Taking Your Own High School Senior Portraits. A Maine Photographer

A few years back a friend of mine asked me to take her sons' senior portraits.  She shared with me that when referring me to her friends she was kind of shocked and saddened to find many families were forgoing the past tradition of having senior portraits done professionally and were doing it themselves.  This friend viewed senior portraits as a right of passage, something you do with your child prior to their senior year, no matter what.

I'm grateful that some families still think this way, a little job security for me :)

But I also know, for many reasons, why some folks choose to do it themselves...so that is why I thought I would publish a few DYI tips right here on my blog.

Last month I talked about photographing your child in good light...not too much sun...avoid dark shadows and squinting, and best of all make sure you can see their eyes.

Today I want to offer a few more basic tips.
If you find a nice shady spot, be sure you don't have sun speckles all over their face.  These can be fun, but personally I believe in keeping the senior portrait a bit more sacred.  So, although this example is a nice photo of my son, he does have distracting sun spots on his face.

 
Big advice next.  Pay attention to your background.  I think this was one of the hardest things for me to learn.  When I first started taking photographs (for money) I was so focused on my subject and making sure I got that part right, I may not have noticed the tree branch going right through his head. Some backgrounds can be distracting and compete with your subject.
See what I mean?

Doesn't it look like that door hinge is about to stab him in the head?

In the next photo below I pulled him away from the background, I also centered him off the backdrop so he wasn't near the distracting hinge, and I opened up my aperture to blur out the background a bit.
I do teach all about aperture in my digital photography class starting September 16th, so please, if this is something you are interested in, sign up at this link!
http://www.westbrookcommunitycenter.org/info/activities/program_details.aspx?ProgramID=29253

if you don't know how to use the aperture on your camera yet, you can use the little portrait symbol on your scene mode.

 the scene modes on your camera are there to help your camera understand what type of photo you are taking.  If you pick the portrait mode...that's the lady with the hat, then the camera knows what is most important in the photo is the person, and the settings used in the scene mode soften the face and blur the background, as much as is possible with the lens being used on the camera.

In my first example below I have moved my subject away from the background and blurred it out a bit to emphasize my subject.

in the next example there appears to be a branch traveling through his head...but because it is blurred, I think it looks kind of cool :)

A couple more notes about backgrounds.  Be careful of brick walls...unless you move your subject away and blur out the background, there can be some pretty good competition between your subjects face and the lines between the bricks.

And one last trick.  Sometimes a photo might seem completely ruined by a distracting background.  Before you toss it out...try making it black and white...you just might be surprised by the results.

A Walk of Inspiration. A Maine Photographer

It's no secret it has been a long cold winter...and to be completely honest...as I sit here on this last day of April I am still in double layers.  When I found out that a group of fellow photographers were taking a "photo walk" for creative inspiration I jumped on the opportunity to join them.  We walked the Marginal Way path along the edges of Ogunquit beach.  Creative thinking is all about stepping outside the box...sort of speak.  When you are walking with a group of talented photographers, some you know, some you don't...some who's work you admire...some who's work you've never seen before...either way, it's exciting to see the end results of others work, because what you end up seeing is many different unique photos, all taken in the same place but through the eyes of different creatives.

When going on a search for inspiration like this, it's great to give a little thought to what you might want to get out of it.  For me, mostly it was getting to know some of these women I have so much in common with, yet don't know anything about.  Yes, these are the very women I compete with to bring money into my bank account, but more importantly, these are the women I respect and want to learn from.  It is a delicate balance, but we all have something to offer, and we all, every single one of us has a fun side that enjoys going on a creative walk and having no one to please but ourselves :)

I will share some words about my photos.
The seagulls.
There was a time in my life where it appeared, and yes I have friends that will vouch for this, if a seagull was going to fly over me, he would eventually also poop on me.  Fortunately, this hasn't happened to me for quite some time.  There was a child feeding the seagulls on the pathway as we began our inspirational walk.  I'm always fascinated with these crazy birds.  Terrified too.  Gratefully, for me anyway, these photos were taken without incident.

Family Portraits a Moment in Time. A Passionate Maine Photographer

Some say a photo is worth a thousand words...

Take a 15 minute break out of your busy life and let me capture your thousand words.

Where:  Riverton Trolley Park

When:   Saturday October 25, 2014 (15 minute time slots) between the hours of 9am and 11am
              Sunday   October 26, 2014 (15 minute time slots) between the hours of 9am and 11am

Cost:     $50  Please make checks payable to Westbrook Strong.  100% goes to Matt's Scholarship!

What do you get in return?  An unbelievable awesome feeling of doing something great and a beautiful digital negative of your very own thousand words that you can use any way you wish.

In addition, I will offer three different packages for purchase, all at reasonable rates, and  available for a limited time to receive and enjoy in time for the holidays.

Can't make it that weekend?  Then here's a special offer just for you!
$100.  Limited time slots, must be prepaid.  Thanksgiving Day.  My studio in Westbrook.
(12:00, 12:30, 1:00, 1:30).  Half hour timeslots, perfect for those of you who have college students home for the holidays, or extended family you wish to capture in one photo.  No limit on family size!

What to wear?  All photo shoots will be outside.  (if it is monsooning, we will move indoors to my studio)  Identical clothing and colors are not my style, and need not be yours either, however, if you keep your shirts to solid colors with no patterns and large logos, and your colors coordinate nicely together as a family, you will capture a forever moment in time that is also visually pleasing!

How do you reserve a timeslot?  Email me at minormomentsphotography@gmail.com (please just copy and paste...the link is causing issues to my sanity) and list your requested day and preferred timeslot.  Please give me a range if possible.  I will confirm within 24 hours of your email.      

My personal thoughts.  I wish to thank Laurie and Gary Rairdon for letting me share their thousand words.  Their family portrait was my first family work of art as a professional.  There is no monetary value that can be placed on this photograph.

Together.  Let me photograph your thousand words.

Winter West Festival Part II. Westbrook Maine Photographer

As promised, Part II of the Winter West Westbrook Maine Festival that was held on Saturday February 15th.  If you recall, parts of the festival were postponed due to unfavorable winter conditions.  You can view Part I on my blog here.

This time around there was plenty of snow and cold temperatures...and it appears...fun had by all.  Enjoy :)


http://video214.com/play/FaumV9GMCgr0bmHuP38gcA/s/dark

Digital Photography 101 with Joanne Minor Starts Tonight January 23, 2014

Hey, I'm sending out a last minute reminder that I have a Digital Photography 101 Class starting up tonight at the Westbrook Community Center and it is not too late to sign up!  Here is the link

All you need is your digital camera, one that has manual mode options, your camera manual, and a desire to learn something new!  It's fun!  I've posted a few pictures below from a former student....and I've taken the liberty to copy and paste what some of my students said about the class when it was over.  The photos represent the basics of what you will learn.  How to control the "speed" of your shutter so you get the results in your photo that you want...Buzz Lightyear is my trusty prop...fast spinning lights is a slow shutter...freezing the lights...that's a fast shutter.  The naked troll with the beautiful "bokah" lights in the background...you will learn how to do this too.  Thank you to former student Bridget DeRoche for sharing with us these photos she took in class.

...and here are some of the comments from my last class.

"Thanks for the fun class.  You opened my eyes up to explore with my camera more! I enjoyed your class because it was laid back and not TOO technical.  Easy to follow."

"I wanted to thank you for the incredible amount of knowledge I acquired while in class and I can honestly say that I would not have learned so much on my own.
I appreciate all the info that you have given us and the ability to send me out to shoot great pics"

and if you need any more encouragement to come out one night a week and learn something new, you can read a blog post I wrote last March, featuring photos from Elizabeth, a former student HERE

Come on out and have some fun!

Winter West Festival 2014 Part One Westbrook Maine. A Maine Photographer

January in Maine...can be pretty slow.
Maine in January.  Again slow.
A few folks in our community put their heads together to put on a Winter Fest...to keep many of us from the obvious cabin fever that can easily set in about this time of year.
I volunteered to photograph the events...and was so looking forward to all of it...but particularly the dog sled racing...after all...Joanne and photographing dogs...yes!
But alas...Mother Nature did not play nice.
Some events did go off without a hitch...others have been postponed until February.
The events that I did photograph kept a smile on my face all weekend.
I'm looking forward to more outdoor winter fun in mid February.
Here are some of my hand picked favorites...and I've included the rest of the collection in a slide show below.

if you don't see the slide show below, you can view it at this link.  http://video214.com/play/ucLuNj2yggPfLzqVMsefmA/s/dark

Guest Blogger Today. A Maine Photographer

Today I have a guest blogger.  If you would like to guest blog for me, please drop me a line!  I have few rules.  No politics.  No swearing.  No negative talk.  Please, if you wish to share a passion with your friends and the world, send it over...I would love to be your forum and meet your friends!

Today's guest blogger is Maria Dorn.  Maria loves to express herself on facebook...so I invited her over here, giving her as much room as she wished to share her perspective and sense of humor, and of course her friends.  If you are visiting here for the first time please save this site and come back often!  (Since I am a photographer and this is my blog, I first want to note that this is not one of my photos.)
  Without further ado, here's Maria. 

We've been living in Westbrook for about 15 years. What amazed me most
about Westbrook was once we moved here, it was like we were living in
our old South Portland neighborhood growing up....our neighbors were
some of the best SoPo names....so if I thought I was moving away from
the homestead to cultivate a new image....ha! I had high school friends
on either side of me here in the 'brook. My husband and I have four
kids who we are alternately beamingly proud of or downright disgusted
with. Most of the time we think they are pretty awesome though. Our
oldest, Marty, barely graduated from WHS last year, but thanks to
several hundred novenas (sorry, religion), a lot of threats (won't
swear) and a big push, he made it and promptly enlisted in the Maine
National Guard. He has spent this past year training in South Carolina
and San Antonio. He is a medic and despite our lack of hope for him
this time last year, we are beyond proud of him. Our two girls are in
high school and are 16 and 17. There is nothing more to be said because
you said I couldn't swear. Let's just say I am never surprised at the
sparks and flames flying out of their fingers as they text their friends
about how abhorrent I am because I made them unload the dishwasher. Or
I talked to them in public. Or I wore a turtleneck. I have committed a
million mother sins. I am biding my time, though, until they have kids
of their own.......my youngest, TJ, well everyone knows he's my
favorite. Because he still likes me.
My subject of the moment is my weekly pilgrimage to Boot Camp at 5:30am
at WCC. Right now I would be deleting this blog because I know I talk
about it ad nauseum.....but let me just say, the toning and fitness is a
bonus....but the REAL REASON I go is because of the incredible
instructor and women who drag their derriere's out of bed at 4:45am
three days a week and take an hour for themselves. You are one of the
rockstars, too, Jo.   [ :) ]
I started going about a year ago when I found myself looking forward to
'hot fudge sundae dinner!' and shopping up a size. I had no energy and
I figured I would just become a pudgy little Italian nonna. But I don't
cook and I don't wear pudgy well....so I got up and went to a class one
night I think with Colleen, but I'm not sure anymore. It's a sweat
stained blur. I was kidding myself - put on leggings, one of Jeff's tee
shirts and my 10 year old sneakers. Fixed my make up....no water, out
the door I went....heck I had four kids, how hard could this be. Within
15 minutes I was on my knees drenched in sweat and asking for divine
salvation to take me right then and there. And that was only the warm
up. I got through the workout hour with the rest of the women, one of
my friends having an asthma attack, the other crying into the
mats....and I left glaring at Lisa Petrucelli, the instructor (whom I
have come to idolize and adore), when she said to me in passing, "That
was ok, but I expect 3 full push ups Thursday." I got into my car,
aimed it for home and prayed there would be ample Tylenol, red wine and
hot water for a bath when I got home.
The next day I couldn't move. The day after that was Thursday. I
thought I could do three pushups and show that Petrucelli girl who was
boss. I finished 1.5 pushups. Looks like I needed to go back. And I
have, ever since. And now maybe I can do 12 pushups on a good day but
I'm surrounded by women like Barb "SunnyB" Sawyer who cranks out 20 and
yells at me that I can do 15.....Paula Green who, when we're lagging
behind Lynn "Flash" Aceto, wheezes, "I think we can catch her, Maria!"
and means it...and when I see Melissa Foye, wincing but pressing on,
nothing but hero status for her. Justine Post whips around the gym and
encourages everyone and our coach, friend and mentor Lisa Petrucelli
reminds us that we are athletes and to expect no less of ourselves. She
is a constant source of support, praise and extra push. So in a
nutshell, this is my soul lifeline. It's great my heart is all pumping
nice and my blood is a pretty shade of crimson, but my soul is lifted
and reinforced by the goodness of these women who I love and am honored
to call friends.

Remembering to be Grateful, Today and Everyday. A Maine Photographer

OK, I'm taking a quick break from my normal routine to remember to be grateful...and today I am choosing to share it with you.
As I sit here typing, I'm hearing the new Pope, Pope Francis, who has just been introduced to the world for the first time, I'm hearing his words of gratefulness on the TV next to me.
Today I am grateful to have friends to share my blog with, my stories, my life.
I am grateful for my husband and my kids.  I am grateful for my dog Chloe, who still hasn't let the cute stud mount her yet.  I'm grateful for the crock pot lasagna I made this morning, so that I can work this afternoon knowing that supper is already made.

Now, here's a new one.  Something I've never really expressed gratitude for...until now.
I'm grateful for the opportunity to teach my passion of digital photography to others.  I'm teaching my third round of digital photography at the local community center.  Again, if you know me, I've expressed many times my love for Jim Carrey's movie "Yes Man" and on a few occasions I have challenged myself to say "yes" to whatever comes my way.  Last fall was one of those times, and when asked if I would teach an "introduction to your digital camera" class, I said "yes" without hesitation.  After saying yes I learned that I would have very limited resources at my disposal...basically I would have a classroom with electricity and tables and chairs.  What I didn't have was Internet or even a big screen to share info on.  It was a learning experience for both my students and myself, as I taught with very little visual aids, and I shared lots of info through emails and links after class.  When asked if I would do it again, this time with a large screen I could hook my laptop too and Internet access, I didn't even hesitate to say yes.  Now here I sit, half a year later, in the middle of my third round of classes. 

OK. I'm going to get personal.  I am insecure.  I am not a teacher.  I'm not the greatest photographer that walks the streets of Westbrook.  I do think I'm somewhat of a comedian.  I do try to follow the law of attraction and live on the "positive" side of life...however, I still am my own worst enemy when it comes to believing in myself.  I do believe one needs to step out of their comfort zone to succeed.  I do believe that everything happens for a reason.  Today I am grateful for saying "yes" last fall to teaching photography. 

So, what brought on this recent revelation? 

Her name is Elizabeth, and she was a student in my last photography class.  Elizabeth received a very nice camera for Christmas, a gift from her husband.  Elizabeth showed up at the first class carrying her new camera, still in the box it was purchased in.  She said she had no idea what to do with it.  That was then.  This past weekend I saw photos on Elizabeth's facebook page...and that's when it hit me.  I may not be the best photographer that walks the streets of Westbrook, but I do have a gift of sharing my knowledge.  Chinese Proverb "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day.  Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime"
So, am I worried that I will teach you all so well that there will be no need to hire me to take photos?

"Yes"

I suppose I can just keep teaching.
I asked Elizabeth to let me share her photos.
Don't you dare ask me what kind of camera she has!
Most cameras can do the same thing...you just need to have a good teacher who will teach you how to operate it.  I will add that the "vision" and "creativity" seen in these photos is all Elizabeth's, that, I cannot take credit for!
I taught Elizabeth how to use her very nice camera...and today I am grateful  :)

Digital Photography 101 Class 4 Westbrook ME

Wow, it's Thursday already, my last Photography class is tonight, and I haven't even posted last weeks class yet.  Very good thing I am not teaching time management!

Last week we talked about camera focus points, focus mode, and metering modes. Three different topics that all sound alike.  All of these topics are important to understand when you take your SLR off of auto.  All of these modes are helpful in allowing you to capture the very best photo you can.   I shared a bunch of video links that explain these topics well, and use great examples.  Here are some of the links.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptgUrITYYNM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BK9cKMXG_Gs
http://www.exposureguide.com/focusing-modes.htm

I shared that another great resource for learning about your DSLR is from Adorama TV.

We also reviewed Depth of Field again, with more examples and another video.
http://www.adorama.com/alc/0012518/article/Depth-of-Field-AdoramaTV

...and then we played.

The first two shots below were taken in class, taken by student Kim Stromdak.  Both exercises in depth of field, with a touch of "bokah"

 f 5.6  1/30 sec  ISO 1600 Spot metering

f 5.6  1/8 sec  ISO 800 Spot metering

 

The this third shot, also from Kim, practicing with her long lens...and she shot it in black and white. Nice job Kim!  (we will critique this tonight!!)

f 4  1/160 sec  ISO 1600  Pattern metering

This next shot was sent in by student Todd Mead.  He focused on the left to let the rest of the shot blur out.  Thanks Todd for sharing.

f 4.8  1/13 sec  ISO 3200  Center weighted metering