Wednesday, January 1, 2014

I've Got Something to Tell You!!

I promised in my last post to clue you in on what's been going on in the life of Nikon Newbie over the past year so without further ado here's the scoop. For some time I have wanted to turn my explorations with the camera into a business, to take that final step to turn a dream into a realization and after some time I am proud to announce that Studio Sevyn Photography has stepped onto the scene!!!!


Launching the business has been a long, super busy period for me which slowed a bit in August of 2012 when my 10 year old son was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. The diagnosis sent me reeling in more ways than one and left me empty, not wanting to even pick up the camera for a minute. As I reflect on those days I realize that I don't have any photos of him during that time. This speaks of my state of mind then because no matter where I am or what I'm doing I find a way to document it with a photo or two. The fact that I did not pick up the camera for a few months as we came to terms with his diagnosis almost feels like a lost period in time for me. I do have one photo of him on what we call "D-Day"(Diagnosis Day). The photo was taken on the first day of school at the start of his fourth grade year. I look at that photo from time to time and immediately all the feelings of that day come rushing back totally overwhelming me once again. Maybe not having those photos serves as a bit of protection for me...well at least that's how I chose to see it.

Since then our lives have returned to as close as normal as possible. We celebrate life, our family and the fact that Avery is living a healthy life with diabetes. The photography business is in the beginning stages and we are enjoying trying new and exciting projects as we build our portfolio. If you have any questions about how we did it or just want to say hello I would love to hear from you.

So there you have it my year in a nutshell. This will be my final post at Nikon Newbie, but if you would like to continue to follow me and see what I have been up to as Studio Sevyn, come check us out at www.facebook.com/studiosevyn or www.studiosevynphotography.com.

Hope to hear from you! Thanks for visiting and have a great year! Warnesa


"Say Cheese!"...Say What? Tips to Capture That Perfect Smile

Ok I know, I know...it's been eons since I have written a post here on Nikon Newbie puhlease forgive me (making a puppy dog face right now :) but so much has been going on in my life both great and not so great that has taken me away from this chapter in my life. I'll update you more on my next and final post as Nikon Newbie so stay tuned!

This post has been sitting in my drafts folder for almost a year now. I contemplated deleting it, but I just couldn't. I think it would be crazy not to complete and publish it because the information it contains is very useful. So here it is...
                                                                 

"Say cheese!" What is it that as soon as a camera gets stuck to your face you feel the urge to say those words? For me, it's from years of mindlessly blurting it out time and time again in an effort to get everyone to smile and needless to say, we all know how those pictures turned out.



 I just threw this one in for fun!
I'll give you a personal experience that I'm sure you can relate to. My daughter Morgan just eats up the camera...and why wouldn't she? It's only been in her face every day since she was born! So whenever I pick up my phone or camera she is ready to go...cheesy smiles all the way! Her eyes are closed, face is tense and her smile stretches from ear to ear making it easy to count every tooth in her mouth! So in order to avoid that super wide smile that would make her dentist proud, I take most of her pictures when she's preoccupied with something else and naturally interacting and responding to her environment.


YES I caught her in a pick! LOL!

If I want her to look directly at the camera, I will say or do something that makes her laugh and capture the laugh from its inception until it ends in a beautiful smile.
I've gotten better at capturing those heart melting smiles when photographing my little ones but I find that sometimes when I'm photographing other people or their kiddies I tense up and forget what to say or do to encourage natural smiles. After reading some really helpful articles, this is what I uncovered. I hope this works for you when you find yourself in a rut like I do most times.

When Working with Children:

1. Take the time before the shoot to talk with them and make them feel at ease. Get on their level so that you do not appear intimidating. Find out from the parents what interests them and use that little information nugget to start a conversation.

2. When I'm photographing my daughter and her buddies I've noticed that whatever works for her almost always works for the other children as well. Use the goofy stuff you do at home with your kids...try it and see what happens.

3. Peek a boo in my book is foolproof with the little ones. They love it! It's like opening up a can of smiles!

4. Break out in song and intentionally get the words mixed up...Old McDonald had a rocket ship...you get the idea.

5. Tell funny jokes. I have been practicing with knock, knock jokes...can't remember any fun ones...make them up!

6. Play "Simon Says". Which kid doesn't like a good game of "Simon Says?" It's a good way to encourage their participation. "Simon says...hug your brother." Don't forget to make it fun! "Simon says...stick out your tongue!"

7. Tell them not to laugh...I've heard this so many times I decided to give it a try. Here's what I got!


8. If you're photographing a family, have them tickle each other. I've gotten really cute photos when I ask my kids to tickle each other.

9. Ask them what their favorite foods are and have fun with it. Macaroni and jello? Peanut butter and cheese? What!?

10. Sometimes I'll say, "Bet you can't make a face as funny as mine." Children love a challenge. Capture the funny faces and the smiles that follow.



11. I had to share this one. I like to have little ones puff up their cheeks and then pop it. Try it yourself in front of a mirror, cute smiles result!

12. Stick out your tongue...go ahead, do it. This will catch them off guard and produce that genuine laugh you've been waiting for.

Hungry for more? Check out this awesome article: How to Get Natural Smiles in Children's Portraiture by Erin Bell.

Young Adults

Photographing young adults can be a challenge. The key to a successful session is to build their confidence and comfort level. Your correspondence prior to the session is integral in accomplishing this.

1. Effective communication is the best way to put your teenage clients at ease. Be professional and treat them like the young adults that they are. Talk about their hobbies, extracurricular activities, shows they watch, favorite artists or sports figures or what they plan to do after graduation.

2. When assisting them with their wardrobe selection make sure that they choose clothing that represents their sense of style, clothes they feel comfortable wearing. It's important that their photos are a true representation of who they really are.


3. Incorporate their ideas, vision for the shoot or props from any hobbies or extracurricular activities they are involved in.

4. If parents, friends or siblings are present, put them to work for you and have them act the fool behind you to encourage genuine smiles.


Couples

Stop for a moment and think about how it feels to fall in love...to be in love. Your challenge is to manifest that feeling in your photos...to make it real, to make them want to go back to that moment time and time again as they look at their images. That being said, here are some tips to capture those endless smiles and goggly eyes coming your way.

1. The one lesson I have personally experienced is that when photographing couples the question is how do I get them to stop smiling for a second! So steal those moments when they are interacting, smiling, kissing...seemingly oblivious to the camera and you've got it genuine, heartfelt smiles and glances - pure awesomeness!

2. Props are always a great way to lighten the mood and to help your clients forget that the camera is there. Chose items that will add to the photo and not overwhelm or draw attention to itself. A simple blanket, a soda pop that they can share, a romantic card, engagement ring, a hat or a camera for them to play with are just a tiny sample of great props. You can also ask your clients to incorporate props that may have some significance to them, but make sure to have a peek at the item before the day of the shoot.

3. Location, location, location! Yeah we've heard it all before and know how important it is to choose  venues that will encapsulate everyone's vision for the shoot. I personally like locations where the couple can interact with the environment. A playground swing, a boat ride on a lake, a small cafe downtown, a park bench are just the beginning. Having the client's input here as well will garner the true essence of their love in a setting where they feel comfortable and can be themselves in front of the camera.

Well I think that about does it! Now I know that this stuff is not new by any means, it's just my two cents about what works for me. If you have any other tips you would like to share, please leave a comment. As always I would love to hear from you.

Monday, February 20, 2012

Posing Guide



Yesterday I hit a road block. Yup...it stopped lurking over my shoulder and eventually took center stage.

Here's how it all went down. I started building a portfolio and enlisted the help of a few of my friends for practice photo sessions. I felt really confident about the outcome of the sessions because I had taken lots of great photos of my kids, I've read and continue to read everything I could possibly dig up about photography, I practice every chance I get and besides, I was taking pictures of friends. What could go wrong? I was feeling good! Well sad to say, that feeling was short lived. A few sessions later, I fell flat on my face!

What could go wrong? Well...everything! After each session I uploaded the photos to look them over, edit and hopefully make selections for the portfolio. As I did this, I thought about the session; what went well and what didn't. I'm sure you've guessed it...there was a lot that didn't go so well! Out of a few hundred photos, I was only able to chose two shots. I'm having second thoughts about those too! LOL!

I noticed that I was having a hard time finding things to say that didn't sound cheesy. I was now suddenly nervous behind the camera and it seemed as though I had forgotten EVERYTHING I had learned. My brain was on lock down in the worst way! To add to this, after a few minutes into the sessions I was running out of ideas, feeling exhausted and defeated! A sad state of affairs to say the least.



Fast forward to today, after a few handfuls of Hershey's kisses and reading this awesome post from "Fresh Sugar Photography" on "My 25 Biggest Mistakes". I'm feeling a little better about the experience. I've had a few hours to clear away the cobwebs of doubt and discouragement from my thoughts and realize that this is just part of the process...a call to my alter ego Mrs. Perfection to take a back seat for a while. A time to continue to grow, to hone my skills and appreciate my art for what it is...a work in progress. That being said,  my next few posts will focus on topics to help guide me through, over, around or under this pesky road block. I hope that the information I uncover can help you maneuver any obstacles you have faced in this regard.

Here are a few suggestions from seasoned photographers as to what to do when your brain freezes and you're fresh out of ideas as it relates to posing.

❂ Change your lens to gain another perspective.

❂ Capture the moments as your subjects interact with each other or with the prop that is being used.

❂ Change the location.

❂ Be a little goofy and make the client(s) laugh.

❂ Try a different angle of the same pose.

❂ Capture moments in between shots.

❂ Allow the client(s) to offer suggestions as to their vision for the shoot.

❂ When all else fails...use a cheat sheet! A posing guide can be really useful when in a pinch.

❂ Remember the triangle when photographing groups.

I've compiled my very own posing guide on Pinterest using photos from photographers I follow. The Pinterest app is installed on my smart phone and itouch and I can pull them up quickly when stuck. If you haven't checked out my Pinterest boards, now is a great time to take a sneak peek at some really great posing ideas. Make a few boards for yourself and take advantage of this really great tool. If you have ideas that have helped you, please share them below. I would love to hear your tips as well!

My boards include poses for Couples/Engagement, WeddingsMaternity, Infants, Children/Adolescents, Seniors, Individual Portraits and Family/Groups. Take a look and follow me here.
















Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Photography Tips n Tricks




I hope this week of goodies has been what you had hoped it would be. Since developing "Nikon Newbie", I have come across some really helpful sites chock full of photography tips and tricks that have helped me become a better photographer. If you take the time to explore what they have to offer, you will be rewarded as I have. Dig in!

❀Pioneer Woman Photography -  Great, grrreat series about aperture.

Photography Tips for the Newbie Photographer - My squidoo lens, a great place to start. A short and sweet introduction into the world of photography.


Photography Tips for Beginners - Oodles of well written information with beautiful images and useful tips.


31 Days to a Better Photo - I can't think of a better place to start. Everything from understanding camera basics to photoshop techniques.


Step by Step Photography - By far one of the best websites for the amateur photographer. It covers the fundamentals of photography in an easy to follow, step-by-step progression. Understanding Aperture in 3 Steps is an example of the types of articles to be found here.


Simplified helpful Photography Guide With Photo Cheat Sheet - Ok, if you do not check out any other site I have listed, stop in and visit this one. Great cheat sheets for exposure, aperture and photoshop to name a few.


10 Top Composition Rules - Beautiful images to illustrate composition tips.

Digital Photography School - Ok, I had to include this popular site as well just in case for some strange reason you have not encountered it in your searches. You name it, they've got it. A great read for me were the articles:  "How to Take Great Group Photos" and 19 Portrait Photography Tutorials.

How to Take Beautiful Photos in Full Sun - There will be times when we will have no choice but to shoot in full sun so why not prepare yourself. Read this article to do just that!

10 Photography Cliches You Should Avoid To Improve Your Photography - An eye opener as to what can potentially result in cheesy photography!

5 Top Photography Branding Mistakes - A good read with lots of practical advice.

How to Start A Photography Business - Lots of good stuff about how to kick off a successful photography business.


Become A Photographer without Giving Up Your Day Job - If you haven't read this as yet, nows a good time!

50 Timesaving Photoshop Actions for Enhancing Photos - You're gonna love this!

5 Elements that Add Variety to Your Photo Shoot - Mix and match elements for a variety of shots! You would want to read this!

ehow Photography - Over 400 articles related to photography...take your pick!


So much more to come! See you again soon and thanks for stopping by!




Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Developing Your Brand as a Photographer

As I started focusing more on the business aspect of photography, the "branding" buzz word kept popping up. Let me bore you just for a moment then get down to the goodies! What is branding? A name, sign, image or symbol that represents you, your business and the services or products you provide; a necessary tool in the development and success of your business.

What do you envision when you read or hear these company names: Target, McDonald's, Best Buy, Walmart to name a few? I immediately think of the image or logo associated with each company and how I feel about them. Do I trust the company? Am I satisfied with their service or product? Can I count on them to follow through with their promises? A customer's favorable response to these questions as it relates to your business will result in a strong brand because you have built their trust and created an emotional attachment to your product, services or company.

Branding is not something to overlook or leave to chance. It requires time and attention to make sure it reflects your style of photography, evokes the emotions you want to portray and essentially communicates to your potential customer the type of experience to be had.

As a photographer, a website, blog, social media, business cards and other branding tools serve as your storefront. You want to make sure they attract the ideal customer and convinces them that your service is invaluable and best fulfills their individual needs.

On that note, drum roll please...day two of goodies have to do with branding. I have compiled a list of really terrific sites that can to help you build your personal brand. Do you have others you would like to include? Add them below in the comment section! Thanks for stopping by and enjoy!

Image courtesy of Fuel Your Photography


FUEL YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY- An article about the importance of using typeface to build your brand.

PHOTOGRAPHY CONCENTRATE - A really helpful and fun article about the role color plays in branding. 

MCP ACTIONS - Read about the importance of evoking emotion in your photography branding.



Need a few ideas to get started? Check out these sites!



IDENTITY KITCHEN 




GO4PRO

KELLY RIDGELL DESIGNS 

ON THE SPOT STUDIO


DESIGN AGLOW



JAMIE SCHULTZ DESIGNS



PHOTOGRAPHER CAFE



MOO





THE THOUGHTFUL TYPE





PHOTOGRAPHY BLOGSITES





SMUGMUG








TEMPLATE MONSTER






PROOFING AND SELLING TOOLS 







Monday, February 6, 2012

Goodies: Model/Property Release Templates and Apps

Image courtesy of modernhepburn.tumblr.com

Welcome to a week of photography goodies! That's right...you heard me! I dug up a few goodies that were so awesome I wanted to share them with you!

After reading tons of inspirational quotes on Pinterest (Pinterest peeps...you know what I'm talkin' about!) I finally got up off my tush and decided to begin the process of starting a photography business. YAY me!

For some time now, I've been reading oodles and oodles of photography related content and to tell you the truth, I got pretty overwhelmed! Can you say road block? Has this happened to you?

Well I FINALLY pulled myself up by my boot straps, set a few goals and prioritized them. The result was discovering some really useful resources. So here you have it, something every photographer needs: releases, releases, releases! In this post, I'll be sharing with you links to sites with free templates and samples of photo releases, adult and child model releases and property releases to get you started. Photography services contracts, event photography contracts, wedding photography agreement etc. can also be found on these sites. I've listed quite a few, choose the forms that work best for you.  Come back and visit with me to see what else I uncover this week!

American Society of Media Photographers - This site has a few quick and easy pocket release forms that are great when you need something signed quickly that provides a reasonable amount of coverage. Child model releases can also be found here. 


Brighthub - Has just about every form you could possibly need. 


BetterPhoto.com - Release forms as word documents...very helpful!




Easy Release Model Release App - Model release forms designed for the Ipad and Iphone. Rated among the top 100 apps for 2011. Priced at $9.99. Recently made available for android phones as well! Find out more about the Easy Release App at cnet.


iDRelease - A FREE app for the iphone available on itunes. Provides industry standard release forms that are used by Getty images. Read cnet's review here.


irelease App - Another app available for the iphone and ipad. Customizable templates that allow you to add your logo! Neat! Priced at $9.99. Read cnet's review of the irelease app here.


Photographer's Contract Maker - Suitable for both the iphone and ipad. Priced at $2.99. Read cnet's review of this app here.



Photographer's Rights - This isn't an app for releases, however I decided to add it because it's such a handy tool. It helps photographers understand their rights when visiting different countries. A steal at $1.99. Read cnet's review of this app here.



I am not being paid to mention any of the above products. I included them because of their potential benefit to your business.

Have you used any of the above apps? Are there others I failed to mention? Add them below in my comments section.




Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Get Noticed with Pinterest



Hi, my name's Warnesa and I'm a Pinterest addict! LOL! Just had to do that! There is however a bit of truth to that statement :) I discovered Pinterest a few months ago, but it wasn't until the last week or so that I became totally immersed in it when I realized the great potential it held for photographers.

For those of you who are unfamiliar, let me give you a bit of background. Pinterest is just as its name suggests...a virtual pin board that allows you to share with others things you're interested in. You're able to connect with people who have similar interests, to inspire and be inspired from other's pins.

Pinterest is a great way to learn about new and exciting things and share information, tips and ideas you have found helpful as well. A truly innovative tool for personal and business uses as you will soon see.

At first, I used Pinterest for fun... to create (pin) boards just to share with others photos and quotes that inspire me, places I want to visit, my style etc. and then it become much more. I started to focus more on how I could use it to improve my photography skills as well as how I could use it to help others on a similar path. It was then that I began adding my blog posts, photographers I follow, photography related articles, photography ideas, tips and do-it-yourself photography projects. The result was a treasure chest of resources...a wonderful thing!



What you'll find as you explore Pinterest is that many photographers use it to showcase their photography. Millions of pins are added and viewed daily which opens the door for increased traffic to their website or blog. I've read of photographers who have booked sessions because their work has been seen on Pinterest. If you haven't requested an invite as yet, it's worth  the effort if you are ready to be noticed!

It's so easy to get started and it's fun! I think I may be having a bit to much fun right now...but that's a great problem to have!!!

I took screen shots to give you a snap shot of a few of my boards. If you want a better look, click here, you may also click my Pinterest button (sidebar) to pay me a visit. If you like what you see, follow me for more goodies.

After receiving your invitation to Pinterest, you may want to visit this site to add a pin button to your toolbar (good idea) oh! and don't forget the button for your website as well. Happy pinning!


BOARD: Photo Shot-What to Wear




BOARD: Poses...Children



BOARD: Photography Props



Here are a few other boards worth checking out!:


Angie Sandy



J. Nicole




I ♥ Faces 




Kelly Lemmons - WOW! 126 Boards...this you have to see!