SEVERAL (as in I think 6 of us at least) have all decided to try going professional. What's so incredible is how very different we each are. It's so inspiring to go see what they are doing. I love it. Each one of us has gone out and found what we love. Photography is art and although it may be an image of someone else it is still our own self expression! And staying true to that is what's really important!

Many of us are new to photography, the idea of calling yourself an artist (if you are anything like me) may make you laugh out loud. And for the moment your work might often be a mimic of someone who inspires you. Thats where we all start and I think to some degree stay. The beauty is that as you continue to practice, practice and practice you begin to get your bearings and you find your own voice and where your passion really lies. I guess someday we each find that we have become an artist. Here's to making your masterpiece!

my current masterpiece.

Tuesday

Tips & Tricks for Photographing Newborns

I thought it could be fun to talk about various types of sessions and the best tips and tricks that I have found, tried, and tested in the field. So to start it out, lets talk about newborns.

THE FIRST 10 DAYS: They say the best time to shoot is in the first 10 days of life! I say there is NO bad time to shoot newborns and I think it's important to let clients know that... Just in case they just happened to get around to calling you on day 11. Why the earlier the better? Because they are still so sleepy and moldable.
I have shot multiple newborn between 2 and 6 days. I have found it very funny that they ALL were wide awake for a big part of the sessions, but in those last 30 minutes when I finally wore them out - each one was definitely moldable! I've started to realize that my best shots always come at the end when baby is finally tuckered out!
DETAILS: When shooting newborn it's so important to be thinking details! Little hands, feet, rolls, eye lashes, hair, feet. The newborn stage disappears all to quickly. Make sure as their photographer of choice that you are helping mom and dad remember it all.


CRANK UP THE HEAT! I always ask mom and dad to turn the heat up, kick on the fireplace and maybe even put a few blankets in the dryer. All the warmth might make me sweat but baby goes right to sleep! I also bring a small heating pad that I can place under the black-drop to help baby get cozy even quicker as I move her around.


PROPS! Props can be SO much fun! But with newborns it's not a necessity. Your very best prop may just be dads hands! When shooting little ones, always try to encourage the parents to let their little one show off her birthday suit. Clothing can look bulky and distracting on infants. Just be aware that little legs are closed. My favorite beanies come Portland Beanie Co.

BACKGROUND! To start I just purchased the cheapest / softest black fabric I could find at Walmart. I think I paid less than $2 per yard. (In post editing using Lolly's blackdrop fix action I blacken out the fabric). I rewash it after each baby and replace it often as most of my babies seem to feel the need to leave behind their mark. It's easy to set up anywhere I go and insures a very classic and non-distracting portrait. Also take a look around their home. Do they have a piano, beautiful hutch or great kitchen table? Use what you see!

MOMS VOICE! Place mom or dad directly behind you if baby is awake and let her talk to her baby. Chances are, baby may just look right toward your camera! If you have an iPhone and need more comfort noise, I downloaded a free app called Waive Crashers (for sleeping) that I turn on and place under the fabric. It's babies own custom white noise!

All images shared are by the incredibly talented Laura Farris who has newborn photography down to a VERY FINE ART!