Plymouth South Shore Professional Photographer: Throwback Thursday: Baby Lucy

So I planned on doing more photo restoration projects for Throwback Thursday, but my little baby who is no longer a tiny baby is feeling under the weather today.  This is actually day 3 of her cold and she is bouncing back, tired and sniffling but otherwise good.  Of course that made me digress to think of my cute little baby when she was a cute little baby and then start looking through some of the cute little pictures that I have loved the best of her.  Here is just a selection of Little Lucy thus far!

Plymouth South Shore Professional Photographer: Photography Tip for the week: What's the right photo equipment for the best picture?

So I spend a lot of time taking pictures both at work and at home...that's probably a given. I had three photo shoots this weekend (photos to follow).What I have learned over the years is this, you don't have to have the biggest and the best to get the best result.  In fact, two of my favorite lenses are the least expensive ones I own: 1. AF-S Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G DX Lens

2. Normal AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D Autofocus Lens

Both lenses were under 200.00 each brand new and I find them indispensable.  Fixed lenses make a huge difference in portrait photography.  They give you more control over the clarity of your subject and the ability to dial down your aperture enough to really make your subject come to life.  Even with a starter camera you will see a phenomenal difference using a fixed lens.  The 35mm lens is my most used lens and I love the way my images have changed since buying it.

Of course the bigger and better you camera gets the more difference you will see in the image that is produced as far as image quality goes, but I think you will be amazed at what you see by switching from a to something like this.  The onus is on you to do the work of moving around your subject but it is worth all the effort!

Plymouth South Shore Professional Photographer: First Beach Photos of the Year!

So today was so not the day to be on the beach taking photos! Really that was yesterday, but we made it work and we had so much fun!  These kids were troopers and they had so much fun playing in the sand, they barely noticed how cold it was.  Their mother should be a stylist too! Look at the amazingly cute coordinating outfits.  I had a blast and I am so happy with our shots!  If you want to join in on the fun sign up for some family photos or join one of our mini sessions.  The first date is listed below in my trendy new postcard, thanks to the Sanford Family!

Plymouth South Shore Professional Photographer: Beach Mini-Sessions June 21, 2014! A few sessions still left!

Are you looking for that perfect beach photo!  This is a great idea to get a jump start on Christmas photos or plan Christmas in July! Don't miss out, I have a few sessions left!

Plymouth South Shore Professional Photographer: Photo Tip of the day!: Dealing with Harsh Lighting

One of the biggest issues that I have come across is how to deal with less than ideal lighting situations, especially direct sunlight.  Direct sunlight creates a bunch of unflattering shadows on your face. Over exposes details so you have odd highlights and a multitude of other problems that just don't add up to a good picture!  Here are a few tips on how to deal with that: 1. If you can, photography in the shade.  Put people under a tree or under the shade of a building if it is at all possible.  Granted this is not always possible.  Sometimes you can't change the position you are taking the picture from and you just have to deal with it.

2. Another great way to deal with the sun is to use your flash to even out the shadows.  Fill-Flash will fill in the shadows and even out the tones on your subject.

3. If you have one, another really good option is a reflector.  You can use some different DIY reflectors on the fly to reflect the sun back at you.  You can make a reflector if you want to keep it really inexpensive.  (Glueing aluminum foil to poster board).  Most reflectors are affordable and easier to transport.  If you have photos coming up or you are in a pinch then the DIY method is a good one.

Plymouth South Shore Professional Photographer: Beach Mini-Sessions are back! June 21, 2014 (Rain Date June 22nd)

Hi Everyone!  The nice weather is finally peeking through and I am in super excited to book the first beach mini session of the season.  If you have never heard of mini-sessions before, they go like this! You sign up for a 30 minute session, you receive 8-10 edited digital images plus one 8x10 print.  If what you really want is one good beach photo for the wall or for your christmas cards next year then sign up now!  The best part is, it's only $99.00 for the whole deal.  Sign up now, spaces definitely go fast!

Plymouth South Shore Professional Photographer: Small Business Highlight: Archiplicity, Inc.

So last week I chronicled on of the entrepreneurs in my family and this week I am going to talk about the other; my sister.  My sister (unlike me) knew what she wanted to do since she was in high school.  She spent long hours and gave up countless opportunities to socialize to build herself a thriving business in the field of architecture.  She founded her own company Archiplicity, Inc. in 2001 and has never looked back.  To her, exceeding her clients expectations is what she strives for.  She has a meticulous eye for detail and a impeccable taste when it comes to design.  In her own words, "Our philosophy is to create architecture that is simple and elegant. We believe design should be based on good proportion, simple, well placed details and a thoughtful response to existing surroundings."  I am inspired and encouraged by her efforts and how far it has taken her.  For more information on her business go to archiplicity.com, email her at info@archiplicity.com or call 508-789-7184. I have had the benefit of photographing a few of her projects.  Here is just one of them:

Plymouth South Shore Professional Photographer: Photo Tip of the Day: Most Flattering Portrait Angle

So I would say that pretty much all of us, me included, have something that they don't love about their appearance.  As a photographer, you are trying to not only take a technically good photo, but also capture people in their best light so that the results show the best of who they really are.  This doesn't mean that your photographer needs to know how to make you loose 25 pounds in photoshop or how to erase age lines to make you look 10 years younger.  You just need to know something about light and positioning.  The best angle I have found for almost every body type is to sit your subject sideways looking at you slightly over their shoulder with you taking the photo at eye level or slightly about.  Also when it comes to lighting avoid harsh sunlight or shadows.  Stand you subjects in the shade or wait for a partly cloudy day.  If you can't avoid the shadows, use your flash outside and in bright sunlight.  The flash will help to fill in the shadows that are cast at weird angles so that people are more evenly lit. Here is an example:

Plymouth South Shore Professional Photographer: In-Home Mini Sessions

When you think about family photos you probably think of those photos at the beach or in the park.  you get all dressed up and capture that moment.  What about capture those moments that you will always remember in your mind.  The things that you love to do with your kids when they are small.  Time always moves too fast.  One of the things that Lucy and I love to do the best is cook together.  We bake and cook and we dance.  We have a blast.  She is such a character and she always says, "Mommy, what do we need next?".  I just want to eat her up.  This is one of the moments I wanted to capture so that I could remember the moment.  What moments do you have like this?  Why not schedule something at your home? Take some pictures of your family in your element and then you can still take some photos of you together that are posed at the same time if you desire.  Here are some of my favorites:

Plymouth South Shore Professional Photographer: Priceless Baby Candids

Who knows what runs through the mind of a two year old! Each day is new and exciting (and challenging, LOL) I am working on putting together the presentation for my Intro to Digital Photography Class on May 4th and I wanted to get different pictures representing different aspects of photography.  One being aperture.  Portrait Pictures are always better with a lower aperture setting because your subject stands out more from the background and comes to life a little more.  Since I have a built in subject, I asked Lucy to pose for me and after several attempts, this is what I got.  Lucy lunging toward the camera with her bunny saying : "He do it, He take my picture!"  Just such a cute moment to bring a smile to my day!

Plymouth South Shore Professional Photographer: Happy Easter!

I know it is a little late, but here we go with one of my favorite photos from Easter!  We went to the Easter Egg Hunt at Emeritus Senior Living.  There were tons of kids there.  They did a great job though and the kids all made sure they left some eggs for the little ones.  Lucy had a blast.  They had decorate your own cupcakes.  The residents were so sweet and nice, I think they had a blast too.  I hope you enjoy Lucy in her Easter Dress as much as I do!

Plymouth South Shore Professional Photographer: Ducks, Ducks, Everywhere!

Since it is Friday and the work week is winding down, I thought why not step back from work and have some fun!  A little known fact among my clients, I collect rubber ducks.  I have all different types of ducks.  This started with my best friend Paul, who unfortunately passed a few years ago.  We collected all different types of ducks together.  Paul even gave me heart ducks for valentine's day.  Before I met and married Dave, Paul was my date for everything.  In fact I told Dave that Paul was my date on Valentine's day and we would have to pick another day because that was our tradition.  Dave and I even had ducks as the favors at our wedding!  Of course, we also had a balloon artist at our wedding too!  I am going to post about him another day, but he did the most fantastic balloon animals!  Can you tell that I like to have fun!  Now the ducks mostly swim in the bath with Lucy.  My thought was, what a great collection to have!  They are fun, inexpensive, and easily transportable things to bring back from your travels and remember special people that touch your life (and give you ducks!) Just a little something to make us all smile and remember something special all at the same time!

Plymouth South Shore Professional Photographer: Photo Tip for the day!

I do a lot of reading to provide content that not only shows my work but also tips that give helpful info to other budding photographers out there.  This tip was taken partially from a list of photo tricks on Digital Camera World's Blog and partially from my own experience working with Children:

Great Photography Tip for the day: 

Taking photos of kids is fun but challenging. Keep a portrait session with kids short and sweet. If it is a larger group, take photos with kids first. Play games with them: ask them of they can see their reflection in the front element of the lens is a good way to get some eye contact.

If there is room for them to run and play then I like to use a 50mm fixed lens so that I can catch them in there element but not be on top of them. I would love an 85mm lens for these types of shoots also but I am building my collection one lens at a time.  I like fixed lenses better because you have more clarity and more control over the aperture.

Make the most of opportunities when they’re still for a moment, such as when they’re concentrating on a toy. Chat to them as you would with adults and once you’ve taken a few photos show them the results on the LCD screen, so that they feel involved.

And of course I can't resist posting a picture of my little honey with these tips!

Plymouth South Shore Professional Photographer: Talk about April Showers!

It is such a dreary dismal day today.  The kind where you just want to stay in your PJ's and inside the house!  Lucky for me I can choose to do that if I want!  That is a work at home benefit for sure.  It is also one that I almost never take advantage of!  I don't know why not! Even my flowers are hibernating today! But without the rain there would be no rainbows and no flowers!  Enjoy this day with some comfort food and some warm snuggly clothes if you can!  We are having pot roast for dinner made in the slow cooker.  This is the easiest recipe ever if you want to join in on that! Be sure to add some potatoes too though!

Plymouth South Shore Professional Photographer: A home for misfit toys

Okay, so not photography related at all, but a fun way to start off a Monday! We are not only an in-home photo studio but also a home for wayward wanders.  Because we have the convenience of being located downtown, I often go out for a walk during my down time or just to take a break.  We often find little lost friends (that's what we like to call them) along the way.  This little lost friend was found outside my house yesterday! So I bring them in, clean them up and give them a new home.  They sometimes stay here.  They sometimes head to the play area at Middle Street School of Music and then they also could end up with the toys at our Jordan Hospital drop in group.  No one is ever left behind though.  See now isn't that a fun story to make you smile on Monday!

Plymouth South Shore Professional Photographer: A day of rest and fun

Oh my! The nice weather is certainly here full force this weekend and not a moment too soon! Time to get out and start checking off one of my goals: personal creative projects. I am making it a goal this year to not only work on my business but to also balance with it the creative ideas that I have mulling around in head! These have nothing to do with making money. They only have to do with having fun! I sometimes get so wrapped up in my work (not a bad thing!), I forget about all the other fun projects I want to do. So this year, I added it to my business plan so I am making myself accountable for those things too! Here are some fun creative photos taken around town today! today was a day purely dedicated to playing.  Here are some pictures of my loves at the playground! Happy Sunday everyone!

Plymouth South Shore Professional Photographer: Photography Tip of the Day: Close, Close, Close

Photography Tip of the Day: Close, Close, Close: Getting close to your subject creates a sense of intimacy and and invites you into the photograph. Be creative, fill the frame, even take a picture of a piece of a person. Don't be afraid to play around!

Plymouth South Shore Professional Photographer: Just having some fun at The Mirrored Image Photography!

It seems like lately it is so easy to focus on Photography as a business.  I love what I do and I have so many great projects and people that I work with. Before this was a business though, it was a passion and I had ideas of creative projects to do solely because they were art and not because they were jobs.
One of my goals for this year is to work on some creative projects with different people just for fun.  This will not only help me to find balance with through art projects but also help to boost creativity in everything that I do!  I am so excited to be moving forward with my first project.  Tonight I am meeting with a hairstylist and makeup artist to talk about doing portraits, but not just any portraits, full face makeup creative and fun portraits!  I will let you all know tomorrow how it goes, but I have seen some of her work and I am super excited to see where this goes!

Plymouth South Shore Professional Photographer: Valentine's Day Mini Sessions February 8, 2014

Now scheduling Valentines Day Mini Sessions for February 8, 2014. If you missed out on our Christmas Deal here's another way to give the Valentine's Day gift that will never be forgotten. For $99.00 schedule a 30 minute session and receive 8-10 edited photos and one 8X10 print.

Plymouth South Shore Professional Photographer: Ideas for 2014

As 2014 approaches I have been toying with some new related business ideas, and I need some help! How many people think that offering workshops are a good idea? Would it be fun to have a class for a couple hours on how to take better pictures of your kids? What other workshop ideas can you think of that might be fun? Photo date night with wine and appetizers?