Is Spring Finally Here in Michigan!?

It has been the LONGEST winter ever. March was cold, gloomy, and snowy. Now, suddenly the birds are chirping, the sun is out and the grass is turning green. Yay! The other day I met up with some photographers that I met online. Their kids were awesome models and it was a really fun time! Here are a few cute ones of the models!

Back with a new logo!

I am so excited to have a new logo. It was done by Tiffany Hix of Green Olive Design. I highly recommend her services! Now I have to get to work adding my new logo to my blog and website!

The last Tip for Taking Better Pics of your Kids!!!!

Read all the way through this post for contest details!!!!

Tip #10 Use props! Does your child have a favorite stuffed animal or blankie? Get these items in the photos too because they are things that you want your child to remember forever. Also, certain toys can keep your child occupied while you are photographing them. Or a kiss for their favorite stuffed animal can really be cute! Like this...





Now it's time to take a picture of your child and submit it for your chance to win a complimentarty session with an 8x10 print! Please email your photos to photoartbysuzi@comcast.net by Friday March 7th. I will then upload them to my blog and allow you and your friends and family to vote. So, read through the tips and get some great photos!!!!

Take Better Photos of your kids Part 9

Tip #9

Time your pictures right. Obviously you want to photograph your child when they are well rested. Not when they are cranky and need a nap. If you are taking photos outside you want to think about the time of day. Lighting wise the sweet times are early in the day and in the afternoon about and hour or 2 before the sun goes down. Afternoon is my favorite light. Very soft and glowy! This pic was taken later in the afternoon, probably about an hour and a half before sundown.

Better Photos Tip #8!

Okay, we are gettin there! Only a couple more tips and then we will start the contest. I apologize for being lazy today, but sorry, no photo! It's been a long week, what can I say?!

Tip #8 ZOOM IN! Don't just get those straight on head to toe shots of your kids. Really zoom in on the face, the feet, the fingers, etc. I have a favorite of Cooper that is just him looking down and his gorgeous eyelashes. In fact I may just have to go dig it up and post it! Soooo, I am over the lazyness and here it is:

Taking Better PHotos #7

Tip #7 Be ready for the unexpected! Keep your camera close by to catch those special moments as they happen. I always keep my point and shoot in my pocket so that if I see something photo worthy I am ready!

This photo was one that I took for a creative class that I did. I love it because it really just screams "little boy"! It is my youngest son's hands and I really want to print it large for his bedroom. I am a sucker for detail shots!

Part 6, Taking Better Photos!

Tip #6 Get on your kid's level. You may have to lay on the floor and get down on your knees, but it will be worth it. Your photos will have a more natural look!

Sharing my boys Valentine's cards!

Taking Better Photos Part 5

Well, we are halfway through...

Tip #5 Avoid fake smiles! Do not tell kids to "say cheese". This causes fake grins that really look nothing like your child when they are truly happy. Try to make them genuinely laugh or just talk with them and don't make them feel like they have to perform.

Now for the photo share of the day. This is one of my all time favorite photos! This sweet little puppy actually had internal issues and did not live much longer after this photograph was taken. I am so happy I was able to capture her and preserve a memory of her!

Take Better Pics Part 4

Tip #4 You don't have to pose your child. Personality comes out alot better when you let the child be themselves. The expressions that you love come out while your child is having a good time, not when they are sitting with their legs crossed being told to look at the camera! Just play, have fun!

I am realizing what a bad blogger I have been! There are several sessions that I never blogged. Here is one from the Fall. Can you tell this dog loved me? And I loved her as well! I love the last shot where she is leaping into the air!

Taking Better Photos Tip #3

Tip #3 Take more than just one shot! With kids it is really hard to get that perfect expression. Therefore, if you fire off a few shots in a row, one of them is more likely to have that expression that you just love! It also takes alot of patience. Photographing your own children is one of the hardest things to do. I took the pictures below of my 2 boys and you wouldn't believe the amount of out takes I had from this session! Lots of really goofy ones and I ended up with these 4 that I love! These were on our Christmas card this year.

Take Better Pics #2

Tip #2 Watch your background. Look for objects in your background that may take away from your subject. For example trees in the background can look like they are sprouting out of someone's head if you don't watch where your subject is. Uncluttered backgrounds are the best for photos of your kids. You want the kids to be the main focus, not a complicated background.

Here are some photos from a Fall Senior photo shoot:

Take Better Pictures of your kids!

I have clients who ask me questions about taking better pictures, so I thought I would do some articles about it on my blog. On top of that I would like to make it a contest. After I get through the tips I will accept entries of pictures that you have taken. I will post the pics on the blog and allow others to vote. The winner will get a complimentarty session with Photo Art by Suzi. In order to be eligible you must not have had a session done within the last 6 months.

Tip #1 Know your camera! Whether you have a really cheap camera, or a really nice one. You need to know all the features and settings. Reading your manual is the best place to start. Nicer SLR cameras like the Rebel have entire books dedicated to them at Borders or Barnes & Noble. These books are extremely helpful. Sometimes less is more when it comes to these cameras. The fancy cameras can actually be a detriment if you don't know how to use them. So get out there and learn your cameras!



Just cause I really like to include some photos, here are some of my baby planner's final birthday session! Yummy cake!

Sibling Love!

These 2 had so much fun! They were really creative and coming up with all kinds of ideas that they wanted to try. It is fun to work with older kids sometimes who really want a photo shoot, especially when they have one where the photographer lets them do crazy things!

An early arrival!

This little cutie surprised her mom with an early arrival! She was so sweet and slept so well for us! Even when we layed her naked on a plate!

Happy New Year!

A new year and alot of new things at Photo Art by Suzi! I am working on a new website, have new pricing, and I have an office in Birmingham where I can meet clients and deliver prints. I am now booking sessions for February, March, and April. Call me and we can plan a cute Spring themed Portrait Session! More updates coming soon.....

I LOVE FALL!!!!

It is so beautiful here in the fall. We have a 45 min drive to school everyday and I enjoy the colors so much. These photos were taken the other day when Brayden had a cold and stayed with me instead of going to school. We took a little walk in the woods by the school and had some fun!

A Fun Family

I had fun with this family! It was such a beautiful Fall day! It was warm, sunny, and the leaves were perfect.