Tips for taking pics of the kids

Since I got my 50mm prime lens a couple of years ago, I've loved trying to get great portraits of the kids. But it's been more than a challenge. Here's a list of what I've learned and some tips.

Problem: Maybe one child will cooperate but the other/others won't.

Solution: Help the cooperative child do something really fun (like climb a tree) and then suddenly the uncooperative child wants to give it a try.

Problem: For unknown reasons, said little person will not smile. NO MATTER WHAT.

Solution: Pose them for some seriously beautiful, serious shots. Just go with the sad faces and keep shooting until you get what you want. Sometimes I love to see an ugly cry face in pictures, because that is real life!

Problem: Mr. or Miss Personality won't slow down enough for you to take a decent picture.

Solution: Save your money and buy a DSLR. Yes, they are huge, but you absolutely can't replicate the stop action shots you can achieve with a faster camera. Just use your phone for pics when you absolutely can't carry a big camera. It's amazing how I'm used to mine now that I've carried it around.

Problem: On most occasions, they really don't want their pictures taken or are too busy playing to feel the need to stop. Other times the light is just not right or the outfits not right or their hair is just too unkempt (for me). 

Solution: Plan for mutiple photoshoot times. You can plan somewhat, but also have your camera for unexpected great shots. (Example below)

This beautiful weeping Cherry tree was blooming so I thought I'd take the kids pictures with it. Nice idea, but their really wasn't a way to show the pretty blooms up high and the cute children down low. I did like how some of these photos came out, but wasn't quite sure I'd hit the perfect three year old shot. A few days later, I took my camera on an impromptu trip to the park and snapped these pics. Tada! Exactly what I wanted.

Happy Picture Taking!

Please vote!

Well, it's primary election week here in North Carolina, but I have something a little more lighthearted I need you to vote on. I've been training for the last month or so for my first half marathon. The race is June 2nd, but I haven't had to courage to sign up quite yet. You can help me win one of three free entries if you vote for me. The race is the Charity Chase and will be held in Hickory NC. Here are the links. Thanks for voting!

Vote here on Facebook

Vote here on the Hickory Daily Record website.

The Gift of Sourdough

Image from zebbakes.com

I'm on my second adventure with a wonderful little thing called sourdough starter. There are grand intentions when you begin this journey. Such as, I'll be making bread for my family! We'll be connecting to the past and saving the money that we use for bread each week. I'll learn to be a baker!

This feeling of euphoria lasts until about the third week for me. I've diligently made bread a grand total of four times and then I begin to loathe the task. Excuses come up for why I can't make the bread. I don't want to dirty the kitchen. We don't need that much bread anyway. I don't have time to make it tonight. I'm too sleepy. And then the guilt of killing the starter or just dumping the whole jar out sets in.

Wasn't I supposed to be enjoying this? Didn't I take this on so I could grow?

Over the past few weeks, I've started to see this little journey differently. Yes, it's nice to make bread and be accomplished. But what can I do with this little gift? It started by just running a warm loaf over to the neighbors across the street. Then a neighbor had surgery and luckily I had a loaf of bread to take her. Then a friend had a baby and I didn't even have to make bread. I took her muffins made from the starter. Yesterday, I carried around blueberry muffins knowing they had a purpose, but not quite sure what to do. Then I saw a sweet lady in her yard whose husband is very sick. I had a reason to stop, I needed to give her these muffins!

See there are lots of opportunities every day to stop and talk with someone or go out of your way to ask about someone in need. The thought that holds me back is, but I don't have anything to give. A quick word and smile just don't seem like enough. But a smile with a batch of muffins, now that's a reason to go, a reason to stop, a reason to speak.

This little burden of making has turned into an opportunity for giving. Thank you Leslie for giving me the starter and thank you Jesus for a chance to reach out. Muffins or a loaf of bread will not change someone's circumstances, but they have changed my attitude.

Question for you:

What do you have in your life that feels like a burden but can be used as a blessing for others?

Think about it and share what you learn. I'd love to hear from you.