I can’t say it enough! You all inspire me!

Last week a mom emailed me and said; “Your “tips for moms” already has me experimenting with aperture and shutter speed on my point-n-shoot. For the four years I had that camera, I never ventured into “manual” mode. I’m not so intimidated by it now.”

I read her words, and I’m totally inspired! Photography can be such a “technical” art, but it’s really not as bad as they make it out to be. I think of Brian and how I’ll be trying to figure some new technique with lighting or a new software we’ve received. Sometimes I’ll get so overwhelmed and intimidated, and every time he’ll say, “You can do this Me Ra. It’s not as bad as their making it sound. You can totally figure this out!”

If I could come to each of your homes as you try to shoot your children, I’d say the same thing! “You can do this moms! Photography is not as technical as they make it sound. You can totally figure this out!”

I know it’s scary to try Manuel mode or even AV mode when you’re used to being in Program or Automatic all the time. It’s crazy to think that 4 1/2 years ago, I was afraid to switch my lense because I had no idea how to get it off or put a different one on. 🙂 “Red Button to Red Button,” I’d tell myself. “Just remember red button to red button.” I was afraid that if I screwed the lense on wrong I’d break all the glass inside. It’s silly, but how do you know when something is new and unfamiliar?

Now I laugh to myself when Brian and I get up to speak to photographers b/c if they only knew how beginner-beginner I was not so long ago (and we make sure to tell them! :)). I have to pinch myself when we win an award or shoot a wedding for $15K in a gorgeous location because at one time it seemed impossible. But ladies, you can do this! You all see the beauty of your children, and I know with a little instruction and tips along the way you can do it and just get better and better!

Some of you are sending me your images, and I just LOVE it! Below is a beautiful shot of one mom’s little boy!

I love how Jessica filled the frame with Ross’s face. And the orange leaves in the back are amazing with his little green Halloween costume. Sometimes we can get caught up into saying “Cheese!”, and I’m so glad Jessica refused to say cheese on this because look at Ross’s perfect, pensive look!

Jen Stewart is a great portrait photographer and momma of two boys! She tried the exercise from Look Deep into the Lense with her boys, and check out what she got! You’ve got to love it! Read her whole story and see more of her photos on her blog.

Thanks to all the moms (and dads) who email me with your images and give these exercises a try! Our kids grow up so fast. Isn’t it awesome to be documenting who they are instead of just grabbing snapshots here and there!

Stay tuned for more upcoming photography tips for moms this week! 🙂

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To learn more about me visit About Me Ra.

For information on Me Ra’s popular sold-out photography workshops, visit “Documenting a Child’s Life.” We are taking names on our Waiting List for upcoming 2007 speaking workshops and conferences! Let us know if you’d like to be added!

To see our day job, visit our website. 🙂