Search Results for: blog photography potpourri no to cheese and yes to hats

How Long is Too Long for Kindergarten?

My baby begins kindergarten in the fall. Half-day kindergarten. For roughly four hours or so each day, my loquacious daughter will be chatting the ears off of some woman, who probably looks nothing like me, and a gaggle of kids who probably act just like her. Four hours. I’m not sure what I’ll do with myself. NOT! (Can you say three jobs and a never-ending battle with dirty clothes, the dishwasher and dust bunnies?) Still, when I think of how long kids in one Canadian province might have to spend in kindergarten, I’m liking the sound of four hours more … Continue reading →

Summer Lovin’ With a Digital Camera

Digital cameras get a real workout during the summer months. From family trips to the beach, fireworks displays, backyard barbeques and camping trips, the opportunities to snag super snapshots are virtually unlimited. You don’t need to be a professional to take frame worthy photos of your family having fun in the sun. Rather, simply follow these tips to ensure you’re getting the best shots possible: PRACTICE Practice makes perfect–regardless of whether you are shooting a huge family reunion or an intimate picnic for two. A few days before an important event, spend some time reading your digital camera’s manual. Then, … Continue reading →

Shooting Fourth of July Fireworks

Now that you know what images to snap at your Fourth of July parades, picnics and parties let’s turn our attention to the main event of any Independence Day celebration—-the fireworks displays. Here are some tips to keep in mind before the sparks start flying on the Fourth: Snapping Sparklers Last year I tried unsuccessfully to capture my 3-year-old using her sparklers to draw pictures in the night sky. However, during a Chinese New Year celebration a few months ago, I learned a trick from a photo expert. First, to best capture sparkler sky writing you should place your camera … Continue reading →

Getting Ready to Shoot the Fourth

It doesn’t get more American than a Fourth of July BBQ with friends, family and fireworks. The ultimate summertime holiday is teeming with amazing photo ops from flags to family reunions, parades to pie eating contests. It would be a shame not to make the most of these Independence Day events. So grab your camera, charge up those batteries, go out and splurge on a new memory card (or extra rolls of film) and get ready to snap your loved ones in action as they proudly celebrate our country’s 232nd birthday. Fourth of July Parade I addressed the challenges involved … Continue reading →

Birthday Pictures: What to Know Before They Blow

My daughter’s last birthday was one to remember. We celebrated with dozens of family members and friends at my parent’s home in Hawaii and appropriately enough my daughter chose a “Lilo & Stitch” theme for her party. By the end of the night I had snapped more than 200 pictures (I know… snap happy parents unite) and once I had a chance to view the images, I was pleasantly surprised at how well they turned out—-especially the ones that featured her blowing out her birthday candles. If you are the parent of the birthday child you know how chaotic it … Continue reading →

Documenting Family Reunions

Summertime and family reunions go hand in hand. If you are the family historian then you know how critical it is to use these large gatherings as the perfect opportunity to document (via photos) history in the making. Reunions are ideal picture taking events and you can make the most of your time together by keeping these simple tips in mind: FLASH I see my family members make the same mistake when it comes to taking group shots with flash. It is important to stay within flash range. The typical flash range for digital cameras is 6 to 10 feet, … Continue reading →

Taking Wonderful Wedding Pictures

Summer is the height of wedding season. But you don’t have to be a professional photographer to take amazing shots of the bridal party. You might be the parent of the flower girl, a friend of the groom, or the date of a bridesmaid, regardless there’s no reason to leave your camera at home on such a special occasion. Simply follow these tips and you’re sure to snap winning shots that can be keepsakes for the bride and groom (and you) on what will likely be a day to be remember for years to come: MIND YOUR MANNERS Believe me … 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 →

Photographing Your Furry Friends

Remember how I told you I was a snap happy parent? Well, I may have to reconsider my title after seeing my pal’s photo tribute to her new baby. My friend’s newest member of the family has the biggest eyes I have ever seen and smile that will melt your heart. Oh, and did I mention she has four legs and a ton of fur? Yes, my pal’s “baby” is a new puppy and if you thought you had a ton of pictures of your newborn you have not seen the mountains of shots my friend has taken of her … Continue reading →

Taking Pictures with the Easter Bunny

So yesterday my 3-year-old daughter and I hopped down to the mall to visit Peter Cottontail. She was excited to tell the Easter Bunny what she wanted to find in her basket on Easter Sunday (that’s why he’s sitting in Santa’s chair isn’t it?) and I was thrilled to finally get a picture of my little one perched on Floppy’s lap. You see, my daughter has always been deathly afraid of any and all costumed characters. She has run screaming from Santa (multiple times); won’t go near Mickey, Minnie, any of the Care Bears, Dora, or Blue; heck, she even … Continue reading →