Visiting San Diego was genuinely one of the most incredible experiences I have ever had. Here is a video of the highlights! I’d love to hear what you think! Enjoy!
∆ Abbi
Music: bensound.com
San Diego 2018 Video
A Different Perspective - Part 2
A few weeks ago, I discussed how my brother encouraged me to change my lens when I was feeling uninspired. This week, I'll show how a literal change in perspective can provide an opportunity to tell a story.
Before I start, I would like to thank McKenize for being my model for this demonstration!
Below, I have four photos shown. Each photo is closer to my subject than the last, as you can see.
In the first two photos, she is far away which shows how small she is compared to her surroundings. I think this effect can be really cool, however, the photos on their own might not make sense because you can't really see her face. This can be really interesting if pieced together in a story!
The last two photos allow you to see her personality and mood, but the surroundings become more compromised.
That is why I think it's so important to capture a diverse set of photos. If you're a photographer, don't be afraid to experiment with angles and the distances of your subject. You never know what will give you an unbelievable shot!
To me, photography isn't just about getting a picture, it's about knowing your subject and pulling a story out of them.
∆ Abbi
How To Choose a Photographer
The occasion is coming: A wedding, your kid's senior portraits, a new baby, or even capturing photos of your furry friend. Whatever the event might be, you need a photographer.
"But there are so many photographers out there, how in the heck am I supposed to choose one?"
Don't worry! You can narrow it down. There are a few major things you need to take into consideration when choosing a photographer for your special event. The three categories I will talk about will be your budget, the photographer's style, and your compatibility with the photographer. All three of these things (in my opinion) are crucial to having a great experience when it comes to hiring a photographer.
Budget
Obviously, the budget is important to you as a consumer. You will be the one paying for the service, so having a budget range in mind is crucial when searching around for a photographer. Make sure you are honest with your photographer when it comes to your budget, because many of us will do what we can to work with you. Some photographers offer their pricing on their website, but some don't. If you like a photographer's work, but they don't list their prices or you have questions about it, don't be afraid to reach out to them!
Photographer's Style
Every photographer is different, which means every photographer will shoot and edit their images differently. Keep their style in mind and picture yourself in their shots. When you go to their websites, ask yourself some questions. Do you like the color of their photographs? Are their photos consistent? Do you like the composition? How does the photographer's work make you feel? Can you imagine yourself in these pictures? How would these pictures look on your wall?
Compatibility
Lastly, you need to be able to get along well with your photographer. Everyone has a different personality and you need to make sure your photographer will be somebody you actually want to work with. If you don't like your photographer, it possible that it could show in the images. Plus, you could leave feeling like it wasn't worth it. When you talk to a potential photographer on the phone or meet up with them in person, make sure they make you feel comfortable and at ease. Again, if you feel uneasy or confused, it could show in your photographs. A good photographer will know how to give you not only great photos, but a great experience as well.
What I'm trying to say is, do what feels right. Don't stress out too much and trust your photographer! Making photographs should be fun for both parties!
∆ Abbi
The Journey Itself Is Home
There's a quote from the Japanese poet, Matsuo Basho, that goes, "Every day is a journey, and the journey itself is home." This quote resonates with me a lot because I think it's so important to enjoy your journey just as much as the destination.
If you read my first blog post, you will remember me talking about my kiddie-handled Fischer Price camera that I had when I was a little kid. I loved taking photos with it. I had all kinds of ideas about what I wanted to take pictures of.
That being said, though, I didn't have experience, the proper equipment, or the education to understand how to achieve these ideas in real life. I was only seven years old after all.
It was disappointing. It seemed so easy in my imagination.
If you look at these two images below, you will see one with terrible lighting and bad composition. The other image has more artistic lighting, a more interesting composition and no distractions. These pictures were taken about 16 years apart.
When I was at work last week, I was thinking about my photography journey and how far I've come. I was thinking about how much I can't wait to continue improving, and that's when it hit me: If you are pursuing your passion, even if you haven't reached all of your goals yet, you are already living the dream.
People, including myself, get caught up in all these things they want RIGHT NOW, yet they forget that getting to the destination is half (or more than half) of the experience. Love your journey, trust your journey and enjoy every minute of working toward your goals. Once you reach your goals, you will have wished that you had taken more time enjoying the process.
It's not too late to start living your dream.
∆ Abbi
A Different Perspective - Part 1
It's a photographer's job to capture moments in a way that captivates us and holds our attention. Achieving that goal isn't always easy. Actually, it's rarely easy. A lot of thought and inspiration goes into a great photograph (and sometimes a hint of luck), but many times you lose your inspiration.
This has happened to me countless times, both in photography and my personal life. Most recently, I got into such a funk when I was on vacation in San Diego. I didn't think I was taking very good photos because I felt uninspired. I didn't have any ideas about what I wanted to capture. My brother, Casey, told me to switch my lens. I was reluctant to do this because I was sure that I would capture better shots with my longer lens. Regardless, I did what he said and switched to a wider lens.
I looked through the viewfinder and almost immediately, I had a vision of the images I wanted to create, and all I did was change my lens.
We all will experience many ruts in our lives. They're unavoidable sometimes. If you find that you are in a rut, try changing your perspective. If the big picture is stressing you out, focus on the smaller, easier steps. If the many little steps are pressuring you, step back and look at the big picture.
You can always get out of a rut. Maybe all you need to do is change your lens.
∆ Abbi
