Columbus Ohio Photographer | Couples Session | Charles + Manuela

Dancing at sunset and lots of laughing, does it get any better?!

I really enjoyed this sunset session with these two. After the session, Manuela and I talked about photography and lenses until it was dark! I guess this means we need to have a coffee date to talk shop! She is in the process of getting a new lens to take photos of the products she makes for her business, Uponaworld Cosmetics. Manuela is my sister-in-law and also the owner of Uponaworld Cosmetics where she makes amazing, creamy vegan soaps and make up!

Her shop is currently on a break but if you are looking for local, hand-made soaps and cosmetics, please go check out the Uponaworld Cosmetics Facebook page to get notice when she re-opens! You will not want to miss out on her first batches! 

5 Easy Tips to Get The Most Out of Your DSLR Camera | Columbus Ohio Photographer - Erika Venci Photography

Ok, so you just got your first DSLR camera--GREAT! Now what?! How in the world do you use this thing?! If you are like me, when I got my first camera, I had no idea where to start with learning how to use it properly.. So, I just set it to "Auto" mode and started shooting. This worked ok, BUT I knew if I was going to be paying this much money for a camera, I wanted to learn how to use it properly!

iPhone or phone camera users- you can STILL take amazing photos! Phone cameras have come a LONG way in the last couple of years. For your tips, skip to #3!

1. Learn how to shoot in MANUAL MODE

This is by far the most challenging thing to learn when you first get your camera.. but if you can learn this, I promise you, it will only get easier with practice and soon you will be able to adjust your settings without much thought. Shooting in manual mode means you are controlling your aperture (your depth of field), shutter speed (how long the shutter is open to let the light in) and ISO (your camera's sensitivity to light). 

Learn More About Manual Mode HERE

2. Use the VIEWFINDER

Stop using the screen on the camera!

When I got my first DSLR camera, I always used the screen to see what I was shooting. This slowed me down and was really difficult to do once I started using manual mode. I know it feels weird to use the view finder at first, because after all, our phone cameras don't have viewfinders! HOWEVER, looking through the viewfinder, you will be able to adjust your settings more quickly and also focus faster. Stick to it and after a while, it will feel normal and less awkward!

The only times I use the screen on my camera are if I am doing an "above the scene" shot where I am holding the camera up really high above my subject, if I am taking a self-portrait, OR if I'm shooting video. For everything else, I use the viewfinder.

3. Shoot during GOLDEN HOUR

Golden hour is the hour after sunrise and the hour before sunset. It is when the sun is at it's lowest point in the horizon. The benefits of shooting during this time are awesome. The light is softer and not as harsh and best of all, it is GOLDEN. This is very flattering for photos and allows you a lot of flexibility because you don't have to hide from or work with harsh mid-day sun. 

4. Use BACKLIGHTING

There are MANY ways to shoot in natural light, but my favorite by far is backlighingt! It is easy to learn and very flattering for your subjects. Shooting with backlight means that you are shooting with the sun behind your subject. This works GREAT during Golden Hour.

Backlight prevents harsh shadows on your subjects face, illuminates the hair to create "rim light" and is just GORGEOUS.  When you are shooting with back light, you will want to underexpose your subjects a little bit and then bring up the exposure on your subject when you are editing. This will maintain details and colors in the background and make sure the sky is not blown out and white.

5. Keep your camera READY

While you are shooting your subject, especially if it's children, keep your camera UP and ready to click! Children are quick and if you keep your camera up to your face and ready, it will be much easier to capture unexpected cuteness! When I first started, I cannot tell you how many pictures I missed because of this. My main subjects are young children and babies so learning this has helped me immensely! 

I hope you have found these tips to be helpful! Please leave a comment if you have any questions, I would be happy to help in any way that I can! 

Love and Light, 

Erika

Columbus Ohio Photographer | Family Session Location Scouting

Hi friends!

A few days ago, I reached out to you all on facebook asking for locations that had a grassy field I could use for family shoots this year. Well, I think we have a winner.. last night we kept our little one up a little late and headed over to High Banks Metropark at sunset. It was an area of the park I had not visited before and I am so glad someone pointed us in this direction! It was exactly what I was looking for. Tall, wild grass, a few trees and the perfect sunset light.

The photos below show why I LOVE shooting about an hour before sunset. See that orange glow in the photos? Yeah, that won't happen at 2 in the afternoon.

A lot of my families have young children or babies so sunset usually isn't their happiest hour, but if you can, try to have your kids take a longer or later nap that day or eat dinner a little later than normal. I know schedules are EVERYTHING with kids but trust me, heading out for photos at sunset is something you will not regret.

These photos were taken to scout the location surroundings and light so there are a lot of bloopers, which I think is hilarious.. and I couldn't help but share them anyways! I am so excited for family sessions this year! Bring me all the families! 

Sometimes a photo looks awesome flipped upside down!

melt down.. he wanted to keep running on the track but it was time to go! 

the only way to carry a toddler during a meltdown haha

Ending with a kiss.

Columbus Ohio Photographer | Lifestyle Newborn Session - Emmett

The moment I walked in the door for this little one's session I was greeted with so much kindness and excitement! The joy and love was definitely in the air for this little baby boy. I really enjoyed capturing these lovely moments of this family of three! 

Welcome, Baby Emmett!