Search Results for: blog photographing nature

Photographing Special Spots

The mega-popular South by Southwest (SXSW) shindig is just a few weeks away. The annual music and film conference and festival held in Austin, Texas, has grown exponentially in the last few years. These days it attracts A-list celebrities and hundreds of thousands of fans from around the world. In addition to featuring amazing tunes and fabulous flicks, the event places the city of Austin in the spotlight. The capital of Texas is home to stunning architectural wonders and an amazing array of natural beauty. If you are planning to attend SXSW, consider taking some time to explore the historically … Continue reading →

Photographing Kids On Their Level

In order to get great shots of your kids, you need to be on their level. Photos look better when they are taken at the same level as the subject. Since kids are short, you’ll need to bend or kneel down to take photos of them. If your child is playing with cars on the floor, you’ll get a better shot if you kneel down and snap the shot in front of him. Also, keep in mind: *Closer is better: Your subject should take up the majority of the frame. Move in so that you don’t have a lot of … Continue reading →

More Tips for Photographing Your Pet

In my last blog I told you about my friend who gives new meaning to the term “snap happy parent.” Only her baby has four legs and much larger tongue than most kids. Her fur baby is her new puppy and the amount of pictures she has taken of that pooch is utterly amazing. If you are an overzealous puppy parent you might be swimming in shots as well. I understand that my pal wants to capture her pooch in all her glory so that she can share with the rest of the world how special she feels her dog … Continue reading →

Tips and Techniques for Photographing Your Cat

Cats are finicky, they also love to move. Getting pictures is hard because of their independent nature. Here are a few quick tips on helping you take some pictures of your cat. Be patient – the first tip is simply to be patient. Cats are animals and animals, no matter how sweet and trainable, are not always going to be cooperative. Take photographs at a time when your cat is less active. Perhaps when it is first waking up from a nap, or right after it eats as it is cleaning itself. Tilt your camera slightly to an angle to … Continue reading →

Tips for Photographing People

I like taking photos of still life and landscapes for fun. It gives me the opportunity to use my creative talents. But I think photos of people are the best type of photos. Unfortunately people also make some of the worst subjects. In the last couple of weeks I have scanned hundreds of old family photographs for my slide show projects. The photos of people fascinate me more than photos of any other subject. What makes a good photo of a person? I think capturing the person’s personality, character and emotion gives the viewer of the photo a connection to … Continue reading →

Photographing Nature

Finding creative inspiration in nature is easy. Nature is full of bright colors and amazing patterns. Those nature photos can be even more inspirational when they include your family members. Nature photography is a great time to use your high powered zoom lens. Landscape scenes like the beach or mountains make awesome photos. Take a minute to figure out what attracted you to the location. After shooting a few wide angle shots to get the whole scene try a few isolating details. For example at the beach get your sunset photo that shows the big picture. Then zoom in on … Continue reading →

Spring Break Snapshots

Tis the season for family getaways. Many schools around the nation are gearing up for spring break, and families are following suit. Now is a great time to drive or jet-off to your favorite recharging spot. For most people that means escaping to the sun, sand and surf, though any place that allows you to become one with nature is a prime choice as temperatures becomes more tolerable. If your spring break plans include visiting our nation’s natural treasures, don’t forget your camera… and your lenses. This is especially critical if you are planning a trip to major landmarks, such … Continue reading →

Prepping for Your Baby Bump Shoot

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 →

Summer Shots of Kids

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 →

Seasonal Sports Shooting

And so it begins… Spring has sprung in our neck of the woods. And by sprung I mean the mercury is above freezing. We hit 45 degrees today. There is truth in my sarcasm, but that’s life in northern Wisconsin. Despite what Mother Nature has been dishing out, spring has officially begun and so has the outdoor sports season. My daughter is a huge soccer player. Unfortunately, while her play has improved over the years, my shots of her haven’t. This year I’ve pledged to fine tune my photo skills, so I can capture her in motion minus the blur … Continue reading →