1st blog birthday guest blogger : ailynne

continuing my first year blog birthday celebration, i am excited to have lined up a few Houston fabulous bloggers that i admire and truly find inspiration in their own blogs and creative work.

first up is my niece, ailynne, who have been my go-to source for photography tips and shopping deals. i'm sure she can tell you how much i harass her via emails for queries and clarifications whenever i'm ready to upload photos or simply processing them. seriously, i dont know how she does it. she's a mommy to two darling little boys, a fulltime school teacher and part-time photographer accepting portrait sessions and covering local parties/events on weekends!

she's here today guest blogging to share photography tips you can apply when you want to capture those special moments and occasions on your own! do take notes!

My how one year goes by! I just love how this site always inspires me with new ideas, not only for planning events but also for getting ideas of photos I want to capture. Thank you Lili for letting me share some of my photo tips with your fans! I hope these suggestions help you photograph your swanky chic fete!

1) Have other photographers on hand! You will be too busy!  So tell your guests to be photographers for the day (or hire a photographer)! I just love how my sister captured this shot of my son during his third birthday.

2) Plan ahead of time so that  important display tables are located across a window for that perfect lighting! If you have a hard time deciding if you have enough lighting, take your camera phone and snap a test shot. The setting for this shot (you've seen this before) had windows all over. Lighting was perfect!

My back is against the window when I shot this centerpiece.

3) Take those important shots (the birthday celebrant or family shots) early. The decor will still be in place and most everyone will still be cooperative.  The following shots were taken before guests arrived.

4) Capture the details! 

5) Most toddlers won't look at your lens but they do love it when you are making funny faces. If you want that shot where the toddler is looking into the lens,  practice getting your subject in the frame and before you shoot, move your face from behind the camera and let them see your face!  Whenever I take portraits of families, I also tell the adults to follow me with their eyes as I am moving around taking the young child's lead. 

Just a little technical

If you like the blur in the background set your aperture setting from 1.8 to 2.8.

 For group shots, set to atleast 2.8. 

For editing, try this site PIXLR. If you have an image with a lot of noise (that grainy look) you can get rid of it on this site! Go to filter and then denoise.

Enjoy partying! Thanks again for letting me be your guest! 

thank you ailynne for all the valuable tips you have shared with us! i have been playing with my camera for awhile now but i have not decently used it to it's full potential. thanks to your post, i can't wait to try it out once more!

AILYNNE ABARADO PHOTOGRAPHY
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