Castle Point Photography

Baby K : Newborn Portraits, Westchester County, NY

Meet Baby K, she's three weeks old today!  Just a little preview, more to come this weekend :)

 

  

Being Zen in Chaos.

I was sitting at my desk this morning listening to the icicles dripping away outside and it gave me an idea.  A little tips & tricks post for you photographers out there in the interwebs.  A common question I see a lot from photographers on forums who are just starting out, is how to get crisp, sharp in-focus images while hand holding your camera.  I know it's one of my biggest challenges while photographing my moving target clients, AKA children of the toddler variety.  Those babies are FAST!

There are zillions of articles already written about the ideal way to hand hold a camera, one that I recommend is from Darren Rowse on his Digital Photography School blog.  Go read it.  And then come back. :)

Ok, got all that?  Everything that Darren mentions is important, especially, in my opinion, holding your breath while you release the shutter.  It wasn't until I started regularly shooting macro photography when I realized how much of a difference it makes.  Now, I think where a lot of new photographers get frustrated is actually executing all of these tips while they're shooting.  It's a lot to remember on top of camera settings, lighting conditions, composition, and every other little thing that helps to create a beautiful image.  Not to mention that often, your surroundings and/or your subject matter are just a bit chaotic.  Did I mention the moving target clients?  

Here's what I do, and I recommend you try it out.  I practice on water drops.  Bumblebees work well too, and are even more challenging.  Both subjects are incredibly difficult to follow and focus on, while hand-holding your camera.  Spending the time to train your muscles to remember the proper techniques will help you out later.  Muscle memory is a powerful thing and once you have it, it will all become second nature.  

The following images I shot this morning, hand held.  I kept my ISO low to keep it challenging, the higher the ISO, the easier it will be.  I also used a near wide open aperture to keep the focus area small.  I tend to shoot wide open for my portraits, so this is what I want to practice.  I had to close down the aperture just a bit to keep the shutter speed low.  The faster your shutter speed, the easier it's going to be, so keep it challenging.  A bit of wind added in will keep you on your toes as well!

ISO: 100, Lens: 100 2.8, Fstop: 3.2, Shutter Speed: 1/60

 ISO: 100, Lens: 100 2.8, Fstop: 3.2, Shutter Speed: 1/60

ISO: 100, Lens: 100 2.8, Fstop: 3.2, Shutter Speed: 1/200

Finding your center, being Zen, being able to "focus"... call it what you will, but once you have it, your images will reflect that calmness.  Let me know if this was helpful!

Happy March : Love, Bodhi

March has certainly come in like a Lion here at our house; strong, full of energy and roaring his way through the living room.  Oh wait, that's just Bodhi.  Happy March indeed, both Bodhi and I are happy to see February to the door as it was filled with one illness after the next.  First sinus infections, then bronchitis and pneumonia for me, and when we couldn't possibly get any worse, a friendly stomach virus for both of us last week.  All this served up with a cold, bitter glass of snowstorm, followed by a shot of slush on ice.    Oh Winter, I am so over you.

  

NYC PhotogShootout

One of my favorite things about being a photographer is that I never stop learning.  There is literally an endless amount of information one can digest, with still more information created each time a new toy or gadget hits the market.  Our industry changes and evolves on a day to day basis it seems, and the challenge to keep up can be daunting and exhilarating at the same time.  

It's quite easy to get comfortable in doing what we photographers always do, shooting the same angles and light conditions, using our favorite lenses, even returning to the same locations over and over.  This comfort does not quite keep pace with the speed of the industry, however, and so it's important to challenge ourselves, stretch our limits and try new things.  

This past Saturday I did just that at the NYC PhotogShootout.  For my clients that are reading this wondering what a PhotogShootout is, it's basically a playdate for photographers.  This time around, we had about 75 photographers, 6 models and 4 teachers sharing techniques and tips on lighting, posing and equipment.  The shootouts are also an incredible opportunity to network with other local photographers, something that I think is vital to a photography business.  I have met some amazing photographers and learned so much from these types of events.  It energizes me, inspires me and ignites some new found creativity in me that I carry to future sessions.  

This time around, we had the pleasure of learning from Neil van Nierkerk, Josh Lynn, and Peter Quinn.  The fourth teacher, Jason Groupp, held a private lighting workshop during the shootout, with proceeds being donated to Haiti relief efforts. 

Here are a few of my favorites so far... 

A huge thank you to Rob Nicholson, the founder of PhotogShootout and William Chang who helped to organize the event, our lovely models who braved the freezing cold, and Alexa Prisco and her very talented team for the amazing hair and make-up. 

***

I also want to thank Jason Groupp for an amazing workshop on Fusion that followed the shootout Saturday night.  I am so thankful for Jason, he is one of the most generous photographers I know, always giving his time, his knowledge, his studio space to help elevate the New York community of photographers.  

What is Fusion?   Simply put, it is the combination of video and stills merged together into short films.  Jason has been incorporating  Fusion into his wedding slideshows for a couple of years and is now beginning workshops to help other photographers learn how to do the same.  I can't tell you how excited I am to incorporate this into my own work, and how grateful I am that I was able to attend the FWF workshop and learn from Jason and Lindsey.  I would highly recommend it to other photographers!

I also would like to mention that Jason donated all the workshop proceeds to help the relief efforts in Haiti.  Between his private lighting session and the workshop, he was able to raise over $2000!  Did I mention he was a generous guy? ;)

 ***

Swan Lake

Every time I drove down I684 on my way to NYC, I would see them.  Driving to my bank on Route 22 every week, they would be there.  They were always there, in rain, in snow, in sunshine.  Season after season, year after year.  Floating in bunches of white, dotting the blue as if to punctuate their presence.

"Here we are!  Over here, you silly person!  We're floating and breathing and swimming in nature while you're driving on concrete in a metal box."  

Ok, maybe a bit dramatic, but I have to say I'm envious of them.  The swans, the ducks, all of them.  Their little oasis amongst all the traffic and highways.  Their little community of divers and squawkers and romantic twosomes.  And I also have to admit, that I've been watching these creatures from afar for years.  I'm not sure why it sometimes takes me so long to satisfy my curiosity, to stop and actually look.  But I can say that I'm doing it more often these days.  After this moment, I promised myself that I would listen to that little curious voice with more attention and give in to it's desires with more ease.  I am truly beginning to appreciate where I live more and more.  

    

Baby N : Toddler Portraits, Hudson Valley, NY

Oh, Baby N, you melt my heart each time we meet!  Your sweet smile, your curly and wild red hair, your silly little faces you make, Sshhing the neighborhood dog each time he barked... I could go on forever about how absolutely darling you are, but I suppose I could just show your pictures instead :)

A moment in the sun, look at that beautiful hair!

 I love this image, I'm pretty sure it's my favorite from the session...

Little N kept making this face every time she heard a car or airplane or anything... it was cracking us up!

Kisses for Mommy...

I've taken pictures of Baby N in this rocking chair for 3 years now!  She has gotten so big!

What a flirt...

Love her little profile in this image...

So much hope in a little child's eyes... 

See you next time! 

 

 

Out of the mouths of babes...

Bodhi:  Mommy, why is today a holiday?

Me:  Because we're celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  

Bodhi:  Who is that?

Me:  He was a civil rights leader, honey.  Do you know what that means?

Bodhi:  No...

Me:  Well, he wanted everybody to have the same opportunities.  You see, a long time ago, some people weren't allowed to do the same things as other people because they had different colored skin.  

Bodhi:  What?!?!  Is that REAL?  

Me:  I know it sounds silly, doesn't it?

Bodhi:  YEAH!

Me:  Is it OK that people have different colored skin?

Bodhi:  Yeah, and you know what my skin is?  

Me:  What?

Bodhi:  I'm SMOOTH!

 

Wallet Photo Valentines

Just a quick post today about some Valentine's Day goodies.  Since a few of you emailed asking about the wallet photo valentines I mentioned in my last post, I thought it would be a good idea to share some more information.  Simply put, these are mini valentine cards printed on wallet photos.  I have several designs to choose from, and each one can be customized for your child.  Here are Bodhi's wallets from a past Valentine's...

I send these to daycare with Bodhi to hand out to his little friends.  They are so great for Valentine's Day exchanges at school, but they are also wonderful to give to relatives.  You can order them in sets of 8 for $15, and volume discounts are available.  They can also be press printed on cardstock for a bit more, if you would like space for your child to write on the back.  I'll post some of the 2010 designs on the blog soon!

 

Love "Quotes"

One of my favorite things about being a parent is talking to Bodhi, my four year old son.  Some of the things he says have me laughing until tears roll down my cheeks.  Other times, the words he whispers are so profound and mature for his 4 years,  my jaw drops.  Kids do in fact say the darndest things, and I hope you take the time to listen and take note.  

This year, for Valentine's Day, I'm going to be offering a very special session entitled Love "Quotes".   This session is very different from my signature style of outdoor portraits, but I am so excited to offer them since it involves those hysterical and profound things children often say.  Parents will receive a list of questions to ask your child about L-O-V-E to be completed before your session.  Since we have officially entered sub-freezing temperatures, sessions will be held inside your home, using a blank wall as a backdrop.  Included in the Love "Quotes" collection is a beautiful 30 page 10" x 10" press printed album that will be filled with the Love questions and the answers from your little one.  There are four album designs to choose from, each can be customized to a boy or girl.  Here a a few I designed with Bodhi's answers...

 Love "Quotes" sessions will be about 45 minutes long and best suited for children 3 and older.  

 
These sessions are limited, so please contact as soon as you can to set your appointment!   

lovely winter things

Bodhi: Mommy, what are you writing?

Me: My favorite things about Winter.

Bodhi: Oh, like what?

warm sweaters and pretty scarves

soft snowfalls, fluffy snowflakes, and white snow blankets

that feeling I get in the morning, that it's snowed overnight, before I even open my eyes or my curtains

little footprints and snow angels decorating my yard

eggnog lattes ... MMM... eggnog lattes

rosy cheeks and cold noses

crackling warm fireplace

winter berries and evergreen landscapes

Me: Bodhi, what are your favorite things about Winter?

Bodhi: Well....

seeing the snow

getting to play in the snow

playing with you

snowball fights

EATING SNOW!!!

icicles

hot chocolate

MARSHMALLOWS!!!

making snow angels

Me: What else?

Bodhi: Mommy, can we go play now?  Because that's all I like.

And with that.... Happy Sunday :)