behind the lens

Sweet Pics

noreply@blogger.com (Susan Kalergis Photography) — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 02:27:00 +0000

I first met Anita Gupta of Maliha Creations last year at a wedding vendor's event. We hit it off immediately and she made this fantastic cake for my daughter's 3rd birthday.

Today, I spent the afternoon photographing her amazing cakes and captured some fun shots of her at work in the kitchen. I can still smell the sweet buttercream!

Artists on both sides of the camera

noreply@blogger.com (Susan Kalergis Photography) — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 16:39:00 +0000

I've been taking art lessons from Malcolm Hughes, a wonderful local artist here in Charlottesville. Not only is he a wonderful teacher, but so much fun to spend time with. Last class, he got to be the pupil. I taught him some basics of photography (he's a natural!) and caught some inspiring shots of him at work.

And our version of "The Joy of Painting" with Bob Ross....

A moment with the artist from Susan Kalergis on Vimeo.

What a cutie!

noreply@blogger.com (Susan Kalergis Photography) — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 22:49:00 +0000

Critique Me!

noreply@blogger.com (Susan Kalergis Photography) — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 13:10:00 +0000

I am always happy to hear from past clients. Please feel free to review my services at

Review Susan Kalergis Photography at WeddingWire

AWOL from the family album?

noreply@blogger.com (Susan Kalergis Photography) — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 16:08:00 +0000

Stop ducking out of the family photo. I recently saw an article in Parents magazine that provided some great tips, which I've added to below. Follow these to always look your best whether a novice or professional is taking your photo.

Tip 1: Look spontaneous

Be looking down and then look up right before the picture is taken. This obviously has to be done with a photographer who can coordinate the timing.

Tip 2: Don’t loom over the camera

No one looks good with the point of focus up his or her nostrils. You ask, “Why would I ever let someone take a photo of me from that angle”? When the person pointing the camera at you is your 3’ tall child, it happens more often than you would think. Hurry and sit down when you find yourself in this situation.

Tip 3: Strike a (three-quarter) pose

Have you ever noticed that most celebrities are turned slightly in photos? Follow their lead. This pose slims your silhouette and flatters your face.

Tip 4: Face slightly down, eyes up

A slightly down-turned chin with eyes looking upward can be very flattering – but it takes experimenting to get this right. You can actually create a double chin if you dip your head too much.

Tip 5: Take your mom’s advice: stand or sit up straight

Natural poses are my favorite, but sometimes they need a little “posing”. If you are sitting with your feet up on a table, put them on the floor and sit up straight. Standing up? Roll your shoulders back, lift the crown of your head up (chin still pointing down) and flex your core muscles. You can still get that candid shot by not looking at the camera, but at least all of those floppy parts fall into place when you follow your mom’s advice.

Tip 6: Wear flattering clothes

And you are saying to yourself, “of course”? Well sometimes we get dressed with the sole purpose of being comfortable. However, if you are going somewhere you know photos are going to be taken, take extra care in picking out that outfit. Avoid large patterns and stripes. Wear tailored clothes and as a rule, don’t wear anything sleeveless. If it is too hot for sleeves, try the hand-on-hip pose.

Tip 7: Don’t drink red wine

If you are at a party where there is someone snapping photos, do not drink red wine. You end up with teeth that all look gray and rotten with crusty red wine lines on your lips if you are REALLY enjoying yourself!

2009 Wedding Recap

noreply@blogger.com (Susan Kalergis Photography) — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 18:44:00 +0000

We've got about 2.5 feet of snow and there is still more coming down - I figure this is a perfect time to do a wedding recap from this year.

There are so many great photos, I am just posting a few of my favorites. Thank you to all the brides and grooms who picked me to document their special day. Please visit sbkphoto.com for more. Enjoy!

Engagement Portrait: Rachel & Herman

Becca & Dave

Location: Pollak Vineyards; Flowers: Beehive Events; Catering: A Pimento

Bridal Portrait: Kammie

Kammie & Jon

Location: Ash Lawn

Laura & Charles

Location: Greencroft

Bridal Portrait: Maria

Maria & Paul

Shelly & Spencer

Location: Ash Lawn; Catering: Beggers Banquet

Spring & Mike

Location: Sweely Estate Winery

Point and shoot versus SLR, which is the one for me?

noreply@blogger.com (Susan Kalergis Photography) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:27:00 +0000

As a professional photographer many people come to me for advice on what digital camera is good for them. I love to help all aspiring photographers so I have put together this checklist to determine which camera is good for you. (Full disclosure - I am a Canon user, so of course I am going to recommend Canon.)

Ask yourself the following

I want the camera to do all the thinking for me. (Point-and-shoot cameras automatically select the aperture and shutter speed.)
I want a compact camera
As long as the photo is exposed right, I am happy
My budget is somewhere around $300

Did you answer yes to most of these? Then a Point & Shoot is good for you (see Point and shoot section below). Need more from a camera? Keep reading.

I like the challenge of the manual mode – figuring out the light and exposure for creative control in creating the final image.
I shoot a lot of photos indoors or in low lighting and don’t always want that “flash” look
I am willing to carry a large camera (and possibly multiple lens and external flash)
I want the camera to take the photo when I push the button, no shutter lag
I am willing to take a course or read some books
Photography is worth an investment to me

Did you answer yest to most of the above? Then a SLR is the way to go (see sectionon SLR below).

So, you chose a Point and Shoot – I recommend a Canon PowerShot SD790 IS.

There are several key features you want to look for when shopping for a point and shoot, and this top-rated camera has all of them:

IS (Image Stabilization): When the light is low, the camera uses a slower shutter speed. This results in a longer exposure, which means that the camera lens is kept open longer. The longer the lens is open, the more likely that there will be some noticeable camera movement. It also compensates for camera shake, when you just can’t keep your hand still enough to get that shot.
Aperture: This camera is f/2.8-4.9. It is important to get a camera that has the ability to shoot at a large aperture. Hint: the smaller the” f/#” = larger aperture = more ability to shoot in low light situations and creating depth in your image (blurry background).
DIGIC 4 image processor: Claims to improve image quality as well as speed.

A downfall, that seems unavoidable in new point and shoots is unnecessary megapixels.

12 Megapixels: A megapixel is one million tiny colored dots in a photo. It seems logical that more megapixels would mean a sharper photo. In truth, though, it could just mean a terrible photo made of more dots. It does help, however, if you want the ability to crop in on images while keeping the resolution high enough to print. 7 Megapixels is plenty, but it is hard to find a new camera that offers less than 10 Megapixels without losing some of the other important functions I mention above. Let me know if I am wrong!

Your choice was an SLR. I recommend the EOS Rebel XS with 18-55IS lens.
I shoot with the new Canon 5D Mark II and love it, but there is no reason for a beginner photographer to make such a hefty investment. Starting out, the EOS Rebel XS will have all the creative controls you need. Where you do make the investment down the road is buying quality lenses.

Benefits:

Shooting manual: The main reason for choosing an SLR is the ability to shoot manually. For example, a point and shoot in automatic would be confused in this situation, exposing for the bright light and giving you a silhouetted subject. Using the manual mode on an SLR you can compensate for the exposure, using the back-light to your advantage for creative effects.
Interchangeable lenses and other accessories: Unlike a point and shoot, the aperture can be changed with the lens. This camera comes with a 18-55mm F/3.5-5.6 IS lens. This is a good lens to start off with. Even thought the aperture doesn’t go as large as that on the point and shoot mentioned above, the camera has a better image sensors, processor, etc, which improves your end product. You can invest in faster lenses as you learn more about photography and determine your needs.
Shutter speeds: The SLR camera offers a wide choice of shutter speeds. Use a fast shutter speed to freeze action. Use a slow shutter speed to capture an image in very low light or for artistic effect; for example, to exaggerate running water or to interpret motion poetically.
10 Megapixels is plenty: The reason a SLR will give better pictures is not because it has more mega pixels. It's because the SLR has a larger, better sensor, better lenses, and better image processor. You could compare a 8MP SLR to a 8MP point and shoot and see a big difference in quality of images. Because the DSLR offers more, even with the same mega pixels, you still see a difference is sharpness, contrast, and color saturation.
DIGIC III Image Processor: Improving quality and speed

This entry is intended for the beginner photographer, so I am trying to just give the “nuts and bolts”. There is so much more that can make a good camera right for you. Let me know if you have any questions or comments by responding here, or emailing me personally.

Zenfolio Online Albums

noreply@blogger.com (Susan Kalergis Photography) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 16:33:00 +0000

With all photography packages, I offer an online album at no extra cost along with the prints and DVD. The platform I have been using for years now is Zenfolio.com. I won’t go into all of the details as to why it is fabulous from my perspective as a photographer, but I will tell you the benefits as a customer.

User interface
Big, Beautiful and Easy. The albums have a clean design (no distracting ads) with the ability to view the images full screen. Straight forward buttons make it easy for the viewer to take the next step – whether it be sharing, ordering, or saving.

Sharing
Show anyone your photos instantly. Once I send you the link to the slideshow with a password, you can email that link along to friends and family, embed the slideshow onto your webpage, blog, or share it on social networking sites such as Facebook, Flickr, and Twitter.

Ordering
Let them do it themselves! One of the greatest benefits about these online albums is that you are no longer responsible for ordering prints for friends and family or keeping track of who wants what. Just send them the link and they can do it themselves. The photographer sets the price for the prints on Zenfolio. I keep mine in-line with what you would see at Kodak or one of your local printers, that way people aren’t discouraged from purchasing.

And we aren’t just talking prints – you can make your very own postage stamps, mugs, t-shirts, etc.

Test drive a sample album. Visit the client page on my website and choose the link "Online Album (Zenfolio) Sample".

Zenfolio is also great for personal use. If you want to start your own account, use this code QQN-MB5-Q98 for a discount.

Scouting for photography

noreply@blogger.com (Susan Kalergis Photography) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 03:54:00 +0000

Photography gives me a sense of gratification and joy. It is not only the opportunity to be creative and use my artistic talent, but the chance to explore the outdoors while spending time with my family.

On this beautiful fall day my husband, daughters, dogs and I walked the scenic grounds of Bundoran Farm while doing location scouting for an upcoming portrait session. I often bring a flip camera so I can add it to my database of possibilities for location photography.

Location scouting allows me to predetermine the top places for photos at that location as well as judge where the sun will be at the time of the shoot. Even if I am familiar with the property, I often swing by as conditions change throughout the year. But maybe its just an excuse to spend time in the beautiful outdoors!

Location Scouting from Susan Kalergis on Vimeo.

Best Scenario

noreply@blogger.com (Susan Kalergis Photography) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 19:00:00 +0000

Infants are always a pleasure to photograph. You can mold them into about any position you want and they stay there. Too bad for this one, she is mine and will be molded many more times to come!

Best times to photograph your newborn is from 1 week to about 6 weeks. Once they are alert they start protesting a little more - but that doesn't mean I still can't capture some priceless moments.

When it all comes together

noreply@blogger.com (Susan Kalergis Photography) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 02:40:00 +0000

Today was the perfect day for a fall portrait and I happen to know the perfect location. Bundoran Farm, on the south side of town, has a gorgeous backdrop of golds and yellows at the edge of wide-open rolling hills. And not only were my clients very photogenic, the absolutely joyful personality of their daughter made this session all that more enjoyable. I am hoping to get a few more fall portraits in before the leaves drop...3 days? 4 days?