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A Valentine’s Gift HE will cherish…and so will YOU!

Heidi Ducato — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 07:55:22 +0000

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner! The most romantic day of the year is upon us in a few weeks! Have you already found the perfect gift for your Valentine? Well, if you haven’t, I HAVE the perfect gift!

There is an up and coming trend in the photography world called “boudoir photo shoots”. It started in the bridal industry, brides wanting to take a few intimate photos for their soon-to-be hubby as they are getting ready for the wedding, what they could expect AFTER the wedding, or what they may have on UNDER that wedding gown. Do you see where I’m going with this? They end up being these amazing intimate photos and an absolutely unforgettable gift.

So, women, as well as photographers, are taking this one step further by offering “boudoir photo shoots” that is stepping out past the realm of bridal and into the “everday’ world”. Why not? It’s a great opportunity to do something “out of the ordinary” for your companion, a.k.a Valentine, for the upcoming sweetheart holiday, a birthday, or even an anniversary.

The first step: you need a good reputable photographer that has experience in these types of shots. I say that, because a good photographer will take it beyond the sterotype of “trashy lingerie photos” and turn the photos into beautiful works of art! Another reason that you want an experienced photographer for something like this is, they will respect the intimacy level of these photos, do everything they can to make you comfortable, and will let YOU call the shots to what level of comfort you are needing in regards to setting the scene, what you choose to wear, etc. Sure, the photos can be sensual with varying degrees of lingerie, but, have FUN with it too! My hubby loves cake, which is why I did a shot of me eating a cupcake. I did sexy lingerie, but, he also loves cars, so I did a few photos that incorporated that too. Take who you are, think about what your companion loves… mix the two together and you will have some wonderful works of art!

As it’s been revealed with this article, I did a boudoir photo shoot for my husband with a fantastic photographer (in Tulsa) by the name of Jesse Reich. I can’t believe I’m “letting the world” know about this. Eeks! But, it was important to share about the feelings and emotions I had from doing something “out of the norm” for me. I have to say, it was the most amazing experience! I had worked with Jesse on some other projects and he was sharing with me this new avenue of business. It started out to be this fun, “out-of-the-box” gift for my hubby’s birthday. But, it turned out to be this really great gift for me too.
I know, you are wondering what in the world am I talking about. But, it really was an amazing gift for me too! It gave me a renewed confidence within myself. I scheduled my appointment, picked out my outfits, thought about the type of shots I wanted, and headed to my photo shoot. When I arrived, I was SO NERVOUS! During the first part of the shoot, I thought my heart was going to come right out of my chest. I have done photo shoots before, but, nothing on such an intimate level (especially knowing they were for my hubby). I was FREAKING OUT! But, Jesse was amazing and he calmed me down, respected me, and told me to have fun!

As we turned the music up and I started to relax, I found myself having a ball with it! Knowing they were for my hubby, it gave me this little kick of adrenaline. I can’t really explain it, but, I was having so much fun! All of a sudden this air of confidence came over me. I didn’t care that my skin is/was not perfect, that the “dimples” on my thighs and bum were shining through, that my teeth were crooked or not glowing white…it didn’t matter. None of it mattered! At that moment, I felt like I was the most beautiful woman in the world and I left the studio feeling like I could really “kick some a**”! My apologies on the choice of words, but, it’s the only way to describe this level of self-esteem and confidence that had come over me from doing something that I thought I could NEVER do and stepping “out-of-my-box”. It was an amazing feeling of confidence that I can’t ever really explain in words. I left feeling like I could conquer the world!

This gift that started out for my husband turned out to be a gift for myself. It was a perfect way to surprise him (he was TOTALLY blown away) and I surprised myself too. It is a gift that we will both cherish!

I’m telling you ladies, it’s a great way to surprise your Valentine and do something for yourself too. You may be wondering WHY I shared this idea with you? It is a personal one. But, I think it’s important to see the “moral” of the story. I walked away with a whole new level of CONFIDENCE that I didn’t even know that I had. Style, your own personal style, isn’t just about what you put ON your body, it’s about how you feel on the inside too. Confidence is HUGE when it comes to personal style! A person’s aura is entirely different when you are filled with confidence! Try this, I’m telling you, you won’t regret it! And, even if it’s not a boudoir photo shoot, every once in awhile, do something that you thought you would NEVER do. When you accomplish it, you will feel so empowered!

Visit www.jessereich.com

Tips For Fearlessly Photographing Children

Allison Empey — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 07:34:02 +0000

I was an avid amateur photographer before I had my son in October 2008, but I’m a little embarrassed to admit just how many times I’ve clicked that shutter since his birth. Kids are beings that just BEG to be photographed – they’re adorable, messy, and delightfully candid. Are the photos you’re taking of the kids in your life worth a thousand words? Here are a couple of tips and tricks for taking amazing pictures of kids:

Quantity CAN equal quality. My son is one of those kids who smiles for pictures- AFTER the flash has gone off. Missing that toothy (or toothless) grin is no fun. If you have a “multiple shots” or “burst photography” setting on your camera, use it! It will let you hold the shutter release button down on the camera and continue taking pictures until you let it go. A good DSLR can shoot at up to 4 frames per second, ensuring that you capture that random grin your 4-week-old gives you. Or maybe that was just gas. Adorable either way.

Deep-six the flash. The flashes on most cameras are too bright and will totally wash out your subjects. Whenever possible, shoot in natural light – outside, near a window, or in a well-lit room. You’ll be amazed at the amount of detail in your shots that you would otherwise obscure with the flash – the true colour of your little guy’s eyes, or the delicate, downy hairs on the cheek of your newborn. Without the flash, everything has so much more depth to it.

Don’t be afraid to get down and dirty. Wear comfortable clothes when photographing kids – it’ll be easier to crawl around on the floor/grass/mud to get down to their level. Too many pictures of kids are taken from a standing “adult’s point of view”, with your little darling tilting her head up and smiling for you. It’s when you get down to a child’s point of view that the best photos are captured. Let them do their thing in their natural habitat (I just realized it sounds like I’m talking about photographing primates), but don’t be afraid to get nice and close. You can create a lovely shallow depth of field if you capture a picture at eye level, making your little guy or gal’s face just pop out from the background.

Fill your frame. Let’s face it – a lot of empty space in a picture is boring. Filling your frame with your subject’s face, or even a part of the body, creates an appealing picture with plenty of texture and colour. Don’t be afraid to get abstract when using this method – I have the most amazing picture of my son’s eyelashes and cheeks when he was 10 weeks old. I took it on a whim and it’s hanging as an 8 x 10 print in my Mom and Dad’s kitchen.

There’s no wrong way to photograph children, but you’ll be amazed with what can result if you push the envelope and step out of your comfort zone. Have you taken a photo of your child/children that you’re particularly proud of? Find me on Flickr so you can show me your handiwork!

Allison Empey,

Guest contributor

Allison Empey is a 29-year-old medical transcriptionist from Ontario, Canada. She is happily married since 2006 and is having an obscene amount of fun being a mom to her 15-month-old son, Hayden. Allison is an avid amateur photography with a penchant for portraiture. She loves to write, and to make people laugh, and has combined the two passions by regularly updating her blog. Allison’s other loves? Reading, board games, medicine, cheesecake and wine.

Check out Allison’s websites: www.flickr.com/allygalore for photos, www.galore.tumblr.com for hilarious (and modest) blog, and www.twitter.com/AllyEmpey to follow her on Twitter!

Photographer Opens Stores To Share Work

Editor — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 07:21:23 +0000

Juliana RW is a freelance writer and amateur photographer. Born in Jakarta – Indonesia, she currently lives in the Netherlands. She began her interest in photography the day her son was born. It all started by capturing her new baby Jason and then she began to work with nature photography around her neighborhood.

“In November 2008, with full support of my husband, I opened my online photography store. One week after the opening, I sold my first poster. It made me even more confident with my own photography. In the same month, we bought my first DSLR. Photography has become one of my hobbies and passions. I am glad that I could turn this hobby into a small business that I could do from home. In January 2009, I opened my online graphic store.”

“What inspires me to do all those things is because it helps me build up more confidence and earn a little bit extra money to help us through our financial situation. Photography and digital graphics are my passion. My plan for the future: keep creating and making more products with my photos.”

You will find more about Julian at: Juliana’s Site, Picturing of Life, My Imaginary Travels and Juliana’s Bits & Pieces.

Bobbi Brown Makeup Artist Works Her Magic

Beth Anderson — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 05:01:24 +0000

Makeup for me has always been a mystery. Years ago, I went through the color draping with “Color Me Beautiful.” I’ve been to makeup artists more times than I can count on my fingers and toes combined. I’ve heard I should stick to corals and peaches only to be told to stay away from these colors. I’ve had neon pink lipstick, tropical fish blue eye shadow and clown cheeks and spent hundreds of dollars on cosmetics because I thought it was the right combination. I would have to say that, like many other women in the world, choosing the right cosmetics is both frustrating and expensive.

When I’m at an event or photo shoot, I’m often told to stop squinting by the photographers. I blink and open my eyes as wide as I can, but I still look half asleep. I was talking to a friend of mine over lunch one day about this problem and she suggested that quite possibly it was the way I apply my makeup. Oh no, I thought….not the whole makeup issue again! She told me that her daughter was a makeup artist with Bobbi Brown cosmetics and told me to give her a call.

I knew from research and the Bobbi Brown cosmetic website, that the philosophy certainly fit my lifestyle. I need a natural look during the day and the ability to step it up for an evening occasion. Simple, flattering and wearable was exactly what I was looking for. I was so happy with my Bobbi Brown experience and with the cosmetics and skincare, I wanted to share it with you. My hope is that if you have the same frustrations that I have with cosmetics, you will find a Bobbi Brown makeup artist and let her work her magic. Makeup is no longer a mystery for me.

I met Lindsey Hershberger, Bobbi Brown makeup artist at Saks Fifth Avenue in Tulsa, OK. Lindsey graciously allowed my photographer to capture her work in progress. This highly skilled artist took her time to explain each step and the philosophy behind why it was important. I never felt that she was trying to sell me anything, but more that she was teaching me the correct way to get the look I was seeking. I explained to her my squinting problem and also that I didn’t like to wear a lot of makeup during the day. Each step of her application was tailored specifically to my needs.

Lindsey began by using the Soothing Face Tonic. This alcohol-free hydrating formula softens, tones, and refines skin — gently — without tightening or irritation. Infused with Cucumber Extract and natural Lavender to instantly soothe and calm. She followed this with Hydrating Eye Cream which is a Bobbi Brown must-have.

Then the fun began! Lindsey applied the Bobbi Brown Corrector in Light Bisque to hide my dark circles. She tapped in under by eye and also in the inner most corners. Next came the Creamy Concealer Kit in Sand and the Moisture Rich Foundation in Sand as well. As you can see from the photo, these evened out my skin tone and hid all my flaws. This picture also emphases the fact that my hooded eye probably is the root of why I look like I’m squinting in photos. Lindsey then finished with a pale yellow Loose Powder and a wonderful Bronzer. She applied all these steps with either a light touch of her fingers or makeup brushes.

The next step was a Pale Pink Blush. I was a bit nervous because it looked neon pink on the palette. Lindsey explained that with a light touch, it was very sheer. She reminded me to always pat the brush into my hand to remove the extra color before applying it to my face.

She then did my lip color. I was a bit shocked by this because I had always been told to do lips last. The Italian Rose Creamy Lip Color was perfect for me. It’s a creamy semi-matte lipstick with a little shine to give it some punch.

Now to deal with the eye problem. Lindsey applied Ivory Eye Shadow all over my lids and Cement Eye Shadow on my lower lids and into the crease. She then used an ulta fine eye liner brush and applied Black Plum Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner. I’d never seen an eyeliner in a jar before and it made me a bit nervous. You can see from the photo that it doesn’t look too over the top.

Lindsey then finished the look with the Bobbi Brown Everything Mascara in Black. I know that I look like I’m squinting a bit in this last photo, but I’m also smiling really big. Not my normal photo smile. Seeing this last photo made me realize that it’s time to get my hair done!

Visit Bobbi Brown Cosmetics at http://www.bobbibrowncosmetics.com. There are wonderful “how to” videos there and loads of information. You can also read reviews and comments left by customers. During the month of October, Bobbi Brown cosmetics is also supporting Breast Cancer Awareness with their Pink Ribbon Collection. Bobbi Brown has donated $35,000 to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Special thanks to Lindsey Hershberger, Jama Rush and Saks Fifth Avenue for this wonderful experience.

Photo Credit: Clara Anderson, Chic Galleria Publications

10 Photo Tips To Help You Take Better Photos!

Casey Roon de Pacheco — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 07:41:00 +0000

1. Look critically at other’s photos that you like and try to copy their style.

Ask yourself:

How far away were they when taking the shot?-What is intriguing about the photo? The subject, whole composition, lighting? How is the composition created? Why do I like the photo?

2. Sometimes you need to get on your knees.

Do you always snap photos on your feet? A better photo might be achieved if you change YOUR position!

3. Consider the ‘law of thirds’.

When looking through the viewfinder, set up your shot in thirds (we’ll talk about this at length later)

4. Consider your lighting.

I have found that early morning and late afternoon provide the best natural light. Consider sunrises, sunsets, and puffy clouds to be excellent props. Humid afternoons and hazy days do not produce clear shots.

5. Get closer!

Don’t be afraid to experiment with distance. Photos can be very interesting when you get up close and personal and change your perspective.

6.Tell a story.

Consider your photo as a means of communication. Make it as interesting as possible and hopefully cultivate an emotional response. A photo can ‘speak’ to you, and that’s a great shot.

7. Consider an assistant named Photoshop (or something similar… I use a cheap version called Photo Impact).

This can help you make good photos GREAT! It is a good way to enhance your photos in a zillion different ways. Photoshop is not a miracle worker, however… you must still strive to take good photos.

8. Understand your camera inside and out.

Read the manual and play around with all of your settings. You won’t break anything.

There is no better way to learn all of your cameras capabilities than to fiddle with it. You must be very familiar with your camera and comfortable with it to take good photos. When adjusting your settings is second nature to you, you can focus on getting that great shot!

9. Stop taking posed photos!

They are fake and boring!! In order to do this, you must have your camera with you and ready at all times!

Meaning: take it with your everywhere! You never know what great shots you might catch unexpectedly! Catch people in conversation rather than cheesing for the camera, considering expressions and remember you’re telling a story…

10. Practice, practice, practice!

In the age of digital photography, it is easier than ever to review your work and separate the good from the bad (just hit delete!)

Don’t be afraid to snap zillions of photos and remember that you can ruthlessly delete the bad ones later!

Practice makes perfect! The key is to take lots and lots of photos (and just keep the good ones!)

I hope this helps to get you thinking more critically about the photos you take. I receive emails and comments all of the time about my photos and everyone wants to know my secrets. I really have none!

I have had absolutely NO formal training in photography and all that I have learned has come from the very 10 tips that I just shared with you. I have my camera with me ALL of the time and I take millions and millions of photos. There are no magic tricks, just lots and lots of practice.