photobootcamp

Some interesting things around people’s homes. I like it!

Thanks for participating this week, ladies! Let’s share and see how many we can get to participate next week for Week 20’s theme: OBSESSION.

One of my favorite things… the sky! Thanks to those of you who participated in Project 52 this week. Let’s share this with our friends and get even more people involved!

Crickets Clicks

Charise Wilson Photography

E. Vernon Photography

Y Smith Photography

Sara Lind Photography

Lauren Cummings Cornelius

That’s a wrap for Week 18. The theme for Week 19 is AROUND THE HOUSE! See y’all next week :)

As I thought about this week’s theme, I was a little worried no one would post. This theme is not an easy one. Even I had a hard time coming up with a concept. But so many of you did! This one required really thinking outside the box. Good job, as usual :o)

WHAT MUSIC LOOKS LIKE

Charise Wilson Photography

 Crickets Clicks

 E. Vernon Photography

 Heather Long Designs

 Sara Lind Photography

 Shantal Sessions (That’s my nephew in the play Aida. I’m a proud auntie here!)

 Y Smith Photography

 Thanks again for participating. Week 18 Theme: SKY.

I love shadows. I love how sometimes they can be so soft and diffused they’re barely there at all. And then they can be sharp and full of contrast. They can really make for some interesting photos. Thanks everyone for submitting! Here are the shadows we see.

 Charise Wilson Photography

 Sara Lind Photography

 Judy Nelson

 E Vernon Photography

 Tammy Schmidt

 Y Smith Photography

 Crickets Clicks

Please join us for next week’s theme: WHAT MUSIC LOOKS LIKE.

I recently moved into a new home. And with that new and bigger home came a studio space for me! It’s been so exciting to find fun new ways to doll up my space. But for those of you who know me, I am quite the bargain hunter. I will see things online and think: that costs WAY too much! I can totally do that myself! So that’s what I end up doing most of the time. So not only have I gotten quite handy at finding a deal, I’m also pretty good at doing it myself. I’m even using power tools! Who knew? 

So here’s a list of things I’ve figured out:

1 - Don’t buy an expensive backdrop stand or roller system. You can do it yourself for $25.

Materials needed: Wooden shelving bracket units, L brackets with screws, two extendable shower rods, two sets of metal closet rod hangers (to hang the shower rods on), paint. All of these items can be found at your local hardware store.

I made sure I hung the shelf brackets 60 inches apart to accommodate the 56” standard backdrop size. And make sure you buy the shower curtains that can extend to 72 inches. Remember that security and safety are very important. So make sure you screw the shelving brackets into some studs and then secure them with the metal L brackets (as seen above).

2 - Your local fabric store - Use a coupon. If you’re a newborn photographer, you know how important good fabric is. And if you can get it for a deal, then even better. Watch for sales, and use your 40% off coupon that many stores have. 

3 - Fabric.com or other fabric sites online - You’ve probably noticed a bunch of people out there selling beautiful newborn fabric and backdrops for outrageous prices! Sometimes $50-$60 for 2 yards! Well, if they can get it for wholesale, so can I! Check out fabric.com and other online fabric sites. They have most of those gorgeous fabrics that many of the online retailers have and you can get it for half the price. And if you purchase $35 or more, they ship for free. So come with a list!

4 - There are online retailers that will charge you and arm and a leg to screenprint T-shirts. I go local. I usually get a better deal and save on shipping. Plus,they’re great advertising! And you thought your word of mouth was good. Just wait! I give these away with each newborn session. 

5 - Raid your parent’s or grandparent’s house. Recently I went to my mother’s house and she loaded me up with all kinds of vintage goodies. Old suitcases, vintage radios and cameras. Even if they’re not willing to part with any of these goodies, at least ask to borrow an item or two. They’re usually willing to let go of their item for a short amount of time.

6 - Build it.  Why would I spend $50-$60 online for a wooden box I can make at home? I totally bought one 1x8 and cut it into several pieces for this project. It ended up costing me $10. You can’t beat that! This little box will appear in my next newborn shoot. I can’t wait!!

Or repurpose it. Check your favorite thrift or antique stores weekly for good finds. Once you find something, sand it, paint it and distress it to keep that antique feel.  

7 - Network. There seems to be a lot of lovely people out there who crochet, knit, sew or craft. Get to know someone in your neighborhood or online who sews, for example. You might be able to work up a trade where you receive items for free and in exchange you photograph their items. It never hurts to ask, right?

These are just some of the things I’ve learned along the way. I hope this has been helpful to you!

Keli