Citizen Mama

An Oldie But Goodie

2010-04-11T18:35:00.000-07:00

I am exasperated with the titanic collection of mindless dribble I find in bookstores. The bookstore shelves are so frustratingly crammed full of lackluster texts for tots that it is nearly impossible to find the few pearls. Scan the list below for the generous suggestions and comments from parents in the know, as well as a few gems I’ve managed to cull from the crowded bookstore shelves.

Title: I Can Do It By Myself

Publisher: Western Publishing Company-A Golden Sturdy Book

I think all parents can relate to hearing these words. If you haven’t heard them yet, you will soon. My super cool aunt raves about this book. She says it was one of our favorites when we were small, and now she reads it to our children. It’s really simple to read and nicely illustrated.

Title: Amazing Grace

Author: Mary Hoffman and Caroline Binch

Publisher: Dial Books for Young Readers

This story about acceptance and confidence reveals a little girl who wants to play Peter Pan in her school play. One of her classmates says she can’t because of her skin color. The little girl’s grandmother then takes her on a journey and shows her the first African American prima ballerina in Swan Lake.

Title: Where the Sidewalk Ends

Author: Shel Silverstein

Publisher: HarperCollins

One of my best friends adores this book, “Emma and I both love this book. I can still, to this day, rattle off the entire poem, Sick (a two-pager) because it is so poignant, funny and lyrical. And now I have Emma singing through Ickle Me Pickle Me, Tickle Me Too. I love that she has taken to something I loved as a child.”

I can also vouch for the success of this book in our home. I, too, adored this book as a child, and I partially credit Silverstein with my love for writing and reading poetry.

Title: Miss Spider’s Tea Party

Author and Illustrator: David Kirk

Publisher: Scholastic

These books are known for their incredibly vivid and vibrant illustrations. Each page is a work of art. But it’s also a story about letting go of preconceived ideas about people (and spiders.)

Title: Love that Dog

Author: Sharon Creech

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

This is another one of those fantastic poetry books. I love it myself; I love it for my son; I loved it when I taught poetry to my high school students. It’s about a boy named Jack who is exploring poetry and trying to find his own inspiration, which he manages to find in his dog, Sky.

Title: Chicka Chicka Boom Boom

Author: Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault

Illustrator: Lois Ehlert

Publisher: Little Simon

I have to add that just today, when I picked my son up from school, a lot of the kids were circled closely around their teacher, entranced by the book she was reading to them--Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. This book offers welcome relief from the monotony of most ABC books.

Title: Barnyard Dance

Author: Sandra Boynton

Publisher: Workman Publishing Company

This book was recommended by a friend of mine who is a mother and a writer, so she knows her stuff. “We have a rollicking good time sing-songing this lively rhyming board book. Elizabeth is six and we still love it, and now she reads it herself!” Another book, by Sandra Boynton, that we love in our house is Personal Penguin.

Title: Goodnight Moon

Author: Margaret Wise Brown and Clement Hurd

Publisher: HarperCollins

A classic. This was on my list for sure and has been vouched for by nearly every parent who responded to my request for ideas. We have this book in Spanish, too, and we’ve read it so many times that it really doesn’t matter which version we read anymore; Xander knows it so well.

Title: Toy Boat

Author: Randall de Seve and Loren Long

Publisher: Philomel Books

This is a new book that I think will become a classic. It’s a great story about a little boat that gets separated from his little boy. The small boat is, at first, excited about his new freedom to sail in the huge lake, but he quickly encounters many big (and some scary) boats that caution him to “Move along!” It’s a new twist on the old big kid/little kid stories, where eventually the little kid (er, boat) survives encounters with the big kids (boats) and returns home safely. Each glossy page is home to imaginative and vivid illustrations.

Title: Where the Wild Things Are

Author: and Illustrator: Maurice Sendak

Publisher: HarperCollins

How could I leave out this classic? I used to love this story, and now it is one of my son’s favorites. We’ve been reading it for about two years, now, and he has every page memorized, but we all still love the story of the boy with the wild imagination. If you forgot about this one, it’s time to go to the store.

Preparing For Your Child's Portrait Session

2010-02-17T12:46:00.000-08:00

Clothes matter.

Sorry, Mom, but they really do. A little planning will help you get photos you adore. You don’t need to spend a lot of money, just keep a few things in mind.

Select an outfit that fits your child’s body. In other words, make sure the clothes aren’t too baggy, too long or too tight.

Select an outfit that fits your child’s personality. If your daughter NEVER wears dresses, maybe this isn’t the day to make her wear one. Or, if your son ALWAYS wears a cape, consider letting him wear it in his photo. After all, you want pictures that remind you of how your child really is!

Try and choose clothing that does not distract from his or her face. Avoid t-shirts with logos or messages.

Bold colors will help make the photo more vibrant, but don’t get carried away. Consider playing with two or three colors, or accessorize with a bright scarf or hat. (Just be sure your child knows to bring any accessories to the photo session.)

Layers look great, but take care not to look too bulky.

Beware of horizontal stripes.

Don’t forget the shoes. Don’t spend a lot of time getting just the right outfit and forget about the shoes!

Hair.

Photo day is not the day to try something new with your child’s hair, and, unless you’re a risk-taker, don’t get your child’s hair cut the day before, either.

Busy, Busy.

2010-02-10T19:43:00.000-08:00

Wow! Having two boys is challenging my abilities as a fabulous multi-tasker. I'm keeping up with my photo blog, but keeping up with updates is kicking my X?!. Today I spent all my free moments digging through files, looking for some of my favorite pics, so I could make something like this. I guess I like it. Yeah. I like it.

Arlo is here!

2009-08-10T20:58:00.000-07:00

Well, it was finally my turn! Our little guy was born on 7-8-9! We are still learning to be the parents of TWO! This is hard! And we wouldn't trade it.

On Saturday, I did my first shoot since Arlo's birth. I was not planning to get back so quickly, but I'm super happy I did. I had a blast, and I it made me feel like myself again. Seemed like the first time in a month that I knew what I was doing! :)

Check out the blog to see some of our family pics, as well as new images as I shoot them.

Pregnancy Update...

2009-06-18T08:32:00.000-07:00

I'm expecting my second son any time now! I'll be taking maternity leave until mid/late August, but I will be checking email and responding to contact forms.

It's not too early to schedule those Senior Portrait sessions or holiday card sessions!

Pregnancy Update

2009-04-09T07:53:00.000-07:00

Hey guys-

Many of you know I'm having my second baby boy in July. I can't wait to meet him!

I'm taking some time off from shooting (except for the thousands of newborn pictures) during July and part of August. I'd like to go ahead and start scheduling those senior portrait sessions as soon as possible. Of course, I'll continue to check, and respond to, email during my maternity leave, but it would be nice to have those Fall sessions lined up.

Visit http://www.christiestockstill.com to see my portfolio and complete a contact form, or just email me at cstockstill@austin.rr.com.

My First Appearance in a National Magazine!

2009-02-21T19:59:00.000-08:00

Check it out! In December, I was interviewed about how to take better pregnancy photos on your own. The article appears in the March issue of Pregnancy magazine. Here is a link to the article.

http://pregnancy.coverleaf.com/pregnancy/200903/?pg=44&pm=2&u1=friend

Tip #10 - Framing

2009-02-10T18:42:00.000-08:00

Tip #10 – Framing

Framing has to do with how you compose, or set up, your image. It helps to draw all of the elements of the picture together and can serve to fill empty or perhaps uninteresting space in your photo. For example, a low-hanging tree limb might frame your subject nicely and fill in the foreground of your image, at the same time adding depth to your photograph.

Tip #9 - Play with Depth of Field

2009-02-10T11:47:00.001-08:00

Tip #9 – Play With Depth of Field

Try to create a shallow depth of field by adjusting your aperture to something around F2. This will cause your subject to remain sharp while the background, and maybe some of the foreground, will be blurred. Your viewer’s attention will be drawn straight to the subject. If your camera has manual controls, you can simple adjust the aperture yourself. Otherwise, use the ‘portrait’ setting on your camera, which is set to help you take better pictures of people.

Tip # 8 - Draw the Viewer's Eye Through the Photo

2009-02-08T11:56:00.000-08:00

Tip #8 – Draw the Viewer’s Eye Through the Photo

When composing an image, look for lines or rows or objects that will lead your viewer’s eye through the image. Fence lines, rows of chairs or trees, and winding roads or paths are examples of elements that can guide a viewer through your image. In portraiture, parts of your subject’s body can serve the same purpose.

Tip # 7 - Shoot With The Sun Directly Behind Your Subject

2009-02-06T13:20:00.000-08:00

Tip #7 – Shoot With The Sun Directly Behind Your Subject For a Cool Silhouette Effect

Position yourself so the sun is directly behind your subject. You won’t see much detail in your subject, but you will get a cool silhouette that will highlight the shape of your subject. You may have done this on accident many times before. Now you can say you did it for aesthetic reasons.

Note- You may need to turn off your automatic flash if you are using a point and shoot.

Tip #6 - Keep the Background Simple

2009-02-05T09:09:00.000-08:00

Tip #6 – Keep the Background Simple

Your photos will be instantly better if you will take the time to choose simple backdrops for your subjects. If that’s not possible, at least clean up and move distracting objects out of the background. Especially look for those objects that might appear to be coming out of your subject’s head.

An exception to this rule might be on the rare occasion that the items in the background help to tell the story you want to tell about your subject.

Tip #5 - Try it in Black and White

2009-02-04T07:03:00.000-08:00

Tip #5 – Try it in Black and White

Most digital camera’s give you the option to shoot in black and white, or, if you have some kind of photo editing software, you can easily convert an image to black and white.
But it’s not just any image that converts nicely to monochrome. You can improve the quality and increase the impact of your images by choosing subjects that seem made for black and white. For example, look for scenes or subjects with great shapes and lines. And, because old-fashioned scenes and people seem made for black and white, consider converting to monochrome when photographing the elderly (especially up close,) old barns, rusty cars, or twisted trees.

Generally, you will hear that to get the most flattering light, you should try to shoot in the morning or late afternoon, but black and white can beautifully enhance images when the lighting is harsh.

Tip #4 - Use Flash Outdoors

2009-02-03T11:49:00.000-08:00

Tip #4 – Use Flash Outdoors

Even outside, you can use the fill flash setting on your camera to improve your pictures. Using a flash outside will help you eliminate harsh shadows, especially on the face and neck. This is a helpful hint for when there is bright sunlight behind or directly above your subject.

On cloudier days, you can use your flash to brighten your subject and separate the subject from the background.

Tip #3 - Move Your Subject Out of the Center

2009-02-02T10:03:00.000-08:00

Oops. I forgot to write a tip for yesterday. Now, we'll have to call this 10 in 11.

OK. So my third suggestion, (I've written about this before when I discussed the Rule of Thirds), is to move your subject out of the center of the frame. Imagine that you have a tic tac toe board over your frame, then move the main subject to rest on one of the intersecting lines.

Remember that cameras often focus on what is in the center, so you might need to move your focal point to keep your subject sharp.

Tip #2 - Get Eye Level With Your Subject

2009-01-31T14:25:00.000-08:00

How many pictures have you seen where the photographer appears to be looking down at the subject? This happens a lot, especially with babies, children and pets.

So if your subject is on the floor, get on the floor! Raise or lower your body to be on the same plane as your subject, (or bring your subject to your eye level) and you will have more interactive, interesting images. (see kitty photo from tip #1)

Having said that, don't discount those creative shots, where you might intentionally shoot from a strange angle. For example, you might deliberately take a picture of someone looking up into the lens.

Tip #1 - Get Close

2009-01-30T09:39:00.001-08:00

Eliminate cluttered backgrounds and unwanted details by getting in close to your subject.

With a point and shoot, simply zoom in or move closer to your subject.

If you have interchangeable lenses, try your 50mm. With your 50mm lens, you'll get great depth of field, too, so you can really play around with the focal point. This way you can direct your viewers' eyes to the part of your image to which you want them to pay the most attention.

Ten in Ten - Tips for Taking Better Pictures

2009-01-30T09:29:00.000-08:00

Check in for the next ten days to get ten quick and simple tips for improving your photographs. Suggestions are applicable whether you are using a point and shoot or a professional grade camera. I will post examples of each tip, but you can, as always, find more examples on my website: http://www.christiestockstill.com.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Christie Stockstill (pho.tog.ra.phy) - Austin Studio

2009-01-16T10:51:00.000-08:00

I just realized that I never really made an official announcement about my studio. So here goes...

I finally have studio space! Yay!

The studio is at 300 Leland, just off S. Congress. (I share the space with MAK Skin Studios.)

Six Tips For Preparing For Your Baby's Photo Session

2009-01-13T12:13:00.000-08:00

Taking the time to plan for your baby’s photo session will make all the difference in the final images. A little preparation will make for a happier baby (and mom) during the photo shoot and you will increase the chances of getting the photographs you are envisioning. Once you’ve done the research and found a photographer who fits your budget and style, there are several things you can do to get ready for the photo session.

Scheduling is Important- The best time to photograph a baby is when he or she is neither tired nor hungry. Try to schedule your session right after a feeding. Most photographers understand that it is difficult, if not impossible, to predict a baby’s schedule and are, therefore, usually more than happy to wait while you turn your baby back into the sweet angel you want documented for posterity.

Bring Refreshments (for you and baby!)- If you are nursing, find out if there is a place for you to easily feed your baby. If there will not be an adequate place for you to comfortably nurse, consider pumping before hand and bringing a bottle. For slightly older babies, bring along something to drink and a light snack. Frankly, you may both get thirsty and hungry during the session. It’s actually quite a lot of work for everyone involved. Which leads me to the next tip.

Plan on a Little Hard Work- It’s not easy to keep your baby cooing gleefully for an entire photo shoot. Be ready to make those ridiculous faces and do those embarrassing dances that you swore you would never do outside the privacy of your own home. You will likely be up and down, singing silly songs, playing peek-a-boo, and pretend sneezing for most of the session, so check your dignity at the door. Remember, the baby will likely look at you, so put on your show wherever you want the baby to look. (The photographer will most likely guide you through this process, letting you know when she/he needs assistance and directing you to stand in a certain place.)

Clothes (Or No Clothes) Do Matter- Bathe your baby about two hours before the shoot if possible, and dress him or her in something that you can remove without disturbing your angel. If you want those adorably innocent naked baby pictures, keep diaper and clothing loose to avoid making unsightly red marks. A neutral colored onesy makes for a very simple and clean photo, but splashes of color and bright patterns or hats are also great. If you (or your spouse and/or siblings) plan to be in the photos, try to dress in neutral colors, so your clothes will not become the focal point of the image.

Gather Wardrobe and Props Ahead of Time- “Packing” ahead of time will ensure that you don’t leave something behind. Wash and pack clothes, blankets, pillows, accessories, toys, and any other special items for your session as soon as you can get by without them. Don’t feel awkward if you show up with a full suitcase. Many people do.

Be on time. – You are likely allotted a certain amount of time for your shoot. Avoid having to rush by being prepared and on time.

Weiss Family Portraits (A Sneak Peek)

2008-12-30T13:21:00.000-08:00

2008-11-05T09:43:00.000-08:00

Looking for a unique and lasting gift to give to someone special?

New photos make unforgettable gifts!

-OR-

Consider getting a gift certificate for a portrait session. You can purchase gift certificates in any denomination, and certificates may be used across several sessions.

Perfect for wives, daughters, best friends, pregnant women, new moms, ANY mom.

*HOLIDAY SPECIAL*

Mention this email and receive a voucher for a $10 print credit with your purchase of a gift certificate of $75 or more.

To order a gift certificate or schedule a session, please visit http://christiestockstill.com/ and submit a contact form or call 512-587-5683.

Wishing you and yours a warm and joy-filled holiday season!

Today is Election Day!

2008-11-04T09:46:00.000-08:00

Go Vote!!

Maternity Portrait Sessions - Ten Tips for Better Pregnancy Photos

2008-11-04T08:45:00.000-08:00

1. Schedule your photo shoot for between weeks 31 and 36 if possible. Your belly may be too small before then. Of course, you don’t want to risk running out of time, either.
2. About two hours before your photo shoot, remove any clothing or accessories with elastic. Such items as bras, pants with elastic waistbands, even socks, leave marks on your skin that will show up in your pictures.
3. Discuss with your photographer ahead of time the look and style of the portraits you desire. Do you plan to be clothed the entire time? Do you love the intimate look of skin on skin? Will someone else be in the photos with you?
4. If someone else will join you in the pictures, be sure to select clothing and accessories for them that do not distract from the main subject: your belly. Bright-colored clothing and shiny accessories (watches, belt buckles, etc.) attract light and lead the eye away from the main focus.
5. What should you wear? Many women choose to go au natural, or at least topless with a pair of cute undies. If that’s not your cup of tea, try to choose a fitted top—something that accentuates the bust line and belly. If your clothes are too big, your belly will not be highlighted, and that’s the main idea of these pictures. Right? If you despise your pregnancy jeans, the ones with the panel, bring a pair of regular jeans and unzip them. That looks really cute with a tank top or a bikini top. Be adventurous! You don’t get a lot of opportunities to take these kinds of photos!
6. You may want to bring a few of your baby’s things to hold in your photos. Maybe you have already purchased an adorable pair of shoes, someone may have given you something at your shower that means a lot to you, or maybe there is a family heirloom that you would love to memorialize in your pictures.
7. Avoid rubbing lotions on your belly before the shoot. You don’t want the light to bounce off the shiny surface of your belly. Do, however, consider moisturizing your elbows and feet.
8. Your hands will likely be in the pictures, so consider a manicure, or at the very least, be sure your nails are trimmed. This rule also applies for toes.
9. Bring powder and lipstick or tinted Chap Stick for touchups during the shoot. Bring your brush or comb and several changes of clothes.
10. Last, allow at least two hours for your photo shoot, and try not to schedule anything for immediately afterwards. Most maternity shoots, like weddings, cannot be re-shot, so don’t rush yourself! Enjoy yourself!

Profound Wisdom

2008-10-17T07:07:00.000-07:00

My friend and yoga instructor Kim read this story to us one night at the beginning of a class. It offers much wisdom in its brevity.

The Two Wolves

An old Cherokee was teaching his grandchildren about life.

He said, "A battle is raging inside me...it is a terrible fight between two wolves.

One wolf represents fear, anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority and ego. The other stands for joy, peace, love, hope, sharing, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, friendship, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith."

The old man looked at the children with a firm stare. "This same fight is going on inside you, and inside every other person, too."

They thought about it for a minute, and then one child asked his grandfather, "Which wolf will win?"

The old Cherokee replied: "The one you feed."

-author unknown

Better Photos Through Better Composition

2008-10-16T09:33:00.000-07:00

If you have an automatic camera, or you put your camera in auto mode, you stand a pretty strong chance of producing an in-focus, properly exposed image. But we have all seen pictures from a party, wedding or vacation where in you can see the subject; it is visible and in focus, but for some reason, the picture doesn’t hold our interest. What is the difference between those pictures worth framing and displaying and those that remain in the photo box or in the depths of your computer? A major factor is composition.

When you take a photograph, you get to decide what is seen and what remains unseen. You choose the boundaries of your image; this is called cropping. You can also decide what will be the focal point, or viewpoint, of your picture. If you are taking pictures of moveable objects or subjects, then you get to play with the “shape” of your composition, too. Creating a triangle with your subjects is popular and the result is a balanced image.

If you are shooting landscapes or other subjects that cannot be moved, then you have to move yourself to create the best viewpoint to reveal your vision.

There are a few rules (or guidelines) of composition that will help you take more interesting, eye-pleasing pictures. Of course, you can find brilliant images that defy these guidelines, but learning them allows you to creatively break the rules with an artistic intention.

Rule of Thirds
The Rule of Thirds is basically the idea that, instead of placing the subject in the center of the image, you should place the main focus of interest at the intersection of the thirds. Imagine a tic-tac-toe grid placed over your image, and compose the image such that the main focal point falls one third up and two thirds in, or one third up and one third in. You get the idea. In the image of the woman doing yoga, the eye is drawn to the flash of light by her hand, which is one-third up and one third in to the image. In addition, her head, arms and torso are slightly to the left of center, so that her legs lead the eye toward the center of the image, but not out of the image.

Using Diagonals
Placing your subject on a diagonal nearly always makes for a more interesting picture. Diagonals lead the eye through the image, ensuring that the viewer sees what you intend. Even if the diagonal is an invisible line between two points, your image will be more effective. The yoga picture above also shows how her body creates a diagonal line across the image, producing a lovely leading line.

Leading the Viewer
Lines, implicit or explicit, lead the viewer through the image. It is therefore important that your lines do not lead the viewer out of the picture. There are many tricks to keeping the viewer “in” the image. If there is implied action in your image, be sure there is somewhere for the action to go. In other words, if you take a picture of your dog running down the beach, try to position it so that he is running “into” the image, not out of it. Give him some room to run! In Megan's Senior picture above, you can see that she was running from right to left when she leapt into the air. Capturing her on the right third of the image creates the appearance of her jumping into the picture. If I were to take the picture as she moved out of the frame, the eye would be drawn out and away from the image, and it would appear as if Megan were jumping into nothing.

Dark vs. Light (Corners)
In general our eyes are drawn to light, so in an image, our eyes will typically find the lightest parts of the picture. If the corners are much lighter than the rest of the image, the eye will be drawn to those spots and then promptly lead right out of the image.

Once you become adept at using these guidelines to improve your pictures, you can begin to challenge these guidelines to improve your pictures.

Photographing Up Close

2008-09-26T06:46:00.000-07:00

I like a tight crop. That means I like to get in close and really capture some aspect of my subject in detail. I like to fill the frame with say a face, or half of a face, or maybe just the eyes. I think I'm drawn to the sincerity of such portraits, the purity and simpleness. You see, when you get that close to your subject, there is no distracting background, there is nothing else to help tell the story. The viewer may look only at what you have offered them.

In contrast, zooming out, stepping back from the subject can give much more information about the scene. For example, you might be shooting your son's football game, and you may decide that no one will know what's going on if you don't pan back to reveal the setting.

But I say, think of the intensity you could capture if you zoomed in on your son's determined face, if you were close enough to see the smudges of mud, his eyes narrowed and jaw clenched. Pictures that show the environment often set the scene, but you may be surprised by what you are able to say with a close up.

So You Want Your High School Senior Photos to Be Better than Anyone Else's?

2008-09-19T15:19:00.000-07:00

So you’ve survived twelve years of school (maybe more,) and every year you’ve taken the same school photo, sometimes after P.E., in front of the same monochromatic backdrop, with the same “photographers” jabbing you in the back, wrenching your shoulders, and demanding that you smile on three.

You’ve had enough, and you swear to yourself that this year is special. This year is going to rock, and you are going to have the pictures to prove it! But how in the heck do you do that?

Clothes matter. Sorry, Mom, but they really do. For your portraits, try and choose clothing that does not distract from your face. Select two or three outfits from casual to dressy. Layers look great, but take care not to look too bulky, and beware of bold prints, polka dots, and horizontal stripes. Yikes, those patterns can add pounds as well as take the focus off of your face.
Consider bringing personal items to make your pictures unique. If you are a cheerleader or athlete, consider including your uniform in your pictures. Letterman jackets, sports equipment, books and other “props” can help you make a statement with your pictures.
Bring a trusted friend or family member to the shoot. This serves a lot of purposes, the primary one being someone to make you feel more comfortable during your photo session. This other person can also help you hold clothes and accessories, help you change quickly and discreetly, and remind you when it is time to comb your hair, or for ladies, touch up your makeup. If you bring a friend, he or she may even be able to join you in a picture or two. (Double check that this is ok with the photographer before you show up with your BF.)
Hair. The day of your photo shoot is not the day to try something new with your hair. Unless you’re a risk-taker, don’t get your hair cut the day before your session, either.
Meet the photographer ahead of time, if possible. Looking stiff or unnatural can wreck your senior pictures. For most of us, that’s how we look when we meet someone new—a little reserved and unsure. Feeling comfortable with your photographer will go a long way towards eliminating that rigid, forced-smile-look of so many portraits.
Be sure you know how your photographer feels about retouching images. If you are going with the school’s photographer, you may not have a lot of choice about retouching, but, if you have the luxury of hiring a professional photographer, make sure you understand exactly what he or she is willing to do to improve your pictures after the shoot is over. Some photographers do little or no retouching; some do a lot (maybe too much); and others charge extra for it. If you have a break out on the day of your big pictures (let’s face it; that happens to teenagers) do you want your photographer to fix that for you? If so, make sure you’ve hired someone who will do that for you.
Get some rest the night before your photo session. Um...I think that one’s pretty obvious.
Last, plan to spend about two hours at your senior portrait session. The last thing you want to do is rush around frantically trying to get fantastic pictures. You will be stressed, and it will show in your pictures.

There are only a handful of times in our lives where we get to be the center of attention and hire a photographer to document it. Getting your senior pictures taken should be one of those times. Relax and enjoy it, then show off your amazing pictures to your friends.

Naturally Austin

2008-09-17T07:50:00.000-07:00

This is Bronte. Isn't she super-precious? I didn't put her picture here because of that, though. I put it here to show you how great natural light can be. This is a call to turn off the automatic flash setting on your camera!

You may think you don't have anywhere ideal to take pictures in your house, but (especially for kids) all you need is a window. Open the blinds, pull back the curtains, let in the sun and start shooting! If you truly have no windows, open a door. The weather's awesome right now, and you're not going to let a fly or two stop you from capturing magical pictures of your children!

What Should My Child Wear for Portraits?

2008-09-16T08:13:00.000-07:00

As a professional photographer, specializing in newborn, baby and children portraiture, I get asked that question a lot. There are many answers to that question, the most basic of which, is something comfortable! Babies and young children are antsy enough without us forcing them to wear something itchy, tight, unwieldy or hot. Besides comfort, there are many other things to consider when dressing your little angels for portraits. To view examples of, as well as exceptions to, these tips, please visit www.christiestockstill.com.

The Birthday Suit—Newborns and babies have gorgeous skin, and nothing shows off that natural, innocent creature like nakedness. An added bonus for slightly older babies, is that eyes tend to stand out more when they are not overpowered by clothing, and, let’s face it, some of us tend to make our babies look silly in outfits that either don’t fit, or that look more like costumes than clothing.

Mostly White Clothing—This is a popular look for baby and children portraits. All white clothing gives a clean and natural look to the images, and is a great way to create a classic portrait that captures the purity of childhood. This is a common choice for family portraits, as well. White clothing works great for outdoor photos as well as in-studio portraits with a white backdrop.

Bold Colors—Don’t be afraid to put your baby or child in bold colors or prints. Although we generally wouldn’t recommend a bright print for an adult (or newborns,) vivid colors on young children will result in a playful, lively portrait, especially primary colors like red, blue, and green. (Take a chance with yellow only if you know it is flattering against your child’s skin color.) Bright colors really pop against the greens of nature, so consider a meadow or woodsy area for your photos.

Avoid Stripes—Stripes can wind up looking distorted in the final image, and, like bright prints, can be a distraction from the subject.

Layering clothing can be a stylish effect.

Multiple Children or Family Portrait—Here is where it becomes important to avoid prints. Typically, you don’t want loud, distracting clothing in a portrait since it tends to lead the eyes away from the subject. It’s nice, in a multi-person or family photo, to try and coordinate clothing so that colors and styles complement one another. For instance, you don’t want one child wearing wintry clothing and the other in shorts and t-shirt, or one wearing a nice dress and the other wearing ratty-old tennis shoes. Choosing clothes with same or similar colors unifies the picture and keeps the focus on the persons in the picture.

Accessories and Props—Finally, I’ve done some adorable portraits of children wearing hats, tiaras, scarves, fairy wings, even tutus. If your child wears his Superman cape everyday, maybe you should let him wear it in a few pictures. Why not? You want pictures that capture that your little guy really is, right? Besides, he may be much more willing to take other non-cape pictures afterwards. Props can be great addition, too, so consider bringing your child’s favorite book, stuffed animal or toy.

Be sure to discuss your expectations with your photographer before you hire him or her. It’s important to make sure you are both on the same page, and he or she can share additional tips that have worked well for the location you’ve chosen.

Hiring a Professional Photographer

2008-09-15T07:10:00.000-07:00

If you are going to spend your money to hire a professional photographer, you should do a few things to make sure you get the pictures you want. There are a few things you can do to help yourself (and your photographer) meet expectations.

1. Do a little research, so you can hire a photographer whose style matches yours. Ask friends, look in local parenting/kids magazines, and do an Internet search. Any professional worth hiring will have a portfolio for you to view. Look closely at the images. Are they mostly posed pictures or mostly photo-journalistic? Does the photographer shoot in color, black & white, or both? Don't expect a photographer to change his or her style for you. Instead, hire the photographer who will best meet your expectations.

2. If possible, meet with the photographer before the shoot. At the very least, have a detailed phone conversation. During the meeting, discuss things like locations, wardrobe, style, length of the session, cost of prints, proofing options, etc. Be sure you know what you are getting before you pay anything.

3. Email or bring to your meeting photos you like. Begin collecting images you find in magazines or catalogs that depict your style and desires. Showing these images to your photographer will help him or her know what you really want. Trust me; we want you to be happy with your pictures, and communicating your expectations is a huge step in the right direction.

4. Arrive at your photo shoot with a creative, playful and open mind. I, for one, love it when clients arrive with ideas of their own. It's important to find a photographer who is a team player, who will be your partner (and guide, if necessary) in capturing the fleeting moments in your life.

You are welcome to contact me if you have questions, suggestions or stories relating to any of my blogs. cstockstill@austin.rr.com

How To Take Better Photographs of a Newborn Baby

2008-09-10T08:57:00.000-07:00

Parents, you really only get a few weeks to capture photos of your newborn looking, well, like a newborn. Anyone with children can attest to the fact that they change in the blink of an eye. You may be considering hiring a professional photographer, but those photos will only capture a few hours of your baby’s new life. The rest of the documenting is up to you! To view examples of, and exceptions to, these rules, visit http://www.christiestockstill.com/.

Here are some tips to get you started.

1. Keep the background simple. Clutter will distract the eye away from the subject, in this case, your perfect, little angel.
2. Get on the same level as your baby. You look down at your baby all the time! See the world from his or her perspective, and grab some fantastic shots at the same time.
3. Photograph a naked baby! Your child will be photographed in clothing for the rest of his life! Naked babies look so natural and innocent. Too often, newborn clothes don’t fit well or look too grown-up; it can look awkward. Just make sure it is warm enough for your baby to stay comfortable. Oh, and be prepared for the call of nature. There’s something about that open air.
4. A content baby makes for a more successful photo session. Make sure to take breaks and feed your baby as often as necessary. Often, after eating, babies will fall asleep. This is actually a great time to take pictures. Newborns can sleep through just about anything and in just about any place.
5. Include “spontaneous” moments with family and friends. Take pictures of them playing, dancing, rocking, feeding, and loving on your baby.
6. If you use the flash on a point and shoot, try to get the baby to look away from the camera. This will help avoid red-eye. If you have an SLR with a detachable flash, try pointing the flash head at the ceiling or at an adjacent wall to eliminate harsh lighting.
7. Shoot often. Let’s face it; the odds are good that you will eventually get some great shots of your baby.

Perfect Time To Photograph Your Child

2008-09-05T13:36:00.000-07:00

One of the best times to photograph a baby or young child is after naptime. For some reason you can get the most beautiful and innocent shots right after a nap. They are also much more still at that time, and their messy hair is adorable. Use natural light, if possible; a flash can be a quick mood-kill and also throws harsh light on your sweet angel.

If you little one is not so much an angel after naptime, even better. You need pictures that represent reality, too.