Series: Top 10 things that KILL Summer Photos #2

Your life and memories deserve to be amazing! This series focuses on the 10 biggest mistakes that kill your summer family photos and how you can fix them.

MISTAKE #2 - You didn't put much effort into it

We were excited to use the camera when we first got it, but remembering to always bring it soon feels like a burden.  For us, it usually goes down a little like this...

[Car is packed, kids are belted, and we just settled into our seats.]

• [Wife]: "Did you get the camera?"

• [Me]: "Nooo, I thought you were going to get it."

• [Wife]: "But you're the one who takes all the pictures."

• [Me]: "If you want me to take all the pictures, then can you go find the camera?"

• [Wife]: "I don't want to go back and look for it."

• [Me]: "If I have to go get it now, we are going to be late. Let's just go."

• [Wife]: "I have my iPhone with me anyway."

Sometimes we are just camera lazy people. We don't feel motivated to be creative or intentional with the photos and opt for the path of least resistance. It results in thoughtless snapshots or absolutely no shots.

SOLUTION: Have a theme, make it fun

Bringing the camera is a discipline...You just have to do it. However, planing a summer photo theme is an easy way to help make it fun again. It encourages family participation toward a common photo goal. It boosts your own creative energy along the way.  Best of all, the vacation photos are much more fun to share with people when there are themes to tie everything together.

Here are some theme ideas you may steal...

1. Take photos in a visual sequence to tell the vacation story

2. Make at least one campfire portrait each year

3. Hide a silly prop in shots as an Easter egg for other people to discover when they view photos later

4. Include some fun repeating element as many photos as you can

5. Whoever takes the funniest photo wins a prize

6. Look for objects in your travels that are weird/quirky to build a photo collection

7. Make a quick group shot at every landmark

8. Spot and photograph strange signs along the way

9. Snap a quick photo of the heritage markers then read about it in the car as you drive

10. Make funny forced perspective pictures at all the tourist sites

11. Document it every time someone gets to do something new or unusual

12. *My Favorite* Shoot with the intention to make a family vacation album each year

Snohomish Family Photographer - Girl with Camera 1

Snohomish Family Photographer - Girl with Camera 2

Snohomish Family Photographer - Girl with Camera 3

Snohomish Family Photographer - Girl with Camera 4

Snohomish Family Photographer - Girl with Camera 5

Snohomish Family Photographer - Girl with Camera 6

Snohomish Family Photographer - Girl with Camera 7

Snohomish Family Photographer - Girl with Camera 7

Snohomish Family Photographer - Girl with Camera 8

Snohomish Family Photographer - Girl with Camera 9

Snohomish Family Photographer - Girl with Camera 10

Snohomish Family Photographer - Girl with Camera 11

Snohomish Family Photographer - Girl with Camera 13

Snohomish Family Photographer - Girl with Camera 14

Snohomish Family Photographer - Girl with Camera 15

Snohomish Family Photographer - Girl with Camera 16

Snohomish Family Photographer - Girl with Camera 17

Read about the other mistakes...

• MISTAKE #10 - Having everyone stand there and smile all the time

• MISTAKE #9 - Taking photos in direct sunlight

• MISTAKE #8 - Using those faux-filters in apps

• MISTAKE #7 - Leaving the camera in the hotel

• MISTAKE #6 - Disregard for your own children

• MISTAKE #5 - Never appearing in your own family photos

• MISTAKE #4 - Not getting close enough to the moment

• MISTAKE #3 - You didn't have a backup plan

• MISTAKE #2 - You didn't put much effort into it

• MISTAKE #1 - Using Only Your Smartphone Camera

-JMB

© 2015 Jared M. Burns Photography
Snohomish Family Photographer
www.jaredmburns.com | 206.659.7468 | info@jaredmburns.com

Series: Top 10 things that KILL Summer Photos #4

Your life and memories deserve to be amazing! This series focuses on the 10 biggest mistakes that kill your summer family photos and how you can fix them.

MISTAKE #4 - Not Getting Close Enough to the Moment 

If your summer photos seem like a random collection of snapshots, it might just be because you are only making snapshots. Snapshots are effortless and usually taken from afar. They include too much in the frame with no clear subject. One is left struggling to understand why the photo was taken in the first place.

SOLUTION:  Move in Even Closer

Zoom in tight with your lens or even physically use your legs to move yourself closer to the family action.  You will eliminate distractions outside of the image frame and put focus on what is most important to you.   One of the strangest things I have learned about photography is the more you focus on small details or single moments, the more complete the visual story. 

If you want to dig deeper, here is a fun book I found that can help improve personal photos no matter what kind of camera you use...

Better Photo Basics: The Absolute Beginner's Guide to Taking Photos Like a Pro ($12.75)

Read about the other mistakes...

• MISTAKE #10 - Having everyone stand there and smile all the time

• MISTAKE #9 - Taking photos in direct sunlight

• MISTAKE #8 - Using those faux-filters in apps

• MISTAKE #7 - Leaving the camera in the hotel

• MISTAKE #6 - Disregard for your own children

• MISTAKE #5 - Never appearing in your own family photos

• MISTAKE #4 - Not getting close enough to the moment

• MISTAKE #3 - You didn't have a backup plan

• MISTAKE #2 - You didn't put much effort into it

• MISTAKE #1 - Using Only Your Smartphone Camera

-JMB

© 2015 Jared M. Burns Photography
Snohomish Family Photographer
www.jaredmburns.com | 206.659.7468 | info@jaredmburns.com

Series: Top 10 things that KILL Summer Photos #6

Your life and memories deserve to be amazing! This series focuses on the 10 biggest mistakes that kill your summer family photos and how you can fix them.

MISTAKE #6:  Disregard For Your Own Children, Photographically Speaking

Parents often act as though their perspective is the only perspective...let me explain. Millions of vacation photos each year are ruined by adults taking photos from above, looking down the children.  No matter how special the moment was, there’s nothing significant about seeing the tops of heads.

SOLUTION:  Consider who you are photographing

Consider their perspective. How can you make a photo that tells their story? It is easy, just get down to their level and try to see the world as they view it when you take the picture.  There's nothing more special than seeing it through their eyes.

Read about the other mistakes...

• MISTAKE #10 - Having everyone stand there and smile all the time

• MISTAKE #9 - Taking photos in direct sunlight

• MISTAKE #8 - Using those faux-filters in apps

• MISTAKE #7 - Leaving the camera in the hotel

• MISTAKE #6 - Disregard for your own children

• MISTAKE #5 - Never appearing in your own family photos

• MISTAKE #4 - Not getting close enough to the moment

• MISTAKE #3 - You didn't have a backup plan

• MISTAKE #2 - You didn't put much effort into it

• MISTAKE #1 - Using Only Your Smartphone Camera

-JMB

© 2015 Jared M. Burns Photography
Snohomish Family Photographer
www.jaredmburns.com | 206.659.7468 | info@jaredmburns.com

Series: Top 10 things that KILL Summer Photos - #9

Your life and memories deserve to be amazing! This series focuses on the 10 biggest mistakes that kill your summer family photos and how you can fix them.

MISTAKE #9 - Taking photos in direct sunlight

So often we vacation where it is sunny and beautiful. Sunlight creates bright highlights and deep shadows and our cameras don’t have ability to make sense of such dynamic range. Worst of all, people make squinchy-scrunchy faces. It’s not pretty.

SOLUTION:  Find shade

Areas of shade are the best photo opportunities on a bright sunny day.  Look under trees and beside buildings or structures.  If none can be found, you can always make shade...just have your subjects turn their back to the sun. Their front side will no longer be exposed to the direct sun giving their faces less intense and better balanced light of their own shade.

Shade of a building

Shade from bushes and trees

Shade created when the subject's back is to the sun

Read about the other mistakes...

• MISTAKE #10 - Having everyone stand there and smile all the time

• MISTAKE #9 - Taking photos in direct sunlight

• MISTAKE #8 - Using those faux-filters in apps

• MISTAKE #7 - Leaving the camera in the hotel

• MISTAKE #6 - Disregard for your own children

• MISTAKE #5 - Never appearing in your own family photos

• MISTAKE #4 - Not getting close enough to the moment

• MISTAKE #3 - You didn't have a backup plan

• MISTAKE #2 - You didn't put much effort into it

• MISTAKE #1 - Using Only Your Smartphone Camera

-JMB

© 2015 Jared M. Burns Photography
Seattle Wedding Photographer & Snohomish Wedding Photographer
www.jaredmburns.com | 206.659.7468 | info@jaredmburns.com

Series: Top 10 things that KILL Summer Photos - #10

Your life and memories deserve to be amazing! This series focuses on the 10 biggest mistakes that kill your summer family photos and how you can fix them.

MISTAKE #10: Having everyone stand there and smile all the time

Forced, fake smiles are awkward...you and I both know it.  Yes, it seemed like a good idea at the time, but when we look at the image later, we wish it had been more natural.

SOLUTION:  Think photojournalistic

Vacation is about life together so think like a photojournalist and document the real moments as they happen.  There are still times and a places for posed photos, but have fun with them.  Let people be themselves.  Catch a moment. Tell a joke and snap the photo when they laugh.  I have heard rumor of “certain noises” that can crack even the most stoic and uncooperative of children.

Keegan sits atop a sand dune - Bruneau Dunes State Park, ID

Ella hiking with her puppy at the Three Patriarchs, Zion National Park, UT

More sand than they know what to do with - Bruneau Dunes State Park, ID

Read about the other mistakes...

• MISTAKE #10 - Having everyone stand there and smile all the time

• MISTAKE #9 - Taking photos in direct sunlight

• MISTAKE #8 - Using those faux-filters in apps

• MISTAKE #7 - Leaving the camera in the hotel

• MISTAKE #6 - Disregard for your own children

• MISTAKE #5 - Never appearing in your own family photos

• MISTAKE #4 - Not getting close enough to the moment

• MISTAKE #3 - You didn't have a backup plan

• MISTAKE #2 - You didn't put much effort into it

• MISTAKE #1 - Using Only Your Smartphone Camera

-JMB

© 2015 Jared M. Burns Photography
Snohomish Family Portrait Photographer
www.jaredmburns.com | 206.659.7468 | info@jaredmburns.com

Top 7 Things You Need To Consider in Your Seattle Wedding Photographer

1. Wedding Photography is an Investment It's your special day so the highest priority is to shop by confidence and quality. If you are shopping by price...well, you already know what you will get. Brides come to me every year with stories of paying between $2000 and $5000 for the perfect venue, $1000 to $2000 for beautiful flowers, and a stunning $700 to $1500 dress. Unfortunately, they only paid $499.99 for their photographer to capture it all. They were left with so-so snapshots, blurry/underexposed guest photos, family formals with feet cut-off, and worst of all...so many missed memories. You have probably even heard this someone you know, but it doesn't have to be your story. Approach your photography with the same care you would when choosing a diamond because you are investing in photographic memories that will last forever!

2. Beware the "Natural Light Photographer" The truth is, some self proclaimed "Natural Light Photographers" are afraid of using artificial light because they haven't yet learned how. Natural light is a beautiful thing and works wonders when enough is available. However, most churches and indoor venues are simply not well lit. Light is the language of photography, so you need someone who can communicate proficiently, making beautiful photographs using every natural and light shaping tool available.

3. Remember the Engagement Session Not only is the engagement session an exciting and unique way of commemorating your desire to be together, but also a valuable chance to know your photographer. You will experience the care they take, see if they fit your style, and, most importantly, have the confidence they can deliver. If you find they aren't your cup of tea, then the value of having a chance to change photographers in time to save your wedding far exceeds the loss of one small session fee. When they are the perfect fit, then it is one less thing you have to worry about on your special day, knowing your biggest moments are in good hands.

4. Remember What You are Paying for It is not the about the number of photos, but the quality of the service. Many photographers offer "deals" where they will come and shoot thousands of pictures, leaving you with all the unedited images on CD. Shooting a wedding is only half the job and there is no value in leaving you with the responsibility of finishing the rest. Wedding Photography is about capturing the key, quality memories that will bring life to your home. A good photographer is a service professional who understands you deserve the finest quality, taking complete care of your photographic needs from beginning to end!

5. Is the Photographer Prepared? You don't have to be an expert in photo gear, but it is important you ask about what equipment they are using so you can judge by the thoroughness of their answer if they are well prepared. Your wedding is different from others so you should expect them to be able to give a thoughtful response to how they would make plans for your unique situation. Also, don't hesitate to ask questions about their preparation, experience, backup up plans, and education.

6. Look at the Portfolio This is the most important part of your research. A great landscape, pet, or child portrait photographer does NOT equal a great wedding photographer. Often I hear people tell me "My friend has a nice camera" or "Uncle Fred said he'd do it for free." But I question, "What will Uncle Fred do under pressure?" or "How will your friend be able to take care of you when plans change, or if something goes wrong?" It is the single biggest moment of your life and far too important to take an unnecessary risk. Invest time in finding a photographer who gives you confidence. You need to see great examples of exactly the kind of wedding photography you desire and that they can still deliver exceptional images regardless of circumstances!

7. Be Ready to Ask Questions You have every right to ask your photographer every question that comes to mind. That is what we are here for, meaning no question is insignificant. It gets the answers you need and communicates to the photographer what is most important to you. Write a list in advance of whatever you can think: How many weddings have you photographed? What is your photographic style? What is in the agreement? How do you do your post processing? You aren't working under the table, are you? Can I get references? When will I get my photographs?

The best wedding photographers always book up early, especially in the peak months like July, August, and October, so know your budget and begin researching as soon as possible. Life together is a story and your wedding is the cover!

-JMB

© 2012 Jared M. Burns Photography
Seattle Wedding Photographer & Snohomish Wedding Photographer
www.jaredmburns.com | 206.659.7468 | info@jaredmburns.com

15 Tips for Better Holiday Photos - Snohomish Family Photographer

1. Plan ahead! Before you leave for the holiday celebrations, replace your batteries, clear your memory cards, clean your lens, and at least make a mental check list of the events for which you would like to be most prepared. The only reason we ever miss the once-in-a-lifetime moment is because we simply weren't ready when it came.

2. The secret to taking uncomfortable, contrived photos is always saying, "Look over here!" or "Smile for the camera!" Instead, let things flow naturally as though you are an observer documenting a visual story and true reactions. If you desire to see more of your subject's face in the photo, move yourself and get in front of them.

3. Get down on the ground and take the photos of kids opening or playing with new gifts at eye level. You will cherish a photo at their level because it allows you to better relate to how they see and feel the moment. A photo taken at your comfortable standing position of the tops of their heads is one that will never receive a second look.

4. Rather than trying to always get everything in the shot, simplify and seek out the little moments, the minor details, and smaller groups of people at a time. The wonderful irony in focusing on the smaller pieces is that you end up with a more complete picture.

5. Photograph every gift being opened. You never know which gift will have a profound impact on a child’s development until years later. It will be a great family moment someday to rediscover the photo with that one forgotten gift and be flooded with memories of how significant it was.

6. Give the kids a camera and say, "Go take some pictures for me." It will be raw and many could be a waste, but there is something special about finding those glimpses of Christmas moments as seen through a child's own eyes.

7. Don't forget to photograph the preparations. The preparations and traditions we sometimes take for granted are made with great care and help set the scene of for these special memories.

8. Watch the Heads. Unless you are creating a photo dart board, heads usually don’t belong in the dead center of the frame. Instead, try and move the frame of the camera so the heads are a little off center.

9. Turn your camera on its side. We tend to default to landscape orientation because it’s what feels most natural with the way we hold the camera. To add new variety to your photos, try frequently turning the camera on its side for portrait orientation. This is especially great when photographing people.

10. Take a meaningful single portraits of every person celebrating the holidays like it is the last one you will ever take, because you never know how long you have with the ones you love.

11. Move in even closer, but not by using the zoom. I mean, when you think you are close, physically move in even closer for the shot to reinforce a deeper, more personal connection.

12. Large groups take more care. One or two shots of a large group won’t cut it because someone always blinks. A pro secret is to take lots of photos, hoping one will turn out right. If it doesn’t, then simply use an editing program to paint Blinky’s eyes back in from another photo.

13. Overexpose in the snow. This seems weird, but snow scenes trick the camera and make the images appear too dull and dark. Most cameras have a built in snow scene mode you can use. If yours does not, this can also be done by adjusting the exposure compensation settings up to take brighter photos.

14. Avoid the in camera flash whenever possible. Turn off your camera’s internal flash and turn up the available light in the room. This provides fuller, more natural lighting in your images.

15. Don't get too caught up in trying to find the perfect photo. Photography is really about the bonds we share with the ones we love at key moments in our lives. What matters most is that you were there, engaged, and part of the story.

What holiday photo tips do you have?  Leave a comment and tell us about them!

-JMB

© 2011 Jared M. Burns Photography
Snohomish Family Portrait Photographer
www.jaredmburns.com | 206.659.7468 | info@jaredmburns.com

7 Considerations When Choosing a Seattle Wedding Photographer

1. Wedding Photography is an Investment It's your special day so the highest priority is to shop by confidence and quality.  If you are shopping by price, you only get what you paid for. Brides have come to me with stories of paying many thousands of dollars for the perfect venue, most beautiful flowers, and a dress that would make your jaw drop. Unfortunately, they only paid $499.99 for an amateur photographer to capture it.  All they are left with are lost memories and so-so snapshots of blurry, underexposed people with their feet cut-off.  You probably already know someone this has happened to, but it doesn't have to be your story.  Approach it with the same care you would in choosing a diamond by investing in photographic memories that last forever!

2. Beware the "Natural Light Photographer" The truth is, some self proclaimed "Natural Light Photographers" are afraid of using artificial light because they haven't yet learned how.  Natural light is a beautiful thing and works wonders when enough is available.  However, most churches and indoor venues are simply not well lit.  Light is the language of photography, so you need someone who can communicate proficiently, making beautiful photographs using every natural and artificial tool available.

3. Remember the Engagement Session Not only is the engagement session an exciting and unique way of commemorating your desire to be together, but also a valuable chance to know your photographer.  You will experience the care they take, see if they fit your style, and, most importantly, have the confidence they can deliver.  If you find they aren't your cup of tea, then the value of having a chance to change photographers in time to save your wedding far exceeds the loss of one small session fee.  When they are the perfect fit, then it is one less thing you have to worry about on your special day, knowing your biggest moments are in great hands.

4. Remember What You are Paying for It is not the about the number of photos, but the quality of the service.  Many photographers offer "deals" where they will come and shoot thousands of pictures, leaving you with all the unedited images on CD.  Shooting a wedding is only half the job and there is no value in leaving you with the responsibility of finishing the rest.  Wedding Photography is about capturing the key, quality memories that should last forever.  A good photographer is a service professional who understands you deserve the finest quality, taking complete care of your photographic needs from beginning to end!

5. Is the Photographer Prepared? You don't have to be an expert in photo gear, but it is important you ask about what equipment they are using so you can judge by the thoroughness of their answer if they are well prepared.  Your wedding is different from others so you should expect them to be prepared to respond to your unique situation.  Also, don't hesitate to ask questions about their preparation, experience, backup up plans, and training.

6. Look at the Portfolio This is the most important part of your research.  A great landscape, pet, or child portrait photographer does NOT equal a great wedding photographer.  Often I hear people tell me "My friend has a nice camera" or "Uncle Fred said he'd do it for free."  But what will they do under pressure, when plans change, or if something goes wrong?  Your special moment is too important to risk.  Invest time in finding a photographer who gives you confidence.  You need to see great examples of exactly the kind of wedding photography you desire!

7. Be Ready to Ask Questions You have every right to ask your photographer every question that comes to mind.  That is what we are here for, meaning no question is insignificant.  It gets the answers you need and communicates to the photographer what is most important to you.  Write a list in advance of whatever you can think:  How many weddings have you photographed?  What is your photographic style?  What is in the agreement?  How do you do your post processing?  You aren't working under the table, are you?  Can I get references?  When will I get my photographs?

The best wedding photographers always book up early, especially in the peak season, so know your budget and begin researching as soon as possible.  Life together is a story and the wedding is the cover!

-JMB

© 2010 Jared M. Burns Photography
Seattle Wedding Photographer & Snohomish Wedding Photographer
www.jaredmburns.com | 206.659.7468 | info@jaredmburns.com