Photography 101

Tony has had a very busy year for his photography business and building his name up.  He's done Senior portraits, school portraits and a lot of event photography.  And if there is anything that I've learned from Tony about taking pictures, it's that there is a lot more to it than meets the eye.  Here in our neck of the woods, there are a lot of aspiring and amateur photographers.  Some think it's all about a certain brand of camera.  Others think it's about the right posing.  But Tony has shown me that it's not really about either of these things.  In fact, his last Senior photo shoot went so well that everyone's started coming to Tony to ask him how he does it and where they can improve.  I have to laugh when someone approaches Tony for photography insight after they paid $90 for a five week class that barely taught them anything.

So, what is it?  What is one of Tony's biggest points of sharing?  Tony will tell you that alot of times is starts with just getting out there and playing around.  Tony has told everyone that asks him that it doesn't matter what camera you have.  It's more important that you go out and truly play with your camera to learn what it's capabilities are.  Capabilities for different lighting situations, action versus stabile subjects, etc.  As I've been told by my husband many times... "for every 50 photos you shoot, you can count on getting maybe three or four really good ones!".  The more familiar you are with your camera (and your subjects), the more good photos you can expect to get.

Here are some of Tony's most recent examples:

Use nature's lighting

Use the backgrounds around you

Some of the best photos are the simple ones

There's something to be said for NOT posing

Learn what your camera CAN do

Always keep it fun



Sometime you have to get down and dirty for the best photos

 Random shots can turn out fabulous

A little mis-angle can add to a picture

That's what I've learned from my wonderful husband's photography lessons (so far).  He learned from his grandfather and father over his entire life, so he'll be teaching me more lessons forever!  So glad he's been able to turn it into a real business for himself.  You can check his site out... AGH Photography.

Time Flies... Whether You're Having Fun or Not!

WOW!  We didn't realize that it had been so long since we posted anything on the blog.  It's amazing how busy the end of the school year and beginning of summer can be with four kids going in four totally different directions. 

So what have we been up to...  Well, we'll try to keep it short. 

• T-Ball practice and games with Bethanie.  Not to mention that we're coaching the team! 
• Kindergarten enrollment with Bethanie.
• The annual high school "Spring Football Cookout" to kick off the summer season with Dalton.  (Yes!  I'm still somehow helping head the parent organization).
• Summer football camps and conditioning are in full force with Dalton.
• Helping Devin with budget planning as he gets ready to apply to film school in Denver.
• End of the school year parties, games and field events with Emmalie.
• Softball practice and games with Emmalie.
• Swimming... work... housework... landscaping the front yard... :-/

The last of our major events to bring on the summer break happened last week.  Our precious baby girl had her official "first graduation" ceremony as she graduated from Pre-K.  It was a great day for her, but kind of sad for us.  That morning started like this...

Bethanie:  "Mommy, I'm so excited about today! Aren't you?!"

Me:  "Yes Bethanie!  We're all very proud of you."

Bethanie:  "Well, does it make you sad?"

Me: "Sad?  Why do you ask that?"

Bethanie:  "Duh!  You're baby is graduating and moving on!"

Though Bethanie is NOT moving too far, she did start making us think about her comments a little bit.  It seems like yesterday that we were carrying her around in preemie clothes.  The first five years have gone so fast, and we're sure that the next thirteen are going to fly by quicker than we want (or can even imagine).

So... here is our video montage from Bethanie's Pre-K graduation.  Enjoy!  And watch for randomness and photos to come!