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Food is the one topic that all people can relate to and agree on. I mean, come on, who doesn’t love food!? I love all foods, and I also have grown to love photographing food as well. Now, I’m not a pro at this, but over the years I have learned a few thing that have improved my eye for food photography. Something I do quite often is pick up the food magazines in the check out isles at the grocery store. I usually will feel quite inspired by these pictures on the covers and throughout the magazine, so I go home and try to imitate the meals. Before I eat, I always make sure to get a picture of my somewhat masterpiece. I have figured out some ways to make your food look more appealing while also looking fun and creative.

First off, like I’ve said before, natural lighting is key. If you have natural lighting in your kitchen by a window, set your food on a table in that area. Or if you are outside, and you don’t want the sun to wash out the picture, find a nice shaded spot under an umbrella. The natural lighting helps to give your food that crisp color it’s credited to. After you get your lighting down, you can always enhance your photographs color and contrast to make it even more appealing.

Secondly, besides capturing just the food, try and capture a background image as well. For example, if you’re photographing a refreshing drink, place it in a clear glass with someone holding it. Get this persons hand in the shot and maybe if they’re wearing a bright colored shirt, get that as well. Let’s say you’re photographing a colorful salad, have it on a colorful plate then look for a wooden table to place it on. The wood in the background is going to help the color in your food stand out as well as make it look like a modern and rustic shot. Also, if you’re working with a drink, try and add some fresh cut fruit to the glass, some whole ice cubes, and a straw with some sort of pattern dimension. Almost all of the drinks advertised in food magazines include on of those three, and the drinks look very appetizing!

Lastly, try to garnish your food if possible. Fresh chopped herbs and spices look great on hefty foods like meats, eggs, and vegetables. If you’re photographing some sort of dessert, try and drizzle something light on top, like melted chocolate or a fruity syrup. This just makes the image look more appealing over all.

Since 4th of July weekend starts tomorrow I’m sure all of you will be feasting on some colorful and delicious food! Before you dive into your meal, think about taking a fun photograph. This holiday is a great one to look back on, plus with all of the bright colors involved, you have a great shot at getting some exciting photographs!

Having the privilege to photograph everyday life is probably one of my absolute favorite things to do! Capturing the little moments from our everyday lives can mean so much, especially down the road when we look back on them. It’s crazy how times have changed from the film era to now what is digital, where we can delete what we don’t want from our camera role and there’s no worry about wasting film! Here are some of my thoughts on lifestyle photography and tips to encourage you to do some of your own!

I am constantly taking photos. Seriously, no matter where I am, if I see something that I feel is the slightest bit interesting, I snap a picture of it. I try to bring my DSLR with me every chance that I get. Whether it’s to the park for a walk, or to a family gathering, there are always moments to be captured. I make sure to have it in a comfortably smaller bag, this way I don’t feel like I’m lugging anything around heavy.

Here is a photograph I took with my DSLR at a family gathering last weekend. Just a sweet mother and her daughter enjoying a cannoli together. See how special, little moments like these can truly be? I’m sure everybody out there can relate and appreciate the little moments like this in life.

I know I sound like a broken record when I say be creative, but go on and use your imagination! Also, don’t be afraid to be weird. If you see something you feel like capturing, don’t hesitate. Work on getting different back drops and angles with objects, this way they stand out and make others take a second look. Don’t be afraid to zoom in either! Take your time to capture the little details, especially of the things that you love most in life. It could be something as simple as a Starbucks cup with lots of foam at the top, or a close up of your beloved dog’s nose. When you zoom in on an object, it really enhances the meaning of that object, and shows others how passionate you were about that shot. It also helps them to see things from your perspective.

I was walking around a “pizza bar” last weekend, just looking for things to photograph, when I came across these very interesting breadsticks. I immediately thought to get this shot because, where else are you going to find cool food like this? The angle is what makes this shot one of my favorites. I also helped myself to one of these breadsticks after taking this and I have to say, it tasted quite interesting as well.

Lastly, express your personality through your images. Whether it’s through objects, colors or scenery, people will have a better understanding of who you are and the things you appreciate the most. I love to take pictures downtown and in little street markets. This is where I find the most character within a shot, as well as that rustic environment everyone loves. Also, if you don’t own a DSLR or don’t plan on buying one anytime soon, don’t fret! iPhone’s work for lifestyle photography just as well as a digital camera does. There are also miniature lenses you can buy and place right over top of your existing lens! Here is a link to a page that specifies in iPhone lenses, and it’s quite fascinating!

thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-lenses-for-iphone/

This photograph I took using my iPhone 6S. I had just gotten done buying some beautiful flowers downtown, when I spotted and brick alley way across the street. I made my way over to the alley and snapped this colorful photo!

Always have some sort of camera on you, no matter where you go because you never know what might catch your eye! Lifestyle photography is one of the best types of photography because years down the road you have the privilege to look back on the little, fun moments you once captured, and hopefully that brings a big smile to your face!

Click here to watch my first video blog!

It amazes me the megapixels that come on a phone today. Every few months phone companies are coming out with something new, and what is the one thing they are always improving? The camera! To be honest, for the past couple of years I have been basing my new phone decisions off of the camera’s quality. Today iPhones can take panoramas, live shots and even time lapse videos! I use my camera everyday, and I’m a huge fan of Instagram. I have decided to go over a few tricks I swear by when taking photos and editing photos on my iPhone, so listen up!

Something you should do everyday and make a habit of is cleaning your camera lens. Now you don’t have to buy special cleaner or do anything fancy, but simply just wipe it off. I usually take my glasses lens cloth and clean off my front and back camera. This way you are assured to get a clear picture!

Secondly, lighting plays a big factor in picture quality. I always make sure that whether I’m using the front or back camera, that I’m always facing some natural light. That could mean if I’m outside then I am facing the way the sun is shining, or if I’m inside, then I’m facing a window. Everyone knows that when you have bad lighting, the picture usually turns out pretty grainy which isn’t very appealing. When you have good lighting in a photograph, you have a better chance to add some great color in there.

The first steps that I take to edit a well-lit photograph are, adjusting the brightness and contrast. This will make your photograph look more crisp and lively. Before I upload any photos through social media, I usually upload them to my VSCO account. This is a great app where you can edit photos and share them as well. I actually prefer to use the contrast and brightness settings through this app than I would through my basic camera app.

Also, something else I’d like to point out is when it’s best to transfer a photograph to black and white. The key is clarity and lighting. If your photograph is already lacking good lighting then it’s most likely going to be grainy, and those photographs look the worst when they’re black and white. So follow those steps I spoke about before. Make sure you have some good, natural lighting, then your black and white filter will give your picture a bold exterior.

If you really want to explore your editing options on your iPhone then go on and upload a few editing applications. Some of my favorites are VSCO, Instagram, PicTapGo, Afterlight and DeluxeFX. Take one photograph and play around with it on every application, save them, compare them and then chose your favorite. This is my favorite thing to do on a rainy day or if I’ve got some spare time before bed. I hope this has guided you in the right direction when in comes to getting your sharpest shots, and have fun with the color! To me, finding the perfect color for a photograph is the best part!

I have a 10 year old beagle mix who I absolutely love taking pictures of. I’m sure most pet owners can relate to my same obsession. I know it sounds silly but I take this topic sort of seriously not only because I love my dog, but because she’s a beautiful dog to photograph. Over the years I have realized there are some things I can do to improve these pictures overall. I’d like to share these tips with some of those pet obsessed owners out there, and anyone else who may find this interesting.

First off, always have a dog treat in hand. (Common sense, right?) It’s as simple as taking your pet’s favorite treat and holding it right above the camera’s lens. This way your pet is focused and looking almost directly into the camera. Also, remember that this could be very exciting for your pet, because they have a treat dangling right in front of them! A great way to make sure you capture that perfect shot of them through their excitement is to keep your camera on continuous shooting.

Secondly, use all the props you can find! Place them in baskets, (if they’re small enough) put sunglasses on them, or even use those silly costumes from Petco! (It’s where the pets go) Using props in a photoshoot always make the shot fun and unique, no matter what you’re shooting.

Finally, use window light! Pretty much anything is going to look better in a photograph if it’s enhanced with window light. It’s important to keep your flash off and use as much natural light as possible because you really want to steer away from those glowing, animal eyes! Make sure your back is to the window and your pet is facing the light. That is when you will get your clearest and most precious shot!

For some of us, our animals are our most prized possession. Getting those funny, loving and heartwarming shots of them is what means the most to us owners. Go ahead and try some of these tips, and then you’ll see how much the camera loves them!

Taking a photography course through one’s college years is something I highly recommend. Not only does it take you away from the brain cramming of Math, Science and English, but this is the time where a student gets to explore his or her creativity. When I signed up for Beginner’s Photography, I had no idea what I was in for. I have to say this class gave me some extreme drive, because I finally had the chance to be creative in a college course. For this post I would love to share my experience in the class and throw out some pointers for those taking a Beginners Photography course.

For this particular course we would have weekly assignments with a certain topic to shoot for. I can remember one of the first assignments was a macro photography assignment. Before this course I had no idea what the word “macro” entailed, but after I learned about it I realized that “macro” photography was actually my specialty. Ever since I was a kid, up close and detailed shots have been my favorite. As a college student it’s hard to be creative in a college environment, with all the hustle and bustle that surrounds you. Plus I took this course during the season of extreme snow storms, so I only really had the choice to do some shoots in doors. Lucky for me I lived in the dorms for art and theatre students and there was a grand piano right on the first floor. I had the idea to take some macro photography within the piano because, well, I mean, who else does that! I wanted to be different and show people the way I viewed things as simple as a piano. Here are the shots I came up with:

Another photograph that forced me to get super creative, was a photograph that I took of my dorm sink. Yes, my sink. Back then I didn’t own a camera with multiple shutter speeds, so I literally had to kneel at my sink and take shot after shot of my dripping faucet for about an hour. Finally I got a clear and appealing shot, and here it is!

Something I would do often that most people don’t think to do is direct my mind to a place where people would never take pictures, like a sink or inside of a piano. If you have a vision, go for it! No matter how silly or out of the ordinary you may think it will be, someone else may interpret it as art.

So I am sure you are all aware that the 4th of July is right around the corner! How exciting! Three-day weekend! I am looking forward to relaxing, watching some fireworks, filling up on good food and of course doing some fun photography! I think since the holiday is right around the corner, I will share some fun and exciting picture ideas with you! This will be helpful if you have kids who hate getting their picture taken, because these ideas are fun, and they will love them! These ideas are also beneficial for anyone attending a party who may want to get some neat shots to share with family and friends. So here you go!

Let’s go ahead and discuss kids. Some kids like getting their picture taken, but let’s face it, most don’t. In order for any kid to enjoy a photo session, there needs to be some fun involved. That includes delicious food and props! Here are some fun ideas to shoot for:

Watermelon: Kids love the taste and the mess. Try and get a big cheesy smile out of them in the midst of their enjoyment.

Burgers: While the kids are munching down on some burgers, try to focus on the messiest ones. Happy, little kids with big burgers are the cutest when you can get a sweet grin out of them (It’s even better if they’re wearing a white shirt).

Flags: If you live on a large piece of land, here is a shot for you. Have your kid put on either a white or navy blue shirt (those look best for this), and have them walk out onto your property with the sun to their backs. Hand them an American flag which can either be on a small pole or just by itself. If the flag is on a pole have them wave it in the air with the sun shining in the background. If the flag is not on a pole, tell your kid to hold the flag behind them or above their head, and run towards the sun. This makes for a great, dramatic and memorable shot. This also works great if you are on the beach. Another thing to do with a larger flag, is wrap a baby or toddler in it. This is a very popular sort of shot, but it always looks great.

Sparklers: Sparklers are everywhere during this holiday, so grab some and take some fun pics with the kids! Of course you should wait until the sun goes down in order to get some better shots. These shots should be done with the supervision of adults just to be safe.

Truck beds: If you or someone you know has a truck, and you have a cute kid, then you’re golden. Deck your kid out in 4th of July apparel and sit them on the bed of that truck! You can always hand them props as well, such as flags, or watermelon!

I hope during this holiday you get the chance to try out a few of these shots! As long as the kids are having fun, the pictures will come out great. Just remember, food and props are key! Have a fun holiday!

Here are some photos I found from Pinterest, which should help you visualize what I was describing:

Preparing for a newborn session isn’t something that should be taken lightly. The last thing you want to do is show up to a shoot this important, unprepared. A lot of work and mental preparation goes into creating a safe and clean environment for the newborn, as well as keeping the parents comfortable. So listen carefully because I am going to review every tip and trick you should follow for a smooth sailing newborn session!

The first thing you should go over with your clients are their visions and expectations for the shoot. Find out what sort of photography fits their style. If they are going for a “posed” sort of look, then this will have to be done with in the first two weeks of the newborns birth. Why, you ask? The first two weeks of a newborns life is very helpful to a photographer. This is the time where they are so sleepy it’s easy to mold them into different positions without them putting up a fuss. Now if the clients are going for more of a casual session, this is usually done in the comfort of the client’s home. Casual sessions are becoming more popular because it is easier on the clients, plus the photographers main intention is to capture natural shots in the newborns living space. In the long run, I think this sort of session means a lot more to the parents because they are only now becoming acclimated within their own household.

Next, prepare your self, prepare for the newborn, and help prepare the parents. Give yourself enough time to complete the shoot. If you think you will be holding the shoot from noon till three in the afternoon, give yourself an extra hour, just to be safe. Besides setting up each posing shot, there will be breast feeding time, numerous diaper changes and clean-ups. Now here is a checklist every photographer should go through before heading to a newborn session!

• Camera and 2 fully charged batteries
• Empty memory card
• Lenses
• Appropriate lighting equipment
• Space heater (if it is winter time)
• Water proof pads (place under blankets for posing)
• Change of clothes (for the photographer)
• Clean and soft bean bag (for newborn poses)
• Boppy pillow (also for poses)
• Step stool (very important for over head and “bird-eye-view” shots!)
• Back drop stand
• Props (baskets, football, toys)
• Blankets
• Small speaker to play some enjoyable music

Now that you have a sense of what you should bring to the session, let’s go over some things to keep an eye out for while shooting. Remember the other week when I blogged about “capturing the moment,” this is where you will use that advice! Be patient and wait for the baby to move, and yawn, those are always adorable shots. If the baby is asleep on their back, this is your chance to open their fists (slowly) and give the photograph a peaceful look. While they’re asleep this is also a great time for some macro photography! Close-ups of their hands and feet are great shots that parents absolutely love. A photograph like that really shows how small and delicate they are.

Lastly, something fun you could always consider towards the end of a shoot, is letting the mother get behind the camera. Hand the session over to her and allow her to have that special moment with her new baby. Having the access to a great digital camera is much more fun than the iPhone pics mothers take all the time.

It’s very important to be prepared for a newborn session. Besides a wedding, this is probably the most meaningful and special time for a client. Take into consideration everything that will make your client comfortable and pleased with the session. Be prepared, give yourself extra time, capture every moment, and let the parents have some fun as well!

Planning a wedding can be one of the most stressful things a person can experience! I know this first hand since I am in the midst of planning my own wedding. I have to say, all I want is for my guests to have a blast, and of course, I want amazing photographs to remember the evening! Now, we all know by now weddings aren’t cheap, and if you weren’t aware so are wedding photographers. I have decided to blog about the proper steps one should take when looking for their personal wedding photographer, in hopes that I can follow these steps as well.

Step one, decide on what style of photography fits you. Do you want something more classic and traditional like a portrait style album? Or do you want something more modern and sharp where your pictures have a very bold feel to them. Or like myself, do you want something more artsy? By this I mean a photographer who focuses on creating dramatic yet very natural shots from a unique point of view. After you’ve figured this out then you are ready to move on to the next step.

Step two, research, research, research! Make sure you read all the reviews from any local photographer you may be considering. Check out any social media those photographers have to offer and get a feel for their sense of style. Go on to make a list of any photographer you feel drawn to.

Step three, you can work on interviewing those candidates and make sure to review any pieces of work they have brought along! Also take a look and see if any of the venues that photographer has shot, are similar to yours. This way you have a feel for how your pictures may turn out. Ask them questions about their years of experience and how many weddings they have actually done.

Step four, make sure you have a clear understanding of what is included in the photographers package. Compare the fees and check to see what all is included in each individual package. One package could be more expensive than another and offer you less for your money, and you don’t want that!

Step five, confirm your photographer! After carefully going through the steps above, you are well on your way to receiving a great album that matches your style! Something else to consider is having more than one photographer at your wedding. I have seen this done a couple of times, and I do recommend it if it’s in your budget. This way you’ll have more coverage and possibly even two styles you love!

Last step, discuss the approximate date of your albums arrival! Discuss prints and disc versions. Many people like to order a disc version of their wedding album since it’s easier to upload to a computer and cheaper to get your own prints! Lastly, go over any retouching your photographer may do. Tell him/her what your limits are for retouching and if you want black and white versions as well.

I know it can be a lot to take in, but in the end if you feel like you have done your best to find the right photographer for you, then you should be very happy with your results! Remember, it’s okay to be picky, it’s your day!

By then end of a session with a toddler, most photographers all agree on the fact that they’re exhausted and glad for it to be over! Sadly, that’s not how any photographer should be feeling after any sort of shoot. Toddlers can be a handful, no doubt, but there are ways to get through a shoot without wanting to pull your hair out. Just listen to this!

First off, if you know there is a toddler session coming up, book it early! I’m talking 8 or 9 am. Why does the time matter, you ask? Think about it, when does a normal toddler wake up? I would say around 7 am. This gives the parent time to give them some breakfast and have them dressed without a fight. A toddler is probably the most cooperative in the morning because they have just conquered a good night’s sleep. This will help ensure you to have a smoother shoot, and not having a run-in with the terrible two’s.

Second, remember that the shutter speed on your camera could potentially be your key to a successful shoot. It’s pretty unrealistic to think that a toddler is going to show up to a session and sit there perfectly still and calm, just so you can get those perfect shots. It’s most likely the opposite. Now the child could be cooperative, but that doesn’t mean he won’t be on-the-go every chance he gets. To avoid motion blur, you need to use a high shutter speed. Personally anytime I’m photographing a kid ages, 2-10, I am always on the setting “continuous shooting,” this way I don’t miss a thing.

Lastly, become a team with the parents! I know it seems like the session is all about the toddler but it can actually fall back onto it being all about the parents. How the  parents feel about the session and how you decide to prepare the session with them, means a lot. If the parents come into the session relaxed and ready to be involved, it will make the session go much smoother. Try giving the parents a job, like getting their toddler to laugh by making funny faces or dangling their favorite toy behind the camera. Since the toddler isn’t familiar with your voice (the photographer), have the parents on stand-by constantly, so they can call the toddler’s name at the appropriate time and help you get that perfect shot. Also, having the parents in some shots makes for a great session. The photos with the whole family seem to be the most memorable ones out of all of them.

I hope that those tips and tricks help you for your future toddler sessions! Remember to get in those early shoots, keep a high shutter speed and team up with those parents! Follow that, and by the end of the session, your stress level should be next to nothing.