GeekSugar

Shutterbug: 96 Tips For Photographing Your Kids

Rebecca M Gruber — Tue, 15 May 2012 14:28:42 PDT

There's something about motherhood that brings out the photographer in us. Maybe it's the advent (and ease of use) of DSLR cameras, or perhaps it's the popularity of sharing photos of our lil ones on social networking sites. But regardless of the reason, we can't seem to take enough pictures of our kids these days. Before pointing and shooting another picture, check out our tips - from professional and amateur photographers alike - for capturing every stage of your tot's growth from day one on up!

Photo courtesy of: Jennifer Little | Sugar Photography

8 Photography Tips From Top Instagrammers

Kristy Korcz — Tue, 08 May 2012 13:56:14 PDT

Rather than just snapping drunken shenanigans with pals, some Instagram users are creating mind-blowing pics with just a few taps on their iPhone. Want to know how some of the most popular users do it? We've scoured Instagram's interview series and found eight easy expert tips you can use the next time your fire up the app. Check them out (along with their fantastic photos) and get ready to take your Instagram feed to the next level.

How to Take a Multigenerational Photo as Beautiful as Cindy Crawford's

Kate Stahl — Fri, 04 May 2012 10:32:42 PDT

JCPenney just debuted a new Mother's Day ad campaign called Generations, starring Cindy Crawford, her mom, and her daughter, Kaia Gerber. Crawford's multigenerational photos are gorgeous - and the accompanying video is apt to bring a tear to your eye - as are the other images in the campaign (keep clicking to check out a couple more). But those results can be hard to replicate for real-life families when you're dealing with photographing women of such different ages. Your mom's hoping her neck looks smooth, your daughter is wondering when she'll get her next snack, and you're hoping you get one decent shot to frame. Luckily, photographer Maria Ponce (who taught us how to take seminude pregnancy shots) shared a few tips to making your own multigenerational photo shoot a success. Read this before you book a professional photographer or even sit down in front of your point-and-shoot this Mother's Day!

Source: JCPenney

Shutterbug: 10 Tips For Capturing Your Children's Connections

Rebecca M Gruber — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 06:16:56 PDT

Kids are quick to fixate on things, and once they do, they don't like to let go. Whether it's a person or an object that they're focused on this week, it is a connection that's worthy of a photograph. I asked fellow mom and photographer Jennifer Little, founder of Sugar Photography in Fort Collins, CO, for tips on photographing these moments, and she noted, "I love capturing that special connection between people no matter the connection."

Jennifer, who travels nationwide for family shoots and also offers Skype sessions to teach moms how to use their cameras, shares 10 moments that are worth pulling out the camera to capture.

All photos courtesy of Jennifer Little | Sugar Photography

Shutterbug: 8 Tips For Photographing Your Tot's Favorite Activity

Rebecca M Gruber — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 11:33:58 PDT

Don't blink or you might miss your tot's favorite activity of the week. Kids are a fickle bunch and their favorites quickly change in what feels like the blink of an eye. If you don't capture them while they're doing it, you're sure to forget it was a favorite before long. I turned to mom and photographer Jennifer Little, founder of Sugar Photography in Fort Collins, CO, for tips on photographing your lil one doing her favorite things. Keep reading for some not-to-miss photo opportunities you'll definitely want to shoot!

How to Take Pictures of Your Baby's Hands and Feet

Anna Monette Roberts — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 12:48:34 PDT

Celebrities like Beyoncé, Mariah Carey, Hilary Duff, and Alicia Keys (clockwise from top left) have tweeted or posted photos of their babies' hands and feet. It's an adorable way to share something precious and personal with your friends, family, and followers, especially if you haven't published photos of your lil one's face yet. Here are a few tips on getting a great shot of those tiny feet and hands to share on social media.

Photograph in natural lighting: Flash photographs are usually too harsh for hands and feet photos. Opt to take the photos during the day, using natural lighting.
Adjust the focal point: The most recent phone cameras, like the iPhone 4S, enable you to focus on one subject while blurring the background. This is a simple trick to give your photo composition and added interest. On your phone, before you take the photo, tap and hold the area of focus on your screen, wait for the lens to readjust, then snap the photo.
Add mom or dad's hands: To give viewers some perspective as to just how tiny your tot's fingers and toes are, bring mom or dad's hands in the photo.
Insert funny captions: Sweeten up the photo by ad-libbing your baby's gesture or teasing the moment you just captured.
Play with Instagram filters: Experiment with all of Instagram's features. The app enables you to edit a picture's focal point, add borders, and give your photo a vintage, timeless look.

Source: Life + Times, Twitter User MariahCarey, Instagram User hilaryduff, and Twitter User aliciakeys

5 Ways to Look Even Better on Instagram

Miriam Lacey — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 14:31:00 PDT

Instagram is a whole new world of picture taking (at least for anyone who wasn't already using Hipstamatic). Between the filters, the Gaussian blur, and the "creative" photo angles using a phone produces, getting a reasonably flattering picture can seem like a challenge. Fortunately, there are a few easy, smart ways to make Instagram's interface work in your favor. So in honor of Facebook acquiring the photo-sharing app, check out five simple ways to get better Instagram results when you read more.

Shutterbug: 10 Tips For Photographing Your Child's Birthday

Rebecca M Gruber — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 05:34:58 PDT

It's party time! We love looking at all of the beautiful parties parents throw for their kids, but what really makes the parties stand out is the way they are photographed. Some mamas just know exactly what to capture to create a permanent record of their lil one's big day. While dessert tables are nice, there's more to a party than the sweets! We turned to mom and photographer Jennifer Little, founder of Fort Collins, CO-based Sugar Photography, for some tips on photographing your tot's birthday celebration. Check them out!

Shutterbug: 10 Pictures to Take of Your Tots Each Month

Rebecca M Gruber — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 06:10:42 PDT

If you're anything like us, since you've had kids, you rarely put your camera down! While it's fun to simply snap away, I turned to mom and photographer Jennifer Little, founder of Fort Collins, CO-based Sugar Photography, to see what she considers to be the essential photos to take of her kids each month, ultimately creating a chronicle of her lil ones' growth. Keep reading to see what she includes on her list!

Shutterbug: 10 Tips For Photographing Your Baby in the Hospital

Rebecca M Gruber — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 05:47:12 PDT

Baby's here - now capture all the details of the day before you forget them! Though a delivering mama doesn't need another thing to worry about, ensuring that her lil one's arrival is photographed is often at the top on her list. I asked mom and photographer Jennifer Little, founder of Fort Collins, CO-based Sugar Photography (no relation), to provide us with her best hospital photography tips. She said:

"My husband, Ryan, was able to capture these special moments for us, but he warns of the challenge, 'Playing the role of photographer, husband, father, and in some cases, new father can present huge challenges while trying to capture lasting images of some of the most important moments of your life. Understand that while your emotions will be up and down like a roller coaster, you can still capture those precious moments. In my case, there were times I couldn't even see through the viewfinder due to the swelling of tears, but in between all of the excitement and chaos, you can click away. It is important that the photos not necessarily be perfect, but that they capture your viewpoint of seeing your baby for the first time.' If you are able to hire a professional, do so, because the two of you will be able to [better] focus on your new arrival."

Keep reading for her 10 must-take photo ops in the hospital.