How To Take Epic Mobile Photos

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how-to-take-an-Epic-mobile-picture

The built-in cameras in today’s mobile phones can take stunning photos and turn average shots into professional-looking images with the tap of a finger. Enjoy these quick tips for enhancing your mobile photography skills.

These tips specifically reference the iPhone built-in camera app. The Android camera app has similar features.

 

Bring the background closer to you.

Zoom in on while stepping back. The background will appear closer to the subject in the image.

change-camera-settings

Change your iPhone camera settings-

Turn on ‘Most Compatible‘ to reduce the file compression of your images, which will keep them sharper and crisper.

 

Turn on ‘HDR‘. This will ensure everything in your photo is evenly exposed, allowing you to see everything in your image.

 

 

use-burst-mode-to-capture-movement

Capture movement and find the perfect shot by using burst mode. 

Press the shutter button and drag it to the left. This will activate burst mode. Once you capture all the movement, you will go in your camera roll > find the burst> and scroll through until you find your favorite shot.

 

 

copy+paste into messages

Copy + Paste a subject out of an iPhone photo and into a message.

Simply hold your finger down on the subject you want to copy out > press copy > then paste in any message.

 

Remember to print!

Today’s mobile photos have very high image quality – meaning they make great-looking prints. Recent phone model cameras can produce print sizes 16×20″ and larger!

Film Photography Best Practices! 

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Film Photography Best Practices!

Learn how to enhance your skills!

Film Photography is about having fun, finding your style, and making mistakes here and there. Getting started can be daunting but here are a few best practices that will make shooting film a bit easier.

 

camera-equipment

 

A good photo is not the camera but the person behind the lens. Don’t put all your focus on purchasing the most expensive camera. Instead, choose a camera that fits within your budget. And if you do want to upgrade your equipment, invest in quality lenses rather than the camera itself.

 

 

 

meter-the-lightMetering the light is a critical part when shooting film. Film cameras are not automated and require manual input of your functions. Metering your light will ensure your pictures come out as you intended them. You can even download apps on your smartphone to help you achieve this.

 

 

 

 

have fun with itShooting film can be very intimidating. The more practice you get out there, the better your images will be. Enjoy finding your style, techniques and learning from mistakes. You never know; those “mishaps” can create an outstanding image.

 

 

 

 

process with local expertWith film photography, there are many layers to taking a beautiful photo. The type of film you use will have diverse developing processes creating a vastly different look to your photo. Trust in your local lab to scan, process, and provide excellent results.

 

 

 

 

Have specific questions about your film? We’re happy to help! Stop in or give us a call.

 

Tips for selecting the perfect Wall Art for any space!

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The right imagery and materials can turn your space into a conversation-starting environment in no time! Here are some tips for selecting the right décor solutions for any environment.
PRO TIP: Mix complementary media like framed prints, canvas, and metal for an eclectic and varied aesthetic!

Canvas = Classic
  • Printed on artist-grade cotton canvas media
  • Finished for durability and longevity
  • Lightweight and ready-to-hang (No need for framing.)
  • Dozens of size options
  • Ideal for a traditional home or office setting

 

 

 

 

 

Metal Prints = Impact
  • Your image is sublimated onto sturdy brushed aluminum
  • Images look vibrant, bold, and sharp
  • Dozens of size options
  • Ideal for a contemporary home, a commercial location, or modern office setting

 

 

 

 

 

Wood Prints = Natural
  • Your image is printed directly on a natural wood panel
  • Photos look sharp, yet soft and natural
  • Woodgrain shows through the lighter areas of the image
  • Ideal for a shabby chic or farmhouse styled space

 

 

 

 

 

Acrylic Prints = Pizzazz!
  • Your image is flush-mounted underneath a clear piece of acrylic
  • Images look bright, dimensional, and sharp
  • Extremely durable and easy to clean
  • Ideal in a contemporary home or a commercial space

Archiving Best Practices

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Does this sound familiar? “I have photos on a bunch of old CDs, thumb drives, external hard drives, in albums and then there is my Dropbox, Google Photos, and maybe I’ve backed up to iCloud…help, I am overwhelmed!” Before you can start to organize your photos, you have to get them ALL into one place. During week one we will focus on gathering your photos.
Even if you aren’t ready to physically gather them, making a list is a useful first step, and you’ll be more prepared when the time is right to embark on the organizing.

Locate all your photos, slides + videos.
Let’s start with a list of all the places you are storing your printed photos and slides. Include photo albums, framed photos, photos in drawers or boxes or closets, or even storage units. A written list of locations will serve as a checklist when you gather them.
Make a list of all the places you have digital photos. Include old phones, computers, memory cards, and CDs/DVDs. Add usernames and passwords to photo websites where you’ve uploaded pictures.
Home movies should be part of what you’re saving! Make a list of the types you have (Super 8, VHS tapes, camcorder tapes, etc.) so you can make a plan for converting them to digital.

Ask family members!
Get the family involved in tracking down your photos. Ask relatives where their photos are and make a plan to include them in your photo organizing project.
Estimate.
How many photos do you have: 10,000 or 100,000? Knowing the number helps you plan the scope of the project. A shoebox = 600 – 800 photos; 1 GB = about 560 JPGS; the average photo album = 200 photos.
Be selective. Keep only the best of the best!
Are you finding lots of duplicates as you go through your photos? Toss or delete doubles, blurry shots, and most scenery-only photos. Edit your collection down to a manageable size! You may end up getting rid of 50% or more.
 

Plan for the digitizing process.
You’ve found your photos, but now what? You need a plan. This week, we’ll explore creating a photo legacy by understanding what’s most important to you. What are your photo goals and what would success look like? Then strategize a plan to digitize and back up your photos.
Even if you’re not ready to do the actual organizing, thinking through these decisions about your photo legacy means you’ll be prepared whenever the time is right to start.
Digitize + Back up
The best backup for your printed photos is to scan them by sending them to a trusted local archiving expert. Don’t risk loss, damage or theft of your precious memories by sending them away to a big box online service.
 

Next Steps
You’ve found your photos, have a plan, and know the stories. Now it’s time to share. The options for printing photos are endless, from framed prints and photo gifts to photo books. Online galleries make it easy to share digitally. Look for ideas to bring your photos back to life by getting them into your everyday life.
Even without starting to organize your whole collection, it’s easy to bring photos back into your life…choose recent favorites from your phone and get creative!
Plan ahead for holiday giving
Get a head start on your gift planning. Digitized family moments is an excellent gift idea for anyone in your family. Surprise family members with a digitized collection of memorabilia!

Concierge Archiving Services

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If you love a good project and tackling that cluttered photo closet (or desktop computer) doesn’t scare you – go ahead and dive right in! After all, you have a personal connection to all those memories and you know exactly what you want to keep or toss. Here are a few Pro Tips for those of you who are managing a photo organizing project on your own:

 

 

 

 

Begin by sorting based on subject, event, or date. Choose a categorizing method that makes the most sense for you. Think ahead to how you and your family will want to access these memories in the future. If you’re working with printed photos – make piles or use small bins. If you’re organizing digital files – create folders and name them based on your preferred sorting method.

Toss or delete multiple or redundant images from the same event. After all, do you really need to keep 26 images from little Chloe’s birthday party? Also, eliminate duplicates or poor quality shots where the lighting or subject matter isn’t up to par. The goal here, is to refine your photo collection to only the “best of the best” images/photos.

Decide what you want to do with the physical photos and memorabilia long term. Do you simply want your photo closet more organized? Do you want to digitize all of your printed photographs? Do you want to make photo books for family members? Knowing your end goal, will help you make decisions on how to complete your project.

 

Let the local expert do the heavy lifting

Sure, you could scan your family photographs one by one on a home scanner, but do you really want to give up your weekends for the next 6 months?

Trusted local photo experts (like us), have the equipment, training, and professional experience to manage this portion of the project for you. We’ll carefully digitize, color correct and save your printed memories as digital files. Once your memories are in a digital format – you have countless ways to share them with family members and make fun photo creations with them.

PRO TIP: Determine which family members would like a copy of your digital files – not only today but also in the future. It’s easiest and most affordable to order multiple copies of your files at the time of digitizing. Think about your children, your siblings, your parents, etc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hiring a Professional

If a project like this just isn’t for you or if you’re managing an extreme amount of memorabilia – then you may want to consider hiring a professional to help sort, name, and organize the items. Our archiving team can help you get started and advise you on the best way to approach your project. We also have relationships with local professional organizers and archivists who can assist as well.

Creatively Cute Wedding Gifts + Keepsakes

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Creatively Cute Wedding Gifts + Keepsakes

Make your day unique and personal!

Photos can make your wedding day more personal and after the event, they can live on for years after! Here are some creative ways to bring photography to your celebration and beyond!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please, please, please – don’t let those gorgeous professional photographs sit on your computer gathering dust. Select a few favorites and get them up on the walls of your home as canvas prints, framed decor or even a gallery wall with multiple shots.

 

 

 

 

Of course, the bride and groom will want a wedding album filled with images and snapshots from the celebration, but professional photo books are also a great gift for parents, grandparents and the wedding party!

 

 

 

 

Trendy personalized gifts are always a favorite at any wedding! Bring us your ideas and we will help you design a special gift for your guests or wedding party.

 

 

 

Gift this adorably cute heart collage to the newly engaged couple. Gather images from their social media and surprise them with the perfect engagement gift.

 

Need help on a project like this?

Join us in the design process while we create the perfect solutions for your day. Choose from hundreds of ideas for gift giving and personal storytelling. Here are just a few…

– Save the Date Cards + Magnets

– Announcements + Thank You Notes

– Guest Book

– Personalized Bridal Party Gifts

– Custom Keepsakes

– Imagery + Reception Décor

– Video Productions + Slideshows

– Prints + Memorabilia (from your wedding day photos)

– Photo Books (for yourself, the bridal party + your parents)

– Home Decor (showcasing your professional photographs)

– Passport Photos (for the honeymoon)

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