Sean & Meg: Sneak peak!

I just got back from shooting Sean and Meg's engagement session and it was a BLAST! They are such an awesome couple who love to laugh and have a great time together. I am looking forward to sharing more, but for now here is a taste of what is to come!

The Big "M": Manual Mode

Let me first start this post off by saying, I am no expert! I still have so much to learn, it's overwhelming sometimes. However, if something I am working on can shed light into someone else's photography then I am all for sharing :-) I've had a few questions about manual exposure, so here's my attempt to unravel the importance of it!

Before I even started my business, I followed the work of many incredibly talented photographers. I always saw them mention phrases like "manual exposure" or "i only shoot in manual mode". I never really understood why, but I thought if so many photographers are doing it then it must be important! When I bought my first camera I just stared at the "M" on the dial for the first month or so. It's a little intimidating. But one day I mustered up the courage to turn my dial ALL THE WAY from "P" to "M" and I haven't turned back since. Mastering manual mode is one of the BEST ways to learn how your camera works. It's one of the fastest ways to understand how aperture, shutter speed and ISO all relate to one another. And it allows you complete control over your images. For those of you that know me, you'll all agree I like to be in control ;-) By manually exposing all of your shots, you are able to better capture what your eye sees in your subject - not what your camera sees. How many times have you snapped a photo in full auto mode and looked down at the back of the camera to see a photo that looks too dark? Or looks different than how you anticipated? Manual mode to the rescue!!

In order to illustrate my point, I snapped a couple pictures of my lovely husband. He's sitting across from me at our desk with the window behind him. Since it was later in the afternoon, the sun was coming in pretty strongly from behind him. Below are two photos side-by-side straight out of the camera. The one on the left was taken using full auto. The one on the right was taken using manual mode.

In the picture on the left, the camera sensed a LOT of light coming in and compensated for it. Essentially it automatically exposed for the window making Robert, the subject of the picture, too dark. In the picture on the right, I controlled the settings and exposed for Robert, not the window. Now, obviously the light coming in through the window makes that part of the image really blown out (over-exposed). But, since the window isn't my focus, I don't really mind! :-) I happen to like the version on the right muuuuuch better than the version on the left!

So, for all of you that own a camera with manual capabilities I highly encourage you to explore manual mode! It can be frustrating at first but it's oh so rewarding once you get the hang of it. I shoot exclusively in manual and love the freedom it gives me to manipulate my shots in camera.

The Mail

Ever since Robert started school he has been anxiously awaiting the arrival of his textbooks. By ordering them online we were able to save almost 50% over what we would have paid on campus, but we are learning that the efficiency of online ordering cannot be guaranteed. The poor guy has made 3 attempts at getting a Physics book - the first one was back ordered, second was lost in the mail...so we are on try 3, ordered last week with expedited shipping from San Diego. So, every day around 4:30 the mail is delivered and Robert and I walk out to the mailbox and hold our breath in anticipation as he puts the key in and opens the door. It sounds silly, but he REALLY needs this textbook ASAP. Yesterday there was a glimmer of hope as he opened our mailbox and there was a key to the parcel box down below. Expecting a Physics book, he looked confused as he opened the large door and the only thing inside was a smile white box. Disappointed he picked it up and tossed it on top of the stack of mail and turned around only to see a HUGE smile on my face. When I saw that white box I knew exactly what it was! My business cards.

While I am sad Robert still doesn't have the materials he needs (maybe tomorrow?) I am thrilled that I have what I need to start advertising! Pretty soon these shimmery white cards will be all over town!

Hellllloooooo beautiful :-)

It's September!

And that means 2 things!

1 - Robert has started school and my month long hiatus from photography is over! So while he immerses himself in the world of Organic Chemistry, Biology and Physics (fun, eh?), I am back to scheduling photoshoots and meeting with my 2010 brides! YAY!

2 - It's time to start thinking about Christmas cards. Yes, you read that correctly. Christmas. Cards.

This past week, Karrie of Karrie Pyke Designs and Posh Paperie contacted me about using some of my pictures in her cards for her upcoming Christmas card party. Karrie and Elizabeth are working hard on their line of cards for this year's holiday season and plan to showcase them later this month. Here's a little preview of their amazing work (designed to be folded as a z-card):

If you are looking for a fresh, beautifully designed card as the Holiday season draws nearer, please contact Posh Paperie to see the rest of their 2009 line-up!

And, if you need the perfect family photo to put in that card, please contact me and ask me about my Holiday portrait session special!

...NEW LOGO!

I am so excited to introduce my new logo and blog design. The blog is still a work in progress, but I am thrilled with how it's coming along so far. Karrie Pyke of Karrie Pyke Designs did my logo for me and I could not be happier with it. I'm looking forward to sharing more of her amazing work with you soon! Introducing, the NEW LOGO!!

Doesn't it just make you smile? :-)