Let Them Eat Cake

My last photo shoot involved 2 VERY cute little boys and a cake.  It was such a fun shoot!  Their mom made an AMAZING cake.  I didn't get a taste, but by the mess fun that the boys had in it, I'm sure it was delicious!  I think that the photos speak for themselves this time.  :-)

Little W was sneaking it too... :-)

Little T didn't like it very much when the fun was over...

Happy 1st Birthday Little T!

Side note:  I am pleased to announce that a new logo and a new website are coming soon!

Teaching Photography

Today was my first day of teaching photography to a fun bunch of 6th graders.  Today they learned all about photos that are in and out of focus, parts of a camera, how to upload their photos on a computer and the rule of thirds.  I'm assuming the majority of my readers know what a photo in focus looks like, and also that they know the majority of parts on a camera (lens, screen, zoom, etc.)...very basic.  But what I am not sure about is if my readers know what the "rule of thirds" is.


The rule of thirds is a great rule to follow to help you take a "better" photograph.  When most people take a photo, they put the subject directly in the center.  Do you agree?  I do.  Well, I'm here to suggest to you today that the next time you take a photo, you should try using the rule of thirds.  It will make your photos look more interesting and much "better".  I found a tutorial from World Start that really explains this rule in great detail.  Check it out if you want to learn more.  Until then, here is my very, very basic tutorial.  I borrowed the images from World Start and Photo96.

Okay, so pretend that you are looking through the viewfinder (the little window that you put your eye up to to take a photo) or the screen on point and shoot cameras.  Pretend that the image below is on your screen/viewfinder.  Normally you put the subject (the thing/person you are taking a photo of) in the center.  Like this....

But the next time you take a photo, try to put the subject as close as you can to the intersecting blue lines (in a red circle).

This is what I mean by that...

This way, the photograph looks much more interesting and can help improve your photography skills by simply making this small change.

Here is another example:  

The lady bug is close to the bottom right intersecting blue lines.  Because the subject in not right in the center of the photo, it makes the photo more interesting and a "better" photo.  Even though the lady bug is not exactly on the intersecting lines, the photo still looks great because it isn't just a boring ladybug photo centered on the photograph.

Here are some other examples...

If this is something that interests you and you want to know more, check out this flickr post.  

I know that this post is a little "untraditional" for me, but I hope you enjoyed it.  Let me know your thoughts.  And I hope that it was helpful! :-D  

If you have any more questions or want to know more about something let me know.

Looking for a photographer? My advice.

Sometimes finding a photographer can be a stressful experience.  Whether its a wedding photographer or a family photographer.  My goal for today's post is to help you understand what should and should not be a concern when looking for a photographer.  I want to help you find a photographer that is the best match for you.

Style: Very Important- I feel like the style of the photographer affects everything!  Some photographers may pose you, others may document you interacting from a distance, and others will combine the two.  There are photographers who use a muted color-scheme, and there are others who use very bright colors in their photographs.  There are many more styles, and one way is not better than the others.  The "right" style is the style that best suites you and your wants.  Which photos do you like the best?  If you are looking through a photographers blog, website, facebook page, or their studio, can you picture your family in that style hanging on your wall at home?  If so, it probably means that that photographers style is a good fit for you.

Personality: Important- It is very important that you and your photographer get along.  Especially if you are considering a certain photographer for your wedding day.  More than likely, you'll spend more time with the photographer than you will with your future husband.  Your photographer will be with you when you wake up (not literally, lol), when your getting ready, when you walk down the isle, and during the reception.  I think that it's pretty essential that you get along with your photographer.  If you feel uncomfortable with a photographer, then run, run as fast as you can the opposite direction.  The more relaxed you are with your photographer, the more relaxed you will not only feel but look in your photographs.  

Experience: Not that important-  Now, I'm not saying that having experience is a bad thing, it's a great thing. And I am also not saying that having experience doesn't matter, because it does in some aspects.  But sometimes I feel like people who are looking for a photographer stress too much about finding a photographer who has been doing this for a lifetime and not enough time focusing on what is really important; style and personality.  

What does matter about experience is that your photographer of choice knows their camera, has "an eye" for taking beautiful photographs and can really show your emotions through their work.  Sometimes photographers in their first few years have great ideas, are very creative and are not "set in their ways".  Your photographs will be very unique and unlike any that they have ever taken.  

Equipment: Not very important-  Of course you don't want to pay someone a ton of money and then they show up with a disposable camera, don't get me wrong, they must have a professional camera.  However, just because someone has a very expensive camera and other equipment does not mean that they know how to use it properly and it also doesn't mean that they take great photos.  Sometimes a relative has a DSLR and we tend to think that they will be a good person to take great photographs for us, but this is (more than likely) not the case.  A great photographer can take a camera phone and take a great photo if they need to.  The equipment is a big help, but it's the photographer's eye and creativity that you are ultimately paying them for.

Punch Line  

What it comes down to is what is important to you.  What do you want to get from your photographer.  And what do you want or imagine your photos to look like in the end.  

I hope that these suggestions help you in your search for finding the best photographer for you and your needs.

Busy, busy, busy!!!

 Wow, life has been extremely busy lately!  Sorry for not blogging as frequently as I want to.  I'm trying to get on a schedule, I really am.  Hang in there with me, I'm still getting used to this.  Anyways, I wanted to catch everyone up to speed...

For a few days I went out of town to attend a wedding in Southern California.  While my husband and I were getting ready we received a phone call from the bride asking if I could come take photos while she got ready because the photographer that she hired wasn't coming until later.  And well, before my husband could even object, we were out the door and heading to her house to document her big day.  And yes, I did bring all of my equipment and batteries were ready to go ahead of time....just in case ;-)  The wedding was B-E-A-U-tiful!!  So much fun with a lot of fun people!  Here are a couple of my favorite shots.

 After finally getting home after a 4-day "vacation", editing, editing, editing, I had a shoot with Bri.  Bri is going to be moving to L.A. to pursue her acting career.  And let me tell you, I have ever seen her in action, but boy can she work a camera!  I was SO extremely impressed by Bri!  She knew when to make a certain face, when to turn  her head or fix her hair, or move her hands, she rocked that photoshoot!  It made my job SO easy!  We decided that since neither one of us was busy all day that we were willing to explore the city.  We hit downtown Fresno for some urban-like photos, then we drove around until we found a golden field that we loved, parked on the side of the freeway (not joking), ran across it, climbed up a bolder (well, a big rock) and over a barbed-wire fence (that was on the rock), found the perfect [dead] tree and took photos there.  We also ate lunch somewhere in between.  A nice lunch, about 3 hours long because we started talking and figured out that we have a lot more in common than we thought.  And lastly, we went to the Japanese Garden in Woodward Park and chased peacocks.  It was fun.  She tried to get as close as she could to the peacock and I was ready with camera in hand for the perfect moment to snap a photo.  Here are some photos from our day.  And yes, the peacock in the background is real.

And this week, so far, I have a newborn photoshoot with an old co-worker today and a high school graduation tomorrow.  And next weeks forecast is a shoot with a 1-year old boy!  There will be balloons and cake involved.  I'm soo excited!  

Well, I hope you enjoyed today's blog.  If you would like to see more photos of my shoots, go to Stefani Ortiz Photography on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Stefani-Ortiz-Photography/168078736544819).  If you ever have any questions or comments, please feel free to send me an email at sortizphotos@gmail.com! :-D

"We make plans and God laughs..."

I have been thinking that I should start sharing a little bit of personal information on here lately.  I hope that is okay with everyone.  I'm usually not one to share stories, specifically online.  It's a bit out of my comfort zone to be honest, but I'll do my best.

First off....I grad-u-macaded.  Yes, that's right, I graduated last weekend with my Masters of Science in Counseling (K-12).  I don't feel like it's a big accomplishment, but apparently it is.  And don't get me wrong, I'm excited, but right now I feel like my counseling abilities are on hold (due to budget cuts within the school district in California).  But....thankfully the Lord provides us with things that we could never have imagined.  Like photography.  The ability to capture emotions and feelings behind the lens of a camera is a gift that I would have never imagined myself doing as a "job".  It doesn't feel like a "job" it feels like a passion that I happen to get paid to do.  It's awesome!  And I feel like I am finally learning to accept the fact that I paid thousands of dollars for a degree that (at this point in time) I am not using.  At least not using at a professional level.  And I am perfectly content with that because I know that God, has my life in His hands and that makes my life perfect.

Secondly, I think it is absolutely incredible to hear mom's, dad's, grandmas and the like comment on my action shots of their child (usually ages 6-10) playing a sport.  Sports have always played such a strong impact in my own life, and I am glad that I am able to photograph something that I love to bring such joy and happiness to their lives.  Once again, God knows me and His plan for my life more than I know my own.

Also, I apologize for the lack of a "Weekly Photo Challenge" this week.  I will be out of town starting tomorrow (Thursday) for a wedding.  I'm sure I'll post some photos from it soon.  Be on the lookout.

I hope that you enjoyed a little bit of more "personal" business.  Let me know your thoughts.  Thanks :)

"We make plans and God laughs...." <----This has been my life lately, and I'm so glad it's true.

Melting My Heart.

The other day, four (almost) new college graduates and I headed to the park for a photo shoot to celebrate and help remember their college years.  I absolutely LOVED working with these amazing people!  

But what made me truly appreciate working with them was hearing the news that one of the girls showed her mother the photos and her mom started crying!  That melts my heart.  When I think about how much the photos I took mean to someone, and can move them to tears makes my job beyond satisfying.

I hope you enjoy some of the photos from our shoot!  Enjoy! :)

I'm a bad blogger.

I have realized lately that I am one of the worst bloggers around.  I think I get too busy and excited about everything else in my life that I forget about keeping people in the loop via my blog.  I wish there was a reminder that I could set on here (not sure if it's possible) that would remind me to blog more frequently.  I apologize for not blogging in nearly a month.

But to get you up to date with everything, Morgan Hill was AMAZING!!  It was such a great opportunity that has really brought a lot more opportunities that I could ever imagine.  We (All Action Shots Team) was invited to take photos for the preliminaries for the next Summer Olympics to shoot the swimmers trying to qualify.  I think this will take place in Colorado. So exciting for such a great company!

See the link below to see how many different athletes that the photographers shot!  http://wwc.photoreflect.com/pr3/thumbpage.aspx?e=7978443

Secondly, life has been busy lately because my husband and I, along with our dog, moved into a different apartment.  We are so excited to be finally (somewhat) out of boxes, although we still have a ways to go.  At least we can function in our daily lives now right?  Well, sort of...

Now, the fun part.  We went on a couple of day "road-trips" lately.  My husband surprised me and drove us to a place called Three Rivers (not quite sure how to describe where it is) but it was B-E-A-U tiful!  Of course I took a million and a half photos, which sometimes drives him nuts.

PS.  I would absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to do a session here with someone!!

(Below are taken with my camera self-timer)

 And yes, I did run back each time...even across the street (below)

We also went to Monterey with a couple of good friends.  It was fun, fabulous and I think I learned a whole new appreciation of the city.  I wouldn't mind doing a photoshoot here too! :)

And now for the photography part, I have been shooting action shots in the evenings of softball lately.  In between dodging foul balls, and getting asked questions such as "who's mom/aunt/sister, etc. are you?" and sitting (literally) on the first base line, I am having an AWESOME time!!  I often wonder what mom/aunt/sister would have that large of a camera and being willing to actually sit on the field...but that's besides the point.  Below is a sneak peak of a photo from one of my shoots.  I purposely chose a photo where the athlete's back is to me, due to copyright and confidentiality issues.  Enjoy!