photo Archives - Page 2 of 2

Stress-free family photos with Portrait Innovations

Introducing our new family portraits, thanks to Portrait Innovations. We got so many great shots that this is just one of many that we fell in love with. Do you have any idea how hard it is to get three young kids to look at the camera at the same time? If you happen to want all of them smiling, you're in for a very intense standoff and someone is bound to leave in tears.

This is the reason we've gotten exactly one photo of all of us looking and smiling in the past 6 months since our new baby arrived. It was taken spur of the moment when hanging out with my cousin when I set up the shot and just handed her the camera, and we just got lucky. After posting it on Facebook everyone had basically the same reaction: Better buy a lottery ticket with that kind of luck.

The perfect camera for all of our many adventures: the Lumix G7

I participated in an Ambassador Program on behalf of Influence Central for Panasonic. I received product samples as well as a promotional item to thank me for my participation.If you know us, you know we’re always on the go as a family. We pack in as much adventure as we can with the kiddos, and we are always down for vacations, day trips, and even just every day exploring. On these adventures, I have certain things that I must have at all times.

Aside from the essentials like water and food, another non-negotiable item is my camera. But, with 3 kids and all of their necessary gear, I can’t be saddled with camera stuff that needs its own luggage. I need a compact camera I can use, and then put away so I can enjoy these adventures without always being stuck with a camera in hand. Because I have better things to carry. Like this little bundle of joy.

Find the perfect Mother’s Day present at ReCollected Pieces

What does every mom want for Mother’s Day? The answer is something personal and from the heart.

This is easy if you happen to have crafty kids or love macaroni necklaces, but what about for the rest of us? We can turn to Re:Collected Pieces, a Portland-based company that makes custom jewelry and more that any mother would love.

We’re not talking silver jewelry with personalized messages like anyone with a hand stamping set can make – what Tabitha at Re:Collected Pieces does is even more personal than that. Photo pendants, repurposed items, and artwork all become statement pieces to be adored and each custom work can be personalized in many levels. After checking out the ReCollected Pieces Etsy shop, I was smitten and knew I just had to have a custom piece. Starting the process was easy, I merely sent over pictures {one of my littles and one of hubby and I} to Tabitha with the instructions that she should have fun with them and show all that she can do.

You might wonder why I didn’t give specifics on what shapes I would like, sizes I would prefer, and baubles to add, but after looking at the Re:Collected Etsy shop, I knew it wasn’t necessary. There wasn’t a pendant or design I wouldn’t love to wear in the collection, and I trusted that Tabitha would make me something awesome.

And, I was blown away by what she sent back. Just look at how amazing these pendants look.

DIY home photography studio with a mini roller shade

One of the biggest surprises I had after becoming a blogger was how much photography would consume my life. Now, instead of just making meals for my family, I photograph every step up until the food goes onto our plates. Instead of just reviewing things, I also take pictures of every single angle and set up scenes in my home.

With my photography degree and the fact that I always have a camera handy, I was actually happy when I realized how blogging would force me to use the more technical information I learned back in the studio in college. I love taking pictures of my kids as much as the next person, but sometimes it's fun to play around with light a little bit to see what you come up with and studio shots give me a chance to do just that.

But, what has changed is the format I use when shooting. I used to shoot all in film, and I photographed subjects on a seamless room painted a matte white. Now, I shoot all digital and my subjects range from face creams to apple pie, usually quickly snapped before we all dig into whatever food or package I was photographing. Obviously, I didn't need a huge studio anymore, but I still needed… something.

A mini roller shade from Blinds.com is what I came up with, situated right by my biggest source of light – the sliding glass window.

From toddler to teen: the answer is the Zazoo Kids photo clock

Up until just a few months ago, our kids were a parent’s dream at night. We would literally pop them in their beds after their bedtime routine and not hear from either one again until I would have to wake them up in the morning. Yes, true story. But, while my son is still firmly … Read more

Spring Photo Gifts from Shutterfly

Spring is a big time for pictures in our family. Between holiday pictures and spring events, we usually take a trek to our local tulip fields where I take somewhere near a million pictures of the kiddos amongst the blooms, and the result is a huge collection of pictures that are just begging to be … Read more

Sadie Ryan Keepsake Tiles

Know someone who is getting married or having a baby? Of course you do! If you’re like me, you are constantly looking for a gift for those big life events that is sweet and sentimental yet still remains classy and sophisticated enough to give to acquaintances as well as close friends and family. Of course, … Read more

Mixbook Custom Photo Book

Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide: Day 32 If you haven’t created your own photo book yet, now is the perfect time to give it a shot. I recently found Mixbook and was so excited to see that it solved all of my reservations I had had about photobook software in the past. I got to create … Read more

Professor Kobré’s Lightscoop for Flattering Holiday Photos

Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide: Day 24 Anyone who knows my family knows that we love to take pictures. With photographers on both sides of my family tree, I’ve seen {and owned} my share of gear throughout the years, especially during my years getting my fine arts degree in photography. While I now know how to … Read more