*{Q.&.A}* Photo Questions Answered

So I finally decided to post some Q.&.A posts to answer some of your photo questions...after receiving many of the same questions through multiple emails, I figured it was best to just post those answers here for all to see! So if you have any photo questions or something you're dying to know, either leave a comment here or email me and I will keep that question for another Q.&.A blog session! Now I am NOT claiming to be a know-it-all about photography by any means; however, it's also not a secret that I know enough to hold my own!! So please don't be shy...guaranteed if you have that question, there is someone else out there wanting to ask the same thing.

SO...here we go with the top 3 questions I receive:

::Q:: "I want to get into photography...did you go to school or how did you master the skill?"
::A:: Nope...no school! I actually went to college and majored in Business Admin with an emphasis in Marketing. So I guess it helps me on the business side of things, but it doesn't help me at all when taking pictures! I am self-taught. I spent a lot of time on photography forums...not necessarily communicating (yes, I lurked) primarily because there were some harsh people out there on the forums, and I didn't want any part of "that". However, there is some FABULOUS information out there on skills that photogs need starting out. So go read through some of those forums!.

And the number one thing that really helped launch my photography skills at the beginning was reading the book "Understanding Exposure" by Bryan Peterson. This teaches you everything you'd ever want to know about proper manual exposure. That way you can turn that flash off and relish in the gorgeous natural light that God gave us!! It is an amazing book...and for a visual learner like myself, it had images on each page, the settings he used, and why he chose those settings. It is a fabulous book and will teach you SO much!

PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE! I'll even admit I set up a Cabbage Patch Doll near a window to practice back in my early days!! Whatever it takes, no excuses!

::Q:: "What lens do you use?"
::A:: My 50mm 1.4 is typically my go-to-lens. However, I've been shooting families a lot more with the 28 1.8 because I LOVE the wide angle of it. It tells more of a story...I love being able to get close to a baby cooing, yet you can still see mom and dad in the back laughing at their baby making the sounds. To me, the picture is seeing mom and dad in the background responding to their child, not necessarily the kid that is front and center in the picture! And for a portrait type lens, I've been using my 85 1.8 a lot more as well (just spotted a trend...I'm moving away from my 50mm)! I love having the distance from the client where they can interact with some privacy, and the 85mm is just yummy when shooting, especially around 2.0 aperture! And my goal this year is to replace my 28mm with possibly the 35mm 1.4.

::Q:: "What camera do you recommend?"
::A:: I'm sure Nikon is just as good as Canon (that's enough to spark WWIII in some parts of the photo world) so either one is great! But I recommend Canon because it's WHAT I KNOW!~ I shoot with a Canon 5D and a 30D as my back-up camera. They have been wonderful cameras for me. However, if you are just wanting an amateur camera and you are not planning on becoming a professional, I'd recommend just picking up a Canon Rebel. It is a great camera for a mom or dad to sport! If you are wanting to be a professional, I'd recommend the 5D...it handles low-light amazingly well and has been a gem for me.

AND ONE LAST QUESTION THAT I WISH SOMEONE TOLD ME THE ANSWER TO BACK IN THE DAY...
::Q:: "What is the best way to meter for taking a portrait?"
::A:: When I started out, I'd use my in-camera meter to get a proper exposure. I'd get it the little tick mark centered on the meter and CLICK. I didn't take into account either the dark background behind the person or the bright sky or beach behind the person, which changes A LOT in the metering world...MISTAKE! Your camera is taking into account everything you see inside your viewfinder when metering, so a bright sky or a dark background can really throw the metering off for the client's skin. SO...as some of my clients can attest to, I get-up nice and close and TELL them I'm going to get all-up in their personal space for a second so I can meter their skin. After a few laughs, I look through the viewfinder so ALL I CAN SEE IS THEIR SKIN. After I find that it is properly exposed with my in-camera meter, I step back to where I want to be to take the picture. Now, at this point, your camera will tell you that you are ALL WRONG and that you are either seriously over-exposed or possibly under-exposed. IGNORE IT! Because you know you just metered for the skin...and that is the most important element in the photo. Take the picture! Now cheat--look at the back of your LCD...see what it looks like (don't rely on it necessarily, but it will give you a good indication of where you are at...if you want to be technical and see if you really nailed it, look at your histogram). After peeking at the back of my camera, I will adjust slightly from there depending on what my histogram is telling me and what my LCD screen looks like. Just keep in mind, when your lighting changes...or a cloud comes through and blocks the sun, your exposure is changing as well!

NOW, this may mean that if you are at the beach, your beach may be blown a bit, etc. I personally don't care! Yes, I'm not an idiot, I see it's blown some. But I don't care because the moment I captured between the couple or family is what I was after. And I **hate**flash; I'm a natural light junkie. So I am not about to do the whole expose for the background and then throw a flash on my camera for the people....BLAH ::insert vomit bag:: That is just my opinion...my blog, my opinion. Some people are great working the flash...flash is just not my thing. I love the dimensions that natural light gives to the subjects. It just looks so real and natural to me that I don't want to throw a frying pan of light at their gorgeous faces! And at this point, I've totally lost you...haven't I?!

SO! Enough lecturing for now!! If you have any questions AT ALL about photo stuff...or even if you feel like asking me what my favorite type of ice cream is, ASK IT! I am more than willing to give back and help others along in their journey if I can.

And because blogs are just downright boring without a photo, here are a few quick shots I took of my kiddos when they were playing around at the beach! I had a shoot in La Jolla a couple of weeks ago and my fabulous hubby and little girls came along for the fun and played at the playground and ran around the beach while mommy worked....I.LOVE.MY.JOB! Here are a few for ya...

Itsy Bitsy LOVES to chase seagulls...she's loved it since she started walking, and it never gets old or dull!

And as you can see, Little Miss Sunshine in the background could care less about pictures...she just wanted to splash in the water as much as possible. I don't blame her!
Until Next Time...
-m

*{Magnifique French Beauties}* Temecula CA Photographer

I had the opportunity to photograph an old friend's gorgeous daughters. What is so wonderful about these two girls is the fact that they are not only beautiful on the outside, but their personalities are one-of-a-kind. These two are just about as sweet as they come! Their little giggles show the pure joy that oozes from depth of their souls. Mama, you are doing something right with these two...you should be so proud of them!!

And they were more than ready for the camera! They just ATE.IT.UP!~ There were a few times I just could not help but giggle when they busted into their best America's Next Top Model poses with no shame! We also grabbed a few headshots for little Miss L. And let me tell you, the entertainment industry would be a better place with more personalities like little Miss L!

So here are a few pics of these sweeties for you on this fabulous Monday morning. Enjoy everyone! And have a fabulous week!
-m

Some sisterly love...

See...this is the pure joy I was talking about! And don't you love those missing teeth?!?!


Love this shot...


P.R.E.C.I.O.U.S.



Work it girl...

*{The Boots...January Self Portrait}*

Let me preface this post with, "What did I get myself into?!" OH MY GOODNESS! I did not think committing to one self-portrait a month would intimidate me so much! However, I spun wheels today while getting my "boots" shot for all of you for my January self-portrait. I don't know what I'm going to do for the next 11 months. I think I may have to drag the hubby or the kids in the portraits with me. What is funny about it is the fact that I am not shy in front of the camera!! I'm not gonna lie! I think it is actually fun being in front of SOMEONE ELSE'S camera!! But there is this whole awkwardness of a self portrait...trying to get the focus (when no one is in the frame to focus on because you are behind the camera), then setting the timer, to then run in the picture, and the most awkward moment of all...the camera is clicking down the seconds and I'm trying to figure out what emotion I want to portray on my face! Pure weirdness!!! I would feel MUCH more comfortable being in front of another photographer's lens! But I guess I'm going to have to get over it because I have 11 more to go!

However, I am easing myself into this whole world of awkward self-portraits by simply focusing on my feet this month. Actually, more so the BOOTS that are on my feet!! As you know, I posted in November a fabulous pair of boots that caught my attention, and I could not get them out of my mind. However, I was not very smitten of the price tag. So I kept hesitating to click the "Purchase Now" button. My lovely husband even wanted to buy them for me!! And something inside me was just saying no...even as much as I loved them and even with all the countless outfits I was pairing together with them! And now I know why...

I ventured over to the Steve Madden site and found them. Okay, so they aren't "Frye", but if you look at my old post and look at these suckers, there is no way you see a $400+ price difference!! It just about blew my mind! So good 'ole Mr. Madden, thank you for this fabulous find...and the good news is I got them on clearance for $69! SERIOUSLY!!! OMGosh...all leather!! And for the record I love them. And I'd like to thank my gut-feeling for making me hold off...because look at these...


I promise to show more of me next month!! I need to ease myself into this project...

Now I'm off to watch the Grammy's!
-m

*{Generational Fun}* La Jolla, CA Family Photographer

I just had to go ahead and post this fun session from last weekend. I had the opportunity to do a generational photo shoot, and those kind of shoots are always special to my heart. I'm so glad they took advantage of having all the family together to capture some photographs they can cherish forever. I would give so many things to have a shoot like this with my great grandparents...Little Mr. Tyler will feel so blessed to have these images to look back on as an adult. I just can't emphasize the importance of a generational family photo shoot if you have the opportunity.

We had 4 generations represented! And after we took those images, little Tyler and I snagged his mommy and daddy to get some fun family pictures of their day at the beach. And like I've said before, I'm in love with the beach in the winter time! And thank God we live in CA where we can take advantage of the gorgeous beaches...and I think La Jolla has to be my favorite!

So here are just a few of my favorites from the day...it was so hard to narrow it down, so you will just have to watch the slideshow at the end of the post to see what I mean!




LOVE great-grandpa snuggling up on Mr. Tyler! All 4 generations represented...this makes my heart sing!
And the patriarch himself... ;)


And you can't miss the slideshow... ;)

Thanks for such a fabulous day...and my hope is you treasure the images forever!
-m

*{Call Off the Search Party}*

Yes, it was that bad. Never in a million years did I ever think when I picked up the first Twilight saga book to read, that I would virtually fall off the radar as bad as I did. My mind has been in Forks, WA for the past week and a half! It all started with a simple Facebook post, "I guess I'll watch this Twilight movie and see what all the rage is about." And with that...20+comments...my wall blew up! Basically everyone said, "You've GOT to read the books first! They are so much better!" And with that, I turned to page one and never looked back!

People, it got so bad I actually had friends sending me messages saying they missed me and was wondering where I'd been. Even calling me a Facebook widow! I.COULD.NOT.STOP.READING! My husband claims I only took three breaks...#1) a photo shoot #2) to force him to watch the Twilight movie with me #3) when I drug him to a 9:55pm showing of New Moon this past weekend. And I must admit, he isn't too far from the truth! And thank you my love for not divorcing me in the process...I think my addiction is under control now that I have finished book four.

Now as a disclaimer, I am not THAT big of a reader. I pretty much stick to my business books that I like to read and keep the fiction stuff for the movies! But these four books rocked my world and showed me that I actually CAN enjoy reading fiction!

So my favorite in the series was Breaking Dawn...LOVED IT. And for the record, I don't know how they can put everything that happened in that book in only a 2 hour movie. I hope they don't cut a ton out, because it was all just way too fabulous. My next favorite was New Moon. But I did love them all for different reasons!

The TEAM EDWARD VS TEAM JACOB debate:
Oh wow...where do I start! I never knew how passionate people were about Twilight until I started bringing up topics on Facebook! And for the record, I do have to say I am TEAM EDWARD. My husband claims it is because I like the bad boy. I argued back that I felt Jacob was more of a "bad boy" than Edward was! Edward left her because he wanted to protect her!! I have a feeling a lot of people switched to Team Jacob after watching New Moon...I get it, Taylor Lautner half naked with no shirt on for 2 hours could persuade many to switch teams to the dogs. But you obviously have not seen the FABULOUS Vanity Fair spread of Robert Pattinson...HANDS DOWN TEAM EDWARD...case closed!! And it's not just for the looks that I'm Team Edward...so don't give me grief for that! He and Bella just had to be together...there was no other way around it.

And to solve this debate once and for all...here is a funny SNL skit that a friend sent me! I got a pretty good laugh out of it. Enjoy it here!



So now that life must move forward, I am off to clean this house that has been so neglected! And you will start to see more of me in the blogging world.

And yes. If you haven't read it, it was THAT good!! Trust me, I was skeptical! I always thought to myself, "I don't understand how people can be that taken by reading about vampires and werewolves." But now I get it. And I'm looking for a Twilight addiction group!

So what team are you on?!

Until next time...
m

*{Friday Funnies}* Fort Irwin CA Photographer

So I just had to leave you with a good laugh for your Friday evening...I saw this in the parking lot of a local school as I was waiting for clients to show up. And I about died when I saw this. I mean, if you are going to put this in a school parking lot of all places, *at least* spray-paint the "N" the correct way. And shame on the Principal for not having them correct it!!

On that note, have a fabulous weekend! ;)

More fun next week...
-m

*{Jasmine Star Workshop}* Orange County California

So this blog post is long overdue...but technically it is just a display of self-control! And you will see why.

In November, I had the opportunity to attend the Jasmine Star Workshop ...after logging into Paypal as fast as I could so it wouldn't be sold out by the time I clicked "buy now"! Anyways, it was a fabulous experience. Would you expect anything different from Jasmine Star?! She is the branding queen. If you want a workshop on hardcore branding, GO. If you want to learn how to shoot your camera, this isn't the workshop for you. But it was *just* what I had been looking for as far as a branding seminar is concerned. I want to push my business forward to that next level. And I'm glad I went. And for all of you wondering if Jasmine is as true and real as she appears to be on her blog? The answer is YES YES YES! Honestly, what made the workshop that even *that* much better, is the fact that Jasmine and J.D. (and mama) were so incredibly kind, warm, inviting people...not to mention HUMBLE. Who wouldn't want to learn from people like that, right?! I think the whole room felt like one big family for the day! So thank you Jasmine for taking the time to be real and share your knowledge as it relates to our industry.

Towards the end of the workshop, we all had an opportunity to watch Jasmine shoot. She does a outstanding job directing her clients and showing them *exactly* where she wants them.

Now this is where I displayed some serious self-control. I told myself I wasn't going to touch one of these gorgeous shots until after ever client image was edited for the year! And for the first time possibly, my will-power won!! I waited...even though I saw that magical file on my desktop every day labeled "Jasmine *"! And for all you photogs, I made a commitment to myself that I would not shoot over 2.0. And I am now in love with any aperture under 2.0!

Our gorgeous models for the day were the precious Ashley Rose and her husband. And check out how gorgeous they look together...

So without further ado, here is some eye candy for ya! These were my favorites from the day...

Dress: Vera Wang
Makeup and Hair: The super talented Vivian Tran of All Made Up
Floral Pieces: By the fabulous artist Lauryl Lane























Thanks for a fabulous day, and I hope our paths cross again!
-m