Turn Your Flash OFF

Here's a fun little tip:  The next time you have a birthday party, before the candles are blown out, turn off your flash and all the lights in the room and let the candles do the "talking" if you will. 
It creates a great glow and communicates more than just a standard photo....don't you think?

Great Link!

I still feel like a beginner photographer in so many ways.  Probably because I don't have the time or means to be as involved with photography as I would like to be someday.  For now, I'll just keep shooting when I can ( I definitely need to be better at this!) and keep learning from my many mistakes.

For you other "beginners" out there, here is a great link that I came across randomly:
http://allbowerpower.wordpress.com/2009/11/06/shoot-me/

I think I will break down and make myself spend money on a new lens.  I have had my eye on this one for a while, but I am wondering if I should start out with one of the lenses suggested in the link. The Canon 50 mm 1.8  (only $100), or the Canon 100mm 2.0 (a little more pricey).

Any input on what lens I should start out with on a small budget?

By the way, the following little squirts are what keep me so busy, but that is fine with me.  That should be priority #1, right?

Grrrr....

I took some photos tonight for some family members.  It was a big group.  I rented the lens that I always rent, I shot it in RAW, the ISO was set at 100, and I had it on one-shot focusing.  I just uploaded the photos to Lightroom 3.  THEY ARE GRAINY!!!!  WHY???  Grrrr....
They don't look fuzzy until I zoom in, but I know that they aren't crystal clear like I know they SHOULD be.  What did I do wrong?  And, what do I do now?
HELP!!!

'Tis the Season

What is your favorite Christmas tradition?

In the Spirit of Thanksgiving

Family Photo

This is us.  I posted this on our private family blog, but didn't realize that I didn't post it here.  Woopsie daisy!  This is my sweet family of 4 that seems to be growing faster than I can keep up.  I didn't take this photo....obviously.  My Dad was kind enough to let me get it all set up and have him take a whack at it.  He did a great job!  We are loving life and can't believe that it is nearly Thanksgiving (my favorite holiday, by the way). 
ps.  We just found out that my little brother and his wife are expecting triplets!!  Any pointers on photographing triplets would be more than welcome.  I am already making plans to have them in front of the lens.  Fun Fun!

Family #2

These are some shots that I took of the second family from last weekend. We were lucky/blessed to have about an hour in between rain storms to be able to get these done. Different location, and different feel than the others, but I was happy with the results...hopefully, they were as well. What do y'all think? (yeah, our time in Texas did rub off on me a little ;) )

Beautiful little girl!

Don't you love this one? The girls are all perfect, and the little stud is all "This is lame".

What a great looking family!

I had to convince Miss A to let me take one without her glasses, but she insisted on the no-teeth smile. Turned out sweet though.