Having Your Photo Taken...

Everyone loves a great photo of themselves. But not everyone enjoys having their photo taken. This concept is foreign to me! I think since I was a little girl I've adored being in front of the camera. It's the diva within, what can I say?

So if you are jonesin' for a new profile pic but can't seem to get a great shot, here are three simple tips I can give my friends and readers out there who tend to shy away in front of the camera.

1. Have a close friend behind the lens. This is, in my opinion, the most important factor. Find that certain someone who can make you laugh, get you to relax and who you feel completely and utterly yourself around. More often than not my favorite pictures have been taken by my husband; who not only has a great eye but can also wield our SLR like a pro and make me crack up while doing it.

2. Be yourself. If you aren't overly smiley from day to day, then get on with your surly self. If you like hats - rock your favorite hat. If you have a dress that makes your look oh-so-fine throw that puppy on and strut yo' stuff. Just be you.

3. Find your light. Natural light is universally the most flattering in photos. Angle yourself so that the sun is in front of you and behind your photographer.

And if all else fails, call Xanthe Elbrick - she will make you feel like a rockstar and snag dozens of incredible shots while doing it! 100% little k + little j guaranteed. 

^^Photos taken this past weekend in Narragansett, RI by my sweet husband^^

Smile, baby!

Photographing babies is not easy. They are in constant motion and more often than not, unwillingly to "just hold the teddy bear, sweetie pie" while you try and snap a single focused photo.

I should preface this post with saying, I have no training as a photographer. I almost always click the "auto" setting on my Nikon and just play. Nothing fancy here. But, after years of nannying and now auntie-ing I have compiled a set of tricks to finally get that adorable baby on film.

1. Go for the candid shot! Posing your baby once they are able to roll, crawl, walk and eventually run away from you will be a never-ending game of cat and mouse. If he happens to playing with a truck, sit by and wait for the magic.

2. Take like, a million pictures. I'm not kidding. I get a lot of flack from my family (ahem, my husband) for snapping away while life is happening in front of me. But, no one can argue with my logic when they see the final product. (I usually take hundreds to get just a dozen keepers.)

3. Get down on their level. Lay on the floor, rest the camera on a coffee table and snap.

4. Embrace natural light. Which can be tricky because if it's not bright enough you risk losing the focus. So wait for a sunny day and go play outside! A flash is often too harsh and takes away that soft, sweet, natural glow of your baby. (Just ask Xanthe Elbrick, who is an expert on capturing gorgeous portraits using natural light.)

5. When all else fails, silly noises and faces are still a sure-fire way to get a smile and giggle out of your little one. Move away from behind the camera and trust you have your baby in the frame and go crazy. Babies often freeze when looking directly into a lens, but will respond to the faces of those they love.

Cameras used: Nikon D3000 with the kit lens coupled with this 50mm portait lens

iPhone 4 is my go-to day to day camera

Sneak Peek: Katie Slater Photography

I will be sharing more photos by the incredible Katie Slater very, very soon.

I'm still swooning over the handful of shots she's sent me thus far. Completely gorgeous.

Love you Katie!!