Ah, life.  So unpredictable and every day filled with chances to learn something new. . .even when that something new is to never clean up your files on your computer when you are in the final days of relaunching your business.  Watch & enjoy as I share my latest update. :)

See you on April 15th!

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Mmm . . . I can almost feel it.  Spring.  Glorious spring.  On these rare bright sunny days I trick myself into believing that I will be greeted by a warm breeze the moment I step out my door.  Um, we all know how that ends. Haha!

All of this to say, I'm SO looking forward to the spring season, APRIL 1st to be exact.  On that day I will be hitting the refresh button on my business, both inside & out!

ADDITIONAL SERVICES
Why am I doing this?  Simple: to make my clients' entire experience, from the very first planning session to the final artwork displayed in their home, even better than before.  I LOVE my job and so, of course, I would love it if my clients are able to say with ease that they enjoyed every aspect of their time with me.  So, I will be adding some more extra special services at no additional cost.  Everything will still be included in the session fee which will remain the usual 200.00 for a full session.

NEW NAME
In this makeover of sorts, we will also be saying goodbye to the name of Baby Pix Photography.  I will continue to make photographing newborns and little ones a significant focus of my work; however, I wanted to take the exclusivity out my business name so that families are not deterred when they are looking for sessions to include their entire family.

REFINED STYLE
In the future, when you think of  - - - - - -  (If I told you the new name of my business and showed you my new logo that would take all the fun out of April 1st, now wouldn't it? :)).  So as I was saying. . . In the future, when you think of - - - - - -, my hope is that VINTAGE-CHIC is the style that comes to mind.  Images will have that touch of nostalgia.  Frames will have that well worn look.  A classic style that evokes depth and warmth of days gone by.

NEW PRODUCT
I'll let you in on one new addition . . . A sneak peek at the fantastic frames that we will now be offering from Obrien Schridde Designs.  Their timeless handcrafted products are the perfect fit for the new direction we're taking.

These are just a sampling of the changes that you will see come April 1st.  I'm so excited to share everything with you.  Please stay tuned via Facebook, this blog, and the monthly newsletter for the official debut.  It's going to be lovely!

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Changing it up this week!

To see My Favorite Things, sign up for the monthly newsletter to the right.  You don't want to miss this one!  If you are already signed up, check your inbox.
(Blogger only lets you do so much when adding images, so to get the layout the way I wanted, I used the newsletter format.)

Happy New Year to you!

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There are not many more endearing sights in the holiday season than your little ones gazing up at the soft light of your family Christmas tree.  Not so endearing is the blurry mess that appears on your camera screen when you attempt to take a photo of this priceless moment.

With December already half way over, let's talk today about how to maneuver your camera and set up the scene in your home to ensure you clearly capture the magic and wonder of your family and the lights of the holiday season.

KEYS

1. Turn off flash and all other lights.
2. Set camera on a tripod or a hard surface.  Do not hold the camera because even the minor shake of your hand causes too much blur.  You can even set the camera's timer to prevent camera shake.
3. Set child close to the tree with their face turned toward it.  Take pictures from different angles.  Shooting directly behind the child will give you a beautiful silhouette.  Moving around to see the child's face will capture that angelic glow.
4. Another tip from experience . . . before trying this with your child, I would first practice with a doll or teddy bear to get your camera set just right, then bring the child in.  They tend to get antsy really fast.

SLR CAMERA - on manual

ISO - set to 800 or more.  Usually go the level just below the max your camera can go otherwise the image becomes too grainy.  The higher the ISO number the more sensitive the camera is to light.  This means you can take pictures in a darker room with a high ISO number.

Shutter Speed - set around 1/15 - the lower the number, the slower the shutter speed which allows in more light before the shutter closes.  Hand held camera shake begins under 1/60.  This is why you need a tripod or a hard surface to set the camera on.  Also, the child has to be still or they will blur as the shutter slowly closes.  You can have them look at one ornament or even hold one to keep them in one place.  Giving them a candy cane to suck on works too.

Aperture - set around f/2.8 or as low a number as your lens will allow - the lower the number, the wider the shutter will open to let in more light.  It also creates a shallow depth of field, meaning the background will be blurred, but the subject that you are focused on will be in focus.

This is just a starting point.  Play around with your settings; make adjustments according to your camera's capabilities and the brightness of your tree lights.  Have fun with it!

I tried to make a sample using a lens and camera settings that you may have:



POINT & SHOOT CAMERA

Depending on your camera, select the icon with the person in the foreground & the moon or star in the background.  It might even be just a moon.  Either way, you are looking for a setting that will shoot without the flash in low light.



This was taken with my son's old Sony Cybershot 7.2 mega pixels point & shoot.  I set it on the moon (twilight) setting.  The camera is sitting on the floor.  I used a cord under it to give the front of the camera a little lift, set the camera on it's timer so I wouldn't cause camera shake and told my son to hold still like a statue for 10 seconds.

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My first urban session!  What a great experience...not only because it was my first time working in this type of location but also because it was a great end to baby J's one-year baby plan.  Feel free to look back through the archive of my blog to see other glimpses into the first year of this sweet little guy's life. 











































Lots to love with the L Family


Two big brothers and one little sister, that's the makings of a gorgeous and candid photo shoot.  Don't you just love all the vivid blues in these photos?!

One of my favorite shots from this pristine fall day in Asheville's Botanical Gardens is the bottom-middle photo in the collage.  It perfectly reflects each child's personality...the doting oldest brother holding up fallen leaves for the inquisitive baby sister to examine while the younger older brother mischeviously crushes up more leaves and then dumps on her sweet head.  Ahhh siblings. :)


funky, fun & fa la la!


  


















Next Week: (Monthly Photography Tip) How to capture the magic of Christmas lights without the blur!

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DECEMBER SPECIAL OFFER:

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It's official!  Our son Luke is on the waiting list for an autism service dog!  As of today, 27 people have donated $3,045 in 23 days.  UNBELIEVABLE!  A very deeply felt thanks to many of you who have joined us on this journey by donating to give Luke a best friend who will help him in so many ways.  The next step is the hardest.  Waiting.  Because there is a great need and it takes 3-5 months to train the dog once one is matched with a child, the total process can be almost 2 years.  My prayer is that he will be matched with a dog by next December and then the training will begin.  Please join us in prayer that the waiting list will move quickly so he can get the help he needs.

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