Each to their own... Canon vs. Nikon

We all have our favourite brand of soaps or chips and generally stand by and defend your brand. Same goes for Camera's! 

We are team Canon... what team are you and why?

Family Pictures: Tips & Ideas

It happens about this time every year.  The anxiety.  The stress.  The dread.  Yep – it’s time for  family pictures.  The pressure’s on for every woman to wrangle the kids and hubby together into trendy, coordinating (but not too matchy) outfits – in an attempt to capture (ever elusive) natural smiles for a “picture perfect” holiday card.  What’s a girl to do?

Well, never fear – because we are here!  And you are gonna LOVE us after this post! 

We’ve racked our brains and searched all over Pinterest and Blog Land, and gathered the best tips and ideas for this year’s family photos.  Yep, just for you, we’ve compiled…

“The Ultimate Family Picture Planning Guide”

From choosing your photographer, location, props, poses, and clothes… all the way to tips for looking good in front of the camera and getting your kids (and husband) to cooperate – we’ve got you covered!

And if that isn’t enough, to keep you super organized and ahead of the game, we’ve even hooked you up with a…

So say goodbye to all that stress.  This year’s pictures are gonna be a breeze.  We’ve done most of the work for you.  Just sit back, relax, and prepare for some serious photo inspiration…

The Photographer

Consider these tips when choosing and working with a photographer…

1.  Ask for recommendations! 

(You can just choose us ;)

2.  Look at their portfolio/ website.  Usually, what you see is what you get.

3.  Check their work to see if they are used to working with kids, a large group, etc. (we are...)

4.  You don’t have to pick the  most expensive photographer in town, but remember that this is an investment of your memories.  And I’ve never heard anyone say, “I wish I would have spent the least amount of money possible on our photos.”

5.  Schedule in advance!  Talented photographers usually fill up fast, especially on weekends.  And you may have to reschedule if the weather doesn’t cooperate.

6.  Know what you want and communicate it to your photographer ahead of time.  A discussion about the style, location, props, and poses you’re planning on can work wonders to get you on the same page.

7.  Rely on your photographer for suggestions, and value their opinion.  While you don’t want to be completely at their mercy- they are, after all, the professional.

The Location

You’re not restricted to a portrait studio these days!  Outdoor photography offers natural lighting for beautiful pictures and endless options.   Check out these tips to narrow them down…

8. Drive around and pay attention to different areas near you that would make beautiful and creative backgrounds.

9.  Pick a location that matches your family’s personality.  You’ll want these pictures to reflect this time in your lives.  So while railroad tracks can look cool, we recommends that you ask yourself, “Would our family really spend time here?”

10.  Before getting too attached to a location, run it by your photographer.  They should know if there are any issues with your choice (such as a required permit or difficult lighting) or if there are better choices available.

11.  Browse family pictures online for location inspiration. 

The Props

The difference between a good picture and a great picture is in the details.  So don’t forget to add in some fun props for that little something extra…

12.  We  suggest including items from the natural environment in family photos.  ”Keeping the props as minimal and realistic as possible helps keep the focus on the connection between the family.”  So try a bouquet of wild flowers or a picnic blanket.

13.  Incorporate items that have meaning to your family to really personalise the picture.  We recommend using props to highlight your family’s hobbies.  So if you love biking together- why not throw in a bike or two?

14.  Props such as a couch, chairs, stools, or a ladder can help add different posing options to the same location.

15.  Bringing along your child’s favorite toy or blanket will not only capture the special memory in the photograph, but will also help keep your child happy and cooperative.

16.  Props such as chalkboards, signs, wooden letters, or scrabble tiles can help you spell out and convey a specific message.

17.  Choose props that will help your family interact for natural, candid photos.  So bring along a book to read to the baby, a game to lay out and play with the kids, or a picnic to enjoy together.

18.  When choosing props, consider the colour of your clothing and location background as well.  You may want to choose neutral props that will go with anything, or props with a pop of colour for added interest.

Stay tuned to read our next post on family photo-day! We will be giving you tips and tricks on posing, clothing, how to look good and much more!

Digital Wedding Etiquette...

Since you are reading a blog right now one thing is for sure – you are up on technology and the latest form of receiving fresh information. In this digital age… times and traditions are quickly changing and it’s affecting the way we plan our weddings. There are a few pros and cons to being digitally connected with your guests; pros like being able to see their images from your wedding on Instagram and allowing your guests to rsvp via digital devices – and cons being a Facebook friend finding out they weren’t invited to your wedding or a bridesmaid posting a picture of you in your wedding dress before the ceremony for all your FB friends to see! Wedding Paper Divas noticed this new trend and is sharing a few statistics that they have found on how mobile devices are transforming our celebrations…

PHOTOGRAPHING WITH BACKLIGHT + SUN FLARE

Who doesn't love a glowing background? There's something so gorgeous about an abundance of light taking over a photo- casting the perfect light on your subject. To do this, place your subject in front of a light source (in this case, we used the sun) and don't be afraid to experiment. There's no right or wrong it's all about placing your subject in the right place and once you have your settings in place- have your subject experiment with different poses, which allows the sun to peek through various body movements. The outcome really is beautiful and has a tendency to have a vintage and classic look.

Place the model directly in front of the sun and then let her pose so that the light leaked through it different ways. (The best time of day to experiment with glowing light is during the magic hour or anytime when the sun is lower in the sky. This makes it easier to pose your model in front of it! )

Sun flare is a natural occurance that can be unpredictible. You can find this light when posing your model in front of the sun. You'll be able to see it through your camera's viewfinder as you move around and find the perfect position! Try these simple techniques next time you are out shooting photos and we think you'll be pleased with the results!

Louise 21st Birthday!

We had such a blast at Louise's 21st Brithday this past weekend! And we cant wait to do your next birthday party or function!

What are we up to?

Top Tips for Better Maternity Photo Shoots

Maternity photography has really gained in popularity through the last few years. Photographers are getting more and more creative with women and their baby bumps. It’s fantastic to see so much brightness and life in this new wave of photography. However, with any specialty there are always a few things to keep in mind when starting out.

1. The Time is Right

It’s hard to say when the exact right time to photograph a pregnant woman would be, but in most cases 7 months is the ideal month. This is usually when the baby has dropped a bit in the tummy and when moms are still relatively comfortable in moving their bodies. If you wait until after the 7 months, sometimes it can be uncomfortable  for the mothers, plus they have a lot on their plate the closer they get to their due date.  As a photographer, you’ll also want enough time to edit and print these images before the baby arrives. This should be plenty of time for your client to order images and share them before the wee one enters the world.

2. Preparation is Key

Maternity photography should be treated just like modeling or head shot photography. Have your client come prepared. Moms should make sure their nails are groomed and you might even suggest having the moms have their hair and makeup professionally done.  It’s a little bit of pampering but it goes a long way in making the clients feel great about themselves. Have a candid discussion with your client regarding what to bring and make sure they bring water, snacks and a robe (for in between shoots) so they can feel as comfortable as possible. Also, remind them  not  to wear anything too confining around the belly before the session (like elastic pants). This can often leave marks on the tummy in which you’ll have to photoshop out later. So save yourself some time with this little tip.

3. Try New Angles

Ok, so you’ve done the traditional photo of mom standing up with her hands on her belly, now what? With maternity photography, it’s important to get the best angles and lighting as possible for the expecting moms. Try shooting from above. This is a great angle as it is almost always flattering . At this position, you can focus on her bright eyes or her hands on her belly. She can be looking straight at you or down at her bump. Any of these combinations will work as this angle is flattering and slimming to the face.

4. Get Creative

Think outside the box and get creative. What I love most about today’s maternity photography is the abstracts. I love the focus on the belly and flowers. Or maybe the feet are in focus and the tummy is out of focus. Or you can be clever in announcing the sex of the child by including elements to give clues. Try a pair of boy’s baby shoes in the photo or maybe fill the room with pink balloons. It’s fun to get creative and your client will have fun as well.

5. Get Loved Ones Involved

It’s not just mom who is excited about the arrival of the baby, it’s the dad, the partner, the pets, the siblings, the grandparents, the aunts, the uncles, you name it, everyone is anxiously waiting. So now is the time to capture their excitement too and include them in the maternity photo shoot.  Dads and partners can come in and wrap their arms around the mom. Siblings can come in get up and close to mom’s belly. Finally, let Fido in on the action too, he’s a part of the family too and his life is about to get a whole lot better with more table scraps coming his way in a few years.

The important key to remember with any of this is to always make sure your client is comfortable. Keep relaxed but take this seriously. Your clients will love the extra attention and details you give them. Photographers are family historians and this is one of the most important jobs in the world.

We're at the Bulwer Food & Craft Lovers Market!!!!!

Be there on the 30th June 2013 to check us out and support!