Why it's so hard to take "good" pictures of your own kids

There's a reason, well several reasons, why professional photographers tell you not to attempt taking certain types of photos of your own kids. 

The every day stuff is one thing.  But when you try to gather them in one place and have them look semi-normal and do what you ask them to do, that's entirely different.

My kids will never behave for me like they would for someone else.  And my guess is, yours won't either.

These photos should speak for themselves.

My kids:

Her kids:

Next time I'm hiring a professional.  :)

More details on the reason behind these Funbooth photos in a future post.

He couldn't wait to get here.

Newborn shoots are easily one of my favorites.  And now that I'm (hopefully) done having newborns, I get to enjoy them for a few hours and then give them back to their moms.  

This little guy belongs to one of our family's close friends, and people we really like to spend time with!  He put his mom on bedrest for over a week and then decided to make an early appearance.  He came EIGHT WEEKS early, landing himself a date with the NICU nurses for several weeks.

Modern medicine saved his life.  So thankful I live in a time when we have SO many resources to save lives.

Welcome to the world little man.  You obviously couldn't wait to get here.  And we're glad to have you.

3 tips to improve your phone photography.

A few tips to improve your phone photography.

First, when you open up your camera to take a picture, a little box lights up.  That's where the camera chooses to focus AND how it sets your exposure.

If you touch somewhere on the screen, that box moves and that is where the camera focus's and sets its exposure.

Examples.

In the picture below, I touched the screen on the phone where my daughter was standing.  In the middle of her body.  So the camera exposed for HER.

In the picture below, I touched the screen on the phone where the window is.  Up on the waves of the ocean. So the camera exposed for the WAVES outside in the bright sun (and underexposed everything inside)

Here I touched the screen on the phone where the sun was.  So it exposed for the bright sun and left my kids dark.

And here I touched the screen on my phone where my kids were standing.  So it exposed for the kids and over-exposed the setting sun (which is why it's so bright and you can't even see the sun setting).  But you can see the surfers which were so fun to watch.

Another tip.  The camera on the back of your phone (the one intended for taking photos) has MORE megapixels than the forward facing camera on your phone (the one intended for facetime).  So when you take "selfies" or pictures with your kids where the phone is facing you, they will be lower quality (so you can't print them as big) than they would be if you took them with the camera on the back of the phone.  So whenever possible, use the camera on the back of the phone.


And the last tip.  You can use the volume control on headphones to act as a remote for your camera.  Plug the headphones in and press the + or - button on the headphones and it will take a picture.  No more gumby arms.

And.  A bonus tip.  If you get the Camera + app, it has a timer option so the mom can stay in the picture!

For some tips on improving your photography in general, check out this post.

It never gets old.

Sometimes if we're having a particularly grumpy day, we have the Monday blues, or we just need a good laugh, we play around on the Photo Booth on my computer.  

I die laughing every time.  
It never gets old.

Photography Sessions

Although I am making some transitions in my business and spending more time on this blog as well as the photography classes I offer, I will still be offering very limited photography sessions throughout the year.

To see more information on types of session I offer and samples of images, you can click the links below.

FUNBOOTH SESSIONS

FAMILY SESSIONS

NEWBORN SESSIONS

I offer sports photography upon request.

I no longer do weddings.  

Please e-mail me if you have any questions or you want to book a session.  

ltross17@yahoo.com

FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHY

Below are some samples of what kind of images you'll get at a family shoot.  I do all my family sessions outdoors at various locations (which we'll decide on together).

Sessions are generally about an hour depending on ages, size of family, and cooperation of kids (or dads :)  ).  

Session fee is $325.  That includes the time for the session, editing of the best images, and a high-resolution disc with about 50 images in color and black and white.

Family sessions include several shots of all the family together, some of just the kids, some of just the parents, individual pictures of each kid, and whatever other groupings we decide on at the shoot.  

I am a "lifestyle" photographer.  More casual.  No stiff posing.  I get some shots with everyone looking (hopefully) but also some more candid shots as well.

My goal in family photography is not to get ONE perfect picture.  But instead my goal is a collection of photos that help tell the story of your family relationships and dynamics.  That show the personality of each individual member and the personality of the family as a whole.

We have fun at family shoots.  I try to make it quick and painless.