5 New Years Resolutions for the Picture Lover

Posted on January 3, 2015 by Becky

This new year, find some new ways to explore life and picture taking, so you are getting the most out of every experience! Here are some ideas…..

Print out your Instagram pictures. There are so many companies that have made this possible, and so many different products you can get as well to print your
pictures on- books, magnets, cards, Polaroid’s, you name it! Just Google exactly what you are looking for (example: print Instagram pictures in a book) and sort through the many companies and results to find what best fits you. This is an awesome way to turn your virtual documentation of life into something tangible that will last forever!
Go live. Instead of tying yourself down to social media, technology, or any other simulated distraction, challenge yourself to get out and do something, anything! Try a new restaurant, take a nice drive, check out an old music store, or pick up friends for a treat. Then, record it. Take pictures of what you did, and keep track of every time you turn off the technology and live a little.
Try video. Pictures are an awesome way to make a record of your memories, but so are videos! Try videoing your life, especially vacations or holidays. You’ll never regret capturing those special moments through video.
A picture a day. Many people have taken on this challenge, and it is a fun way to journal your life through the camera. Every day challenge yourself to take at least one picture of anything, especially things that are important to you at that point in your life. This is an awesome way to record your life!
Capture your family with professional photographs. This is an investment you’ll never regret, because it marks your family at that specific point in time, in the best possible way, and you will have those pictures to look back on forever.

Island Park

Posted on September 17, 2014 by Becky

This summer I got an opportunity to head out into the wilds with some amazing women! We carpooled from the Salt Lake area to Island Park. We chatted all the way up learning about each other, what we did to make this trip happen, our families, etc. We all became instant friends.

When we got to our cabin we were met by our wonderful hostess, Analee, and our wonderful private chef, Rene. We all quickly claimed a room, a bed, and a piece the patio to sleep on under the stars. Once everyone got there we had an amazing meal prepared for us and ate outside on the patio. It was beautiful to be out in nature and with 16 women, it was never a dull moment.

The next day we went rented a pontoon and sailed around on the lake chasing the young birds around. It was so fun to watch the young pelicans. They were such big babies waddling to get away from us, trying so hard to fly, but their bodies were just too big for their wings to carry them.

I’ve always wanted to get a star trail picture and stayed out as long as my anxiety let me. I was so nervous sitting outside alone in the dark, not being able to see anything in the forest, letting my mind wander, by-its-self! Haha.. never, never let your mind wander by itself!

The second picture is what I woke up to every morning. The lake would have a mist covering it and I would sit on the swing listening to the birds calling out to each other as they looked for food. So beautiful. So peaceful. So in love!

I love this picture of the Pelican and the Swan. Not a couple you would expect, but beautiful. The pelican would keep his eye on the swan as she fed and sunned. It was beautiful to see such an odd couple in the wilderness spending their time together.

So grateful for the new friendships, the laughs, the tears and the connection we got to have together. A time for ourselves, a time to rejuvenate, time needed and well spent. Can’t wait to do this again!

7 Things That Will Ruin Your Pictures

Posted on July 16, 2014 by Becky

1 – Photo bombers
You know the drill, you’re at your child’s High School graduation, about to snap a picture of your kid and just as you push the shutter button a young teenage boy jumps into the background of your photo and totally bombs it! Watch for photo bombers in big crowds.

2 – Trees
Trees are a great addition to any photo, depending where they are placed in the composition. If you want your subject to stand by the tree, place them next to the tree, not directly in front of it. Having a big trunk coming out of their head can look terribly awkward!

3 – Awkward backgrounds
You need to update your profile picture and happen to be in the bathroom fixing your hair. You snap your own “selfie” and love the photo! Later looking back you realize that the bathroom hand dryer and feminine napkin dispenser also made it into your image. Uh-oh! Trash that one!

4 – Don’t shoot from low angles
Unless you really love the look of double chins, hold your camera above your eye level when shooting yourself, or above your subject’s eye level. This helps to thin out the face of the subject whereas shooting from below the chin puts more emphasis on the extra baggage commonly referred to as a “double chin”.

5 – Avoid shooting in direct sun
Contrary to popular belief, shooting in the direct sunlight isn’t the ideal place for lighting. It causes your subjects to squint and also creates harsh shadows under their eyes, nose and chin. Instead, look for a shady spot that is still evenly and well lit. Your subject will have a nice evenly lit face and much less squinting. Way more appealing and professional picture!

6 – Hold the camera still
Especially if you are shooting in low light situations, it’s important to hold the camera very still when shooting. Any movement from your hands can cause your photo to turn out blurry.

7 – Avoid dark situations
When you shoot in a low light situation and your not using a flash, your shutter speed will slow way down in order to get enough light on the subject. That slow shutter speed can be the reason for blurry photos. Always choose the most well lit area possible for the best quality picture!

Sadler Wedding

Posted on July 8, 2014 by Becky

Paul & Jodi Sadler were seriously the best couple to work with. From the moment we met Jodi had it all planned out and her check boxes in order for a flawless and beautiful wedding. With all her ideas pinned to her Pinterest account, she had all the details planned. Paul did an amazing job beautifying their backyard by building a pergola, cake stand, and candlesticks making them all out of trees.

Jodi was so concerned about being a Bridezilla that she would say, “Nope, this is you and you get to do whatever you like!” I was so excited I ended up not only arranging her flowers and capturing them on their wedding photos, but I got to put their memories together of their special day. To capture and witness the love these two have was very much an honor. Congratulations Mr. & Mrs. Sadler!

Shooting your kids sports

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April Newsletter

Taking pictures of your kids playing sports can be a really fun activity for both the athlete and the parent. However, it can also be very challenging if you don’t have the right set up with your camera. Here are a few recommendations to help you get the best shots of your kids.

When available, use a long telephoto lens. If your camera can switch lenses and has a long lens, this is a great option for capturing the action as if you were right next to your athlete.

Another tip is to shoot in the daylight for high shutter speeds and sharper images. Images shot at night or indoors can easily have motion blur because of the low light.

Cloudy days are better than sunny days. Does this sound off? It’s true! Clouds create a filter over the sun’s rays and so there are no harsh shadows. The lighting is more even all around.

Also, if you are shooting with your camera phone or a point and click, find out if you have digital zoom or optical zoom. Optical zoom will take much higher quality pictures than digital zoom.

If your child’s sport is an indoor only sport, like gymnastics, then bump up your ISO to get more light and have less blurry pictures.

And if all else fails, hire a professional!

Rebecca Kay Photography

High School Senior, Family and Portrait Photographer

Author Archives: Becky

Island Park

Sadler Wedding