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...