I have to say, it’s nearly impossible to work on new skills with kids in the house. I’m a total amateur photographer, I’m not afraid to admit. But I’m working on it. This is me, employing my self-portrait checklist.
Daytime lighting, check. Shirt that’s clean, check. Nothing in my teeth, check. Background prop to hide the chaotic mess that is our home, check. Figured out how to use my camera remote, check. So far so good for the first 2 minutes.
There are photography tutorials out there that talk about aperture and white balance and composition, but nothing out there really addresses the challenges that mom photographers face. If you can’t get it done in the first 2 minutes, then your photography challenges suddenly become something entirely different.
Hand-to-hand combat with little photobomber, check.
Making the choice to kick her out of the photo or just roll with it, check.
As much as it’s important to me to be creative and to learn, grow, and share my best, it occurs to me that this – what’s happening when I’m trying to do something else – is every bit as important.
This isn’t what I set out to do, but this is me, at my best. So I thought I’d share it today.
Anyway, I am still hoping to get a post ready for tomorrow to *actually* share this infinity scarf with you because it’s a fast and fun project! But if you don’t see it for a few days – well, I’ve had my hands full enjoying one of my other jobs: being a mom. The kind who thinks that photobombers are actually kind of fun.
What are you working on this week? Do you have family or real life changing your schedule too?
I loved this article and the photo booth style results! Really really fun
That’s fun! I’m glad you’re learning new skills; I love doing that. I can give you a couple pointers as a professional photographer! The biggest one is that good photography is ALL about lighting. One of the fastest ways to take your pictures to the next level is to have back-lighting. That’s where you have a light behind you that will light up the back of your head. An easy “recipe” for outdoors is to have the sun behind you, giving your hair a sort of halo, and then using a flash to balance out the sun. For indoors, you can be in front of a window like you did, and set a lamp behind you and in front of your background. Or turn on an overhead light that’s behind you (but not directly on top. That will make weird shadows). That one light will make a big difference! :) Good luck! :)
All great tips!! It’s one thing to know lighting and your manual settings are the keys to great photos, but it’s another thing entirely to know what to DO to make it happen. I’m excited to try that out next time. Or someday when my kids will sit still for more than 15 seconds. ;)
I loved this article and the photo booth style results! Really really fun!
This is so true! I find myself taking about 100 shots to get 1 that is okay…I really miss the days when my kids napped…
I love the photos! They are adorable…especially the one where she is giving you a kiss on the cheek. I’m in my 2nd mini-memster of college to finish up my degree and the work load this semester is outrageous. On top of that, I homeschool my daughter (Junior in high school) so it has been a pretty busy week and it’s only Monday…sigh :(
You guys are so cute! And I want to see this scarf – it looks great on you! As for schedule, yeah, we’re over the jet lag, but now there’s a sinus infection, a stomach flu, and sleep training on top of the usual chaos. Getting anything done is a miracle!
LOVE this post! So adorable! Both of you are adorable! Looking forward to your scarf tutorial!
And what a cute little photo bomber you have! Now I need to go learn how to use the remote for my camera!
What a sweet post, Adrianne! And you got some fun shots that will make for great memories! Thanks for sharing!
~Abby =)
Photo bombers are fun! I think the best pictures of kids are thrones that show them not the “perfect poses” the scarf looks lovely even with the photo bomber
I love your checklist! And your little one is simply adorable! Glad you didn’t kick her out of the photo – those action shots are the moments that we remember forever.
Love this, Adrianne! Way to keep it real. That last photo of you and your sweet photobomber? It’s a framer. P.S. You are a FANTASTIC mom; that is so clear to see. Hope you had a marvelous weekend, lady!
Love this! Enjoyed reading it and love the photos of your little photo bomber and you!