Lights. Trees. Action!

I recently upgraded my favorite camera to a full frame. I am so excited for the capabilities in low light situations.  I feel like it opens up a whole new whole for me. So I busted it out of my pretty boring case (hint, hint to hubby: would love a cute camera bag), and rounded up the kids for some dramatic tree shots.
I thought I would share some tricks in case some of you want to try the same at home...

First, plug in your tree and turn out all of the other lights.

Next, plant an exciting ornament on the side of the tree. Maybe one from the top that the kids don't get to see normally.

Then, have the your child stand facing the tree. You need the light of the tree to light up their sweet little faces. (You will be shooting head on so they should be on one side of the tree)

Try to resist the urge to tell them to smile. Let them check out the tree and be themselves. Tell them to look at the ornament you planted. Tell them to touch it. Let them hang one...snap, snap, snap.

Do NOT use a flash!

In the photos here, I actually planted a Flashlight Friend stuffed animal in the tree. This provided more light on their faces. You can use a small flashlight too.

In the photo of my son reading the book in front of the tree, the FL Friend is in the book. I should have hid it better, but I didn't. Oh well. I still like the shot.

For any of you that might wonder, these were edited solely in Lightroom...

Have fun with your tree shots and please share on my page!
www.facebook.com./carolyneraophotography

Meet Mommy (before she was mommy)

Two days ago I was awakened to my sweet son's voice...

Mommy, I made you and Daddy a present.  I made a (bla, bla, bla)  I used  bla, bla, bla and glued your wedding DVD....

WHATTTTTT?????

I jumped out of bed and ran into the living room to find the sole copy of our wedding video glued to a case. I freaked out. It is irreplaceable. After  I calmed down, I was able to wash the wet glue off. I haven't tested the DVD yet because I am not prepared to deal with my emotions if the DVD is permanently damaged,

So it reminded me of the last time I played it. It was my anniversary and my husband Frank was working. I popped it in to watch with my son, thinking he would enjoy seeing his family on TV. I was not prepared for his emotional reaction to it, He was so upset, crying. He was upset that he wasn't there, that we had a party and didn't invite him. He just couldn't understand the idea that he didn't exist yet. 

So I am using this experience to plan a theme for my personal work this year. I will be injecting my kids into my past. There are a few places that are defining. They are those places that when I think back to the moments when I was there, it stirs something up inside. 

So far, I have planned to shoot at Coney Island (summer of fun 2001 - Jenn you get this one), Bay Ridge (my first apartment was here), Seaside Heights (I pay homage every summer and loved it even before it was destroyed), my highschool (I was one of the few that LOVED hs) and NYC (college), Oh, most importantly, the Sapphire Lounge in NYC (where I met Frank).