Moms Who Click| Sharing Photography Tips & Tricks

BEHIND THE LENS: Daisy Beatty Photography, NYC and East Hampton, NY

noreply@blogger.com (Moms Who Click) — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 12:00:00 +0000

We were delighted to receive the following interview from a wonderful follower of our blog. Daisy hails from New York but her experience in West Hollywood working for Comedy Central and Intuitive Entertainment gave her insight on telling a story through her lens. Daisy also worked as a Special Assistant District Attorney in NYC. Her experience, training with established mentors and working on new projects keep this talented photographer up-to-speed with the latest. Please welcome as we introduce Daisy and her amazing work!

Your Name: Daisy Beatty

Your studio/business name: Daisy Beatty Photography

Location: New York City & East Hampton NY

Website: www.daisybeattyphotography.com

Blog: www.daisybeattyphotography.com/blog

Twitter/Facebook: https://facebook.com/daisybeattyphotography

Other: Instagram: daisybeatty

In 50 words or less, how would your clients describe your photography?

My clients have described the shoots as fun, lighthearted and, in many cases, empowering. My photographs have been described as ethereal, soulful, and humorous. I try to create images that have a combination of beauty and meaning.

Are you self-taught or classroom trained? A combination of both.

How many years have you been a professional photographer? Part time for 9 years, full time for one year.

Where do you want to take your photography business in 5 years?

I would love to work in more locations. Right now I work primarily in NYC, theHamptons, Greenwich CT, and Boston MA. I’m doing my first shoot on Martha’s Vineyard this summer; I’d love to work there and Nantucket every year. I’d also love to do more work in Los Angeles, where I used to live, and to photograph clients in the Caribbean.

Is there a photographer who inspires your style? Who would that be?

Oh gosh, there are so many wonderful photographers. The first photographers who really moved and inspired me were Sally Mann and Diane Arbus.

Favorite location to take photos?

Anywhere with beautiful light. Manhattan is fantastic because you can take photographs with a city feel and an outdoorsy park feel in one shoot.

Favorite vacation spot?

South Africa, Turks & Caicos, Croatia, East Hampton

Your Business:

What was the pivotal moment when you decided to become a photographer?

I’ve adored photography since I was young and have taken classes since high school. My love of photography was always there, so about a year ago I decided to go for it full time. I love it! Part of me wishes I’d gone full time earlier, but I feel lucky to have had a wonderful career before this too.

What’s the best marketing tip that has worked for you? SEO is huge.

What’s the most surprising thing a customer has asked you? I’ve heard it all, and love working with clients to ensure they have an experience they love. I’m always touched by how willing clients are to include me in intimate and special moments in their lives.

Favorite print lab? Miller’s

Your Gear

Are you Canon or Nikon: Nikon

If you could only have one lens on a photo shoot, what would it be? For an outdoor shoot, my 70 – 200 mm 2.8; for studio my 24 – 70 mm 2.8

What brand bag do you carry your camera in? Backpacker. It’s an odd bag I found on Amazon that has served me well.

What gear would we find in your camera bag? Nikon D800, Nikon D200, 50mm 1.8, 24 – 70mm 2.8; 70mm-200mm 2.8

Are you a natural light fan or strobe fan? In general natural light, but I love using the strobe in my studio for maternity and newborn photography

Are you PC or Mac? Mac!

Your Tips and Tricks

What post processing tools do you use? Photoshop, and occasionally Lightroom

Do you shoot in Raw or Jpeg? both

Best advice you would give your 20-year old self? See the world. Keep working hard, keep pursuing your passions, keep creating opportunities for yourself.

Best advice you would give a new photographer? Take classes, practice, practice, practice. Work hard, and you will start to see results.

What site do you use for your photography and why? I use bludomain, and wordpress. Bludomain has been great: it was my first website, I started it in 2008. Since then I’ve grown into liking Wordpress a lot too, for it’s simplicity and flexibility.

What Else Should We Know?

What was your worst photography experience? My own second grade class photos – my mother wanted me to wear a dress and I REALLY didn’t want to.

What would surprise people most about you, whether it is photography related or not? I can spin a basketball on my finger.

A Few Reasons Why You Need a Professional Head Shot.....

noreply@blogger.com (Moms Who Click) — Thu, 28 May 2015 15:22:00 +0000

by: Kristina Rust Photography

I understand that the thought of getting in front of the camera all by yourself can make you cringe but having a professional photo is extremely important and here’s why:

1. A professional headshot conveys a look of professionalism and credibility for you and your company. Your image is your first impression, be sure to make it a strong one.

2. People like to do business with others they know. Having a headshot helps people feel like they already know you.

3. You’ll use it all over the Internet. A polished headshot is necessary for social media. A consistent professional headshot should be used on all your social media channels…LinkedIn, Twitter, Website, etc.

4. You might need a headshot for a speaking engagement, book jacket, or event and you’ll be ready.

5. A professional headshot will show you at your best. Rather than using that selfie or photo where you cropped out your friends, a professional headshot will demonstrate that you made an investment in yourself and that you take yourself seriously.

As you can see from the sample images above, a headshot does not have to be stuffy or in front of a blue backdrop. Your headshot can reflect your style and personality and still look professional. If you’d like to learn more about my headshot services, please contact me at kristina.rust@gmail.com or call 408.207.5010.

How to Prepare for Your Head Shot Session | By Kristina Rust Photography

noreply@blogger.com (Moms Who Click) — Sat, 09 May 2015 15:41:00 +0000

by Kristina Rust Photography

Trying to figure out what to wear for your head shot session? No need to stress, here are a few tips to help you pull together the perfect look……

Be timeless…. Try to pick outfits that are not too trendy and that will not look dated in a year.
No logos or large graphics…these tend to distract from your lovely face and we don’t want you to be walking advertisements.
Layer…bring a sweater or scarf to add a bit of “texture” to your images as well as variety.
Accessorize…. add color and interest with accessories but don’t let them overwhelm the outfit. We don’t want that HUGE chunky necklace to be the center of attention. Again, think complement. Headbands, scarves, and cardigans are all great ways to add a little extra pop.
Patterns are great. Patterns and prints are terrific but make sure they are not too fine of a print or the pattern will look pixelated.
Make-up….a little extra make-up is good for the camera but don’t go too heavy handed. If you feel like you could use a little extra assistance, consider hiring a professional make-up artist (it is more affordable than you think).
Glasses...f you wear glasses-please note there might be a bit of glare. Non-glare glasses are ideal.
The Right Fit….do not wear clothes that are too baggy as they add unwanted pounds and clothes that are too tight never look right.
Hair…if you highlight your hair do so before the shoot so you don’t have roots. If you are in need of a haircut do that a week or two before the shoot so you can feel comfortable with your new do. And one tip that I love and used myself was to go to blow-dry bar and have your hair professionally styled.

And if you are interested in updating your profile picture for your website, LinkedIn, blog or Facebook page, please visit my website to see more examples of my work or email me at kristina.rust@gmail.com. I'd love to work with you.

Spider Pro Camera Holster Review

noreply@blogger.com (Moms Who Click) — Thu, 19 Feb 2015 23:42:00 +0000

By: Kristina Rust Photography

When I was at ClickAway last fall, I saw a few photographers using the Spider Pro Holster and was very intrigued. It looked like a great alternative to wearing your camera around your neck or across your body. Flash forward a few months and I had the opportunity to try one out myself and I have to say I really love it!

Now I must admit, I have not taken it out on a shoot just yet (I'm really excited to do so) but in just trying it out around my home and neighborhood, I'm very impressed.

What I really like is that the Spider Pro is a comfortable and secure way to carry my camera. It's a nice change from having a strap digging into my neck. I also love that I don't have to worry about my camera strap dangling in front of my camera and getting in the way of the lens.

The Spider Pro Holster is a belt system that you wear evenly across your waist, keeping the weight of your gear off your shoulders and back. A metal plate attaches to the bottom of your camera and the attached pin slides into the holster and locks into place (this is very important...make sure it is locked into place lest you end up with some damaged gear). The camera then swivels into position (which is upside with the lens pointing behind you) leaving your hands free.

While it felt strange at first (I was reluctant to trust that my camera really was secure hanging from my hip), I quickly got used to having my camera on my waist.

Here is a video that provides a great overview of this very cool product!

The Spider Pro has a variety of accessories you can purchase such as lens pouches and adapter kits so that you can attach your Spider Pro to belts from Think Tank and LowePro.

If you are looking for an alternative to wearing your camera around your neck or across your body, I would highly recommend giving this a try. If you have one already, I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Disclosure: I was provided a Spider Pro Holster in exchange for this review. The opinions are entirely my own.

More Top Down Photography

noreply@blogger.com (Moms Who Click) — Sun, 15 Feb 2015 21:26:00 +0000

I am loving the The Studio Online group that I am a part of this year. So much creativity going on and what a supportive nurturing group.

Here are some more images I recently captured. The prompt was fruit. Oh and the silverware in these images was so tarnished and not in a good way. I used a trick for cleaning silver that I found online here where you use foil, boiling water, baking soda and salt and it totally worked. I couldn't believe how clean and shiny these pieces became. If you've got some dingy silver or silver-plated pieces, you really got a try it out!

The Studio Online--Top Down Photography

noreply@blogger.com (Moms Who Click) — Wed, 04 Feb 2015 21:05:00 +0000

by: Kristina Rust Photography

This year I am participating in a creative group called The Studio taught by the amazing Kim Klassen. It is a place for creatives to connect, share and learn and I am thrilled to be a part of it.

Each week we are given a photography prompt as well as access to a variety of Lightroom presets (created by Kim) to try. There are also loads of tutorials and videos on using Lightroom, setting up still life photos and various photography tips and tricks.

I love being a part of this group because it encourages me to capture images just for the sake of creating. It's a different experience than my usual family or event photography. Which don't get me wrong...I love.

Anyway, over the past few weeks we've been doing all sorts of fun stuff. I'm a bit behind (as I usually am when I take online classes) but I'm slowly catching up. The nice thing about this course is your encouraged to go at your own pace....to enjoy the process and that is what I am doing.

So here you go... a few examples of what I've been up to these past weeks. The prompt below was to work on top down photography (or shooting from above). I really love this style of photography. It is amazing how little tweaks can really impact an image and the story being told.

Instantly Framed Review: Framed Photos From Your Smartphone

noreply@blogger.com (Moms Who Click) — Mon, 26 Jan 2015 16:25:00 +0000

by Kristina Rust Photography

If you are like me you probably have ~~hundreds~~ thousands of photos on your smartphone. While it's nice to scroll through them to relive the moments, it's even better to have your favorite images printed and hanging on your wall.

But the fact is it takes some effort to get them off your phone and on your walls. This is why I am a new fan of the app Instantly Framed. Instantly Framed is a smartphone app that provides a simple process for printing, framing, and shipping your photos from your camera. Whether you are using Instagram photos, Facebook photos, or photos from your camera roll, all you have to do is upload the image and in 3 days you will have a beautiful print delivered to your door.

Instantly Framed uses archival printing materials and a beautiful walnut framing in a soft black finish. You can choose from 3 different print sizes that are in an acid-free archival mat which fit a 12" x 12" frame. And they've made displaying your framed print easy by providing an option for hanging or using the easel backing.

I had the opportunity to try out Instantly Framed and was thrilled with the beautiful framed photo I received. Ordering was very easy. All I had to do was download the app, select a photo (which ended up being the hardest part), choose a photo size and hit send. The print arrived carefully packed in 3 days. No more waiting for prints to arrive from the printer (or printing it myself only to realize I'm running low on ink), running around hunting for frames and assembling everything once I finally get it all together. Now I can just Print. Frame and Ship.

The video below shows you just how simple the process is.

Instantly Framed's flat rate is $65 which includes shipping in the United States. You can receive $10 off your order (through February 15, 2015) by using the code CIMOMSCLICK10.

Disclosure: I received a framed photo from Instantly Framed for the purposes of this post. This does not influence my opinions of the company or the product.

A New Year-- New Photo Projects

noreply@blogger.com (Moms Who Click) — Fri, 09 Jan 2015 16:50:00 +0000

by: Kristina Rust Photography

Happy New Year! Can you believe we are embarking on another year! 2015! Wow!

This is the time of year when I think about the various photo projects I'd like to do. Last year I completed my fourth Project 365. Although I must admit, I did an "easier" version which was to capture an image a day using my iPhone. As they say, "the best camera is the one that's with you." And for a project 365, I found that to be true.

This year, I'm not sure that I am going to commit to another project 365. So far I have taken a photo every day...because it's a habit and I love taking pictures. But I'm not going to put a stake in the ground and say "I'm doing a Project 365." We'll see, maybe it will be the case but for now no pressure.

I am participating in Xanthe Berkeley's a Year of Creating Time Capsules and I'm also enrolled in Kim Klassen's The Studio and I'm very excited to be a part of both of these projects. I adore Xanthe and Kim and know that I will be super inspired by not only their work but the other participants. Registration is still open if you are interested.

I'm also starting my third year of a 10 on 10 project. A 10 on 10 project is where you take 10 photos on the 10th of each month. I am in a blog circle (on my business site....kristinarustphotography.com) and we each link to one another's posts. It's a great way to capture every day moments of my family and also connect with a group of amazing photographers. Click here to see my last post from 2014.

What photo projects are you up to this year? I'd love to hear about them.

In case you are curious, here is's a recap of my Project 365. I used the Project 365 app to organize my photos and make these calendars...you should check it out!

In addition to writing about photography tips, tricks and a good craft project here at Moms Who Click, you can also find me musing about my latest photography projects and client work on my website Kristina Rust Photography, Facebook Page and Google+.

Creating Time Capsules with Xanthe Berkeley

noreply@blogger.com (Moms Who Click) — Mon, 15 Dec 2014 15:26:00 +0000

By Kristina Rust Photography

I adore Xanthe Berkeley. If you have not checked out her amazing Time Capsule videos, you should! Her films are so fantastic and she will inspire you to want to make these types of videos too. Videos that capture the magical moments of your everyday life.

I've taken several of her classes before and can't wait to join her again in her newest e-course offering, A Year of Creating Time Capsules. It is a year long course that will provide participants with tips and inspiration to create films throughout 2015. If you have not taken one of her courses, I really encourage you to do so. Xanthe is a fabulous teacher and her work will really motivate you to go out and shoot more films.

Below is a film she created from the Gather retreat that she co-hosted with Kim Klassen. I was fortunate enough to attend this magical event and love that I have this memory to hold on to.

Hope to see you in class!

Holiday Gift Ideas for Your Clients

noreply@blogger.com (Moms Who Click) — Thu, 11 Dec 2014 18:27:00 +0000

by Kristina Rust Photography

I love giving my clients a little something extra during the holidays...something unexpected to thank them for choosing me to photograph their families. This year my go to items have been metal ornaments, personalized notebooks and mini-canvas photos. With all the great holiday promotions going on right now, most of these gifts can be purchased for under $20.

I realize now as I write this post, that I should have taken photos before I packed up all my goodies and delivered them to clients. But I was too excited to go out and spread my photo cheer and forgot....oh well.

But here are the sites I ordered from (note some of these are affiliate links) and if you hurry you can still get these great gifts in time for Christmas too.

Tiny Prints: I ordered personalized notebooks and metal ornaments from Tiny Prints. I was very happy with the quality of both products and so were my excited clients.

I actually ordered the metal ornaments from Shutterfly (Tiny Prints, parent company) and instead of putting the family name I added the year. It's the perfect keepsake! And right now you can save 40% using the code OURFAVS (offer expires 12/11/2014 so act fast).

Photobucket: Their 5x7 mini-canvases were the perfect way to share a favorite photo with my clients. I used the code CANVAS70 and purchased these well made gifts for under $10.

Time to Order Your Holiday Cards With 40% Off &Free Shipping at Tiny Prints

noreply@blogger.com (Moms Who Click) — Fri, 05 Dec 2014 23:41:00 +0000

Did you know that this Sunday is the busiest holiday card shopping day of the year?

It is...but you don't have to wait until Sunday to take advantage of an amazing offer from Tiny Prints.

For 24 hours only, you can get 40% off your order of ANY size plus get free shipping!

Here's how to take advantage of this offer:

1. Go to Tiny Prints and select from hundreds of holiday cards.

2. Personalize your card with your pictures, your text, etc.

3. When you checkout, use the promo code TPCARDS40FS to save 40% and get free shipping.

This promotion is only valid from 12:00pm PT on Saturday 12/6 to 12:00pm PT on Sunday 12/7, so act fast!

Cyber Monday Shopping Round-Up!

noreply@blogger.com (Moms Who Click) — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 11:00:00 +0000

By: Kristina Rust Photography

It seems like the holiday shopping extravaganza starts earlier and earlier every year. This year the Black Friday sales started on Thursday (if not earlier) and the Cyber Monday were more like Cyber Friday sales. If you have not done any shopping yet you still have time to snap up some great deals.

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

Photobucket: Yes, I've been writing about them a lot lately but have you checked out all the great products they now carry? They have been running some fabulous deals which I have personally scooped up including:

Get 70% off your canvas order using the code CANVAS70
Get 75% off holiday cards with the code FBCARDS75 (their cards are great....nice, thick card stock and rich colors with a satin finish).

Minted: Minted is another great card company. All of their designs are from independent artists, illustrators and painters from all over the world. I wrote about them last week and gave a sneak peek of my family Christmas card. For Cyber Monday they have a 15% off + Free Shipping on holiday cards using the code 15CM or 25% off everything else using the code 25CM.

Tiny Prints: I love Tiny Prints too. They have a fantastic selection of cards and photo gifts. I'm a big fan of their very cute notebooks. As a Tiny Prints affiliate, I have a 40% off coupon that I can email you (sorry I can't publish it). If interested, leave a comment below with your email address and I will send it to you.

Bay Photo: Bay Photo is my go to lab for printing. The quality of their prints is top notch and their customer service is outstanding. I am fortunate to be on their pro-delivery route and have all my goodies delivered right to my door. Here are the specials they are running through Cyber Monday:

30% Off Fine Art Canvas Prints
30% Off Prints on Photo Paper 16x16 & Larger
35% Off NEW Mid-Gloss Surface MetalPrints in 8x12 & 12x18 Sizes

Here are the additional details: http://www.bayphoto.com/pro-products/specials.htm

Artifact Uprising: If you are looking for beautifully designed products with a simple, modern aesthetic you should definitely check out Artifact Uprising. I am a big fan of their 5x5 books...perfect for all those gorgeous Instagram photos you've been snapping. Save 10% through Cyber Monday with the code MERRY.

Moo: We love Moo's awesome business cards. They really allow you to show off your work in a beautiful way. Their thick card stock and unique sized cards are sure to make you stand out. Today they are offering 25% off no code necessary!

Do you have any other deals that shouldn't be missed? If so, please let us know in the comments below!

Holiday Cards from @Photobucket

noreply@blogger.com (Moms Who Click) — Wed, 26 Nov 2014 22:32:00 +0000

by: Kristina Rust Photography

Last week I wrote about the new holiday card offering from Photobucket. Yes, Photobucket, the photo hosting site that many of us know and love is now offering a variety of different photo products. You can now find calendars, canvases, phone cases, holiday cards and more in their new online shop.

I had the opportunity to try out their cards and have to say I am quite impressed. The card stock is nice and thick, the colors are rich and I really love the finish. It is not glossy but not matte...I'd call it a satin finish. These cards are a great value at only 99 cents each (introductory offer). While the card design selection is not as robust as their competitors, the options they do offer are very cute. You can see their various designs here.

Here is an example of the card I created to send to my clients. It's of a photo I took last year while visiting my parents in Illinois (here in Silicon Valley we don't get any snow). I love the simple design and that the focus is on the photo.

Give them a try and let us know what you think!

Holiday Cards From Minted

noreply@blogger.com (Moms Who Click) — Mon, 24 Nov 2014 22:06:00 +0000

By: Kristina Rust Photography

It is that time of year again...time to order your holiday cards. I am often asked for recommendations on card companies and one of my favorites is Minted. I love their designs, the quality of their card stock and how easy they make it to help you decide on a card....well maybe not that easy because there are so many beautiful choices! I also love how Minted is a marketplace of independent artists. All of their designs are from independent artists, illustrators and painters from all over the world.

So now, let me tell you about my Minted experience......

I ordered my cards earlier this month and love the results. As I mentioned above, ordering was easy. Once I decided on the photo I was going to use and uploaded it, I narrowed down the choices by choosing the format and clicking the "number of photos" selection. I then used the "see more filters" drop down menu to choose a color scheme, which helped me find a design that complimented the outfits my kids were wearing.

I love how the site auto populated the designs with my image so that I could see a preview right away of the cards with my photo. As you can see, I was able to tell right away what layouts wouldn't work given my photo (I have four kids, not three and the first option cropped out my son). :)

I ended up choosing a foil pressed design....decided I need a little bling this year, since I was picking a simple format....and I love the results! Oh and one thing I tried this year that I have not done before, is their FREE offer to address your envelopes (for a limited time)! All I had to do was upload my spreadsheet and that was it! SOOO easy. My beautiful cards arrived and my envelopes are ready to go. All I need is a stamp!

A little close up shot of the foil circles...so shiny and cute!

If you are interested in trying Minted, let me know. I have a limited number of 20% discount codes. Just leave a comment with your email address below and I will send you the code (while they last).

Disclaimer: I was provided holiday cards by Minted in exchange for this review. The opinions are entirely my own and I truly love this company.

Holiday Cards from Photobucket

noreply@blogger.com (Moms Who Click) — Sat, 15 Nov 2014 01:56:00 +0000

Did you know that Photobucket offers holiday cards? If you are like me, you probably think of Photobucket as mainly a photo hosting and sharing site but guess what... they now also offer beautiful cards, home decor, and photo gifts.

And right now they have an amazing deal! You can get 75% off your 5x7 holiday cards by using the code: F4VODMM, (this includes envelopes and their is no limit). But you must hurry as this offer expires Saturday, November 15.

Oh and be sure to check out their canvas prints too. There is an insider deal going on right now where you can save 70% using the code CANVAS70. And this offer expires November 15 too!

So hurry on over and get shopping!

Montage Makes Photo Book-Building a Snap

noreply@blogger.com (Moms Who Click) — Thu, 16 Oct 2014 16:39:00 +0000

It is estimated that 27,800 photos are uploaded to Instagram every minute. Another 208,300 are uploaded to Facebook in that same 60 seconds. That’s over six billion photos per month. Which means there’s a market out there for photo books (and every type of printed medium you can imagine). But how many of us actually take the time to sit down and build a photo book filled with our favorite images? Montage simplifies that whole burdensome process enabling everyone from novice to professional to create wonderful, lay-flat albums. And get this – in an incredibly easy-to-order process with just three simple FIXED prices. Wow.

Beautiful lay-flat books with a lovely eco-leather from Italy

Mixbook released Montage late last year. Consumer Reports rated Mixbook as its number-one rated photo book in 2014 based on their offering of templates, fonts, - and especially budget. Mixbook’s mobile app, Mosiac, won a 2014 Appy Award and easily maneuvers between your smartphone photos and its super easy app to create gorgeous albums in record time. Again, the price structure is so simple with no add-on costs like the competitors.

Montage brings photo book making to a whole new level. The process and menu selection make book-building a breeze. First, download between 20-180 photos (currently 180 is the maximum number allowed.) The hardest decisions you’ll have to make in the entire process are which photos to select. Montage does the rest and upon downloading your images it builds a square album in minutes. Presto, it’s like magic!

After your album has been created you can further customize it by selecting and playing around with various designs, add text, titles and adjust page layout. At this time text on the book spine is not an option, but you can add titles to the front cover.
The real treat with Montage is the superb quality. Forget about flimsy paper albums. Montage delivers beautiful, sturdy lay-flat pages wrapped cover-to-cover in soft eco-friendly leather that is imported from Italy.

Choose from Small (6-inch), Medium (8.5-inch) to Large (12-inch) albums that are price-fixed at $39, $59 and $119 respectively. How easy and affordable is that? No matter how many photos (within the 180 max) or pages, that’s the price. In less than a week I had my album delivered in an elegant white logo box. Your Montage photo album is ready to gift in minutes. Really.

One element I would love to see in the future is a link to the albums that I can share online or privately with friends and family. I’m sure that will only cause folks to think about creating one of their own albums.

Instead of taking another photo that doesn’t get printed, check out Montage. It’s like having your own private assistant build your album right before your very eyes. And what busy person or professional photographer doesn’t want that?

Check out:
Website
Facebook

Reference: http://www.popphoto.com/news/2013/05/how-many-photos-are-uploaded-to-internet-every-minute

Full disclosure: I was provided with a free 6x6" album. All opinions are 100% my own.

Photography Mini-Session Form Created with Google Docs

noreply@blogger.com (Moms Who Click) — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 15:19:00 +0000

By: Kristina Rust Photography

Last spring I held a Wine Tasting & Portrait Party. I talked about it a lot on my own business blog here and here.

In a nutshell, it was SUPER fun and my guests and I had a fabulous time. I photographed 17 women at a beautiful winery located near my home (one of the perks of living in Northern California). I have to say that having a glass of wine before getting your headshot taken is a great way to feel relaxed and at ease in front of the camera. :)

Anyway, I created a sign up form using Google Docs which worked out great and I thought I'd share it with you. I was able to link this form to my invitation, embed it it in blog posts and share the form online, making it very easy for guests to sign up. And the best part is, it is free! Oh and when you use Google Docs, a response spreadsheet is automatically set up for you.

Here is the form I created....
Loading...

To create a form like this, all you have to do log into your Google account and go to drive.google.com. Next, click Create (located on the left hand side) and then choose Form. From there it is pretty easy. You can choose different options in terms of the type of questions, i.e. multiple choice, text, paragraph text etc. Once you've finished creating it, you can share the link or embed the form (like I did above) using iFrame. I am also going to use Google Docs to create a model release to send out to my families. Let me know if you try it and how you decide to use it.

Behind The Lens: Lindsay Salazar Photography, Salt Lake City, UT

noreply@blogger.com (Moms Who Click) — Tue, 07 Oct 2014 12:00:00 +0000

This past September I attended Click Away, a photography conference held in Salt Lake City and hosted by Clickin Moms. It was a wonderful investment in education, inspiration and new contacts. Whether it was in a class session or standing in the lunch line, I met amazing, inspirational and creative people from all over the U.S. and Canada. I call these people I meet where we end up talking about everything my 5-minute friends, a term I stole from one of my daughter's friends. Turns out her little brother makes these 5-minute friends wherever he is. I love that concept!

So anyway, that's how I met Lindsay Salazar - we were standing in the lunch line and started chatting. Turns out Lindsay didn't have to travel far to attend Click Away. She hails from Salt Lake City, and let me tell you, her work is wonderful. Whether it is a sunny day at the lake or a memorable day in a backyard, Lindsay captures breathtaking images that you will treasure for a lifetime. Lindsay's work has been featured in I Heart Faces, Let The Kids, Light Inspired, A La Modo, Brinca Dada, and Stephmodo.

It was such a pleasure to have met you Lindsay! And now it is my pleasure to introduce you to Lindsay Salazar!

Your Name: Lindsay Salazar

Your studio/business name: Lindsay Salazar Photography

Location: Salt Lake City, UT

Website: http://www.lindsaysalazar.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LindsaySalazarPhotography

Instagram: http://instagram.com/lindsay_salazar_photography

Your Style:

In 50 words or less, how would your clients describe your photography? One very kind client described me this way on Yelp: “She's not just a photographer - she's an artist. Her creativity and eye for all things beautiful clearly translate into the portraits she takes. We were so impressed by her patience and willingness to work around the chaos of our two high-energy children. Her professionalism remained constant from beginning to end. Lindsay is a pleasure to work with and her work is flawless.”

Are you self-taught or classroom trained? Self-taught. I learned by taking (and continuing to take) many online photography and editing classes. My favorite resources have been Clickin’ Moms, Brooke Snow, and I Heart Faces.

How many years have you been a professional photographer? 4 years

Where do you want to take your photography business in 5 years? I love photographing people. It makes my heart happy, and it serves as a creative outlet for me. In the next 5 years, I plan to photograph many more families and newborns. And who knows, maybe I’ll get the wedding bug and give weddings a try!

Is there a photographer who inspires your style? Who would that be? Jean Smith because I love her point of view and editing style, Summer Murdock because she takes brilliant pictures of her kids doing everyday things, and Blue Lily because I enjoy seeing them photograph families all over the world.

Favorite location to take photos? At the client’s home. I love capturing people in their own home, because that’s where most of their memories are made.

Favorite vacation spot? My favorite place that I’ve ever been? The Amalfi Coast in Italy. A more practical destination that we try to visit each year? Newport Beach, California.

Your Business:

What was the pivotal moment when you decided to become a photographer? I had three young children (now there are four!) and in caring for them, I lost my sense of self. We decided to buy a nice camera that year with our tax return money, and I was hooked.

What’s the best marketing tip that has worked for you? Becoming friends with my clients on Instagram and my personal Facebook page. Then when their session is blogged, I put it on FB and IG and tag them so their friends see it also. It’s an amazing way to reach new people who are likely part of my target audience.

What’s the most surprising thing a customer has asked you? I had a mom ask me if I could edit a photo to make her daughter’s hair curly instead of straight. Nope, sorry.

Favorite print lab? White House Custom Color

Your Gear

Are you Canon or Nikon? Or other? Canon

If you could only have one lens on a photo shoot, what would it be? It depends. For a family it would be the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 II, and for 1-2 people, it would be the Canon EF 85mm f/1.2 II.

What brand bag do you carry your camera in? I use a Kata bag to transport my gear, and a small Lowepro bag to carry an extra lens on my waist during the photo shoot.

What gear would we find in your camera bag? Canon 5D Mark II, Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 II, Canon EF 85mm f/1.2 II, Canon EF 50mm f/1.4,

Canon 600EX-RT Speedlite Flash (which I’ve never used, so I don’t really carry it with me) and candy to bribe my younger clients.

Are you a natural light fan or strobe fan? Natural light, for sure!

Are you PC or Mac? PC

Your Tips and Tricks

What post processing tools do you use? Lightroom. I’ve purchased several presets, but I hardly ever use them and have ended up creating my own. I also use Photoshop if I need to switch heads or liquify. If you don’t know what liquify is, google it now and thank me later.

Do you shoot in Raw or Jpeg? Raw for clients and portrait photos of my family, Jpeg for everyday photos of my family.

Best advice you would give your 20-year old self? Major in Graphic Design, not Elementary Education.

Best advice you would give a new photographer? Practice, practice, practice, and network with other photographers in your area. It’s valuable to have like-minded friends in the same business and in the same city.

What site do you use for your photography and why? I purchased my blog site from Into The Darkroom because I like the layout. It’s unique and I love that it showcases my best photo from each session, right on the landing page.

What Else Should We Know?

What was your worst photography experience? I’m not a wedding photographer, but I shot one for a friend last year and I was so nervous I was sure I was going to throw up. I didn’t though, and it turned out to be really fun!

What would surprise people most about you, whether it is photography related or not? I’m the youngest of 5 kids and when I was little, my siblings convinced me that my real dad was Boy George. Still in therapy for that one.

Tell us something else you’d like us to know. I’ve recently become a single mom, and while it’s challenging, I feel fortunate to be able to supplement my income with photography.

My Time at Click Away

noreply@blogger.com (Moms Who Click) — Tue, 30 Sep 2014 21:09:00 +0000

by Kristina Rust Photography

I have been meaning to write up a post on my experience at Click Away ever since I got back but life has been so busy around here and time keeps slipping away.

So before I wait another two weeks, I thought I'd give you a quick recap.......

In a nutshell, I had a fabulous time. I met amazing photographers, learned so much and came home with a notebook full of ideas. The conference was well organized and ran like a well-oiled machine. The staff at Clickin Moms thought through every detail and really did a fantastic job. I can't believe this was their first conference....it was so well done!

And Salt Lake City was a great location for this type of event. It's beautiful and clean and of course full of photo ops...both in and around this lovely city!

There is so much more to say and I promise to give more details soon, but for now I'll leave you with a few photos from my trip.

When we arrived, we were hungry and decided to try the Red Iguana. It did not disappoint!

Salt Lake City is so beautiful and clean. We loved walking around Temple Square.

Yep, that is Sue Bryce. She is just amazing as I thought she would be!

The entrance into the Salt Place Conference Center was impressive.

Me and my roomies, Suzanne and Becky.

During one of our breaks, Becky and I ran to the Farmer’s Market for a quick bite to eat and saw the cutest food truck ever!

We went on a field trip to Ogden, Utah. The town was full of painted pianos. I loved this one.

Suzanne and I decided to take a last minute trip to Saltair to see the sunset. So glad we rallied to do this. It was beautiful and I think this is my favorite photo from the entire trip!

Photoshop Freebie - Instagram Photo Booth Prop (Must Have Photoshop)

noreply@blogger.com (Moms Who Click) — Fri, 05 Sep 2014 15:00:00 +0000

by Tina Case Photography

PLEASE READ FIRST - This answers many frequently asked questions about this template

Can I download this file to my Smartphone or Tablet? ANS. This download is meant to be used on a desktop or laptop. If you download to your tablet or smartphone you will need a fully functioning copy of Photoshop as this is a .PSD file - used in Photoshop.
I LIKED your Facebook page, now how do I find the download? ANS. After LIKING my Facebook page you scroll to the section that says "Apps" and find the tab for FREEBIES. Click on FREEBIES. That will take you to a Dropbox page to download the file.
What size is the file? The file is quite large, it is almost 20 MB. That is due to the many layers.
What are the dimensions of the final image? It starts out as a 4x5" image. That makes it possible for you to resize it on your laptop to 20x30 inches which is the size of a poster (in the U.S.). Costco, for instance, has a nice poster that you can print on a heavy card stock or foam core board. Talk to your local Costco to find out how to order.
Can I change the Instagram profile name, text and cut out? Yes - you just have to know how to use Photoshop. You can erase the text I have there now (or hide that layer) and create your own text.
What fonts do you use? The fonts used are: Instagram = Billabong; Profile Name = Arial Rounded. The other comments are embedded in the file and are not fonts. You can click the appropriate layer to turn them off or you can take the dropper tool to get the color and paint over the text with a paintbrush.
Where can I learn more about Photoshop? http://www.thecoffeeshopblog.com/ I am not a photoshop teacher, but check out The Coffee Shop Blog to learn about how to use clipping masks and more. I love her blog.
Can I just get the JPEG of this file? I am now providing just the JPEG, but you must resize it for 20x30 inches to print at Costco.

I've been negligent with my free photoshop templates. You'll find similar Instagram templates like this on Etsy, but we're providing it free for our readers.

To download this Photoshop template you will have to go to my business Facebook page and 'Like' it to obtain it. There are several other cool templates I created too :)

Link here: https://www.facebook.com/TinaCasePhotography, like that page and it will link to the download page.

This is sized for a 20x30 inch poster that you can have printed at your local Costco. If you select the posterboard option at Costco then you just have to get an exacto knife to cut out the frame. You may also want to adhere it to a second foam board for extra support. Have fun with this at your next photo booth!

Personalized Rings and Necklaces by CentimeGifts

noreply@blogger.com (Moms Who Click) — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 16:57:00 +0000

As posted from Parent Grapevine - our sister blog

What’s one of the most personal gifts you can find for anyone no matter the age? At the top of that list is personalized jewelry. Gifts that are personalized with a significant date, name or milestone are simply unique and will become your most treasured family heirlooms. Personalized jewelry makes the perfect gift for graduations, birthdays and weddings. CentimeGift creates custom works of art that you can wear, stack and cherish for years to come.

As the mother of 3 daughters it becomes more difficult with time to find gifts that stand out. But with CentimeGifts there is an array of beautiful and fun designs that is endless. I had the chance to order the stackable rings with the nicknames of each of my daughters. The rings are made out of 925 Sterling Silver. The handmade construction is remarkable and beautiful.

Beyond the ring design you see here, there’s a wonderful selection of whimsical, classy and timeless pieces of bling that you will cherish from the moment you open the box. The only problem with CentimeGifts is choosing your design.

What to get for your Bridesmaids? How about a personalized necklace nameplate? You can include a name and date or thoughtful word to live by. Whatever you fancy you can personalize it to make it your own.

Best graduation gift ever: What about a necklace that marks a graduation milestone with their name and date? Or a custom ring or necklace with their favorite words to live by? CentimeGifts are unique to you.

The New Mom: Hey Dads, be a hero and present a CentimeGift for the mother of your children. Moms will a piece or two of jewelry that keeps their children close to their heart and what better way than a necklace or set of rings for each child?

Be sure to double-check your sizing especially when it comes to rings. Since these are custom made you’ll want to be completely sure your rings will fit over your knuckles but be snug enough not to fall off. For necklaces you’ll want to figure out the length. There’s a great size chart in each of the necklace photos on the CentimeGifts Etsyshop.

The prices for are very affordable. These beautifully crafted, handmade works of art will become your favorite pieces of jewelry. CentimeGifts goal is to create handcrafted, personalized silver jewelry in timeless, dainty designs that you can wear everyday. They are created to last a lifetime and to hand down as family keepsakes. So what are you waiting for? Check them out and get your holiday shopping done early this year!

Check out some of my favorites designs:

http://centimegift.com/name-rings/stackable-name-ring perfect gifts for mothers and grandmas, bridesmaids gifts, graduation gifts

http://centimegift.com/initial-necklaces/personalized-signature-necklace very special, sentimental gifts. You can turn your own signature or someone's signature to the pendant of a necklace.

CentimeGifts can be found here:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/centimegift

Website: http://centimegift.com/

Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/CentimeGift

Disclaimer: I was provided with 3 custom rings. I can attest that the quality and workmanship is beautiful. I only endorse things that have a high quality and CentimeGifts is outstanding.

Decorate Your Walls with Removable Wall Decals

noreply@blogger.com (Moms Who Click) — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 10:30:00 +0000

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to try out the wall from http://mywalldecals.ca. They have a variety of different vinyl wall decals that can transform any room. I love the idea of using vinyl decals because of the flexibility you have in your decorating options. With removable wall decals you don't have to commit. You can change your mind and change your design.

As it so happened earlier in the year we had redecorated my daughter's room. The one area that we were still looking for something to fill was the space above her bed. Because we live in California and therefore experience the occasional earthquake, we wanted to get some kind of wall decal to fill that space. So this opportunity was perfect!

After browsing the decdecal site, we decided on the Photo Frame Tree they are a part of the Magic Tree Sticker collection. It was just the right size and we loved the look. Plus we loved the idea of being able to incorporate photos into this design (gotta display those photos!). Hanging this wall art was easy. What was very helpful was the mini design on the sheet that showed you how to place the branches and frame. In just a matter of minutes we were able to transform the space above my daughter's headboard.

One word of caution, while the decals are easy to place and adjust on the wall (they remove easily without tearing or leaving a residue) the frame decals do stick to the photos. You want to make sure that your images are cut to size and that very little of the decal sticks to the photo.

Here is a photo of the decals before we added the photos......

And here it is after we added the photos......super cute!

For those of you looking to spruce up a nursery (check out these cute jungle stickers), children's room (love the chalkboard art), or really any room in your house (wall quotes are always great!), you'll find a variety of different looks and ideas on their site.

Note: I was provided with this tree decal in exchange for my review. The opinions are entirely my own.

BEHIND THE LENS: Nikki Gardner of Art & Lemons, Western Massachusetts

noreply@blogger.com (Moms Who Click) — Thu, 21 Aug 2014 10:00:00 +0000

I am so excited to feature the beautiful work of Nikki Gardner of Art and Lemons on our Behind the Lens series this week. Some of you may be familiar with Nikki's work as she is a contributor to the very popular photography blog Mortal Muses and she has an e-course Develop Your Photo Habit & Style: 10 Minutes a Day for 31 Days.

As you can see from the images below, Nikki's images really make you feel like you are a part of the scene. Her work is so inspiring. Thank you Nikki for sharing your lovely images and story with us today!

Your Name: Nikki Gardner

Your studio/business name: Art & Lemons

Location: Western Massachusetts

Website: www.artandlemons.com

Blog: www.artandlemons.com

Twitter/Facebook: @artandlemons / https://www.facebook.com/pages/art-and-lemons/89697361900

Instagram: www.instagram.com/artandlemons

Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/artandlemons

Your Style

In 50 words or less, how would your clients describe your photography? I think my style would be described as narrative, honest, engaging, and spontaneous with a bit of wit thrown in every once and while. When I’m working with people, I want them to trust my vision and to forget the camera is present.

Are you self-taught or classroom trained? Classroom trained, but I’m forever a student of the medium.

How many years have you been a professional photographer? I’ve been a fine art photographer since 2001. Over the past five years, I’ve expanded into editorial photography as well.

Where do you want to take your photography business in 5 years? I want to shoot more editorial and lifestyle features for books, magazines, and newspapers.

Is there a photographer who inspires your style? Yes, there are so many. I feel like my list of influences is always evolving…

Who would that be? Currently, I’m into Saul Leiter’s color street photographs, Alex Prager’s cinematic narratives, Brian W. Ferry’s artist and designer profiles, and Erin Kunkel’s food, lifestyle, and travel photographs.

Favorite location to take photos? Wherever there is light though I love to photograph New York City. It’s vibrant and in constant motion, even at night.

Favorite vacation spot? Cape Cod.

Your Business

What was the pivotal moment when you decided to become a photographer? In my early 20s I moved to Portland, Oregon to attend a graduate studies program in International Business. A few weeks into the program, I went out to dinner with some of my classmates. One of the guys, I can’t even remember his name anymore, asked me what I wanted to do after graduation. Truthfully, I said, I just want to take photographs. He replied, then why don’t you. After that, I left the program and started taking pictures. I wish I could remember his name to thank him.

What’s the best marketing tip that has worked for you? Be bold. Constantly put yourself out there. Make friends and genuine connections with people on social media and in person. Promote other people’s work. Share what you do and your process. Be interested and interesting with what you share online. Above all, keep pitching your ideas and projects.

What’s the most surprising thing a customer has asked you? During a solo gallery showing of my fine art work, someone asked if the photographs in the series were real or made up. Both, I replied.

Favorite print lab? For fine art photography, I use a local lab, Pivot Media. I can go in a proof the prints, and make adjustments to ensure the prints are spot on.

Your Gear

Are you Canon or Nikon (or –other): Nikon

If you could only have one lens on a photo shoot, what would it be? Nikon 50mm f/1.4 lens

What brand bag do you carry your camera in? My digital bag is a small practical Lowepro. For film cameras, I carry a large Tenba bag with a Polaroid Spectra, Nikon f100, and Hasselblad 500 cm.

What gear would we find in your camera bag? Nikon d7000 (although I hope to upgrade to a Nikon d800 soon), Nikon 50mm f/1.4 lens, Nikon 24 -70mm f/2.8 lens, Nikon Speedlight SB/600.

Are you a natural light fan or strobe fan? Natural light all the way.

Are you PC or Mac? Mac

Your Tips and Tricks

What post processing tools do you use? For digital images, I use Lightroom 5.6 and adjust my photos manually. When I do use LR Presets, I like Totally Rad’s Replichrome Film Presets, both I and II. For film images, I get the film developed at a local lab, and then scan them with an Epson v700. Minimal editing is done in Photoshop CS5.

Do you shoot in Raw or Jpeg? Raw

Best advice you would give your 20-year old self? Trust your heart. Work on your craft. Don’t worry about whether you have any talent or if you’re good enough or not. Think about whether or not you are capturing something true, in yourself and in the moment. Also, learn how to be a keen editor of your own work. This takes time and practice. Be patient with yourself. You’ll make mistakes along the way. It’s okay. Pick yourself up and start again.

Best advice you would give a new photographer? Shoot constantly. Make photography your obsession. Decide what you’re passionate about photographing and practice. Give yourself assignments. Practice under varying conditions so that when you’re in the field, you’ll have experience to fall back on. Do it until you tire of it, then keep going. Push through until you make the kind of photographs you admire.

What site do you use for your photography and why? Wordpress.org (although my portfolio site is currently under construction.)

And just because we want to know you better, fill in the blanks

Three things I can’t live without…. Coffee, books, my yoga mat.

I wish I had more…..time to travel and make photographs. I have a long list of places I want to photograph. Now I need to make it happen.

The best thing about being a photographer is… finding truth in everyday moments.

The most important lesson I ever learned was….Say yes, even when you have no idea what you’re doing, just say yes, then figure out how to accomplish what needs to be done.

My favorite time of day is…early morning.

Chocolate Puppy Yawning GIF

noreply@blogger.com (Moms Who Click) — Mon, 18 Aug 2014 00:46:00 +0000

Tina Case Photography

We love GIFs at Moms Who Click. We've published a few tutorials based on websites we love.

Here are two posts we've published with directions:

Another Animated GIF

and

How to Make an Animated GIF

Here's our latest GIF from a few pics I took over the weekend of a Chocolate Puppy who was ready for a nap!