PhotoMommas &raquo; A place for moms and their cameras...

admin - Nikki-I bet! It is a pretty awesome program. Thanks for sharing… June 9, 2010 – 11:51 am

Nikki - I currently only have a point and shoot, so pinik is my best friend. I have photoshop elements, but haven’t taken the time to learn it yet.June 2, 2010 – 10:16 pm

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Print Sizing

Posted in Life with Gabe & Claire, Photo Tips, Something to share 2 comments

Every once in a while I get asked what it means for an image to be cropped. Why does it have to be cropped? How much is cropped, etc? Well, to keep it simple…a 4×6 print is what comes out of the camera–it is the full framed image. In order to prevent any cropping from taking place you have to order sizes that are congruent to a 4×6 such as an 8×12 and 16×24. The reason for cropping the image is primarily because it has been standard for so long. Whether it be the machines, the paper size or the frames you purchase…that is just how it has been done.

So, when you are taking a picture you have to remind yourself, “Will I want this printed as an 8×10?” If so, you need to make sure you leave extra room around your subject. If you are a client of ours, you may have noticed extra room above a vertical image or on the sides of a horizontal image. That is done with intention. We want to make sure that the images you purchase are photographed in such a way that the subject is not lost when printed as an 8×10. Now, if I see something that requires a tight crop…it’s ok. An 8×12 or 16×24 works, as well.

Below are a few examples. The first one is a 4×6 which required no cropping. The 5×7 has a bit more than an inch cropped and the 8×10 crops off two inches.

4×6

5×7

8×10

Posted in Life with Gabe & Claire, Photo Tips, Something to share

by admin

2 comments

admin - Isn’t it?! Believe it or not, the top is from Target and the ’skirt’ is a Pier 1 apron. June 29, 2010 – 12:20 pm

joy - IS this a Matilda Jane dress? I LOVE IT! It’s so freaking adorable.June 29, 2010 – 12:11 pm

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Happy Mother’s Day!

Posted in Contests, Life with Gabe & Claire, Personal No comments

I hope all of you wonderful moms are enjoying the day designed to honor you. Head on over to CPD’s blog to find out about the giveaway that is taking place. I would highly recommend participating! This keepsake could be something your family cherishes for years to come!

Posted in Contests, Life with Gabe & Claire, Personal

by admin

no comments

Monday, May 3, 2010

Favorite lens…?

Posted in Carpenter Photography & Design, Life with Gabe & Claire, Photo Tips 1 comment

It’s been awhile since I’ve posted and for that I apologize. Our season is in full swing now and I’m going a million miles an hour. This is normally how I go, but my past couple of weeks have been a bit crazier than normal. We made a few small trips followed with family in town followed with…and…this…and…

I’ve received quite a few questions from some of you and I am anxious to get some of those answered. Feel free to email me if there is something in particular you would like to learn.

Some of you have asked about the lenses I use. Honestly, it varies. For kids, I try and keep it simple. I focus more on the children and less on my equipment because I realize how much faster I have to move with them. My lens of choice is the 50mm 1.2. I loooove that lens. It does require me to work a lot harder because I am the one zooming in versus the lens being the one that zooms for me. However, it doesn’t take long to get used to being the one that moves.

Another bonus to the 50mm is the depth of field. People have asked me how I get the background so blurry. There are several reasons for the blurred background (it would be a looong post if I shared all the details)…one of them being the fact that the 50mm is a fixed lens vs. a zoom lens like the 24-70mm. I’m trying to keep the details to a minimum…not wanting to confuse anyone.

Depending on what camera body you use, there are a few other 50mm lenses that are less expensive: the 50mm 1.8 and the 50mm 1.4. We also have the 50mm 1.4 (Jeremy uses this one on occasion during a wedding) and it is a great lens. The image above was taken with the 50mm 1.4. Choosing the right lens for you is based more on your price point and the kind of camera you use than anything else. These two lenses will do a great job capturing moments for you…it’s just a matter of preference.

I hope this helps…have a happy Monday!

Posted in Carpenter Photography & Design, Life with Gabe & Claire, Photo Tips

by admin

1 comment

Kendra Beutler - Thanks, Mel! Will have to pass this info on to Jason. Miss you!May 7, 2010 – 8:04 am

Thursday, April 22, 2010

My view from up here…

Posted in Life with Gabe & Claire, Personal 1 comment

You have heard me say it before and I am going to say it again…Claire does not care for me when I have a camera in front of her face. I have tried numerous things/people to try and get her to communicate with me in regards to pictures, but for some reason she wants my undivided attention. I would be lying if I said it didn’t frustrate me…believe me, it does–and I feel awful for letting it bother me. Here I am…a photographer…and I struggle to get my own daughter to cooperate with me in front of the camera? Geesh! Give me any other child and the chances are pretty good that I will get what I need. My guess is that you have experienced this before, as well, with your own child.

Well, the point of this post was to complain…I mean, be real with you. As much as I enjoy capturing Gabe and Claire, I know there are times when I need to stop expecting them to cooperate and just let them be. Sometimes I just need to put the camera down and play with them–sounds contradicting to previous posts, I know. There are so many thoughts that run through my mind about them growing before my eyes–I have to capture them…I want to remember every expression…I want them to be able to relive their childhood through pictures…the list goes on and on. However, there are times (especially when I see faces like the one below) when I have to put the camera down. I have to remind myself that memories aren’t only made in front of the camera. Memories are stored in your heart, your mind, your soul. As much as I love to document their childhood, I have to remember to be a part of it.

The one below is an exception. If I showed you the one I took prior to this one…you would have asked what happened to my daughter. Yes, she was that mad. However, I told her to get/hit mommy…this was the result. It’s a beautiful day today…go and play with your little ones outside. If you forget your camera…it’s ok. The memories will still be made. The camera can come next time.

Posted in Life with Gabe & Claire, Personal

by admin

1 comment