We Will Always Have Paris

Two For Tuesday: Instagram Love

I'm not a huge Instagram-er, however, I do love to dabble.  I recently stumbled upon two super-cool ways to save my favorite shots:

1.  Origrami Prints.  Oh!  Oh!  Oh!  Mama wants!  I'm thinking about uploading some photos from this summer and having them made into Origrami prints and give them to my girls as "end of summer" gifts (maybe in their Kindercones?).  I adore the mini camera case that they come in.  Beyond cute.  This would also make a great gift for grandparents!  And it would be an amazing way to remember a vacation!  The ideas are endless!!

2.  ImageSnap Ceramic Tiles.  How cute are these?  Have your Instagram photos printed on ceramic tiles!  They come in a number of sizes.  I love the idea of little 2"x2" magnets ($4/each) for the fridge and 4.25"x4.25" ($13/each) coasters for the living room.  If you have a truly spectacular shot, you might as well go for the 12"x12" ($35/each).  I'm thinking this shot from earlier this summer might be my favorite:

Hope you're feeling inspired to get some of those Instagram photos off the web and into your hands!

 

Oh Snap! Photography Workshop with Marirosa

Over the years, I've had dozens of people ask if I could recommend a good photography teacher in the area.  I was fortunate to have Marirosa Anderson (of Photography by Marirosa) as a guest teacher during last year's "Summer in Paris" retreat.  I'm thrilled to announce that she just set class dates for January and February 2011. 

For those of you that were able to get into her "Summer in Paris" class, she assures me that there is very little overlap between that class and "Oh Snap!".  As class sizes are limited (smaller groups will work to your advantage!), you'll want to sign up quickly.

Oh Snap! is a workshop that teaches parents how to take better pictures of their kids. It focuses on concepts you can easily put into practice, just by understanding lighting, composition, perspective and age appropriate tech-niques. Participants will walk away with a 70 page presentation manual that includes cheat sheets and quick tips for common situations which will help them improve their photos immediately... just by taking the time to assess light, change up their angle, and remember a few quick tips. Topics include: * training your eye to find the light, * composition and perspective, * lens and focal length selection, * tips for great images at any age * output: downloading, storage and printing * high level review of exposure * auto and semi-manual settings This workshop is taught by Marirosa Anderson, | Photography by Marirosa Workshop Cost: $75 per person Class is approx. 3 hours long with a max of 8 people per workshop for a smaller group setting and light refreshments will be provided. Upcoming Workshop Schedule: Saturday, January 15th 3pm - 6pm Sunday, January 16th 10am - 1pm Sunday, February 13th 11am - 2pm Sunday, February 13th 3pm - 6pm Workshops will take place at her studio located in Herndon, VA. To register please visit the workshop website at: www.workshops.photographybymarirosa.com Questions?  Contact her directly at  [email protected]

Photography by Marirosa

I've bragged about my girlfriend Marirosa's photography business before, but I just checked out her newly re-vamped website and OH MY GOOD GOD she has outdone herself.  She shoots everything from babies to families to grandkids to dogs.  She's even been the photographer for Maya Angelou.  Maya Angelou people!!  Her prices are reasonable and if you live in the D.C. area, you should take advantage of her services. 

I'm having her shoot my maternity portraits next month, because I trust that she will make even swollen and bulbous old me look good.  I wish I had maternity photos from my Baby G. pregnancy.  I'm thrilled to be taking advantage of my good friend's skills this go 'round.

Her website is www.photographybymarirosa.com.  Go check it out!!

Photo Session with a 2 Year Old

When my daughter was a baby, I begged for and received a beautiful black velour backdrop, a white velour backdrop, a backdrop stand, a remote for my camera & an umbrella reflector.  I stuffed that poor baby into every prop I could find -- stock pots, flower pots, etc.   She posed with tiaras & tutus & angel wings.  I was in scrapbookers heaven.

And it was good.

Now she's two and a half & it is next to impossible to get a picture of her looking at the camera.  This morning I was bound & determined to do some portrait work of Baby G.  I should have checked with her first.  Apparently, she had other things in mind.  Like sulking when I turned off The Wiggles.  And scowling when I asked her to smile.  And throwing the umbrella reflector over her shoulder, screeching "It's raining, It's raining!".

So, this is a portrait of my two year-old:

Apparently Old Dogs CAN Learn New Tricks

Scrapbookers just can't leave well enough alone.  First, we invested a ton of money buying tools and products to make beautiful scrapbook pages.  Then, we had to buy great cameras to take better photos for those pages.  Now, apparently we all have to be graphic artists to digitize those pictures and make them magazine-quality.  I've been a bit reluctant to hop on the Photoshop bandwagon (mainly because I'm not that savvy with the software), but I've slowly given in to the current trend.

My best friend Carrie referred me to a fantastic website for Photoshop actions -- Action Central.  The action is called Selective Color 2 and it is FREE!  You can select one color from any photo & drop the others.  Too cool (particularly for this cute 4th of July outfit)!

The same website had Urban Acid (the action Tara Whitney uses on all of her fantastic photos) and I was able to download it for FREE!  I love the muted tones.

Although the current digitizing trend is awfully neat & makes my pictures "POP", I'm a little concerned about the posterity of these pictures.  It is obvious that in real life, this little girl isn't grey with a red & white striped dress.  I certainly don't want her baby book to be filled with photos that aren't how she really looks (and mind you, this kid is plenty cute on her own....).  I think for now I'll enjoy some of the artsy elements of photo manipulation, but keep my scrapbooks full of my friends and family as we really are - warts and all!