Couples Portraits... puppy love

Who says you need to have a special occasion or major life event to have portraits done? Bridgette and Dan booked a session because they are happily in love and want some nice pictures to decorate their home. Although I bet their dog, Pippen, thinks today is very special. He just graduated from puppy school today!

Newborn session with the Varnells

The Varnells are proud to introduce their baby girl, Elina.  Born with chubby cheeks and a head full of hair, this little darling can't be any cuter.  Mom has a great sense of style and all ready to dress up this little princess.  She is well stocked with great finds from Etsy.

World, welcome baby Andrew

Congrats to the Brewers, who welcomed their first-born son, Andrew, on 3.9.2014.  Both mom and dad are big Bengals fan as well as soccer fan, so this session was filled with sports paraphernalia.  I also crocheted a Dr. Seuss hat just in time for this session. 

Pleasant Ridge 3-miler

A group of Pleasant Ridge runners organized a fun 3-miler race in our neighborhood.  The weather couldn't have been more perfect and the turnout was better than expected.  Thanks to all the organizers, volunteers, runners, walkers, party-goers, residents along the course, and sponsors, it was a fun weekend afternoon.  What a way to welcome Spring!

I had so much fun taking pictures at this event.  With over 1000 pictures to sort through, it'll take me a while to get through them all.  However, here is a sneak peak at the highlights of the event.

For the full size image of each picture below, click here

 

 

 

psss.... here's a secret, I couldn't beat Donnie Warner (first place finisher) back to the finish line (I blame it on all the camera equipment I was carrying).  I took his picture on the last segment of the course on Kincaid Avenue before he made the turn onto Montgomery Road.  Doug, next year I want a ride on your moped.

Senior Portraits - Round 2

This pair of twins are soccer super stars.  After their formal portrait session at their school, I also created some composite photos using images from their soccer game and the formal session.  Here is a sneak peak...

Is your toddler too fast for your camera?

Around the holidays, several of my co-workers, family, and friends approached me and asked "I'm looking at buying a new camera, which one would you recommend?"  Some even picked out 2 or 3 models and asked me to compare them and recommend one.  With the holiday shopping season in full swing back then and every retailer was advertising the latest models, it was tempting to get a nicer camera.

First of all, I should clarify that I'm at a stage in my life where most of my co-workers, friends, and family have young children.  My first question was "Why do you want a new camera?"  The most common answer I received was "I want better pictures of my kids.  They look so cute but by the time I take pictures of them, they have moved or their facial expressions have already changed."  Ah, yes, the ever elusive cute expressions and sparkle in the eyes that every parent dreams of capturing.  I found myself giving the same advice to several people so I decided write this article, hoping it will help many of you facing the same problem.

I hate to say this, but a nicer, more expensive camera is not likely to be your solution.  Sure, a camera with a higher number of frames per second and shorter shutter lag is more likely to help you accomplish your goal.  However, chances are, you already have a camera with decent features.  That extra frame per second or 1/10 second faster on the shutter release will not make that big of a difference.

So what do I recommend?

If your sole purpose for getting a nicer camera is to get pictures of your toddler/pets or capturing something in motion, my best recommendation is actually an iPhone app called Fast Camera by i4software.   While I'm a fan of my DSLR and rarely take pictures with my iPhone, this is the one situation where I would recommend an iPhone app over a real camera.  For $4.99, this app allows you to take up to 1,200 photos per minute!  All you have to do is open the app, point your phone at your toddler, and your camera phone will snap away until you stop it.  You can then review the images you obtained and save the ones that have the best combination of action and facial expression.  The app allows you to lock focus and exposure like a regular camera.  It also allows you to choose your resolution, up to 8 megapixels.  If 1,200 pictures per minute is too much for you, you can change how many frames per minute in the settings.  After you review the photos, you save the best ones to your phone so the pictures don't take up all the memory space.  There is no DSLR out there that can do this.  Plus, there is an added benefit of not having to carry another gadget with you.  I'm sure most of you already have your phone with you at all times, so you might as well put it to use by taking pictures of your active toddler.  Right now, the app is only available for iPhone but an Android version will be coming out soon.

**Please note, I do not have any financial interest or motive in recommending the Fast Camera app.  I downloaded the app serendipitously last year and love it.  Feel free to read the independent reviews on iTunes