While bags, straps, and lenses are just tools, good ones sure do make a difference during a photography session! So I thought I'd share some of my favorites with you.
One thing I always disliked about my camera strap was that if you didn't want to wear it around your neck like a tourist, you had to somehow balance it on your shoulder or across your chest. It's not the most conducive to being able to take pictures quickly and can be very uncomfortable. Enter the R-Strap! After just one week I loved it so much I had to get a replacement when mine was stolen. It allows me to engage my clients without having to worry about my camera, yet it's always there, ready to shoot! Here's an example of how it works:
If you're not into getting a R-Strap, I just discovered the cutest camera strap slip covers! Yes, there are quite a few businesses out there making something like this, but *Shey*[B] has the best fabrics I've seen, along with some cool add-ons.
Another must have is a good camera bag. I have a Crumpler backpack that fits my laptop and gear, but it's not something I'd want to carry around during a shoot. On goes my Shootsac! This bag can hold all my lenses comfortably along with a flash, extra batteries, granola bar, and more! One of the neat things about it is that it doesn't look like a camera bag. With its replaceable cover, guys and girls can make it fit their style. I have a collection of covers, most of which I made for less than $3 each, though gifts of covers are always appreciated! ;-) I can't go to a session without this bag!
Into my Shootsac goes my newest favorite lens, the Canon 50 1.4. Well, it would if it weren't on my camera most of the time! I got this baby back in May and loved it so much that it was also immediately replaced when the original was stolen. It's fast, light, and incredibly sharp!
Here's a sneak peek from last week's wedding using the 50 1.4. The rest of the pictures will be up as soon as I receive the song for the slideshow that a friend wrote and sang at the wedding.
Update:
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Friday, January 30, 2009
My Necessities
Monday, January 26, 2009
White Boys Can Jump!
I love to laugh. And while I don't consider myself as crazy funny, I find it sad when people take my jokes seriously and miss the point. So in honor of the all fun I had this past weekend, I did what I've always wanted to do and created an animated gif. Wishes for much laughter in your day!
Friday, January 23, 2009
Sterling Hotel & Vizcaya Pavilion Wedding | Liz & Craig
With one wedding last weekend and another tomorrow, I figured I should catch up from my last wedding in 2008. After a wonderful Thanksgiving and a day of shopping, I headed to downtown Sacramento on Saturday afternoon. Lisa Fitts, a cool photographer from Chico, hired me to second shoot at Liz and Craig's wedding. While I missed hanging with the girls during their getting ready time, I had fun being creative with the guys. Craig was so awesome and had planned for us to shoot at the capitol!
Guys, sunglasses are awesome in the groom/groomsmen pictures. Be sure to bring yours along for the big day!
The wedding was held at the grand Sterling Hotel. From there Liz and Craig rode by horse and carriage to the beautiful Vizcaya Pavilion where the tables and food were amazing! Liz did a beautiful job at coordinating fall colors like brown and orange into her decor.
In the bottom left corner of this collage is a special picture. Liz honored her father who had passed away by carrying a picture of him and her mom in a locket attached to her bouquet. As her mother said, Liz's father would be so proud of her.
Sheffield Multimedia did a fabulous job at videoing the wedding, so be sure to check them out for any upcoming events you may have!
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Angela | Just Because
You know that excitement you feel when you meet someone that has many of the same interests as you do? Something like lemonade on a hot summer day or "snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes." It may not be that you have all things in common, but it's the small things, like finding that you both crave toasted coconut on vanilla ice cream, that make all the difference.
While I first met Angela over three years ago, I've had fun getting to know her even better over the past couple of months. We both enjoy photography as a creative outlet, aren't the greatest writers, and like to add a little funk to our style. Last month Angela and I toured around Nevada City photographing the sights and sounds. There was so much to see and do that we quickly ran out of time! I already claimed another couple of days with her on her next trip up. Until then, I thought these pictures from our walk were too cute not to post.
Monday, January 12, 2009
New Year
As I start back into school, I'm excited about this new year! God taught me so much last year, and I'm looking forward to growing even more in 2009. The break gave me time to reorganize my desk and clean my room. Over and over again. Am I the only one with a desk that seems to accumulate papers out of thin air or a room that collects more dust than the moon?
Because there is little time to watch movies during school, my sister and I had a movie marathon. We watched good ol' Bing Crosby in White Christmas as well as some newer movies like Christmas Child, The Ultimate Gift, Radio, The Widow's Might (which just won the $101,000 Best of Film Festival award at the SAICFF!) and Prince Caspian. I think I'll make a little time this semester to also see Pendragon. I've heard the makers did an amazing job that should have taken millions of dollars to do. Once I figure out how to get all my Behemoth movies to my iPod, I'll be good to go!
Be on the look out for some exciting things coming to Lydia Photography! And just because pictures always make posts better, here are some from get togethers with friends.
Daniel tried to get in the picture, but jumped in seconds too late!
Don't you wish you had shoes as goofy as these?
It's going to be a good year!
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
The Breaks of Life
I love breaks! They allow you to step outside normal life for a time to do something different, reevaluate life, and be refreshed. This past weekend my family took a break to go on a mini trip. Part of one day was spent in Bodega Bay, I got to look around the church where a wedding I'm shooting in a couple of weeks will be held, finished up a library book that had been sitting on my dresser, worked out in the hotel's gym, enjoyed the 24/7 coffee bar, bought a much needed 1TB of external hard drive goodness, and was encouraged by friends. By the way, the Hampton Inn in Windsor, California has some of the best staff ever! They're genuine, helpful, and friendly--part of what I'm aspiring to in my business. My camera mostly acted as a drag weight all weekend, so here's pretty much the only two pictures I took.
The best clam chowder in Bodega Bay!
Nearing 11pm after getting back from visiting friends, I'm about to hit the gym. Coffee is a wonderful thing!
