The Tuesday Ten | Spring Photography Tips

Welcome to Spring! Right?.... er Winter again maybe! We all know the weather in Utah and Northern Utah, to be exact, can be very unpredictable. I was quite surprised to see a blanket of snow on my yard last week but it was actually a great change from the warm weather and warm winter we've had for the last few months. Though, it put a damper on this Tuesday Ten Post! 

I was going to write about some tips on Spring Photography ... but the snow isn't helping me on this one. Oh well, here's to hoping the snow melts, sun comes out and warm weather (SPRING!) quickly approaches. I look forward to green grass, flowers blooming, and bright colors enhancing my vision. Many people, me included to some degree, leave their camera hidden in their closet or drawer  (much like our warm summer clothes). Get those cameras out and start to enjoy your ability to capture moments, memories, and visions. Enjoy today's Tuesday Ten!

1. Get the camera out! Oh did I already say that above? Yes, looks like I did. BUT I MEAN IT! I have a hard time taking fun pictures of my family and me, period. BUT get the camera out, and just go for a walk, bike ride, make cookies, or a dessert. (maybe wait for the snow to melt for that bike ride). Take pictures of a family event like a birthday. Just use the camera! For all of those who are like me or my mom and hate being in front of the camera, your kids will LOVE seeing pictures of you later on. I promise.

2. Sunrise  - Days are getting longer and the sun is coming up earlier! Mornings are nearly the BEST time to capture those amazing landscape photos or just photos of your kids. Though, some of us aren't lucky enough to have mornings off but I challenge you to get up early one day in the next few months for a sun rise. Take your camera with you, be it on your porch, a hike, a morning drive, etc. Capture those tender sun rays rising into the valley first thing in the morning.

3. Landscapes - You caught that challenge right? Get up early before sun rise, take a drive or a hike and go capture a LANDSCAPE photo of the sunrise. Or the sunset! Both are perfect for a landscape photo. I took this photo on my way home from work a few weeks ago. It's a cell phone picture but I just LOVE the colors. I just bought a tripod too! I can't wait to use it. Tripods are a perfect enhancement to landscape photos.

4. Family Pictures, take it outside! Most of us love the outdoors, right? Photographers, well me especially, love taking family pictures outside. I don't mind the studio and sometimes it has to happen for timing and the little ones but if you can manage to take your pictures outside the spring is a great time of year to do so!

5. Bright Colors. One of the benefits of doing pictures in the spring is you can get away with bright colors. It's true. Bright Spring colors make wonderful family portraits. Be daring, do it!

6. Location, Location, Location. Scout out a location you want to use or have your photographer scout a location, (Aka Me). I love looking for new locations. A few weeks ago I sent an email asking for new location ideas and I got just that! A few of them weren't super pretty in the winter but they'll be amazing in the spring, summer and fall. Ask your photographer, again that's me!, to find a unique location and give me examples of what you are looking for. OR if you aren't sure ask me for a few choices. You DO NOT have to go with the first one I list, which is often the case.

7. Lifestyle. Being a fun family is a way of life and I LOVE CAPTURING those special and fun family moments. When we are doing your family, senior or child's session I hope I get some lifestyle photos. And don't be afraid to ask if I haven't taken any! The true interaction between families, moms, dads and their kids are worth more then words. They sometimes are my favorite pictures from an entire session. Like this one!

8. Sports and Activities. Most kids are involved in spring activities or sports, right? That's the perfect time to work on those photography skills. I am also looking to do some sporting events and activities. I've heard good and bad from parents when a Photographer was there taking pictures. BUT I'd love to come to your event, take pictures and sell the digital images or prints. Contact me!

9. Spring has Sprung... Yup Flowers. Who doesn't love a good spring flower picture? I do. Grab a picture of your favorite flowers as they bloom this spring. It's fun to experiment and capture those beauties before they are gone. Or blossoms on the trees! They make for great backgrounds.

10. Embrace the Rain. Yes, I said it. Be daring. Capture a fun memory in the rain, with or without an umbrella! Sometimes the best pictures are those that tell a story and have feeling which is what the rain can really do. It's on my bucket list. I'll be waiting for a fun rain storm!