Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to all my fellow momarazzi's out there!!  Cheers looking forward to new opportunities to capture new memories!!

Capturing Those Holiday Moments...

It seems that the holidays provide a time for endless posed photos of families gathering together--we did exactly this over Thanksgiving! And while I do enjoy seeing the progression of how the children have grown each year (not to mention the DISLIKE for how some of us adults also age), my favorite holiday photos are those that capture a moment that is unrehearsed and not posed.

Whether you have children or not, be sure to have your camera ready when the gift opening process begins.  I love to capture the expression when my boys see their gift...even if the camera doesn't see what it is. The emotion they express usually tells the entire story of that gift! Wide open eyes, wide open mouths, smiles from ear to ear, whatever the expression is, it is priceless.  I've even captured a few.."huh?" expressions!

In addition, when photographing family members in front of a tree, consider having good lighting in your room and not using your flash. This will allow the tree lights and ornaments to show nicely and not be overly bright or reflective in your shot. 

Some unique ways to capture holiday moments beyond the present-opening experience:  walking in the door (welcoming your guests); catching someone under the mistletoe--just as they realize that is where they are; eating--particularly those turkey legs or sweets; children sitting on the stairs waiting for Santa; children fast asleep in their beds; children all dressed in their holiday pj's! The opportunities are endless and they all have the same affect...they tell a story of your family together during the holidays!

Happy Holidays to all my Momarazzi Treatment Friends & Family!! 

Choosing the right Holiday Card Photos

The greatest dilemma many parents face...which photo(s) should go on our holiday cards this year?!

Here are a few things to consider when selecting photos for your holiday greetings. 

• Select only quality photos--ensure that the resolution is the minimum required for the processing service you are working with.  Poor resolution, dimly lit lighting, and blurred photos will not look any better on a greeting card.
• Consider doing a collage-style card. Many processing companies offer collage-styles which allow their users to upload more than one photo on a card.  Including one photo of each family member, along with a full family shot helps share how everyone in your family is growing!
• Consider what was important to your family this past year--and share those moments on a card.  Help your friends and family see the many activities your children have been involved in--a special vacation your family took--a unique place you visited together.  All of these offer friends and family members a chance to see what you've been up to throughout the year!
• Consider Holiday Postcards! An easy and inexpensive option when it comes to postage.
• Posed Photos...whether you pose your children yourself, or have a professional photograph taken, posed photos can tell a wonderful story, and catch our family in a beautiful moment.  Some easy to do yourself posed ideas:
• dress children in pj's and have them pose in front of the tree, holding presents
• dress children in scarves, hats and mittens, posed in front of the tree
• if your tree isn't up yet, but you are trying to get the photos done for the cards, try visiting your local mall or department stores where holiday decorations are already up! Have your children pose next to some holiday decorations--even visiting a furniture section/store that may have a fireplace decorated!  
• In line with heading out where the decorations are...consider visiting a tree farm to take your photos.  Even if you don't chop down that tree, posing as if you might can create amazing moments!
• make sure your pets are in on the action! Gather the children around the dog, cat, fish, etc...and feel free to try and decorate your favorite pet with a hat, scarf or garland!

And remember...while posed, professional photography photo cards are always beautiful, personally created photographs that you did yourself can sometimes provide more stories, capturing more personal moments, in your choice of settings.  

See you at the rinks and fields!

Capturing those Spooky Halloween Moments!

Whether your child is a scary ghoul, athletic player, princess, or superhero for Halloween, capturing all those Halloween moments is a must for any momarazzi!  Below are a few tips to help make the most of the photos you take.

When photographing your children in front of lighted Halloween decorations, consider NOT using your flash!  This way you will accurately capture the colors of the night with the decorative lights! Not enough light to truly capture your ghost or goblin's face? Then try a diffused light--an easy homemade way to do this is to simply hold an umbrella so the inside is angled towards your subjects and then shine a flashlight into the umbrella. The result should be to cast a soft glow towards the subjects--but the inside color of your umbrella can affect this.  Try it and see how it works for you.

In order to truly capture your child's face, try to avoid having him or her face the sunshine.  While we'd all like a beautiful, sunny day this weekend, cloudy days do tend to photograph our subjects the best!  Placing your child in the shade can do wonders!

Finally, consider carrying your camera while your children trick-or-treat and capture the moments while they are at your neighbors' doors.  Some may turn around and show you their amazement with the "treats" they've received--a magical moment that tells an amazing story of their experience!  In addition, look for those candid moments when your child is interacting with other children in costume--they may just act their part more fully to their friends!

Halloween party at my son's school in 4th grade...the last
party I was able to capture costumes in!

As my boys are now teens, they no longer enjoy the "trick-or-treat" experience--and I long for those memories of watching them excited about dressing up and heading out for their candy!  Capture your moments now, so you have stories to tell when they grown up!

Momarazzi vs. Professional

Technically, if you are a Momarazzi, you may not necessarily be a professional.  Your goal may be to make the most of the camera you have, to capture and preserve the memories of your young athlete, dancer, actor, etc.  As such, you may not have the technical knowledge a professional has...and yet, you want to own the right equipment to make your photos really stand out!

This momarazzi is always on the lookout for great resources--and recently I've found a fabulous website/blog that provides constant useful information for the non-technical photographer.  The topics vary from photographing food, patterns, action, and equipment--and there is always something interesting to learn!  For that reason, I am recommending PictureCorrect.  From his website/blog, Editor and Founder Richard Schneider states:
Hi, my name is Richard Schneider and I manage the day to day operations of this site. I became a photography enthusiast when I received my first digital camera and for many years I was constantly taking photos. I originally launched PictureCorrect back in 2003 as a photo editing service. With only a few customers, I decided to change the structure of the site into a blog full of tips and tutorials for photographers. Needless to say, it has come a long way since then…
[http://www.picturecorrect.com/about/]

The site's most recent post is "How To Choose a Digital SLR Lens", and author Ricky Davies has done a great job of really breaking down the SLR lens decision making process. I couldn't have provided better information than this...so please visit the post to learn more!!

You can subscribe to PictureCorrect, as well as follow it on Twitter!  Check them out--you will not be disappointed!!

Quote for Today...

Sometimes I do get to places just when God's ready to have somebody click the shutter.  ~Ansel Adams

Spread the News~Share the Excitement!

Every momarazzi can capture incredible moments, both on and off the field. But the truly successful momarazzi spread the news and share the excitement with others.  This is much easier than you think...

Most communities have newspapers that focus on community news and events.  These same papers often have online versions of the print edition--here is where a true momarazzi lives!

First, you will need to register with your local paper.  Visit the paper's website to locate how to begin "posting/sharing" photos and stories.  This usually requires you to enter your email address or create a user name and password.  AND...this is usually a free service. 

Many community newspaper editors just don't have the budget dollars to have reporters and photographers at every event going on in town--so they appreciate when "community reporters/photographers" submit their stories and photos.  There is always an obligation and opportunity for the editor to do any necessary "editing" of something you post--so don't be offended if your original story doesn't appear in its entirety!  I've got a journalism background, been published, and have often had my submitted stories edited for clarity or simply space available for print!  Photographs also may need to be in a specific format~either re-sized for upload or of a high resolution for printing.  Specific instructions are always available on paper websites.

The best part of sharing your excitement online...even if the news/photos don't make it to the print edition, it is so easy to share the link of the story/photos with family and friends online!  Point your team families to the website address of the online story/photos and they'll be just as excited as if it were in print!  Plus, this provides families and friends from across the miles to see what is going on with your little athlete!!

• Tips for photos...clarity. Your photo should capture an exciting moment (whether on or off the field), but the photo must also be clear to view. Fuzzy or slightly out of focus photos will now show well online or in print--don't use these, even if it is the only great shot of that touchdown!  
• Tips for stories...score of the game & players' names are key. First...ensure your coach is aware you are going to post a story--get his or her permission and comments from the game whenever possible. Second...ensure that your team parents are in agreement on using names in a story. Most will be thrilled with the fact that you are sharing the good news! But privacy is a big issue--particularly on the web.

Parents should have the final say on whether they want their child's name or photo used online or in print.  A quick email to all team families is an easy way to let them know what you hope to do, and whether anyone has any objections. 

Now...spread the news! Share the excitement! Get out there and find your local papers to submit your game/event photos and stories!! You just may see your efforts pay off in print...and begin the process of creating your own momarazzi portfolio!!

Capturing Your Moments for FREE!!!

The Momarazzi Treatment's Fall Deal...everyone is entitled to amazing photos that capture their child in action! Through October 31st, the Momarazzi Treatment will waive all event fees and photograph your team's games/events AT NO CHARGE TO THE ORGANIZATION!

I know...it's crazy...but every child deserves to have his or her amazing moments captured, and not every parent has the time or ability to be a momrazzi at every event!  That's where The Momarazzi Treatment comes into play!  We will photograph your event at NO CHARGE...the only way The Momarazzi Treatment benefits from this is if the photos are fantastic enough that your parents & families want make a purchase!

Working with fantastic third-party production companies, The Momarazzi Treatment is able to offer parents and families amazing products--from prints to specialty products like magnets, t-shirts, mouse pads, & more!  AND...the Momarazzi Treatment has worked hard to provide you wonderful products and momarazzi prices! Our prices are extremely competitive...just check us out and see for yourself!!

For more information or to schedule your memory-making event, contact The Momarazzi Treatment today!

How Do I Get Those Great Action Shots??

Capturing those great action shots of your amateur athlete, dancer, or dog (jumping through the yard!) can be easy if you know how to work with the settings on your camera. This is also where choosing the right lens comes into play.

First...lens choice. I have found a valuable online photography site that offers helpful hints regularly, http://www.picturecorrect.com/. Recently, there was a post from Morris Scjomin, How To Pick the Right Camera Lens that addresses this issue in such a concise way that I'd rather link to him than try to comment on my own!  If you are a budding momarazzi, definitely consider visiting Picture Correct and subscribing to their online newsletter for tips and techniques to assist you! 

Using a 1/2000 shutter speed and a f/4.0
I was able to catch the players as
they flew through the air in this tackle

Stopping action...it can be difficult and many blurred photos can result if you don't have your camera setting correct.  While there is an artistic reason to have a blurred action shot, most of us would like to see our young athlete mid-air catching that pass, making that check on the ice, or in the midst of a pirouette.  Here's a few things to consider if you have a SLR camera that allows you to manually select the settings.

My Canon Rebel has two settings that I use regularly for action photography.  TV stands for Time Value, and it can be used to freeze or blur your action.  To freeze the action and catch that mid-air reception, you want to have your shutter speed higher--between 1/500 sec. to 1/4000 sec. This takes some getting used to, and you'll want to check your own camera's instructional manual to determine how to set your shutter speed.  Ultimately, the faster the shutter speed, the better you will stop the action. The lower the shutter speed (1/60 sec. to 1/250 sec.) the more blurred action you will get.  Depending on your lens, you may not be able to get as high as 1/4000...but don't worry, go as high as you can go and your pictures should turn out!

AV stands for aperture value. I like to use AV for most of my sports photography because I am able to blur the background and focus on the action in front of me. This way, the distracting field house in the background doesn't take away from the player I am capturing in action!  I have learned that photographers who use a wide-angle lens don't have to worry about this setting, since wide-angle lenses have a wide depth of field; however, telephoto lenses have narrow depth of fields and this is where setting the AV correctly can give you the shot you want.  The higher the aperture value, the slower the shutter speed--so when taking photos at night or under dark, overcast conditions, you can control the amount of light that is available by working with aperture value. That said...the long shutter speeds demand you are working with a tripod/monopod to keep the camera steady.  Momarazzis taking photos of a night football game can struggle with this challenge--which is where choosing the right lens comes into play.

Lenses for action photography...most digital SLR cameras come standard with a standard f/3.5-5.6 lens. Many people also choose (or sometimes get in a package deal) a 70-300mm, f/5.6 zoom/telephoto lens.  Working closely with the aperture value and shutter speed can provide you with quality action shots with these lenses. That said, a better (and more expensive) lens for shooting action at night is a f/2.8 lens.  This is an investment, and you need to be sure you are getting the proper lens for your camera type.  Typically, if you have a Canon, you cannot use a Nikon lens...and while there are more generic brand lenses out there, it is important to consult with your photography supply expert to ensure you are getting a lens that will fit your specific brand camera.

This is by far the most technical posting I have written--and I am not a technical person! I have many resources to thank for providing me with the knowledge I've gained--my personal "coaches" include Glenn Nagel and fellow momarazzi Becky (Becky truly is a talented momarazzi, but she doesn't have a website for me to link to!).  I also scan through several online resources (note Picture Correct above) to gain valuable tips and techniquesues along the way. 

It may take a little more time to prepare yourself, but with practice (and it truly just does take practice with the settings) you can achieve the photos you want over time!  Good Luck with the technical stuff...
...and see you at the rinks and fields!

Preserving Your Memories

I've written before about preserving your summer memories by creating a video of still photographs you took all summer--but after seeing so many parents on the bus stop this week with their video cameras, I realized I should add how to incorporate both video and still photography.

And in my research to provide the most useful information, I came across a vimeo post of Brandon Bloch that I found both informative and hilarious!  My friends at Animoto connected me to this...visit animotopro on Twitter and you, too, can learn some great tips!  Brandon Bloch posted his comparison of the Canon 7D (SLR camera AND video camera in one!) to the Barbie Video Girl camera.  It is worth the few minutes watch!!

As my friend Amanda pointed out...this Barbie Video Girl is actually a great idea!  The Canon is a heavy camera and doesn't fit into your purse as easily as a Barbie doll. And the Barbie can double as a great toy to distract young children--if you have girls.  As for me, I'm not quite sure my high school football player-son would appreciate my holding Barbie up to video his games--unless of course I can get her a cute cheerleading outfit!!

So in the end...I am still a Canon fan!  Envious of the great options on the new Canon 7D, I may just have to look at this camera more closely!  And as for recommending some tips on incorporating video and still photography...take the time to visit my friends at http://www.animoto.com/ to see how any momarazzi can create wonderful FREE 30 second video creations that incorporate both photographs and video.  For a very small fee, you can upgrade to what I call, Momarazzi status (not quite "pro), and create videos as long as your heart desires!!

It's Not Just About the Action

Capturing those special moments in your child's sporting events is not always about the action, although all of us enjoy a good action shot! Consider those moments when your little warrior is on the sidelines, in the dugout, or simply not in the action of the play--and what exactly is happening there?

The look on these faces tell me the many emotions they
are feeling as they begin this scrimmage game

As my son's first high school scrimmage game got underway, I was excited to once again be on the field looking for that magical tackle that makes all photos worthwhile.  After my son's defense went back to the sidelines, I caught a photo that I felt told a great story.  And while only the parents of these boys may appreciate the photo, we can also imagine exactly what may have been going through their minds!  Sharing moments in between plays is often full of emotion and can let the viewer know whether they feel good about what just happened or are looking for ways to improve. And sometimes...we just have to ask our player, "what were you laughing/talking/thinking about here?"

In the end, the best results may not always be that great tackle (although I LOVE capturing those, being the defensive momarazzi that I am!) but rather the photos you capture in between great plays that truly tell the story of how your athletic superstar is doing!

See you at the rinks and fields!!

Capturing the Moments of Summer

Before the kids head back to school, it is great to prepare them for the "How I Spent My Summer Vacation" conversation! If you've taken several photos throughout a summer vacation/staycation, why not select some of your favorites and put those photos into a video montage that tells your story a unique and creative way!  Today's video editing software makes this easy for any momarazzi!

I have several favorites I use.  For posting online, I like Animoto.  It offers opportunities to create free 30 second videos (about 10-15 photos) set to music, or for an inexpensive annual fee you can create videos as long as you'd like!  This software has several different "effect-options" to create the mood you'd like that tells your story best.

When telling your story through a photo-montage video, it can be easy to want to put all vacation photos together and share the entire event. Another option I like to do is to ask my boys what was their favorite part of the vacation, and then select those photos to highlight.  Below is an example of what we created that told the story of my oldest son's greatest experience a few years ago. 




What stories do YOU have to tell from your summer adventures??!!  Share them with us!
Until then...see you at the rinks & fields!

How Do I Deal with the Sunshine in my Photos??

I have learned quickly that the best lighting for outdoor photos is when the sun is directly above you or completely overcast.  Strange, I know...but consider this: you want to get your child's face to be well lit, yet having your child face the sun only provides you with a "squinty-faced" photo, eyes barely open in order to even look at you with the sun in his/her face.  Some have told me to place the subject your are photographing looking away from the sun, but unless you have proper equipment to reflect light on his/her face the end result is a shadow-faced photo.

Capturing a photo with your child's
face 3/4ths facing the sun allow
your child to still be "lit" but also
allow for less "squinty-eyes"

When the sun is shining brightly, consider having your child standing so the sun is to his/her side, as well as yours.  You will have shadow issues, but this can be minimized if your child is actually 3/4ths facing the sun, yet looking at you.  In addition, editing will quickly become your friend by adding subtle light to the photo.

I recently came across a great article about the various types of light that a photographer can consider-- and if you find yourself looking for good tips on how to overcome some amateur photographer challenges, then visit www.cheapshooter.com for some quick tips and inexpensive equipment ideas! 

First day of school bus stop photos...don't have your kids looking directly into the sun (I've done it and don't really want squinty-photos!).  Try for the sun on your side and your child's side.  And most important...think about what is happening on that very morning. What is the story...carrying all those school supplies in a backpack or plastic bag? The size and weight of that backpack on your little one? How your child compares in height with his/her friends at the bus stop? And even the silly conversations and smiles that the children give one another--taking a photo from a distance is fine with a zoom lens!  Sometimes those smiles or serious faces tell even more of the story than we realize!

See you at the fields & rinks!

Back to School Time!

The next few weeks something amazing is going to happen...our children will be heading to school! Some for the first time, others returning, and still others making a leap from middle school to junior high--junior high to high school--and even high school to college!  Milestones exist in every one of these situations...so don't miss the opportunity to capture them!

Capturing those moments that tell a story isn't difficult to do.  While posing your child/children in or out of the house for those "back to school" photos is great, consider some options that will do more than capture a smile...options that will help you remember what was happening on that particular day in your child/children's lives.

Posed photos capture growth!

The act of marking a line on the wall or door jam to indicate how tall a child has grown has gone out of style for many people--yet we are always amazed at how they have grown! Why not pick a particular area of your home (in or out) or a piece of furniture that you will pose your child at each year--and see the difference in height as the years go by! Whether it is standing next to the staircase--noticing how tall he/she appears next to any number of stairs or whether they can comfortably place their elbow on the banister.  We usually use our piano. It is a piece of furniture that we expect to be with us for years--and seeing the progression to where my sons' elbows hit the top of the piano each year definitely shows their growth! Another idea is to take a photo next to a paneled door--we have six-panel doors in our house and have also noticed how each year, they have changed the location of where their heads meet up with various panels.

Catching your child when he least
expects it tells a story of friendships
regardless of the pure quality of the
photo!

Another back to school tip is to catch the unscripted.  It is great to get the children to pose, but let's face it... they are as excited (and nervous) as we are on that day and the last thing many children want to do is pose for the camera. AND...once your child reaches junior high/high school...well, just try to get them to pose, period!  Consider catching them in action on that first day...standing on the bus stop talking with their friends when they don't even realize you are snapping photos; eating their morning breakfast (notice how the choice in breakfast items changes through the years); even the simple act of brushing their teeth or getting ready in the morning can capture a moment that tells a story!  

The fact remains...a picture is worth a thousand words.  Make sure your photos are worth more than one word..."posed."  Doing this will ensure that as you look back on your photos years from now, you will smile remembering the story behind each one of them!

See you at the rink & fields!

As they get older, it is much more difficult to get that "posed" shot
for your first day of school...I had to sneak this photo from my
living room window to catch the action! Thank goodness for zoom lenses!

Are you a momarazzi in training?

It's in all of us...the desire to capture our children doing what they love to do! If you share this desire to capture moments in time with your digital camera, you are a momarazzi.  If you're a dad, we'd like to call you a dadarazzi, since the obvious could have a negative connotation!

Last year a fellow momarazzi and I were asked about what it takes to become a momarazzi...some of our suggestions are included below:

First, the right camera can do amazing things...but only if you know how to use it!  Take advantage of digital camera lessons whenever you have the opportunity to. This momarazzi learned from other photographers, as well as good 'ole "trial and error."  For a typical football game, I can take upwards of 800 photographs (thank goodness for a memory card!!).  In the end, after reviewing all the photos, I am lucky to end up with about 250-300 usable photos.  I don't always have my settings right and often need to play a bit to ensure the lighting works for the different angles I may shoot from.

Second, the right editing tools will make you look FABULOUS!  There are so many fantastic editing tools out there that you can pay for--Adobe Photoshop is by far my favorite. However, there are also *free* tools out there that you may actually already have on your computer!  Microsoft Office Picture Manager (part of the Microsoft Office Tools group) is a great place to start if you've got the Office software on your computer.  If not, my favorite choice is Picasa, a Google product that is downloadable for free.  Picasa has wonderful editing tools and also allows you to create online photo albums, share photos and albums via email, and create simple movies of your photos with your favorite music added!  Don't assume a poorly lit photograph has to end up in the "deleted photos" list.  Editing truly will be your best friend in photography!

Third, for any sports photographer a monopod is a must! Portrait photographers use a tripod...action photography demands a monopod! They are very inexpensive and will add so much to creating a crisp photo, free from your shaking arms!  The stability of the monopod has improved my action photos ten-fold!

Finally...just get in there and try it! Different sports require different levels of light and position.  When my boys were very young, I liked to sit on the ground and capture photos from a low point of view. Now that they are older, standing along the sidelines or field fences works best--as does my zoom lens!

It's in all of us...the ability to become a momarazzi. And the biggest reason you'll find success? You know your young athlete's personality...you know what to look for and what to capture! Take a chance and try all sorts of ideas, positions, and options!  You'll be surprised at how well you can do!

See you at the rink & fields!