Do you want to learn some tips on how to take great photos of your kids? Do all of the photos of your children include super cheesy smiles or the back of their head as they run away? I have photographed many children during my career, and photographing my daughter can still be the most challenging subject for me. But there are a few things I have learned along the way. Keep reading to learn five tips on how to take great photos of your kids! 1. Get down on their level One of the things that can set apart a "good" photo from a "great" one is the angle in which it was taken. As an adult it is second nature to take photos on your level, and to point the camera down on kids when trying to take their photo. While you might get a good snapshot that way, try moving down to your kids level … [Read more...]
DIY Heart Bokeh Photography Effect
Did you know that you can create different shaped bokeh in your photographs? Bokeh is that beautifully blurry background portion of your photos, typically achieved with a wide open aperture. Time to get a little creative with that bokeh - you can turn it into different shapes using a few commen household objects that you probably have sitting around your house! Here I am going to teach you how to make heart shaped bokeh (in time for Valentine's Day!) but you can make any shape that you want for different holidays and occasions. What You'll Need: - black construction paper - tape - pen or pencil - scissors - camera and lens with wide aperture (1.2-2.8 would be great) Steps: 1. Gather your supplies. I included a tape measure in my supplies but it isn't necessary. The first … [Read more...]
Winter Photography Ideas
Now that the excitement of the holidays is over, many of us are settling in for a long winter's nap. Cold temperatures, early sunsets and adverse weather conditions make most of us want to bundle up and stay inside until spring arrives. But just because we are in the thick of winter doesn't mean that you have to stop taking photos and working on your photography! Here are five winter photography ideas to get you through the rest of the season. Icicles and Snowflakes - Embrace the season and photograph two of the more beautiful aspects of winter - icicles and snowflakes! If the sun is shining you can get some amazing photos of icicles (check out more inspiration here) and use the macro setting on your camera to get close ups of snowflakes. Just make sure you bundle up before heading … [Read more...]
5 Photography Projects for the New Year
The start of a new year is a great time to begin a new project. We all know about - and have probably even made - New Year's resolutions. How about using the New Year to spark some creativity and expand your photography skills? If you are stuck in a rut or just looking to add some fun to your every day photography, take a look at our 5 Photography Projects for the New Year. 365 Project This is the mother of all ambitious photography projects. Joining a 365 project "requires" you to take a photo every day of the year and post it. You can post it to a Flickr account, photography group, personal blog - wherever you want! Some have themes and some don't, it all depends on what kind of group you join. You can do this project with a group (which will make you more accountable to … [Read more...]
Tips for Taking Christmas Tree Photos
Is it just me or do you tend to go a little photo crazy around the holidays? There are beautiful decorations hung everywhere, family might be in town visiting and there is definitely more excitement in the air. My camera gets a lot more use around the holidays as it is such a special time of year and I want to make sure I document as much as possible for my daughter. She is only eighteen months old but already beginning to experience the wonder and magic of the Christmas season. One focal piece of many of your Christmas photos is probably your Christmas tree! It makes a perfect back drop for family photos, Christmas morning shots and c'mon - your decorating skills should be documented! If you have ever wondered how to take great photos of your Christmas tree I am here to help! Here are … [Read more...]
DIY Christmas Lights Background
Have you ever wondered how photographers are able to get pictures of babies and children in front of a sparkling christmas lights background? Well I am here today to show you how it's done, and it's easier than you think! Here is a step-by-step DIY guide to creating your own Christmas Lights Background. Before we start I would like to mention that I originally planned to have my adorable daughter be the model for this DIY post. However, after FOUR failed attempts and lots of tears (hers and mine) I decided to go with one of her favorite teddy bears instead. Hopefully your little one will be more cooperative than mine! One tip I learned from this is to get everything set up and ready to go and then bring in your subject at the very end. That way all you have to do is snap a few pictures … [Read more...]
