Maybe it’s because I absolutely dread winter or perhaps it’s because I was never a big fan of school. Regardless of the reason, I always have a hard time saying so long to summer. As the sun sets on my favorite season of the year, I’ve compiled some tips to consider when you are out and about with your camera: Snapping Eye-Popping Shots: If you are trying to capture a portrait of your children in the great outdoors look for a muted background that makes their faces pop off the photo. For example, if your daughter is wearing a pastel … Continue reading →

Practice does make perfect when shooting photos and posing for them. With senior portrait season in full swing, now is the time for teens to put their best face forward. High school senior photos document a major milestone in a student’s life. The moment when a teen is preparing to start the next chapter in his or her life is a momentous occasion. Capturing this special time is important for students and their families, which is why it’s critical to make the most of a senior photo session. The following are tips to consider before you pose for some of … Continue reading →

The marquee in front of our local portrait studio reads: “Last call for senior shots!” Where did the summer go? If your child is entering his senior year in high school, then formal portraits are just one more thing you likely have on your to-do list… or more accurately, your to-pay-for list. Senior portraits aren’t cheap. What’s more, they are a necessity, as they appear in the school’s yearbook, and mark a major milestone in your student’s academic career. So how can you ensure that you are getting your money’s worth? Here are some tips to share with your incoming … Continue reading →

Summer is the best time of the year to tour our nation’s most awe-inspiring natural wonders. After all, nothing beats watching a stunning sunset illuminate sweeping vistas. What’s more, the National Park Service says 2011 may be its best year yet given the state of the economy and the record number of families looking to vacation closer to home. If you are planning on vacationing at a National Park this summer, pack your camera and remember these simple tips: Include your family members: Some photographers get so caught up with the extraordinary vistas that stretch for miles that they forget … Continue reading →

True or false: Cows sit down when it’s about to rain? My 6-year-old bought that myth hook, line and sinker, despite a “real” farmer trying to explain otherwise. The problem is my child has photographic proof that cows really do take a load off when dark clouds roll in. Years ago I snapped a shot of a cow sitting pretty with a black sky as the background. What you don’t see in the photo is that there were about 14 other cows standing straight up as the rain began to fall. Whether you are taking pictures of cows, horses or … Continue reading →

I’ve entered a few photo contests in my time. I’ve lost more times than I’ve won, but a majority of my failures have been less about my photo skills and more about my inability to thoroughly read the contests’ rules. If you are planning to enter your favorite images into one or more of the hundreds of photo contests available, learn from my mistakes: For starters, each photo contest features a unique set of rules that must be followed to avoid disqualification. Read ALL of the rules. Don’t assume all photo contests are created equally. Contest guidelines are not arbitrary; … Continue reading →

It’s not even July and the photo studios in our area are already advertising specials on senior portrait packages. I suppose summer is prime time for getting senior pictures taken, but it seems like the school year just ended. I can’t imagine having to prepare for yearbook pictures. Of course, I was not nearly as thrilled about getting my senior shots taken, then the majority of girls in my graduating class. For most gals, senior portraits are about as close as they will get to a modeling gig. The photo session is quite glamorous with its array of poses and … Continue reading →

With the advent of digital photography, standard 4×6 prints are not nearly as popular as they once were. So, what do you do with the hundreds and hundreds of printed photos you have bulging out of albums, shoe boxes and manila folders? My suggestion: Photo collages. I am a photo collage-making maniac. Ever since I was in high school I have loved making large collages from duplicate prints. I can’t stand seeing paid prints go to waste and I get such a thrill from viewing completed collages that I make at least one of two per month. The beauty of … Continue reading →

I don’t take indoor photos of my daughter during the summer months. I didn’t realize my habit until I viewed albums featuring seasonal shots of my child, and noticed that every single one was taken in the great outdoors. When the weather is nice, forget about posing your child in a sterile indoor studio in front of boring props. Instead, opt for a session snapped outside with Mother Nature’s bounty in full view. The venue, be it your backyard, garden or a neighborhood park, allows young subjects the chance to act as natural as possible. The familiar setting also gives … Continue reading →

We’re still a few days away from the official start of summer, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t already be taking advantage of the seasonal sunlight. In fact, from now until June 21st, the Northern Hemisphere will be experiencing the longest days of the year. Hopefully, the extended daylight and mild temperatures will encourage you to get outside to snap frame worthy shots of nature at its best. There is no better time of the year to exercise your outdoor photo skills, as summer’s natural light provides a variety of incredible opportunities. Sunlight can be used as a primary light … Continue reading →