Why I am obsessed with my iPhone and you could be too! 

I confess that I am addicted to my iPhone.  I like to have it with me at all times. Leaving it at home (which I have done on occasion),  makes me feel as though I am missing a body part! I sleep with it, eat with it and use it all day long!
It really amazes me that this little device is so powerful and so useful. This small phone/camera/GPS, etc. does just about everything but paint your house and cook your meals (although you can use it to find a painter or a cook!). I play Scrabble on my iPhone, (having logged in well over 1000 games}. I use the GPS and am always using it to find information. (Do you know how flea markets got their names? Use your Smart phone to find out)
I take a lot of photos on my iPhone and use some very cool apps to develop them.
This photo was shot and developed on my iPhone. You can see the actual print at the Red River Exhibition Photo Salon! http://www.redriverex.com/competitions/photo-contest/

I

I combined these 2 images to create the one above.

Amazing isn’t it?
All on my iPhone!
The world at my fingertips. And if fits in the palm on my hand!
This is one addiction that I love!

Here are some photo tips to improve your iPhone photography:

• Use a camera app called Camera+ instead of the camera that comes with your iPhone. With Camera+, it won’t take the picture until you hold the camera still.
• My favorite apps for developing photos are Snapseed, DynamicLight and DistressedFX. Play with your photos. It’s the only way your photography will improve.
• Take an iPhone photography course given by Alexandra Morrison. https://plus.google.com/+alexandramorrison/posts/HEW35QhuSU4. I don’t know when she’s doing another course, but I’ve learned a lot from her.

Let me know if you have any questions re:iPhone Photography.

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Questions to ask your family photographer

There are many options out there for choosing a family photographer. On Groupon alone, you can pick from  9 different businesses. The prices for Groupon photographers vary from $29 to $69 and the deals include receiving a few prints, to receiving a DVD of up to 20 high resolution digital images. I like a deal as much as the next person, but I wonder about businesses can offer a deal that is costing them money. If you are spending the time to get your family together to get professionals photos taken, don’t you want a great product?

Here are some suggestions for what to ask and what to look for when considering hiring a photographer:

• Take a look at the image that they are using to advertise their deal. (People should not have green faces and their faces should not be hidden in shadow ) Look at their website and see if you like what they have to offer.
• Ask how long they have been in business. (I’ve been in business for 8 years.)
• What kind of photography do they specialize in? Do they have experience in that area? For example, if they are photographing children, have they had experience with them? (I was an early years teacher for over 30 years.)
• Is there a policy for rescheduling in case of inclement weather? (I will reschedule an appointment with up to an hour’s notice if the weather is bad.)
• Are digital images available for purchase? (I offer high resolution digital images).
• Do you know anyone else who has used this person? Word of mouth is huge in finding a great photographer.)

I know it’s a lot of work to get your family ready for a photo session. You don’t want it to be a waste of your time.
Let me know if you are interested in purchasing my Groupon. I will do the session for the Groupon price of $55.

Please note that Groupons cannot be used for newborn sessions as those sessions take up to 4 hours to photograph.

Here’s my current deal:

https://www.groupon.com/deals/chris-mcwilliams-photography-1

Here’s a past deal:

Summer is here. Email me at chrismcwilliamsphotography@gmail.com to book your session. Do it now!

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Landscape Photography Tips: Victoria Beach! 

We  have the most beautiful lakes and beaches in Manitoba and I was lucky to have spent a recent weekend at Victoria Beach. I had been there before but never for more than an afternoon. I love the rocks and the beaches but was especially struck by the gnarly trees in one spot and the high cliffs with faraway views. Here are a couple of my favorites:

Tips for taking better landscape photos:

• Watch the light. If you can, take your pictures either right after sunrise, or before sunset.
• Look at other photographer’s work online.
• Learn the rules of composition; like rule of thirds  http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/2012/06/12/rule-of-thirds-use-it-and-break-it-with-confidence/and framing http://www.photographyblogger.net/framing/
• Most importantly, take a photography course or join a community of photographers. There are a lot of them in Winnipeg but I would suggest the manitobacameraclub.ca, as that’s the one that I belong to and I’ve learned a lot from them!
• Then practice, practice, practice. Take a ton of photographs
• Have fun doing it!

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But is it summer?

It’s hard to believe that it’s almost the end of June; that the longest day of the year is here.  Our summer days have been few and far between. I don’t think I’ve ever had to reschedule as many sessions as I have in the last month. And it just seems to be continuing that way.
I love shooting outside. I love natural backdrops but sometimes the weather does not cooperate. I will reschedule at an hour’s notice if need be. Sometimes rescheduling is not an option. I know what that’s like. You’ve finally got the whole family to agree to a day and time and you got them all to wear matching colours and then it starts to rain. Rescheduling would be difficult.
There are some options for indoor photos. We can use my studio but the space is limited to about 6 people. I often use the Legislative building. It’s free and doesn’t need to be booked ahead of time. There are many spots that make great backdrops for family photos. And then, if it is possible to go outside, the grounds are lovely! I have also done a few sessions inside at the Forks, both in the Inn at the Forks and inside the Forks Market. It’s a great alternative if it isn’t a busy weekend.

We can make it work. It isn’t the same as being outside, but we can make some beautiful photographs!

This was taken inside at The Ledge.

Taken inside The Inn at the Forks.

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Summer Deal

My next website coupon deal is for 50% off prints, including the shipping fee. The coupon code is “summerdeal.” It is valid until July 7th, so don’t delay using it. Please note that this offer is good for prints bought from my website only.
Let me know if you have any questions.

I book about a month in advance, so let me know if you are interested in updating your family photo.

Remember “summerdeal.”  Use it now.

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And Finally

I found this poem some time ago. I’ve never heard of Erin Hanson, the poet, but his words ring true.You can tell a lot about a person by the photos they have displayed. What photos are displayed at your house? Are they recent? Is it time to update them?

Yours in photography,
Christina

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