The beginning of the new year is when many professional photographers offer super savings on portrait packages, including sessions for expectant mothers. Since most families take photos during the holidays, studios need to come up with deals to attract customers. If you are planning to give birth in the spring, now is one of the best times to take advantage of drastically reduced portrait packages. As I mentioned in a previous blog, photo sessions for expectant moms are extremely popular these days. However, in order to make the most of your shoot you’ll want to keep the following tips in … Continue reading →

Michigan’s Lake Superior State University wants to eliminate the words “baby bump” from our lexicon. Today, the school released its annual “List of Words Banished from the Queen’s English for Misuse, Overuse and General Uselessness.” In addition to “baby bump,” the words “occupy,” “ginormous,” “man cave” and “the new normal” have been voted on to be dropped from our daily vocabulary. Fat chance of that happening, especially if you are expecting a baby in the next few months. The New Year typically brings with it a slew of deals on maternity photo packages. The deals offered by professional photographers are … Continue reading →

In a previous blog I discussed some ways to improve your self portrait shots without having to invest in an expensive DSLR. Buying a tripod is a great first step. However, if you take a fair amount of photos of yourself, you will also want to budget for a remote control or trip handle. The former is available with most digital cameras and allows you to activate your camera’s shutter with the simple push of a button attached to a mobile device. Meanwhile, the latter is a long cord that screws into the camera and allows you to press the … Continue reading →

With Christmas falling on a Sunday this year, many people had today off from work. Translation: If you hosted the holidays at your home, you may still be dealing with a house full of guests. While you’ve got the entire clan together for an extra day, grab your camera and snap some group shots. Even if your gang consists of just a few stragglers, it’s nice to document loved ones sharing the same space and enjoying each others’ company. Smaller groups lend themselves to close-up shots. The closer you get to your subjects, the easier it will be for you … Continue reading →

You don’t need to drain your wallet purchasing a high-end DSLR and loads of expensive accessories in order to snap photos with a soft appearance. The eye-pleasing look can be achieved by following these simple tips: Manipulate Light: When it comes to capturing images with a soft appearance, lighting is a major factor. Before you start shooting, adjust the brightness of your camera’s flash so it won’t cause harsh shadows on your subject’s face. One trick is to combine a soft flash with natural light to create a smooth, soft look. Another option is to use a light diffuser. Whether … Continue reading →

Whether you are planning to scrapbook the holiday or you want to include a shot of your costumed kiddos in your annual Christmas newsletter, snapping frame worthy Halloween pictures is a must. However, with all of the chaos that surrounds getting candy-obsessed kids made-up and out the door on Halloween night, you might not be able to focus on the task at hand. Fortunately, there are some simple tips that can help ensure that your Halloween photos don’t look as though they were taken by a headless horseman: Spice it up: Instead of taking photos from the same boring angle, … Continue reading →

This week is peak leaf-peeping time in my neck of the woods. The trees are covered with leaves featuring brilliant shades of orange, red and yellow. The gorgeous landscapes near my home are prime for picture-taking, and I have been trying my best to record the colorful show. Whereas, many of you are likely gearing up to snap portraits of your costumed kids on Halloween, consider taking a moment to document the fall landscapes with your camera. You don’t have to travel far to snap stunning scenery shots. Often, you can find a local landscape to capture nature at its … Continue reading →

You can shoot RAW images rather than JPG, include movement and find a focal point, but those are not the only ways to enhance scenery shots. When taking photos of sweeping vistas and gorgeous landscapes, timing and lighting are key. Since you are shooting in the great outdoors, you are at nature’s mercy for the bulk of your lighting. You don’t have to be a professional photographer to know that it is not wise to shoot outside at high noon on a cloudless day. Doing so will yield images riddled with harsh shadows. Instead, aim to take scenery shots during … Continue reading →

At the risk of offending residents of the 49th state, my ideal vacation destination is not Alaska. Allow me to explain: I live in freezing cold temperatures for more than half the year in northern Wisconsin, so the last place I want to venture when I get the chance is another cold climate. And I born and raised in Hawaii, so understand my teeny-tiny tolerance for snow and ice. Still, Alaska is home to some of the most stunning natural scenery in the world. I got an eyeful last week when viewing photos taken by my high school friend who … Continue reading →

Halloween pictures don’t have to only include trick-or-treaters and pumpkins. If you are looking to add some mystery to your All Hallows’ Eve photos, then look to the sky. The moon phase for Halloween 2011 is Waxing Crescent which means you won’t have a full sphere to document. Still, the light from a Crescent moon will easily help to cast an eerie glow on your holiday subjects. However, before you shoot at the sky, consider that there is a distance of approximately 240,000 miles between you and the moon. Unless you have special equipment you probably won’t be able to … Continue reading →