First off, I apologize to everyone who has emailed or commented with questions... I'm SO behind on emails, etc. and have been very busy. So I will try to answer some in this post. If I don't get to your question, please leave it in a comment on this post- and I will answer with another comment. :)
1. "What kind of camera do you use?" Well, this is a tough one, since I have many cameras. My newest camera is a Nikon D300, and I love it! But I still use my other cameras, too. The photo above was taken months ago with my older camera- the Nikon D40X... this camera does a nice job but can't auto-focus with many lenses. So, if you are into more sophisticated lenses, I don't recommend it. I would go for the D80 or D300 in that case- or the D90 which just came out and does video too.
2. What lenses do you use? I have several lenses (all Nikkor), but those I use most are the 50mm 1.4, 50mm1.8, and 85mm 1.8. My favorite is the 50mm1.4... it lets in a lot of light, so I use it for my inside photos. I am very proud to say that I do NOT use flash any more! (except when necessary at night or for a snapshot) Otherwise, I'm totally into natural light photography (every photo of Sasha was taken with natural light from the window).
3. How do you get the blurry background? I am not an expert, but I get it in one of two ways. #1 Zoom way in on your subject, and the background should blur. #2 Use a lens with a lower aperature number (my 50mm 1.4 lens gives me the blurriest background). I'm sure some photographers who understand this better can give a more accurate explanation. :)
4. What program do you use to edit your photos? I use Photoshop CS2, and I really like it. There is soooo much to learn, and I learn something new all the time. I've heard that the simpler, less expensive version (Photoshop Elements) is great too.
5. How do you manage to take all these photos, blog, etc. with three kids? It's SO hard. But FYI, everything I've posted to Sophie and Ollie's blogs was taken way before Sasha was born. I had the posts all ready to go, knowing I'd be very busy! Also, I do have Edilia 5 days a week to help with cleaning the house (I rarely have her help with the kids). And Michael, of course, is such a helpful husband and awesome daddy! He's been taking Sophie and Ollie to school for me and so much more!
6. Can your kids take a bad picture? Ohhhhh, YES! One day, I should post what most of their photos look like- lol. I have to take LOTS of photos to get a few good ones! That's the secret!
7. You should become a professional photographer... Thank you so much for this and other compliments about my photography. I'm so flattered, but you should see some of the work the professional photographers that I admire do! Then, you'd see what an amateur I am! If you click on any of Sasha's photos, you will be taken to my Flickr page. If you go to my profile, you can check out my contacts- many of whom are amazing photographers (I drool over their photos, and so will you)! But I do realize that my photography has come a long way (I didn't even own a camera before going to China), and I appreciate the kind words!
Okay, if there are any other questions, please leave a comment- and I'll answer asap!
Hugs, Shana :)
40 comments:
I've been following your blog for sometime now (I also adopted from Guatemala). I am so amazed at your wonderful pictures!! You have inspired me to ask for a better camera for Christmas in hopes that I can finally capture my little one! She's so fast! Love your blogs!
~Bethany and Caroline
How are you going to preserve pictures for your kids' future? This is my difficulty right now, there's so many pictures and I don't really enjoy scrapbooking...
I am still plugging away on my d40x. I really need to get on flickr. Your photos are amazing!!!
I can't BELIEVE no one has asked this question yet! .... WILL THERE BE MORE BEAUTIFUL BABIES IN THE FUTURE FOR YOU? :) (You KNEW someone was going to ask that, right?) ;)
Someone left a question on another post asking why I take so many photos of Sophie without her glasses...
I've answered this several times before, but there are many reasons:
1. There is major glare in the photos with her glasses.
2. Sophie has beautiful eyes and I want to capture them but you can't see them with her glasses on.
3. Many times, Sophie doesn't want to wear them because she is wearing a hat, crown, headband, etc.
4. Sophie will probably have some surgeries or wear contacts one day and might appreciate photos of her without her glasses (so you can really see her beautiful face) one day.
5. I've checked with many friends who wear glasses or have kids with glasses, and they think it's okay. Also, I've consulted a couple child psychologists who say the way we do it is fine.
6. She never takes off her glasses for snapshots- only staged photo shoots or when she's playing in the water and can't wear her glasses (like in the photo above). She even wears her glasses in school portraits (even though there is an option not to).
I hope that helps clear things up. Sophie Lu knows that I think she is beautiful with and without her glasses- and she really is. Her feelings are more important to me than anything- you know how very much I love her!
Shana :)
Rach,
I wish I knew!!! I guess that's why I continue to blog! :) I'm terrible with scrapbooking, keeping photo albums, etc. I haven't had photos printed in over a year! Everything is digital! I do know that there are those super-mom's out there (like Donna from Double Happiness) who have made their blogs into books, and they are quite beautiful! I feel like I'm so far behind now and SO busy that it would be impossible to find the time!
What are you thinking of doing?
Shana :)
Mom2Noah,
Awww, you're so sweet! But, no- no more kids for us! Sasha was #7 for Michael (he has 4 grown kids from his first marriage)!
Three is keeping me on my toes!
Shana :)
This was helpful for me, thanks! And I wear glasses, but remove them for most photographs... for all of the reasons you stated.
You have come a long way girl and I for one and so proud of you!!! I love my 85mm to - it is actually my favorite lens :D If you ever decide to go pro - I'd be first in line to hire you!!!
Hi Shana,
I am a new mom, have two foster to adopt girls ages, 4 & 6. I am not a very experienced photographer but find it's so hard getting the kids to stay still for photos without one of them cracking a goofy grin or if you ask them not to pose, they then have such a serious face, I never feel like I am getting a natural pose of them.
How do you get such good photos of Sophie and Ollie?
And......I only have a Kodak EasyShare C533....what would be a basic camera to upgrade to? I don't want a super fancy one, but would like one with some basic lenses, etc?
Thanks, and love your blogs and your photos are wonderful.
Molly
Like you I'm a beginner and just learning to use my Nikon D80. You really do take amazing pictures though ! I think I see a future in modeling for Sophie.
Sophie is lovely. It HAS to be tough to take a "bad" picture of her!
Also, I wish I could get the hang of Photoshop. It's so complicated, at least for me! My pictures always end up looking ten times worse than they were straight out of the camera.
I'll just live vicariously through photographers like you! ;)
Little Sophie is sure beautiful. I just can't imagine her taking a bad picture. They are all so lovely.
Hi Shana,
Just a suggestion of this is going to be in lieu of scrapbooks or photo albums - Back up copies onto a disc often! My friend almost lost her whole trip to China because she messed up something with the html. I'm not sure how she got it back, but it nearly devastated her. Blogspot does not own or guarantee your content.
Your blog and family are beautiful. I've been following since we returned from China in 2005 with our Caroline.
Teresa
www.horvethappenings.blogspot.com
Hi Shana-
How did you learn so much about photography? I went from a Canon Powershot (which I loved) to a Nikon D40X in April when Emma was born. I still have no clue what half the settings are and usually keep it on automatic. Being a first time mom who recently went back to work I feel like I just don't have the time to spend even though I want to. Any suggestions you can give would be greatly appreciated :-)
I really needed this post...I am getting a new Camera for Christmas...and I am scared I am an IDIOT and have no idea how to use it....I am so glad you took the time to answer these questions...HUGS
Hi! I stumbled across your blog, and wanted to ask you a photography question...I have a Nikon D40 with the kit lens and the zoom lens. I love taking pictures of babies and my products, but I don't like to use the flash. Every time the baby moves the picture is blurry, and I know it's because the shutter speed is so low because of low light. What can I do about this? What setting do you put your camera on? Thanks! Your children are precious and I love your blogs! Like you I have dreamt for most of my life of adopting a little girl from China. When my husband and I turn 30 we plan to do just that! We went to China this past summer for the Olympics and that confirmed our desire to adopt from there.
okay Mommarazzi.....how do you print these out and what do you do with all of these pictures? ;)
Shana,
Your photos are always SO amazing! Do you generally manually focus or do you use the auto focus?
I have a D80 and am often disappointed with the AF but don't seem fast enough for the manual!
Marcia
Hello,
I just found your blogs and cannot stop reading them. Your pictures are amazing and have inspired me to take a class. After reading this post I am asking for one of those cameras for Christmas.
We have a dossier in China, LID 11.27.06. We hope to have only a few more years of waiting left.
We have a daughter from Ethiopia and may adopt another child from Ethiopia before we receive our referral from China. What is it like to have three children 3 and under? I am a little nervous about that.
Anyway your blogs are amazing and have inspired me to start another blog/picture journal for our daughter.
Thanks,
Leah
I have named you one of my Honest Blogs! Check out my blog to read more :O)
Please do not feel like you have to do this.....Just wanted you to know that I enjoy your blog :O)
xoxo,
Michele
Thanks for taking time to share all that....I learned something here that I did not know about your cameras and lens...no matter what you use Shana, your photographs are beautiful and your little 'subjects' are indeed special! Thank you for letting us see a slice of their lives and enjoy watching them grow.
hugs to you my friend,
Betsy
Just found your blog accidentally... google reader suggested it, I guess because my blog is about my daughter Sophie who was adopted from Ethiopia. :) Your Sophie is precious!
It's so funny I was visiting your website today and was going to email you on what kind of camera you had. Mine just broke and I would love to invest in a better camera.... Your children are beautiful!!!!
Amy
Happy Halloween Sophie
Elaine from MT
Okay, I am SO sorry for not posting comments and answering questions yet... I've been sick and super busy! I will have time and will get to them by tomorrow!
Shana :)
I am new to your site.. I linked it from Amelia.. we went to china with them when we adopted our daughter Madison.
Your photos are amazing.. and get this.. I am a photographer and you are kicking my butt with your pictures!
Your daughter is beautiful!!
Molly,
I know what you mean about how hard it is to get kids to pose without making goofy or too serious of faces! Ollie is virtually impossible to get photos of, and even Sophie is difficult sometimes!
The secret is... take LOTS of photos. I mean LOTS. Sometimes I take several hundred to get a few good ones... A lot of people ask me how I get Sophie to smile and laugh for photos- you would not believe what crazy things I do/say to get her to laugh for these shoots! I sing funny songs, make funny faces, and say crazy things to get her in a laughing mood! Other than that, try tickling and bribing! :)
As far as an upgrade for your camera... hmmm... everyone I know who has the Canon Rebel loves it. Being a Nikon girl, I'd have to say the Nikon D80? I'd suggest the D40, D40X or D60 if you don't intend on upgrading lenses (but you probably will want to at some point). I wish I could help you more on that one!
Hugs to you!
Shana :)
Tori,
Honestly, I really don't know that much about photography, but thanks! I am still learning so much. I ordered and watched videos made for my camera and also a quick guide from Amazon.com. I also try to read a GREAT blog called thepioneerwoman.com. She has great photography tips, tutorials, etc. She is amazing, and so is her love story- check it out!
Hugs, Shana :)
Blush and bashful,
Yes, I think that's why your photos are blurry. I really couldn't take great natural light photos until I could use better lenses with lower aperture numbers. My 50mm 1.8 and the 1.4 especially take great indoor natural light photos- but I must admit that my kids aren't really moving a whole lot most of the time I photograph them. In any case, that's why I had to upgrade cameras, because the D40/40X doesn't isn't compatible with most other auto-focus lenses (unless you want to manually focus). Really, I think it's all about the lens. But if you read this answer again, you'll see that I haven't really done a good job of answering your question- lol. Maybe someone else who knows more can add to this? Let's hope so- since I really don't know what the heck I'm talking about anyway! LOL
Hugs & sorry for rambling!
Shana :)
Steffie B.,
Whaaaat? Print pictures? Frame them? Oh wow- you give me too much credit! I barely have time to shower these days- lol! I really do need to order some photos and frame them! I haven't done that since Sophie turned 3! But when I do, I just order them from Ofoto.com (which is kodak gallery now or something). I also intend on making a book of photos of each kid for each year. I hope I get some time for that!
What do you do?
Hugs my friend!
shana :)
Marcia,
I always use auto-focus because my eye isn't good enough for manual focus (and it takes too much time)! Maybe it seems slow because of the lens you are using? Just guessing- but who knows!
Hugs, Shana :)
Leah,
Having three kids is easier than I thought in some ways and harder in others.
I will say that I really really enjoyed having one child (Sophie) for a couple of years and it took that long before I could even think of wanting another one. So just make sure you are ready before #2! :)
I love all three of my angels, though, and sometimes it's hard but WAY worth it!
Hugs, Shana:)
Hi Shana,
You definitely have the most popular blog in cyberworld! I've been stopping by everynow and then for some inspiration. Your photography is breath taking! Sophie Lu is magnificent! By the way, a huge congratulations on your new little kitten! I am so happy for all of you! Can't wait to see more photos.
Anyway, please come by and say hello. My little peanut is a hurricane in motion. It's very hard to get photos of her unless I'm running in front! That's a tip for any other Mommy photographers, just get right in front, on their level!
Well, gotta run.
Thanks for sharing as always.
Hugs from NJ
Ivy
Oh, one more comment, I read your reply to Leah because I so want to adopt again. Both my hubby and I are 50 and so we want another special needs daughter. Everything was ready to go and then DH told me, he can't go through with it! My heart was broken as I so want a sister for Kira. I have been a nurse my entire life taking care of total strangers and now my life is blessed by caring for my daughter. I think the "we are getting old" syndrome kicked in and my response was, if I could have my own child, there wouldn't be this conversation! My work was so physical, bending, lifting, running into work for on call emergencies, it was crazy! I think it's simply unfair and I can't stop thinking of another little girl that we could save from an uncertain future. That bothers me the most.
If you have any suggestions, besides a therapist LOL, please email me at shaffer_i@comcast.net
This is harder than the wait was!
Hugs,
Ivy and Kira
I'm going through *new* Sophie picture withdrawl.
I was introduced to your blog last night by a good friend of mine who adopted a boy and a girl from China. I have to admit that I ended up staying up until 2:30am reading all of your blogs, watching all of the videos, and admiring all of the pictures. Man was I tired this morning after my 3 month old woke up at 3:30am and my 2 year old woke up at 7am. However, it was all well worth it. I LOVE your blog and you have inspired me to chronicle my children's lives by blogging. I cannot get into the traditional method of scrapbooking and this is a fabulous way of sharing and journaling my love and experience with them. For that I Thank You!
With that said, will you share some of your tricks?
1. How do you manage to stay so well rested, beautiful and young looking.
2. How do you find time to balance 3 kids, blogging and find time for your husband?
3. Most importantly, how did you teach Sophie so much in such a short time? I was so impressed with what you had accomplished with her by the time she was 2.5 years old. She went from being so far behind developmently when you were blessed with her to a genious who new her colors (in spanish and english), numbers, letters, and their sounds at 2 1/2. I would love to know what you did so that I could work with my daughter as well.
Thank you again for the inspiration.
Cathy
Cathy,
So sorry it took this long to respond... that there should tell you that I don't have it all together like some think I do! :)
Here are my responses to your questions- and I wish I had better ones!
1. Thank you so much for the kind words, but I really don't!!! I only post the best photos of myself- believe me, I've been looking like a tired old hag lately! :)
2. My husband would say I *don't* find much time for him these days! And as far as the kids are concerned, both older ones go to preschool until 12:30 each weekday, and Michael has been taking/picking them up from school for me (Thank God). Sophie Lu is very easy and calm, and Ollie is a Daddy's boy and hangs out with his
Daddy a lot! So I do have help!
3. Well, I must admit that Sophie Lu is a particularly brilliant child. I was a teacher for 10 years, so I can say that with some authority. :)
Thanks again, and best wishes to you and your daughter!
Hugs, Shana :)
Dear Shana,
Please post some more pictures of sophie as soon as you can. I am dying for more! I also wanted to say that i loved all of sophie lu's different halloween outfits. They were adorable. I also really liked Sasha's kitten costume and Olivers monkey costume :)
Dear shana,
I have a small question for you. How old was sophie lu when you adopted her?
(Very curious)
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