Tag Archives: Tips + Tutorials

{What I Learned…} Everything Ain’t For Everybody

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity photograph my niece’s newborn photos. Because I was away on vacation and my sister-in-law was in  the process of moving, we couldn’t schedule the session until a month after (a big no-no for newborn photography, which usually takes place within the first few days after the baby […]

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August 15, 2011 - 12:58 am

Life with Kaishon - Amen!
AMEN!
AMEN.AMEN.AMEN.AMEN! : )
I had the nicest lady contact me this week. She said she LOVED my pictures : ) Loved them and she wanted me to shoot her family. But then : ) she sent me lots of links to photographers she liked. And they were all prop happy. I used to do props, because I thought it was cool and everyone and their brother did it, but I don’t like that look too much. I don’t like staging too much. I like real : ) Maybe 10% staged and 90% candid would be my style. I told the very, very nice lady I didn’t think I was what she was looking for and gave her 3 names of people that would love to do a stylized shoot with her. I hope she is happy in the end.
I love that you discovered this about yourself Maddy and most of all, I LOVE these pictures.
Sensational to the max.
Just like you.

August 15, 2011 - 7:32 am

Sabine - They are adorable, these photos! I guess it’s part of the process – finding out what kind of photographer you are, how and in which categories you prefer to work. I like to challenge myself, but when it’s too far from my comfort zone I get very nervous that the results will be dreadful. Something that really interests me – and I find much more difficult than I thought – is interior design photography.
Can’t wait to see your pictures, Maddy!

August 15, 2011 - 7:33 am

dana - Love this!!! I actually, (sorry but) am very tired of all those posed, props pictures! I love the “moment” photos! mix between planned and candid. and that is what I want to do. what I find myself most comfortable doing!
I love this photo Maddy!

August 15, 2011 - 7:49 am

Sarah - Dodeline Design - That would be a HUGE task – love this & can’t wait to see more!

August 15, 2011 - 7:52 am

Amy - What a sweet photo! And I’m with you … I love pictures that capture life, most of all!

August 15, 2011 - 8:28 am

Terri - So simple and oh so beautiful! Love it Maddy!

August 15, 2011 - 8:33 am

The Guilty Hyena - I feel both types of photography are equally wonderful, look forward to seeing the rest of the photo’s.

August 15, 2011 - 8:33 am

Keeley - I like your style and I think you do a fantastic job without using props. When I look at your photo shoots (and others) I realize that I don’t document enough of the important stuff in my life. I have tons of photos of my cooking and baking, but almost NONE of my family. The next time I have a milestone, I’m hiring a professional photographer… will you come to Delaware? :)

August 15, 2011 - 9:08 am

Cafe Fashionista - Kids are known for their playfulness. Sometimes posed pictures, full of props, seem so unnatural when it involves children – it’s nice to see that you are staying true to their nature and “real” behavior. Love this shot! :)

August 15, 2011 - 9:45 am

Mindy - i never sweat as much as I do when I photograph a baby. it is hard work!!! This shots is adorable and evokes emotion…great shot!

August 15, 2011 - 9:58 am

Buckeroomama - I used to want stylized pics of my kids –especially when I first had Josh. We did one session and while I thought it was nice and all, it just didn’t feel like me, like us.

I love the photos you take, Maddy. Don’t ever be who you’re not comfortable being. :)

August 15, 2011 - 10:26 am

Lee Oliveira - I love this photo sooo much. I love the connection between mother/daughter..
There is so much life into this picture..
Lee x

August 15, 2011 - 10:42 am

Maddy {Mad Hearts Photography} - I agree! Challenging yourself and stepping out of your comfort zone is important with any profession, especially photography. But it’s also just as important to figure out your own style because you don’t want to necessarily be the jack of all trades and master of none. It’s like any fashion trend, you can embrace it, make it your own or you can pass on it altogether. Newborn photography is something I’m still deeply interested in, but I also want to approach it in a way that’s true to my artistic style.

August 15, 2011 - 11:44 am

Camila Faria - I must be soooo hard Maddy. But I adore this photo. I’m so ready for my niece’s birth (in just a few more days)! So excited!

August 15, 2011 - 12:04 pm

Jacquie V - You are an excellent photographer and you have to do what makes you as a photographer happy. I still have to contact you by the way to see when we could meet up, I can’t wait for our first shooting :)

August 15, 2011 - 12:34 pm

DITA - You have a style all your own that says oodles and oodles more with one photo than a book of Anne Geddes images.
Congratulations on the birth of yet ANOTHER beautiful niece.

I can’t wait to see the shots…..I miss you, my friend!

xoxoxoxo
Love you tons,
Dita

August 15, 2011 - 12:45 pm

Christina Lee - I am in love with that photo, M!! And good for you for understanding your niche! And you are wonderful at it, my dear!

August 15, 2011 - 1:39 pm

katrina - i prefer your baby photo, maddy. the photos in the link you provided are beautiful, no doubt. however, most of them looked a bit awkward. your photos are natural — how can they get any better than that?

August 15, 2011 - 2:04 pm

savvy gal - I agree with you that it is rather difficult.

August 15, 2011 - 2:25 pm

Rachel @ The Redhead Fashionista - This photo is great, Maddy! I’m sure all the photos came out fantastic!

August 15, 2011 - 3:08 pm

Haute World - Fantastic! I agree with your take on capturing emotion rather than something that is too styled. I feel the same way about wedding photography – the overly posed fake shots always bore me. Give me a good candid anytime!

August 16, 2011 - 2:16 am

Kristin - I’ve gone the props and non proms route…I prefer the more natural photos in the end!

August 16, 2011 - 8:55 am

Angelia Sims - Gorgeous photograph Maddy! I just love the emotion in this one. And I hear ya on newborns, I have never sweat so much in my life as when doing them. :-) It looks so sweet and easy, but it’s sooo not. Love newborns though, they are very special angels.

August 16, 2011 - 10:12 am

fhenny - the photo is amazing dear! love the candid style of photographs rather than too artificial props for baby shoot.
i have never done a baby shoot before, but would love to do sometime!
xoxo

August 16, 2011 - 10:23 am

emily - I couldn’t imagine a newborn shoot being anything but difficult, totally cute and worth it, but like you said, patience is very necessary. Love this!

August 16, 2011 - 10:35 am

Sadee - I love this. The softness of the moment, the dreamy whites and grays, and the lovely contrast brought in by the dark hair and the sweet tattoo…just gorgeous!!!

August 16, 2011 - 2:23 pm

Keepie DaNiece - Well, hard work or no, I’d say you have BEAUTIFUL results. Precious.

August 16, 2011 - 2:29 pm

tinajo - This is very soft, tender and precious – love it. :-)

August 16, 2011 - 7:26 pm

Jennifer - And you so such an *amazing* job at capturing LOVE Maddy! Props and setups are not needed when you can capture the beauty of love! :) This photo is beautiful.

August 18, 2011 - 10:22 am

Sana, So Does Estella - Maddy I’ve missed you! Too cute. You did wonderful! I can only imagine the process behind it. I have a hard enough time working with flowers in stills. :)

August 20, 2011 - 6:28 pm

Nadette - The above picture is beautiful, and I’m like you, I like natural photos rather than posed/styled, and in all honesty, posed newborn pics kinda creep me out, lol.

{What I Learned…} How to Get Natural Smiles

When I started doing client sessions, one of my biggest challenges was getting natural smiles from my subjects, especially from the adults.  You see I’m not very funny by nature.  And if you’ve met me in person, you can attest that my personality tends to run  a little on the “dry side”, so getting my clients to […]

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August 10, 2011 - 2:47 am

Tiera - Such good tips! My little brother’s the same way — Pretty much avoids the camera unless he can be funny!

August 10, 2011 - 3:03 am

Buckeroomama - You’re right about how people usually ‘relax’ a bit after the first click and the second one catches them unawares. With my kids, I don’t tell them to smile anymore, because when I do that, 9 times out of 10, they’d paste on this grimace-like smile…. I would just crack something silly, really ridiculous and then they’d protest that it’s not true and that’s when the natural smiles come. Capturing a natural smile is like hitting the mother lode for me. =)

August 10, 2011 - 4:56 am

elly - What a clever trick! Brilliant idea, hey :)

August 10, 2011 - 6:11 am

Life with Kaishon - : ) What great advice Maddy-licious.
Brilliant.

August 10, 2011 - 8:44 am

Terri - Great advice Maddy! These are fabulous shots!

I really need to dust of my camera and get busy! =)

August 10, 2011 - 8:48 am

Sarah - Dodeline Design - It’s so true! Posing with a smile is hard and the mark of a great photographer is bringing out those gorgeous smiles – which you definitely do!

August 10, 2011 - 9:21 am

Chavonne - ha ha, i was such a goofball. next time ill be prepared to make out, no problem!!!

August 10, 2011 - 9:32 am

Angelia Sims - Those are so cute! Fake-out, huh? I will definitely have to try that. I think I caught a few genuine moments by luck, but now I know the trick! :-)

August 10, 2011 - 9:55 am

Cafe Fashionista - What a fantastic tip, Maddy – and what a gorgeous collection of photographs! I find that if I’m not laughing in photographs, I always look as if I’m frozen or something. Haha! :P

August 10, 2011 - 10:21 am

Amy - Fabulous tips–thank you so!

And I definitely have to be faked-out; I don’t love my picture taken. 9 times out of 10, I have that look in the first picture. It’s my “there, are you happy now?” look. :)

August 10, 2011 - 11:18 am

Camila Faria - Love this trick Maddy. They really look more relaxed in the second pic. I have to try that!

August 10, 2011 - 12:22 pm

Nadette - You’re talent for getting the natural smile is what sets you apart from the bunch. Once again, I’m looking at my family portrait on my desk at work, and we look like a bunch of robots. Le sigh, if only I had known you three years ago!

August 10, 2011 - 12:22 pm

Hannah B - Awesome tips! I’m definitely keeping these in mind.

August 10, 2011 - 12:55 pm

Kristin - Genuine smiles just light up a photo!

August 10, 2011 - 2:20 pm

Christina Lee - You sneaky girl, you–but I totally get why you do that–perfect!

August 10, 2011 - 3:12 pm

PvdH - Really interesting! I think Ill give that one a shot next time I have my picture taken for my blog (yikes… I really dread those ‘photoshoots’ for my designs!)

PvdH

http://www.ThePvdHJournal.com

August 10, 2011 - 3:51 pm

Gloria - I love these photography “insider” tips :-) Everyone looks so relaxed in your photos!

August 10, 2011 - 10:09 pm

camille - what a cute post! you take some seriously amazing shots! i’m finding it hard to believe that your personality tends to be a little dry-ish!
you seem in your blog to be such a spontaneous outgoing person!

August 11, 2011 - 1:24 am

Maegan - Great tips! And beautiful photos, you’re so talented!

August 11, 2011 - 9:15 am

Sabine - Great tips! I often get my best shots when I say: That’s it, we’re done… and then I shoot a few more. It’s like with your double shots – suddenly the model is all relaxed and easy – it’s over, phew! Another big help is when Sarah assists me… I’m often so focussed on shooting, but she makes the poor model laugh.

August 11, 2011 - 11:39 am

Stephanie - That is such a great trick! My camera right now is pretty low quality and would take too long between pushing the snap button to capture a quick emotion, but I will DEF be using this tool for when I have a professional camera. Thanks for such great tips and advice!

Eternally yours,
Stephanie

August 11, 2011 - 12:42 pm

Mindy - big, colorful, lollipops work pretty well, too, right?! thanks for the tip, love getting new ideas to use :)

August 11, 2011 - 6:52 pm

savvy gal - wow….. i love those 2nd pictures….

August 13, 2011 - 12:26 pm

Leia - You are truly amazing! These tips are fabulous! And so are these photos, of course.

August 14, 2011 - 7:47 am

Lee Oliveira - I always take a bunch of photos at once. You can normally pick one or two that are natural. The relaxed look is so much better.

Lee
x

{What I Learned…} Shooting in Burst Mode

When it comes to photographing kids, burst (continuous) mode  is my friend!  It’s a great way to capture multiple shots for a fun storyboard, but mostly it’s my secret to capturing the perfect shot of an always moving target.  Once my focus is locked on my tiny subject, I keep my finger on the shutter at all time so […]

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July 14, 2011 - 3:22 am

Life with Kaishon - Oh my goodness.
I love these so much : )
I will absolutely tweet this for you!

July 14, 2011 - 3:53 am

Pink Ronnie - These are awesome Maddy! Mmm, I should try your secret weapon with my boys too. Even with only two of them running around (thank goodness the baby is still immobile) I find it next to impossible to get decent shots!
Ronnie xo

July 14, 2011 - 6:51 am

Leia - These pictures are amazing! And soooo adorable! Please travel to India and take my wedding pictures when I have my reception :)

July 14, 2011 - 11:29 am

tinajo - I agree about the praying, haha! Yes, I do try to do that as often as possible since my boys always are on the move. It wouldn´t hardly be any pics if I waited for them to stop and sit still – and frankly I prefer the pics that show them as they are. I love your pic here! :-)

July 14, 2011 - 1:24 pm

Amy - What fun! And I love that last one …

July 14, 2011 - 1:31 pm

Cafe Fashionista - I am literally in love with these photographs, Maddy! I so adore the way you’ve captured the youth, innocence, and playfulness of the subjects – too perfect!! :)

July 14, 2011 - 3:15 pm

Sabine - These are great pictures! I’ve never heard of burst mode… Gotta check that out.

July 14, 2011 - 4:09 pm

Sofia - These are super lovely!

July 14, 2011 - 4:29 pm

Annalisa from Paris - funny picture!
good job!!!!!!

http://gcatch.free.fr/blog

July 14, 2011 - 6:35 pm

Gloria - These photos are SO incredible – what cuties!! I see a little mischievous glint in all of their eyes :-)

July 14, 2011 - 7:21 pm

The Guilty Hyena - Such vivacious sweeet sibling’s, good on the big brother for being such a good sport! :)

July 14, 2011 - 8:39 pm

Camila Faria - Oh Maddy, what an amazing photoshoot! They look adorable and super happy.

July 15, 2011 - 7:29 am

Buckeroomama - Oh, Maddy –these are such great captures of wonderful sibling moments!

July 15, 2011 - 12:41 pm

Terri - So darn cute!

July 15, 2011 - 2:26 pm

Hannah B - Great shots! I haven’t used ‘burst mode’ on my camera yet. I’ll have to try it out.

July 15, 2011 - 3:08 pm

Christina Lee - LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!!! That last shot is GORGEOUS!

July 15, 2011 - 5:35 pm

Mindy - awesome captures!!! Love the one where he’s winking…great job!

July 16, 2011 - 1:51 pm

Haute World - Oh my, you sure did have your hands full (I feel for their mom – it’s more than a full-time job for her I guess!). Beautiful shots and I agree, burst mode can be such a saviour. Glad you had a great time in Greece by the way and I really hope your ear has unclogged by now? Also loving your new supersized blog and website!

July 19, 2011 - 6:42 pm

Julie - This is great, thanks for sharing…I need to learn how to use my camera, correctly that is!

July 20, 2011 - 12:02 pm

Sandy - When Damaris told me that she had a photo session for her boys, I was so eager to see the pictures…and they came out wonderful! So much love and happiness among them! You did a great job Maddie!XOXO

August 1, 2011 - 9:37 am

Tiera - They’re adorable, and you got some really great shots! I’ve tried to use continuous mode before, but I still need some practice :)