Recently Published in... *Colorado Springs Commercial Photographer*

Hi friends. Hope you are all having a great week so far. I'm counting down the days till school lets out. My kids and I are starting to plan activities for the summer and since we had quite a lengthy winter, we are ready for some 'fun in the sun'! How about you?

Last week I had a fun surprise come in the mail. Occasionally I would submit my photos for publication in magazines and last week I received this issue...

I was fortunate to have two images published in the pages of this awesome read. You can learn more about this issue and the Creating Keepsakes magazine here. 

Here's a peek of the pages where my photos are in...

What do you think? Both of them are some of my favorite masculine images. And may I add that the cowboy stud in the bottom page is my hubby *wink* 

I hope you all have a great rest of the week and if you are wanting to get some professional pictures taken in the summer, I will be in town for the season so give me a call (562-716-8568) or email me through the contact tab on the right side of this blog. 

Signing off,

Grace

S Family *Colorado Springs Family Photographer*

Hi friends!

My family is my most precious treasure and so it's always an honor and privilege when a clan comes to me to capture their special bond. Here's the S family on a beautiful (cold) Saturday morning at the overlook in Palmer Park. The Pikes Peak peaking at the back is an exceptional background, don't you think?

and I wanted to end the session on a fun note and to get my subjects blood pumping a bit cause it was very cold so we did some jumping shots and here's my fave. I love it when my clients are up for some fun with me. 

Having family visit you during the summer months? Contact me today and let's get that special bond that you share with them captured in photographs that will be cherished forever. 

Call me at 562-716-8568 or email me using the "contact me" tab on the right side of the blog. Have a great rest of the week. :)

Signing off,

Grace

Why are we not in our photographs? *Colorado Springs Family Photographer*

Since it's the month where we celebrate the dear mothers of the world, I'd like to talk to all the mama's out there. And my question to you is...why are you not in your family's photographs?

And no I'm not washing my hands here as I'm guilty of this as well. I'm so used to being behind the lens that sometimes I need to remind myself that I need to be INFRONT of the camera as well. 

We've heard of countless stories on why it's so important for us to be present in our pictures so here's my easy tips on how you can be "part of the action" and have that proof that you lived, loved and was loved!

1. The easiest way to be in front of the camera is to hand your precious memory keeping device to someone else. I try to hand the camera to my husband when we are out on a family activity or on special occasions. Sometimes when I have a certain vision in my head of how the image should look, I coach him and set the settings on my camera before handing it to him. I can get a bit nit picky on this and I'm grateful that he's so patient with me. 

2. The next tip I have is to learn how to access your shutter delay button/program in your camera. Most, if not all, DSLR's should have this. With this program, you can set up your shot and then place your camera either on a steady and leveled surface or on a tripod and then work the delay setting (check your manual for specifics on this) to where the shutter will automatically go off on a certain time after you press it. In my camera I can format it to how many seconds after I set it that it will fire but also how many shots it will take afterwards. My usual setting is at 10 seconds and that it will take two shots consecutively. 

3. The third one is to invest in a remote for your camera. I love taking photos of my family on Easter day. It's been our little tradition to wear new church clothes on Easter Sunday so to celebrate, we do a quick photo session. To set up for these shots, I secure my camera on a tripod (get a good sturdy one) and move the dial on my camera to release the shutter when the remote is pressed. I set other settings like ISO, Aperture and Shutter speed. I also dial in where I want my focus, which is usually the center and then walk back to my family who is patiently waiting and then press the remote. Remotes have certain distance length where it will work and with my experience, you can go about 3 yards away and it will still be read by the camera. The remote that I use for my Nikon cameras were inexpensive costing at just about $20 and it has been one of my best equipment investments. 

4. And finally my fourth suggestion is to hire a professional photographer, like me *wink*, to capture your family with you in it. I know  that there are many reasons why we are not in our photographs from not feeling like we will look good in the pictures to it's so expensive so I'll do it myself. I too had all those concerns floating in my head one time or another but I also know that my children won't remember the outfit that I was wearing in the photo or how heavy I was in the image. Instead, they will remember me, their mother and all the great memories that are associated with that. I'm not only preaching this but I also live it. I had spent a good amount of money to have a pro photographer take pictures of me and my family when we moved to Colorado. Yes it was expensive but I wouldn't trade those images and memories for anything. It was money well spent!

Remember that even though we are capturing memories for our families, once in a while, we still need to be a part of the photograph and not just a bystander to it.  


*The photograph above was taken last year around Mother's day using the remote technique and the picture below was taken last year at Easter Sunday using the delay shutter button technique. 

Signing off,

Grace

How to capture their true personalities....*Colorado Springs Children Photographer*

Hi there friends. I've had many people come up to me, especially moms, saying that it's always a challenge to  photograph their beautiful children. Picture this...you saw an idea of a photograph on Pinterest and you decided that little Johnny or baby girl Annie would be adorable in that pose. So you plan a "photo shoot" with your kids. Went on Youtube and figured out how to work your big DSLR only to end up being discouraged and disappointed because the results were blurry images or worse....crying baby/child pictures. Well today I'd like to share my tips on how I work with young models and produce images that would show off their true personalities...

1. If you are planning a "photo session" with your little ones, make sure everything is already planned before hand. This means that if you are using props, they are already laid out and if you are having them wear special clothes that's also been prepared well in advance. You want to call your special models just before the session starts so you won't have cranky and impatient kids waiting on you while you set up your backdrops. They're like Hollywood stars, they don't like it when you make them wait. 

2. Give them something to hold or do. I like to make my little subjects fold their arms or if we are outdoors, I make them play with bubbles. This gives their hands a purpose and you might even get a genuine smile here and there.

3. Play peak-a-boo with them. I love to do this with my preschool subjects. That game is never too old or too boring for them. Hide in your camera to get the settings right and then when you are ready to 'surprise' your subject, pop out from behind your camera with a big smile. Make sure your finger is ready to press the shutter release so that you can capture his/her surprised look.

4. Talk with them. The more you can make your subject feel at ease, the more natural smiles you will get from them. This is the time to bust out your jokes, however lame they maybe! You can also be silly with them. They like it when we, adults, act like kids. They think that's hilarious!

 5. And finally, share with them a peek behind your camera. With the rise of digital cameras, we can instantly see the fruits of our labors in the LCD screens behind our cameras. I try to share a couple of images of my subject with them so they can feel proud of what we just accomplished. This will make them smile for you more on the next round of picture taking. 

So there you have it, my five easy steps on having an enjoyable photo session with your little ones. Try it, I guarantee that it will make for a more positive memory keeping experience for you AND your kids. *smile* 

Did these tips help you? I'd like to know and maybe I'll make some more posts like this. Just leave a comment and give me some of your opinions or topic ideas you'd like me to cover in the future. 

If you are local and are looking into improving your photography skills or just want to figure out how those buttons on your camera work, I am offering a beginner's workshop at a scrapbook store in town. Email me (through contact tab) or call me at 562-716-8568 for more information. 

Thanks.

Signing off,

Grace

K couple *Colorado Springs Maternity Photographer*

Hello there. First off I'd like to say thank you to all those that stop by this blog. Your support means so much to me. 

I am feeling grateful today for living in an area where there are so many beautiful places and backdrops to photograph my clients. In this outdoor maternity session, I met my beautiful couple clients expecting their first child at the Memorial Park. It was a bit windy (that's Colorado Springs in the afternoon for you) but we managed to capture some wonderful images. Here are a few of my favorites...

It's really something to capture those final moments of a family of 2 and awaiting the arrival of a special addition. Are you or someone you know expecting their first child? Don't let this precious moment past without a photography session. Contact me through the contact bar on the right side of this blog or call me at 562-716-8568 for more information. 

Signing off,

Grace

Mother/Daughter Mini Session *Colorado Springs Family and Children Photographer*

Hi friends and happy Wednesday. 

They say that "Of all the gifts that life has to offer, a loving Mother is the greatest of them all" so why not show that special mama in your life how much she means to you with the gift of memories this year.

Introducing my special Mother-Daughter Mini Session Package. Plan a day in your calendar for a special female bonding time with the wonderful women in your life and I'll do the rest. In this session you will get to be pampered with hair and make up styling. Then you will be treated to a special "girls only" photo session. With your makeovers, you are ready to show the world the beautiful ladies that you are, inside and out. Because of the nature of these special sessions, there are only limited dates and times are available for this so make sure you book your session now. 

Email me through the contract tab on the right side of this blog or call me at 562-716-8568.

Have a great week.

Signing off,

Grace

On a Sweet Note *Colorado Springs Senior Photographer*

Hi friends. Today I'm sharing with you a few more of my faves from our Senior 2013 Model session. Ms. J is so sweet and charming and when we saw this grey/beige dress from Terra Verde, we knew it would match her sweet personality. We added a turquoise headband and belt to bring in some pop of color to her outfit. 

and of course my fave...

I love how the light through the window just gives her enough 'shine' and make everything rosey and sweet. Just like my model. 

If you are or know someone who is graduating with the class of 2014, let me help you capture this special year of your life with a photography session. Contact me today for information on how you can get discounts and special pricing- 562-716-8568

Signing off,

Grace