Capturing The Motion
Most of the time we are doing our best to stop the motion. But, every once in a while capturing the motion is what makes an image. Taking photos like this is super easy once you know how to do it. The trick is to slow your shutter speed enough to capture the motion of the city. You can use shutter priority mode for this, but when I was experimenting with this, shutter priority (or TV) was making the image overexposed. So, I shot it in manual. I experimented with a couple of different shutter speeds. The key is to find a good balance of a slow enough shutter speed to capture the motion and also one that I could still hand hold the camera. If you have a tripod that makes your job a lot easier, but since I chose to not lug a tripod around NYC with me I hand held it for this shot. Lucky for me there was a ledge I could lean on and steady myself. I took a breath in, pressed the shutter, waited for it to take the picture and then breathed out.
Canon 5D, 16-35 2.8
F 11, 1/5, ISO 1000
You use this technique in any lighting condition, but I personally love it right after sunset. The lights were just coming on in the buildings and the cars had their headlights on, but there was still enough light where you can see the clouds in the sky.
I used the same technique on this subway picture.
Canon 5D, 16 – 35 2.8
F 10, 1/13, ISO 1000
I’ve gotten a lot of interest in the Brooklyn Bridge shot and I have decided to sell it and a few of my other NYC photos. You can purchase the high resolution digital negative for $25. The image can be used for personal use only! No commercial usage! 100% of the proceeds will go the NYC Ronald McDonald House. To keep costs down, this will not be an instant download. The file will be emailed to you within 48 hours. Scroll below to purchase. Thank you!
New York City at Dusk
Subway
Central Park
Bridge In Central Park
Skyline
Happy 2nd Birthday, Brayden!
Dear Brayden,
2 years ago today, after a very long and painful labor, we met at exactly 3:30pm for the first time. 4 days past due and you had no intentions of coming out so the doctor had to force you out. When the doctor held you up over the curtain for the first time and your Daddy and I saw you we both cried, but later admitted to each other that we thought you were an albino baby. Your hair was as white as your skin and you had bright blue eyes. Regardless, we loved you because you were ours.
2 years ago today you were a stranger. I could only dream of what your voice would sound like when you said, “Mama”. I could only imagine what you would look like when you took your first steps. I could never comprehend how proud I would be every time you learn a new word, when you blew out the candles of your 2nd birthday cake, when you said, “Love Mama” for the first time, and all your other little accomplishments. I would have never guessed how much joy and happiness you could bring to me.
2 years ago today I wasn’t sure I could do it. I still have days that I’m not sure I can do it. But, I hope you know how much I try to be the best mom possible. I love making you laugh so hard that your face turns red. I love tickling you so hard that you giggle and say, “No, Mama! No!”. I love that I’m the only one who can understand your “Branglish”. I love that I get just as excited as you (okay, maybe more excited) when we get stuck at a train crossing. I love getting to discover new things with you.
2 years ago today I knew I loved you, but I could have never imagined how much more I could love you today. Brayden, I love you so much and am so proud of the boy you are. I can’t wait to see how much you change and grow over the next year. But, please don’t grow up too fast. These past two years have flown by. I’d just like you to stay my baby for a little bit longer.
Love,
Mama
I was going to try to take credit for this outfit, but I can’t. I would never pick out something this cool. The outfit was a birthday present the very stylish Trista Lerit. Trista has been buying Brayden designer duds since before he was even born. Thanks Trista!
And a big special thanks to my hubby who helped me take these pictures during the Super Bowl 
He’s so awesome!
And with Brayden’s birthday it also means that’s it’s the 1 year anniversary of Mom*tog! 192 posts, 2372 comments, over 350,000 hits, and countless new friends. It’s been a great year! Thanks for the support. Thanks for reading. Thanks for the fun! I can’t wait to see what the next year has in store!
And as a Happy Birthday / Happy Anniversary gift the UNposing Guide is 25% off until Sunday at midnight! Enter in the code “Anniversary” at checkout.
$3068.50
That’s how much money WE raised! $3068.50 donated through the American Red Cross and will go directly to Haiti. That’s 33 UNposing Guides in 32 hours (7 purchased with a 10% off code if you’re checking my math).
Thank you for caring. Thank you for making a difference. It’s amazing what we can do when we come together to help those in need. Happy Friday!
Earthquakes
I hate earthquakes. I’ve lived in Southern California my whole entire life and I’ve been through all of the big ones, but I still can’t get use to them. When Brayden was a just a few months old we had a pretty big quake that was centered just a few miles from us. I wouldn’t stay in the house by myself for days. I would leave when Chuck left in the morning and not come back until he did. My fear is totally unhealthy, but it’s more than a fear. It’s a phobia. My fear of earthquakes consumes me. Just hope and pray you’re never with me during one.
I can’t help but think of what all the people in Haiti are going through right now. They are already the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere and on top of that, they are not a country who has prepared for an earthquake. Earthquakes just don’t happen on that side of the world very often. I can’t help but think how easily that could be us in Southern California. And it will be us sooner or later. We will need everyone’s help when the next really big one hits us. I want to help the people in Haiti. Until Thursday, January 14 at midnight I will be donating 100% of the profits of the UNposing Guide to the Red Cross International Response Fund, which will go directly to the people of Haiti. Already have an UNposing Guide or would like to donate less? I encourage you to donate what you can, whether it be $5 or $500 to the Red Cross or any other organization who is helping the people of Haiti. Let’s see how much money we can raise for the earthquake victims!
The Unposing Guide Is Here!!!
This has been a labor of love that’s for sure. But, I am so unbelivably happy with the finished product!
The Unposing Guide was inspired when people and photographers started asking me how I get such natural looking family shots. I’ll be the first to admit it. Posing is not my strong point. So, from the beginning of my business instead of trying to get my clients to look like models by posing them I focused on capturing each client being themselves. I wanted to find what was unique and fun about each family. I realized that on each shoot I was using the same techniques to get families to have fun and loosen up. And that’s where the Unposes were born.
What is an Unpose? It’s a means to get to the reactions and interactions I want from my clients. It’s a way to break the habit of saying “Cheese!”. And a way to break the ice. Every time I used an Unpose I got different results because each family is unique and different. I love capturing families being themselves at that stage in their lives. I don’t want to pose them and make them something they’re not. Sometimes it’s the Unpose I want to photograph and other times it’s the reaction from the Unpose I want. Both are great for capturing relaxed and natural family sessions!
The Unposing Guide is geared towards you Pro Mom*togs, both beginner and advanced, although Non-Pro Mom*togs can definitely learn a few tricks from it as well (don’t worry, my next project is just for you Mom*togs!). Besides containing 21 Unposes and pictures it also has helpful tips and tricks to get your clients to have fun. I’m really hoping this will help photographers take their family shoots to the next level!
The Unposing Guide is an instantly downloadable document. It’s sized at 4×6 so you can either print it out on your home printer or at your favorite lab. Simply punch a hole in the corner and secure a metal ring or ribbon to the corner so you can keep it on you for reference. The names of the unposes are catchy making them easy to remember so when you’re out shooting there’s no more struggling with “What do I have my clients do next?”.
I have two big special people that I need to thank. The Unposing Guide would have not been possible without Jamie from So Divine Designs. She designed the whole thing and put up with endless changes. Thank you, Jamie! Also, I would like to thank Kristi who implemeted all of the new changes to the blog. She added the side bar over to the right so there’s now better places advertising space as well as a bunch of other cool features. She worked long and hard on it and I think it looks awesome!
I hope everyone who purchases the Guide loves it and it helps open up a whole new world of shooting for you! Remember, the most important part is to have fun. If you’re having fun than your clients will have fun! Happy Shooting!!!
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