Thanks so much, Melissa!

Good morning all! Happy Friday!

I just “play” around in the “digital darkroom”. In the darkroom, I play with saturation and color balance.

Does that help? Let me know if that doesn’t answer your question.

I recommend fiding a big tree that is shaded, but only lightly shaded. If the shade is too dark, it just won’t work as well. I prefer early morning before the sun is up too high and late evening when the sun is setting…you get “sweeter” light then that is not so bright. If you shoot those times of day you do not have to worry as much about the bright or spotted lighting. You could also have a parent or an assistant hold an umbrella out to provide some shade and take away the light spots.

Ashlee- You need to tell your clients that it is all a matter of lighting. I have always told them upfront either early morning or late evening. They all seem to understand and do not have a problem with this.

I use melancholytron filter from flamingpear.com to vignette my pictures. I use Microsoft Digital Image Site 2006 to edit all my pictures. I do not own PS or anything like that. I really have not time to learn the ends and outs of it and I find my other editing program works well for me. It’s really user friendly!

Audra- I actually just mailed you some info regarding what to wear.

I prefer the simple outfits.

Ligher colors covey innocence. Darker colors give you the feeling of drama.

Outfits that do not distract from the child and ones that will be timeless. Remember: You will be looking at these images for a lifetime!

Dave- I try to view the location at the time of day the shoot is planned and then in my mind plan out where I need the subjects to play, sit, or stand. Also remember, background is important too. You have to look at that also.

I have a subject (son) who is sometimes willing and I take him along to see how the location will photograph.

Dave- also try to use the sun to your advantatge…I prefer to have the subjects back to the sun unless it’s a silhoutte type of shot where it doesn’t really matter if you see the face.

Dave- Did that help?

I use evaluative metering most of the time. If the background is a lot brighter than your subject, the you can use partial metering. Do you use Nikon? I use Canon and that’s what they call the different type of metering modes.

Audra- Back to the clothing….casual is more to my liking because children seem to be more at ease in those types of clothes. I like jeans, simple dresses, skirts, shorts, and khaki pants. I also prefer no shoes, but I know that is not always doable. Shoes many times distract unless you are all dressed up really nice and then it would make more sense to wear the shoes.

Wow! Can’t believe our time is almost up! I will try to do this again soon!

I have several things I do if all else fails…I bring out the bubbles and the suckers. I really have not had children who were just totally uncooperative. I like the parents to get involved…sing songs, talk to them, tell them silly jokes…the children are comfortable with their parents and the parents know what the children like so I like to use the parents to help me out. There are times though that having the parents around is better. These parents usually know this about their child too and they just leave me with them and we just talk and I ask the child what they see in my lens, what they did that day, and what are they going to do later…just things like that. I suppose it helps that I use to be a Pre-K teacher. I totally “understand” that age group.