Just in time for this weekend, Holiday photo tips to save the day

PHOTO TIPS:

1.  Flash:  Not the easiest thing to work with - but sometimes just necessary!  If you’re at a gathering during the day…try to turn your flash off.  Set the ISO, which is basically the camera “film” speed, at least at 400.  Take a look around the room, and try to find natural light by the windows.  You’ll get beautiful soft filtered light, that makes for gorgeous photos!  At night, or in dark spaces, you will have to use a flash.  Keep in mind that your camera’s flash only really works up to about 6 ft. away.  So stay close!  Also, if you have an attached flash system - see if you have the capability to adjust the position.  On “shoe flashes” you should have a release button to adjust the angle and direction the flash is set up in.  If possible, extend the flash straight up, then slightly tip it to point behind you!  Ideal position would be if the flash is firing where the wall and ceiling meet directly behind you.  If you can’t tip it back, then position it straight up and down, bouncing off the ceiling!

2.  Composition:

A. The biggest mistake that people make taking photographs is being too far away!  Often I tell clients that the background isn’t all that important - especially when you’re in a house!   What you’re photographing are the people, not the bookshelf!  LOL   When you look through your viewfinder - take specific notice of how much background is in your frame.  Before you click your shutter - take a step, or a few steps closer to your subjects!  Don’t be worried about if the top of someone’s head is slightly cropped, you’ll be focusing on their faces and expressions!

B. Probably the second No-No people don’t realize is NOT TO CENTER THEIR PHOTOS!    Think of your viewfinder as a Tic-Tac-Toe grid.  You do not want the focal point of your photo to land in the center. It’s visually boring!  Where you do want to focus the attention is the corner points of that center square.  Those land 1/3 of the way into the frame.  So maybe start by centering the photo - then shift yourself so the person’s eyes are landing at either the top Left or top Right point of that center square.  Basically just shift a bit left, right, up or down…you’ll be much happier with the results!

3.  Candid Shots:

Looking for real smiles, and emotions?  Resist the urge to say “Say Cheese and Look at the Camera!”  When you see family or friends laughing and enjoying each others company - sneak over and fire off a few frames!  If they are looking at you, try to crack a joke, or remind them of a funny story that gets the giggles going again!

Wishing you a Wonderful Holiday Season - and Happy Photo taking!

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2009 in Review…

It’s hard to believe that there is only 2 weeks + left in 2009!  It seems to always start to fly by once the Fall hits.   Many of you know that before photography - I taught elementary ed. in Niskayuna.   It’s a regular practice for a teacher to self-reflect.  Now I’m not talking about requirements, just day to day, or lesson to lesson reflections.  Although my teaching days are behind me - I still find that routine very much ingrained.   I love looking through proofs from a session - and discovering what I walked away with.   I mentally prepare before a session - and generally do have an idea of what my client is looking for, as well as ideas I have in mind.  However, the best photos are always a result of just letting the session unfold in front of me!

In preparation for 2010 - I’ve had the chance to go back through the sessions from the year.  I really was honored to meet and work with so many wonderful families!  Maternity and Newborn sessions begun 2009 - working with many expecting mothers, and some absolutely beautiful newborn babies!  As I reviewed these images, I really noticed how much I do stick to my style, or maybe better said - my vision of what should be documented during these sessions.  I LOVE the lines that my eye is drawn to.  The roundness of a belly - the delicate wrinkles of newborn fingers.  These details are so precious - that I  focus on them.   Two words to sum it up…. ”detailed simplicity” 

Boudoir was a new area that I worked with this year - and how much fun it is!!!  The nerves were always there - but quickly diminished and turned to laughing, joking and relaxed smiles!  The women I worked with were stunning. And I’m thrilled to know how beautiful they felt when they viewed their images.   Hoping to really work in this are more next year - keep the idea in your head … it’s the perfect gift - and although it sounds crazy…Valentine’s Day isn’t far off!!!

As we moved into the warmer months - the family and children sessions became more popular. I met the owners of Felthousen’s Greenhouse and Florist in Niskayuna, and joined them for their Spring Event.   Not much cuter than little kids and baby chicks!    Again, looking at the families I worked with this year - there’s a common thread to their images.  Playfulness!  Of course I’ll pose everyone and ask that everyone look at the camera - but that’s not my goal.   Natural interactions - squealing laughs and tickles….those are the elements that make amazing Family Portraits!

In addition to family sessions, the summer brought some High School Senior sessions as well!  One of my favorite thing to do, is to help Seniors really celebrate who they are!  I love hearing about their hobbies, seeing their clothing style, and seeing the excitement in their eyes as they talk about what the next fall will hold for them!!!

September, October and November were loaded with family sessions, generally with the “HOLIDAY PHOTO” the number one priority!   So many great families!!!

I honestly can not say enough about the wonderful people I’ve worked with this year.  I’m honored that so many of my clients have chosen to work with me year after year - and am appreciative of those who contacted me for their first sessions.

Best wishes for a delightful holiday season - full of laughs, good health, and of course wonderful photos!

Looking forward to seeing you in 2010!

Are you wondering why in the world I’m talking about Valentine’s Day in December? !   Well believe it or not…Valentine’s Day is only about 8 weeks away!  As with any holiday session, booking needs to planned so that there’ s time to shoot the session, process, order, and get everything into your hands!  So in actuality…all of you women in the Capital District need to start looking at your calendars and get ready to book your Valentine’s Day Boudoir Session now!  Boudoir photos are a wonderful, and very appreciate gifts for our husbands, boyfriend.  And feeling good about yourself and your body, is a pretty nice gift to yourself as well!

I’ve posted about Boudoir before - and just want to recap a bit.   Yes, Boudoir means “bedroom” and generally are considered sexy/beautiful pictures.   Most women that contact me are a bit nervous, and sometimes embarrassed!  All of those jitters quickly diminish as we chat about what you want your boudoir session to be, and I fill you in on the details of how one typically goes!  The biggest thing I want clients to know, is that I work very hard to make them feel comfortable, confident and beautiful!  We’ll talk about angles, whether or not you like your profile or straight on shots better.  Parts of your body you love, and even the ones you don’t care for!  These sessions are shot in the comfort of your own home.  And again, we make it what you want it to be.  We’ll use different rooms in the house/apartment - and a lot of window light for that soft glow.   I also like to focus on the lines of the body.  So in some shots,  I may be focusing on your legs, back, shoulders — and you get to relax as I work some magic behind the camera!   I will be getting some “testimonials” from women I’ve worked with, as hearing about someone’s experience is generally what people really want!

Here’s another shot from previous sessions, and a testimonial from a future client… 

TESTIMONIAL

“Thank you so much for taking so much time with me last night!  I know I had a ton of questions…I didn’t mean to keep you for so long. But your patience and understanding and wanting to make me feel so comfortable makes me know that you are the only person I could ever feel ok about doing something like this with!!  So please, take that as even a higher compliment than taking the most beautiful pictures of someone.  The pictures I am sure are wonderful, but to be able to make someone feel comfortable enough to show her “bedroom” side to someone other than the man she loves, is huge.  So thank you for this.”

Every year, I have a good handful of clients who choose to have me do their holiday photo cards.  I love pulling these together, and getting them the look and message they want to send out to their family and friends!  All cards are customized to the photo used - and are original creations.  Here’s a handful from this season!  Enjoy