A photographer's life is rarely ever easy, but every once in a while we find unique and creative things to help make our business run just a tad bit smoother. I was lucky to come across one of these things this week!
Check out their amazinggg giveaway here!
http://thesavvyphotographer.blogspot.com/2012/08/the-prairie-sweet-debut.html
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Monday, July 2, 2012
Newborn Photography [For Photographers]
I had the most amazing time photographing my nephew this past weekend. Luckily, my nephew is super sweet and hardly cries so he was the perfect subject for my newbie shoot. As such, I thought I'd write a post for photographers looking to do their own newborn shoot.
Things I Brought With Me :
Things You'll Need During the Shoot :
The Photoshoot :
I photographed the entire shoot inside since we were dealing with a newborn. I found a room that had a good amount of sunlight and brought all of my tools and shooting supplies inside. From then, I set up the first scene and asked to have the baby just in his diaper.
After making sure he was asleep, I posed the baby how I wanted him, showing my helpful poser how I wanted him to be. Having an appointed assistant poser is good, because babies tend to move out of the pose you're looking for while you're behind the camera, and it takes much longer to keep coming out from behind the camera to pose yourself again. Make sure to clearly communicate and illustrate the pose you're wanting, and the poser will be more comfortable helping out.
I made sure that my safety person was also there. The safety person is extraordinarily important, because babies can be unpredictable in their movements and this ensures that no one will get hurt during the process.
If the baby starts to fuss (as most babies will), try to use calming sounds to help soothe him/her back to sleep. I downloaded an application onto my phone called "Womb Sounds" that imitates the sounds babies hear while in the womb and found that it works wonders on getting a baby back to sleep. If this doesn't work, try a heater or blanket to keep baby warm. If all else fails, have mommy or daddy pick up baby, and try feeding or changing the diaper. I found all of these helpful in maintaining a happy subject!
From here, I moved to each of my new set-ups, working on what I call "baby time". This means you can't rush a newborn. You have to be patient and go as fast or slow as they're willing. Remaining calm and going with the flow is a must.
If you're using baskets or other hollow-center baby props, try using towels as filler. Towels are soft enough to provide cushion for the baby but firm enough to hold up the weight of a newborn. In the photo below, I swaddled the baby in a fashionable blanket and placed this over the towels, and it worked great.
I am a huge fan of bringing removable or travel-able flooring. I bought flooring (the kind that you would put in your own home) from a home improvement store that can snap together and be taken apart easily. I then pushed this flooring against the client's own wall to create the illusion of a wooden floor, since we were photographing in a carpeted room.
What you can't see in this photo is that I have towels inside the basket to help keep baby above the basket. I also placed my cell phone with the Womb Sounds playing behind the basket to help keep baby asleep. These easy things are hide-able and extremely helpful for the shoot.
Additionally, I am a big fan of using dried cheese cloth during a newborn shoot. This cloth is light but strong enough to help hold a baby in a particular pose. For me, I like to use it for a fetal-position pose. I placed the baby in the position I wanted him to be in, then tightly (but not toooo tightly) wrapped the cloth around him to get him to hold the pose on his own. The outcome was very much what I was looking for.
Finally, I would suggest finding poses that are story-telling for this particular newborn and family. Nothing is worse than having photos that, in the end, don't tell a story. Do the parents have a favorite sports team? Put the baby in their sports gear. You can also find out what they both do for a living and incorporate that into the photos. For this particular shoot, I did two story-telling and personal photos specifically for the family.
The father of the baby is a very big "gamer", meaning he loves to play all kinds of video games. As such, I took some gear from his game stash and incorporated it into the shoot, and now this is favorite photo from the whole shoot.
I also wanted to bring in a family heirloom to the photos, and ended up using a suitcase that once belonged to the baby's great-great grandfather, who passed away several years ago. While you may not see it in the photograph, the suitcase has his name on it, written by his wife (the baby's great-great grandmother) so it definitely holds a special meaning for all involved.
Other Helpful Tips :
Overall, photographing newborns can and should be something fun and memorable for everyone. You are looking to create photos that the child and his parents will look back on for years to come, so make sure you take photos that mean something. Let them tell a story.
If you have any questions, just let me know. :)
Happy Shooting!
AB
Things I Brought With Me :
- props to pose baby in (baskets, bean bag, suitcase, etc.)
- fabric
- dried cheese cloth (this helps when swaddling the baby and can be found at grocery stores)
- removable/travel-able flooring
- towels or other fabric to "fill" props
Things You'll Need During the Shoot :
- PATIENCE!
- Creative ideas for different kinds of photos you're looking to capture
- The Mommy or Daddy (or other guardian) of the child to act as the "safety" person during the shoot.
- Poser Person. This can also be safety person's job, if you're short on hands.
- Calming sounds and/or a space heater
- Pacifiers, bottles, blankets for baby
- Water and paper towels for photographer/helpers
- Diapers and wipes
The Photoshoot :
I photographed the entire shoot inside since we were dealing with a newborn. I found a room that had a good amount of sunlight and brought all of my tools and shooting supplies inside. From then, I set up the first scene and asked to have the baby just in his diaper.
After making sure he was asleep, I posed the baby how I wanted him, showing my helpful poser how I wanted him to be. Having an appointed assistant poser is good, because babies tend to move out of the pose you're looking for while you're behind the camera, and it takes much longer to keep coming out from behind the camera to pose yourself again. Make sure to clearly communicate and illustrate the pose you're wanting, and the poser will be more comfortable helping out.
I made sure that my safety person was also there. The safety person is extraordinarily important, because babies can be unpredictable in their movements and this ensures that no one will get hurt during the process.
If the baby starts to fuss (as most babies will), try to use calming sounds to help soothe him/her back to sleep. I downloaded an application onto my phone called "Womb Sounds" that imitates the sounds babies hear while in the womb and found that it works wonders on getting a baby back to sleep. If this doesn't work, try a heater or blanket to keep baby warm. If all else fails, have mommy or daddy pick up baby, and try feeding or changing the diaper. I found all of these helpful in maintaining a happy subject!
From here, I moved to each of my new set-ups, working on what I call "baby time". This means you can't rush a newborn. You have to be patient and go as fast or slow as they're willing. Remaining calm and going with the flow is a must.
If you're using baskets or other hollow-center baby props, try using towels as filler. Towels are soft enough to provide cushion for the baby but firm enough to hold up the weight of a newborn. In the photo below, I swaddled the baby in a fashionable blanket and placed this over the towels, and it worked great.
I am a huge fan of bringing removable or travel-able flooring. I bought flooring (the kind that you would put in your own home) from a home improvement store that can snap together and be taken apart easily. I then pushed this flooring against the client's own wall to create the illusion of a wooden floor, since we were photographing in a carpeted room.
What you can't see in this photo is that I have towels inside the basket to help keep baby above the basket. I also placed my cell phone with the Womb Sounds playing behind the basket to help keep baby asleep. These easy things are hide-able and extremely helpful for the shoot.
Additionally, I am a big fan of using dried cheese cloth during a newborn shoot. This cloth is light but strong enough to help hold a baby in a particular pose. For me, I like to use it for a fetal-position pose. I placed the baby in the position I wanted him to be in, then tightly (but not toooo tightly) wrapped the cloth around him to get him to hold the pose on his own. The outcome was very much what I was looking for.
Finally, I would suggest finding poses that are story-telling for this particular newborn and family. Nothing is worse than having photos that, in the end, don't tell a story. Do the parents have a favorite sports team? Put the baby in their sports gear. You can also find out what they both do for a living and incorporate that into the photos. For this particular shoot, I did two story-telling and personal photos specifically for the family.
The father of the baby is a very big "gamer", meaning he loves to play all kinds of video games. As such, I took some gear from his game stash and incorporated it into the shoot, and now this is favorite photo from the whole shoot.
I also wanted to bring in a family heirloom to the photos, and ended up using a suitcase that once belonged to the baby's great-great grandfather, who passed away several years ago. While you may not see it in the photograph, the suitcase has his name on it, written by his wife (the baby's great-great grandmother) so it definitely holds a special meaning for all involved.
Other Helpful Tips :
- Do not use your flash if you can avoid it. Flash will only aid in disturbing the baby and could wake him/her up. Try to use available light.
- Because you have to keep the baby warm and will inevitably be using heaters to do this, make sure you have water for everyone (so you don't get burned out) and paper towels (cause you WILL sweat, especially in the summer!)
- Try to take detail pictures of babies hands, feets, eyes, etc. These can be just as story telling as showing his/her whole body.
Overall, photographing newborns can and should be something fun and memorable for everyone. You are looking to create photos that the child and his parents will look back on for years to come, so make sure you take photos that mean something. Let them tell a story.
If you have any questions, just let me know. :)
Happy Shooting!
AB
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Photography is...
Today I had a real nice discussion about photography with a girl who is interested in the art, as well as with the two mentors who introduced me to the idea of becoming a professional photographer in the first place. It got me thinking about what photography means to me and why it is I do what I do.
Of course, the answer isn't simple but I'd like to think I've narrowed down a few key factors.
1. Photography is a means of enabling people to hold on to memories forever. Memories are a huge driving force behind what I do. With a photograph, we can remember a moment long after the day it was taken. I've noticed that I don't remember events as well if I didn't take pictures there. Conversely, those events that I have taken photos of are well-established memories that will not soon be forgotten.
2. Photography is a record that we existed. For some reason, I am fascinated at having hard-copy evidence (outside of a birth certificate and social security card) that a person existed. Perhaps this is because when I was younger, my grandma would look at old photos with me and tell me all kinds of stories about people in my family I would never get the chance to meet. I often find myself telling family members who are a little camera-shy the following : What is going to happen when you die and your great-grandbabies are curious about who you were and what you looked like? To me, it's important to have something to say "Hey, I existed and this is my story." And I believe that photographs can do just that.
3. Photography is telling a story. Sometimes, words cannot aptly express the emotions or thoughts of an individual. When words fail, photography is a great alternative. Oftentimes I can look at a photo and from it I can gather all sorts of information -- how a person felt that day, what the weather was like, who is important to them, what makes someone happy, what makes them uncomfortable, etc. They say body language is more telling than spoken language--and because photography captures this, it is only natural that it aids in showing a more complete picture of individuals.
4. Photography is a mirror. By this, I mean to say that while I may be photographing other people, places or things, I am actually showing my audience what is important to me; what sorts of things I value or hold in high regard. Naturally, my eye wonders towards things that I like or see some special value in. What's being depicted in my photos isn't necessarily a reflection of the subject; rather it is a reflection of me. (Not to get all Freudian on you though....teehee!) As the great photographer Richard Avedon once said, "My portraits are more about me than they are about the people I photograph."
I'm sure I could go on and on about what else photography means to me, but it would be boring to most of you folks, I'm sure. These four elements though are what constantly drive me to continue this jouney I'm on--to not let the pressure of a get-rich-now society dictate my next move in life. A month or so ago, an adult (who shall remain nameless but whom I believe expects me to not succeed in my photography endeavors) asked me if I regretted my decision to go this direction in life. My best, simplest answer? Heck no. I'm in this for the long haul.
Of course, the answer isn't simple but I'd like to think I've narrowed down a few key factors.
1. Photography is a means of enabling people to hold on to memories forever. Memories are a huge driving force behind what I do. With a photograph, we can remember a moment long after the day it was taken. I've noticed that I don't remember events as well if I didn't take pictures there. Conversely, those events that I have taken photos of are well-established memories that will not soon be forgotten.
2. Photography is a record that we existed. For some reason, I am fascinated at having hard-copy evidence (outside of a birth certificate and social security card) that a person existed. Perhaps this is because when I was younger, my grandma would look at old photos with me and tell me all kinds of stories about people in my family I would never get the chance to meet. I often find myself telling family members who are a little camera-shy the following : What is going to happen when you die and your great-grandbabies are curious about who you were and what you looked like? To me, it's important to have something to say "Hey, I existed and this is my story." And I believe that photographs can do just that.
3. Photography is telling a story. Sometimes, words cannot aptly express the emotions or thoughts of an individual. When words fail, photography is a great alternative. Oftentimes I can look at a photo and from it I can gather all sorts of information -- how a person felt that day, what the weather was like, who is important to them, what makes someone happy, what makes them uncomfortable, etc. They say body language is more telling than spoken language--and because photography captures this, it is only natural that it aids in showing a more complete picture of individuals.
4. Photography is a mirror. By this, I mean to say that while I may be photographing other people, places or things, I am actually showing my audience what is important to me; what sorts of things I value or hold in high regard. Naturally, my eye wonders towards things that I like or see some special value in. What's being depicted in my photos isn't necessarily a reflection of the subject; rather it is a reflection of me. (Not to get all Freudian on you though....teehee!) As the great photographer Richard Avedon once said, "My portraits are more about me than they are about the people I photograph."
I'm sure I could go on and on about what else photography means to me, but it would be boring to most of you folks, I'm sure. These four elements though are what constantly drive me to continue this jouney I'm on--to not let the pressure of a get-rich-now society dictate my next move in life. A month or so ago, an adult (who shall remain nameless but whom I believe expects me to not succeed in my photography endeavors) asked me if I regretted my decision to go this direction in life. My best, simplest answer? Heck no. I'm in this for the long haul.
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
And we have a new logo!
Last night while doing my usual internet dilly-dallying, I had the urge to re-design the logo for my photography. The logo (which I also use as a watermark for all my photos) was originally this:
My great friend Cheryl LeBlanc from Muncie designed the logo for me, right around the time I was starting to think about making a fan page for facebook. I couldn't have been more pleased with the results of her creativity. The design was simple, elegant and definitely added a touch of class to all of my photographs. So I definitely want to thank Cheryl for helping me start my business off right!
Because it's been a few years, I thought a little change could be a good thing. At some point I thought about asking Cheryl to design me a new one (cause I knew she would make it perfect) but I realized that she's a busy lady. So alas, I decided to start making my own. The result? This :
I am actually quite content with the way it turned out. I have always loved the script-y fonts used as watermarks and think that while it's a little fancy, it's still simple enough. And I can't help but feel like it looks classy!
Perhaps my favorite part is that it still represents my "AB Photography" days (hence why the A and B in my name are bigger), while also offering more information to any person who sees a photograph with the logo. Before, I was a little concerned that if a person was wanting to look up more information about my photography, they wouldn't be able to find me. Why, you ask?
Googling "AB Photography" does not come up with information about my work. However, if one were to search "Alivia Bryak Photography," the power of the internet (and the fact that I have a rather unique name) brings the person right to all the information they would need to contact me. And as a photographer who primarily gets jobs through word of mouth -- this is important!
Overall, I believe the the switch to this new design was a good one. Although I will definitely miss my original watermark. Perhaps I will be able to find uses for it elsewhere. Any ideas?
Happy Shooting!
AB
Because it's been a few years, I thought a little change could be a good thing. At some point I thought about asking Cheryl to design me a new one (cause I knew she would make it perfect) but I realized that she's a busy lady. So alas, I decided to start making my own. The result? This :
I am actually quite content with the way it turned out. I have always loved the script-y fonts used as watermarks and think that while it's a little fancy, it's still simple enough. And I can't help but feel like it looks classy!
Perhaps my favorite part is that it still represents my "AB Photography" days (hence why the A and B in my name are bigger), while also offering more information to any person who sees a photograph with the logo. Before, I was a little concerned that if a person was wanting to look up more information about my photography, they wouldn't be able to find me. Why, you ask?
Googling "AB Photography" does not come up with information about my work. However, if one were to search "Alivia Bryak Photography," the power of the internet (and the fact that I have a rather unique name) brings the person right to all the information they would need to contact me. And as a photographer who primarily gets jobs through word of mouth -- this is important!
Overall, I believe the the switch to this new design was a good one. Although I will definitely miss my original watermark. Perhaps I will be able to find uses for it elsewhere. Any ideas?
Happy Shooting!
AB
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Jenny + Edgar | Wedding [Sneak Peak!]
This past Friday (June 22nd) I photographed Jenny and Edgar's beautiful wedding at Fiesta Palace in Merrillville, IN. This was the first time I've photographed an event at this venue, but it is definitetely one of my favorite shoots to-date.
This was also my first time photographing an outdoor wedding. Any photographer who tells you that they aren't nervous while shooting an outdoor wedding is either lying through their teeth or they simply don't care about their own photography! You see, so many factors can alter the way photos look while outside. Above all, weather is the number one contributor to stress.
It is a common misconception that a bright, sunny day is the best kind of weather for photo-taking. I've heard some variation of this phrase time and time again from people : "There's plenty of sunlight, so the photos will be easier!" In actuality, the more direct sunlight there is, the harder it is to take quality photographs. Direct sunlight means harsh shadows on faces from not only trees and standing structures, but also from people's own facial features! What ends up happening is parts of the face will be super bright and sunny, while others will be cast in shadows. How do I counteract this? I know my camera settings inside and out, and change them accordingly.
The photos from this particular wedding turned out way better than I could have ever hoped for! The sun and standing structures were in just the right position to create the least possible amount of shadows. The above picture is definitely one of my favorites from the ceremony. (Who doesn't find it adorable when a groom feels like he's won a prize with his bride?)
The amount of love these families had for each other was palpable throughout the entire day. I particular loved capturing this photo of the bride and her sister (who was also the maid of honor) prior to the ceremony.
Just as heartwarming was the father-daughter dance, which was full of smiles and laughter from both parties. While I love capturing the bride and groom together, this moment between father and daughter is also one of my favorites to capture.
Something I always, always, alwaysss strive to photograph are the little details that the bride and groom have put so much time into. From the wedding cake to the color scheme; to the table decorations and wedding band selection -- these intricate details are important to preserve.
All in all, I had a wonderful time helping these two capture their special day through my photographs. I am so lucky that people want me to share in such an important moment in their lives. After every wedding, I can't help but feel close to not only the bride and groom, but also their friends and family who were in attendance. Perhaps there is something that rings true about the idea that photography connects people in a transcendent way--it allows me to see things in others that they, themselves, may never have noticed otherwise.
Congratulations, Jenny and Edgar!
Happy Shooting!
AB
It is a common misconception that a bright, sunny day is the best kind of weather for photo-taking. I've heard some variation of this phrase time and time again from people : "There's plenty of sunlight, so the photos will be easier!" In actuality, the more direct sunlight there is, the harder it is to take quality photographs. Direct sunlight means harsh shadows on faces from not only trees and standing structures, but also from people's own facial features! What ends up happening is parts of the face will be super bright and sunny, while others will be cast in shadows. How do I counteract this? I know my camera settings inside and out, and change them accordingly.
The photos from this particular wedding turned out way better than I could have ever hoped for! The sun and standing structures were in just the right position to create the least possible amount of shadows. The above picture is definitely one of my favorites from the ceremony. (Who doesn't find it adorable when a groom feels like he's won a prize with his bride?)
Congratulations, Jenny and Edgar!
Happy Shooting!
AB
Welcome to the new blog for Alivia Bryak Photography!
I've seen many photographers use a blog throughout their work as a means to communicate with clients, as well as people who are interested in their photography. Needless to say, I really liked the idea and now have made my own blog!
My aim through this particular blog is to not only showcase my work to clients but also let others get a feel for the kind of person I am. It's my belief that in order to really connect with a photographer, you've got to feel comfortable with them--and I'm hoping that this little corner of the blogosphere will help do just that! Simply put, being comfortable with your photographer means higher quality photographs. So get to learn a little bit about me. I hope to provide you with a laugh or two throughout the journey.
Additionally, I'm a photographer who fully believes that the more people learn about and value photography, the better this business will be. I have never believed in keeping things a secret. Where's the fun in that, anyways?! If anyone asks me how I obtain a certain look in my photographs or has any kind of technical question, I will always try to answer it to the best of my ability. I try to keep in mind that I wouldn't be where I am today if the people I talked to shut me down. So this blog isn't just for potential clients -- it's for fellow photographers, too. :)
That's in for my first post. I apologize if it's a little wordy, but I tend to be that way so just bare with me.
Happy Shooting!
AB
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