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 →

Lighting is a key consideration when taking group shots. However, due to the challenges associated with having a large amount of people in one place at the same time, this all-important component of photography often gets overlooked. The idea of having a professional handle the lighting, backdrop and poses appeals to many people. However, while professional photo shoots have their advantages, they don’t come cheap. What’s more, getting young children to pose for a stranger can be a nightmarish proposition. Fortunately, it is possible to take frame worthy group shots on your own, provided you consider these lighting tips: Professional … Continue reading →

I always dreaded school picture day. Always. Even as a first grader. Even as a Catholic schoolgirl, who wore a uniform to class everyday, regardless of whether it was picture day. I just despised picture day. And it wasn’t as though I was forced to wear an elaborate dress that compromised my playground activity. Nor did I have long flowing hair that required me to sit like a statue until picture time in order to avoid looking like the Amy Winehouse. I simply couldn’t stand smiling on demand. If your young child has similar issues with school picture day, then … Continue reading →

With summer almost half way over many families are trying to squeeze in at least one more road trip before school starts. If you are getting ready to hit the highway for a fun-filled family vacation, then consider employing the following tips to ensure you capture stunning shots of your summer adventure: TELL A STORY Getting to your final destination is half the fun; so make sure you are documenting all the action from the moment you load into the family car. Tell a story with your shots by shooting chronologically. Capture the mood of the trip from start to … Continue reading →

These days digital cameras are the standard when it comes to taking amateur photos. The popular cameras have virtually eliminated the need for film, which means digital photographers can snap to their heart’s content without worrying about wasting film. The number of images you can take at a single event can easily number into the hundreds. But despite the advancement in technology many amateur photographers find they are getting quantity but not quality—-in which case you might want to consider the following tips: FRAMING Good composition goes a long way when it comes to snapping a decent photograph. Try to … Continue reading →