I thought it would be fun for me to share the story of how Amy and I met…she being in Utah and me in Texas. It was just a year ago (next week). I had discovered her blog in January 2010, stumbling upon her Valentine’s day crafts. I got all excited to get crafty, which kinda surprised me (as well as my mother who tried for years to get me interested)! I get very impatient when it comes to crafts and maybe I shyed away from them because all I knew was toll painting and ceramics like my mom did when I was younger. I didn’t fully realize that crafting could be cute and modern. I LOVE decorating for the holidays and I didn’t have much in the way of Valentine’s day stuff. Here is the post of my friend Liz and I making the topiary from The Idea Room.
After making this craft, I found myself up late at night reading Amy’s back entries. About her home organization, potty training, even posting her messy home on a rough day. As I read, I thought to myself…”I really like her…we could be friends!” In that same post with the pink topiary, I noticed not only The Work and the Glory book series (which I read in high school and adored, and I rarely get hooked on books) but next to the craft on her shelf a quote that had long before resonated with me, and it was then that I knew we were kindred spirits. The quote by Plato says, “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.” Click here to see the picture.
I had previously subconciously declared this as my life motto. It’s so simple, really. I have to remind myself that when others are unkind, there is a root to that, and it’s usually a sad story behind it. I tell my kids when they mention bullies that they most likely don’t have a lot of love in their life, or they wouldn’t be so unkind. All we can do is show kindness in return.
Upon traveling to Utah in March of last year, I emailed Amy to tell her how much I love her blog and for bringing out domesticity in me. I offered to take her family pictures while I was in Utah, and I was delighted that she said Yes! We set it up on a Tuesday morning…everything was planned out. Well, you know what happens when you have solid plans? Something happens. After a visit to (up)Chuck-A-Rama with my grandparents and family, half of us woke up in the night with food poisoning. It was BAD! I was tormented about the idea of cancelling, and was too weak in the morning, so I had my husband call and hope she and her family could reschedule til the next day. I slept all morning and didn’t get up til noon. I got it the worse, and I rarely get sick! Amazingly, that evening I felt much better and by the next morning, I was back at 100%! We did were able to meet up the next day (St. Patrick’s day) and my hubby came as my assistant to downtown Ogden where we met up with Amy and her cute family.
Our conversation was limited as I snapped away…but we got to chat a bit inbetween some great shots at a fun new location. We chatted, our hubbies chatted, and I wished my kids were there to meet her kids, because I think they would have fit right in! Someday… In the months since, we have gotten to know each other much more by email, and I have said over and over again how much I feel our life goals are in sync with each other. When I got back home, Amy asked me if I’d be interested in sharing photography tips on her blog. I was excited at the idea, as it brought to life my longtime desire to share with others what I have learned…often at the help of so many others sharing with me.
Now for a quick photo tip. When having YOUR picture taken, always remember to do 3 things.
1) Turn the hips
2) Pop the knee
3) Bend the arms
Straight on, the hips look so much wider than when I turn to the side. Also, to have a separation of the legs by lifting one heel and popping the knee, helps slim as well. Lastly, giving the arms something to do besides just hang there looks so much more relaxed.
Now, I love coming here to post, the only problem, is I often have a hard time coming up with ideas to share after a year of weekly and now 2x a month. So I ask you to go back and look at what I have already covered and give me more ideas! I have thought about going detailing step by step as to how I approach each photography session (teens, couples, families, newborns) because I know there are photographers that read this, does that sound interesting? I could also go into crafty ideas using pictures, I have one I have wanted to do and that would be a good excuse. Lets hear what you want to learn (that I haven’t already covered). If you want to see more examples of how to pose in pictures, I recentlly snapped a bunch of myself for yesterday’s blog post.
Have a great day!
~Kristen
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Jen says
i would love to know how to set up something like a studio in my house… whether it be setting up backgrounds, or tips on lighting or what not. that would be the bomb diggity!
I would love more tips on photographing groups. And also, on shooting projects that I'm working on like scrapbooking pages.
Backlight issues and defining scenery/background. I'm finding I don't know how to set up a good photograph that I can consider "a keeper". Thanks!
I would love more techincal info and working in low-light along w/ how to choose editing software.
i would love to read those tutorials. your info has been so helpful to me over the year. i also would like to know how to get the shots where the sun is very prominent in the picture – still trying to figure out if it is more of an editing technique or how/where you place your subject.
I love the idea of learning how to better photograph my baby! I also like the photoshopping tips (like getting rid of racoon eyes and such). Fixing over/underexposure would definitely be something I am interested in. And bringing out the color/sparkle of eyes.
I love the idea of learning how to better photograph my baby! I also like the photoshopping tips (like getting rid of racoon eyes and such). Fixing over/underexposure would definitely be something I am interested in. And bringing out the color/sparkle of eyes.
Would also love to read about scenery/backgrounds, and how you do larger groups (I have 5 kids). Sometimes they don't all look like they're in the same picture. ;)
I love ALL your tips! Moving from a serious hobby photographer to a more professional one, I find posing to be challenging. I like taking more candid pictures, but have realized that sometimes posing a client helps. I've seen "pocket posing guides", but they are SO expensive. I would love if you could come up with something similar to that at a more affordable price (like your ebook). As for blogging posts, I just love when a photographer breaks down exactly how they captured a great picture. Especially ones with extraordinary lighting/effects.
THANK YOU!!! What great tips. I learn so much from you and you make it easy. Even I can remember 1) turn the hips 2) pop the knee 3) bend the arm. I love your blog!
I would love tips for sport shots in bad lighting (aka gyms!). Also maybe more stuff geared towards the 18-55mm lens included with your camera purchase. I just don't have money right now to buy another lens.
your tips are great. I'd like to learn more about:
-how to edit & software to use, basically about "finishing" the picture
-how to add a watermark or copyright to my photos so they don't get stolen off my blog!
-taking pics inside
-posing large groups
Thanks!!!
It's nice to see how you met.
What a fun post Kristen :)! I felt and still feel the same about you. Wish we lived closer! I think we all have enjoyed having you post your great tips here over at The Idea Room!! Thanks just doesn't even cut it!
Thanks! I hate posing for photos, and your tip will really help! I love all your posts. I really enjoy digital scrapbooking so I would love some advice on how best to crop photos of groups and candid moments.
What a neat story. You girls are too cute! I would love some more photoshop tips. I'm sure anything you come up with will be great though.
I think more info regarding individual groups, toddlers, preschoolers, families, etc would be super helpful!
I have loved reading all your posts, and refer back to them often!
I would love to have the camera terms dumbed down and explained so I know how to actually use my camera with the lighting tips and not just use the green button on the camera. I get drab dark pictures of my kids school performances and I'd like to change it, but my random attempts to change each setting doesn't help because I don't know what I'm doing or why.
I would love to hear more about lighting, metering, getting correct exposure, and post-processing. If you have tips for Lightroom, that would be great since I don't have Photoshop.
Also, I always love the posts on displaying photos. I need to work on all of these things and don't really know where to start.
Thank you!!
My husband got food poisoning from Chuck-o-rama and it is now officially called Up-Chuck-o-rama by us! Maybe you haven't lived 'til you have food poisoning by them! haha
I would love to learn more about posing and how you approach each session differently. Maybe you have already done this, but how to shoot with back light, mainly the sun. You do such a great job!
Great tips! Even gave you a shout out on my blog.
Keep the tips coming!
I don't know how much of a pain it would be for you, but I would love to know the lens, iso, aperture, and shutter speed for the photos you post.
Step by step? Um, YES please!
I’d love to learn how to take pictures with the sun shining in the corner of the image, or through the branches of the tree, but also have the subjects of the photo be properly exposed. I love your guest posts and can’t wait for the next one :)