It's a special pleasure to photograph milestones over the course of a family's life. I was fortunate to capture this couple's barn wedding about two years ago. This week I got to add their darling one year old into the mix, and oh my gosh was she cute!
Did you know that the Yolo Wildlife Preserve is home to one of the largest colonies of Mexican free-tailed bats? The first time I saw these guys, I was on the way back from the Bay Area and stuck in traffic on the causeway. The sun was setting, and suddenly, a stream of these bats comes up from below. At first I thought they were birds, but then I noticed the strangeness of their flight patterns. I looked it up, and sure enough, we have a colony of 250,000 hiding in plain sight. Amazing!
So, of course, I had to get a closer look. A few days later, I looked up the time of sunset, and arrived a few minutes prior. We parked next to the causeway, on the gravel trail, then walked right underneath to wait. As we heard the high pitched echolocation mounting in excitement, we began to see a few lone bats dart out to check out the situation. Once the timing was right, they began to swirl around beneath the causeway, before streaming out in a ribbon across the cotton candy sky. We watched until they disappeared into the darkness, presumably in search of their next meal.
Since then, we've come to watch them begin their nightly hunt every summer.
If you are inclined to be a little creeped out by these guys, keep in mind that they eat insects. I'd say they are friends! And if you want to see this spectacle for yourself, go soon! When the weather cools, they will migrate south, and you'll have to wait till next year.
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We had a great time visiting dear friends in the beautiful state of New Mexico. For this California girl, the highlight was visiting White Sands National Monument near Alamogordo. I've never actually seen a desert, and I'd been hoping to go for some time, so when the opportunity arose, I jumped on it.
Now I've seen a lot of sand, but always accompanied by water, so to see a vast expanse of nothing but sand dunes was a truly novel experience for us. The kids enjoyed sliding down the dunes on sleds, while I scrambled around trying to get as many candid shots as possible.
We arrived just as dusk was setting in, giving me the opportunity to see the sand against the warm evening sun. But I enjoyed it so much, I was happy to visit one more time before we left, and saw the dunes bathed in the crisp morning light as well. Such a wonderful place!
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We arrived shortly before noon, and immediately visited Iao Valley, since the condo we were staying in wouldn't be ready till 4. This was our first glimpse of a truly lush landscape, and an excellent way to begin our journey. Then of course, we cooled off at the beach in crystal-clear water right outside of the resort we were staying in, just north of Kaanapali Baach.
On day 2, we visited "Dragon's Teeth": a lava rock formation resembling the lower jaw of a mighty beast. It rained that morning, providing a most welcome relief from the heat. Then we meandered on to Honolua Bay, where some of the best snorkeling is to be found, and, to my surprise, many chickens. We loved the tropical feel of the short path leading to the beach.
Our third day was the biggest day for travel. We opted to skip the windy Road to Hana (some of us get carsick easily), and trekked up to Haleakala National Park instead. Here we enjoyed cool weather, dramatic landscapes, and a challenging hike at 10,000 ft. On the way back we stopped to eat at Aloha Mixed Plate. Maybe we were hungry and tired, or maybe the food really is that good.
We took it pretty easy on our fourth day, and did a short hike through the area of Twin Falls. We didn't make it to the famous Caveman Falls, but enjoyed the smaller falls and cascades along the way, and stopped for some most delicious banana bread.
On our final day, we headed up the west shore, and did a short hike at the Ohai trail. With dramatic cliff views, and so much greenery, this is a hike I'd definitely revisit. Of course, we visited the beach every day as well, where we saw sea turtles, and some pretty impressive fish displays as we snorkeled along the reef not far from the shore. The kids loved the warmer, calm beaches and the abundance of wildlife. The adults loved the views. Everyone was happy, which makes for a great vacation.
We finished our trip with an early breakfast at Slappy Cakes, where you can make your own pancakes on a table-embedded griddle, then headed off to the airport to return to Sacramento, where a balmy 105 awaited us.
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This little lady had me absolutely smitten with those big brown eyes of hers! Such a sweet family, and so much fun!
Every wedding I've photographed comes with two guarantees: I will cry during the father daughter dance, and my cheeks will hurt from smiling at the dancing. This wedding delivered both promises, but it was also one of the most relaxed and comfortable weddings I have ever enjoyed. This day, the couple was truly focused on the marriage. The bride told me, "at the end of the day, I will be married, and that is all that matters". And while I certainly agree, I am also so grateful that I was able to capture the story along the way.
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I've wanted to check this spot out for a couple of years, but had hesitated for a couple of reasons. First, people seem to see a lot of bears there. I'm fully aware that they are not the aggressive type, but still, bears. Also, when the snow melts, Wapama Falls can become very dangerous. And then, there were the lackluster reviews of the area. I think a lot of this stems from the fact that Hetch Hetchy, as a reservoir bringing water to San Francisco, covers the valley floor, masking nature's intentions. Nature lovers don't tend to like that sort of thing.
All that aside, Hetch Hetchy is BEAUTIFUL, and well worth a visit. Here's a few reasons why you should go:
1) It's WAY less busy than Yosemite Valley. We crossed paths with a few hikers along the way, but we never had to actually share the trail. We were solo for the majority of the three hour hike, and enjoyed a quiet picnic on the rocks with only sounds of birds and running water to interrupt our observations.
2) It's really beautiful. The terrain is mostly rocky with modest elevation changes, offering a shifting view of the huge granite rocks across the reservoir. It was fascinating to watch their shapes alter as our perspective changed, and to see how the light played with the rock side as the sun moved throughout the hike.
3) It's educational - learning about how far this water travels, and seeing it in action gave my kids a renewed apprecation for both nature and infrastructure.
4) The trail is fun, and you can't get lost, seeing as it circles the reservoir. My kids love a trail with variety: some rocks to climb, waterfalls, greenery, views. This one has it all. So many little waterways and rock hopping to keep any hiker interested. It's enough of a challenge, at roughly six miles, but my nine year old thought it was a great hike, and my eleven year old kept leaving me in his dust, so not too hard.
5) Wapama Falls is the closest encounter you will get to a powerful waterfall (the second biggest in the park, I think). It is amazing to watch, hear, and feel the spray of this waterfall.
6) I did not see any bears (though I was really hoping I might see one very far away). We did see plenty of grey squirrels, birds, and beetles.
If you do plan to go, a couple of tips:
- There is no shade. Save this one for a cooler day, or have plenty of water on hand
- The only facilities are outside of O'Shaughnessy Dam, so be sure to go to the bathroom before you park for your hike.
- Good shoes are a must! Parts of the trail are muddy and wet, and there is plenty of rock hopping involved.
And now, there are 8.
So we took some photos to celebrate.
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Park in the lot or on the side of the road on Cherokee Lane, and you will see a row of portable restrooms. Go through to cow gate (yes, I said cow gate - you will see cows) and veer left. The trails are muddy, and there's a lot of creek crossing, so wear proper footwear! Follow the first stream to a fork in the trail. Here, you will make a choice: continue straight to Hollow Falls, a lovely but smaller waterfall which lies a short walk from the parking area. This path will take you through some of the best arrays of wildflowers.
There's more to see down this direction, but we opted to go back to the right fork and head to Ravine Falls, followed by Phantom Falls nest. There's some sketchy fence crossing, but it's all legal. If you're super adventurous, you can go down to the base of the falls, but we didn't make it that far. We went on the weekend, so it was quite crowded, but once the trail split, the crowds thinned quite a bit. I have no idea exactly how long the hike is. We milled about for three hours at a comfortable pace, but we misdirected many times. In the end, we did about six miles, but I'm pretty sure it's no more than two miles to get to Phantom Falls, the more famous of the bunch
If you do make it out here, a couple of tips:
- You need to purchase and print a lands use pass for each hiker over 16. There was no one to check on this, but I'm a rule follower, so: https://wildlife.ca.gov/Licensing/Lands-Pass/FAQ
- There are no facilities other than a porta potty, so bring snacks and plenty of water.
- There is no shade, so sunblock is a must.
- Wear proper hiking boots; the trails are muddy and there's plenty of creek crossing required.
- Mind the cow patties, and the cows. They seem a friendly lot, but safety first.
- The waterfalls disappear in the dry season, so if you want to go, go soon!
Rock City, Mount Diablo
The path we took wasn't so long, but it involved a lot of climbing. Up and down we went, into and out of weathered sandstone caverns, up and over a number of rocks, to some of the most amazing views in the East Bay
Black Hole of Calcutta Falls, Auburn
The name is a lot more intimidating than the falls, or the hike, The hike to the falls is a short one mile jaunt, staring at the river confluence (though you can certainly go further). The waterfall isn't very big, but with all of the recent rains, it was flowing impressively.
Tennessee Valley, Mill Valley
March is a great time to visit San Francisco and the surrounding areas, and since I haven't seen the ocean since the summer, I was ever so glad to see it again. The hike is two miles each way, with a (not so pleasant) restroom near each end. The hike itself is lovely, dotted with many wildflowers, butterflies, and birds. But the real reward is when the glimpse of ocean in the valley comes into full view.
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Cosumnes River Preserve: Located south of Elk Grove, this preserve is wonderful in all seasons, but it is our favorite winter spot. I have a great love of the naked gnarled oak trees, which are abundant here, but also, this is the season when the migrating waterfowl come to visit. The sounds of the various birds are soothing, and the sunsets here are stunningly reflected in the water. You can take a 15-minute walk through the waterfowl trail, or stay all day cruising the many various paths, and if you're around when the visitor center is open, it's worth a look. There are benches sprinkled throughout so you can pause and soak it in.
West Sacramento River Walk: As the name suggests, this is more of a walk than a hike, but the paved trail is great in all weather. Starting at Drakes: The Barn, this walk takes you along the river past some beautiful public art, including our favorite piece pictured below. A pier takes you directly over the river, and the wonderful Devil May Care ice cream parlor makes for a great post-walk treat.
Griffith Quarry: This 23-acre quarry and museum in Penryn is fantastic for all the little climbers (with caution!). My kids absolutely loved the winding trails each leading to a new pile of granite rocks to climb. The trail itself is a breeze, and can be traversed in an hour. There's a portable restroom and plenty of spots for a picnic lunch.
Zen Garden Nature Trail: After walking around and having lunch in Volcano, we visited this lovely trail. This is another winner for kids like mine who like to climb. Filled with remnants from the area's mining days, this rocky and lush trail is an easy mile or two, depending on whether you start from the Black Chasm Cavern visitor center, or park further up the road. Munnerlyn's Ice Cream shop is an easy stop on the way home, and if you wish to make a longer day of it, visit the cavern or the nearby Grinding Stone Park.
Paradise Beach: Paradise Beach is a stretch of riverbank behind Glen Hall Park in East Sacramento. These trails are so lush in parts, even in the driest months, they almost make you forget you're in Sacramento. And in other spots, it is so barren and sandy it looks like a desert.
Rockeville Regional Park: It's been over a year since we first visited this park in Fairfield and I've been dying to go back. It lives up to the name, with lots of fun and interesting rock formations, but also has a great view of the cities below, and stunning manzanita and oak trees all around. There is a pond with some waterfowl as well, and many miles of trails to wander.
Guy West Bridge: Last on this list is the Guy West Bridge, which connects CSU Sacramento to the Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail. The bridge itself is fun to walk across, but as soon as we crossed to the other side, we found a family of deer grazing nearby. Funny thing is, as a student, I never once walked across this bridge.
I hope you were able to find a new hike to enjoy on this list, or a spot for your next photo session!
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Amid all the chaos, this is a time to be grateful for all the families who have trusted me with their memories. This last round of sessions took us to quite a few places: Golden 1 Center, Crocker Art Museum, Land Park, Old Town Sacramento, Camden Park, Discovery Park, The Old Sugar Mill, and more than one backyard. So here's to you: a brief overview of December, and a sincere thank you to all of you. Wishing you a wonderful 2019!
Love,
Stacy
I've been yearning for a good adventure, so I was very happy to take a drive up to Donner Pass yesterday. Full disclosure: I try very hard to micromanage my kids' wardrobes when I know I want to take pictures, but they don't let me. Also, I try to get my kids to pose for me, but they usually refuse. I've had to learn to be okay with that, and embrace living in the moment. But anyway, we parked at the China Wall (there is a single porta potty there, good to know if you're bringing little ones) and we meandered through rocks and tunnels on one of the best hikes we've had in some time. This hike is rich in history, and an absolute feast for the eyes. The kids loved the rock climbing and the sense of danger, both inside and outside of the tunnels. I loved the views and light; so much so that I wanted to share a few photos form our adventure.
It still feels like summer, but I'm in the thick of holiday photo sessions. This is the time of the year when everyone is looking to get an updated family portrait to share with family and friends near and far. While a private one hour session is often ideal for maximum control over the location and such, sometimes a mini session is just what you need: perfect for the time constraints of a busy life, and also easy on the budget. I'm always amazed at just how many moments can be captured in a short amount of time, and I don't exaggerate when I say I come home from these feeling as if I'd run a race. I just did one of these mini sessions in Walnut Creek, with a group of families whom I have been photographing upwards of seven years. It's so rewarding to watch them grow and change, and I am so grateful they keep coming back.
If you are having a mini family session done this season, here's a couple of tips to ensure you get the best photos possible:
1. Get there early! When you are sandwiched between other sessions, you don't want to miss out on any of your time for your shoot!
2. Try on the clothes ahead of time: I've seen a few kiddoes struggle with uncomfortable clothing, purchased brand new for this shoot. It's a bummer when that beautiful dress is getting in the way of some fabulous smiles. If possible, allow your child to help pic the outfit so they will be excited about what they are wearing (I admit - I'm very guilty of saying "you're wearing this, now deal with it" :)
3. If it's convenient, check out the spot ahead of time: Your photographer will surely have scouted the location, but seeing it in person ahead of time will help you plan your looks, and being comfortable with the spot will help kids feel at ease during the shoot!
4. Plan ahead! If you have several combinations of images you're hoping to capture, know them ahead of time, so you can let your photographer know exactly what you want.
5. Bribery works: I'm not above it. Does you child like jelly beans? A little extra screen time? A family ice cream treat? This is one of those cases when it's okay to throw the rules out for a bit.
6. Relax: It's hard not to stress out when the kids aren't cooperating. I guarantee you, however bad you THINK your child is behaving, I've seen worse. From my own kids, no less. Don't feel the pressure to be perfect. The imperfect moments are sometimes the best. And I guarantee we will get some good shots. That's my job!
After a busy two days in London, we headed off to Athens, where we missed our connecting flight to Kefalonia. Not to worry - the kids thought that sending the day in the airport was a grand adventure. They especially enjoyed sampling all the foods, beginning with rustic tyropites, and ending with gelato. When we finally made it to the island, I thought they'd be exhausted, but they were ready to explore! We spent the next two weeks visiting all the beaches, walking in all the neighborhoods, eating all the food, and petting all the cats. Then we set off for three days in Athens where we fully immersed ourselves in ancient history. Here are a few highlights:
Our first destination was London, where we stayed just one night, en route to Greece. But we made the most of our time by visiting many landmarks and museums. We visited the Natural History Museum, British Museum, National Gallery, Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, and a number of cute shops and streets. Not bad for six hours a day! We rode the double decker bus in the rain, saw paintings by Van Gogh, made a call in a red phone box, and walked - a lot. I took far fewer photos that I'd expected, probably because I was focused on navigation! But I was able to manage to capture some memories to hold us over 'till next time. And the kids loved it so much, there will definitely be a next time!
Up next,Greece!
What a beautiful wedding - so many smiles, and so much laughter. As Patty and Chris joined their two small families together, amid their closest family and friends, I found myself smiling a lot too. It's clear to see that these two are heading toward a very happy life together.
Photographing a wedding is a great honor - and a great responsibility. The night before I am shooting a wedding, I go through all of my equipment multiple times: I wipe lenses, charge batteries, double-check that all memory cards are clear and working, count batteries, and so on. Usually, once I get in the car, I pull over once more to check and make sure I've brought everything. I may sound neurotic, but there is no room for error. So, it's a responsibility that I take very seriously.
I'd like to note, by the way, that every couple whose wedding I've photographed is still happily married. It might be a little whimsical to imagine that when times get rough, as they do for everyone, that these couples look at the photos and remember just how happy they were that day. But I'd like to imagine that when happily married couples look back at their wedding photos, they are taken back to that moment in time, so I want to capture it the way they experienced it. I hope Patty & Chris relive every smile, and all the laughter.
Although I may not always remember names, I rarely forget a face. Once I've photographed a family, they are locked in my memory, so I really enjoy being able to say, "Why yes I do remember you...we took pictures at so and so," and so on. And it's rather gratifying to have a family come back to me, of course, when there are so many talented photographers to choose from. But the real reason I love those emails is because it means I get to work with the same family again. And as much as I really enjoy meeting new people, it's so very exciting to watch a family grow in age, in numbers, and in love.
So I met this beautiful family three years ago, and I got to work with them again last week. We met in downtown Sacramento, strolled around a bit, and took photos of whatever captured our fancy. From the Crest to the IMAX, to the Capitol and back, we found so many interesting nooks and crannies in our humble city.
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Now that the confetti has settled, it's time to make new memories. But before I dive headlong into adventures, each new year, I look back on the previous year by putting our favorite photos in an photo book. But there are so many ways to preserve those memories. Here's a few ideas that I really like:
P'tit Book by Printic:
This one is for the crafters out there. For about $20, Printic (based in Paris and San Francisco) will send you 30 of your favorite glossy photos, packaged with pages accessories to build your own custom album. Plus, the prints themselves are adorable: you can choose from a number of colored borders in a variety of styles, and you can caption each photo. Order today and save 25% with code: HELLO2018
Photo Book by Blurb:
For a traditional photo book with maximum flexibility, try Blurb. With their downloadable software, you have full artistic control over layouts. Multiple paper options gives you pricing flexibility. I've ordered from them several times over the years, and have consistently been happy with the value, quality, and customer service. Many companies offer a low price for a 20 page book, then add $1+ per page after, which gets pricey fast. With Blurb, you can select a page range before you begin. If you're ordering a large book (ie 100+ pages), there is not a better value.
Instagram Poster by Social Print Studio:
This poster will hold up to 200 of your favorite Instagram photos, easily uploaded through the Social Print Studio app. Such a fun way to decorate a dorm room, or any room, really. Pairs nicely with their wooden rail hangers too! ($25+)
Keepsake Box by Zno:
If you are a still a fan of loose prints (me too!) you can order a custom made wooden storage box, in a number of sizes, from Zno. It can be finished in either a matte or glossy look. ($24+)
Magazine by Bay Photo:
Bay Photo offers a variety of products, but I love this magazine printed on 80# semi gloss smooth paper. A great way to display a single photo shoot, or a favorite trip. ($21.56 for a 26-page magazine)
Also check out their options for USB cases and drives, if you prefer to keep things digital.
Memory Pages by Persnickety Prints:
Do you miss the days of scrapboooking? These silver halide print memory pages can take you right back. Customizeable layouts give you lots of control, while loose pages offer flexibility in arrangement. Offered in 6X6, 8X8, and 12X12.
Fotobit by SnapBox:
Like Tetris for photos! Starting at $14.00 for three interlocking frames, these can be configured in any way imaginable. Start with a few, or order a bunch! Save 25% 'till January 2nd with code WINTERWONDERLAND
And now, back to the business of making new memories!
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Ok, got my cards done. Now, what else can I do with these pictures?
Like many of my clients, I make a photo calendar every year. Usually, I just make them as gifts, but this year, I think I'm going to make one for myself too. Here's 11 of the most unique ones that I've found this year, in a range of styles, to fit any budget. Don't wait - most printers recommend ordering by December 5th for standard shipping.
Parabo Press:
Use code GWRQJC for $10 off your first order.
Desk Calendar: This cool little 8x6 calendar folds flat at the base, and features twelve square images from your Instagram feed or computer, displaying the dates at the bottom of each image. $20
Wall Calendar: Similar to the above desk calendar, this larger wall calendar takes it a step further by perforating the images so you can keep them after the month is up. $30
Artifact Uprising:
Brass Easel Calendar: This classically elegant calendar sits atop a brass easel with photos beautifully printed on premium quality paper. When the year is up, the easel will continue to display your favorite images. $55
Wood Calendar: If you want a smaller calendar, this is for you. 5x7, on a clipboard made of reclaimed pine. $30. Solid Wool version available for $40
Minted:
Hanging Bar Calendar: Hanging from a wooden bar, this two-sided calendar features six months on each side, with room to personalize with special dates. $22
Grand Wall Calendar: For those who still appreciate the ability to write in your calendar, Minted's grand calendar gives you plenty of space to do so. With beautifully rounded corners and high-quality printing, it looks pretty good too. $39. Standard size available for $29
Pinhole Press:
Pinhole Press has a bunch of really unique calendars, from notepad weekly calendars to the classic 12 month hanging calendar. Here's a few of my favorites: Use code CALENDAR18 for 15% off!
Wall Calendar: Another classic wall hanging calendar, this beauty is printed on eggshell paper, and hangs from the top, with no seam between the photo and dates. $29.99
Perpetual Desk Calendar: Why not just get one calendar for the rest of your life? Features 12 of your favorite photos. $24.99
Desk Blotter Calendar: Excellent for the home or work office, this large calendar sits flat on your work space. $29.9
Social Print Studio:
365 Tearaway Calendar: Have more than 12 photos? Social Print Studio's Daily Calendar gives you 365 of them. If choosing that many photos sounds scary, don't worry. You can ask Social Print to grab them straight from your Instagram feed. The images come printed on smooth matte paper, thick enough to save for later after you tear them off. $40
Shutterfly:
Easel Calendar: Shutterfly's easel calendar sits on a wooden block with 12 month cards ready to change out. $24.99 (but look for coupons!) To check out their full line of calendars, click HERE.
]]>But then I'll be left with the same dilemma. Where to get these cards? I've tried many different printers, so I'll share some of my experiences, as well as some holiday card worthy photos from a few of my recent sessions, since I haven't had time to share otherwise (goodness - this is a busy season for photos).
Paper Culture
Paper Culture is by far my favorite for quality and style. They can be a bit pricey, but they offer frequent sales, and there is currently a Groupon special for them too. Each order is printed on heavy matte recycled paper, and comes with the promise to plant a tree. And the best part? They print your addresses at no additional charge. You can import your address book from Google, Excel files, etc. And once they are stored, they remain stored for next year. Great customer service too!
Pear Tree
Pear Tree has an amazing variety. While their print quality is not my very favorite of the bunch, it is quite good, and they have the most choices in a variety of shapes and sizes. Pricing is competitive, and customer service is prompt.
Minted
Many moons ago, I submitted an image of my kids to be use on the Minted site, and got a credit in return. Fun, right? So of course I got my cards printed there that year. They were beautiful. Minted offers a ton of personalized items for the home in addition to printed products, so you can kinda do all your shopping there.
Parabo Press
I LOVE Parabo Press. I order prints from them all the time, and their cards are too cute, and very affordable: only $25 for a box of 24, and $15 for each additional set. Lovely envelopes too. The only problem here is the lack of variety, but there's enough to suit most tastes.
Use code GWRQJC for $10 off your first order!
MPIX
MPIX is my go-to for photo prints, and their cards are quite nice too. If you've had your holiday photos taken with me this year, you can order from MPIX directly from your gallery.
Staples
Time crunch? Staples has your back (check Groupon for this one too!). I succumbed to the lure of the least expensive option, and got 100 cards for $25. Crazy, right? Well, the quality doesn't compare to some of these other options, but it's plenty good enough to sit on a mantle for a couple of weeks before being consigned to the recycling bin. And they were ready in two hours. I'm not complaining.
Ok, so I've picked where to get my cards done, but which photo do I pick?
That's the hardest part, isn't it? You can go with a traditionally lovely photo, or something a bit more out of the box. One big and bold photo, or a storytelling series. My only advice here is to pick the one(s) that make you smile, and it's sure to make others smile too.
Digital cameras have made photography a much more accessible art form, and while that is a wonderful thing, it has had the inevitable effect of making film photography less accessible. Shooting with film is not cheap, nor is it convenient. Digital photography, on the other hand, once you've made the initial investment in your equipment, is pretty much free, and immediate. Today's digital cameras are so sophisticated, many of them actually have better resolution than a good film camera. So why is it, then, that people spend so much time and money editing their photos to mimic the look of film?
Well, it looks pretty cool. So there's that. But there's a few other reasons why I've chosen to revisit film.
1. Because it forces intention: A cheap roll of film is $5. Developing that roll with a set of prints and a low quality scan will run you about $20. Increase the quality of those scans, and upgrade to a nice portrait film, and you're spending upwards of $40 per roll, for 24-36 shots. So every time I miss a shot, there's an internal stream of angry curses. When I'm shooting film, I am very deliberate. I take my time.
2. Because I like surprises: Leave a roll of film in your camera long enough, and you'll totally forget what was on it. But even if you develop it right away, you will always find a pleasant surprise or two. A cool lens flare, an unexpected expression. Digital photography gives you instant gratification, but film rewards patience. I just picked up a roll of film which sat in my camera for a couple of months. It was pretty fun to look back on the highlights of our summer in a single set of photos.
3. Because I like prints: There are so many apps that make it super easy to print directly from your phone, and it's not much harder to order from your computer, and yet, the generation growing up today will find themselves bereft of actual prints. They'll have thousands of images on screen, if your hard drives last that long, but nothing to hold in their hands. I remember the excitement of getting prints from the drugstore when I was a kid. I still have shoe boxes filled with them, bound in a paper envelope with the date on the front. I still bring them out from time to time and sift through them, savoring the memories.
4. Because film is timeless: I'm going to be very honest, I've taken a lot of horrid pictures on film. My 8th grade trip to Yosemite was a blur - mostly because every photo I took was blurry. We'll allow youth to be my excuse there, but I've also taken some great photos on digital, as an adult, then ruined them with horrible editing: editing which was popular once, but doesn't stand the test of time. The look of film will never not be cool.
5. Because #nofilter: You take the photos, you develop the photos, you enjoy the photos. Sure, you can tweak them a bit in the computer if you overexposed, or underexposed, or whatever. Or you can also just enjoy the photos.
6. Because, creativity: Film will never really go away, there are too many people who remain loyal to it. Consequently, there are a ton of options out there. I've rarely shot the same type of film twice, to be honest, because there's so many I want to try. All these options mean more ways to be creative. And you don't need a fancy camera either. Many film enthusiasts love the look of the high school photo class favorite: the Holga, which costs a mere $30.
7. Because it's pretty: There are several companies that make their bread and butter on emulating the look of film, and then selling their secrets to others. I'm not knocking this at all - it's beautiful; but, you can also achieve that look by shooting film.
If you're afraid to jump into shooting film, pick up a disposable camera (yes, they still make those!) and try it out. Or add a roll of film to your next photo session with me. ;-)
- said every photographer ever
With the holiday season quickly approaching, I think this is a good time to mull this one over. My friends and clients often ask for my input when they are preparing to buy a camera, and I always find it a hard question. When we are able, we have the tendency to feel that buying the best we can afford is probably what we should do. For me, it's not that simple. There are a few questions I always consider before making a camera purchase (and I've done this a few times).
What am I going to do with this camera?
It's a silly question, right? You're going to take pictures. But are you taking a lot of landscape shots? Wildlife? People? Are you going to make large prints, or stick with small ones? The answers to these questions will help you decide what kind of camera you need. If you're shooting landscapes, you want something sharp with the capability of capturing wide angles. If you like photographing wildlife, you'll want something with some zoom. And for people, you want something that will render color nicely and give you some flexibility with aperture. If you're a sports enthusiast, you'll want a fast camera and some zoom. And if you like to make large prints, then megapixels matter. So before you go looking for a camera, decide what you're going to use it for the most.
Am I going to learn how to use this thing?
Are you looking to shoot raw? Need a high iso sensitivity? Do you want a lens with a wide aperture?
If you have no idea what I'm talking about, you're going to want something that is user-friendly, and will give you good results on auto. I've watched many friends over the years buy themselves too much camera, only to leave it in the closet because they can't figure out how to use it. You've got to figure out what your learning curve is, and get something that will meet you where you are. This is something that no one likes to hear, but a really good camera will not take really good pictures by itself. It will not magically turn you into a photographer. On the flip side, it is possible to take great photos with an unimpressive camera. A friend of mine is an amazing photographer, but he only knows how to take photos on his phone. Guess what? That's ok. It's better to use what you are comfortable with. You'll take more pictures that way.
Am I really going to carry this thing around?
SLR cameras are big and heavy. Most good lenses are even heavier. If the idea of lugging 10+ lbs of equipment around doesn't appeal to you, you're not alone. I like to hike with my family, and carrying around my camera bag for miles can really be a pain. Now it's time for me to let you in on a little secret: sometimes, I wear a fanny pack. It's true. When I do this, it's not because I think it's cool (though they ARE making a comeback), but because I want to be hands-free, so I can focus on staying safe, and on holding my kids' hands if they will let me. A big SLR camera doesn't fit well into my hands-free lifestyle. So I bought myself a little present, a Canon G9X. It's tiny. It's under $400. It's easy to use. It doesn't have a lot of zoom. It fits in my fanny pack. And every picture in this blog post was taken with it. Sure, I could have gotten a better shot with my bigger camera, but some sacrifices are worth making. There are lots of smaller cameras on the market that are capable of taking some pretty fantastic photos!
What's my budget?
No really, what's your budget? Just because you CAN spend $1500 on a camera doesn't mean it makes sense for you to do so. Anyone who knows me well knows I'm a bit frugal. My husband loves this about me (read: sarcasm). It hurts me to watch other people waste money. Figure out what your budget is before you start looking, so you don't start dreaming about features that you don't need. There are so many options on the market to fit any budget, from an SLR starting at $250, to full-frame compacts costing $5k, that there is really no reason to spend more than you are comfortable with.
So, which camera should I buy?
Well the truth is, I don't know. There are so many great cameras available, whatever I suggest is not likely to be the best fit for you. Figure out what you need and can afford, and start some research! Read professional and consumer reviews, search for sample images, and if possible, try it out before buying! And if you outgrow your camera down the road, there will be plenty more to choose from at that point too.
PS: I love both of my kids equally, but my son was much more willing to let me photograph him today than my daughter.
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