Lifestyle Photography Tips

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Friends!  I want to share some Magic and Light Collection plans with you and give you some lifestyle photography tips.  Just some simple tips on catching that every day magic!  

First, let's talk about this years plans for Magic and Light Collection.  My big word this year is THANK YOU!  All 5,000+ of you. You have been really patient with me in the last couple of years.   If you are reading this right now, I am giving you a big huge thank-you-hug.  It has been a great 8 years of Magic and Light Collection and I couldn't be more grateful for all of my friends, followers, subscribers, and customers.  Whether you are here for the video library, free stuff, or you are making a purchase, we get each other, you and I.  Photography is a universal language and I am so grateful to be a part of your journey for the last 8 years.

Going forward, I am taking a new approach.  In the past, I haven't had time to share all of my own work and I have turned to other resources, out of necessity.  Going forward, I am sharing real stuff from my own portfolio.  I'm issuing myself a challenge because of this reason:  I let life get in the way of my own fulfillment.  Basically, I do everything for my family and let my own passions fall by wayside.  Moms, you hear me!  Momming is hard.  It's rewarding, but IT.IS.HARD and you lose you a little. 

Over the last 8 years of Magic and Light Collection, I have had two sweet babies. I've moved around the world, spent three years in a country that did not allow photographers (they almost took my equipment once on a trip through customs), bought a small farm, and generally done life.  It's been a hard few years for me as a photographer.  The short of this is, I need to make more time on the side for what makes me happy, and that is photography.  

Often, on competitors websites I see fantastical images.  Children with unicorns, families in the forest, very, very, posed images.  I am all about that, and as a photographer I revel in those beautiful images.  BUT, I also think that the beginner needs some support and mom-tographers need realistic expectations.  I know I don't always have time to pose images perfectly and I totally don't have zebras ready and willing in my back yard for birthday photos.

​The bottom line is, I want Magic and Light Collection to reflect the needs of our customers, real people taking real life pictures.  Along with sharing original, every day images, I will let you know which Actions and Overlays I am using from the collection, and share whatever else I can learn, with you,  in my endless pursuit of photography.  I want Magic and Light Collection to be more about sharing and caring going forward.

This year, I would love to connect with you in some way on a regular basis, the comments section of the blog, Facebook, email are all great ways.  Are you interested in talking about your photography journey?  Would you like to write a guest post for this blog?  Email me, I would love to connect.

Boscobel Farm is my historic Virginia Farm

Lifestyle Photography Tips

I thought that I might share a little bit about what I am thinking on how I can get my photography groove back.

Take a photo walk

I've been taking a walk every evening when my husband gets home.  NO KIDS ALLOWED.  Only me and my camera and always my farm cat, right around golden hour.  I disappear for an hour.  

Keep your camera handy

Keep your camera close by and charged.  I have been keeping my camera in the kitchen vs. the office lately so that I can snap a picture when I see something interesting.  I also make it a point to keep my battery charger handy.  There is nothing that will squash a creative moment like a dead battery.

Find the magic in ordinary moments

Is the light hitting your morning coffee just right?  Do you have a favorite peice of yellow furniture that brightens your day.  These are the moments of your life, ever how small.  Catching these moments is paramount.  It will mean a lot to you one day.  I recently found this out when my 18 year old dog died.  A story I will share with you soon.

Do a 365 project

A 365 project involves a photo theme every day.  This is a perfect way to get your photography groove back.  Plan on creating a photo book, and add to it each day.  By the end of the year, your book will be finished.  Here is a 365 resource.

Enter a photo contest

Share your craft with the world.  Enter a photo contest, whether you win or not, you are working on getting yourself out there and your taking great pictures in the process.

These are just a few lifestyle photography tips to get you started!  This is the list I am using to get myself back in the swing.  What are you working on right now?  Connect with me in the comments below!  -Amy