How Will You Celebrate Your Mom?

Did you know Mother's Day is observed by over 40 countries in the world?  Mother's Day is May 8th--how are you going to celebrate Mom?

Pro Photographer Quick Tips: Better iPhone Photography

Since I've been handing out these tips on a regular basis, I thought I'd put together a little list of my favorite iPhone tips to help up your iPhone photography game.

First, did you know you can quickly get to a specific shoot mode by using peek and pop on the camera app icon? Yep, press hard and this is the screen that pops up!  While it may SEEM just as simple to jump into the camera app--this really does allow quicker access to the front facing camera, video or slo-mo.  Seconds count if your kid or your pet is doing something cute!

I find it really difficult to hit the actual shutter button when taking a selfie--that's why it's absolutely BRILLIANT that you can use the volume buttons on the side, or even BETTER: your headphone volume buttons as a remote shutter release.  Using your headphones as a remote shutter release also helps to alleviate camera shake, which can make your pics blurry.  So much easier!!  

Another way to release the shutter:  Did you know the iPhone has a self timer? At the top of your screen the icons are flash (when tapped can be turned to auto, on or off), HDR (Auto, on or off) Live (on or off) Timer (Off, 3 seconds or 10 seconds) and front facing or rear facing camera.  Hit the timer button and you can choose between a 3 second and a 10 second countdown. Awesomeness.

Did you know you can lock your focus and change your exposure on your iPhone?  When pointing your camera at your subject, you can lock your focus point wherever you'd like. (which prevents refocusing on something you don't want to focus on) Simply put your finger on the screen where you'd like your focus to be and hold.  You'll see the yellow square double and AE/AF LOCK at the top of your screen (Auto Exposure/Auto Focus Lock).  Now see the sun at the side?  Raise your finger, and then slide it up or down to change the exposure--it'll get lighter (up) or darker (down).

Although iPhones not the best for action, if you're trying to capture something fast moving, leave your finger on the shutter for "burst" mode to capture the movement.  (Later, be sure to pick the best view and delete the rest, or you'll fill up your storage like nobody's business!)

An easy one to forget--LOOK at the lens when taking a selfie or having your photo taken.  I know, it's easy to forget and check yourself out on the screen. 

Get as close to your subject as possible rather than zooming in.  Zooming in pixelates your image and you lose sharpness.

Finally, not a photography tip, but a helpful living tip: don't have a mirror around and want to check yourself to make sure you don't have anything in your teeth?  Use the front facing camera as a mirror.  That my friends, is AWESOME-SAUCE!

Remember the best camera is the one you have with you--now go take some pics!

5 Super Simple Tips If You Hate to Have Your Business Portrait Taken

I get it.

I'm not fond of being in front of the camera either, and that works in your favor, because I GET YOU!  But business portraits are a part of your business--a BIG part.  It's often your first and best chance to make a strong impression and your very best marketing tool.  It should be the best representation of you possible.

So here are 5 super simple tips to make sure we get great images of YOU:

BE YOU!  Look like yourself.  If you wear glasses, wear them!  If your thing is a scruffy beard, wear it with confidence.  Be who you are and not what you think you should be so you can be relaxed in your own skin.

GET SLEEP, WATER AND FOOD.  Party some other time--the night before your portrait, make sure you get sleep.  Eat so you aren't cranky and drink plenty of water.  (Really, hydrating does wonders for the way you look!)

WEAR SOMETHING YOU LOVE.  Wear something you feel smokin' in.  If you feel GREAT, it'll come across.  You might want to stick with simple and classic though, (which doesn't have to mean boring!) because cutting edge fashion tends to look dated quickly.

DON'T BE NERVOUS.  Easier said than done, but remember it only takes one good portrait and I promise you'll have that and more!

HAVE FUN!  I've got tunes, a sense of humor and lots of experience with people who hate to have their portraits taken so relax and let's have fun!

If you'd like MORE suggestions on how to prepare for your business portrait, click here or here.  For great makeup tips when you don't have a makeup artist, click here.

I can't wait to see you!

Featuring: Amy Martinez of Roots Fitness

I've been photographing Amy Martinez of Roots Fitness for quite some time--we've worked on quite a few  really awesome projects together.  It's been a couple of years since Amy's had a new headshot and since she's got a new sassy hairdo; it was time for an updated headshot!  We headed to Old Towne Orange to find a couple of cool spots to provide the background.

Even if we've worked together many times before as Amy and I have, sometimes there's still a little bit of getting used to being in front of the camera.  Unless, of course, you're a professional model ;-)  So, I like to take a little time to chat before I even raise the camera to my eye so that you feel like we're just old friends getting together.  In between the silly things we talk about or do, I'll find the real you--the real, relaxed and approachable you.  And in between, you'll forget all about the camera.

Have you a sassy new hairdo?  Been a few years since your last headshot?  Let's update it!

I can't wait to see you!