go pro!

okay lovers so 2 things today! ONE i am guest blogging over at one of my favorite blogs & blogger bff COUTURE ZOO on my favorite type of interior design....& TWO do i have some fun for you (haha that kinda rhymes)...today you'll get the inside scoop of what really goes on behind the camera after a photo shoot & why going pro is the only way to go...sooo with that said here's another day of.....

 looky loo photography tips!

So, I know it seems so tempting to A: take my own pictures and see what I can do with the editing software my sweet new Mac came with.  B: hire that kid down the street who’s parents just got him a camera, or that random person I saw online who walked into Wal Mart, perused the camera section, bought the cheapest camera, took 5 pictures, and now charges people.  C: not take pictures- I’m not at the weight I want to be at, I don’t have time, and it’s too expensive.

I’m sorry to say, but the correct answer is D: none of the above-

GO PRO! 

So, where do you find a pro and what do you look for?  First, the most popular places photographers advertise are: facebook, google, and craigslist- so go check those out.  Second, don’t be afraid to do your research.  First off, check out their work- you can tell right away if they are capable of taking the pictures you want.  Is there a picture you LOVE, that you would love to see your face on?  Great place to start.  Now, to make sure they didn’t just “get a lucky shot,” go ahead and call- ask them how long they’ve been in the business, how busy they are,  where they started and why.  You are going to have to spend a good couple of hours with this person, so be sure they have the type of personality that you could feel comfortable around.  (I’ve had people ask me these questions, and I’m always happy, not offended- I want people to know that I went to school for Business and Photography and that I know what I’m doing on both ends of the spectrum)  Lastly, you want an artist, someone who can take your idea and make it better than you had ever imagined- someone who is creative and fun!

I’ve always been on the creative end of things.  I had the hardest time deciding what I wanted to be when I grew up (jury is still out on when that will be).  I think the best part about photography is that I got to choose multiple things.  Besides the obvious: photographer, CEO, accounting, managing, consultant, set designer, clothing coordinator, marketing.....I also get to delve into all kinds of occupations.  Not sure what I mean?  Let me show you:

Some days, I get to be a dentist.......

(whitened and removed retainer)

Some days, I get to test out optometry.......

(I love to work with eyes!)

Some days, I get to try out meteorology......

(the sky doesn’t always have the beautiful clouds I want)

Other days, I’m busy with construction...

 (Someone has to lay those bricks) 

 Often, I work in botany.......

(planting grass is tedious)

Some days, I am a dermatologist......

(don’t we all need one of those!)

I really like doing liposuction.....

(my friends really like this one)

I often enjoy being a magician...see him here..

(now he’s there)

As you can see, a lot of work goes into the photos that you will cherish forever.  On top of the 1-2 hours spent at your shoot, a pro spends hour’s beforehand, designing the shoot, and hours afterward, editing the shoot.  A beautiful, well designed photo can capture so much more than a pretty face.  It can capture you and who you are right now.  I love to go back and scour through pictures of my parents and grandparents.  Their smiles, clothing, posing and atmosphere give me a feel of what they were like- far more than their stories alone can do. 

So, my tip for the week is: go pro.  Make a goal for yourself & your family to take nice, professional-quality photos ___ times per year and stick to it.  In years to come you, and your children and friends will love it.  The only thing that can tarnish the picture, is low quality- so do your research and hire someone that can work with you to get the right look!

And, as my three-year-old would say, “SAY CHEESE!!”

-Cindy

**Please be kind- the top pictures are all SOOC (straight out of camera), and this is one of the only times I’ve allowed these to be seen publically! 

NOW go read my guest blog over at COUTURE ZOO!