You don’t need “The Luck of the Irish” to take some St. Patricks Day photos and make them spectacular.  All you need are some cute little subjects (which you’ve already got) and a few inexpensive props (that you can easily and inexpensively obtain at your local party store.)   Couple those with a bright sunny day and, possibly, a field of grass or clovers, and you’ll have the perfect equation for some high quality, memory-made prints of your wee lads and lassies.

Here are some ideas for some creative St. Paddy’s portrait keepsakes:

• Balloons:  A simple bunch of green balloons is a unique way to draw attention to the picture.   Sometimes one big green balloon will add a little bit of uniqueness to your photo, too.  Against a stunning blue sky, on a bright sunny day, you are bound to create a setting that everyone will dote on.

• Hats: Local party supply stores have a lot of different styles;  Derby hats, green glittery top hats, a striped stove hat, or a charming plaid Gatsby style topper.   Add one of these hats to your baby, toddler, or older child’s precious little head, and you will definitely capture a fun mood in your shot.

• Green Feather Boa: This fun prop can be wrapped around your sleeping baby or wrapped around your diaper clad infant or toddler.  It adds texture and color, all-the-while capturing that winning photo.

While adding props to your portrait scene can really make your prints interesting and entertaining, there are a few things to remember and do that will make a good picture, a phenomenal picture.

• Lay the kids down, with their heads touching, and shoot from above.  This perspective is fun!

• Follow the “rule of thirds” by place your subjects on one of the imaginary lines that make up three vertical and horizontal columns/rows.   This rule produces an image that is very aesthetically pleasing.

• Seek motion in your picture by letting your subjects move freely while you shoot.  Sometimes this type of photography will produce that accidental image that you will treasure always.

“May your pockets be heavy and your heart be light,
May good luck pursue you each morning and night.”
~Irish Blessing

The flowers are blooming, the grass is getting greener, and the day longer. After a long winter and some definite cabin fever we are finally able to get out and enjoy the fresh air. This also means that there will be a lot of natural light for some great pictures to make prints of, for the family album. No more pictures in front of the fireplace; it’s time for pictures in front of the tulips, daffodils, and blossoming dogwood trees.

What’s more metaphorical than a newborn baby in front of freshly bloomed flowers?  What a beautiful way to create a photo keepsake or gift, to commemorate your baby’s arrival this spring. A simple wicker basket with a special blanket laid down inside would make a nice prop for such a photo shoot. It doesn’t even matter if your baby is asleep or newly wide-eyed. The natural light and blooms will make a picture such as this a family favorite for years to come.

Another spring-time renewal is the picnic. No more picnics in front of the television set; it’s time to picnic under the puffy clouds of spring. This setting calls out to be documented, whether it’s in an album or for scrapbooking.  It’s the perfect natural backdrop for a portrait of your children sitting together, eating, laughing, playing, and enjoying the day.

Some tips for making your spring-time photos flourish:

1. Take photos in the early morning hours, before the sun is at it’s highest.
2. Create “catch light” in the eyes of your subject by making sure the sun is behind you.
3. Coordinate your childrens’ outfits and stick to non-busy, distracting styles of patterns.
4. Be sure to capture your child’s energy by taking shots that are everyday but extraordinary.
5. Snap that camera a lot; you are obtaining images that will last a lifetime.

Photography is a great gift to give our loved ones, but it’s even more special when given for Valentine’s day.   Whether it’s a picture of yourself for your honey,  a fun picture of your children for grandma and grandpa, or a special shot of the greatest gift of love–your baby–you can safely assume that the recipient of these “photos of love” will be elated.

There are a lot of different ways to achieve that perfect Valentine’s Day photo.  Props  are rather interesting to use in photography.  Perhaps a bunch of red, pink, and white balloons, or maybe you can get creative and cut out letters, that spell the word love, from red poster board.   Most party supply stores will have a vast array of decorations that can be used as props;  you can use anything ranging from red feather boas to heart shaped hats and beads.   If all else fails get a bunch of flowers to use in the picture.  They will make an appropriate prop for this type of love photo!

Once the picture is taken you can also use your computer’s photo editing software to soften up the image.  A softer appearance adds so much romance to a portrait.  Plus post processing is made very easy these days.   Once the image is opened you make a duplicate layer.  The using the Gaussian Blur effect you can put as much blur/softness on the picture, as you like, keeping it around 50% to not go overboard.  After that you can screen or multiply to your liking.

No matter if you put on some red shirts, use props like hats and flowers, make heart signs withe your fingers by touching your thumbs and index fingers, hold balloons, or just hold up a sign that reads “I Love You”… your Valentine portraits will be oh-so special.   The recipient of your printed and framed work of art or picture card will certainly be brimming with love.

Halloween is such a fun occasion to photograph; every year holds something different for your little ghosts and goblins.  From fun family parties filled with apple bobbing, powdered donut consumption, and apple cider to hayrides at the local cornmaze, there are bound to be plenty of moments that you will want to capture with your camera this fall.

Here are five tips to make your photography really pop this Halloween:

#1: Document Your Fieldtrips

There are pumpkin patches to visit, corn mazes to find your way through, hayrides to bump along on, and apple orchards from which to fill your bushels.  No matter where you and your family go this fall, there are some great opportunities for candid and posed pictures alike.  Use natural light to your advantage and remember to get creative with those angles and perspectives.

#2: Photograph the Process

It’s always fun to dress up.  Halloween is a favorite for that factor.  So, wouldn’t it be fun to watch the progress or you can do before and after shots of the little ones you are dressing up.   This is especially fun if your son or daughter is getting made up.  You could take a picture before the make up, during the process, and then the finished face;  showcasing a great transformation of character.   Move in close for an up-close and creative shot and tell the story.

#3:  Catch Your Trick-or-Treaters

Be prepared to snap pictures of the neighborhood children as they approach your door.  This would be interesting to share with your neighbors, making the pictures available to them for print.  Or maybe you and your little ones would like to give them prints as a little post Halloween treat.   No matter what you do it woul be a nice way to remember the time by creating a special album.  Don’t forget to use your night-time setting on your camera!

#4:  Having a Party?  Be a Photographer

Costume parties are a great place to capture some fun.  Maybe you are having an all kid party, or maybe you are having an adult themed costume party?   Regardless, make sure you keep your trusty digital camera handy to snap those great moments.   Bobbing for apples, a costume karaoke contest,  a splendid Halloween craft session, what have you… be sure to remember it all by being the photographer.

#5:  Set the Mood

You can get creative and use some lighting to set the mood of posed pictures.   Also, don’t forget to take pictures of your carved jack-o-lanterns which will make a great prop for your posed pictures, too.   When photographing your little ones that are old enough to ham it up, ask them to really do so.  Tell them to get into their character whether it be a doctor, a zombie, or a pop star.

Just remember to have fun in capturing all the fun!