Fabulous Father’s Day Photo Ideas

With Father's Day quickly approaching you may be unsure what to get the man that has always been there for you, helped tie your shoes and even taught you to ride a bike. Pictures are worth a thousand words and these simple photo ideas are sure to melt even the toughest of Dads' hearts. 1. Caught In the Act Children are always yearning for daddy to play with them. Let's be honest, Dads do give the best horsey back rides! So why not capture their inner youth with a photo that will span the years. (Photo Credit: Christy Peterson Photography) 2. Show Your Silly Side Every Dad has a soft spot for his daughter and if anyone can get him to be silly, it's her. Capture their goofy sides for a picture he will treasure. (Photo Credit: Danic Photography) 3. Try These On For Size There is … [Read more...]

12 Months of Baby Photo Shoots

Sometimes in the excitement and sleep deprived world of babies, we forget to embrace our camera and get all those must take pictures. While the possibilities for 'cute' baby pictures are endless, sometimes we don't know where to start. Here is a month by month guide for capturing the essence and cuteness that is your baby. One Month Look what the stork brought! Capture the excitement of the 'Welcome Home' moment with siblings or parents. (Photo credit: Leilani Photography) Two Months Did your daughter get your eyes? Did your son get your nose? Get up close and personal to savor the similarities. (Photo credit: Gabriela Koopmans Photography) Three Months Monthly onesies are all the rage but a change in your perspective takes a boring monthly photo to a lasting memory. (Photo … [Read more...]

5 Tips for Successful Family Photos

Many families are getting ready to have their annual holiday photos taken. Family photos can be a lot to handle - you have to get the kids ready, make sure they look neat and tidy, get your husband ready and make sure he has a smile on his face, oh! And don't forget to get yourself ready too! On top of that you probably aren't used to have a big, professional camera in your face. If you are getting nervous about your upcoming family photo session, we are here to help. Here are five tips for successful family photos! 1. Plan ahead The number one question most photographers get asked after a client books a session is, "What should we wear?!" Start planning your families outfits at least a couple of weeks before your photo session. That will give you time to pick up additional … [Read more...]

7 Portrait Photoshop Actions You Will Love

Photoshop actions. Love them. No, seriously...I LOVE them! If you're unfamiliar with Photoshop actions, this is your lucky day. These time saving short cuts will fast become your best friend; just follow the links below to some of my favorites. You'll be walked through the process and be well on your way to boosting your photography to the next level. Even if you're a seasoned pro you might just find a gem in this set. Did I mention I love them? So with that in mind, here are 7 of my favorite portrait Photoshop actions: Contrast and saturation.  You have to be careful when boosting the color saturation and contrast of a photo; it can get overdone FAST. This tutorial by Jodi Friedman at MCP Actions does an amazing job of walking that line. Too much for you? There's a more … [Read more...]

Tips for Taking Multigenerational Photos

I absolutely LOVE when my clients want to bring their parents to their newborn photography session or when a client contacts me about having an extended family session. There is something so sweet about photographing grandparents with their grandkids - and if you can get all three generations (or more!) in the photo then it's really the icing on the cake. But these multigenerational photo opportunities also have their own unique challenges. Here are a few tips to help your session run smoothly and ensure that you will have picture perfect photos! 1. Make sure the grandparents are comfortable. If the grandparents are elderly or have physical limitations, making sure they are comfortable should be your first priority. If they are uncomfortable you will be able to see it in the pictures … [Read more...]

Ten Free Online Photography Resources

In the perfect world, we would have unlimited time to spend on learning a new skill or craft. My passion, if you couldn't guess already, is photography. I absolutely love taking classes, online courses and mentoring sessions, but my schedule (and bank account) don't always allow for those as often as I would like. If you are serious about learning how to use your camera I highly suggest investing in at least one class, at least once in your life. But int he mean time, I have compiled a list of ten FREE online resources to help you learn photography. I have used nearly all of the resources and they have all helped me in my own photography journey. You don't have to have a lot of money to learn photography, just a little time and patience. Oh - and practice, practice, practice! 1. Improve … [Read more...]