What kind of Camera do you use?
I have a Nikon D300. I am saving up for a new camera though :) If you are just starting out or just taking pictures as a Mommy I wouldn't get my camera or higher until you know how to use a camera on Manual mode. For the Moms out there that just want to take decent every day pictures get yourself a nice DSLR. Most average DSLR will give you an option wheel that will help your camera think for you the best that it can. I am a Nikon girl because that is what I learned on, but I know fabulous photographers who shoot with Canon too. It is the person who takes an awesome photo not the camera. Don't get me wrong, if you have a nice camera and know how to use it then you can create MAGIC :) Also since some one asked....... if you know how to use your camera then yes, nicer lenses do make a difference. I shoot with prime lenses 98% of the time. I think they produce a crisper image with better bokeh.
What editing software do you use?
I currently use Photoshop CS5 and Lightroom 2. I use Lightroom to open up all of my raw images, and do any quick adjustments I need to, then take the image straight from there into CS5. Word to the wise, if you have never used photoshop you may want to learn with a free trial first. It can kind of look like a foreign language to people when they open it for the first time :) I got my first version of photoshop several years ago for digital scrapbooking purposes. I took a beginner scrapbook course at www.jessicasprague.com. It was actually really helpful in teaching you the basic tools and such.
Any suggestions for someone just getting started?
Here is my suggestion for someone who is getting started....... YOU NEED TO LOVE IT! You have to love every aspect of the photography world if you want to do this as a career. You not only need to love taking photos you need to love editing, dealing with people, and continually learning! If you don't love one of those things; hey, no one ever said you had to be a photographer. Plus it isn't a cheap hobby ;) Photography kind of fell into my lap, I didn't plan on it at all. I bought a camera to take better pictures of my kids and fell in love with it.
Any suggestions on how to get better?
Sure I have the classic suggestion "Practice makes Perfect!" PRACTICE is the only way to get better at anything. You can read everything there is to know about taking the perfect picture, but if you can't pick up the camera and make it a reality, well all that knowledge is getting you no where! Also knowing your equipment is essential. If you know how to work your camera you can ensure that your photos will turn out every time, not just getting lucky every now and again.
Word to the wise....... Don't compare yourselves to other photographers. Compare yourself to YOU! I can look at when I first picked up a camera and have a really good laugh! As long as you keep improving and growing that is all that matters :)
How do you deal with NOISE & how do you get soft skin?
Um..... noise isn't really ever to big of deal for me. I try to shoot at no higher then a 400 iso. Typically outdoors I shoot at a 200 because that seems to be my cameras favorite spot. Indoors about a 400. I have had to go higher at weddings and such. Here is how I deal with noise if I'm forced to..... I usually fix it up a bit in Lightroom and then run smoothomatic by Totally RAD in photoshop (sometimes). As for skin..... I RARELY do any skin softening. Total truth, I went through a phase where I did, but hardly ever anymore. Why does their skin look soft then? Well I shoot wide open 90% of the time and I focus on the eyes. Everything away from the eye is going to get softer and softer. PLUS...... I shoot children most of the time, and lets face it kids have BEAUTIFUL soft skin. I always remove pimples or cuts, but I don't soften my skin unless someone has really blochy skin, even on babies, I hardly ever do it :)
Did you take courses to learn: Lighting, Background, or Scenery?
No, No, and No. I didn't take any courses, I am entirely self taught. I have always read tips and techniques online, but never taken an actual class on anything. I have always been a right brained person, so artsy stuff came easier then the mathmatics of everything :) As for backgrounds or scenery I am always looking for things with color, or a lot of texture since that is my style. You always have to add in a clients wardrobe choices and such too to make everything perfect. I have done a post on lighting before if you scroll down the right side of my blog it is under tips....
What is your favorite time of year to shoot Family photos?
Late Spring, early Summer, or early Fall.......... and here is my personal reasons. I have a 4 year old and a 7 year old, they wine when it is cold and I don't like whining :) He, he, okay really that is only a small part of it. I love the lush greenery and color of late spring and early summer. I love early Fall for a different reason. I LOVE LAYERING!!!! Clothing can make a photo something spectacular for sure. It's not only about the color you wear but about the textures too. Look at this picture of Ethan in black and white. It obviously has no color, but it's the textures in the image that draw you in.....
How do you get your eyes so sharp and sparkling?
I posted this picture extra large so you could see it more clearly :)
To get your eyes tack sharp you need to nail your focus! I always focus on the eyes of a person. You also want to focus on the eye that is closest to you.... so in the image below Kylie's right eye is where I focused. As for sparkling...... I try to get good light and catch lights whenever I can when shooting which helps immensely! Also I sharpen my eyes and use the dodge and burn tool in photoshop...... I have to say I also use an action call GLISTEN by Michelle Kane that I am in LOVE with. Know matter how much you sharpen and sparkle them up if you didn't nail your focus in camera they won't look very good. I see tiny pictures on photo blogs and website that look fine when they are small, but if you made them larger like the photo below you could tell that they are not in focus. (I notice it more because that's what I do, so start paying attention to that when choosing a photographer) So FOCUS first and then doll them up ;)
Where did you take your family photos?
I love this question because it is my most favorite place on the planet :) My family has a cabin up by Oakley. I love it! That is where I shot them :) If anyone ever wants a shoot up there I am all for it, just note that it is a little over an hour drive from Salt Lake. I don't charge a travel fee for going up there though, because I love going :) Here are some of our family photos that we took in late August last year up there......
What do you do with old photos you aren't displaying in your home anymore?
I put them in a box......... I know scientific right :) I have a large box that I put the images in that used to be in frames on my wall. That way I can use them in the future or just go back and look at them. If the images are small enough to go in an album I put them in one. I have a large collage wall in my living room, and then one down my stairs to my basement, so luckily I can display quite a few images, but I always have a hard time choosing :) I always print some 4x6's as well to put in an album I have just for memory purposes. I also typically try to get an album made each year too.
Where do you recommend printing semi professional images and albums?
Obviously if you do a session with me I would prefer you order images through me. I know what my professional printed images look like, and I know the quality and durability of them. I use a company out of California, but if you're not a professional photog you won't be able to use them, so here are some other options...... DO NOT print at walmart and other local places like that...... blah! I have seen them and sorry, but BLAH!!! If you have to go to some local cheaper option choose Costco... I think they even offer lustre coating (which will give your images uv protection). They look far superior to the drugstore photo counter I promise. If you want a more professional image there is a great place in the valley called Nichols. If you ever buy a CD from me and plan to print them there ask me to give you the adobe version of your photos. Adobe is a higher color spectrum that I print your images in, but if I sell a CD I typically give them in a RBG format (a lower color format) since only professional print companies can manage the higher color spectrum... So there you have it if you print with me I can guarantee better color.... NUF said ;) For albums...... I know albums are expensive! Okay so here goes..... I have done some albums with Shutterfly in the past. I didn't love the quality of the images. We know I am all about the images over the scrapbooking portion of a book. I have recently found somewhere better though :) Paper Coterie! Yes it is just www.papercoterie.com, and the image quality is beautiful! I ordered a family book to test them out and was impressed. I also recently ordered one of their day planners and am in LOVE with it right now :) So check them out first!
Can I see your before and afters?
Sure........ Here is some from a recent shoot with my kids...... SOOC (straight out of camera)
That finishes of the Q&A....... I hope all the info helps those who asked it :) Thanks for participating!
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