What’s your idea of the perfect summer shot? Is it a photo of your children frolicking in the whitewash during your annual trip to the shore? Maybe it’s a picture of your pup cooling off in the sprinkler. Or, perhaps, your ideal image is capturing a brilliant sunset as it dips below the horizon. For me, it’s any shot of my daughter chowing down on summer picnic food, from red, ripe watermelon to juicy mangos, a dripping ice cream cone or a super-sized hot dog. However, I’ve learned from experience that whether she is licking a Popsicle or inhaling a … Continue reading →

Growing up in Hawaii, it was no big deal to see people storing their cameras in coolers at the beach. In fact, I did it for years. I’d simply deposit my camera into its case, place it in a Ziploc bag and tuck it into a cooler somewhere near the soft burger buns and away from hard soda cans. Frankly, I thought it was one of the most ingenious ideas around. After all, it’s never a good idea to expose a camera to excessive heat and humidity for long periods of time. Likewise, a cooler can also protect your camera … Continue reading →

The long Memorial Day weekend is set to kick-off in just a few days. Traditionally, the holiday marks the unofficial start to summer. For many families that means picnics, backyard barbeques, and trips to the beach. If you are planning to document your family’s fun in the sun, consider these simple tips to keep your camera safe and your photos hot, hot, hot: Gear: Personally, I don’t bring a bunch of fancy camera gear with me to the beach. After all, you don’t want to expose your equipment to the hot sun for long periods of time. What’s more, if … Continue reading →

Next week kicks off a wave of graduation ceremonies in my neck of the woods. Our city is home to seven high schools and all of them are hosting commencement exercises following the Memorial Day weekend. That means shutterbugs and their cameras will be working overtime in the coming days. While it’s tradition to snap shots of grads on commencement day, it’s also a good idea to take a few photos before the big event. This is especially true if you are planning to craft a graduation-themed scrapbook or feature pictures of your high school senior at a post-commencement party. … Continue reading →

Remember: The sun is your friend. When I first got into photography, I would regularly curse the sun’s presence because, as a newbie, I didn’t know how to get the big ball of blazing gases to work for me. These days, I am well aware of the “golden hours” (the half hour before, and half hour after, sunrise or sunset) and the benefits of owning a diffuser. What’s more, I now know not to take aim at photo subjects at high noon on a bright and sunny summer day. Photographing people in the middle of the day is far from … Continue reading →

Does your mom long for the good ol’ days? While it may be impossible to gift her with a trip back in time this Mother’s Day, there are ways you can bring back those nostalgic feelings through photos. Advancements in technology allow photographers of all skill levels the opportunity to create nostalgic images with modern day cameras. One of the easiest and cheapest ways to achieve a retro look is to invest in filters. For example, sepia filters add a yellow tint to pictures, making them look as though they were taken decades ago. Another option is to employ a … Continue reading →

I’m not on Twitter, but I often get sent links to updates when a friend or family member shares a photo. Recently, I’ve noticed a trend in the Instagram images I’ve been encouraged to view by my friends’ teenage children. The photos are super glam, and I’m not talking about the ones taken on prom night. Years ago, you would have never seen pictures of sultry-looking teens in cyberspace. In fact, when I was growing up, the only time teens were allowed to be photographed looking 10 years older than they actually were is when they paid for the privilege … Continue reading →

There’s more to prom than just pretty dresses, tuxedos and a fleet of limos. There’s also the fancy updos, half-dos and do-overs. Oh, and the flowers. For girls, a corsage can make or break a prom ensemble. However, despite its significance, it’s rare that floral arrangements worn on a giddy girl’s wrist receive the documentation they deserve. When taking photos on prom night, don’t overlook defining details such as corsages and boutonnieres. If you are planning to preserve memories of prom in a scrapbook you’ll want to snap every aspect of the occasion. In order to retell the story about … Continue reading →

Love is in the air… or maybe it’s teen spirit. Tis the season for high school sweethearts and groups of friends to embark on a spring ritual that helps define teendom–prom. Without a doubt the formal dance is one of the most memorable moments of one’s high school career, so it pays to capture every angle of the special night. For parents, that may mean taking a crash course in prom picture-taking. Some tips to consider include: Pay Attention to Details: This is a theme you should remember throughout the night in every aspect of your shoot. For instance, even … Continue reading →

I realize how convenient and high-tech smartphones are these days, but I still wouldn’t use my iPhone as a primary camera. While some smartphones come equipped with some very advanced picture-taking features, if you have ever shot with a DSLR, then snapping shots with a camera phone can be a frustrating experience. This goes double if you are trying to capture motion in high action settings. Action shots require skill on the part of the photographer and some vital features on the part of the camera. For example, if you want a blurring effect to be added to your pictures … Continue reading →