Baby Photography.

Baby Photography.

Babies can be the most challenging and rewarding portraits to take, but can also be the most frustrating.

Babies tend to sleep, eat and cry a lot and won’t pose in front of the camera but don’t let that put you off photographing them. Creating the perfect baby portrait, when done right, will certainly be rewarding.

One of the most important factors in photographing babies is patience and the way you apply child psychology when relating to the baby. Babies over six months may be shy and won’t react well to a complete stranger. This is where child psychology comes in - you must try to play with the baby, or even become  a child yourself while taking the photograph. The keys of your car can be very effective. But remember, your job is to take a baby portrait; you must be able to react quickly when the infant responds to your entertainment.

Shooting a portrait of a newborn baby can be difficult. At this age the baby will not be active, so it’s better to focus on close-up headshots. Try using natural light from a bedroom window to add mood to the portrait.

Babies over a few months of age will be more alert and will have a lot more movement in them. Shooting fast is a necessity, the infant will tire quickly.

Babies seven months or older can be very tricky to shoot. The baby will bore quickly and will not want to stay in the same position.

If you are serious about baby photography and you tend  to shoot from your own studio make sure you have a lot of toys to amuse the infants. A light colour background will work best and shoot the portraits in colour and black and white.

Parents may be worried about the affect of studio lights on their baby. Point out that strobe lights have no effect on kids. Try to point this out before the parent asks.

Don’t ever handle a baby without the parents consent. Most parents will be very protective and won’t react well to a stranger lifting the infant.

Watch out for the fingers - fingers in the mouth can be attractive but on most occasions they will obscure the face.

If you plan to resell the baby photograph to an agency make sure you get a release form signed from the parents. There is a large market out there for baby pictures but agencies or magazines  won’t touch them without the parents consent. For baby portraits to be sellable they must be technically perfect, but the picture must illustrate the baby being active or some form of child care.

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A Picture Perfect Wedding

A Picture Perfect Wedding

Weddings are definitely one of the happiest moments in a person’s life. But, this momentous occasion does not always come as blissful as the event itself. Days and even months before the big day, couples usually cram up with the littlest details.

The process of listing down and cutting down everything into specific details—the wedding date, the venue, the reception, the caterer, the designer of the gown and suit, all the way down to the wedding coverage—are the areas where stress usually ushers in.

Due to hectic schedules, most couples usually do not pay much attention to one of the crucial things in any wedding—the wedding coverage. Despite the overwhelming tension and excitement, couples do not have to be nonchalant when choosing their wedding photographers if they want their fun times and precious memories recorded very well.

WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY PREFERENCES

To avoid making this slight neglect that usually leads disastrous results, couples have to decide first what kind of wedding photography they would want to have.

Most wedding photographers today categorize the types of wedding photography into two: the traditional or classic style and the wedding photojournalistic style.

The most common style used by wedding photographers today, the traditional or classic wedding photography is considered as a “timeless” and the “safest” style because you normally see in countless wedding albums. Characterized by classic poses of subjects aware of the camera, this style involves so much control from the photographer because he is in-charge in arranging individual and group shots before, during, and even after the wedding.

Having excellent portraiture skills, expect the photographer to focus more on the quality of the photograph by making the subject look great from the littlest details. Expect typical wedding photos like pre-ceremony pictures, formal shots of the bride and groom posing with brides maids and ushers, cake cutting, garter and bouquet toss, and the like when you choose a classic wedding photography. This style is ideal if the couple would want to keep portraits of family members for their wedding album.

If the couple is adventurous and unconventional, then you might want to consider the wedding photojournalistic style of photography on your big day. An increasingly popular style today, wedding photojournalism offers fresh and new style of taking photos in the occasion. Characterized by candid shots of the subjects unaware of the moving camera, the photojournalism style lets the attendees act freely to capture their pure and true emotion.

Sourcing style from his experience in journalism, the “photojournalist” pays more attention to minute details and candid shots rather than arranged ones. He’s more into eyeing interesting moments and capturing those in his lens to produce a narrative collection of images that tell a story.

Although some traditional poses will be present, expect photos that show actual emotions of the bride and groom and of other participants throughout the duration of the wedding when you choose the photojournalism style.

In order to avoid ruining the documentation of your wedding, here are some tips in making your wedding a picture perfect one:

1. Weddings are one of the most exciting chapters of one’s life. Make sure that you choose a wedding photographer that can meet all your standards. Meet with the photographer before hand the so you could discuss the details you want.

2. Inform the important participants about the schedule of photo sessions and make sure everyone attends the rehearsal to cut down the stress.

3. Have a reception area so guests can be informed about the itinerary. This will set the occasion in order.

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A Photo Pillow: A Great Gift for Grandparents

A Photo Pillow:  A Great Gift for Grandparents

How many generations of your family are alive?  It is likely that there are at least three generations in your family, but due to science and medicine that number could be higher.  More generations in your family makes it possible for senior family members to meet and possibly get to know the newest family members.

It is important to remember that even though more seniors are living longer than they ever have in the past that does not necessarily mean that they will be in good health. There are many seniors who may have a difficult time traveling or are confined to a nursing home. This may make it difficult or virtually impossible for your grandparents to see and spend quality time with your children.  There is nothing better then actually being able to see, talk to, and hold your grandchildren, but there is something that comes in a close second. 

Photo pillows are a way that many grandparents are able to connect with a grandchild or great-grandchild.  A photo pillow is created by taking a traditional black and white or color photograph and constructing it onto a pillow.  Since it is not uncommon for many seniors to rest, read a book, or watch television it is likely that a photo pillow will come in handy.  What can be better than offering a family connection and comfort all at once? 

The easiest way to purchase a customized photo pillow is by finding an online photo pillow designer.  Once you have found one or multiple designers to closely examine you will want to look at the photo pillow products that they have to offer.  Many of the companies or individuals who make photo pillows have a selection of different pillow styles and designs.  A small sofa-size pillow and a larger bed size pillow are common pillow sizes that can be transformed into a personalized photo pillow.  It is likely that a grandparent would prefer any size photo pillow; however, the smaller sofa-size one tends to be the most popular.

Perhaps the best thing about photo pillows is that they can work in just about any room setting and they can be transported if need be.  A photo pillow is a great gift idea for grandparents, but it is not the only photo gift idea available.  There are many children or grandchildren who have purchased photo blankets or even both for their grandparents.  Regardless of what photo items is purchased it is sure to be a hit with the grandparents them.

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A Photo Blanket: The Perfect Gift for Any Occasion

A Photo Blanket:  The Perfect Gift for Any Occasion

Have you ever sat in front of a computer, flipped through multiple store catalogs, or paced through the aisles at your local department store looking for the perfect gift for a friend or family member?  If you have then you are not alone.  Each day there are multiple individuals who need to purchase a special gift for a birthday, anniversary, or another special occasion. 

If you end up purchasing a gift from a department store or a catalog it is likely that the gift you selected isn’t as personalized as you wished it would be. The problem with purchasing a personalized gift is that many individuals are looking in the wrong spot.  A personalized photo blanket is a gift that would likely meet your needs; however, it is one that cannot be found in most department stores or store catalogs.  Many times the only way to purchase a personalized photo blanket is to find a photo designer online.

Finding a personalized photo blanket designer is easy thanks to the internet.  Many individuals who make a living developing personalized photo blankets only advertise their business online. This is why you may have never seen or heard of a personalized photo blanket before.  Each photo blanket designer is likely to offer different product features and designs; therefore, you are encouraged to see what each individual has to offer before planning your blanket design. 

Personalized photo blankets often come in a large number of different sizes and styles.  To determine which size and style you would like to purchase you should first learn what is offered.  It is not uncommon for small throw blankets to be offered; however, it is possible for smaller and larger photo blankets to be developed.  When purchasing a personalized photo blanket you will also need to know if color blankets are available.  Most individuals prefer a black and white blanket; however, both items are popular. 

When a personalized photo blanket is purchased it is possible for the blanket to be used; however, many times they are just used as a memento.  If you are purchasing a personalized photo blanket for someone that you know you should keep this in mind when making the purchase.  There are many photo blanket designers who sell wall hanging kits. This is a great personalized photo blanket accessory for those who will want to preserve the blanket and keep it as clean as possible. 

A personalized photo blanket is a great gift for friends and family members.  Whether you are ordering a personalized photo blanket with a picture of you and your best friend or a picture of your family there is nothing as meaningful and as personalized as a photo blanket.  Why purchase a generic gift when you can offer so much more to the person that you care about?

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