May
27
Today, I wanted to share a photoshop tip with you that I learned years ago. People sometimes comment about the way the eyes pop in my photos. So, I’d like to share how to get eyes that ‘pop in a photo.’ But, first, I want to start off by saying a few things…
A. I’m not a photoshop guru. My philosophy in editing is that there’s more than one way to skin a cat. I am self-taught, so just because I do it this way, doesn’t mean it’s the RIGHT way.
B. There’s no substitute for good light. You want to light your subject’s face with clean indirect light. If it looks great to start, it’ll look amazing with a few tweaks. But, you never want to try to ‘fix’ a photo.
Here’s the secret…the dodge tool. The tool can be found in your tool palette and it looks like a lollipop! At the top of your toolbar, select the midtones in the range option and set the opacity to 30%. I dodge once or twice right in the middle of the eye. Don’t over-do it, you can get an ‘alien look’ very quickly. Play around with the settings for different eye colors.
Pssst. Can I let you in on a little secret? I love scouting for photo shoot locations/the best spots in Long Beach. I’ll be driving around pretty much anywhere in Los Angeles, see something awesome, and slam on the brakes (slash) quickly pull over to document the details.
This park in Long Beach (technically it’s Lakewood) has been a favorite for awhile. And in the past, I’ve been a little secretive about my locations because I work really hard to find some of them. But, honestly, I’m not the child photographer that keeps going back to the same spot over and over. I get bored. I like to switch things up! So, while I’ll still hold some locations as ‘new’ for my clients (because I believe that’s part of why you hire me), I wanted to start sharing a few spots that I think would be fun for those of you that are looking for new photo shoot locations.
Monte Verde Park
Apr
01
We started off this week with a full table and ended up with an even fuller table! Monday night was a big pot of white bean chili with some family and friends…
Later in the week, I was working on a dip-dyed project for the blog. So, my sink was filled with pink dye! It turned out really cute, I can’t wait to share with you guys.
I did some location scouting last week and found this little gem. If I like the iPhone capture, I know it’s going to be off-the-hook-awesome with my real camera!
Brent had Friday morning off, so we started off the morning at Starling (LOVE this Long Beach breakfast spot), and then looked for an outfit for him to wear Easter morning. Of course I have no photos of what he actually wore, but he told me he liked this mannequin look, so I snapped it for future reference. Mixed prints for the win!
Speaking of Brent, have you notice how many skating pictures we’ve been posting!? Our friends put a ramp in their backyard and Brent has been teaching the boys to skate. It’s been fun and I’m secretly hoping this new hobby doesn’t end with any broken bones!
Saturday. I was a little stressed to start the day. I had a LOT to do. Then, my friend asked me to go to boot camp on the beach. I decided the to-do list could wait and I got my work out on instead. Everything got accomplished and my legs felt like jello the next day!
We open Easter baskets on Saturday, because Sundays tend to be crazy busy around here. My kids still get excited and the contents are super simple! Usually everyone gets shoes, a new Easter outfit, a bathing suit, a movie and a TINY bit of candy. This year I could find the big sand buckets, so everything got scrunched inside the small ones.
Saturday also involved making cinnamon rolls for the morning and arranging flowers for the tables. So, here’s my dough hanging out with all those flowers.
Brent had to leave at 7:30am on Sunday and doesn’t get home until almost 1:00, so I had to enlist these three helpers to get me set up for all 21 (!!!) of us for lunch. They were awesome and did everything from set the table to making lemonade for our guests. And they’re exceptionally cute!!
I ended the week with a full heart. I love my family and friends and it means a lot when we can all celebrate our risen Savior together! Oh and if you want to hear Brent’s message from Sunday, it’s on the church website- click here.
Hey y’all! With Easter coming up this Sunday, I wanted to share the mini photo sessions that happened a few weeks ago at Rascals to Rebels. If you haven’t been to this children’s boutique (in Rossmoor) yet, you need to go check it out! They have a great selection of clothes and toys…plus their staff is some of the nicest people you’ll meet!
On to the photos! Check out all these cuties…
Do you recognize these twins on the right below? They play the baby Christine Angela Booth on the show, Bones. They’re adorable!
Oh Monday! You snuck up on me again! Here’s what we were up to this week…
My friend, Matthew, gardens like no one’s business. He invited me over to see what was in bloom. Apparently, everything.
Also, I went with a new friend on a location scouting adventure. We were all the way outside San Juan Capistrano. And I hope to take some of you there with me some day! Are you guys up for a drive? For a tree this awesome!? I mean. Seriously, though, let me know if this is too far for mini-sessions or if you guys are down for an adventure!?
Here’s a shot from the day, that’s not iphone.
Also, we updated my head shots. (Again, how great is this location!?!)
On Thursday, our small group from church volunteered at Laundry Love. You can read more about it here. (Laundry Love Norwalk) It’s such a great program and we definitely want to volunteer again!
We also went with friends to the Galaxy game on Saturday night. Brent is the chaplain for the team, so it’s been fun to get to know the staff (they’re awesome!) and start to get into soccer. I had never been to a game before!
Yesterday I had some mini-sessions and my friend Laura came to help out/love on the client’s pets and document some behind the scenes action! Oh and don’t mind that giant electrical tower. Thankfully my clients trust me!!
Last but not least…Tuna Melts My Heart. Our friend Alie, introduced us to her newest instagram obsession, Tuna. The kids insisted I follow, so Tuna, we’re helping you make your way to 300K followers!
Awhile ago, I instagramming about how I was whizzing through zippered pillows at home. Making them right and left and then humble-bragging about how EASY it was! Then, like a meanie, I made you wait. But, the tutorial is finally here! I shared it today over on Little Skye Kids, so I hope you’ll check it out. It’s just a few steps and I pinky-swear you can make a zippered pillow in about 15 minutes. And you don’t have to have any special equipment, just a regular old sewing machine!
Click here to check it out!
//photography by Kristin Eldridge in Long Beach
I’m intrigued with dyes in nature. It’s the good stuff…green spinach and kale, pomegranate that dyes our fingers red when we pry those seeds out and anti-oxidant-rich blueberries. This year, we are in the kitchen playing around with natural dyes. And I started early so we could really get our technique down! I did a little googling on the matter and was not surprised that red cabbage is a wonderful dye. I was surprised however, to find that it dyes the eggs blue! And boring old brown onion skins, who knew they make a perfect orange dye!?
Well, let’s get started! Buy a handful of beets, a head of red cabbage and a brown onion…
Roughly chop your ingredients. I’m not sure that heat helps release the dye, but I tried it, just in case. The cabbage went over the stove top and the beets and onion were microwaved for a few minutes in separate bowls.
Leave the mixture to steep for at least 15 minutes and then strain it into a bowl or mason jar. Add your hard-boiled eggs and decide how long you want to wait. I left mine overnight in the fridge.
Here’s what I found out…the red cabbage and the onion skins were awesome! They had rich vibrant color. You could leave them in for an hour to have a pale color. The beets left overnight just turned brown. Boo! But, when I had checked them after about an hour, they were a pale pink. I predicted leaving them overnight would result in dark pink, alas brown was what we got.
These mimic robin’s eggs, in that they are slightly speckled and have varied color. I love how rustic they are. I think the possibilities are endless and I’m excited to try spinach and pomegranate seeds next!
//photographed at my home studio in Long Beach
Are you head over heels about wallpaper like I am? The bathroom is a great place to start. It’s a small space, so it’s not going to be a big investment. And bold patterns leave a big punch in small spaces! I recently wallpapered a wall in my dining room, but after seeing Annie’s wallpapered bathrooms, I’m itching to do the same!
The bedrooms have personality and life, but also a sense of calm. See part one of Annie’s house in my last blog post.
I love the brightly colored knobs on all the hall closets!
Feb
26
My friend Marcus, just started his own business making custom clothing for kids. I offered to shoot one of his pieces on Cooper, so I wanted to share it here! Marcus’ attention to detail is perfection and he has great style too! Here’s the link to his etsy store…so go check it out!
