Baby Face Monday

Today's cutie was photographed by Jessica McCarthy. The warm, honey processing in this candid shot is a perfect complement to the boy's sweet and sunny smile . A carefree and beautiful moment captured!

Win a Gallery Wrapped Canvas from ColorInc

Erin from Texas Chicks Blogs and Pics (formerly from Digital Photography for Moms) just did a review of ColorInc's gallery wrapped canvases, and is giving away one for free to one lucky reader. All you need to do is read her post and leave a comment before September 2nd 2009. If you happen to be a blogger yourself, her new site has tons of useful info on how to create a successful (and even profitable) blog. I definitely recommend checking it out!

Baby Face Thursday

This image by Hana Lynch is so unbearably cute. The dreamy pastel colors and negative space here are simply perfect. Notice the army-style legwarmers paired with the pink tutu...if that doesn't qualify as sugar and spice, I don't know what does!

Baby Face Tuesday

This image by Amanda Nicole immediately jumped out at me for its composition and lighting. The low-key feel, so rare in newborn photography these days, puts the focus of the photo exactly where it should be, on the baby's face. I especially love how her polka dot dress is thrown deliciously out of focus. Please go check out the Cutest Little Baby Face flickr pool for more inspiration!

Frugal Photography

When it comes to hobbies, photography isn't as easy on the wallet as say, scrapbooking or knitting. An entry level DSLR is going to set you back at least $500, if not more, and that's not even counting the extra lenses, memory cards, tripod, camera bag, backup batteries, off-camera flashes, editing software, etc, etc. For the pros who make their living with a camera, it's easier to justify the cost as a business investment. But for the rest of us without a whole lot of money to throw around, there are ways to be a thrifty photographer. Here's how:

1. Consider buying used equipment. Ebay and Craigslist are great places to look for used gear. Oftentimes you'll see ads/auctions from people who have upgraded their body and are looking to unload the old one. This is a great way to get a decent camera for quite a bit less than you'd pay in the store. Lenses also abound in the second-hand market. Of all my lenses besides the kit lens, one was bought from eBay, one from Craigslist, and another from a camera shop that specializes in pre-owned equipment. They all work perfectly, and some are as old as I am! The picture above was taken with a used lens I bought for a song because it had a tiny (almost imperceptible) scratch. As you can see, the scratch didn't affect image quality at all. Remember: buyer beware. Test everything out before you buy it, and if you can't, ask lots of questions and make sure the seller has posted detailed pictures of the merchandise.


2. Make the lenses you already have work harder for you by buying teleconverters and extension tubes. Teleconverters can double the focal length of your lens if you need a longer reach and extension tubes will decrease the minimum focusing distance of a lens...perfect for macro work. These alternatives cost a fraction of what a new lens does.


3. Use natural light. It doesn't cost a penny and nothing beats it.


4. Zoom with your legs. If you're at the end of your zoom and still want a tighter shot, find a way to physically get closer to your subject.


5. Use free editing software. Picasa is great for photos that don't need too much work. Some color pop, a little contrast boost, crop if needed and voila, you're done. Get as much right in-camera, so you don't have to spend hours saving a photo in Photoshop.


6. Finally, make the most of what you've got. Owning better equipment will not make you a better photographer. With a little creativity you can take great photos with just about any type of a camera.

What are some of the ways you've saved money with your photography?

Camera Strap Winner!

Congratulations commenter #22 ("I like the Full Moon Dot Amy Butler strap plur268 at yahoo dot com") on winning the strap from The Personalized Touch! I also want to give a great big thank you to everyone who entered this giveaway...it was a huge success and I look forward to having another one here soon!

Baby Face Friday

It's tea for two in this adorable twin shot by Frozen Memories Photography by Amanda. I love how one of the twins thinks that sitting in a giant teacup is the funniest thing in the world, while the other one looks like she hasn't quite made up her mind yet. Such a fun and colorful image!

Tips for photographing newborns

Newborns can be some of the most challenging subjects to photograph, but for many (myself included), they're also the most fun and rewarding. When I was pregnant with my youngest, instead of doing practical things like preparing the baby's room, I was making detailed lists of all the poses I wanted to capture after the birth, and buying things like crocheted beanies and bowls from Pier One (a great store for props, by the way).

If you've never photographed a newborn before, preparation is key. Just the other day, I ♥ Faces posted an very informative article called 10 Tips for Capturing Newborns by Katherine Marie. The most important point she makes is to be patient. Most photographers take anywhere from 2-4 hours to photograph newborns. Don't give up if a pose doesn't work the first time you try it. Try something else and come back to it later, you might have better luck the second time around.

Here are also a few extra tips of my own that I've found helpful in the past:

1. Use a white noise machine. This helps baby fall asleep faster and masks the noise of the shutter. I've heard the Slumber Bearis good for this.


2. Make sure baby is well-fed before you begin. Babies with full tummies sleep longer and deeper.


3. Take the diaper off well before you start shooting. This will help eliminate any marks on the baby's skin from the diaper.


4. Bring lots of blankets as they will inevitably get soiled, and remember to put something waterproof between the blanket and your beanbag/boppy for protection.


5. Make a list of poses you want to try and bring it with you. You don't have to do all of them, but it's nice to have it written down so you don't forget any at the last minute.


6. Lastly, props are great, especially hats, but don't forget to take a few photos without props...just the bare baby. Because let's face it, they are perfect just the way they are.

If you have any other tips for photographing newborns that you know of, please feel free to share them with us!

Taking it to the next level: Deciding to go Pro

It's a story that's familiar to many of us. It begins the day you buy your first DSLR. You start taking pictures and realize "Wow, these are pretty good" -- much better than any you've ever taken before. You're hooked and soon you're out there buying books on photography and reading on the internet until 12 o'clock at night, trying to soak up as much as you can. You start thinking about lenses other than the one that came with your camera kit and decide to buy a "nifty fifty" (50mm prime lens), maybe even invest in an off-camera flash or two. Your little hobby is quickly turning into an obsession and people are noticing. Friends and family remark that your photos look so professional and before you know it, they're are asking you to take photos of them. So, do you do it? Do you even want to? Photojojo has a great article about the pros and cons of going pro for those of you asking yourself the same question. Being a professional photographer is about more than having talent, it's about being a business(wo)man. Are you struggling with this decision right now, or have you in the past? If so, please leave a comment sharing your story, I'd love to hear it!

Baby Face Tuesday

I'm absolutely taken by the angelic little girl in this photo by HeatherLynn. The hat, the tutu and the lovely antique bench glinting in the sun make the image look like it was taken straight out of a fairytale. So heavenly and sweet!

Camera Strap Giveaway!

I'm so excited to announce the very first giveaway here at Cutest Little Baby Face, one of many to come! The prize is for a fabulous handmade camera strap by Rene of The Personalized Touch (value $25). I already own one of Rene's straps and not only is it stylish, it's comfortable too! To enter, visit The Personalized Touch etsy shop then come back and leave a comment saying which one you liked the most.

For extra entries you can:

• Blog about this giveaway
• Twitter about the giveaway (sample tweet: Cutest Little Baby Face is giving away a free handmade SLR camera strap here: http://bit.ly/rk3wV)
• Become a Cutest Little Baby Face subscriber
• Add the Cutest Little Baby Face button on your blog

Remember to leave a separate comment for each thing you did. Deadline to enter is Sunday, August 23rd 2009 11:00 p.m. EST. Winner will be announced the following Monday.

Baby Face Friday

There is some serious cuteness being exuded by the little man in this photo by Kenyatta Wells. The steady gaze of his huge brown eyes and the tiniest hint of a smile on his lips make it impossible not to fall in love with this clean and simple portrait.

Baby Face Wednesday

This photo by Katrina Christ sweetly captures the imaginative spirit of its subject. We see the little boy as he sees himself in this moment: a pirate aboard his ship, spying land through the telescope. Even cuter is the fact that he's looking through the wrong end!

Baby Face Monday

What makes this photo by Ridge Meadows Photography so wonderful is the unexpectedness of the setting and the way it tells a story. One can easily imagine the little girl spending time with her father in his shop, playing with his tools and pretending to 'work' alongside him. I love the juxtaposition of her soft chubby legs against the metal tool chest and the gorgeous garage light illuminating everything. It is an adorable and creative environmental portrait.

Baby Face Friday

I'll admit, normally I go for photos that are either in black or white or have soft muted colors, but the vibrant colors in this photo by Jennifer Adams make me happy just looking at it. Can you believe the polka dot bedding is actually a towel from walmart? It just goes to show that you don't need to spend a fortune on props....a little innovation goes a long way! If you haven't already, check out the Cutest Little Baby Face flickr pool to see more cute babies!

Baby Face Photo Tip: It's Hip to be Square (Using a Square Crop)

The square format has a long history with medium format cameras that use 6x6 film. One of the advantages of using a square crop, from a compositional point of view, is having more emphasis placed on the subject. This makes it great for portraits. In fact, Diane Arbus, the famous American photographer, is known for using this format extensively in her work. So, next time you're wondering how to crop your image, consider going square. Afterwards, you can always lie and tell people you took the photo with your Hasselblad :)

Win a Tamron 18-270mm zoom lens!

Well, if you didn't win this lens a few weeks ago when it was being given away on MCP Action's blog, this is your second chance! I ♥ Faces is giving away the SAME Tamron lens! Just pay a visit the Tamron website and leave a comment on I ♥ Faces saying what you liked over there and why you'd like to win. Contest ends August 7th, 11 p.m. EST.

Baby Face Wednesday

I don't even know where to begin with this photo taken by Pamela Ruby, it just speaks to me on so many levels. I love the joyful colors of the painted fence and the look of intense concentration on the girl's face as she diligently works. But the sweetest part of all is how she is nearly head-to-toe covered in smears of paint....the mark of a true artist!

Baby Face Photo Tip: Pose Hands Near the Face

This tip applies mainly to newborns but can be used for older babies as well, especially if they are asleep. Posing the hands near the face is something you will see in nearly all good newborn photos; it serves as a way to lead the viewer to the baby's face, and makes the baby look less like...oh, how shall I put this....a blob. Try tucking one or both hands under the chin, or side of the face. Your can even have them clasped over their chest --the placement doesn't really matter so much as just having them nearby. If you really want to get creative you can try interlacing their fingers, but I wouldn't recommend this unless the baby is in a deep sleep, otherwise they might wake up altogether (that's actually what I was trying to achieve in this shot, but my daughter was having none of it).

Win a Florabella Textures set!

Prop Insanity is having another giveaway, this time for a set of textures by Shana Rae of Florabella Textures. These subtle textures are honestly some of the most gorgeous I have seen. To enter, head over to Prop Insanity and leave a comment with suggestions of new things you'd like to see on their site.

Baby Face Monday

This cutie's photo was taken by C-L-K. Who can resist those gorgeous blue eyes and chubby, pink cheeks? Add to it her hooded towel and the spot of drool on her chin, and the result is a thoroughly charming bathtime portrait!