Category Archives: Photography

Quick Tip // Backlighting Indoor Photos

Remember when I talked about how to shoot backlit photos? Well, I forgot to mention that you don’t have to be outdoors to achieve this effect – same concept applies indoors with window light.  Let’s take see a quick example. This is my pretty orchid that I’ve managed to keep alive for a month now- […]

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March 14, 2012 - 11:35 pm

Tiffany B. - Great TIP! Thank you for sharing. I take photos all the time but I never seem to this. Congrats on keeping it a live. I have a half dead palm tree in my house right now. Hoping it will make it!

March 15, 2012 - 2:21 am

Tiera - Thanks for the tip! I’m gonna try & put this into practice the next time I take my camera out!

March 15, 2012 - 7:48 am

Amy - So lovely!

March 15, 2012 - 2:30 pm

Gloria - Backlit photos always look so magical – I can’t believe you took this with your iPhone!

March 15, 2012 - 6:22 pm

yummychunklet - What gorgeous orchids.

March 15, 2012 - 8:04 pm

Sarah - I killed my gardenia :-(

March 16, 2012 - 10:44 am

Cafe Fashionista - I can’t believe that you took these pictures indoors, Maddy! They are positively exquisite! :)

March 16, 2012 - 11:16 am

Emily - So so pretty. Every time I see your photos I yell at myself for not using my camera more.

March 16, 2012 - 6:37 pm

Sabine - Beautiful! I love backlit photos although I’m not sure my iphone is up to it (it’s an old 3 one)…

March 16, 2012 - 7:45 pm

camille - thats a nice tip! i’ve never tried it before! thanks for sharing!

March 18, 2012 - 12:54 pm

Audrey Allure - I definitely also aim for window light – definitely a great source!

March 18, 2012 - 10:13 pm

Camila Faria - Beautiful Maddy! Light is really a photographer best friend!

March 20, 2012 - 1:05 pm

Nadette@Eat, Read, Rant! - pretty! The only plants I have are herbs and they don’t make for pretty pics. I do however, have a gorgeous faux orchid plant, (I’m on the plant murderers most want list, lol) so I may have to give this techinique a try. I haven’t picked up my camera since our meetup. for shame!

March 21, 2012 - 7:25 am

Buckeroomama - I have so much to learn about lighting… Thanks for sharing this tip.

I miss my orchids. I might get one (or two or three!) if I make it to the annual Flower Show this weekend. :)

March 21, 2012 - 1:09 pm

Kristin - What a cool effect…Thanks for the tip lady!

{What I Learned…} How To Shoot Backlit Photos

Ever see a picture where the sunlight peeks behind the subject giving off a beautiful halo effect? It’s called backlighting. It’s an easy way to add visual interest without the need for fancy equipment. All you need is a light source behind your subject, light flowing behind the camera too (so no obstructions like walls or […]

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February 22, 2012 - 1:02 am

Hannah - It’s always so fun to see and hear about others’ process when it comes to getting the right shot. Thanks for sharing!

February 22, 2012 - 1:23 am

Donna - This makes SO much sense! I swear photography books can be so dense sometimes.. maybe you should start a new column ;)

February 22, 2012 - 6:00 am

Emily - Talent, that’s what it’s called. You are so talented lady. Truth be told I have had a DSLR for several years but I really don’t mess around with it much. Thinking it might be time to figure out all it can really do.

February 22, 2012 - 8:59 am

Maddy {Mad Hearts Photography} - So glad you found it helpful, Donna! My {What I Learned…} post are exactly that – simple tips for those interested in learning about photography. I’m hoping to post more tutorials and quick tips in the near future!

February 22, 2012 - 9:33 am

The Guilty Hyena - Always a joy to learn something new everyday. I know I don’t make the most of my DSLR, I find it less cumbersome to carry a compact digital camera around, which gives me less opportunities to experiment with the DSLR.

February 22, 2012 - 9:56 am

Amy - Oh, thanks Maddy–you know I need all the help I can get when it comes to taking photos! :)

February 22, 2012 - 10:51 am

Sarah - Dodeline Design - What amazing tips! I need all the help I can get and this one is definitely a keeper!

February 22, 2012 - 11:52 am

lou - gosh.. there is so much to learn when it comes to photography. your tips are so super helpful and the last photo turned out awesome. i always try to experiment with halos when i catch some though i never got a decent picture from it. need to practice more!

February 22, 2012 - 12:05 pm

Maddy {Mad Hearts Photography} - It does take a bit of practice, but once you get the hang of it, it’s so simple! You can still get the effect without the use of dslr or spot metering. Just make sure to position your subject right in front of the light source and that there’s enough light hitting their face too (you can use reflectors or even flash as fill light). If the face happens to still be a bit on the dark side, you can always brighten it up in Photoshop afterwards (though I try to nail it in camera to cut down my editing time).

February 22, 2012 - 12:25 pm

Life with Kaishon - Such a great lesson : ) Thanks for taking the time to post this. She is gorgeous!

February 22, 2012 - 3:03 pm

Sabine - Great explanations and beautiful photos, Maddy! A diffuser would come in handy – but since I don’t have one I normally just overexpose against the sun.

February 22, 2012 - 3:43 pm

Nadette@Eat, Read, Rant! - This is a great refresher lesson, I’ve struggled with metering in the some of my outdoor photos, and it doesn’t help that my starter canon camera has very basic metering options. I want to do some silhouette photos, but I’ll have to reconsult my notes on how exactly to do that, but I know backlighting is invovled. Great photos!

February 22, 2012 - 8:02 pm

Maddy {Mad Hearts Photography} - Silhouettes are the same concept, but instead of metering your subject, you meter the sky or light source. When you do that, everything else will be darker, except the sky. That’s how silhouettes are done :) You may have to go into photoshop to enhance the effect, but that’s practically it – very easy!

February 22, 2012 - 11:48 pm

Jo - This is wonderful!! Thank you for the tutorial!!
A dear friend of mine just got new headshots, and we were discussing how her new photographer used backlighting. I’m telling you, her headshots are the best I’ve seen! It makes me wonder why more headshot photographers don’t use this technique!!

February 23, 2012 - 8:44 am

Cafe Fashionista - I seriously love these pictures – and the advice for taking them. Photography is far more complicated than I ever imagined; but when you see the results it’s definitely worth it! :)

February 23, 2012 - 10:23 am

Maja - Wow, what amazing photographs on your blog!
Thank you for your sweet comment.

February 23, 2012 - 12:09 pm

Camila Faria - WOW, Maddy, you’re such a pro! Thanks for all your amazing tips!

February 23, 2012 - 2:46 pm

Elle sees - If I ever get a fancy camera, I’m hitting you up for tips!

February 23, 2012 - 4:52 pm

yummychunklet - Great photos!

February 24, 2012 - 4:19 am

Tiera - Yes, more awesome tips! PS: What lens are you using in these photos? Thanks girl :)

February 24, 2012 - 7:24 am

Maddy {Mad Hearts Photography} - That would be the nifty fifty (50mm f/1.4) – I rarely take a picture without it :)

February 27, 2012 - 9:43 am

Jacky {The Sweetest Petunia} - These pictures are so gorgeous! :)

{DIY Prop} Valentine’s Day Bunting Flags

When brainstorming for Valentine’s Day photo ideas, bunting flags instantly came to mind. They are all the rage in the world of photography props and it’s plain to see why.  They are inexpensive and a great way to breathe a little fun to your photos. For this super simple DIY project,  I used Valentine’s themes cardstock and mini wooden clips with red […]

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February 2, 2012 - 12:18 am

Hannah - Stop it right now with all that cuteness! I just can’t take it! ;) Great idea for the bunting! I’ve been thinking of using some old scrapbook paper to do the same thing.

February 2, 2012 - 12:42 am

Tiera - Lovely! I like easy craft ideas like these :) And your niece is ADORABLE!

February 2, 2012 - 2:20 am

camille - thats so creative what you did! it looks so cute! and that baby is adorable!
i still dont know where exactly in the us i’m going to… you see, i was approved by the brazilian comitee, but i’m still waiting on the approval of the American comitee. People say that if you’re approved here, you’ll be approved there, but i’m still tense over it…i’ll only know it around april or may… and as soon as i know where i’m going i’ll let you know! :)

February 2, 2012 - 8:43 am

Cafe Fashionista - This is such an adorable decorative idea, Maddy – I LOVE it! And your niece is the cutest! :)

February 2, 2012 - 10:04 am

Mindy - i love these little flag banners. I havent made one yet, but I have a baby’s 2nd birthday shoot in few months that I am thinking these would be perfect for!

February 2, 2012 - 11:56 am

Life with Kaishon - She is the most perfect baby girl : )

February 2, 2012 - 1:10 pm

Christina Lee - AWWWWWW! That does add the perfect backdrop, doesn’t it?

February 2, 2012 - 3:48 pm

chavonne - You have the most adorable nieces. They’re so smiley and cute! Oh and i like your instgram photos, you make everyday things special

February 2, 2012 - 5:53 pm

Camila Faria - How adorable! So simple and cute. You have the best ideas Maddy!

February 2, 2012 - 5:59 pm

Amy - I absolutely love bunting flags–so fun! And your nice–eek!–I just want to kiss those cheeks!

February 2, 2012 - 10:52 pm

Jo - She is ADORABLE!!
And aren’t you clever with the bunting!! Love it!

February 3, 2012 - 10:11 am

Sarah - Dodeline Design - This is adorable Maddy! Love them!

February 3, 2012 - 10:29 am

Gloria - This is such a cute DIY! Can’t wait to see more VDay photos!

February 3, 2012 - 2:57 pm

Audrey Allure - I love the tiny heart clothespins! Can’t wait to have my own place to decorate for the holidays!

February 7, 2012 - 5:16 am

Kimberley - Dream. Delight. Inspire. - They (and the little cherub) are so beautiful! I’m inspired to do a little V Day decorating around my studio now. Thanks! x

February 8, 2012 - 11:59 am

Nadette@Eat, Read, Rant! - That’s a really cute idea, you’re so good at this. And of course, the baby is adorale!