PICTURES OF HOPE {UTAH NEWBORN PHOTOGRAPHER}

Have you ever hear of Pictures of Hope Foundation? Here is a little information about them. I am one of their newest members. I am so excited to be a part of this organization. My second child was in the NICU for only a short 4 days... and that was hard enough on me. My heart reaches out to those sweet babies that have a longer stay. If you know of anyone with a child in the NICU, they are eligible for our complimentary services. So far, it is just me and Karen Hamilton Photography that are participating in the state of Utah. If you are a photographer and would like to participate, go to the POH website and apply! What a great cause!

Here is some more information straight from the Pictures of Hope Foundation's website.

Here are a few images from my little guy's stay in the NICU. He has been a tough guy from day one:)

PHOTO TIPS FOR MOMS. {UTAH PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHER}

Well, well! Can you believe I'm finally posting another photo tip? This week's tip is just a simple one (well, simple to talk about... but can be hard to practice).

Tip: work hard to get your exposures correct IN CAMERA.

Here's how:

Bribe your kid or a neighbor kid to sit in front of the camera long enough to really play around with your exposures. REALLY, you've got to kick your camera out of auto and start to experiment with the other settings. Now, if you have no desire to go pro, you really don't HAVE to learn manual shooting, BUT it makes a huge difference in getting the results you're looking for. YOU become in charge of the results of your photos, instead of the camera determining what they will be. So, if you are shy to shoot in manual, you can start with the "A-mode" or "S-mode"... most likely use the "A-mode" if you are doing portraits. But once you get used to using that mode, then go all the way and start shooting in manual. Really, why did you buy that big expensive camera with all those buttons anyway? Start using them!

I know, it sounds sooo scary, but what have you got to loose? If you don't have a paying client in front of you, or you are not shooting a special family event, then let loose! Find a time to purely practice in manual. Trust me, I have had plenty of overexposed or underexposed photos while trying to learn my manual settings. You have to be okay with getting a ton of crapy photos before you can get the amazing ones.

There you go... have a try at this and come back and tell me how you did. Tell me what problems you encountered because trust me, you will have problems or questions. Those questions will help me know where to go with the next discussion. So don't be shy to ask! I need your feedback!

Post-note: Why is it so important to get great exposures in camera when photoshop can fix so much?

You will find that many newbie photographers may shoot awful pictures but can brighten and enhance them in photoshop. It is true that photoshop can help with a lot of "mistakes", BUT photoshop should be a tool to enhance the beauty that is already in a well exposed photo, instead of "fixing" a photo. This is where you will see a difference between amateur photos and professional ones.

Even if you don't want to go pro... work hard to get great exposures in camera and let photoshop be a fun tool for enhancement. Save yourself the time and energy of "fixing" your photos by learning how to really use your camera. It will make a huge difference.

And now for a little stud muffin:)

A NEW LITTLE ONE. {UTAH NEWBORN PHOTOGRAPHER}

Yay! I am actually doing a FULL post of my fav's from a session! Thanks to Jessica Feely's awesome blogging actions that I just purchased. They make fun creative collages so quickly and easily!

LOVE LOVE LOVE this next photo!

SERIOUSLY, SHE IS A BABY DOLL!!!

FEATURED. {UTAH PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHER}

Helen Chen of Glorious Memory asked me if she could feature some of my images in her new set of templates that she has just released. Here is the first set. You can see more of her work here on Etsy.com.

Thanks Helen!

FATHER'S HANDS. {UTAH NEWBORN PHOTOGRAPHER}

This "pose" is a must when I shoot newborn sessions. I LOVE to see either the mother or the father's hands cradling their newborn's head. And seeing the love in their face as they look at their child is a priceless moment.

FROM YESTERDAY. {UTAH NEWBORN PHOTOGRAPHER}

Isn't she simply ADORABLE?