Family Photos

My sister-in-law, brother-in-law and amazing niece (no I’m not biased) visited a couple weeks ago and while they were here we took some family photos.

I’d like to make a big, bold statement right now. I’m not a professional photographer. I don’t even take my camera off the automatic settings. I just shift from the little mountain setting to the person’s head setting or, sometimes, when I’m feeling adventurous, to the little man running setting.

I always try to talk people into using professional photographers. I have friends who actually take photos for a living and actually know what they are doing. You can’t get real quality without a pro. My friend, Kassi, actually just blogged about this very thing. If you look at the quality of pros like my friends at Big Star Photography, Double H Photography and Cowgirl Graphics, you’ll see a big difference.

That being said, I really do enjoy taking photos. My mom was always taking photos as I was growing up and I loved seeing how her pictures turned out. I remember getting my first camera and how excited I was to get the prints in the mail. It was a Kodak Advantix and you could mail the film off to get it developed. I took a lot of unnecessary photos of random objects. I probably spent a lot of birthday money on printing nonsense, but that is a 12-year-old girl’s prerogative.

So, when my sister-in-law requested I snap a few photos while they were in town, I argued with her, then agreed to do it.

All went well except we had trouble getting my niece to smile. She was determined to stare me down until the dog licked me in the face while I was crouched down with my camera. She thought it was hysterical! She also laughed and giggled when I let her throw corn at me. So, just remember, when you’re having trouble getting a toddler to smile in photos, just go with the Three Stooges theory.

Over the years, I’ve learned a few Photoshop tricks so I’m usually able to adjust my photos the way I like. The most important thing I’ve learned about photography, or any hobby for that matter, is to just have fun.

And an adorable 2 1/2 year old niece as a photo subject doesn’t hurt either.

Now, go hire a professional.

God Bless You & American Agriculture,

Liz

Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, and forsake not your mother’s teaching, for they are a graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck. – Proverbs 1:8-9