Cute Photo Craft Idea

I saw this recently on Pinterest and thought it was such a cute idea. Click Tiny Polaroid Magnets to view the tutorial on how to get started.  In the tutorial she says you will need Photoshop.  I know most people don't own Photoshop so I wanted to make a particular comment on the Pixlr online editing program that she mentions....It is FREE and will handle making these little cuties very nicely.

I also think you could simply print the polaroid template she provides at a certain size (maybe a regular polaroid size and cut the center out and place a picture behind it.  I've saved her template in jpg form to make for easy printing.  Here is a copy for you...  Polaroid JPG Template

I haven't tried making these myself but I have a few thoughts......

Perhaps foam board would work as a substitute for the cardstock or cardboard.  It comes in white and you wouldn't have to color the edges after cutting.

I think when I do mine I might spray the entire thing with Krylons Workable Fixatif before hanging on the fridge for a little protection.  Seems like my hands are always wet, etc. in the kitchen. 

Let me know if any of you try these and how it works out.

Bluebonnet Photography Love

I went to Chappell Hill this past weekend with some dear sweet friends for the annual Bluebonnet Festival.  I had never been before.  It was a lot of fun and I got a lot of cute things.....including a large bird feeder made from a recycled good year tire! Wow!! The things that people can come up with...and the things that I buy:)  Anyway on the way there we passed fields of Texas Bluebonnets.  Despite the early hour there were families and friends in the fields having their pictures taken with the beautiful blue flowers.  As we enjoyed our day shopping and seeing bluebonnet this and bluebonnet that I began to wonder what exactly was the fascination in this floral frenzy.  Is it just the sheer beauty of the flower?  Don't get me wrong...it is quite a beautful flower in its own right.  But say compared to a rose it doesn't quite live up. Possibly the beauty arises from just the magnitude alone.  You certainly never come across hundreds and hundreds of roses in a field.

Maybe its a southern thing...or more precise, a Texas thing.  Do we take our photographs among the blue flora to represent our pride in the Lone Star State?  Historian Jack Maguire so aptly wrote, "It's not only the state flower but also a kind of floral trademark almost as well known to outsiders as cowboy boots and the Stetson hat." He goes on to affirm that "The bluebonnet is to Texas what the shamrock is to Ireland, the cherry blossom to Japan, the lily to France, the rose to England and the tulip to Holland." 

Perhaps it respresents to many that spring has arrived.  A celebration that winter has passed and new life has begun.  A chance to start over...a re-birth. 

As we drove home I was amazed with how few places there were to park along the road in front of these fields of bluebonnets.  People posing and smiling everywhere!  I have known people to go on long road trips just for the opportunity to take pictures with the bluebonnets.  As a photographer you would have thought I would have stopped to take my friends' pictures or maybe even been photographed myself.  Had I brought my camera along :) ... Looking back I think I would have taken a photo of the entire field with families milling about and little ones running through the blue beauties.  For whatever reason, maybe it's all of them, that they want to photograph or be photographed among the bluebonnets they all know there is something special in capturing family and friends among these flowers.  And there is something special in that...

A little beauty, a little Texas, a little spring.... a lot of God.

My Sister~ Photographed by my Mom

Coin Photography

I had the wonderful opportunity to photograph a friends husbands coin collection.  He uses the photographs in his computer database.  It has been quite interesting!!  There are some many different aspects of coin collecting that I was completely unaware of...  Circulated, uncirculated, almost uncirculated...etc.  And there are all kinds of grading systems, numbers, etc.  Not to mention how the coin came to be, how many different dyes were used, did they change over time, etc., etc., etc.!  It is extremely fascinating to me the scope of all that goes into this hobby, coin making, and coin history.  I just love history!! These are little pieces of history with their own individual stories.  As I photographed and enhanced the pictures of these coins I was completely blown away by the detail in some of them.  From the words on the Liberty Bell in one coin to the leaves in the woman's hair in another....and OH! let's not forget the detail in the feathers of all those eagles!  If you know of anyone that collects coins, sit down and talk with them for awhile.  It is higly enlightening and can be somewhat contagious:)  Just what my husband would like....me to start spending his money buying someone else's money! LOL!

Old Window Panes

Do you ever go junking and see the old window panes leaning against the wall waiting to be sold? Do you ever think..."those are so cool but what on earth would I do with it"? I found the coolest idea on the internet and wanted to share with you all. Simply measure the window pane and have your picture printed large enough to where you could trim down to fit the dimensions. Make sure you choose a picture where the faces or important aspects of photo are not blocked by the wood that makes up the panes. Hang the picture on the wall and place the window pane over the top. I think I would have my picture printed on masonite or foam board of some sort. Another great idea would be to do smaller prints to fit within each individual pane. I believe this type of wall hanging could fit into almost any decor. You could also place words on the wall above or below the frame for added appeal. I have a number of window panes in my garage. Now I just need to figure out what room and what picture:)  

Easter Joy

Easter Joy

By Joanna Fuchs

Jesus came to earth,
To show us how to live,
How to put others first,
How to love and how to give.

Then He set about His work,
That God sent Him to do;
He took our punishment on Himself;
He made us clean and new.
He could have saved Himself,
Calling angels from above,
But He chose to pay our price for sin;
He paid it out of love.

Our Lord died on Good Friday,
But the cross did not destroy
His resurrection on Easter morn
That fills our hearts with joy.

Now we know our earthly death,
Like His, is just a rest.
We'll be forever with Him
In heaven, where life is best.

So we live our lives for Jesus,
Think of Him in all we do.
Thank you Savior; Thank you Lord.
Help us love like you!

  Happy Easter Everyone! 

Wow!! What Happened to March!

Wow! Seriously... I really didn't blog at all in March?  I have been extremely busy coming up with new photography ideas, poses, locations, props, blog ideas, etc.  Not to mention lots and lots of photo editing....that I completely missed blogging in March.  I'm getting on the ball now!  Look for lots of great ideas, tips, stories, etc. coming to our blog!  It's going to be blogtastic!

Senior Portrait Tips

Here's a few "Senior Portrait Tips" that will help make your session a true hit!

Clothing:
Pick a variety of outfits in a variety of colors.  Solid colors and small patterns work best….avoid stripes.  Wear clothing that you normally get compliments on.  Casual outfits in earth tones are great for outdoors.  Dark solids look nice for more formal type pictures.  Lighter colors are great for lighter backgrounds and vice versa

Props:
Bring props that coordinate with your outfits and show who you are….class ring, letter jacket, instruments, sports equipments, etc.

Pets:
Pets are more than welcome to join in the shoot provided you bring someone to hold them during the rest of the session.

Hair:
If getting hair cut, colored or permed please allow one to two weeks for it to grow out or settle before your session date.  Wear styles that make you feel comfortable.

Girls:
Makeup should be slightly darker than normal day wear.  Avoid makeup with sparkles.

Guys:
Avoid wearing a hat all day before your session so as to not have “hat hair”. 

Nails:
Make sure nails are clean and manicured.  Don’t forget about your toes if you want some barefoot shots.

Acne:
Don’t worry too much if you have acne or blemishes. Retouching works great!  Feel free to cover big problem areas with cover-up or concealer.

Glasses:
Most glasses will have a glare on them…If possible have your optometrist remove the lenses from the frames for your session.

Attitude:
Relax and Have Fun!!!  Your attitude will reflect in your portraits.