Archive: March 2011 » Cathy Benton Photography

Easter and children

Ava-and-ducks-240x300
Ava and ducks 240x300 Easter and children
Baby ducks and memories

The duckies are done and have been sent to the farmers to start laying eggs soon. Just in time for Easter. Maybe you’ll be decorating some of them for Easter.

I remember as a kid -Easter was so exciting. We’d get up early and get ready to go to church with my grandmother.

Only our Easter best would do and oh how I remember the Easter Bonnets, the ruffled socks and the white gloves. It was the only time of the year that I remember wearing pretty white gloves.

Tradition in my house, now that I’m grown and have a child of my own, is not terrible different except that the good Lord blessed us with a boy so the ruffled socks and white gloves and Easter Bonnets are out of the question.

But we still get up, dress up and show up to church on Easter Sunday. It’s one tradition that I think we’ll keep.

Easter will be here sooner than you think. Next time I’ll post some helpful tips on how to get great Easter pictures of you little ones. Stay tuned

Tips for how to shoot photos of your kids

Bakin cookies Tips for how to shoot photos of your kids
 Tips for how to shoot photos of your kids
Exploring together

 

Tips for parents on how to shoot photos of your kids

I ran across this blog entry by Robin Owen Photography in Maryland and thought you might benefit from the information.

* Give your kids an activity. Jump up and down or run towards you on the count of three. This creates tension in the shot. Something that we as parents don’t need in our lives but in photographs can make things much more interesting.

• Use props. Simple props like a flower or a pinwheel, lollipop or sunglasses can help you get a beautiful shot. Your kids will become engaged with the prop and forget you’re even taking the picture.

• Try having them snuggle under a blanket or blow on a dandelion, simple objects will work every time.

• When your child just won’t smile, shoot it anyway. Funny quirky faces can enhance your photograph. Instead of trying to calm your wild child, go with the flow and you just may capture that memorable moment.

• You don’t need eye contact to get a good shot. If you child is a little camera shy, focus on the interaction of which your child is doing. Sometimes you’re the best moments are when your subjects are not looking directly at you.

So now you know how to get your best shot of you kids. Be sure to visit the blog often to find more parent tips.

Workshop contest

Jess and Mike sepia 7291 300x300 Workshop contestWe need a couple (you do not have to be married or engaged) to model
for us for a workshop. This is a once in a lifetime contest and here
are the details.

A friend of mine, David Beckstead, an award wining Photographer from
the West Coast will be doing a workshop in Norfolk and we need models
for it.

David was named one of “The Top 10 Wedding Photographers in the World”
by American Photo magazine – March 2007. He has photographed weddings
in Milan, Sicily, Tuscany, Capri, Scotland, Ireland, England, Bahamas,
Caribbean, Mexico, Slovenia, Vietnam and many other destination-style
shoots. He has traveled to over 68 countries. He is one of the most
talented and creative wedding photographers of our time.

So we’re having a contest.

Who can qualify?

If you are a couple.
If you are both at least 18 years old.
If you are both willing to sign a model release.
If you are both available from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm on Wednesday, April 13, 2011
for the workshop being held in Norfolk,Virginia.
If you can submit a recent picture of the two of you.
If you love having your pictures taken.
If you are fun to work with.
If you are Excited to participate.

If you can answer yes to all of those requirements then you can enter
to win. After you click on the “enter here” link below (have your
picture ready) then follow these steps to vote…

1 Go to our fan page: www.facebook.com/cathybentonphotography

2. “like” the page

3 Go to “photos” on the left

4 Select “workshop contest”

5 Click on your picture

6 Write a comment under your picture (no comment-no vote)

7 Ask everyone you know, (family, friends, co-workers) to repeat steps 1-7.

Contest ends Friday, March 25th
The winner will be announced on Saturday, March 26.

That’s only 2 weeks – so get to work.

What’s in it for you?

The session with David during his workshop.
Images David created of you during the workshop as well as images from
the workshop attendees.
A feature article on our blog.
Bragging rights about winning.
Some of the most amazing images you’ll ever have created of the two of
you -EVER!

There will be three runner ups selected for a portrait session with
Cathy L. Benton, one of Tidewaters premiere portrait photographers.
Go ahead, get yourselves entered.

Have your picture ready and then click here.

Good luck!

High School senior – No horsing around

Tara 300x150 High School senior   No horsing aroundTara Cobb from Alliance Christian Schools had an awesome idea for us to photograph her and her horse.
It is one of the most fun parts about photographing our seniors. Enjoy the quick clip of her session.
Maybe you’ll see an idea in there for you.

 

Call me old fashioned but…

old-fashioned1
old fashioned13 236x300 Call me old fashioned but...

Several friends of mine had a loved one pass away this month and I have a couple others are having birthdays. I suppose I could go online a search an e-card virtual store for a message to them but today I took a trip to the Hallmark store.

There is just something about going to an actual store and searching, reading card after card trying to find just the right words.

There is something special about holding that card in your hands and opening it up to have your heart touched in a unique way.

There is something special about the silly little pictures on the cover that yell out to you saying “pick me, pick me”.

There is something special about the smell of the paper and the feel of the embellishments. Hard to describe.

I don’t know about you but even today when I receive a card from someone, I always turn it over to the very back looking for the “hallmark” symbol. I don’t know why. It really doesn’t matter what kind of card it is. It just matters that someone took the time to go to the store and read several cards looking for just the right one for me:)

In today’s world of instant this and instant that, it just plain feels special to go card shopping.

Call me old fashioned if you will but I think there are still some traditions that are worth keeping. Buying a special card for a special person with a special message inside is one of those traditions that I think I’ll hold onto. Seal your envelopes with love and that pretty little gold seal they give you – yes in deed , call me old fashioned if you like.

Join us on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/cathybentonphotography