Now this is a time-lapse! Enjoy.
T-RECS - Night Skies from T-RECS (Timelapse Recordings) on Vimeo.
Saturday, August 11, 2012
Saturday, August 4, 2012
What it means to be a Father
With the birth of my first child, I've been giving a lot of thought lately about what it means to be a Father. When I honestly think about it, it scares the crap out of me. I have no idea what I'm doing, and I'm supposed to be responsible for this other human being. I'm supposed to teach him right from wrong, yet I still make wrong choices daily. And I'm supposed to teach him what it means to be a man, when I'm not sure what it means to be one yet myself.
With all these fears and anxieties, I am extremely thankful for the example that my Dad has been to me. I know my Dad is not perfect (and I've defnitely given him enough grief over the years about that fact), but I really think that my Dad was just about the best Father anyone could be. So often today, kids don't have a father figure in their lives. I consider myself lucky that my Dad has always been there for me when I needed him. There are so many things that my Dad has done for me over the years that I am grateful for. In tribute, I'm going to share a few stories about my Dad and how he has shaped my life.
Hotdogs: Those of you who know me personally all know that I love hotdogs (I've been described as somewhat of a hotdog snob). But few probably know why I love them so much. My mom works third shift at the local hospital as a nurse. When we were younger, she'd typically work Saturday nights. This left my Dad to be in charge of Sunday lunches most weeks. My dad, being the gourmet chef that he is, would typically just boil up some hotdogs. The frequency of hotdogs caused my brother and sister to hate them growing up, but for some reason, I looked forward to it every week. Today, I rarely eat a hotdog without thinking about my Dad and his Sunday lunches.
Winter: Growing up, the thing that our family always did was snowmobile. During the summer, we rarely did much of anything. But during the winter, every other weekend we'd be driving up north to go snowmobiling. When we were younger, it was a family ordeal. But as we got older, it ended up being a time where my Dad, my brother, and I would spend together. During my teenage years, we would go for week long snowmobile trips across the U.P., snowmobiling from hotel to hotel. Looking back, these were some of the happiest experiences of my life, and I really think that I am as close as I am to my Dad today because of these trips. In the past few years, because of my employment situation, I haven't been able to go along on these trips any more. It defnitely made me realize how much I loved the trips and the time I got to spend with my Dad and my brother because of them. Thankfully, this year I might be able to go along again.
Mr Fix-It: I honestly think that my Dad knows how to fix, or could figure out how to fix, almost anything. Somewhere in the genetic code, this trait was lost in my DNA, but I am so grateful that my Dad has this trait. When I turned 16, I got a 1993 Buick Regal. I ended up owning this car for just shy of ten years. In that time, the car had been totaled and brought back to life. At the end of its life, the car was having some serious electrical issues. We couldn't ever figure out if it was the alternator, the battery, or something in between. But whatever it was, it would cause the car to die and leave me stranded in random places. On one specific instance, I was getting dinner before I had to go to class. While in the drive-through, my car decided to give out. I managed to get my car out of the drive through and parked in a sketchy neighborhoood. I had to leave it there and walk the mile or two to campus. I had to make it to class because I had a test that night. On the walk to class, I called my Dad and asked him whether I should get a tow truck or not. He said that he would drive the 45 minutes to where my car had died and check it out for me. I went to class, took the test, and expected to have my wife come pick me up. But when I got out of the test, I found out that my Dad waiting in the parking lot with my car ready to go. While taking my test, my Dad had changed out the alternator and jumped my car all on the side of a road.
Trips to the Hardware store: When I was really little, my Dad would take me along on Saturday morning trips to the hardware store. I remember walking up and down the aisle's with him looking at all the nuts, bolts, and tools. And on the ride there and back, I remember listening to the radio (Ranger Bill, Warrior of the Woodland). I don't know why, but memories of those trips have stuck with me through the years. I think it just proves that some of the simplest things are the most important. It didn't really matter what we were doing. It just meant the world to me spending time with my Dad.
I hope someday that my son will have silly memories like these to share about me. If I do half a good a job as my Dad did, I think I'll be doing all right.
With all these fears and anxieties, I am extremely thankful for the example that my Dad has been to me. I know my Dad is not perfect (and I've defnitely given him enough grief over the years about that fact), but I really think that my Dad was just about the best Father anyone could be. So often today, kids don't have a father figure in their lives. I consider myself lucky that my Dad has always been there for me when I needed him. There are so many things that my Dad has done for me over the years that I am grateful for. In tribute, I'm going to share a few stories about my Dad and how he has shaped my life.
Hotdogs: Those of you who know me personally all know that I love hotdogs (I've been described as somewhat of a hotdog snob). But few probably know why I love them so much. My mom works third shift at the local hospital as a nurse. When we were younger, she'd typically work Saturday nights. This left my Dad to be in charge of Sunday lunches most weeks. My dad, being the gourmet chef that he is, would typically just boil up some hotdogs. The frequency of hotdogs caused my brother and sister to hate them growing up, but for some reason, I looked forward to it every week. Today, I rarely eat a hotdog without thinking about my Dad and his Sunday lunches.
Winter: Growing up, the thing that our family always did was snowmobile. During the summer, we rarely did much of anything. But during the winter, every other weekend we'd be driving up north to go snowmobiling. When we were younger, it was a family ordeal. But as we got older, it ended up being a time where my Dad, my brother, and I would spend together. During my teenage years, we would go for week long snowmobile trips across the U.P., snowmobiling from hotel to hotel. Looking back, these were some of the happiest experiences of my life, and I really think that I am as close as I am to my Dad today because of these trips. In the past few years, because of my employment situation, I haven't been able to go along on these trips any more. It defnitely made me realize how much I loved the trips and the time I got to spend with my Dad and my brother because of them. Thankfully, this year I might be able to go along again.
Mr Fix-It: I honestly think that my Dad knows how to fix, or could figure out how to fix, almost anything. Somewhere in the genetic code, this trait was lost in my DNA, but I am so grateful that my Dad has this trait. When I turned 16, I got a 1993 Buick Regal. I ended up owning this car for just shy of ten years. In that time, the car had been totaled and brought back to life. At the end of its life, the car was having some serious electrical issues. We couldn't ever figure out if it was the alternator, the battery, or something in between. But whatever it was, it would cause the car to die and leave me stranded in random places. On one specific instance, I was getting dinner before I had to go to class. While in the drive-through, my car decided to give out. I managed to get my car out of the drive through and parked in a sketchy neighborhoood. I had to leave it there and walk the mile or two to campus. I had to make it to class because I had a test that night. On the walk to class, I called my Dad and asked him whether I should get a tow truck or not. He said that he would drive the 45 minutes to where my car had died and check it out for me. I went to class, took the test, and expected to have my wife come pick me up. But when I got out of the test, I found out that my Dad waiting in the parking lot with my car ready to go. While taking my test, my Dad had changed out the alternator and jumped my car all on the side of a road.
Trips to the Hardware store: When I was really little, my Dad would take me along on Saturday morning trips to the hardware store. I remember walking up and down the aisle's with him looking at all the nuts, bolts, and tools. And on the ride there and back, I remember listening to the radio (Ranger Bill, Warrior of the Woodland). I don't know why, but memories of those trips have stuck with me through the years. I think it just proves that some of the simplest things are the most important. It didn't really matter what we were doing. It just meant the world to me spending time with my Dad.
I hope someday that my son will have silly memories like these to share about me. If I do half a good a job as my Dad did, I think I'll be doing all right.
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Introducing!!!
Jonah Miles
For those of you who follow my wifes blog, this will most likely be a recap. If you don't follow it, you can read her story here.
Going back two weeks...
As Jamie's due date got closer, Jamie and I became more and more anxious. For some reason, we had it in our heads that Jonah would come early. But, God and Jonah had other plans. So we were a little disappointed when the due date came and passed.
Then on Monday the 16th, a little after 1pm, I got the call at work from Jamie that I had been waiting for (or so I thought). I rushed home, and shortly after Jamie and I left for the hospital. There, Jamie was hooked up to a monitor for about 30 minutes to see what her contractions were doing. When Jamie called me, her contractions were 3-5 minutes apart. But at the hospital when she was laying down, the contractions had spaced out to 8-10 minutes apart. So we were told to go home to wait until they got closer together again and much more intense. Thinking that night would be the night, we didn't want to be too far from the hospital. So instead of going home, we went to Jamie's parent's house, which is closer to the hospital.
Once at Jamie's parent's house, we were on a strict regimen of alternating walking and relaxing. We would walk around the neighborhood and then have Jamie lay down to time the contractions. It was pretty hot that night, so later on we ended going to Target to walk around. We walked up and down just about every ailse in the store. But the contractions weren't any closer together. After all that, we decided that we might as well go home to get a good night's sleep.
When we woke up the next morning, the contractions had pretty much stopped. So it was decided that I might as well just go to work. This time, there was no call. That was Tuesday the 17th
So on Wednesday that 18th, Jamie woke me about around 4am letting me know that she was having more contractions. I was very dazed and confused at that point. They were closer together and more intense. Jamie called the doctor, who told us to wait it out a little bit before coming to the hospital. So we sat around at home for about two hours before going to the hospital. I think we ended up watching something on Netflix about shark attacks.
When we arrived at the hospital, I thought it was going to be like Monday all over again. This time, the contractions were much closer together and more intense for Jamie. But when the nurse checked her, she was still dilated the same as on Monday. The nurse gave us some options. We could go home and wait out the contractions or stay and have them check the progress in about an hour. We decided on the second choice.
During that hour or so, Jamie's contractions were getting more and more intense, but she was handling them like a pro. After the allotted waiting period, the doctor ended came in to examine Jamie. Before he examined her, he was still talking like we might get sent home. But when he checked her, she had dilated 2 more cm. So it was decided that we were for sure going to stay. Which was good. Because no more than 15 minutes after the doctor left, Jamie's water broke. This is when things got interesting...
Now to clarify, Jamie had her heart determined on going through labor completely natural (no drugs involved). Also, apparently after the water breaks, the contractions get even stronger. The contractions were coming every 2-3 minutes, and it seemed like Jamie wasn't getting a break. Heck, I barely had time between them to scarf down a few bites of my breakfast. We tried just about every technique/position that we could remember from the child birth class (leaning against the bed, leaning on the birthing ball, leaning on me). There were a few contractions when Jamie was holding on to me that her legs gave out and we both just about ended up on the floor. Eventually, Jamie thought that she would be able to relax more in between the contractions if she laid down.
At this point, the contractions were probably at there worst. At first I kept trying to encourage Jamie, letting her know that she was doing great and that she could push through it. But eventually, it just became harder and harder to watch Jamie be in so much pain. She would literally be crying in fear of when the next contraction would start. I felt so helpless. Jamie was in the worst pain of her life, and there was nothing I could do about it. I'm not going to lie; I shed a few tears. I could tell by Jamie's face that she was beginning to re-think her pain management plan. So I changed the way I was encouraging her. I let her know that it was ok if she got pain medication. She quickly agreed and we pushed the button for the nurse.
When the nurse arrived, she could instantly tell that Jamie was not doing good. The nurse checked Jamie's progress and gave us some news. Jamie was fully dilated and was ready to push. The contractions were so bad because Jamie was going through the transition phase from 8-10cm. The nurse called the doctor to come (he was at another office) and quickly set up the room for delivery.
That's when they started to have Jamie push. Pushing for 10 seconds, three times, every contraction. The way the nurse rushed to get the room ready, I thought that this part of the labor would be over fast. Unbeknownst to me at the time, Jamie would end up pushing for over two hours. But slowly yet surely, our son made its way out into the world. At first I could only she a little bit of hair, then the top of his head, and finally his whole head. At 12:26, Jonah Miles entered the world, and our lives were changed for ever. He weighed 7lbs 9oz. and was 20 inches long.
The hour or so after that was kind of a whirlwind. I remember cutting the cord. It was a lot tougher than I expected (more like cartilage, not spongy like Chandeler describes it on Friends). I remember them placing Jonah on Jamie's chest, and seeing his eyes for the first time. But beyond these few moments, the rest is a complete blur.
Eventually, our parents came to meet their first grandchild (first on both sides). The next two days at the hospital, we received a steady stream of visitors congratulating us and wanting to see the new additionto the family.
It's hard to believe that it has been two weeks already. Jonah has already changed a lot. Jamie and I, like all new parents, are working to get him on a schedule. It has been tiring and frustrating at times, but overall, it has been great.
I'm sure that my blog will proably be taken over by pictures of Jonah. Here are a few from our first photoshoot with him. You can see more on Jamie's blog here.
For those of you who follow my wifes blog, this will most likely be a recap. If you don't follow it, you can read her story here.
Going back two weeks...
As Jamie's due date got closer, Jamie and I became more and more anxious. For some reason, we had it in our heads that Jonah would come early. But, God and Jonah had other plans. So we were a little disappointed when the due date came and passed.
Then on Monday the 16th, a little after 1pm, I got the call at work from Jamie that I had been waiting for (or so I thought). I rushed home, and shortly after Jamie and I left for the hospital. There, Jamie was hooked up to a monitor for about 30 minutes to see what her contractions were doing. When Jamie called me, her contractions were 3-5 minutes apart. But at the hospital when she was laying down, the contractions had spaced out to 8-10 minutes apart. So we were told to go home to wait until they got closer together again and much more intense. Thinking that night would be the night, we didn't want to be too far from the hospital. So instead of going home, we went to Jamie's parent's house, which is closer to the hospital.
Once at Jamie's parent's house, we were on a strict regimen of alternating walking and relaxing. We would walk around the neighborhood and then have Jamie lay down to time the contractions. It was pretty hot that night, so later on we ended going to Target to walk around. We walked up and down just about every ailse in the store. But the contractions weren't any closer together. After all that, we decided that we might as well go home to get a good night's sleep.
When we woke up the next morning, the contractions had pretty much stopped. So it was decided that I might as well just go to work. This time, there was no call. That was Tuesday the 17th
So on Wednesday that 18th, Jamie woke me about around 4am letting me know that she was having more contractions. I was very dazed and confused at that point. They were closer together and more intense. Jamie called the doctor, who told us to wait it out a little bit before coming to the hospital. So we sat around at home for about two hours before going to the hospital. I think we ended up watching something on Netflix about shark attacks.
When we arrived at the hospital, I thought it was going to be like Monday all over again. This time, the contractions were much closer together and more intense for Jamie. But when the nurse checked her, she was still dilated the same as on Monday. The nurse gave us some options. We could go home and wait out the contractions or stay and have them check the progress in about an hour. We decided on the second choice.
During that hour or so, Jamie's contractions were getting more and more intense, but she was handling them like a pro. After the allotted waiting period, the doctor ended came in to examine Jamie. Before he examined her, he was still talking like we might get sent home. But when he checked her, she had dilated 2 more cm. So it was decided that we were for sure going to stay. Which was good. Because no more than 15 minutes after the doctor left, Jamie's water broke. This is when things got interesting...
Now to clarify, Jamie had her heart determined on going through labor completely natural (no drugs involved). Also, apparently after the water breaks, the contractions get even stronger. The contractions were coming every 2-3 minutes, and it seemed like Jamie wasn't getting a break. Heck, I barely had time between them to scarf down a few bites of my breakfast. We tried just about every technique/position that we could remember from the child birth class (leaning against the bed, leaning on the birthing ball, leaning on me). There were a few contractions when Jamie was holding on to me that her legs gave out and we both just about ended up on the floor. Eventually, Jamie thought that she would be able to relax more in between the contractions if she laid down.
At this point, the contractions were probably at there worst. At first I kept trying to encourage Jamie, letting her know that she was doing great and that she could push through it. But eventually, it just became harder and harder to watch Jamie be in so much pain. She would literally be crying in fear of when the next contraction would start. I felt so helpless. Jamie was in the worst pain of her life, and there was nothing I could do about it. I'm not going to lie; I shed a few tears. I could tell by Jamie's face that she was beginning to re-think her pain management plan. So I changed the way I was encouraging her. I let her know that it was ok if she got pain medication. She quickly agreed and we pushed the button for the nurse.
When the nurse arrived, she could instantly tell that Jamie was not doing good. The nurse checked Jamie's progress and gave us some news. Jamie was fully dilated and was ready to push. The contractions were so bad because Jamie was going through the transition phase from 8-10cm. The nurse called the doctor to come (he was at another office) and quickly set up the room for delivery.
That's when they started to have Jamie push. Pushing for 10 seconds, three times, every contraction. The way the nurse rushed to get the room ready, I thought that this part of the labor would be over fast. Unbeknownst to me at the time, Jamie would end up pushing for over two hours. But slowly yet surely, our son made its way out into the world. At first I could only she a little bit of hair, then the top of his head, and finally his whole head. At 12:26, Jonah Miles entered the world, and our lives were changed for ever. He weighed 7lbs 9oz. and was 20 inches long.
The hour or so after that was kind of a whirlwind. I remember cutting the cord. It was a lot tougher than I expected (more like cartilage, not spongy like Chandeler describes it on Friends). I remember them placing Jonah on Jamie's chest, and seeing his eyes for the first time. But beyond these few moments, the rest is a complete blur.
Eventually, our parents came to meet their first grandchild (first on both sides). The next two days at the hospital, we received a steady stream of visitors congratulating us and wanting to see the new additionto the family.
It's hard to believe that it has been two weeks already. Jonah has already changed a lot. Jamie and I, like all new parents, are working to get him on a schedule. It has been tiring and frustrating at times, but overall, it has been great.
I'm sure that my blog will proably be taken over by pictures of Jonah. Here are a few from our first photoshoot with him. You can see more on Jamie's blog here.
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Something to pass the time
Still no baby.
So to help pass the time, I thought I'd post this time lapse that I put together on Sunday. Nothing special. Eventually, I'll learn how to put a bunch of them together into a longer video with music. But not right now. My friend Justin is working on a sweet one. You can see one that he did of flowers growing here.
Later.
So to help pass the time, I thought I'd post this time lapse that I put together on Sunday. Nothing special. Eventually, I'll learn how to put a bunch of them together into a longer video with music. But not right now. My friend Justin is working on a sweet one. You can see one that he did of flowers growing here.
Later.
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Baby Watch 2012
Today, Sunday July 15, is officially Jamie's due date. And yet, there is still no baby.
I've been on pins and needles all week at work, wondering when I'll get the call. Thankfully, my new employer has been very understanding about it all, letting me know that I can rush home whenever I get the call. In addition, they have been very helpful with the whole insurance situation. I was able to get added to the new insurance immediately, no waiting period. I guess this is rare, which makes me even more grateful. And we have already received our insurance cards, which is another blessing.
Now, all we need is for the little guy to come. Hopefully I'll get to introduce him by the end of the week. Keep your fingers crossed.
I've been on pins and needles all week at work, wondering when I'll get the call. Thankfully, my new employer has been very understanding about it all, letting me know that I can rush home whenever I get the call. In addition, they have been very helpful with the whole insurance situation. I was able to get added to the new insurance immediately, no waiting period. I guess this is rare, which makes me even more grateful. And we have already received our insurance cards, which is another blessing.
Now, all we need is for the little guy to come. Hopefully I'll get to introduce him by the end of the week. Keep your fingers crossed.
Friday, July 6, 2012
A Month of Change
By the end of July, my life will be completely different than it was in June. Basically, my life as I know it is going to completely blow up, and all for good reasons.
Here's why...
Jamie could go into labor at any minute. Before we know it, our first born son will arrive, and our lives will never be the same. I'm getting more and more excited every day to meet him.
Three weeks ago, Jamie quit her job to prepare for her new job as a stay at home mom.
Today was my last day in public accounting.
On Monday, I will start a new job in the accounting department of a large local company. After months of searching, interviewing, and praying, I received the offer I was waiting for. I'm nervous and excited for what this new opportunity holds.
So there you have it. July will be a month of big changes.
Monday, July 2, 2012
How to photograph a 2 year old
Jamie and I recently had the opportunity to photograph the two year old son of a couple from our church. Now up to this point, I've done senior pictures, family pictures, engagement pictures, and even a wedding. But I hadn't ever really taken photos of a subject so young. For all of you who have young kids, I'm sure you can attest to the fact that getting a good photograph of a hyperactive little kid can be a challenge. So for any that would like some pointers, here are seven things that I learned while photographing my subject Jack-Jack
Number 1: Have the fastest shutter speed possible
It's no surprise that young kids run around a lot. In order to get a nice crisp shot in the midst of all that movement, you will need a fast shutter speed to capture your subject and eliminate the chance of motion blur. I would suggest a shutter speed of 1/250th or faster. If you have a fully manual camera, you can adjust the ISO and Aperture to get the shutter speed as fast as possible. I went into further detail about how ISO, Aperture, and Shutter Speed work together in a previous post linked here. For everyone who has a point and shoot camera with out full manual controls, the simplest way to make sure that the shutter speed is fast is to take pictures in very well lit conditions. The camera will adjust the controls as necessary to give you a faster shutter speed in bright conditions.
Number 2: Use Auto-Focus
99% of the time, I have my camera on Auto Focus. But it always seems like I forget to switch it back from manual focus that 1% of the time and end up missing good shots as a result. If your camera has the option to switch between Auto-Focus and Manual Focus, it is always a good idea to check which setting it is on before you begin taking photos.
Number 3: Burst mode is your friend
With the burst mode, you can simply hold down your shutter and take photos in fast succession. With multiple shots, you minimize the chance of ending up with all photos where your subject has their eyes closed, or photos where the subject is on the edge of smiling (but not quite). Now I am not suggesting that you simply hold down the shutter willie-nillie without giving thought to the composition of the shot, or the lighting, or your camera settings, or the many other considerations that go into taking a good photograph. If you take that approach, you will most likely always end up disappointed except for a few "happy accidents." But once you have framed your shot and adjusted the settings for the lighting conditions, the burst mode can be a great way to capture those fleeting moments.
Number 4: Give them something to play with
You might (or might not) be surprised at how difficult it is to keep a grown adult's attention while trying to take a photo. During family photo sessions, it doesn't take long before somebody starts grumbling and complaining. So to expect a 2 year old to pay attention during a photo session is just ridiculous. So the best thing that I have found to do is to give the kid something to play with, such as toys or sticks or rocks. These items help keep the kid happy and also present unique photo opportunities. You can get some great shots while the kid is playing or exploring their surroundings.
Number 5: Just go with it
There are times where it is best to meticulously think about the shot you want to get, adjusting the composition, the exposure, and the various effects you can give your photo. Then there are times when you just need to accept what's given to you. Photographing little kids is one of those times. Just go with the flow and the whole experience will be better for all.
Number 6: Get down to their level
Many times, the difference between a good photo and a great photo is perspective. Great photographers can make you see something that you've looked at a thousand times in a whole new way. And one of the key tools they use to do this is perspective. With young kids, the perspective that I find that works the best is to get low and see the world from their view point.
Number 7: Tickling is fair game
There are some kids who simply don't want to smile. At times like those, you need to pull out all the stops. Anything is fair game. Even tickling
So for all the parents with young children who are struggling to get good photos of their kids, I hope these tips help. I will be in the same boat in a week or two.
Number 1: Have the fastest shutter speed possible
It's no surprise that young kids run around a lot. In order to get a nice crisp shot in the midst of all that movement, you will need a fast shutter speed to capture your subject and eliminate the chance of motion blur. I would suggest a shutter speed of 1/250th or faster. If you have a fully manual camera, you can adjust the ISO and Aperture to get the shutter speed as fast as possible. I went into further detail about how ISO, Aperture, and Shutter Speed work together in a previous post linked here. For everyone who has a point and shoot camera with out full manual controls, the simplest way to make sure that the shutter speed is fast is to take pictures in very well lit conditions. The camera will adjust the controls as necessary to give you a faster shutter speed in bright conditions.
Number 2: Use Auto-Focus
99% of the time, I have my camera on Auto Focus. But it always seems like I forget to switch it back from manual focus that 1% of the time and end up missing good shots as a result. If your camera has the option to switch between Auto-Focus and Manual Focus, it is always a good idea to check which setting it is on before you begin taking photos.
Number 3: Burst mode is your friend
With the burst mode, you can simply hold down your shutter and take photos in fast succession. With multiple shots, you minimize the chance of ending up with all photos where your subject has their eyes closed, or photos where the subject is on the edge of smiling (but not quite). Now I am not suggesting that you simply hold down the shutter willie-nillie without giving thought to the composition of the shot, or the lighting, or your camera settings, or the many other considerations that go into taking a good photograph. If you take that approach, you will most likely always end up disappointed except for a few "happy accidents." But once you have framed your shot and adjusted the settings for the lighting conditions, the burst mode can be a great way to capture those fleeting moments.
Number 4: Give them something to play with
You might (or might not) be surprised at how difficult it is to keep a grown adult's attention while trying to take a photo. During family photo sessions, it doesn't take long before somebody starts grumbling and complaining. So to expect a 2 year old to pay attention during a photo session is just ridiculous. So the best thing that I have found to do is to give the kid something to play with, such as toys or sticks or rocks. These items help keep the kid happy and also present unique photo opportunities. You can get some great shots while the kid is playing or exploring their surroundings.
Number 5: Just go with it
There are times where it is best to meticulously think about the shot you want to get, adjusting the composition, the exposure, and the various effects you can give your photo. Then there are times when you just need to accept what's given to you. Photographing little kids is one of those times. Just go with the flow and the whole experience will be better for all.
Number 6: Get down to their level
Many times, the difference between a good photo and a great photo is perspective. Great photographers can make you see something that you've looked at a thousand times in a whole new way. And one of the key tools they use to do this is perspective. With young kids, the perspective that I find that works the best is to get low and see the world from their view point.
Number 7: Tickling is fair game
There are some kids who simply don't want to smile. At times like those, you need to pull out all the stops. Anything is fair game. Even tickling
So for all the parents with young children who are struggling to get good photos of their kids, I hope these tips help. I will be in the same boat in a week or two.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)