Top Gadgets I Use

With all the technological advances flying at us on a (nearly) daily basis, I sat and thought about what my favorites are.

1. Obviously, my camera!!! I would not have a job or a paycheck, or sanity for that matter, if I did not have my amazing camera! 

2. My computer and all the awesome editing software! Not only for work, but I love the fact that I can keep in touch with my friends and family even if they are scattered all around the world.

3. My start phone! From email to voice mail to maps (and directions), to social media and keeping up with the rest of the world, my life has not been the same since the upgrade. ;) It has become not only a fantastic way to keep in touch with my friends and family scattered around the world, I can run a good chunk of my business with it!

4. Polarizing lens filter! It is not only a way to protect the front of your precious (and expensive) lens, it also helps take some of the work out of the editing process.

5. Headphones. I have an amazing pair of Sony noise cancelling headphones my husband bought for me about two Christmases ago and they are simply wonderful. I can get some serious work done without disturbing anyone with music volume while also limiting my distractions. Which, for those who know me well, is an ongoing battle! :)

6. With the headphones comes the daily use of Spotify. This is one of the best things I have started to use in regard to listening to music. If you've never heard of or used it, click the link above and check it out.

7. On cold/cooler days - my faithful Keurig! This wonderful little machine has made my MANY cups of coffee, tea, and even the occasional bowl of oatmeal!

What are your favorite things to use?

Until next time, keep in clickin'!

(Also, please don't forget to like Photography by Elisabeth on Facebook or visit my website: www.photographybyemg.com !)

Which Color?

In an earlier post I mentioned one of my favorite effects to do to a photo was the "half and half" approach. In the last week or so I have been working on wedding photos and have been experimenting with different color combinations. Which do you like better? I'm giving the bride all the choices, but am wondering what the general opinion was. 

Here they are:

 This is the first time I've tried half sepia and half color...thoughts?

Here I did one with the just the accent colors, and then added the bridesmaids' dresses in.

Let me know what you think. And until next time, keep on clickin'! :)

(Also, please don't forget to like Photography by Elisabeth on Facebook or visit my website: www.photographybyemg.com !)

A Day in the Life

On many days this is what at least one of my monitors looks like. Yes, I have two monitors. (It is AWESOME!)

Then at least one of my assistants is always around to help and provide constructive criticism:

How do you spend your days? Share some stories and pictures! :)

Until next time, keep on clickin'! 

(Also, please don't forget to like Photography by Elisabeth on Facebook or visit my website: www.photographybyemg.com !)

Fourth of July Favorites!

While getting ready to have some Fourth of July Fun with my friends, family, and my camera, I took a look back at favorite 'fourth' pictures I've taken over past years.

Sparklers are great props for night photography - just be very careful!

I can't wait to see what I get this year! What are some of your favorite parts about 'the fourth'?

Until next time, keep on clickin'!

Worldwide Visitors!

I was looking through some of my analytics and logistics about my blog and noticed that I have been read around the world. This is an amazing feeling. I know some of the countries I have family in, but most of them are complete (and quite welcome) surprises! So, as a way to say hello and thank you, I've looked up the official languages of each country and am saying a special message to each one of you!

United States - Thank you so much for visiting and reading my blog!

Germany - Vielen Dank für Ihren Besuch und lesen mein Blog!

France - Merci pour votre visite et lecture de mon blog !

Brazil - Obrigado, muito obrigado por visitar e ler o meu blog!

Finland - Suuret kiitokset vierailevien ja lukemisen blogista!

Ireland - Thank you so much for visiting and reading my blog!

Ukraine - Величезне спасибі за відвідування та читання моєму блозі!

Panama - Muchas gracias por visitar y leer mi blog!

Russia - Благодарим вас за посещение и чтении мой блог!

Singapore - Thank you so much for visiting and reading my blog!

United Kingdom - Thank you so much for visiting and reading my blog!

Netherlands - Dank je wel voor het bezoeken en lezen van mijn blog!

Belgium - Vielen Dank für Ihren Besuch und lesen mein Blog!

Israel - شكرا جزيلا لك على زيارة مدونتي القراءة !

Nigeria - Thank you so much for visiting and reading my blog!

Pakistan - کے لئے اپ کا شکریہ. ابھی میری بلاگ پڑھنے کا دورہ کرنے اور!

Thailand - ขอขอบคุณมากสำหรับการเที่ยวชมและอ่านบล็อกของฉัน

I think I have all countries that have visited accounted for. If not, I didn't mean to leave you off the list, and THANK YOU for reading!

Until next time, keep on clickin'! :)

(Also, please don't forget to like Photography by Elisabeth on Facebook or visit my website: www.photographybyemg.com !)

New Toys!

I am so excited! I just purchased a new lens for my camera! Why, you may ask? I have nearly wore out my current one! Four years and over forty thousand captures will do that to a camera and lens. The next big purchase is going to be a new camera body, but that is going to have to wait until after my July weddings (Which I am so excited to do!).

Which lens did I buy? See here:

it is a Tamron AF 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di II LD Aspherical (IF) Macro Zoom Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras (Model A14E). It is very similar to the lense one of my best friends let me try, and I am in love with the wide range I'll have. This will almost replace my big zoom lens, but not quite. ;)

I'll let you all know how much I love it when it arrives!

Until then, keep on clickin'! 

(Also, please don't forget to like Photography by Elisabeth on Facebook or visit my website: www.photographybyemg.com !)

I've Taken Engagement Pictures...Now What?

This question comes up frequently. What do people do with the engagement pictures? Many times they are incorporated into the wedding in some way, either they are part of the reception favor or they are part of the invitation or they are part of the guestbook table. 

Sure, some prints are bought, but with all the wedding pictures coming, not many people want to buy that many pictures. I have found, and have been recommending, a pretty awesome way to preserve the memories.

Introducing the awesome "coffee table book" and guest book in one!

Instead of having the traditional guest book that you look at maybe once or twice, this is a book everyone is going to want to see nearly as often as the wedding album itself. Then, not only does the happy couple have a beautiful book with all their engagement pictures, but all the wedding guests are able to see (and love) them!

Here are examples of two books I've done in the past:

Not only can this be done for weddings, but also graduation open houses, which makes a fantastic place for advice for the graduate!

Until next time, keep on clickin'! :)


(Also, please don't forget to like Photography by Elisabeth on Facebook or visit my website: www.photographybyemg.com !)

One of my favorite photo effects.

Half black and white/half color is one of the coolest effects I've done, maybe equal with the "eye brightening" process (for another blog). Why? It is something different, and I see it as a combination of the old and the new. Photographs used to be only printed in sepia or grey tones and then transitioned to color. This combines a little of both worlds!

I also love this effect because it draws your eye to different parts of the image that may have gone unnoticed otherwise.

Here are some of my favorite "half and half" photos: 

There are many more picture like this in my life, and many more effects I love using, but I'll show those next time.

Until next time, keep on clickin'! :)


(Also, Like, comment, tag and share just please don't forget to like Photography by Elisabeth on Facebook!)

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's day to all the men who have been there for someone when they needed it most. Whether you were biologically or legally related or not, kudos for stepping up and taking care of things. It takes someone with a strong character to make sure everyone is taken care of at the end of the day.

Also, happy Father's Day to all the women who had to make it happen without a man to help them. I think these moms and aunts (etc.) deserve praise for having to fill the 'dad role'. 

In honor of the day, here are just some of the awesome dad-type people I have had the pleasure of photographing!

...and I hope to work with many more dads in the future!

Have an amazing day, and until next time, keep on clickin'!

(Also, please don't forget to like Photography by Elisabeth on Facebook or visit my website: www.photographybyemg.com !)

Wicked Weather

With all the CRAZY weather that has been bullying its way through my area in the past week, I decided to do what I do best: take pictures of it! (of course she did...says nearly all my friends and readers)

No, my big camera was not taken out in the last round of storms. A) I would have missed the shot running to get my camera, or B) There was just too much of a guarantee of it getting wet, which would NOT be good! So, the trusty smart phone and I had a good time from the relative safety of my front yard/porch.

Here is some June 11, 2013 fun:

I maintain that the clouds formed when a cold front is pushing through are some of the most interesting to photograph.

Then June 12, 2013, and its "Derecho" visited me...this was more interesting and a little more nerve-wracking. Why? The danger level was significantly higher, and I have a healthy respect for it and and staying uninjured and alive. 

First, an adventure with GIF making for the first time!

Not the greatest, but this covers about 60-90 seconds. The first front barreled through!

Then the skies let loose!

 I have no idea what happened with this picture - this is exactly how it came off my phone. I assume there was lightning...but the top half isn't showing. Weird! :)

 Holy Hail! (a little bigger than dime size, with a few nickel sized ones sprinkled in)

 The gutters were not keeping up with the deluge, at all! 

 And no, that is not fog; it is just raining that hard.

This was the last picture I took before the wind shifted and really started to pick up. Then we all decided it was a great time to go and stay inside.

Now, I didn't get another stellar lightning shot, but then again, this isn't the last storm I'll be shooting. :) (If you've never seen my 'prized' lightning shot, visit www.photographybyemg.com, it is the image on the homes screen)

Until next time, keep on clickin'!

(Also, please don't forget to like Photography by Elisabeth on Facebook or visit my website: www.photographybyemg.com !)

July Weddings!

I am so excited about my July weddings! Both couples are so excited for their big day and so much fun to work with! I am also very excited about going to Holland, Michigan for one of them. Working a job I love in one of my favorite places to visit pretty much takes the cake. The other wedding in very close to my hometown, so can we say "home field advantage"? :) There is even a chance I'll be able to have my sister assist on one, if not both, of the weddings! I love her eye to detail and unique take on traditional poses.

Speaking of weddings, I'm glad to announce that my website has been updated again, and the mobile site is still coming along nicely! Want to see the progress? www.photographybyemg.com 
You're welcome. ;)

I will leave you with one of my favorite pictures taken in Holland, MI. Until next time, keep on clickin'!

(Also, please don't forget to like Photography by Elisabeth on Facebook or visit my website: www.photographybyemg.com !)

Photography and Children - Part two - Sunny vs. Snowy

Hello again!

Today I "reveal" another fun sitting I had with three of the boys at my mom's daycare. They are adorable and so much fun to work with. Now, most people do not think of having pictures taken when there is six to eight inches of snow on the ground, but there is such an opportunity for amazing pictures! Not all outdoor sittings have to be when it is nice outside. Yes, I do love working in warm and more comfortable situations, but I won't rule out a few minutes of cold to capture a unique memory.

For example:

We found out that snow pants + snow = a FAST ride down the slide! I had him look at me right before he went back down the slide. Ta Da! :)

 Mr. Dennis decided to give the boys a lift back to the slide, quite literally. :)

 I love the look of determination. I believe there was a race or snowball fight in process here.

 Sledding! Oh the fun we had there!

I love capturing kids doing what they do best, play and have a good time! When you catch them, or anyone for that matter, in their element, the best parts of their personality shine through and an amazing photograph is easy to capture.

 What is your favorite thing to photograph?

Until next time, keep on clickin'!

We aren't in Kansas anymore!

This made me giggle just a little bit when I saw this sticking out of my tent this past weekend. I instantly thought of the Wizard of Oz, but I promise this little guy is not a witch.

It's moments like these I'm glad I have a camera phone, I would have missed this shot going to get my big camera. 

I have another photo, which was taken on my "real" camera, that reminds me of the opening to The Wizard of Oz. 

I love when movies inspire me to take a different picture, or when pictures I've taken remind me of movies. It is great to make connections between life and what I love to do, or to transport myself to another place and time. There are times it's nice to pretend that 'I'm not in Kansas anymore'. :)

What inspires you?

Until next time, keep on clickin'!