Beyond Snapshots

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Let’s Talk Photography “Beyond Snapshots” Twitter Party!

by Jill
written by Jill

I’ve got two exciting Twitter parties coming up in a couple weeks. You can learn about the first here. The second, well, I’m just super thrilled and really looking forward to it, too. Here are the details:

Beyond Snapshots
#BeyondSnapshots

A Twitter Party!

To celebrate the release of the book Beyond Snapshots and to discuss how we all can elevate our photography to capture moments and tell our stories… and tell them well.

Brought to you by @BeyondSnapshots, @SesameEllis (Rachel Devine), @PetaMazey and @ClickinMoms

Thursday, May 10th, 8 pm Eastern

Prizes!

Epihanie Bags @EpiphanieBags: One camera bag of winner’s choice (up to $185 value)
My Funky Camera @MyFunkyCamera: 4 Camera Straps (valued at $32 each)
Design Aglow @DesignAglow: $100, $75, and a $50 gift credit
SmugMug @SmugMug: 2 Pro 1 year Accounts ($150 each)
Crafter News @CrafterNews: One Copy of Beyond Snapshots
Clickin Moms @ClickinMoms: 1 set of presets (winner’s choice, $65 value), 1 one year membership ($50 value), 1 breakout e-learning session (winner’s choice, up to $50 value)

Join me (@BabyRabies), @BeyondSnapshots and some of the @ClickinMoms blog ambassadors as we discuss all things photography (from all levels) with some of the best pros in the business. This party isn’t just for professional or aspiring professional photographers. No need for a DSLR to participate. We just want to talk about how to tell our stories beautifully, and how to make the most of the tools we have to do that.

Let’s not forget, there will be PRIZES! From ClickinMoms, Beyond Snapshots and more! We’ll be tweeting about them and adding them here as we confirm.

In order to be considered in the running for the prizes, you must RSVP. Please do so by entering your info in the Mr. Linky box below. If you don’t have an url, just enter your Twitter url into the box. If you’d like to leave a comment or ask a question, feel free, but please know we will only be selecting winners from the RSVP box.

I hope you can join us!

ClickinMoms Blogging Ambassadors:
@TeamMandy
@MooshInIndy
@PrudentBaby
@MommasGoneCity
@FoldingLaundry 

 


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Photography

Photography Progress Report: Ready For The Next Phase!

by Jill
written by Jill

Remember how I told you all about Beyond Snapshots? Well, I’m halfway through the class, and I am loving the new confidence I have with my camera! I’ve had my Canon T2i on manual for over 2 weeks now, and I finally had an AHA! moment last week about the exposure triangle. NOW, it makes sense. I read and read and looked at charts and tutorials, but it never really *clicked* until I just put my camera in manual and made myself take a lot of pictures.

I had to show off a little for you today. I’m not saying I’m anywhere near perfect. I haven’t even begun to grasp post processing, so these are straight-out-of-camera in the truest form. But, these were all shot on manual! So, for that little victory, I celebrate.

Such a fun moment of impromptu play!

Gotta love the colorful background the baby jail provides.

This girl is all smiles.

 

This was one of my assignments for the class. The topic was "reflection."

Had fun with some setting summer sun. Kendall’s practicing his batting while watching a baseball game here.

Now that I feel comfortable navigating the settings on my camera, I can’t wait to dive into post processing! We’re just learning about it now in class. I’m trying out a Lightroom free trial, but I’m wondering what programs others use and love. Keep in mind, I have no ambition of becoming a professional, so I don’t think I need Photoshop, but I’m interested in hearing people’s thoughts on Photoshop Elements vs. Lightroom. Do you have either one? Love it, hate it?

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PhotographyThe Story

If Only Pictures Were Scratch & Squish

by Jill
written by Jill


After Kendall was born, the first and only thing I could think upon laying eyes on him  as he laid on my chest and stared right at me was, “CHEEKS!”

With Leyna, the word that shouted itself in my head as I held her 9lb 9oz rolly polly body between my hands was, “SQUISHY!” (I guess after exhausting labors my mind can only process one-word thoughts.)

Those 12-18 mo bloomers are dunzo. Time to look for a bigger pair of daisy dukes.

While she’s remained “squishy” and has quite a bit more chub on her now than the day she was born, I know one day it will fade away. Her fat little thighs will learn to walk, and that big ol’ butt will melt away as she chases dogs and a big brother. If she takes after me, she’ll be nothing but chicken legs by the time she’s 8.

I can't even handle this picture. THAT is 10 lbs of sugar in a 5 lb bag if I ever saw it. (Love that saying!)

I wish there was some way to preserve and forever remember what it feels like to hold her right now and squish her between my hands. I want to remember what it feels like to squeeze the rolls that wrap around her tiny rib cage, to snuggle my nose in the creavices of her neck. In an effort to help me always remember this, I’m obsessed with photographing her fatness.

Yes, she will likely hate me for this some day.

It’s not the same as scratch and squish pictures (must invent!), but it’s the closest I’ll get to remembering the baby pudge 20 years from now. I wish I’d documented Kendall’s a little more. He’s thinning out and looks much more like a real boy…

 

He often plays baseball in the backyard shirtless... and pantsless.

than a meatball these days…

 

7 months old, striking a pose for the laaaaaadies

All the pudge picture taking is giving me a great reason to practice with my camera, and I have to brag that I kept it on manual all weekend and sort of felt like I knew what I was doing, thanks to all I’m learning in Beyond Snapshots! I’m a few weeks in and already feel like I have a better grasp on what all those fancy buttons on my camera do. Can’t wait to make sense of Photoshop.

Kendall is 3 years 2 months, Leyna is 6 months, and I’m off to work on my scratch and squish photography prototype.

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PhotographyReviews

Learning Photography Beyond Snapshots- Giveaway & Discount!

by Jill
written by Jill

Since I welcomed my precious Canon Rebel T2i into my life last December, I’ve captured more family moments in a short time than I have in the last 3 years combined. I’m in love with my camera and every now and then, with dumb luck and a smidge of self taught skill on my side, I get one fantastic shot ….out of 20 or 50.

I need to improve my batting average when it comes to taking beautiful photos. My hard drive and SD card will thank me for it. Not to mention, I don’t know the first thing about organizing and processing them. Books and blogs alone aren’t enough for me. I need tasks, feedback, assignments. I need Beyond Snapshots, an online class put on by Rachel Devine and Peta Mazey, two world-renowned photographers.

Their work is STUNNING, and I am beyond honored to be a part of their next session of online classes, aimed at helping beginners take their fancy cameras off of auto and start taking something Beyond Snapshots. I can’t wait to share my progress with you all on here, and I would absolutely LOVE to have a class full of friends (you!) so we can discuss and grow together.

Their next session starts Monday, June 20th and runs for 7 weeks. There are 2 versions of the class. The Full Version is $525 and includes one on one mentoring with both Rachel and Peta.

The Lite Version is $275, and while you don’t get the personal mentoring, you still get access to everything else, including the discussion groups with Rachel and Peta (which I hear are the best part of the course) to get your questions answered. Here’s a more detailed description of what the class entails:

We are starting from the beginning…that is why this class is for beginners. After we get you understanding the functions of the camera and properties of light we will go through composition, posing, inspiration, style and other elements of portrait photography. From there we take you through organizing and processing your files. We will be posting assignments to inspire you and even sharing behind the scenes videos. Our final focus will be on printing, sharing and blogging those gorgeous photos. There is just so much that will be covered that it can’t all fit here…that is why we are running the class!

I will be on board for the Lite Version and I KNOW I’ll get to take the class with at least one of you because Rachel and Peta have generously offered one Lite Version spot to giveaway to a super lucky Baby Rabies reader!

And for those of you who don’t win, you can take advantage of the 10% off discount code BABYRABIES when you register here (making the class $246.50- valid on the Lite Version only). I know this is a pretty significant cost, so I wanted to let you all know about it in plenty of time to plan ahead. The class will be filled on a first come basis (with a max of 40 participants), so don’t wait too long. You CAN work out payment arrangements with them, just email info@beyond-snapshots.com to discuss your options.

Now, onto how to win the free Lite Version class spot for the June session. All you have to do is comment below telling me about the best picture you’ve ever taken. Was it candid, a great moment caught with your Iphone, a perfect sunset at your childhood home? I can’t wait to hear all the answers.

For additional entries, you can do the following:

Like Beyond Snapshots on Facebook
Like Baby Rabies on Facebook
Follow @BabyRabies on Twitter
Follow @BeyondSnapshots on Twitter

No need to do all of them, but you can if you’d like 🙂 Please leave a seperate comment for each one you do and allow me some time to approve your comments because I do moderate them at this time. I will draw a winner with Random.org Friday, May 6th.

Please note you need the following to participate in the class- Your DSLR with at least one lens (any brand), an editing program (Adobe Photoshop Elements or even better, Photoshop full version), a computer to do it all on.

GOOD LUCK!! I hope to “see” many of you in class with me in June!

**Disclosure- Beyond Snapshots is providing my class spot to me free of charge. I have not received any monetary compensation for this post.

Entries are closed. Congrats to Kristin, commenter #157, as chosen by Random.org.

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