Favorite photography tips

I have read many tips on other blogs & I have to say most of them have worked for me. I love hearing new ways/tricks & tips. So here are my top 5 favorite tricks & tips. Yes, each tip will have the blog it came from under neath.

1. Props, you can never go wrong with using props for babies & children. For Babies, keep lots of clean wipes, blankets & a heating pad to keep things warm. Everyone loves a naked baby photo, but the mess that comes with that is unreal. YOU WILL GET PEED ON! :) its a matter of time. Keep all clean up supplies close and ready. Children love to play, have things they can play with, if they need a break. Encourage them to play with the props that way you can continue taking photos, what you capture might surprise you. (my own tip, newborn sessions should be held when the new baby is 4-13 days old. After 13 days it is very hard to get the new baby to cuddle up into a tight little bundle.)

          Props blog: http://www.propinsanity.com/winter-newborn-how-to-with-kristen-caldwell/

2. "Show your children/clients the images you are taking. Let them chimp after a few shots, this typically gets kids excited to be part of the shoot instead of just your subject. Yes, I know that your camera was not cheap, but you can even let them hold the camera and show them what you are doing. It gets their interest and they are much more apt to working with you and not against you."

          Photography tips: http://www.clickinmoms.com/blog/8-tips-for-photographing-uncooperative-children/

3. My own tip, never get frustrated with a child who is not cooperating, you will end up seeing that in your photos. Have them play a game, a photography game. The rules are, they chose a pose then you chose. The parents can join in too. Have them play patty cake, have them sing a song, all the while you are snapping your photos.

4. "Join the child’s world. Bend down, play with them, ask them to show you what they are doing. This allows them to be comfortable with you; and the more fun you seem like you are having, the more fun they will have." <~ I love all her tips!

          Child posing tips: http://www.slrlounge.com/posing-guide-for-photographing-children

5. "Use A Tripod -Any slight movement in the camera can throw out your sharpness (focus). Often times, you will not notice it until you are back home, upload the pictures to your computer, and it is too late. For a long time I used a tripod to avoid any shakes. I don´t anymore, but I must say it took me some time to learn to shoot without it and still get sharp images. In the beginning I felt that using a tripod was a great help, especially to get those tack sharp eyes. I used a Manfrotto tripod – Love the quality and stability they give. When you get more experienced with how to control the camera settings in manual, you can begin to shoot hand-held, even in low light." - These tips are wonderful on this blog. Can't stress using a tripod enough.

           Getting Sharp Photos: http://christinagreve.com/2011/04/10-ways-to-get-perfect-focus-every-time/



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new products

Well, I have to say Florabella actions & Photoshop elements 10 has been the best thing I have bought in a very long time. AMAZING tools to make your photo tip top, I can't believe I waited so long! Here are a few things I have "re-edited" the correct way. Playing around just a little too.

 

 

 

The grouped pictures were edited with Florabella Timeline actions.

 

 

 

Enagement photos

There's Only 1 Thing

                2 do

                      3 words

                  4 you

I love you

 

 

 

Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.

Lao Tzu

The love of Pictures.

The love of Pictures.

My home is flooded with pictures, the first thing I unpacked after our move from North Carolina was my box of pictures. Before I even had a dish to eat on or a towel to wash with I had pictures on the wall. They make a house a home, my son is everywhere I look & boy is he a cutie. I keep telling myself I want to be a portrait photographer but the more and more I get into my work the more and more I book weddings. Weddings are a perfect chance to prove to yourself that you can do this... and you can do it well. You have that one shot, that one perfect moment where chance & luck & a little bit of grace just happen to work out and you walk away feeling like iron man knowing you got the shot. When a hundred people are dancing around and you just happen to capture the most genuine look on the groom & brides face and to top it off they are in focus ;) , or you have been trying all day to get the flower girl & the ring bearer to not "fight" and actually act civil and EVERYONE is looking at you. Makes it all worth it... what am I talking about. Oh the stress, the stress level rises knowing you only have that one chance... we talked about that one chance earlier. The brides mom, and new in laws all want certain photos, Uncle bob is making faces, kids are over smiling all while the bride just wants to kick off her heels and have a drink because she knows her new husband has been drinking all day. HOW UNFAIR OF HIM! :) So you (me) the photographer tries to hurry "RATS" you forgot to get the picture of the groom and his parents EVERYONE BACK TO THE LINE! Snap got it! Then off to first dance, father daughter, Mother son, cake, garter, bouquet, dancing. Its all the same, there is no wedding that you will go to that does not want those pictures. Yet every single one of them is different and beautiful in its own way. I think I have changed what i want to do. I want to book more weddings, I have a glutton for punishment I think. I love it! I love looking at the photos they make me smile. Its a perfect way to make someone else happy all at the same time doing something I just love.

~Stephanie~ SmS Photography (San Antonio)

 

 

 

Spring has sprung & so have the baseball bats! Grab your camera & make sure to get all those special shots, but for the family portraits give me a call. This is a very busy time of year, get your appointments in quickly. See you soon!

 

 

                            ~Stephanie~

Pet Photography.

I love everything ABOUT Dogs, They are the secret to making you feel better when you have the flu, they are the ones that keep you warm at night, and safe while sleeping. This pretty girl Reese did not like my camera. Would not look at it to save my life. You can't tell in this picture, but my hand is actually under her belly and I had to hold her so she wouldn't run from me. This couple had two weenie dogs, they are holding the other one in the background. I have seen dogs like Reese before, and The owner told me that Her "Max" seems to feel like his soul will be stolen out of the picture. I wonder if that's true?? Although I guess we will never really find out, there are always ways to get your lovely pet in the photo.

Just a few tips for bringing your pets to the shoot.

* Walk them around outside your home, or the location of the shoot for a few minutes so they get their sniffers tuckered out.

* I personally would not feed my dogs right before going to the location. Just for the fact that I wouldn't want to clean up after them every time I turn around.

* Please PLEASE bring doggie bags. Most places around San Antonio welcome pets. But, you must clean up after them. SmS Photography will not be responsible for dog mess fees.

*Please bring your dogs leashes and collars, leash laws still apply to photographers. You can take them off for the picture, but they must go right back on. SmS Photography will not be responsible for breaking leash law or fines that come of it. 


All in All Dogs usually work well while their families are close. They make for great family portraits and can stay with your family for a lifetime. Hope to see you Soon!!!

This is my son "Kole" He is so amazing in front of a camera, to his sly smirks to his dashing blue eyes.

A little about ME!

Hey ya'll, I just wanted to give you a little insight to who I am. Not just as your photographer, but as a person. My name is Stephanie and I am originally from Live Oak, Texas. I have moved around alot being as my Husband is Military, and I currently am back in Texas living in the San Antonio area. I absolutely love being here, This is where I should be. But, God has a plan for everyone.


I met my husband in May of 2010 and we were married in April of 2011. It has been a wonderful experience. He is my biggest fan and we have a fantastic story to tell our children of how we met. :) I don't know what came over me that day, it was memorial day weekend. I saw my now husband on a motorcycle at the corner of rim road, and cliffdale & I just had to stop him. The rest is history.


I have been taking pictures for as long as I can remember. But, I was on the fence about wanting to take them professionally. I have done alot of jobs in my short time as an adult & I never really had a clear view of what I wanted to do. First it was an elementary school teacher, then a nurse, then a swat medic. I have always had big dreams, but nothing ever quite fit. Until now! I now feel that this is what I am meant to do. I love to see their faces when I show them their pictures for the first time. Just the feeling that they are getting something that I have created & will last a lifetime warms my heart. My Husband bought me my new camera and EVERYTHING that goes with it back in may of 2011. I just took off from there. It was a slow start, as I was moving back to Texas. But, has been an awesome ride this far.


Not only am I a Wife, & Photographer I also am a Mother, I have a Son "Kole" who just turned 7. I have no idea where the time went. But, I wouldn't trade him for a million dollars. He is an amazing young man, and the smartest thing I have known in my lifetime. He never ceases to amaze me with his knowledge and talents. I honestly am so blessed to have my Husband and my Son in my life. They make me want to do GREAT things.