welcome

wonder what new things baby pix has to offer? want a peek from recent photo sessions? need some photography tips for your next special occasion? looking for an excuse to put off doing laundry just a little bit longer? then please, sit down, put your feet up, declare "mommy recess time" and explore the blog.
want to see more? check out the baby pix photography website.
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STACEY'S FAVORITE THINGS {ASHEVILLE BABY PHOTOGRAPHER}

Friday, January 4, 2013

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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Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree . . . Why Are You So Blurry? {Asheville Baby Photographer}

Sunday, December 16, 2012

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.


 Taken with a point & shoot camera, hand held & with the flash on.  YUCK!
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:


18-55mm lens (a typical kit lens),  shutter speed 1/15, aperture f/3.5, ISO 1250
My camera is resting on a stool.  This is SOOC (straight out of camera; no enhancements).

 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.
SEND ME YOUR IMAGES, I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THEM!
YOU MIGHT EVEN GET A SPECIAL GIFT!
Here are some more fantastic blog posts you will find helpful:

New York Institute of Photography - great article using SLR, point & shoot, shooting indoor & outdoor.

Elizabeth Halford - I have been a fan of her for years.  Here she takes a totally different approach, but is only photographing the tree, not subjects.

 Here is my attempt at Elizabeth's "recipe".  I love the lights!  Since the shutter speed is 8 seconds, there can be absolutely no movement.


18-55mm lens, shutter speed 8 sec., aperture f/16


Exposure Guide - this one talks about using an off-camera flash, so it doesn't create the same mood, but it is full of great tips if you are wanting a well lit image. 

Strobist - this one is a great tutorial on outdoor Christmas lights

FEEL FREE TO COMMENT AND SHARE SOME 
OTHER SITES YOU HAVE FOUND HELPFUL.

 HAVE A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!
Next week's blog:  Stacey's favorite things !!!

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Love these pix, love my job! {Asheville Baby Photographer}

Sunday, December 9, 2012

November Session Highlights
Taking it to the streets




 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. 












































Poor thing was developing pink eye on the day of our shoot, but thanks to black & white photography, it basically disappears. Little J was such a trooper. Despite this, I think you will agree with me that the color photos turned out pretty amazing as well.  Thank you M family for a great past year! 



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!


  










































It seems to me that square blue glasses and a teal fuzzy hat were the perfect way for this family to say Merry Christmas in 2012. 

After doing holiday cards for them over the past several years, it's easy for us to have lots of fun and even get a little silly.  I love how spunky Miss J expressed herself this year! 

If you or someone you know is in need of that perfect pair of shoes or unique gifts for Christmas, you should stop by her mom's fabulous shoe salon, Talloni, in the Biltmore Park Town Square in south Asheville. :)


HOLIDAY CUT OFF:  
Wednesday, Dec. 12 - prints, standouts & holiday cards

DEADLINES ALREADY COME & GONE:
Albums, frames & jewelry can still be ordered, but will not be ready in time for Christmas.


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

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SPECIAL HOLIDAY GIFTS

Sunday, December 2, 2012


FREE HOLIDAY FACEBOOK BANNER



MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! I want to give you, my wonderful clients and friends, a festive holiday banner from The Album Cafe for your Facebook page. Simply email me the banner you would like and the image numbers from a previous session this year and I will send you your custom banner. My gift to you! Oh, and I have reposted all your web galleries for the whole month of December to help you out. (Just let me know if you need help remembering your password.)



FREE ORGANIC BLOOM ORNAMENT


DECEMBER SPECIAL OFFER:

Everyone who places an order of $800 or more this month may choose any one of the Organic Bloom Portrait ornaments.  Pick your favorite style, color and image to dress your tree year after year.



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Personal Update {asheville baby photographer}

Tuesday, November 27, 2012



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.

To see some testimonial videos & read more about the organization that trains autism service dogs here in North Carolina, click HERE.

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Lighting is your best friend! November Photography Tip {Asheville Baby Photographer}

Sunday, November 18, 2012


 Tiny fingers fumbling to grasp onto the worn ears of a stuffed bunny rabbit, feathery soft eyelashes gazing down at those unreachable toes, and that forget-me-not toothless grin that perks up at the sound of your voice. . . these are just a few of those special moments in your child's life that you want to be able to photograph as authentically as possible when your favorite baby photographer can't be around. :)

 Today's post is especially for you as I'm sharing some of the basic key elements to taking spectacular pictures of your child without all of the professional gear and cameras.

Lighting is what differentiates a good picture from a great one.  Light and shadow set the mood.  I could spend a whole blog and then some just on lighting, but for now let me start with the easiest solution . . . have your child face a window, turn OFF any overhead lights, lamps &amp your flash.

If you are trying to capture your child's natural expression, set up his or her toys in front of a window that gets indirect sunlight. With you as the photographer, put your back to the window and sit or lay on the floor, then have the child face you and the window directly. Doing this causes a catchlight to be in their eyes giving them that extra sparkle and glimmer in the tone of their face.  
Get on their level or even floor level. Take close up pictures of the toys they are playing with and what interests them.

Stand directly above them and shoot down at what they are playing with. Varying the angle creates interest. Only include what is important in the scene.


The key to capturing beautiful everyday life photos is telling a story. Has your child just mastered using his pincher fingers? Then take pix of just his little fingers holding that itsy bitsy cheerio! You don't have to include the whole child, the high chair, the kitchen and all the laundry on the counter that still needs to be folded. Get in close and take a picture of what matters. Again, if possible, move close to a window to get those soft shadows.



No window around or just a lack of good natural lighting? Turn off the overhead light and bring over another light source as close as possible, like a lamp.
     - Soft white light bulbs are best so they don't cast that yellowish tint. 
     - The color of the shade is important too. This will only work well with a white or off white shade.
     - If you are on the floor facing your child, place the lamp on the floor next to you either to the
       right or left.
     - Depending on the size of the lamp, you may need to elevate it a little on a stack of books.
     - Look at the shadows. If they are harsh, pull the lamp away from the child to create soft shadows.

       This just takes practice playing with the best looking lighting.  This is where you create your own 
      style.  I love a catchlight in both eyes with a soft shadow on one side.
 

In spur of the moment situations, don't sweat it, go ahead & turn on your flash. You don't want to miss a special moment just because the lighting wasn't perfect! But when you catch your sweetie doing that uber cute thing again that only lasts for a second, you can make it a professional grade photo by getting as close as possible to the action and taking it from the angle that tells the story from their point of view.


Next week:  Update on our son Luke and our journey towards getting a service dog for him.

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Looking back on a fabulous October! {Asheville Baby Photographer}

Sunday, November 11, 2012

October Session Highlights

Photographing a winning family
This year at the Veritas Silent Auction, the M. family won a session with Baby Pix Photography.  I loved photographing this sweet brother & sister duo outside their home on a gorgeous fall day.  Love the black & white shots in these classic Organic Bloom frames.


 Cute little pumpkin!  
What better way to celebrate the days leading up to Halloween than by spending some time with the cutest little pumpkin on the block.  I wish I had more room to put up even more pix of him because as you can see, baby K. is just too darn cute! 





Who knew trick or treating could be this sweet!
For a few years now, a few of our church have gathered for a warm bowl of chili and some good ole fashioned trick or treating in our West Asheville neighborhood.  It has been so fun watching as new little brothers and sisters are added to the costume clad group of kids each year.   



Seems black was very popular this year among the boys . . . 


NEXT WEEK'S BLOG:  Photo tip of the month on capturing everyday life.


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