Last week my girlfriend Jennifer welcomed her second little girl to the world.  Meet Miss Allyson Sky.

Last week it was my third time witnessing a delivery with camera in hand, and after a quick post on Facebook, I was surprised by the response and knew I had to write about capturing birth stories. After all, does anyone else feel like everyone around them is having a baby?  Last winter I had 15 pregnant friends!

I’ll be writing a much more in depth article to appear on PhotoTuts+ where you will begin seeing super in depth how-to’s by me (as in, 1500 word articles).  But for now I’ll keep it simple and give a few tips whether you’re professional or hobbyist to help you document the day as well as you can.

Tips on capturing a birth story:

• Turn off your flash.  No no flashy flash.
• Pick an ISO that’s high enough, works well, and stick to it.  With everything going on, you won’t have time to change it. You’ll be indoors the entire time anyway.
• Your light will change – some rooms will be darker than others, lights will turn on, some areas will be better lit. You can manage proper exposure by quickly adjusting with your F-stop. I choose to shoot at F2.0 and stay around that range to let enough light in, but still get sharp images. Again, ensure your shutterspeed is fast enough to get a sharp image as you toggle from say F1.4 to F3.2.
• Know you aren’t constricted to sitting on the chair, but ask what you are not allowed to touch (you really shouldn’t touch anything).
• Document what’s going on, emotions, capture the clock, who is visiting, the contraction charts.
• You are not there to stage, ask to repeat, or do anything.  This is not portrait time during a wedding. You must shoot fast, know your focal point, correct settings, and shoot.  There are no re-do’s when the baby comes out (you can’t put it back), when they clean, weigh, measure, or footprint be there and document quickly.
• Be aware of baby privates, mommy privates, and strategically crop or capture when either isn’t exposed.  You can do so by your positioning or waiting for a better moment.
• As you edit, typically B&W images cut away distractions and allow you to focus on the feelings.  I prefer all birth story photos in B&W.

From different past captured birth story moments (different babies in all pics):

Here is a slideshow of a birth story I captured a few years ago, I’d say this accurately depicts a successful documentation.  If you have 5 minutes, watch this – it’s a very special mom in my life, I have known her since she was 10 and I was in college.   You will see a few shots of me in there.

Good luck capturing your birth stories, don’t be afraid to move around and be creative!

Diana Elizabeth doesn’t regularly shoot birth stories but she has been there as support if she’s super close to the mom’s who need her in the room. She just so happens to decide to bring her camera with her too – with permission of course.

Photography, Portraits

A mysterious box arrived this week and I was ecstatic to see it was photography equipment to test!  I was asked to review a pop-up cube studio and I thought, let’s just see how easy this process could be.

This was everything in a fairly compact box about 12″ x 12″:

This was the simple set up on my desk, no instructions included or needed.

Have you ever tried to photograph a product DIY style? I used to use white sheets of paper and a desk lamp. Here’s what I did with a point and shoot on the “flower” setting which is the macro setting, years ago before I owned a DSLR:

Decent. Until the editing part. I had to photoshop the seams together and correct the shadows if there were any. I think I spent like 40 minutes perfecting this image with my DIY method. Ain’t nobody got time for that! – haha!

Now with this kit, the cube pops up like a reflector/car windshield reflector. Just pick the background color you want (included are white, black, red and blue) and velcro the top to the inside corners. I think the best items to photograph in something small like this would be if you were trying to sell jewelry say on eBay or Etsy or you’re shooting a product for a business.

Velvet fabric helps minimize and soften shadows. and you can adjust the lights on the outside. Now look:

After I perfected it in Lightroom, I opened it up in Photoshop actually played with the curves (and now we all cringe that I said that) and used the select tool at tolerance of 20, inverse selected and dragged it on a white blank background. Tada. Took maybe what, 3 minutes. I’m also a photoshop ninja. I smoothed the shadow lines by adding a new layer and white paint brushing with feathered edges and adjusted the layer opacity.

Let’s say you don’t want to do all the hassle I just did which was really an extra minute. Here’s the image I got just by a few quick edits and exporting it out of Lightroom which is sufficient for say any online shopping cart site:

Boom. You also don’t need a DSLR – your point and shoot on a macro setting will be fine.

Tips:

• You don’t have to shoot through the cover with slit if it’s too constricting. Only use it when you are capturing something with a reflection, so it hides your face.
• Steam the wrinkles out of the velvet backgrounds.
• If you do use a macro lens on a DSLR remember to place the product all the way in the back so you can focus on it.
• Use your favorite fabric, a print even to use!
• You don’t have to use both lights, but you can have fun with your lighting.

c/o: 24″ Photo Cube Studio Light Tent Box Kit, $70 at TheLAShop.com. This was a sponsored post by TheLaShop.com.

Diana Elizabeth loves sharing good photography finds if they are worth sharing about. She wonders if anyone now needs shots for anything – she will tell all of her small business owner friends with products about this method.

Photography

Spring is upon us and love is in the air!  In other words, it’s wedding season y’all.

I take weddings more seriously than I take my taxes.

I feel like I have wedding preparation down to a mad science and this was my preparation for the past month.  If you’re interested in how to edit an 8-hour wedding within one day, visit this post.   

1-2 weeks out, I have already:

• Visited the location with the venue coordinator and/or planner
• Relayed to the planner or bride if there is no planner, all details, shoes, jewelry, invite to be on a table where I can grab and shoot
• Received details from bride on the dress maker, shoe designer, etc.
• Received details from planner the vendors involved so it’s blog post submission ready
• Asked bride and groom for any need to know information regards to family sensitivities
• Know when my bride and groom are returning from their honeymoon – with a blog post ready for them on that day or the day after
• I know where portraits and the first look will take place – and so does my second shooter
• Collected the wedding balance
• A blog post with the vendors and details, complete with links, ready to pop in my pictures and publish!

I take timelines seriously.  Probably too seriously.

• By the time the last timeline is emailed to me by the planner, I have probably looked at it 3-4 times and given feedback.  It is now perfect.
• I make my own “photographers” timeline – a very condensed list so I know the important events I need to photograph, complete with minutes so I know how much time I have. I print and put in my flip notebook that will fit in my pocket.
• Portrait lists with group list name and actual names.  Ex: Bride with MOH, and Sister in Law: Name, Name, Name.

1-2 days before, I have already:

• Been inspired by Pinterest
• Taken a nap
• Replaced or charged all batteries
• Checked and tested gear
• Cleaned lenses
• Decided what I’m wearing
• Formatted all my cards

The day of:

• I sleep in hardcore.  The Mr. knows he must sleep in another room or the couch if he feels he’ll have insomnia because my rest for the night before is high priority.
• I eat a nice breakfast
• I calmly get ready, no social media, no distractions.
• Take an allergy pill
• Pack a hankie or tissues – in case.

Diana Elizabeth says even if your morning goes badly, remember to choose your attitude.  You are to make the day fun, calm, and document it as beautifully in camera as it is in person.  Enjoy that you’ve been chosen for such an incredible honorable job!

Photography

Steps:

1. In Lightroom, make sure you are under the “Library” panel.
2. Select “Metadata”
3. Select “Edit Metadata Presets”
4. Scroll down to IPTC Copyright section and enter your studio name.  For me, I did the copyright symbol as (c) but you can decide whatever you want.  You can also enter usage rights if you wish.  I prefer to just have my studio name.
5. Save your preset (name it) so it will apply to all your images you export from Lightroom.  Mine is called Untitled, er, so nice.

This isn’t necessary for hobbyist photographers.  I know some photographers want to ensure they get credited properly by their clients.  Some don’t mind (like myself) but when I submit images to blogs or publications and they can often lose track of who has sent what – and not all images I send have my name as the file name, this helps tremendously.

Diana Elizabeth says if you’re wondering who this pretty photographer is, it’s Lyndsey Sullivan! 

Photography

Here are a few goodies for sale as I’m trying to make space, upgrading to new products and well, realizing I have too much stuff that I don’t use.

E-mail me diana{at}dianaelizabeth.com  All items are available unless “sold” is written next to it or it is crossed off.

Price includes shipping and handling in US.

Items are Canon compatible unless specified.

• Promaster Extended Length TTL off-camera cord - 10 meters for Canon, $50 (new) taken out of box but still has the box.
• Canon Compact Battery Pack CP-E4, $99 – used once, includes box and all parts.

Diana Elizabeth says she’ll rub it for good luck before she puts it in the box for you.

Photography

I’m going to tell you what happens in the men’s locker room/groom’s room as the bride is getting ready.  Sometimes they are watching a game on TV, having a few beers, but when it’s time to get dressed – they try to figure out how to style their pocket square (you should probably go over this with him beforehand) but more often than not, at the twelfth hour, they stare at me in sheer panic holding their boutonniere asking for help.

And then, me, the photographer (if there is no planner around) and my assistant have to pin a dozen flowers on every guy and figure out which one is the groom’s if they aren’t labeled properly.

In comes the magnetic boutonniere.   Jan Dekker of Jan Dekker Designs, an amazing floralist in the Phoenix Valley showed me and my photography pals this special feature!  I even put on Mr. Wonderful’s suit and we practiced pinning then putting on the magnetic boutonniere!  It just clicked on like that, super strong and we all freaked out and thought it was the best invention since the DSLR.

Then someone referenced how the Bachelorette must use these on the guys during the rose ceremony and then that totally lost me. Recently, Brenna bribed me with $20 to watch the first episode of The Bachelor because that’s how much I dislike crying over emotional girls on television.  For $20, I did it.

Brides and wedding planners, please, if your florist can, even if it costs a tiny bit extra, add these to your corsages and boutonnieres.  It’s another way to make sure your day will go smoothly.  And, your mom can remove her wrist corsage and put it on her clutch.  Your guy, your photographer, and your planner will thank you.

Boutonniere:  Jan Dekker Designs  Photography: Diana Elizabeth

Diana Elizabeth wonders if anyone remembers magnetic earrings.  She never wore them because they hurt but she also didn’t get her ears pierced until she was 15.  Even though she graduated college at 21 and a half, she certainly takes her time in a lot of other areas in life.  

Photography

As I was recently organizing my iPad’s horribly old images, I realized I needed to update them.  Then I thought, why not share with you all to motivate you to have one handy for your client sessions, shows, or any good reason!  Enjoy!

Downloads for your iPad slideshow:

1. Session Title Page (SessionTitleiPad.psd)
2. Horizontal Template for iPad (horizontaliPad.jpg)
3. Vertical Template for iPad – features two vertical images (verticalsiPad.psd)
4. About the Photographer (aboutiPad.psd)

• Download them all in a .zip file here.

About the templates:

• Display image size: 2048 x 1536 resolution at 264 pixels per inch (ppi) for iPad retina display.  I don’t have the retina iPad (I have the older) so it will show in 72 dpi but that’s OK, you can still use these.
• If you are missing the fonts, don’t worry, just replace with any you like.
• I don’t offer support, sorry.  I just have to say it, sorry.

How to use:

1. Open up  file
2. Create new layer and add ruler guides (so there white and black is separated)
3. Work as usual using layers
4. Flatten file and save as JPG.  Do not save for web or devices if you have the iPad Retina Display since it shows at 264 ppi, not 72 dpi.

Organization suggestion:

• The Photos app sorts by creation date, which makes it difficult to craft custom slide shows. So this basically means you need to start with one session and work to completion before you go onto the next.  Don’t fret, remember your slideshow will be on a loop so when it starts and ends, no one will know.  If that sounds awful, peek at some Apps that will help you organize.  I downloaded “Sort My Photos” for $.99 and it works well and has slideshow options.
• I name each group with the session name, which can also help with sorting. First cover image is titled “Milling.jpg” and following images are “Milling1.jpg, Milling2.jpg”…and so on.
• Since I only show 1 or 2 from each e-session session I titled “Engagements by Diana Elizabeth” and then it goes into engagement shots “Engagements1.jpg”…
• Don’t forget to add an “About you” slide just in case you won’t be at your booth or just so you can share some news!
• Show slides at 2 or 3 seconds (I do 2 so it goes fast).  Trust me, 5 seconds is too long!  Remember to disable your screen dimmer.

Diana Elizabeth asks, have you signed up for her online workshop that starts Feb. 6, yet?  Sign up here.

Photography

Where I work.

I listen to dreams, from those that share with me that they too one day, want to leave corporate and do what they love full-time.  It’s anything and everything, from graphic design, marketing, photography to making things.

So when I hear that I’ve referred business to those people and my friend hasn’t heard back for days, I scratch my head wondering, Just how badly do they really want it?  Because you really have to want it badly if you’re going to be working for yourself one day.  In fact, you’re gonna have to want it really bad every day to get things going and bring in a check.  I juggled a full-time job in marketing (I negotiated to work 32 hours for 4 workdays therefore getting Fridays off), I managed to successfully keep my photography and graphic design businesses afloat so the leaving corporate world forever was a smooth transition.

Here are some easy tips to upgrade your customer service now so it’ll be a breeze when you go full-time.  It all starts with your service.

• Answer emails in a timely manner.  As in, every day.  Answer in the morning, answer on your lunch break and at the end of the day.  I often get emails that say, “Wow, thanks for getting back to me so quickly.”  And if you have a full-time job, you still offer top notch customer service and take your business calls on breaks and go outside.  Respect your day job, but learn to give your potential customers and current clients quick replies.
• Be polite, always.  Even when you’re super mad and that person is totally in the wrong and their attitude is uncalled for.  Take a deep breath. Know that while the customer is supposed to always be right (you’ll soon find out that’s not really the case), your customer always has to be treated with respect.  You can simmer down a situation just with your tone and approach, remember that.
• You work your tail off on evenings and on weekends.  Because really, that’s the only time you have to dedicate to growing the other business as you juggle a full-time job.
• Take your calls outside.  If you’re working full-time, you have lunch breaks.  That’s when you excuse yourself to make these business calls.  Eat your lunch outside, away from work as you catch up for the hour.  Run your errands for your “second job” during that time.
• Act like this is your full time job.   No one really has to know you have another job, I don’t know if that really makes anyone more legit in their business but it’s making your customers feel like you are paying attention to them and on call as if you are running this service full-time.  Which means, being accessible and as stated earlier, being punctual.
• Market yourself.  Use social media to market your skills, tweet, blog and Facebook regularly so the world knows you’re alive.  Do this on your lunch time or mini breaks so your employer doesn’t get upset.
• Network.  Now is better time than ever to meet with those in the industry and see how they are liking it or managing their work, full-time or not.  Meet with other vendors you hope to work with.  It’s so encouraging to meet with others and share dreams and even struggles.  The closer knit your network, the more you will be motivated.

Customer service is an art and it’s an important entity of business.  Remember you can have an amazing talent but without business sense and strong marketing skills, no one will know you exist!  Excellent customer service paired with beautiful imagery will ensure your businesses can skyrocket when it’s time to make that gutsy jump.  You can do it.  Make this year your last year working that job you dislike.

Diana Elizabeth remembers taking calls at work and having to basically run in the hallway or in the elevator to take the calls.  She found that setting up her foundation while she was still working was incredible beneficial when she decided to go full-time.

Photography

Phoenix brides, planning your picture perfect wedding?  Check out the Arizona Biltmore, one of my favorite venues in the Valley.  Stunning landscaping, wonderful service and every corner you turn is a perfect location to photograph, a wedding photographer’s dream.  I am honored to have been invited by the Biltmore for this event.

Come check it out and say hello this Sunday!  Click here to register.

Diana Elizabeth spent her first year anniversary at the Arizona Biltmore for dinner.  Mr. Wonderful knew how much she liked it there and it was right around the corner from their home so they ate at Frank and Albert’s which was yummy!

Photography

It’s that time again to teach one of my favorite classes!  If you received a new DSLR for Christmas or you still haven’t figured out how to get off the green Auto box mode, then what are you waiting for?  Or, if you are a newbie photographer that needs to master lighting and get work on getting your “style” I’d love you to join in on this workshop!

Every Wednesday starting at 5 pm PST for 1 hour over the next 4 weeks (you catch that?), I’ll be teaching you from the comfort of your own home online, LIVE with an interactive chat room so you can ask questions as I cover all the photography scoop you need to know.  How to shoot manual mode, how to find lighting, how to…well, this:

• ISO, shutterspeed, and aperture
• The correct lenses to use for capturing the image you want
• Equipment favorites and resources
• Composition secrets
• Lighting techniques—silhouette, backlighting, golden light, open shade, bounce flash, direct flash, and more!
• Working with subjects to get the reactions you want—children, couples, families
• Posing and styling techniques
• Post processing—using actions and presets
• And much, much more!

Sign up for spring 2013 NOW:
Creating the Image: Photography Basics & Beyond, Wednesdays, Feb. 6-27, 4 weeks – $160

Yes, I could teach a 1-time course but I believe that you will get the best education from taking this workshop over time.  So instead of “Hey, here it is 1-2-3, now goodbye!” We have a private Facebook group where you upload your weekly images and receive instructor feedback.  We build EACH WEEK together on the techniques I teach so by week 4, you’re rockin’ and rollin’ on manual mode and using Photoshop and all that fancy editing!  If you have to miss a class, it’s recorded so you can play it back at your own time to catch up – or if you’re in a different time zone in the world.

This will be my fifth time teaching this course.  So sign up, tell your friends or gift them!  reserve your seat here.

Testimonials:

Just three weeks into the course and I feel like my confidence when taking pictures has boosted! I walk into a photo shoot confident that my lighting will come out right. I always tried to find and google information about aperture, shutter speed, and ISO and I was always guided to the most complicated manuals and articles. I never really understood any of it. The way you have taught this workshop has made it so easy for me to understand and grasp the concepts. My friends and family are noticing that images are coming out a lot better ever since I started this workshop with you. Once again, I want to thank you for sharing your knowledge. I can’t wait to start your next workshop.

After participating in ‘Creating the Image,’ I learned more about my camera in just four weeks than I had since I bought it! After taking Diana’s class, I feel empowered to take my photography to the next level and feel that I have a solid foundation to build upon. Thank you for unselfishly sharing your amazing talent!

Hope to see you in class and on Facebook soon!  Former attendees have been published on Style Me Pretty, and become business owners!

Diana Elizabeth once forgot to mute her mic when she was talking to the Mr.  she was thankful her attendees told her but when she started up the video again she was flush red.  

Photography