Take better iPhone pictures

Got an iPhone? Ever since I got mine I have been addicted to it. I shoot daily with the camera and use it for those fleeting moments you need a camera for. Before my iPhone, I would run and get my camera. which of course is packed away and not easy to get to. By the time I got to the camera moment had passed. Since I always have the iPhone in reach, I shoot a lot of family stuff with it. Anyway, this post isnt all about the iPhone... a couple tips relate to most camera phones and a lot of the point and shoots....

Check out what Chase Jarvis has to say on making camera phone photos top notch!!

Tip 1. Hold the camera still, using two hands.
Tip 2. Compose the shot with your finger on the camera button.
Tip 3. Avoid fast-moving subjects and low light.
Tip 4. Keep it simple.
Tip 5. Buy two applications for your iPhone: Camera Bag and Pano.

Read the details for each tip at Chase's blog...

Susan & Tom - Engagement Shoot at Crane's Roost

I am finally starting to catch up with some of my late November and December clients. Darn Holidays just get in the way... :) I had a great Christmas and hope all of you had a great holiday celebration, as well.

Back in the beginning of December, I shot an engagement shoot up in Altamonte Springs at Crane's Roost park. The park was in the middle of the "lighting the tree" ceremony and there was a large crowd, but that didnt stop us from getting some great shots. Susan and Tom only balked at one idea and that was getting one shot in a huge crowd of folks listening to an orchestra concert hosted by Magic 107.7 with Dave Collins and Leslye Gale. I wanted to put them in the middle of the crowd and have them do a great kiss and have the crowd clap around them. I am not sure how it would of come out, but I am sure it would of been fun. Tom was a bit shy... Susan was game, though! I think we could of gotten the two of them on the radio!! Anyway, here are some of my favorites from the evening...

Costello Family Portraits

Last month, I stepped out of my wedding comfort zone to shoot some family portraits. Ok, maybe thats a bit of a stretch, but shooting portraits one on one with no other distractions (except for a park full of on-lookers) is definately different than shooting weddings. None the less, I love doing it.

Now that I think about it, there is at least one striking similarity; families coming together and having their photos taken as one big group. Most families havent had everyone together for a big photo in either a long time and some never have. I hear that statement a lot at weddings, too!!

The Costello family and I met at Lake Eola park to get photos of their daughter wearing the dress she wore for her 16th birthday. While we were at it, they invited the rest of their family too. So here is a hidden secret for those that have read this post and didnt skip to photos.... the daughters of the family are the official babysitter(s) for our son. All of them have watched him at one time or another!





Here is the extended family...



Here is mom and dad... they told me that when they got married they had shots done under this weeping willow. I decided there wasnt a better place to shoot them!!



And the 4 kids...






A fun family shot...



And the final of the day...



Hope everyone has a Happy Holiday...

Amazon.com's Wedding Photographer Has Advice

Ryan Brenizer has been a wedding photographer that I have long followed. You see, photography and specifically wedding photography is full of established, successful photographers parting knowledge all over the internet and through seminars. Both professionals and amateurs alike can gain tons of additional knowledge by subscribing to blogs and websites from all over our globe and attending affordable seminars. This, of course, never will replace true experience which Ryan talks about in today's Amazon Photography blog...

The best line ever reads, "If commercial photography is a scientist in the lab, then wedding photography is an episode of McGuyver -- it's not about what you can do, it's about what you can do in 30 seconds with the weather, location, and subjects possibly working against you and no second chances."

I couldnt agree more with this statement. I have not had a wedding yet that didnt involve some sort of troubleshooting. Lighting, environments, guests, alcohol, and equipment issues are just some of the scenarios I have had to think my way out of. So, when someone asks me what they need to shoot a wedding, my line is, "A dozen weddings working as a second for real world experience.". Of course, thats usually not what that person wants to hear but its really the best advice. As my brother used to say all the time, "Sh** happends; learning how to deal with it is what life is about."

Leu Gardens & Orange County History Center Wedding

Here is another wedding I shot as a 2nd with Robert McClory of WeddingsbyRobert.com. We actually started shooting the guys at the hotel, then moved to the front of the History Center for the bride and groom reveal before the ceremony. Once that was done we spent the next hour in downtown Orlando shooting "urban scenes". We then went to Leu Gardens for a wedding on the Lawn and finally moved back to History Center for the reception. I had a blast, the weather was great and it really was an awesome experience. Here a few shots that I took...



The guys before a wedding are always so much more calm. It really is interesting the difference...

















The bridal part was watching Robert set up a shot. I loved the way this looked and took the picture. No posing and manipulation at all... just a true moment!













The place cards were all hung from a tree and organized by last name. The concept and outcome was awesome.

Daytona Beach Wedding

Here are some images from another wedding I shot with Robert McClory of WeddingsByRobert.com.

This crowd was lively. Its probably the one wedding that I have shot that had all the 150+ guests stay for the ENTIRE event. The group was young and old with a wide range in between. Every time I made a trip around the tables and room there were people talking, laughing and really enjoying themselves. When I would go around again, everyone was talking to someone different with as much joy as before. It really blew me away, especially when you add in that this was the father of bride's 2nd daughter that had gotten married this year.

Enjoy....











Peeking out around the corner and down the aisle of the church...







The entire wedding party struck some sort of pose....





Mom and Dad watching their daughter and son in law dance...





Time for the Cha Cha Slide...



Did I mention they everyone there was a Gator Fan?? The Gator Chomp...





The Gator fight song...