and you've seen more than i...

This little family tucked away in NoVA brought me back to my earlier parenting days! I remember so well the first year after having my second son - big brother leading the show and baby brother watching, smiling, soaking it all up, waiting, and every now and then joining the games. It was such fun to revisit that energy and watch how friendship starts to grow between brothers... This is the Hertzbergs.

like a wildflower...blowing in the wind...

One of my favorite fun places to hang out and hear about photography trends, tools, and tricks of the trade is Rock The Shot. www.rocktheshortforum.com

Not only can you catch up on Nikon and Canon gossip here, you can connect with fellow photographers around the globe, share insights and inquiries in the Forum, and members get lots of freebies from partnering vendors. Photoshop templates, how-to guides, actions and presets, etc....so many wonderful freebies to keep your inventory of products and ideas fresh.

Rock the Shot also holds photo contests, and this month's contest includes "flower" submissions. Still life, fields of gold, etc. Anything goes, as long as there's a flower in frame!

The funny thing is, a few weeks ago, I started editing old photos I had never gotten to and trying to weed out my hard-drive by removing old photos backed up elsewhere. In my Windows travels, I came across a folder on my desktop overflowing with digital photos never before seen, even by yours truly. A good many of the photos are from this Photo Safari around Harlem, NY, that I was a part of last year. I'm still attacking neglected photos as time permits, but I took a special effort to get this one cropped and edited for the monthly contest. I spotted this little fellow holding very still and staring at me, as I adjusted aperture setting and prepared to shoot. He was waiting for me to take his mug shot, so I did...

Enjoy the end of March!
www.rocktheshotforum.com

we've got to get ourselves, back to the garden...

Getting ready for spring ...

we can only look behind from where we came...

Look at this great deal on photo albums!

 

I love photo albums and books! Lately I've been experimenting with art books, blog books, and of course photo albums that collect the family photos and fun. There are only a handful of vendors I trust to produce a quality album, with big bright photos, quality printing and binding, and creative choices. Shutterfly is one of them! And they're having a sale through Living Social.

 

60% off - just  $14 ($35 value) for an 8x11, 20-page hard cover photo book.

 

Still haven't done anything "formal" with the holiday snapshots? Here's your chance! Looking for an easy gift for Grandma's birthday in April? I bet she 'd love photos of the grandkids. You can never have too many!

 

This is a deal not to be missed. So I'm passing it on to you! Enjoy!

 

Follow this link to the Living Social deal.

Living Social Shutterfly Photo Book Special

 

 

a rocket in your pocket...

The saying goes..."The best camera is the one you have with you."

You can't have a professional photographer in tow all the time, and a DSLR is a bit clunky (and expensive) to drag around in your purse. (Of course, that doesn't prevent me from doing so, but I'm kind of crazed about photos! What can I say? I love a good shot.)
You could throw a point and shoot compact camera in your purse for those candid catches, too, but let's be honest - not many people want to carry that around, either. Or, worse, when you finally encounter the masterpiece moment, the mommy memory of your first born's first [fill in the blank], you grab the point and shoot from the bottom of your bag, and, yup, the battery is dead after spending two weeks with no love in there.

So, by default, the best camera you've got ends up being your iphone's or another phone camera, 95% of the time.

Knowing that, you may be inclined to brush up on your iphone camera skills. You can take phone photos with it, good photos, or great photos. The great thing about an iphone is, that the difference  between good and great photos does not require an exorbitant investment in photo or studio equipment. The difference lies in knowledge. So, if you're considering sharpening your skills and increasing your knowledge about what that iphone camera is capable of, how to make sharp photos, how to print them, and what apps to buy to experiment and improve your budding artistry...you're in luck!

I learned a great deal about iphoneography last year with Scout Photo Expeditions. Cindi is a wealth of knowledge about this medium  and her energy and enthusiasm for it are contagious. The expeditions she holds are right in our backyard and range from beginner skills to those who wish to master it as an art form. You can see her page, class offerings, and some of her breattaking images here. http://www.scoutphotoexpeditions.com/

A less personalized, yet still informative option is Photojojo.com's new Photojojo University. I love these guys for fun, useful camera and iphone camera accessories - not to mention the amusing tone of their content. They make buying a camera strap sound better than winning the lottery. Woot!

In their own words, the new university entails, "No homework, no class, just a basket of kittens and a series of bite-sized lessons delivered to your inbox. Learn the basic principles of photography in the funnest four weeks ever."

Well, there you go. With these two options at close hand, there really is no reason not to jump in and learn a little more about that block of metal you drag around all day. Right?

i see your true colors...

i see your true colors... "What should we wear?" I get asked this question quite a bit from clients before their family portraits, usually by the default family wardobe coordinator, aka Mom. I'm a Mom, too, I know it's tough to manage the outfits of a gaggle of kids, that just want to run around in pajamas, or worse, naked, all day, every day. Hope this post can help you sort through their closets, and give you some idea of what to wear...or at the very least...what not to wear, since that may actually be more important when it comes to the family portait. So, while there is no uniform code for what to wear to your next family portrait shoot, there are some good guidelines to follow, namely: Coordinate. Do not match. You're trying to look like a family, not like a marching band. The subject of the photos should be your faces and your family bond - not your clothes. If Mom shows up in a plaid skirt made with the same plaid fabric that Dad and brother's pants and ties are made out of, and little sister's jumper is, too, do you know what the theme of the photo is? That's right, it's not your family anymore...it's that plaid pattern. Nobody will see your faces when they look at the photos, their eyes will immediately be drawn to the repetition of that plaid pattern. "Oh how cute, you all match! Adorable...NOT!" So, try to coordinate colors and blend similar colors that go together well - browns and reds, blue and white, etc. I always tell clients the neutrals are a safe bet...black, white, khaki, and gray. Along the same lines...stick with solid colors. Avoid stripes, plaids (see above!), checkered patterns, logos, or those "so-ugly-they're-cool-now" holiday sweaters with reindeer or snowmen knitted across the chest. As I said before, the subject of your photos should be your faces, your family bond, emotions, and relationships - not Rudolph's red knitted nose, or the black and white checkered pants Junior is wearing while he passes through his wannabe a rock-star phase. Patterns are HARD if not impossible to coordinate without "matching" cutesy cutesy. And if the patterns on your clothes don't match or coordinate, they clash. Another big "no no" for your family portrait. Formal or Casual? You must decide! For casual family photos for the holiday card or celebrating another year together, jeans and comfortable clothes like khakis and polos, dress shirts, or sweaters are perfectly appropriate. (Solid color sweaters...not reindeer-themed, but I digress...) If you're trying to capture a formal family portrait to commemorate a special occasion, hang in the gallery of formal portraits on your staircase walls, or just show that you do, indeed, have a dapper side...jeans aren't going to cut it. Suits, and skirts, nice dress pants and shirts, and nice dress shoes, too. Coordinate the colors and the fabrics as best you can. Again, neutrals work well here, as they can be dressed up or dressed down, and can range from black-tie formal attire to clothes that just look nicer than the playgroup sweat pants you wear every day. The neutrals are also classy enough to allow some flexibility with the kids' outfits. So if Mom and Dad are dressed to the nines in the little black dress and Hugo Boss tailored suit, the picky little brother who refuses to clip on his tie, or wear a jacket with his dress shirt, should still look just fine if his black, khaki, gray and/or white clothes are solid colors that coordinate and blend with Mom and Dad's. Consider the season and the setting. If you're taking the annual holiday card portrait in October and the days are hitting 75 degrees (woo hoo) the week before your shoot, please don't take this as the burning bush message from Mother Nature that you were meant to wear shorts and flip flops on this year's holiday card, featuring snowflakes and hot chocolate. Unless your family is well-known for its quirky sense of humor or original break-the-mold way of life, you should still dress with the card in mind. Dress fall-appropriate to emphasize the season you're celebrating. Think autumn classy for more casual shots and suits and long-sleeve dress shirt and dresses, for more the more formal portraits. You don't necessarily have to throw the kids in their Xmas outfits for Grandma's house, but you probably shouldn't be in bikinis and beach towels, either. Likewise, if you've decided on the local family park to get some portraits posed near the changing leaves and candid shots of the kids playing on the playground, you probably shouldn't wear the Hugo Boss suit and tie or little black dress and high heels. Think about the setting you choose for your portrait, and dress accordingly. Lastly, Be yourself. The best family portrait showcases the personality of your family. It's nice to dress up and look grand once in a while, but if the kids refuse to smile while wearing their shiny mary janes and loafers, is it worth it? If your family spends every weekend playing and watching baseball and singing "take me out to the ball park," don't show up in football jerseys because your cousin Joe said that's what his family is doing for their family portraits this year. On the other hand, if you love football and obsess every Sunday in front of the TV as a family, by all means, wear your jerseys! Or, at the very least, bring them along for a shot or two. Capturing the spirit of your family, is my goal. So, show your true colors. For more help with color coordination and examples of what to wear for Mom, Dad, son(s) and daughter(s), check out my Pinterest board "What to Wear." It's loaded with photos to help you choose the "look" you want for your family portrait, and helpful hints on how to get it. http://pinterest.com/winnphotography/what-to-wear/ ©2013 melissa winn photography | 6137 Stonepath Circle, Centreville, VA 20120

 

take my advice...be fearless

Shopping for a wedding photographer can be daunting. We all have different approaches to capturing your memories, documenting the story of your wedding day, and delivering the final goods to you. Although it may seem the phone book is dripping with names of photographers who could meet your price or make your date, it's just not so. There are no hard and fast rules about how much to charge, what images to capture, what style of photography (formal versus photojournalistic) to use, or what timeline to follow in terms of completing the edits and albums. We all have our own "eye" for images, and our own approach to the business end of getting it done. No two of us are the same. So your task is not to find the perfect wedding photographer, per say, but to find the perfect wedding photographer for YOU! Somebody who shares your vision, matches your personality AND your price points, and meets your expectations about editing timelines, album creation, and all the other administrative aspects of the business of providing you and yours the final product(s). Here's a quick guide to some of the questions you need/should/want to ask your potential photographers. There are no right answers, but the asnwers you get will help you determine which photographer is right for YOU!

INFOGRAPHIC: Complete Guide to Choosing a Wedding Photographer via Cool Daily Infographics

Photo Book

Click here to view this photo book larger

Shutterfly offers exclusive layouts and designs so you can make your book just the way you want.

tonight...we are young...

 

 melissa winn photography Booth #89 at this weekend's Bridal Showcase in Northern Virginia

I met so many excited, interesting, and fun brides and grooms to be, their mothers, their entourage, and of course, their bridal parties! Such a great experience. Many thanks to my twin sister Heather for manning the booth with me and handing out brochures and answering questions when the crowds grew larger. Could not have done it with out her!

Although I didn't get to see much of the show outside of the booth, it was educational to see some of the upcoming  trends in the industry and weddings arena. Namely, that Spring and Autumn wedding dates are on the rise. We heard more April, May, August, September, and October wedding dates for this year and next than June or July, for certain! We also heard Fun's "We Are Young" an estimated 300 times that day, as it played on a loop of only six songs, over and over and over and over, by the DJ in the booth next to us. I guess it's a popular reception song choice, and a lot of people like the song!? We used to like it, too. Used to. 

We were also intrigued by the return to vintage in many realms, including rings and dresses. I'm excited to apply some of my vintage film presets to the photos and really capture the mood! 

I was especially impressed by how many grooms were in attendance at the show, accompanying the bride and sometimes Mother of the Bride, as well, to taste cakes, peruse the music, and discuss photo visions with me!

I also heard from several brides, a request to return to the more traditional wedding albums and photos...meaning a more scaled-down version, excluding the photojournalistic coverage of bride and groom and their parties preparing for the wedding, or the full-day storybook behind the occassion. Some brides just aren't looking for the whole shebang, they told me, and inquired about alternative pricing for documenting photos of the ceremony, reception, and the formals in between, only.

"You don't want to take any pictures of me dressing. Trust me," one bride even joked with us.

Other brides said they have small one or two hour cermonies planned with 10-20 people, and don't need nor want, 6-8 hours of ongoing coverage or candids from such a cozy event.

While some photograpghers may choose to turn down these events, in an effort to keep the dates open for higher paying customers/wedding packages, melissa winn photography is flexible and willing to discuss any and all options. If you're having a two hour ceremony and reception combined, of course you don't want to pay for four, six or eight hours of coverage at full price. But you still want big, beautiful, professional images from your big day, too! We can customize the photo coverage and options to match the event you're planning!

Please get in touch with me at (703) 855-8193 or melissa@melissawinn.net for more information.

Also, visit my main Web site www.melissawinn.net for pricing guide, products, etc.

Thanks again to all who stopped by Booth #89 at the Showcase! Hope to see you at the next big showcase soon!

 

casino royale

a little casino night fun...

it's fine dining we suggest...be our guest

It's time to shake up the formality of your big day and have a little fun with your friends, family, and other guests. Your friends have tales of college pranks, and your Aunt Martha has the goods on the embarrassing Xmas story starring you and your brother. It comes up every year over egg nog. Not everybody gets to stand up and toast the Bride and Groom with endearing thoughts and humorous anecdotes. Give all of your guests a way to leave you their memories and their (sometimes hilarious) predictions for your married life. How many kids will you have? How long until the snazzy sports car gets traded for a sensible sedan? Or worse...minivan!! This guest book offers your friends and family a way to share with you their thoughts, their congrats, their memories, and their humor. I can customize the book to your lifestyle and tell your love story, too, complete with photos from your engagement session for all to ooh and ahh over. Here are a few sample pages from the book, which is a custom hardcover, 10x10, layflat book with 20 pages of interactive fun for your guests and you to share.

it was you and me...

 

In closing out the holiday photo season, I spent a few hours doing family mini-shoots for a mom's group in Northern Virginia. (Thanks to the referral of another wonderful Mom and client from earlier in the season, Meredith West.) Wanting to ca...pture some of the D.C. charm, but shelter the kids from the ice cold temperatures that weekend, we decided to shoot at the Kennedy Center. Plenty of light and charm inside, but also a balcony view to catch some of the memorials in the backdrop. The families and especially the kids were super good sports about the wind chill factor on the balcony. And, you can see, we managed to get some great photos to complement their holiday cards. Thanks again Meredith, and all the families that came out that day!

 

 

lady in red...

And this folks...is Rachel...
 

Oh what a charasmatic sweetheart! I think you can see, she needs little introduction. What a doll!

this xmas, baby please come home...

With the holidays winding down, I finally have time to share some photos of the many friendly, eclectic, wildly interesting and wonderfully welcoming families I had the pleasure of snapping family photos for this season. Here are just a few of the dozens and dozens I met over the past three months. Thanks to every one of them!

where a kid can be a kid...

 

This past fall, I ran a groupon-type ad on Certifikid for discounted family portrait sessions. I was overwhelmed at the number of families that purchased the sessions and ecstatic to start work on them. Most families wanted photos in time to include on their holiday card, so I set out to capitalize on good weather weekends and weeknights before the dark came too early. Many weekends in November, I was shooting 5-6 family sessions a weekend. Whew! Fortunately, the season brought good weather and good luck. I had much fun meeting so many interesting families. I especially love the discovery in each child's face, and trying to capture it with my camera. This season brought many faces with wonder and joy. Bright eyes and red cheeks. Laughter and light. Here are some of  the images...