Plymouth South Shore Professional Photographer: Photo Tip of the week: Taking better family photos!

So now that it is getting nicer out and summer is coming more of us are thinking about taking vacations and getting out and about.  In addition to wanting to have loads of fun on your trip, you probably want to capture some moments that remind you of the great time that you had. Here are some things that I find helpful.

1. If you are driving bring a tripod.  You want a picture of the WHOLE family.

2. When you set people up look for a location with a bench or some rocks, something that will make it easier to stagger people.  Photos are so much more interesting that way.

3. Stay away from bold prints.  If one person is wearing a brig floral caftan, that will certainly be the focus of the picture!

4.  If you have kids, take pictures in the morning.  That is usually their best time and the time they are most willing to listen to direction.  Also I am not above bribery (carry a little treat with you, a couple M&M's go a long way!

5. Mid afternoon is the best time to capture great lighting.  It's called the golden hour and you have great light if you think you can get you family to pose then.

6. Save noontime for lunch not pictures!  There is usually a hazy film on your images when the sun is right over head.  I try to avoid taking pictures at this time if I can help it!

If all of this seems like a lot, consider calling a photographer located where you are staying and having them meet you for an afternoon.  Family Photo Shoots are affordable and you won't regret having some great images to cherish!  Happy Shooting!

Plymouth South Shore Professional Photographer: Family Photos and Party all Rolled into one

So here is another great idea that people don't always think of.  How about inviting a photographer to a couple hours of your next family gathering and having some professional family photos done?  I have booked some events like these in the near future and more coming.  It is becoming a more popular idea.  For a little more than what you would pay to get your own family photos done you have captured a moment to remember and you have your family on film as well.  Here are some of my favorites from the most recent event.  

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: Throwback Thursday: Before and After Family Photos

So we all have those family photos that are great and we would like to keep but they degrade over time.  This is one of my favorite photos of my family but it is yellow and starting to show signs of wear.  You can see though that there is a lot that I can do with Photoshop to make photos like that better.  What about choosing a selection of family photos and create a new album of digital images for an anniversary or a birthday gift.  That would truly be something that would be remembered!

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: Throwback Thursday: My grandmother

So this week is a week for tributes I guess.  I am making this throwback Thursday post about my grandmother.  She was really the linchpin that held together the family.  She was one of the most giving and most outspoken women that I knew.  She passed in 2012 and is still greatly missed.  Even at 93 we would talk every day and she was sharp as a tack.  I used to call her in the middle of the night and on my way home from work just when I wanted someone to talk to.  She was a seamstress by trade, she took care of her family with love and grace and lots of Italian cooking.  This was her photo on her wedding day.  I restored the image and I am posting the before and after of the restoration.  I miss her everyday and I love her with all my heart!

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: Photography Tip of the Day: Taking good family photos

I find one of the toughest things for people is to make a family photo look interesting.  When you go on vacation someplace nice you want to take a photo of yourself there to capture the moment.  However, lining everyone up in a line is usually not that interesting looking.  One of the easiest things you can do is to have people at different heights.  Even with just a few people it adds more visual interest.  Use something available like stairs at a famous building or rocks at the beach and have people interspersed at different levels so that you are filling the frame with interesting content or making it more interesting. With kids, another good thing is to provide snacks and drinks and time to run around.  If kids are grumpy and don't want to take a picture then give them 10 minutes to goof off and/ or have a snack.  It usually changes the mood right away.  I almost always have snacks and waters on hand a family photo shoots just to make life easier for people.  If you are planning a big trip, consider hiring a professional where you are going to take a photo while you are there.  It makes a once in a lifetime trip even more memorable. Happy Shooting!

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: 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: Christmas Mini Sessions on Saturday December 7, 2013

Are you still planning on Christmas Family Photos but haven't gotten around to scheduling that appointment? Come visit us at our Plymouth, MA in house studio.  We are offering last minute mini sessions on December 7th! For $99 schedule a 30 minute session: receive 8-10 edited images and one 8X10 print. 

Plymouth South Shore Professional Photographer: It's never to early to think of family photos for your Christmas cards

Here is just one of the samples of Christmas Cards we have created over the years!  It is never too early to think about taking family beach photos.  Schedule your appointment today!

Plymouth South Shore Professional Photographer: Beach with the Sanfords

I had the wonderful opportunity on Friday to enjoy some sand and sun with the Sanfords.  Sadie is a particularly easy subject to shoot because she enjoys life so much.  She can entertain herself and she is so sweet and fun that she makes the day so enjoyable.  We had fun building sandcastles and surfing, snapping some pictures in between.  Hope you enjoy these as much as I had fun taking them!