How can it already be mid-January???
I spent the weekend in Las Vegas with family for my cousin’s wedding and I’m getting back into reality. 
I’ve had lots of people ask me questions about my little photoshoot with Haylie and so I thought I’d post some info for anyone who is interested. I’ve done quite a few sessions for other people but am still learning and still have a ton to learn, so I feel kind of weird giving a “tutorial” or whatever, but I’ll just share a few basic things. Thanks, bytheway, for your sweet and generous comments about the pictures. It really made me feel good, so thank you. In honesty, I tend to struggle with confidence in my photography, so it means a lot to me.
I had a little set-up in our “formal dining room” which is where our piano is. It gets some great natural light in there with vaulted ceilings. I got a backdrop stand for Christmas (thanks Mom and Dad!) and set it up several feet away from one of the windows. The background is 3 yards of cute polka dot fabric I found at a clearance fabric center, which I hung on my backdrop stand. I used some clamps from Home Depot to secure them (they were only 99 cents!). The brown “floor” is just a brown fleece blanket I got at Target.
For these shots of Haylie I used my beloved Canon 50mm 1.8 lens (I can’t even remember how many people I have told, I mean encouraged, to get that lens!!!), and since she is a fast mover I simply used Aperture Priority (Av) Mode so I could be quicker and control the aperture. My settings were ISO 800, f 3.2, and shutter speeds between 1/100 and 1/200 sec. I used all natural light, no flash. I edit in Photoshop CS4 using a variety of tools that I can’t really remember right now, but no actions were used on these particular shots (I’m forcing myself to be slow and learn CS4–I am loving it though!).
I do have an external flash that I’m getting to know better and am starting to love. I’ve done some studying to learn some tricks to make it work for me. I have a Canon 430 EX flash. I took the photos at my cousin’s reception last weekend so I absolutely had to rely on my flash in the low light of a reception hall and I’m happy with how they turned out. But I’m not ready to give any “tutorials” about flash quite yet.
Anyway, hopefully that answers your questions about my set-up that day. Have a great day! I’ll be posting again soon, hopefully tomorrow. I need to get caught up.
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
I have no idea what any of that meant. I’ll just let you and Katie take my kids’ pictures and in return I’ll bake you yummy treats and bring you fresh produce from my garden.
Thank You! You may not feel “tutorial” ready, but it’s great for people like me, who are just starting to learn what to do with their camera. Most of what I read is way over my head. People have to begin somewhere and you have made it sound do-able (is that a word?
Thanks!
Thanks for sharing, Brooke. Those photos of her really are adorable! I was surprised to hear your confidence about your photos isn’t bubbling over the top…you take beautiful photos!
Your pictures are so cute, Brooke!! Thanks for the tutorial. I’ve had my Canon for a year now and still haven’t figured out all the tricks. Maybe one day I’ll be able to take great pictures like you! Or maybe I’ll just fly my little girl out there so you can take her picture. That’s more realistic!
I have no idea what any of that meant. LOL. I trust ya though because you take great pictures!!
i can't even talk to you right now!:) you are amazing at photography and i totally made a frowning face when i read that you struggle with your confidence in it. i love you & your cute ideas to death! keep stirring the creative pot & i'll feed off your awesome ideas.
p.s. i loved the you "aaaarrrrrr" amazing comment! totally made me smile. so aaaaaarrrr you!
Thanks Brooke, that cleared up a few things for me. I love your photography and I’m sure that I can do it too.
i’ve adored ALL your photos since i first saw them and i really appreciate your trying to help the rest of us! i wish i lived closer so that you could be our family photographer, honestly! you do an awesome job! (And your whole family seems so beautiful and photogenic too!)
Hi Brooke!
I can’t even remember how I found your blog…I think it was through a friend of a friend. Anyway, I’ve been one of your “stalkers” for probably over a year. Sheesh – that sounds creepy!
You shouldn’t struggle with your confidence in photography! I have loved ALL of your pictures! Thank you so much for posting the details about your little photoshoot. It really helps. Keep it up – they look awesome!
You’re one of the best photographers I know. Those pictures are darling! I’m glad you posted your camera settings. I have a Canon and I’m trying to teach myself the manual mode, so your info is very helpful.
Wow! Thanks for the tips! Now I have to learn to decipher what the heck all of that meant! LOL!! Thanks for sharing, and one of these days, I am going to just come over with my camera and pick your brain…
You are the best for sharing that. I knew what everything you said meant. I need to put my new lens on my camera and take some pics. Talk to you soon.