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I am so fortunate to know a photographer like Sandy Heit! Not only has she been amazing at capturing wonderful images of our children and family, but she is also a wealth of knowledge in helping me learn how to use this new beast of a camera that I’m swinging around these days! (To see more on Sandy, check out this earlier post).
Soap Box Moment for just a sec…
One of my most favorite characteristics in a professional is not being afraid to share their tips with you. 3 of the most important service people in my life - photographer, brows/makeup, and hair pro (haaa, that kinda made me sound like I was getting ready for my Today Show appearance!! I WISH, just a regular ‘ole mom over here!!)…
Anyway, EACH of these professionals is amazing and very generous about giving me tips or teaching me how to do things on my own…to me this creates customer loyalty as all 3 know that in watching the family budget, I (we all) NEED to do things on my (our) own. HOWEVER, knowing that these pros are so willing to help me (us), makes me WANT to make appointments with each of them for the times that it really counts! So it’s a win-win all the way around.
Now onto the pro tips for today!
I’m assuming with the holidays approaching, cameras for gifts (or for yourself, FINALLY) are probably on lists somewhere and thought this might help….
When I was getting ready to start this blog, I knew that one feature I really enjoyed and appreciated on other sites was good photographs. Now CLEARLY I’m not a pro with pictures, but I’m surprised how often I receive emails from people asking how I do something.
The truth?
I don’t have a clue!
I have this camera that is WAAAAYYY better than me! I know that someday I will have time to really unleash it’s true potential, but for now, I’m just thankful it can perform basically on auto pilot….
Sandy Heit was amazing when I was getting started and made the following suggestions:
For camera bodies, she recommends either the Canon EOS Rebel T1i (Body Only)
which sells for about $700.
Or the Canon EOS 50D Camera (Body Only)
Quite a few places sell these cameras with kit lens with she believes are junk
(I’ve had quite a few friends that use these cameras tell me the same thing…)
Because I wanted to work on product shots, she recommended a Canon 50mm 1.8 Camera Lens
that sells for about $80. Basically a good, sharp lens.
However, because Sandy also knows I’m a bit of a photo freak (I love family pictures)
she also recommended another lens, the Tamron 28-75mm Camera Lens
which she believes is a great all around lens.
And since I’m totally clueless with cameras (unless its my point and shoot, which I affectionately like to call “push here dummy”). Sandy also recommended a good read: Understanding Exposure: How to Shoot Great Photographs with a Film or Digital Camera. When I passed this information onto my youngest sister who is most definitely the photographer in our family, she laughed as she has the Canon Rebel T1i and also the book, and loves them both! So that served as a second to the recommendations for me.
And to answer your question, I use the Canon 50D and Tamron 28-75.
Now as far as Point and Shoot cameras are concerned, I personally love the Canon Elph. I have used Panasonic, Sony and Canon P&S cameras and in the end ALWAYS come back to Canon Elphs. That is not to say the others aren’t good, but for my novice ability and need for the easiest thing that will give me the best pictures, Canon Elphs have always been the best.
My current P&S is the Canon PowerShot SD850 Elph Camera
The P&S that Sandy Heit wants is the Panasonic Lumix LX3
The P&S she currently uses is a Canon G9
(Canon PowerShot G10
I have given links to Amazon as I love shopping with them, love the super saver shipping, and often get the best prices. Sandy also recommends B&H Photography out of NY.  You pay for shipping, but if you are not in NY, you don’t pay sales tax.
Also for great tips on taking photos and also using Photo Shop (which I have YET to learn), check out The Pioneer Woman. This woman is my hero!!
Here’s a few great gift thoughts from Sandy as well…
She offers Gift Certificates starting at $250, which covers her session fee.
Great deal, because now all that’s left is buying photos, etc.
Accordian books are always fun for parents and grandparents!
I love to make photo notecards to use for personal stationary and thanks notes.
(These are 2 of my personal ones).
And my all time FAVORITE companion product Sandy offers,
her Modern Photo Books
Now I was planning on sharing some tips from Sandy on organizing photos…
I but think we will be here until January 2010 if this post gets any longer.
So instead, I’m going to move on to Sandy Heit’s FABULOUS giveaway!!!
(I’ll post the organizing tips in a future post…)
1 luck winner will win a photo session with Sandy and 1 – 8 x 10 photo, a $325 value!
Here are the rules – if possible (this is new), please leave separate comments… a pain I know, but makes it easier when I’m making up the draw bucket for the girls!!
1. Visit Sandy Heit’s Blog and leave a comment there on a favorite photo. (1 entry)
2. Sign up on Sandy’s mailing list to receive future promotions(1 entry)
3. Add one of my buttons to your site or blogroll (1 entry).
4. Vote for us for the bizziollionth time at Top Mommy Blogs! (1 entry)
Don’t forget to leave your comments so we know what you did!! And enter even if you live out of town, it just gives you more reason to come visit the OC!!
Best of luck! You have until Tuesday, December 15th to enter. Winner will be announced on Wednesday.
Don’t forget to enter the Juliska Giveaway!! Only 3 days left!!
The more times you comment, the more chances you have!
Left a comment on her blog…so hard to just pick one awesome photo!
Carrie´s last blog ..And the winner is…
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voted for you again…
Carrie´s last blog ..And the winner is…
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added your button!
Carrie´s last blog ..And the winner is…
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signed up for the mailing list…
Carrie´s last blog ..And the winner is…
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OK girl! There is no other giveaway that I want more!!! I LOVE pictures. When I was younger, I wallpapered my room with photos of my friends. And yes… from floor to ceiling by the time I was a senior. I just recently bought the Canon Rebel and love it! They are actually running a great promotion at Samy’s. No sales tax!! Only until the 14th.
Since we have a new addition to our family we are in desperate need of a photo shoot!!
I have my fingers crossed for this one!!
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I left a comment on Sandy’s page.
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I signed up for news feeds on Sandy’s page.
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I voted. Yay! #3
Soon to be #1!!
Let the winning begin….!!!!
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OK, I HAVE to enter this one…my sob story I had my daughter photographed at 6 mos for the purpose a.) capturing her fleeting baby essence b) to have one of those square modern board books made. Alas the photog’s hard drive crashed before the book was printed and all was lost. Time is slipping away, she’s almost 4 now.. sniff sniff. So I’ll TWEET, BLOG, COMMENT, BARTER or whatever else I need to do for this one.
DITTO on the 50mm lens I am on lens #4 – yes you read that correct, for some reason they have been a toddler magnet in my house and met with an untimely death (lens meet kitchen floor) The lens is incredibly sharp! I love that I physically have to get up close and shoot with it. Oh and thanks for stoking my desire to learn PS… there is one thing I would LOVE to find – a good ONLINE print company… any suggestions?
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These reqs are great. I find I travel around with a rebel and an elph…with nieces and nephews gotta be able to take a video here and there! We love the littles!!! :O)
completed – sandys blog, sandys mailing, voted
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left a comment on sandy’s blog…
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signed up for email…
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added MFE button…
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and finally I voted for MFE for the bizziollinth time!! (did I spell that right??)
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LOVE this giveaway! We still haven’t had a family photograph taken and our little is 13 months old! Agh, I know what you are thinking Shanna! Im going to do them all!
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ok… I commented on her blog
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I have no idea how to add a button to whatever that one was… ha
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however I am going to suggest her to friends!
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I signed up for her mailing list
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I voted.. you are still # 3.. woohoo!
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I voted…
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I commented on her website photos
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And now I am on her mailing list! Thanks for the giveaways!
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Morning! Entry #1, comment on a beautiful photo
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Entry #2 – Signed up for email updates.
Thank you!
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Just stopping by to say how much I love this giveaway… and I have the canon T1i and I LOVE it!
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love these tips so much! i have been really considering a DSLR and wouldn’t know where to start….then, last week, someone stole my Canon Elph was stolen on sunday from Froggs Bounce House. SO LAME. SO now i need TWO cameras.
Anyhow,…i commented on Sandy’s site.
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I signed up for the emails on Sandy’s site
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don’t have a blog or site so i can’t add a button ;(
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Voted for the billionth time on top mommy blogs !! :)
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I left a comment on Baby Barzotti’s Sneak Peek. So cute!
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I signed up on her mailing list!
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I couldn’t figure out how to add a button to my blog so I did a blog post that linked people to your blog!
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commented on Sandy Heit’s website
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I added myself to her mailing list…
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and I voted for you!
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I voted for you!
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I signed up on her mailing list… love this giveaway!!! Thank you!
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I commented on your girls photo on her website!
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Left a comment on Sandy’s blog. Love them all!
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Signed up for Sandy’s mailing list. Hoping to hear she’ll be in the Bay Area some day. (Yes I know we could use her when we’re in OC, but would love to see what she would do with the green hills and oak trees by our house.)
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Voted for you again! You’re #3!!
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I really want to win this one!
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she is awesome – have had at least 4 photo shoots with her.
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Commented on Sandy’s blog
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voted again! ;)
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Added myself to Sandy’s mailing list!
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I commented on Sandy’s site. Her photos are gorgeous!
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Left a comment on Sandy’s site. Awesome photos!
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Added my email to the mailing list
Juli´s last blog ..craziness
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