A lot of people ask me what kind of camera I have, and how I get such great pictures. So, I thought I would share my not-so-secret answers... Everyone deserves to have great pictures, so feel free to email me any time you have questions.
In order of importance...
(1) First and foremost, I think the reason why I have great pictures is because I took my camera off auto-exposure. I learned how to shoot in the different manual modes, including full-manual. This is absolutely the number one reason-- even over the camera I use.
(2) I use a digital SLR camera by Canon called the 5D Mark II. It's a pretty fancy (and pricey) model, but I upgraded to go into professional photography (long-long-story short). I used to have a Canon digital Rebel XT. It is one of the most basic models you can have, but it takes great pictures. If you liked any pictures I have taken pre-2011, it was with that camera. And I can pretty much guarantee it was not shot in auto. :) Unless you are a professional photographer needing a full-frame sensor (sorry to get technical), you don't need anything higher than the most basic digital SLR. Save yourself the money if you are looking into getting a digital SLR, and get the most basic camera body. (This was advice given to me by a dear photographer friend pre-photography business). You don't have to have a digital SLR to take great pictures, but I would definitely invest in one where you can adjust exposure manually. This brings me to my next thought...
(3) Put money into your lenses. And in all actuality, if you are just wanting to take great pictures of your family, all you need is one special lens. And it is super inexpensive. Great, huh? You want to buy a 50mm (fixed focal length meaning it doesn't zoom in or out) with a maximum aperture of 1.8. Here is a link to the one I have. 99.999% of my pictures are taken with this lens. It is so great because it allows a lot of light in.
(4) Because I am a natural-light-only photographer, I have to adjust and work with what the sun gives me. Most photographers (at least at the level that I am) go back and adjust the light/white balance, and tweak any color issues. I took some pictures of Caroline in the shade in the backyard yesterday on a blue blanket. Guess what the camera picked up? The blue. (I should have done custom white balance but I didn't) So, I had to go back in and fix the white balance of the picture, so that what is supposed to be white, is white. And not blue.
All of this said, this is my best advice. If you want to take great everyday pictures of your family, take some time to read the manual for your camera and learn how to shoot on any of the manual modes. However, using a photographer is really a priceless way to get pictures you will cherish forever. Even though I am in business for myself, I have (and will continue to) hire a photographer to take family pictures of us.
Feel free to email me at kategavosphoto@gmail.com if you have any questions, or want to set up a session!
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Thursday, March 24, 2011
{Step by step! Ooh baby!}
Sorry. I couldn't resist. Well, in true form, Miss Caroline surprised us by taking her first steps this past Tuesday! She is changing daily, if not hourly! My Dad joked last night that we shouldn't blink, because we may miss something. I feel like that is closer to the truth than it is an exaggeration.
As I type, she is avoiding her nap by walking around her crib, trying to go from side rail to the other side without holding on. What a little stinker. When she loses her balance, she sits down and says "oh!" (which is her version of uh-oh). She really likes to stand right in front of the crib rails or the side of her pack-n-play and stand and clap for herself as long as she possibly can before she grabs back on. She is just too funny. I love it!
She keeps me on my toes for sure!
On another note, we have had a frustrating few months as far as her reflux goes. I feel like we took 3 steps forward, and now we have taken 2 steps back. The stomach virus she had back in January produced a horrid diaper rash that has been impossible to get rid of. My only guess as of right now is that virus has compromised her immune system so that she can't handle the foods she was used to eating up until that point. I have basically taken her off of all solid foods until we can get rid of the diaper rash. Her oatmeal that she has been eating since October (Happy Bellies Organic oatmeal with no dairy and no soy) was something she ate on a daily basis without any problems. I cut out foods recently, and then tried the oatmeal again this past Monday, and she threw up for several hours. Not good.
Her Gastroenterologist was ridiculously unhelpful, and threw a new can of formula in my face as he ushered us out the door. I was really upset, because in my heart of hearts, I am 100% positive it is not her formula. And the new formula is identical to the current one, just a different brand. I am not an idiot, although it feels like he takes me for one. I do my research, and I carefully evaluate and track Caroline's eating habits and problems. Of course he is the only pediatric GI Specialist in Beaumont. I am going to do some praying and try to figure out what I need to do.
Sorry for the Mama soapbox. I know God will lead us to the answers. I just need to trust in him and know that everything will work out.
As I type, she is avoiding her nap by walking around her crib, trying to go from side rail to the other side without holding on. What a little stinker. When she loses her balance, she sits down and says "oh!" (which is her version of uh-oh). She really likes to stand right in front of the crib rails or the side of her pack-n-play and stand and clap for herself as long as she possibly can before she grabs back on. She is just too funny. I love it!
She keeps me on my toes for sure!
On another note, we have had a frustrating few months as far as her reflux goes. I feel like we took 3 steps forward, and now we have taken 2 steps back. The stomach virus she had back in January produced a horrid diaper rash that has been impossible to get rid of. My only guess as of right now is that virus has compromised her immune system so that she can't handle the foods she was used to eating up until that point. I have basically taken her off of all solid foods until we can get rid of the diaper rash. Her oatmeal that she has been eating since October (Happy Bellies Organic oatmeal with no dairy and no soy) was something she ate on a daily basis without any problems. I cut out foods recently, and then tried the oatmeal again this past Monday, and she threw up for several hours. Not good.
Her Gastroenterologist was ridiculously unhelpful, and threw a new can of formula in my face as he ushered us out the door. I was really upset, because in my heart of hearts, I am 100% positive it is not her formula. And the new formula is identical to the current one, just a different brand. I am not an idiot, although it feels like he takes me for one. I do my research, and I carefully evaluate and track Caroline's eating habits and problems. Of course he is the only pediatric GI Specialist in Beaumont. I am going to do some praying and try to figure out what I need to do.
Sorry for the Mama soapbox. I know God will lead us to the answers. I just need to trust in him and know that everything will work out.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
{Uncle Jabo's Wedding}
The honorary "flower baby"
Last weekend we had the pleasure of driving to Llano, Texas (about an hour west of Austin) to the beautiful hill country. Zach's brother, Josh and his fiance, Tara, tied the knot in what couldn't have been a more perfect wedding day. I still haven't had time to go through all of the pictures, but I will post some more later. I took pictures mostly on Friday, and only a few on Saturday... I ended up helping with the behind the scenes action quite a bit on Saturday. I enjoyed it, though, and wanted to help the bride and her family enjoy the day leading up to the ceremony as much as possible.
Me and my girl
Last weekend we had the pleasure of driving to Llano, Texas (about an hour west of Austin) to the beautiful hill country. Zach's brother, Josh and his fiance, Tara, tied the knot in what couldn't have been a more perfect wedding day. I still haven't had time to go through all of the pictures, but I will post some more later. I took pictures mostly on Friday, and only a few on Saturday... I ended up helping with the behind the scenes action quite a bit on Saturday. I enjoyed it, though, and wanted to help the bride and her family enjoy the day leading up to the ceremony as much as possible.
Me and my girl
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
{she's a-changin!}
I am starting to see a hint of myself in Caroline. And I'm loving it. Do you see it? (By the way, I am the little blonde baby)
Friday, March 4, 2011
{Little Maggi is blooming}
Our Saucer Magnolia tree planted in honor of Big and Little Maggi (see post below) is blooming with some beautiful pink flowers. I love them! Magnolias are my favorite tree, and Saucer Magnolias are definitely my favorite variety. So delicate, but then they bloom and the flowers just pop. Just like my Granny, and just like my daughter.
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