Fall Frenzy- Fredericton photographer
The fall is always my busiest time and this year is one of my busiest I believe. It is a good thing, keeping busy and being creative with my clients. Providing them wonderful memories. But as you can tell my blog tends to suffer when this happens and this year without exception.
I thought I would post a mix of images from different sessions this fall with the intention of posting more soon. So many great images to choose from. I am hoping to do my “2011 year end” slideshow once I am done shooting here soon.
So on with the images…
a quick review on apetures- Fredericton Photographer
It is difficult to find time during this very busy season to update my blog or post images. But I wrote this out to a client the other day who was going back to review some course notes on photography she took a few years ago from Noel Chenier who teaches some great photography courses here in New Brunswick.
I was just discussing how she may want to try a semi automatic mode first to really engrain what each function of the camera does such as aperture, shutter and iso. To really play with how aperture affects the photo when you adjust it. So by choosing AV mode (Canon) or TV mode for Nikon you are getting a chance to just play with your aperture settings and letting the camera choose the shutter. Play, see what shooting at f4 vs say f8.0 aperture will do to the image when you take it.
here is what I wrote to her so if you have any questions about this let me know. I would love to help out and engage people in photography discussions. I really enjoy helping to teach people to better learn their camera and how it functions. Get out of AUTO mode!
here is a cool chart I found and will post here so you can visualize what it means when we talk about Aperture, Shutter or ISO’s. I love the breakout of Nikon and Canon as well and the visual!
“Glad to hear that you are working on manual. Even begin with AV mode so you can begin to really register in your mind how the different apertures (hole that opens up to allow light in) varies with the number you dial in. If you choose an aperture number of say f5.6, then the hole is smaller then had you chosen f2.0 . Smaller hole means less light will enter the camera and more things will be in focus. So larger F number more things in focus, smaller F number less things in focus. Think of it like this… when more light enters through a wider hole like f2.0 the light goes through and hits your sensor and goes “splat” making more of the scene out of focus. Narrow the hole, making it smaller by increasing your f stop number and less light will then hit the sensor, less splat but MORE of the scene will be in focus because you narrowed down the hole and allowed for less light to hit the sensor.
So 2.0… wide hole… 5.6 smaller hole… smaller hole lets in less light. If you have less light then the camera needs to find light… how? It will slow down your shutters to compensate. Watch when you change your aperture number how your shutter number changes. The number will go from a higher shutter ie 1/100th (fast shutter) to a slower shutter and lower number like 1/60th because it needs to find light to balance you adjusting the “hole” aperture you made smaller. So how to get more light… open the hole (aperture) wider or slow down your shutters( will allow the shutter to be open longer to allow more light in)
It ALL correlates.
(she is going to look at buying my 50mm 1.8 lens so why I then said…)
The 50mm 1.8 (1.8 being the lowest number and widest aperture opening available on this lens) allows you to get more light into your lens when shooting inside as you can open up your aperture (hole) to allow more light to hit your sensor vs. The lens you have now may not go below 4.5 aperture.
So if you can put it at 1.8 then the hole is bigger and allows more light to come in BUT… it also means less of the subject is in focus. So when you see those nice blurry backgrounds…they were shot with a very low aperture (or possibly a zoom but standing close to the subject to still make it blurry). But just start with one thing… put it in AV mode and play with your dial. This setting will allow you to ONLY move your aperture number. It will select the shutter for you. So it is like semi automatic and a good way to start and really learn your apertures.
You will see as you move the number to a larger number more and more things become in focus! So the idea of how aperture works begins to sink in. I think learning one thing and then moving to understanding shutters after is a good way to engrain the idea of how you are controlling the light entering your camera.
Shutters affect it as well and then ISO. Three things… they call it the exposure triangle.”
Just as a note I tend to shoot really “wide open” during my shoots meaning I often will go as low as the aperture on my lens will allow as I do like beautiful “blurry” background. The real term if you were wondering is a shallow depth of field. I just recently purchased the 50mm 1.4 for this reason. I have had the 50mm 1.8 for years (great lens by the way if you happen to be wanting a good “fixed” lens) but that two stop difference is huge when you shoot indoors like I do or if you are doing on location. Here is an example of when I tend to go low with my aperture or (wide open).
My sisters puppy… the cutest dog ever. I think I probably shot this around f1.8 or f2. Love the blurry background. 
There is very few images I take that aren’t using this technique accept for a group shot if I need all people in focus or if I am using a zoom lens I can go higher but still get the shallow depth of field. I could post a ton of images to show this but for now a few from a recent session.
Hope the information here helped! Take a minute to comment and let me know.
Right Light- Fredericton Photographer
Loved this quote.
In the right light, at the right time, everything is extraordinary- — Aaron Rose
Sharing some images here… and how I love to use the light to make images that much more special.
Fall Fashion & preparing for your shoot- Fredericton Photographer
I get alot of questions regarding clothing choices for sessions. And fall is one of my busiest times of year so I wanted to put a few links here to some examples of good clothing choices.
These fashion boards are courtesy of Polvore.com
The main things I always say is if you were to lay out each family members outfit then would it work as one outfit. If something is glaring then it will also stand out during the photo. I love Robin’s tip (see below for her whole post) select one pattern for one child then from that pattern use the colors in it to build off of for each members outfit. It makes a lot of sense because when you do this then you will coordinate.
I said coordinate not “match”! Coordinating works, matching is not flattering. So don’t bring everyone in plaid.
Ok for some helpful blog posts from fellow photographers. These are great to read to get the scoop on how to dress for pictures.
Robbie Gleason a Tulsa photographer recently posted a great blog post regarding what to wear and some visuals. Check it out here.
http://robbiegphotography.com/blog/2009/09/04/what-to-wear-what-to-wear-tulsa-family-photographer/
My friend Robin who is a fantastic photographer posted a great blog post on how to choose outfits for your family pictures and gives lots of “do not do’s” as well as how to mix and match things. Check out her blog for some wonderful ideas.
http://www.photosbyrobin.com/blog/what-to-wear-for-fall-photos/
and I will post a few links that I have also found on pinterest that I have pinned onto my board…
http://pinterest.com/shelleyrankin/fashion/
and I also found this link on pinterest that also has “family looks”!
http://pinterest.com/annbeckphoto/family-looks/
Check it out people and you will look amazing for your fall photos when the time comes.
Just Breath- Fredericton Photographer
I am telling myself that each day when I wake up and see how much I have to accomplish that day. I have not had a lot of time to update my blog… it is just too busy a time right now. I will try and post a few more session images as it has been straight out lately and I have a ton to share.
A note about booking for fall… at the moment I am fully booked until late October. This time is pretty much my cut off to ensure I get through all the session proofing and make sure people get their orders in and back for Christmas. Plus outdoor sessions tend to get a bit chilly any later than this. I have done it in past years and have found it hard on the little ones as it gets cold up here in Canada that time of year. However it could also be unnaturally warm so don’t rule out contacting me as that time approaches to see what I may or may not have. I am putting people on a waiting list at this time.
I do not work the months of December and January and have had tell this to some recent inquiries from people wanting to book those months. Did I mention I HATE SAYING NO! I am a people pleaser at heart… it is one of my biggest weaknesses.
IF YOU HAVE BOOKED WITH ME and I have not yet received your booking information, agreement forms or payment then you are at risk of losing your time slot. I can not hold spots this time of year due to the demand for those times. I do limited times slots a week and really do need to have confirmation in order to hold your spot. Remember I want to please and would hate to have people mad at me.
A few from recent sessions. I have more to share soon!
Remember all images on this site are copyright to Rankin Photography and therefore no duplication or copying of any kind is allowed. Sorry but it just is not cool to take without asking. Your mom must have told you that.
Seriously gorgeous sisters. Wow. Mom you need to lock the doors and keep them that way until they are 20!
sweet newborn
Not sure how I manage to get all the beautiful mom’s!
love love the one of baby and dog. I have a feeling they will be great friends growing up!
And look it’s me. A dad at a recent session took my backup camera and took some shots of me. Love this! I seriously love my job and my clients!
Perspective- Fredericton Photographer
Perspective… something I am trying to keep a hold of and not lose during this busy season. The end of summer brings a return to school for the kids and although you would think that would provide some free time for me, it never seems to do much for my schedule. It is easy for me during this busy time, with all the inquiries and fall bookings that people want, to lose perspective on my life and my priorities. I want to do everything I can for my clients, to be sure they are happy and I keep to my schedule of delivering images and galleries on time but it does catch up with me. I think I spent the entire day at my desk yesterday with a break for lunch and supper. It was a crazy day and today I paid for it with not feeling well. So I realize that my own perspective is lacking. Lacking in how I see my life and perhaps my priorities.
Don’t get me wrong, I love my work but I obviously love my kiddos more. My family life is suffering a bit as of late so I decided to try and slow down a bit and perhaps take less appointments. At the moment I am pretty much full the month of September with very little wiggle room as I often account for bad weather and only book a few a week. I will try and fit a few more in and I will be delivering my annual mini fall sessions which are pretty much booked even without advertising them. So if you have booked an appointment with me and have not yet secured it with the booking fee make sure you do as I can not hold spots during this busy season for anyone as I hate to turn people away and then have a no show. It isn’t fair to those trying to book a time.
So when I created this next storyboard and called it “PERSPECTIVE” it gave me the title for my post. I love the cool perspective of these shots and I loved this cool, fun family. I sent mom the gallery today… she emailed back to say she was in tears! That is a good thing right. These are just some of the fun images from the session but there are other, “safer” shots.
Just love the “true” childhood moments I get to capture.
Thanks Lori for being such a great client and letting me know that you do indeed love your images. It means the world to me when my clients tell me they are happy.
and more babies as of late. I love me some newness. Awww… life is so precious. The quote on it says “A baby is God’s opinion that life should go on”. So true.
and make sure you visit my facebook page if you want to see more updates and keep up with specials. If you are a member of facebook be sure to like my page, look at top left of blog for the pop out tab which will take you there.
And one more.. childhood bliss. Love this shot.
but I think I like it more this way. call me weird.
horrible blogger I know!- Fredericton Photographer
I can’t say that I have been very good with blogging lately. When summer comes along so does my crazy time. Not only with work but with family. Sorry about being absent. I try and balance things in my life which only seems to keep me sane and sometimes it means dropping a few things, including this blog it would seem. But hopefully I can find some time to post more. When we were headed to vacation last week on the PEI to visit with my husbands parents we got a call the day before saying that my father in law was being rushed to Halifax via plane as he had an aneurysm on his aorta. He underwent surgery that Saturday night and did incredibly well. I was really not aware at how life and death it was until I talked to a friend who is a GP and she informed me that a very high percentage of people do not make it when this type of aneurysm happens. So our family feels truly blessed to know their grandfather is now back in Summerside, home and recovering.
I can say that when something like this happens to your family, life and all your priorities quickly come into alignment and you realize how little so many things that you felt were important suddenly mean very little in comparison. You realize how much those you love, the people in your life and your health mean to you. We hear “live each day, each moment” and we think “we know or we do that”. But really, we don’t, we live mostly in the past and in the future and we miss so much of the present. It made me hug my children a bit more and focus on those things in life that are important and meaningful…. my healthy, my family and the time I spend with them!
So hoping you forgive my absense but I promise to share more images soon.
Just a bit of inspiration today on how to display your images. I see a ton walls that I want in my own home but I admit I am very embarrassed when it comes to my own home and walls. I do not have beautifully displayed images, or decorated walls. I do however plan on changing that this fall. A few of my ideas include continuing on with my stair case wall of images going up my stairs. Painting my living room walls and decorating my living room/home studio so I have some images to enjoy each day and show my clients when they come how to creatively display them.
And go to this link to check out the pottery barn page on how to create a display wall. They have a ton of inspiration on this site.
Happy Thursday!
sweet families- fredericton family photographer
A few wonderful families I got to meet last week! I had such fun and feel so lucky for having such cool clients! Seriously the best!
Thanks Amy and Kyla. A fun thing about these families. The Dad’s were best friends growing up and they are still very close. They both had no idea the other booked with me and their sessions were a day apart no less. Too fun!
Don’t forget…all images posted on the blog, facebook or website are copyright to Rankin Photography and should not be copies, saved or used in any way without written permission.
Crazy summer business- Fredericton Photographer
So I know I have been completely neglecting my blog. I hope to do better!! As soon as the kids are done school I seem to hit the ground running with commuting them to summer activities, mostly Kingswood for gymnastics and golf. And then summer becomes the time of year when it’s beautiful and most people begin to think of getting photos taken. It’s wonderful to be busy and I really feel blessed with all of my wonderful clients. Especially those who return to me time after time and I get to see their little ones grow. It is amazing.
Like this little sweet heart. I photographed her at just a few weeks old. And look… now all grown up and a year has past. Where does the time go?
Can you say blue eyes!
And this Mom decided to celebrate shedding glasses and turning a wonderful life milestone with a session for her and her two kiddos. Well it was a nice anniversary surprise for Dad as well.
You look beautiful Jenn!
Beautiful Grads of 2011!!
and beautiful babies and mommies. New mom’s now a-days seem soooo put together! I know that I was not even close to being put together when I was a mom! A total mess maybe.
A true hero… a mom of twins! Wow.
more gorgeous mom’s.
Loved this little guys head of hair!
And his sweet mama!
Growing up just a bit and loving this age to photograph.
and a storyboard of a mix of clients. Thanks so much to all my clients since this spring and summer who have blessed me with their time to take pictures of their sweet babies and for being such fun to work with!
I can’t seem to fit each client in with an individual post lately but know that you are all the best and I truly appreciate each and every one of you.
More to come as I am frantically proofing clients sessions.
A note… I will be out of the office all next week returning on the 25th. If you want to book a session or get ahold of me the best way to do it is via email as I will be checking periodically.
OPENINGS… things are filling fast. We are booked into August and still taking a few appointments. If interesetd please email me to inquire. September and October will fill fast per the normal fall rush for Christmas pictures so don’t wait to call and book a time as they will be limited this year.
