Shoot in the Rain

With spring showers just around the corner, our weather can jump from sunny skies to cloudy and overcast from week to week.   And contrary to common belief, you don’t have to have a sunny day to create the best images.  In fact, a little cloud coverage can actually provide more even lighting on your subject, while help eliminating squinty eyes and harsh shadows.  So what do you do on a rainy day to still capture memories?  Here are a few ideas just for you.

Shoot under an awning or patio covering.  The indirect light that you will have when you are outside, but still under some shade can actually create some of the best lighting for your subject.  Watch your subjects face and see how the light hits them. When you see they have the best lighting on their faces is the best time to shoot.

Shoot next to a window.  When your child is looking absolutely adorable in their dress ups and its pouring rain outside, take them to the closest window and turn your flash off for some beautiful naturally lit shots.  That subtle and soft lighting can make for the best images!

Take advantage of the overcast skies.  Believe it or not, photographers love an overcast day.  The sun can create too many harsh shadows on the subject, so a little cloud coverage can help diffuse the sun and create some very nice lighting on your subject.  So don’t be afraid to head outside for photos even when the sun is hidden.

Article courtesy of Photo Business Tools.

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Capturing Emotion In Your Photos

Does it seem like everyone but you can get the fun shots that they want?  Ever feel like your kids just pull the cheesiest smiles when the camera comes out? With Valentine’s Day coming up this month, I thought it would be fun to share a few quick tips on how to capture emotion in your photos.  Many times it can be hard to get that natural smile, especially from your own kids.  So I have a couple of quick tips to help you get that emotional magic from the hardest of subjects!

Here are 3 top ways to get emotion from your subjects:

1.  “Snuggle”.  This can be an easy way to coach your subjects whether they are best friends, siblings, or lovers.  Just telling your subjects to “snuggle” can get them closer and more into each other.

2.  Scream, jump, run.  Having your subjects do any emotion can get them to relax, have fun and in the mean time, you are capturing an emotion.

3.  Don’t pull your camera down.  Once you have your subjects doing something fun like screaming, jumping, or running, leave your camera ready to shoot.   Shooting the fun emotion is great, but capturing the magic moments where they are laughing right after they scream, jump or run can be priceless too!

Extra Tip:  Some point and shoot cameras have a delayed shutter speed which makes getting the shot even harder.  If you don’t have an SLR with a quick shutter speed, consider trying the camera on your phone.  A lot of camera phones, including the iPhone has a very quick shutter speed, which helps you grab the moment as it is happening!

Article courtesy of Photo Business Tools.

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What is a Senior Spokesmodel?

You are my presence at your school. You help market my studio to your peers and get them to book me for their senior pictures! Plus you get a FREE session!

What do you get out of it?

• A full 2 hour session with unlimited locations (within a 10 mile radius) and unlimited clothing changes.
• Hair and makeup professionally done
• 10 web size/watermarked images and a cover photo for Facebook.
• 50 custom Senior Spokesmodel referral cards with your image and our studio information.
• Your images used as advertising material on the Dutch Girl Photography website, Facebook page, and marketing materials!
• $50 print credit for each booked referral – So, the more people you refer, the more credits you get for your own pictures!
• FREE STUFF!!!! As an added bonus you can earn Gift Certificates! 5 referrals – $25 gift card to your favorite restaurant; 8 referrals – $50.00 Mall Gift Certificate; 10 referrals – $100 Mall Gift Certificate

What am I looking for in a Senior Spokesmodel?

I want Spokesmodels who are fun, outgoing, adventurous and creative! You must be willing to:

• try out new poses, new locations, and bring their individual style and flair to a photo shoot!
• be supermodels for a day and have fun!
• go out of their way to promote my business and be excited about their pictures!

How does it work?

• You need to apply to be a Senior Spokesmodel . Once you are chosen, we will get together in April 2013 for your session. That session is all about you and what you want to accomplish with your portraits. Creativity is a must!
• We’re looking for at least one Spokesmodel from area high schools (preferably Morris, Minooka, Coal City, GSW but also anywhere in Chicagoland). We are only choosing 6 Spokesmodels!!!
• After your session we will work together to choose the best image to put on your representative cards to hand out to your peers.
• You will be asked to sign a contract to not represent another studio during your time as a Senior Spokesmodel. You will also be expected to not seek additional senior portraits at another studio (one exception – if your school requires you to go to a certain photographer for the yearbook photo).
• This is an exceptional opportunity to have your portraits taken by Dutch Girl Photography AND save a TON of money on your senior portraits.
• All we ask of you is that you help promote our work to your friends and classmates by handing out your cards and fliers to everyone that needs their picture taken.

Our Senior Spokesmodel program is limited based on the number of students per school and we will not choose more than 6 Spokesmodels total. Applications are being accepted only until March 3rd. So get those applications in NOW to be considered! To apply, complete the application here. Winners will be contacted on or before March 9th.

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iPhone Photography Tips

Using an iPhone as a camera is one of the quickest and easiest ways to document your life, and especially your children. In fact, the iPhone camera is the most widely used camera today. If you’re an iPhone camera user, you will love these quick tips to help you get better photos and usage out of your device, and if you don’t use the iPhone camera, a few of these tips will still be helpful for you.

Tip 1 – Take and use it everywhere. If you question whether or not you should grab a photo of something, just do it! You can always trash it later, but you’ll be grateful for the moments you’ve caught.

Tip 2 – Capture the small details as well as the whole picture. For example, at a party, stand back and take a picture of the whole event, then move in for shots of the party goers, and move in again for pictures of the cake, the candles, and the little hands opening the gifts.

Tip 3 – Walk up closer rather than zoom in. While the iPhone has a great zoom feature, you will always have a better quality image if you physically move your body closer to your subject rather than using your zoom.

Tip 4 – Use the blue square to lock your focus and exposure. This is a fantastic tool! If your image looks too dark, then simply press your finger on the touch screen in a darker part of the image and hold it. The iPhone will adjust the exposure for that spot. Hold your finger there for 3 seconds, and the exposure and focus will lock.

Tip 5 – Hold the camera horizontal for video. If you hold it vertically, your uploaded video will come in sideways, requiring you to turn your head for optimal viewing. Ouch!

Article courtesy of Photo Business Tools.

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I’m super excited to offer my first set of Mini-Sessions ever! “What is a Mini-Session,” you ask. Well, mini photography sessions are shortened photography sessions that last only 20 minutes versus a full session which usually lasts an hour or more. These mini sessions are perfect to capture an updated family photo for your holiday card.

The details of a Mini Photography Session include:

• Each session will last about 20 minutes and will include an 8×10. Mini photography session clients will also received discounts on additional prints, digital images, and products.
• Date: Sunday, October 14th
• Location: Morris, IL – exact location will be revealed to participating families
• Cost: $40
• Times:
  • 3:00pm: Filled
  • 3:30pm: Filled
  • 4:00pm: Filled
  • 4:30pm: Available
  • 5:00pm: Available
  • 5:30pm: Filled

Please contact me at sarah@dutchgirlphoto.com to schedule a Mini-Session or with questions. All mini photography sessions have to be paid at time of booking to guarantee a time.

Disclaimer: Due to the quick nature of these sessions and my limited availability this season, I cannot offer these mini photography sessions at another date or time other than what is scheduled. Mini photography sessions cannot be used for the following types of sessions: senior photography, maternity photography, newborn photography, or wedding photography.

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