If your fancy digital camera is still in full auto – just like it was when you first took it out of the box, then Focus is for you! Focus – Get Your Click On is a workshop for the new photographer. You will learn how to get more from your camera, so you can document those important moments in your life.

 
Things We’ll Cover:

• 10 ways to take better pictures of your kids
• Shooting creatively – framing, rule of thirds, creative angles and composing for the best shots
• Introduction to Exposure: aperture, ISO, shutter speed and how they work together
• Using the light to your advantage and avoiding flash
• Using basic shooting modes
• Lens Overview
• Basic image critique with tips on improving those shots
• Image editing overview, backing up and image management software
• Take home assignments that can be added to our Flickr Get Your Click On group, so you can upload and show off your completed assignments for critique

Who Should Take This Class?

This is a beginners workshop that will teach you how to get your camera off the auto setting and on to taking better pictures. You will leave here with a new understanding of your camera’s functions and how to use them, take home assignments to practice what you have learned, a bag of goodies, a fully tummy and a few new friends!

A DSLR is required for this workshop. This workshop is not for people already familiar with their cameras, looking for advanced techniques or people entering into business. Before coming to class, you will need to read your manual and bring it along. This is very important because we will not be covering individual camera functions.

The Details:

The workshop is approximately five hours.  The cost is $135 per person.  Payment in full is due at registration. A light brunch and beverages will be provided.

The workshop will be held at The Lodge at Crandall Park, in Tolland, CT.  The Lodge is a beautiful rustic cabin nestled on a wooded hilltop overlooking a quiet pond.  A picturesque location ready to spark your creativity!

There is a minimum of 10 students. If minimum number of students isn’t met, class will be rescheduled. Workshop location and dates will be announced shortly.

Registration Deadline is February 13th!

Cost: $135.00
Date: Saturday April 7, 2012
Time: 10:00 AM
Location: The Lodge at Crandall Park
124 Cider Mill Road
Tolland, CT

I have been waiting until I was totally sick of the cold to post this maternity session.  I loved everything about this shoot, other than it didn’t last long enough.  We hit the sun just in time before it started to set and the rain came.  The location was just perfect.  I have to thank you, Emily for this one.  Keep ‘em comin’.

This mama-to-be….sigh….so beautiful and funny as ever.  She was a total hoot.  Just picture five girls on a farm, trying to change clothes, at the top of a hill, without getting caught in the act.  Lot’s of laughs for sure.

And thank you girls.  Deanna, Megan and my best reflector holder, Sarah, for helping!  You are all wonderful and make me love my job even more.

Because genuine smiles aren’t as easy to catch once they figure out what you’re up to.

I feel like I haven’t blogged in ages, which would be entirely true.  After a freak snow storm in October, the power was out for a week and my momentum just went to heck, along with pretty much everything else.  It’s tough to stay on track when you get so far behind, but I’m hoping I’m on the upswing for good.

And what better way to start than by blogging these two beauties!

I had the best time photographing these girls…baby slept so soundly and little sister was such a little mother.  I couldn’t have asked for a better outcome.

Thanks, Mom & Dad, for sharing them with me for a few hours.

In the midst of the fall rush, I was invited to a collaboration of creative minds at an incredibly awesome location and this is one of the many shots that resulted.  This place was crazy fun and I wish I could tell you more, but it’s also a super secret spot.   I would love to post all of them, but they will have to wait for now.  Unfortunately, work doesn’t wait.

Thank you Hillary Hunt for your incredible talent with makeup for this shoot and thank you Craig, for bringing me along.  And Liz, you rock!  You are very talented and I can’t wait to work with you again.

This year we will be hosting The Fall Mini Event at Northwest Park in Windsor, CT on Saturday, October 29th. This is an exclusive event for the next 24 hours only. There are only five two appointments left. This event will only be held one time this year, so don’t delay in reserving your spot.

This is the perfect mini for those that are interested in digital files for self printing Christmas cards and gift prints for the holidays.

You may choose from 1 of 4 mini collections Priced at $200 – session included:

A: 1 High Res. Digital File
2 – 5×7 Gift Prints

B: 2 – 8×10 Gift Prints
1 – 5×7 Gift Print
8 Wallets

C: 1 – 11×14 Wall Mounted Portrait
2 – 5×7 Gift Prints

Or you may choose 1 of 2 full collections – session included

A1: 5 High Resolution Digital Images on disk with photographer’s release and 20% off any
additional prints. $350

A2: All of the above, as well as, 25 custom holiday cards, 2 – 8×10′s, 5 – 5×7′s and 20% off any
additional prints. $500

Prices do not include tax or shipping. A $75.00 non-refundable deposit is required at the time of booking and final payment is due two days prior to your mini session. Please call or email halliewestcott@gmail.com to reserve your appointment.

So what have you been shooting this past week?

I laughed so hard as soon as I saw this image…he looks like he’s going to take a bite of his pet turtle, Lucy.    Fortunately, he only prefers the caramel variety.

I’m glad to be back posting 50mm Friday, since it’s been a while.  We lost power after hurricane Irene and after not having any computer access for a week, my work really piled up.  But I’m back on track….I think.

Elissa is a dancer and she needed headshots taken for auditions.   Usually it takes someone a good 20 minutes to find their groove and warm up to the camera, but not this girl.  She was comfortable from moment one, and if she wasn’t, it sure didn’t show.  We had a great time and the resulting images are some of my favorites.

Thanks, Elissa!  I wish you great success!