photos by | k a r a h o e y

cuteness

2012-01-28T16:25:00.000-06:00

Love how precious this sweet baby boy is. I can't believe he's already pulling himself up on things since I captured these images.

love

2012-01-24T19:07:00.000-06:00

Missing this softness against my cheek. Love you sweet girl.

At Home

2011-12-31T16:23:00.000-06:00

Sometimes the loveliest moments can be found at home.

Connecticut Woods

2011-12-28T16:10:00.000-06:00

Missing this beautiful place and family. Wishing Houston had a proper Fall season to enjoy. More captures from my visit to Connecticut.

The Bauers are Having a Baby

2011-12-15T21:22:00.000-06:00

These two wonderful people are expecting the arrival of Baby Bauer in February! Had such a fun time capturing this sweet time for them. Here are a few of my favorites.

Family Time : Rybacki

2011-12-08T21:12:00.000-06:00

So blessed to spend mornings with sweet friends and to capture lovely moments.

The Albins are Having a Baby

2011-11-29T21:32:00.001-06:00

In less than 2 months, we get to say Hi to baby Albin! What a lucky baby to have these two wonderful parents. Thanks guys for the fun time!

Family Time : Cortez

2011-11-27T11:27:00.002-06:00

Enjoyed a lovely evening with this beautiful family. Here are a few of my favorites. Check out their images from this time last year.

Family Time : Caffrey

2011-11-22T21:46:00.000-06:00

This is my beautiful friend Ronnie and her lovely family. I had the wonderful opportunity to travel up to Connecticut to see her new home and baby, and spend several restful days catching up, after two years of not seeing each other.

It was a truly wonderful time: Beautiful family. Perfect and happy baby. Lots of cuddling and kisses. Blue and pink sky. Gorgeous orange sunset. Calm winds. Manhattan skyline.

Here are a few of my favorites from our time together. Enjoy!

Also, more to come of this sweet baby boy!

Things I Luv: Sage

2011-11-06T19:36:00.002-06:00

Sage. A wonderfully fragrant and fuzzy soft herb. It's vastly underused in cooking, and usually reserved for Thanksgiving and Christmas dishes. What a shame.

I discovered an amazing thing that happens to sage when you fry it up! For a yummy treat here's a recipe for Crispy Chickpeas with Garlic & Sage. If you're looking for a seasonal recipe you can add crispy sage on top of pumpkin soup or butternut squash ravioli. Enjoy!

A Couple of Oldies

2011-10-23T21:28:00.002-05:00

I found these two images in my "didn't make the cut" folder. I love going back through my old images and finding these little treasures. Can't wait to visit with this gorgeous family later this year!

Photography Tips

2011-10-14T21:24:00.003-05:00

In August, the lovely Emily Westbrooks invited me to join her blog for a month of photography tips. I happily jumped at the idea of sharing some of my tips with her readers. Check out the photo tips below and follow the link to read the full post on her blog. While you're over there, be sure to check out her great travel tips, crafts, and so much more on From China Village.

Vacation Photography
I’m just back from a wonderful vacation in Kauai – so there’s no better time to share what equipment I tend to bring, share lessons I’ve learned in the past, and share some images. I’ve pulled not only a few images from my recent vacation, but some very old images from my first trip to Ireland where I used my camera for the first time! Read More...
http://fromchinavillage.com/2011/08/karas-photo-tips-vacation-photography/

Indoor Lighting
Whether it’s a birthday party, pet, or a gorgeous dish, there are many reasons I find myself taking photographs indoors. Usually there’s little control over the light source we use indoors – we’re limited to lamps, overhead lights, or window light if we’re lucky. Have you ever noticed how some indoor images can look yellow or blue? Maybe you’ve never noticed. I know that I didn’t realize this until I learned about White Balance. Read More...
http://fromchinavillage.com/2011/08/karas-photo-tips-indoor-lighting/

The Best Light
As a photographer, light can be your best friend and your worst enemy. I find the best light in the early morning or late evening, and the most difficult light during the middle of the day when it is strongest. Let’s take a look at several images and break down what worked and what didn’t work. Read More...
http://fromchinavillage.com/2011/08/karas-photo-tips-light-bad-to-good/

Moving to Get the Best Shot
One valuable tip I learned and continue to practice is, when you find a subject to photograph, never be satisfied with the first image. The key is to move around your subject and to capture it at every possible angle. This will help push your creativity and it’s sure to help you create some great images. Read More...
http://fromchinavillage.com/2011/08/new-series-karas-photo-tips/

Family Time: At The Park

2011-10-01T10:46:00.000-05:00

I had a wonderful morning in the park with this lovely family. I just love beautiful early mornings, happy babies, and parents that are so happy in love. Here are a few of my favorites.

Kauai // Haraguchi Farm Tour

2011-09-14T19:38:00.001-05:00

One of our favorite adventures in Kauai was the Haraguchi Farm & Rice Mill tour which is located in beautiful Hanalei Valley, on the North Shore of Kauai. The Haraguchi family farms taro (a root vegetable) on the lands that once supported rice.

They have weekly public tours of both the rice mill and the taro fields that help support free school tours, educational programs and restoration efforts.

If you're in Kauai on a Wednesday, do make sure to sign up for their tour!

Sweet "P" Turns 2

2011-09-04T11:10:00.000-05:00

Sweet P is 2 years old! It feels like only yesterday I posted images of her here and here! It's amazing to see this sweet girl grow over the years. We had such a lovely Saturday playing at her park. Here are a few of my favorites from the morning.

Happy Birthday Sweet Girl!

Kauai // Beaches

2011-08-27T16:43:00.001-05:00

In the morning it greeted us with golden sand, crashing waves, warming sun, and tiny crabs scurrying across the sand to their hide-outs. In the afternoon it greeted us with hot sand, swaying palm trees, dropping coconuts, and laughter coming from the boogie-boarders and surfers. In the evening it greeted us with cooling sand, darkening waters, and the most beautiful sunset. We found no greater rest on our trip than at the beach - sitting under the shade of a beautiful tree, catching up on must-read books, listening to the waves, and digging our toes in the sand.

Kauai // Plants & Flowers

2011-08-20T22:10:00.000-05:00

The island of Kauai is known as the Garden Island - can you tell by the images above why it might be called that? ;) With the abundance of sun, rain, and ocean breezes, plant life here flourishes!

More posts to come from our trip!

Kauai & Photo Tips

2011-08-15T16:52:00.004-05:00

The hubby and I spent an amazing week in Kauai enjoying the sand, sun, food, and good rest after one crazy summer. I can't wait to share some of my images of the beautiful Garden Island. Here's a sneak-peek below - we hiked two miles along the Napali Coast to enjoy this remote beach.

Photo Tips:

This month I'm sharing photo tips on the lovely From China Village blog. Be sure to check out Emily's blog and my photo tips here and here.

Morning in the Park

2011-07-12T21:43:00.000-05:00

A few images from an early morning stroll through the park.

PrimeTime 2011: BOOM

2011-06-30T15:49:00.000-05:00

I was so excited to photograph four nights of VBS for Houston's Grace Presbyterian Church last month! I took part in this special event last year and this year's VBS did not disappoint!

Family's came together for a meal, enjoyed a PrimeTime show, and worshiped with the VBS Band, Jenna and her Music Team, the Backyard friends, and Pastor Doug.

To view more images or to purchase prints from the event go to:
http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/17625143_3kkTvp#1343170589_PcFrKBS

our little girl

2011-05-21T21:32:00.000-05:00

We never thought of you as just a pet. You were family. You were our little girl. You were so special. We will miss every little thing about you. We miss you deeply now and will for always.

This picture makes me happy. I imagine that you are like this now, in heaven, in the sunshine, being curious, full of life, and happy. We look forward to the day we get to see you like this again. We love you always.

Family Time: Banker

2011-05-10T20:33:00.000-05:00

A perfect combination: a gorgeous family, a gorgeous baby, and a gorgeous day. Thanks to the Bankers for a wonderful morning! I hope you enjoy the sneak peek!

Celebrating my Nephew

2011-04-30T10:25:00.003-05:00

My nephew celebrated a big birthday this month that was full of family, cake, presents, and water balloon fights. Here are few images from the day.

Welcome Baby

2011-04-16T22:45:00.000-05:00

My sweet friend Megan just had this sweet baby boy. He is the most precious little boy. No doubt he will be as cute as his older brother when he gets bigger. Congrats to the Smiths!!

Meredith

2011-03-26T18:52:00.001-05:00

Sweet girl. I am so excited to have your beautiful self up on this blog. I had a blast meeting you this week and capturing these images. I've never met another 16 (almost 17) -year old quite like you. You are fun, lovely, silly, confident, stunning, strong, courageous, and full of life!

I know this week marks the start of a difficult journey. I've been so blown away by your story and seeing the love pouring out from your friends and family. You are truly someone special. I have only known you since Monday, but I have already been so blessed by the beauty and uniqueness of you.

I hope you enjoy this little sneak peek. Be blessed sweet girl and know that you are His and He is never giving up fighting for you.

Much Love, Kara

You can read Meredith's story here: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/meredithrichter

Houston Zoo

2011-03-20T18:07:00.001-05:00

If you know me, then you know that I love animals. There's no better place to get my fill of animals, than the zoo. Here are several images from a recent trip to the Houston Zoo. Enjoy!

Photo Notes: All images taken with my 50mm lens.

Growing Grass

2011-03-06T16:23:00.000-06:00

My little girl used to be an indoor/outdoor kitty, but mostly indoors. She was skeptical of the outside world, but when she ventured out she would cautiously watch birds and chow down on grass. Kitsie has lived in our apartment for about five years now, with no opportunity to go outside and explore. The other day my girl was feeling a bit ill, so on a visit to the local pet store I picked up some grass for her. I thought this would be so great for her tummy. Little did I know that the grass would take around 11 days to grow. So I waited.

I urged the grass to grow, and anticipated the moment that Kitsie would eat it! Here's a breakdown of the process through pictures. It went like this: Water. Wait. Wait. Wait. Wait...

On day 12 the moment had arrived! Proud of what I had grown, I placed the tray of bright green grass in front of Kitsie. I waited. She sniffed. I waited. She looked at me...and can you see the scrunched up nose in this picture? Yes, it was that same scrunched nose. She had no idea why I was putting this stuff in her face. Is 5 years long enough to forget about grass? Let's just say no grass was eaten, and by day 16 the tray of grass had become her best friend.

Things I Luv: Custom Frames

2011-02-27T11:21:00.000-06:00

Last year I found these wonderful handmade frames by DA Custom Frames. I bought a bunch of their white rustic frames, in all different sizes, to hang several of my photographs in the living room. I'm planning to buy another batch for my bedroom. The great thing about buying custom frames is that you can choose the style, color, and size to match your print or painting.

Ireland: Gougane Barra

2011-02-19T15:43:00.000-06:00

We journeyed out to Gougane Barra Forest Park (County Cork), which did not disappoint. What a lovely place full of soft moss that covered the forest floor, trees, and rocks! It was such a magical place. I would definitely recommend visiting in the Summer to walk the trails through the trees and over tiny bridges.

On they way to Gougane Barra I spotted this lovely place to photograph. We made sure to stop by on the way back to grab some shots.

This is the last of my Ireland posts, so I hope you've enjoyed the glimpses into this beautiful place!

Happy Birthday Blog!

2011-02-15T22:04:00.000-06:00

This February marks year TWO since I started my Photo Journey blog. I started this blog back in 2009 to learn how to use my camera and to develop my personal style. This past year has been a continuation of that journey to learn more about photography and to continue to develop my style.

At the end of each year I like to pull together my favorite images and have them printed them in a hard-cover book. I love looking back over the year to see how I've improved. Because they make me happy, I figured that I would share some of the pages from my 2010 Photo Book. I hope you enjoy!

THANK YOU! Thanks to so many of you who keep stopping by through my journey to see what I'm up to. I love hearing from you, so don't be shy to say hi!

I hope you photography lovers are out there taking pictures you love and printing your favorites to enjoy.

Ireland: Cork Woods

2011-02-13T11:02:00.001-06:00

My hubby's parents live in walking distance to the Garryduff woods. We went on a little adventure back in 2009 and I was so excited to go again over Christmas. On this trip we picked up two "stray" dogs (that we named Toto and U2) that decided to join us for the entire journey. Tia and her new friends had such a great time together.

Ireland: Blarney Castle

2011-02-05T18:28:00.000-06:00

We went. We climbed. We saw. We didn't kiss the stone.

I went to Blarney over the Holidays with the hubby and the in-laws. I've only known Blarney as the place you go to kiss the Blarney Stone and get the gift of eloquence. To my surprise there was so much more to see than just a castle. This place has over 60 acres of parkland, gardens, avenues, etc. My only disappointment is that we saw very little of the grounds due to the rain. I'll definitely go back to Blarney to see the Rock Close, Fern Garden, and more.

More posts of Ireland coming soon!

Her Naps

2011-01-30T21:36:00.001-06:00

Our little girl loves her naps. She'll take them anywhere - on the bed, on the bar stool, behind the TV, in a box, and on anything that we lay on the floor. When she sleeps, she really sleeps. I caught her this afternoon in one of her favorite places - next to the window nearest the warm sunshine. She was just moments from falling completely off the couch. She woke up just in time, stretched, looked at me with tired eyes, slowly closed her eyes and lowered her head, ready for another nap. Life sure is tiring (and dangerous) for cats. ;)

Ireland: Radisson Blu St. Helen's Hotel

2011-01-27T21:43:00.002-06:00

We spent New Year's Eve in Dublin visiting friends and enjoying our stay in this 5-star hotel for the price of a 2-star hotel - all thanks to the Irish economy. We felt so blessed to stay in such a luxurious place with a view of these grounds!

Things I Luv: Sur La Table

2011-01-23T16:36:00.001-06:00

I have a great luv for Sur La Table. It's a favorite place to pick up some lovely kitchen stuff. We fell for this beautiful "Pearl" Dinnerware that really makes it fun to style dinner every night. We've also picked up a few italian/rustic items to complete our Italian-themed kitchen.

If you're interested, they're having a Once-A-Year Sale, so go check them out!

Palmerston Park, Rathgar

2011-01-13T21:42:00.000-06:00

Cute little park in Rathgar, Ireland, and packed full of lovely treasures to capture with my 50mm. :)

EJ Turns Two

2011-01-09T09:25:00.000-06:00

My sweet baby niece turned 2 in November. Her birthday was full of balloons, giggles, and family. I love how happy she is in her beautiful outfit made by her mommy. Amazing to see how much she has grown since her last birthday and
last August.

My First White Christmas

2010-12-31T18:04:00.020-06:00

My first White Christmas in Cork, Ireland with my hubby's family. It only lasted for one day of our visit, but just long enough to capture a few images in the back garden. Enjoy!

Family Time: Schiel

2010-12-20T22:14:00.000-06:00

It has been a tradition the last several years for my sister and her husband's family to select and cut down the Schiel's family Christmas tree. This is always a fun time for the kids to play at the farm and spend time with family. The Schiel family invited me again this year to capture these fun moments with the entire family.

the well-dressed gentleman

2010-12-16T21:18:00.000-06:00

the well-dressed gentleman - sneak peek

2010-12-12T21:40:00.000-06:00

Spent a few great hours a couple Saturdays ago photographing these handsome men. Very stylish gentlemen. Looking forward to sharing these images soon!

Family Time: Cortez

2010-11-29T22:46:00.000-06:00

So excited to share a few of my favorite images of the beautiful Cortez family...

I love when families want to capture their family "portrait" at their home, interacting, playing, and doing normal, everyday things. What a privilege it was to be invited over to capture their sweet children playing in the backyard, picking from the little garden, and throwing rocks into the nearby lake. I had such a fun time!

Thanks Jamie & Katie for inviting me over to hang out with your family for the morning. I hope you love the sneak peek. So many more images to share with you soon!

Daphne

2010-11-13T13:55:00.000-06:00

Daphne is Morgan's newest furry family member. She was so much fun to play with and photograph! I loved her curiosity and energy! Thanks Morgan for a fun time getting to know your little girl. :)

Happy Saturday!

What Makes Her Special

2010-11-06T13:00:00.000-05:00

This is Kitsie...my sweet girl...she's 15 years old and looks amazing for her age. She deserves to have her own post. ;)

Things I Luv: Coffee

2010-10-25T21:28:00.000-05:00

I luv my morning coffee. We make ours every morning in the Bonjour french press. The essentials: whole coffee beans, grinder, electric kettle, salt, and a french press. Oh, and my cup is not quite complete without some French Vanilla creamer. ;)

Check out this video for Alton Brown's tips on how to make the perfect cup of coffee with a french press.

Her Weekends

2010-10-21T21:49:00.000-05:00

Things I Luv: Fresh Cut Flowers

2010-10-09T18:45:00.000-05:00

When I get the opportunity, I truly enjoy spending time picking through the buckets of flowers at the market, to find the perfect combination that I know will become a beautiful arrangement. I love the tedious process of unwrapping, pulling, and cutting, to make a happy arrangement for our kitchen. Fresh cut flowers make me smile, but so sad once they start to wilt. Next time I'll try one of the tips I found for keeping flowers fresh (see below).

Three tips for keeping flowers fresh longer.

1. Add one part lemon-lime soda (not diet) to 3 parts water. Then to each quart of this solution, add 1/4 teaspoon bleach. Thereafter, add 1/4 teaspoon bleach after each 4 days of use.

2. To 1 quart water add 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, 1 tablespoon sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon bleach.

3. Add 2 ounces Listerine mouthwash per gallon of water. Listerine contains sucrose (food) and a bactericide. Listerine is acidic and is said help water move up the cut stem.

Seattle - Victor Steinbrueck Park

2010-10-03T15:05:00.000-05:00

I found this park across from the Pike Place Market and knew it would be a wonderful spot to wait for the sun to set. While I was visiting Seattle, they were having an unusual heatwave - as a result, there were people everywhere - sitting on every available bench and scattered across the small grassy hill soaking up the warm sun. I waited in the park over two hours for the sun to set and was so pleased by the wonderful photo opportunities!

This was my last post of images from my visit to Seattle - I hope you enjoyed the images!

Things I Luv: Lavender

2010-09-26T17:28:00.001-05:00

If I could, I would grow this stuff in my backyard and cut it daily to fill all of my vases. I would live in Italy with a view of this gorgeous flower growing in rows outside my kitchen window. But, for now, I'll settle for the dried version from the barn. By the way...I think Kitsie (my fur-ball above) likes lavender just as much as I do. ;)

I'm thinking of sharing the "Things I Luv" once a month...hope you enjoy them!

Happy Sunday!

Seattle - Queen Anne Hill

2010-09-18T14:11:00.000-05:00

I was determined to get "the shot" on my trip to Seattle...you know, the one that you see if you Google "Seattle"...that over-photographed view of the city with the Space Needle and Mt. Rainier. With much searching I found an article on Kerry Park and its amazing view of the city. My hotel and cab driver were a bit unsure that this park existed, but they knew the neighborhood I was looking for...so a $12 cab ride later I found myself in Queen Anne Hill, a gorgeous neighborhood in Seattle. I was so distracted by finding this park that I ended up stranded in Queen Anne Hill with no money and no taxis in sight to get back to the hotel. Good thing I had a camera to keep me busy. ;) Enjoy!

Seattle - Pike Place Market

2010-09-12T12:31:00.000-05:00

Last month I went to training in Seattle for my job, but had the wonderful opportunity to venture out on my own the day I arrived and on the last day of my trip. I strolled down to the Pike Place Market two separate days because there was so much to see. On my first visit to the market I was overwhelmed by everything going on that I didn't take any photos. I made up for it on the second visit and wanted to share the images below. Enjoy!

More to share on my Seattle trip coming soon.

Happy Sunday!
Kara

Photowalk: Height's Boulevard

2010-09-04T22:33:00.001-05:00

I recently became a member of the Houston Photowalks (HPW) group. The HPW is a group of photographers who like photography and sign up to meet at a location and start shooting. Here are some of my pics from my first ever photowalk on Height's Boulevard. Enjoy!

Although this was my first photowalk, I definitely recommend that everyone (interested in photography) join a photography club to get these neat opportunities to meet other people. If you're interested in seeing images taken by other photowalkers check out the HPW website here.

Photo Notes:
All images above were taken with my 50mm lens with really yummy evening light.

Seattle - 800 pixels wide

2010-08-31T21:07:00.000-05:00

I'm really excited about my new blog format - larger photos and no more unwanted sidebar! Woohoo! :) If you're looking for my archives or want to search the blog, head on down to the bottom of the page.

Looking forward to sharing some of my images from a recent trip to Seattle. For now, hope you enjoy the sneak preview.

Are you liking the new blog format? If so, let me know by leaving a comment below.

Happy Tuesday!

Sweet "P" Turns 1

2010-08-29T23:16:00.001-05:00

So excited to share a few of my favorites from P's photo shoot this past weekend...

I had the wonderful opportunity to capture this sweetie pie for her 1st Birthday! One year ago she was this tiny baby and now look at how much she has grown! I loved capturing her gorgeous blue eyes, porcelain skin, and soft billowy hair! Her mama was fabulously organized with P's outfits, shoes, water, snacks, teddy bear, blanket, etc. - organized and patient mommas are awesome! We made our way to their park nearby and had the yummiest morning light - love when that happens. :) It was hot-as-heck but we all had a fun time. Thanks to the Barrows for the wonderful time and there are more photos to come that I'm sure will be your favorites!

Happy Birthday Sweet Girl!

Photo Notes:

I LOVE photographing babies at this age. Since they're still too small to run away from you, you can keep them to one location and capture those gorgeous eyes! This also makes it easier to position them in the best light.
Remember to bring snacks and water just in case
Babies will only give you so much time, so get your shots and then take a break
Wear a white shirt to help reflect light back onto your subject
Consider changing up the outfits to try out a range of different looks - tutus are fun, bloomers show off their little bodies, etc. Have fun with it!
Include items that make the images personal - a book, a bear, a blanket, etc.

Day Trip: The Other Stops Along the Way

2010-08-19T21:46:00.000-05:00

On our way up to Brenham, TX we drove through Chappell Hill to visit the Chappell Hill Lavender Farm and the Independence Coffee Roastery...unfortunately both places were closed (such a bummer).

For lunch we stopped at R Place for a fabulous BBQ lunch and a Blue Bell Ice Cream cone - YUM! If you visit the area this place is definitely worth the drive.

Minis

2010-08-10T22:18:00.000-05:00

This past week the hubby and I took a day-trip to Brenham, TX and spent some time petting these lovely miniature horses at the Monastery of St. Clare's Miniature Horse Farm. These minis were so sweet with their curious personalities and amazingly long lashes.

How old are you?

2010-08-04T22:02:00.000-05:00

My cutie-pie nephew turned 5 years-old last month. He had a blast hanging out with his two big brothers, little sister, and friends to celebrate his birthday. My sis decorated the kitchen in his favorite theme "Cars" - including his collection of "Cars" around the windows. I loved seeing him "ham it up" for the camera and run around in excitement for his cake and to open presents. I Love Him! Happy Birthday Grant, Love Aunt Kara!

VBS Family Edition

2010-07-17T12:20:00.003-05:00

I was thrilled to be asked to photograph four wonderful nights of Vacation Bible School for Houston's Grace Presbyterian Church last month! This year's VBS was all about the collision of church and family, standing side by side, to show this next generation who God is and how to live faithfully for Him! There were four fun evenings of events for families!

Family's came together for a meal, enjoyed a Prime Time show, and worshiped with the VBS Band, Jenna and her Music Team, the Backyard friends, and Pastor Doug.

For the rest of the evening they split up three age groups into different parts of the church campus to create keepsake crafts, to participate in a mission project, and to hang out and play with other families while enjoying great desserts.

On the last evening was the annual VBS Celebration Night on the lawn. This year, The Lads were back in concert and the kids had such a blast.

Thanks Grace for putting on such an amazing VBS for families. I was so blessed by the opportunity to capture these families!

To view MORE or to purchase prints from the event go to:
http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/12444069_2pFrq#901568210_V9ZZ6

Where they Met and Fell in Love

2010-07-15T21:58:00.001-05:00

He's from Alabama, she's from Ireland, and it all happened in Houston. It was in Houston where they first met, became friends, shared their passion for street ministry, and fell in love. Karen and Andrew are two of the loveliest people you will ever meet. You can know them for only a minute and realize that they both have the biggest hearts. I'm so glad that they wanted me capture this exciting time and in Houston where they met and fell in love.

Happy Engagement to the future Mr. & Mrs. Robinson!

Growing up Fast: Tutus to Fairy Wings

2010-07-05T10:34:00.000-05:00

It's amazing how fast kids grow up! It was just a year ago that I took these pictures when this little one was just starting to stand up. She has grown up so fast and is so gorgeous. I love that this girl is always laughing! This is just a little sneak peek for her mom - Dana, I've saved all the best ones for you!! Thanks for the opportunity to capture your precious girl again!

Smoky Mountains: B&W

2010-06-29T22:15:00.000-05:00

This will be my last post on our TN vacation. I love these images that capture our view of the smokies, visit to Cades Cove, hike in the mountains, and visit to the little greenbrier school. It's a special place definitely worth spending a week or more exploring.

TG its a Sneak Peek

2010-06-22T21:12:00.001-05:00

I had so much fun last weekend with the C family capturing images of their gorgeous TG! What a sweetheart this one-month-old was for me...sleeping when her momma held her, letting us put her in all sorts of positions, and staying asleep while we chatted over her. I couldn't have asked for a better morning! C Family - I hope you love the little sneak peek of your little sweet pea - she's gorgeous! :) Can't wait to show you the rest!

TN: Smoking Pig Bar-B-Que

2010-06-17T20:12:00.000-05:00

We visited the Smoking Pig BBQ at Wears Valley Farmer's Market in Tennessee. Had the yummiest BBQ there and enjoyed taking pics of all the random bits while we waited. And yes, I received permission to post this pic of my hubby stuffing his face. ;)

Smoky Mountains: Cades Cove

2010-06-05T17:03:00.000-05:00

My favorite part of our Smoky Mountain trip was visiting Cades Cove. We did an 11-mile bike ride around the one-way loop road. We visited a second time to watch the beautiful sunset. Cades Cove has everything - beautiful views, historical buildings, deer, birds, horses, brown bears and more. I definitely recommend visiting Cades Cove if you ever visit the Smoky Mountains.

Smoky Mountains: Hiking

2010-06-02T18:38:00.000-05:00

You could spend months hiking through the Smoky Mountain trails. I picked a "short" trail for our first hike which ended up totaling 7 miles! We were completely exhausted! Just a sampling of pics from our hike. Enjoy!

Smoky Mountains: The Preserve Resort

2010-05-30T20:25:00.001-05:00

This last image was taken late at night on a tripod - 30 sec shutter speed and 200 ISO. AMAZING how this view was black to us turned into this image below!

Hubby and I got back last week from a much needed vacation to Tennessee. We needed some rest and time away from work and law school. We stayed for 5 days at The Preserve Resort which is tucked into a ridge overlooking the Smoky Mountains. The images above show a little sneak peek at the lovely cabin we stayed in and the wonderful views we had of the mountains.

More posts to come from our trip!

More Macro: 1792

2010-05-03T21:07:00.000-05:00

Here are some more images taken with my macro lens shot next to my living room window. Hubby brought home this new bottle of whiskey for me "to photograph"...hmm...me thinks he had greater plans for this bottle. ;) It's nice to see the extra effort to design the bottle!

Old Key

2010-05-01T21:08:00.000-05:00

What I see as an "old timey" key is my hubby's key from his last home in Ireland. I much prefer the look of this key to our traditional key - but at least we don't have to carry around the extra weight.

These images were taken with my new macro lens using available light from my window.

Wine Corks

2010-04-25T20:23:00.000-05:00

This was my first trial run using my new macro lens!

Everything but the Pink Robe

2010-04-12T21:35:00.000-05:00

We finally updated our pink bathroom. Everything that once was vintage pink and brown is now replaced with lovely shades of blue and white! The finishing touch was some nice lavender and my framed images on every stinking bit of wall space. :) The only thing left is to get rid of that bright pink robe. Any suggestions on a good robe?

EJ

2010-04-04T20:29:00.000-05:00

I love that she brings me broken pieces of a leaf, like she has just found the greatest treasure ever. I love seeing her play with toy cars and footballs because she is copying her three big brothers. I love that she's in a gorgeous little dress with dirt under her nails. I love that she pretends to want me to hold her, knowing that I will give her a bite of food. I love this photo of her after peeking through the back of my chair. I love spending time with my sweet niece.

First Year. First Apple.

2010-03-19T13:44:00.000-05:00

What fun I had taking 1-year portraits of this little guy! I had such a fun challenge thinking up ways to get this little guy to stay still for more than a second! First big win for me was this massive red apple - his first one ever - and he loved it...couldn't get him to put it down. :) With those gorgeous eyes and smooth baby skin, he was heaven to capture!

Cracking up at him mom...

I handed him this little pot and he instinctively reached down to pull up flowers for it - so cute!

Ahhh, he's a beauty...

Thanks SO much to the Smiths for asking me to capture such a precious time. I loved hanging out with your little guy!

Portraits: Tia & Dave

2010-03-04T22:15:00.000-06:00

Walk. Just using that one word sends Tia whining and running all over the house. She LOVES her walk/run/sprint to the woods to play in the water, jump on rocks, and dive over the side of the steep hills. I had such a fun time walking through the woods in Cork while on our holiday in Ireland. I can't blame Tia for wanting to discover these woods over and over again - such a beautiful place!

Celebrating "Numero Dos"

2010-02-28T15:32:00.000-06:00

Back in December I posted photos of this little guy, but he was still in his mommy's tummy. I was so blessed to capture the new addition to this gorgeous family! Congrats to the H family on their beautiful baby boy!

I did it! Yep, I sure did!

2010-02-24T21:55:00.002-06:00

I've never been good at writing conclusions for class papers... so I find myself asking how do I summarize a full year's worth of photography learning into one blog post?!! I've been on an amazing journey this past year. I am proud to say that I stuck through it for a whole year...12 months of photography techniques! I'm confident to say that I know more, I understand my camera better, and that I'm discovering my style...but really this has been only the start of my ongoing journey with my camera.

A few THANK YOUs!
:: to Alain Briot...for being my inspiration to set out on this journey
:: to my friends and family that were willing to be my guinea pig for all of my random "assignments"
:: to my one faithful blog reader and commenter - thanks for being such an encouragement to me
:: to all of you who were brave enough to post a comment - thanks for letting me know you were out there!

For a laugh, I thought it would be fun to think back 12 months ago when I had so many questions, and very little knowledge of photography, in particular:

- why photos come out yellow when they were taken indoors (White Balance)
- how to take photos of a subject using rule-of-thirds without the camera focusing in the middle of the frame (shutter half-way to lock, recompose)
- that photos taken in low light don't have to be blurry! (ISO)
- what in the world it meant to adjust your highlights, midtones, and shadows
- why using the "grayscale" option doesn't always make a "good black and white photo" (use your color adjustments)
- how to get a correct exposure in "Manual Mode"
- what in the world it meant to use my camera in "Manual Mode"
- what the exposure triangle was (but don't ask me to explain it ;) )

I've had one request to keep this blog up, so just for that one person, I'll be hanging on to this blog for a while. I've decided to change things up a bit, so hope you like the slight changes. I hope you'll check back in to follow my ongoing photo journey!

Best of luck to those of you out there taking photos and becoming better photographers!

~Kara

Technique 12: Top 5 Favs

2010-01-31T21:20:00.007-06:00

It's shocking to say this, but this post closes out the VERY LAST month of my 12-month plan. Wow, I can't believe that this 12-month journey has ended. I'm planning to submit one last post soon, so this is not the end! I'm not sure that I really did justice to Landscape Photography this last month. I never even used my tripod - hehe! I also never purchased a graduated filter - definitely on my list of items to purchase! Here are my top 5 fav photos from this month – Landscape Photography.

Let me know your favorite by leaving a comment below. I appreciate your feedback. Thanks!

Take a look back at my journey of Landscape Photography:
Post 1: Cork, Ireland
Post 2: Drive-by Landscapes
Post 3: Causeway Coast
Post 4: Barriers

Final Comments:
:: Use a tripod - yep, I really said that - this is important for a sharp image front to back
:: Close down that aperture (f22) and get a really nice pic
:: If you don't have a tripod, make sure you open up your aperture
:: try out a graduated filter so that both your sky and the landscape are well exposed
:: move your horizon line up or down, but not in the center of the photo
:: place interesting subjects in your photo - a tree, a fence, an animal...
:: use a wide-angle lens or zoom lens

To those of you who follow my blog regularly, many thanks for stopping by!

Landscape Photography IV: Barriers

2010-01-31T19:03:00.000-06:00

Do you ever drive by places and promise yourself that "one day I'll pull over and take some photos" and time after time you make excuses for yourself: "There's no where to park," "there's a locked gate," "everyone driving by will think I'm weird," "I'll wait until the light is just right," "I don't have the right lens with me" or "I'll stop when I have more time"? If so, read on...

There's an empty lot not far from my home that I never really noticed before, until one day there was the most stunning setting-sun behind it, it was then I realized just how wonderful that empty lot really was. For weeks I would drive by this lot, making excuses not to stop. You see, this lot has a mighty fence around it to keep trespassers away. It's at the corner of a busy intersection and there's no convenient place to park without crossing the street, and this isn't an area where people walk around...or so those were the many reasons I convinced myself why I shouldn't stop.

Today, with my hubby's help I faced all of these barriers. To do it we had to park on a curb at a busy intersection. I had get out alone (in all of my weirdness) with my big black camera. The only way in was to stick my zoom lens through the space between the bars of the mighty gate. Oh the joy in satisfaction when I looked through the camera. So what's the big deal...it's just an empty lot? Yep you're right, it was, but it was pure joy for me.

Still reading? Today I realized that there are so many of us with dreams and desires, with mighty barriers around them. Some of these barriers are real and others we create ourselves and put them up around our dreams and desires. We acknowledge these dreams daily, but never let ourselves get close enough to have even a glimpse of the reality of them in our lives. Maybe it takes a friend (or hubby) to help us get through some of these barriers. Well, this week, just maybe, give yourself a little push, even a few inches toward what you desire...even if you only get as far as sticking your lens through the gate. There can be real joy there. Enjoy the journey.

Thanks for stopping by!

Landscape Photography III: Causeway Coast

2010-01-18T19:14:00.007-06:00

Here are two photos taken at the Giant's Causeway coastline in Northern Ireland. This was my second time visiting since 2007...but this time we had to walk in the freezing winds to get this view. Next time I visit I'm going to walk the full 15-mile trail along the coastline!

Can you see the guy on the rocks below...just asking to be swept out to sea by the wind and waves. What a nut. ;)

An Irish beach?...

Landscape Photography II: Drive-by Landscapes

2010-01-16T20:27:00.006-06:00

Half of our time in Ireland was spent looking at snow. It was amazing to see mostly white in a place usually covered in green. It was beautiful. The following photos were taken during our car journey on the motorway from Wicklow to Dublin. Not the most amazing photos, but no doubt they were beautiful landscapes to see.

Final Comments:
:: Don't take photos from inside a car unless you're desperate to get the photo and you can't pull over.
:: Use a fast shutter speed and hold the camera steady
:: Make sure the car window is clean
:: Try not to include any foreground that would end up blurring - crop if you need to (you'll notice that I did)
:: Anticipate the best moment to press the shutter

Landscape Photography I: Cork, Ireland

2010-01-12T14:38:00.001-06:00

Ireland. I could make photographs of this place every day of my life. I was so blessed to visit my hubby's home over the holidays.

These photos were taken at Fota Wildlife Park in Cork, Ireland.

Landscape?

Amazing Christmas gift from the in-laws: two nights stay at the Fota Island Resort in Cork Ireland. One sunset photo from the balcony and one of the golf course frozen over.

I really needed a polarizing filter on the image above.

Final Comments:
REMEMBER to bring a tripod to the country you plan to take photos of!
CHANGE to a smaller aperture (larger number) to get maximum depth of field
USE a tripod for smaller apertures
BUY and use a graduated filter to help expose for the skies...still need to buy one of these
MOVE the horizon line away from the center of the camera (use rule of thirds)
USE a Polarizing filter to get richer colors from the landscape
KEEP that camera steady

Technique 12: Landscape Photography

2010-01-06T14:26:00.008-06:00

If you can believe it, I've reach the very LAST MONTH of my 12-month plan. Yep, I'm almost to the end of this journey that I set out on to learn how to use my camera!

This month I will be posting pictures and tips for Landscape Photography.

Okay, so here’s what information I’ve collected so far:

Camera Technique/Functionality Details:
Aperture - what's appropriate
Equipment - from lenses to filters!

Online Resources for Landscape Photography:
Where to Focus in Landscape Photography
http://digital-photography-school.com/where-to-focus-in-landscape-photography

11 Surefire Tips for Improving Your Landscape
http://digital-photography-school.com/11-surefire-tips-for-improving-your-landscape-photography

4 Rules of Composition for Landscape Photography
http://digital-photography-school.com/4-rules-of-composition-for-landscape-photography

Where to Focus in Landscape Photography
http://digital-photography-school.com/where-to-focus-in-landscape-photography

Why You Ned a Telephoto Zoom Lens for Landscape Photography
http://digital-photography-school.com/why-you-need-a-telephoto-zoom-lens-for-landscape-photography

Converging Lines
http://digital-photography-school.com/converging-lines

A Fresh Look at Depth of Field Using Foreground to Achieve Creative Depth of Field
http://digital-photography-school.com/a-fresh-look-at-depth-of-field-using-foreground-to-achieve-creative-depth-of-field

Aperture
http://digital-photography-school.com/aperture

Hyperfocal Distance Photographers Friend
http://digital-photography-school.com/hyperfocal-distance-photographers-friend

Hope these articles help!

Technique 11: Top 5 Favs

2009-12-31T17:27:00.003-06:00

I've finished up month 11 of my 12-month plan while on vacation here in Ireland. Technically my last post was not of a person, but I managed to sneak a few of my sister-in-law in there! Funny enough, my photos look a lot like my month of People Photography. It has been hard to find willing participants that will let me take their portrait! So BIG THANKS to those that have agreed. haha! Here are my top 5 fav photos from this month – Portrait Photography.

If you like, pick your favorite photo by leaving a comment. I appreciate your feedback. Thanks!

Take a look back at my journey of Portrait Photography:
Post 1: Dana
Post 2: Daragh
Post 3: Nephews
Post 4: Glebe (technically not a person)

Final Comments:
:: Portraits don't have to be of a person directly facing the camera ("yearbook photos"). Find angles and get the light in their eyes. Capture them distracted by things around them.
:: Don't make a person say "cheese" unless you're doing it to make them laugh at the cheesiness of it.
:: Focus on the eyes!! Be careful when recomposing after focusing.
:: Include the environment in the pictures - portraits don't have to be a close-up of a face
:: Don't use too wide of a lens or it will distort features - feet, arms, noses, etc - whatever is closer to the camera!
:: Use a low ISO to avoid noise on skin - ignore this if you have an awesome camera or use film
:: Talk with the person, help them feel good and let them know that they look great
:: As I mentioned during month 7, when working with people you can't be fooling around with your camera - you have to know it and not waste a moment.
:: Understand exposure and try to use your camera in Manual Mode (buy the Understanding Exposure (revised) book)
:: Get your subject out of direct sunlight - the sun will blow-out parts of their skin and clothes and those details can't be recovered.
:: Move around - take photos from all angles and use different compositions
:: Use large aperture to blur out backgrounds
:: Double-check for little problems that may be a pain to edit later (e.g., strands of hair poking up, mascara on skin, etc.)

There are so many things involved with portrait photography that I know I have yet to learn, so I would like to revisit portrait photography again!

To those of you who follow my blog regularly, many thanks for stopping by!

Portrait Photography IV: Glebe

2009-12-29T08:10:00.014-06:00

For my last post of the month I decided to change things up with a portrait of my horse-in-law, Glebe. Glebe is my sis-in-law's gorgeous thoroughbred - who is lucky enough to have his home in Ireland.

A portrait of an American thoroughbred who found his home and family in Ireland:

Portrait Photography III: Nephews

2009-12-27T13:06:00.007-06:00

Portrait Photography II: His "Chocolate"

2009-12-22T16:13:00.012-06:00

I find that taking portraits is a very difficult thing to do. Unless you are working with professional models, it's up to you to pose them just right. I find that I'm more comfortable with capturing a moment instead of posing. I also find it hard to stick my 50 mm lens up in people's faces and I'd rather not use my wide-angle lens so that I don't distort features.

I find it much more enjoyable to let the person I'm photographing interact with other people in the room, or let them be distracted with props. This takes pressure off of you and helps them relax. And if none of those things work, just give them a bit of scotch to loosen them up. ;)

A portrait of my man and his "chocolate". enjoy.

For Dana & Numero Dos

2009-12-05T14:43:00.017-06:00

In just over 6 weeks we will be celebrating the arrival of Dana's second baby, Numero Dos, or at least that's his nick-name for now. ;) I was so excited that Dana wanted to take belly photos and include her gorgeous baby girl (soon to be Big Sister) and we even got a few of the entire family!

Dana you are stunning and have such a gorgeous family - thank you for letting me document these precious moments for you. I have enjoyed every minute spent making these images for you. I hope you love them as much as I have enjoyed them.

Want to see more of these gorgeous girls? Check out their previous sessions here and here on my blog!

Technique 11: Portrait Photography

2009-12-01T20:01:00.006-06:00

I will admit that the last few months have been very unorganized on this blog! I have promised myself that I will put the last two months of my 12-month plan back on track.

This month I will be posting pictures and tips for Portrait Photography.

Okay, so here’s what information I’ve collected so far:

Camera Technique/Functionality Details:
All of it! Really, when working with people you can't be fooling around with your camera - you have to know it and not waste a moment.
Posing - figuring out how to position your "model"
Focus - focus should be dead-on!

Online Resources for Portrait Photography:

How to Direct Models During Portrait Shoots
http://digital-photography-school.com/how-to-direct-models-during-portrait-shoots

5 Tips for Young Family Portraits
http://digital-photography-school.com/5-tips-for-young-family-portraits

6 Tips for Perfect Composition in Portrait Photography
http://digital-photography-school.com/6-tips-for-perfect-composition-in-portrait-photography

How to Take a Perfect Headshot with a Single Light
http://digital-photography-school.com/how-to-take-a-perfect-head-shot-with-a-single-light

What Everybody Ought to Know about Posing
http://digital-photography-school.com/what-everybody-ought-to-know-about-posing-for-portraits

Portrait Photography's Power Posing - Part I
http://digital-photography-school.com/portrait-photographys-power-posing-part-i-the-components

Portrait Photography's Power Posing - Part II
http://digital-photography-school.com/portrait-photographys-power-posing-part-ii-the-poses

How to Take Portraits
http://digital-photography-school.com/how-to-take-portraits-19-portrait-photography-tutorials

Eye Contact in Photography
http://digital-photography-school.com/eye-contact-in-photography

Tips - Portrait Photography
http://digital-photography-school.com/tips-portrait-photography

10 Ways to Take Stunning Portraits
http://digital-photography-school.com/10-ways-to-take-stunning-portraits

What Clothes Should Subjects Wear in Portraits
http://digital-photography-school.com/what-clothes-should-subjects-wear-in-portrait-photography

Posing Tips for Portraits - Shoulders
http://digital-photography-school.com/posing-tips-for-portraits-shoulders

Is Portrait Formatting Always the Best for Portraits
http://digital-photography-school.com/is-portrait-formatting-always-best-for-portraits

Posing Tips - Waistlines, Thighs and Bustlines
http://digital-photography-school.com/posing-tips-waistlines-thighs-and-bustlines

Hope these articles help!

Family Portrait Photography

2009-11-28T21:30:00.000-06:00

I met a really awesome family over the Thanksgiving holiday. Indeed, this family was truly brave! They actually volunteered themselves to be guinea pigs for my first ever family portrait session! I had such a wonderful time hanging out with their lovely family (including the awesome GranJan that made her gorgeous grandson smile!). Big thanks to the S family!

Final Comments:
~ Get inspired by other photographers!
~ Make a list of ideas
~ Scout out a location beforehand and find the best light
~ Choose a few poses beforehand that you want to try out and choose the spots beforehand
~ Don't get hung up on posing the family - just let them interact and be themselves
~ Ask beforehand if the family has specific photos that they want taken
~ Use a wide-angle/zoom lens - I would have missed a ton of shots with just my 50mm lens
~ Understand how to properly expose in all light settings - sunny, shade, backlit, etc.
~ Use a low ISO to avoid noise on skin - ignore this if you have an awesome camera
~ Make sure your aperture is set so that all of the faces are in focus - unless that's not your intention
~ Shoot portrait and landscape and a variety of angles
~ Have the family interact and then snap away - not every photo has to be a traditional "cheese" shot
~ If there is a baby/child in the family ask the parents to bring a parent/friend who can make the child laugh
~ Ask that person to stand close to you or just behind you to make sure that the baby/child is looking towards the camera
~ Bring toys/snacks to distract the baby if needed
~ Catch the moments in action - your composition doesn't need to be perfectly set and posed to make a good shot
~ Take breaks if needed...great photo opportunities can happen during those moments!
~ Just have fun with the family!

Other Tips:
family-portraits-dos-and-donts - http://digital-photography-school.com/family-portraits-dos-and-donts

Turkey Day x 2

2009-11-27T17:51:00.010-06:00

We were blessed this year to spend Thanksgiving with our amazing friends and my family! The last two days were full of wonderful things: eating outside, lovely Texas fall weather, laughter with friends, playing football in the street, lots and lots of kiddoes, fried and rotisserie turkeys, good wine, good food, and amazing desserts. Here's a photo sneak peek at our holiday:

Turkey Day #1:

Turkey Day #2:

Photography Comments:
I thought I would challenge myself over Thanksgiving to only take portrait-layout photos instead of landscape-layout photos. It was a fun challenge - you should try it!

Pink Birthdays & Purple Tutus

2009-11-18T21:06:00.013-06:00

This past weekend I celebrated my sweet little niece's 1st Birthday! What a difference a little girl makes in a house full of 3 boys! Strawberry cupcakes with pink sugar - instead of a train-track cake with plastic trains. Pink and white balloons and cupcake decorations - instead of Transformer-themed tablecloths, masks, and plates. Sweetly wrapped gifts with pink curly ribbons and bows instead of blue bags and sports wrapping paper. And the best part of all for an Aunt, is seeing her niece play dress-up in the Purple Tutu picked out just for her. Happy Birthday to my sweet little EJ, from your Aunt Kara!

Meant to be Captured

2009-11-11T21:49:00.018-06:00

A time like this is meant to be captured. It is a short season full of sweet promises, sweet hugs, and anxious excitement. Where there is now two there will soon be one. So easily this time can be overtaken by planning and sometimes not enough of just being and enjoying the moments as an engaged couple.

This beautiful Irish couple fell in love on my apartment rooftop 2 1/2 years ago! Life brought these two all the way to America, to a small town in Texas where they fell in Love. I'm so glad they did and I'm so glad that they wanted to capture this time in an nontraditional way for an Irish couple. They are in Texas after all!

This day was all about Andy & Naomi. It wasn't about taking snapshots to be shared with the world. These photos were made for them. I hope they can look back at these photos and remember the many visits to this park - the picnics after church, getting to know each other, walking along the trail, sitting up on the Overlook, watching the sun set behind the trees, and falling in love. Special memories were made here. In just over four short months this time will be a special memory tucked away into their lives together.

I loved watching these two. I loved watching her throw her head back in laughter at something he had whispered to her or watching her rest against his shoulder. I loved watching him catch her as she jumped into his arms, push her in a swing (of course I made him do this), and brush the hair back from her shoulder. I loved watching them just be together. I loved seeing just how perfectly the Lord has blessed their lives. Such a sweet sweet love.

Andy & Naomi, thank you for letting me be part of this special time in your lives and letting me capture the beauty of your love for each other. This is a time meant to be captured. Thank you for posing for me, having fun, and letting me put you in "cheesy" situations. I hope you had a blast. Enjoy the sneak preview of your photos!

Happy Engagement. Many many blessings to you both on your upcoming marriage!

Much Love,
Kara

Waiting at the Pier

2009-11-11T20:48:00.013-06:00

It was early. Really really early. No one in their right mind would say goodbye to their cozy bed, especially on a Saturday morning. But it was a day they had planned for. It was a special day, a blessed day, and they had good reason to be up so early. The day had come to dress up, style their hair, for her to put on just the right lip gloss and jewelry. To look just perfect for him. To look just perfect for her.

Willing all traffic to move aside, I pushed my car to get there quicker, to beat them there for the first glimpse. I stood on the tiny pier that slips out over the lake. This is where I waited for them. A fog had rolled in overnight, blanketing the ground and forming mists above the lake. The skies were clear and the warm sun was just peeking out over the tree tops. The first rays were fighting their way through the fog to shine on the water. The slight chill and a few fallen leaves were the only signs that Fall had not yet arrived. It was quiet. Just the way I wanted it. Peaceful. It would be a perfect day for them.

I was waiting at the Pier when they both arrived. Camera on my shoulder. Indeed, it would be a perfect day for marking Andy & Naomi's engagement with a morning photoshoot. I can't wait to show you how the results turned out!

Max the Boxer

2009-10-28T21:57:00.015-05:00

As soon as I was introduced to this gorgeous pup I knew I had to take his photograph! I thought about it for weeks and practically begged my friends to let me come over (yep, I was that annoying). Max is a stunning dog and I was in total heaven when the Kuykendalls let me invade their background on a busy weekday evening to grab some snaps. I had less than an hour of decent light, two small patches of sunlight to work with, and a very energetic puppy to capture. What a challenge! Thanks so much to the K's for everything. I hope you enjoy the photos!

I left this shoot with filthy work clothes (uh, bring clothes dummy if you're going to run around outside with a puppy), a dog tooth impression on my knuckle, a sore shoulder, two scraped arms, one scraped ankle, and a ton of mosquito bites - what a blast!! In Max's defense, I pretty much injured myself all on my own! haha! What a joy this was to do!

Lighting - DIY Flash Diffuser Trials

2009-10-25T14:36:00.003-05:00

I never use my camera's pop-up/on-camera flash. It creates really harsh shadows, washes out most colors, and causes an image to look flat...none of which are desirable. In my early photography days I would settle for a blurry image just to avoid using my flash...until I understood ISO, so now I settle for a grainy photo just to avoid flash.

Unfortunately I haven't been able to play around with off-camera flash or even fancy on-camera flash w/diffusers. Hopefully one day I'll get to play around in the world of lighting...which would take way more than a 1-month Technique on this blog! I've seen some amazing lighting used by photographers out there.

In my previous post I provided a link to several DIY Lighting Hacks. One technique listed was the "poor man's light ring"...really more of a light diffuser that can fit over your lens and diffuse your on-camera flash. Here's an image from the link above (for some reason the link is not working today).

Basically, all you need is a plastic milk jug - cut out one side of it and a hole small enough to slip over the end of your lens. I used this on my 50 mm lens and tried my best to keep it away from the autofocus ring.

Here are a few side-by-side comparisons of my on-camera flash without the diffuser (aka - a piece of plastic from a milk jug) and with the diffuser .

Image on the left looks flat and washed out. Image on the right is warmer and has shape.

Wow, the yellows are really washed out below. Again, image on the left looks flat.

Harder to tell the difference in this next image. I cranked up the flash (+1) just to see how the diffuser handled it. You can mostly tell the difference in the leaves. The color is drained and flat without the diffuser. You can also see shadows against the wall in the first image.

I also tested the diffuser on my hubby, to see what it did for skin tones and I was pleased with the results. I would show you, but I promised that I wouldn't post those photos on the blog. ;)

Now I'm wondering if I have the guts to take my camera out in public with a piece of plastic milk jug on it - haha! ...just maybe...

Non-Technique 9: Lighting

2009-10-24T21:29:00.000-05:00

Well, this month was supposed to be filled with all things Flash, but unfortunately I don't own any off-camera strobes... I was hoping to rent one or make one, but I'm not spending any money these days...

I decided to post some links in case you are interested in working with lighting!

DPS has a great list of Do-It-Yourself Lighting Hacks! Check out the link below.
http://digital-photography-school.com/diy-flash-and-lighting-hacks-for-digital-photographers

DIY Light Box - using a laundry basket! Great for product photography (e.g., ebay products) ...
http://digital-photography-school.com/forum/share-your-shots/44018-now-hot.html

I've seen this site mentioned over and over as the best place for all things lighting. Check it!
http://www.strobist.blogspot.com/

My favorite photographer that makes me want to figure out how to use lighting:
http://www.zarias.com/

Studio Strobes vs. Small Off-Camera Flashes - a bit more advanced but very informative
http://www.scottkelby.com/blog/2009/archives/4280

In my next post I will show you the results of the "poor man's light ring" that I made using a milk jug. This DIY allowed me to diffuse my on-camera flash which I never ever use!

A Bit of Nature...Lotsa Texture

2009-10-18T15:25:00.021-05:00

The last few days in Houston have been so beautiful! It is so rare for us to have clear skies, cool breezes, warm sun, low humidity, and no rain - all at the same time! The hubby and I headed out to the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center for a quick stroll before he had to get back to studying. Here are a few snaps with some much needed texture added...it's nice weather here but Houston landscapes need a bit of pop!

I'm sure these images are probably overly texturized?...but hey it's all part of learning. Enjoy!

I've rearranged my remaining schedule a bit - this month will stay OPEN and I'll explain why in the next post. I've moved landscapes to January because I'll be spending a lot of time in Ireland...and I would much rather post those shots for my final month!

Final Comments:
:: don't go out at 12 noon to take landscape photos - haha - the colors will be FLAT - just be prepared to do some post-processing on your images
:: grab your wide-angle when heading for a hike...you won't regret it
:: slap a polarizer on your lens to recover some sky when there are no clouds in sight!
:: close down your aperture (larger number) when taking photos of landscapes - get as much detail as you can!
:: watch your shutter speed when it's windy outside...those slight breezes can kill your photo if it's too slow
:: don't be afraid to bump up your ISO in those shady areas!

BTW...did anyone notice the only tree that looks appropriate for the season (Fall)?...that's Houston weather for ya.

Using Textures

2009-10-10T16:56:00.001-05:00

I thought it would be fun to practice using textures for the first time. I also thought that the photo I chose of L would be a nice gift for her mom & dad - they just had their 5-year anniversary last week! So Happy Anniversary guys...hope you enjoy your little "sunshine". ;)

Textures are a great way to enhance an image. They take a LOT of time and patience, but the results can be rewarding. In the image above I used 4 textures that I paid for and downloaded, but there are a ton of textures out on the web for free. Here's the original image below to compare just for fun!

Want a tutorial on how to use textures on your own image? Check out the Digital Photography website for a "how to".

If you want to see some amazing examples of textures check out this blog...Matt makes some incredible images with textures!

Tear Sheets - my Love of Tea

2009-09-30T12:18:00.004-05:00

I thought it would be fun to make a tear sheet (a sheet that can be easily torn out of a publication) using some of the tea photos I made yesterday. I love the look of photo collages or layouts when a theme comes together. Here are the results from the fun time I had taking tea photos and designing a tear sheet.

I made these photos with natural light from the window. In addition to using my trusty foam boards to bounce light from the window onto my subject, I used an 8x8 inch square mirror. I was really pleased with the amount of light that bounced back on the props, getting rid of dark shadows! Try it if you haven't already!

I recently researched the color settings for my Nikon D80 because lately I've noticed that the color quality is really poor and I am spending more time bumping up the color in photoshop. I found an article that suggested changing the color mode to IIIa from Ia. I'm happy with the quality of the colors from the tea shoot, but we'll see how it goes with outdoor scenes. If you're not happy with the color from your camera it may be worth doing some research to figure out why!

Lately I've been thinking a lot about how to get an accurate exposure from my camera and what the camera's limitations are. I've mentioned before that I bought Understanding Exposure...I definitely recommend buying it. It's a really short read and easy to understand. I used my camera's histogram to check my exposure so see if my light meter was giving me the correct exposure reading. This is a much slower process and still photography allows for that!

Final Comments:
| when styling your subject add one element, take several photos at different angles, add one more element, take several photos at different angles, and repeat...sometimes styling a photos is stressful, so it's good to take it one element at a time.

| use a mirror or white foam board to bounce light back onto the subject...this will really transform the picture quality

| use your camera's histogram (if it has one) to check if your image is over-exposed or underexposed...it's never good to rely on a tiny LCD display

16 days...

2009-09-28T20:03:00.009-05:00

It has been over two weeks - where has this month gone and where are my posts?!! Since this photoshoot I have been busy learning how to design album templates in photoshop - using vector art and clipping masks! Here are a few examples of my work so far. Let me know what you think! It has been a really fun time designing layouts, but I MISS YOU camera!

I still have plans this "month" to do another puppy photoshoot of Max the Boxer and a Fashion shoot with my amazing friend Ivy. More to come! I promise! Next month is Flash! Yikes...the dreaded month to be honest. How will I learn so much in so little time?!!

Hope you're getting out there shooting and learning!

Food Photography - Beetroots

2009-09-12T23:06:00.024-05:00

I guess you could say that it all started in month 6. I was immediately sucked in. There is so much involved and it's such a huge area to learn from. It involves way more than camera technique, but also styling, finding and using props, and COOKING! I really found myself losing hours of the day looking through food photo blogs and food portfolios. So what am I talking about: Food Photography. I knew that this would be my first post of the month!

Here are a couple of food blogs that I found and really enjoy. Both are slow to get a new post but full of information and great photos.
Cook & Eat - http://cookandeat.com/
Matt Bites - http://mattbites.com/

I looked through several blogs and also watched a new Scott Kelby training course on Food Photography by Joe Glyda. Here are just a few of Glyda's tips:

- engulf food with light
- always white balance with food
- find the best vegetables
- use a stylist!

I think one of the big reasons I am drawn to food photography is the styling. I love looking at the way people style their food. Such art! I am by no means a good stylist or a "food stylist" at that...but here was my best attempt!

September is apparently the month for beetroots. I picked up a couple of bunches at the grocery store and spent about 3 hours (yep that's right) cleaning and styling and looking for props! Yikes!

First of all, beets are a total pain! They dry out super fast so you have to wet them over and over to retain the coloring. They stain everything pink when you cut them and they are so dirty! I spent at least 30 minutes cleaning up the mess I made with these things! :)

Without good light and fill light it is so hard to get good food photos. I really needed more light for these photos. ...Wishing I had big gorgeous windows with awesome light! I used my white foam boards to "bounce" light back onto the food.

Styling is hard. It takes so much patience and there is so much to learn. I'm pleased with my first attempt though!

Final Comments:
:: find good light
:: find fresh ingredients - spritz with water if needed
:: watch your composition - try something different - zoom in/zoom out - above/side/down low
:: put one element into the frame at a time
:: make sure your white balance is accurate (I've got to get me a white balance card)
:: dig through all of your cabinets and drawers and look for linens/small dishes/cutting boards/textures
:: use your ingredients to actually make something - I made beetroot crisps
:: schedule a lot of time to get your photos

Oh, and one more thing: the diptychs above were made using a PS action I downloaded from here.