MICHELLE MAKES MEMORIES
  • Home
  • About
  • Testimonials
  • Ring Me
  • JLB
Ring me today

Picture Perfect Pointers

When Third Time Is Not A Charm

8/31/2017

0 Comments

 
While my patience may be slim on certain topics - especially if you ask my husband - I am always game to take 1, 5, or 10 pictures to get that perfect shot.  That being said, I never dare to ask the stand-in photographer who volunteers to capture a family moment to embrace the same craziness.

The good news is that when the best two shots have one different family member squinting or blinking in the best two images, I do not fear.  That is when my ability to take a face from one photo and copy it over to the next makes all things right in the world of Mom. 

​With technology I lead a charmed life!
Picture
Photo editing completed on images by utilizing Adobe Photoshop.
0 Comments

Serve Up Some Fun

5/31/2017

0 Comments

 
Sometimes what makes a picture perfect is not the technique used to photograph it, but the subject matter in it of itself.  Of course that would apply to images of our family and friends, but for me it also is reflected in how a party theme ultimately came together.

The two images I selected this month are from back-to-back parties that I held at my home celebrating my son's 5th and my 40th birthdays.  

I get great pleasure transporting our guests to somewhere other than my regular dining room.  From table skirts to table cloths, we keep it fresh and most importantly fun.  Lately I have even leveraged my chandelier by hanging objects from it using ornament hooks. The decor helps me serve up the perfect themed menu from rainbow-inspired dishes for my son's Trolls party, to all-time favorite diner delights for my 1950s party.
Picture
​Photography by K. Salkey Photography.
0 Comments

Take Two Photos And Email Me In The Morning

3/31/2017

0 Comments

 
For anyone that has ever attempted to photograph a group of people, especially kids, you know it would be close to a miracle to have everyone looking good, or even just looking at the camera, in the first shot.  So why not take two...or twenty? 

My note of caution, especially with how easy it is to keep clicking away on your phone cameras, is that it is better to stop and reset or rearrange the grouping then continue to take twenty of the same shot in hopes that one comes out.  In the latter instance you are left with a lot of unused photos that will add to the growing size of your photo library (unless you are a disciplined deleter!).   

Will it work out?  Not always.  So, instead of insisting for that perfect picture, sometimes it is great to just curate the top one or two and celebrate the fact that kids are just kids.  That is what you see in the two cute shots of my beautiful nieces with my two loves.  Remembering how hard we were trying to get my little guy to focus makes looking back at the picture all-the-more special now...because at least I remember that he consistently ignored instruction at this age! 
​
Picture
It takes two...to make a picture go right?
0 Comments

Make A Wish...And A Memory

2/28/2017

0 Comments

 
Milestone birthdays only come along every decade or so, right?  That it is why, no matter how you choose to celebrate them, a few photos can help capture the magic until the next one rolls around.

For my husband Andrew's 40th birthday we took a much-needed trip away just as adults.  While the weekend was all about rest and relaxation, I made it a point to still snap a few photos that would help us look back on how happy we were.  Whether you take a selfie or ask the staff, I encourage you to find that moment within the milestone.

Trips or big celebrations not your thing?  Do not fear.  How about a picture of your indulgence from the day?  Perhaps a candid of your cake or a picture of a present?  I believe that like a fine wine, we all improve with age.  Bottle up a little bit of that birthday bliss with a snapshot you can savor.
Picture
A collage made on Fotojet with 
​some bests from the big birthday!
0 Comments

Downloads Save The Day

9/30/2016

0 Comments

 
​If you are on any type of social media then you know as soon as August rolls around you will be seeing a ton of "back to school" pictures.  What I started to take particular note of in those pictures are the many types of signs and boards that kids are proudly holding announcing their new grade or what they want to be when they grow up or some other cute fact or catch phrase.

Props are a great thing for photos especially when they help to tell the story of the snapshot.  However, who has the time to carefully color in a small blackboard?  Or maybe your are embarrassed of your handwriting that resembles chicken-scratch?  

For those folks out there who are able to pull it together...I amaze at your planning and patience!  For the rest of us, the good news is the plethora of digital downloads that are available on sites like Etsycan be of great assistance.  (I find they print really great on photo paper to stay truer to the color.)  

So in true student fashion, if you are a last-minute crammer, there is still hope!
Picture
Signs purchased and downloaded
from Hannah's Custom Designs.
0 Comments

Invest In Your Images

8/31/2016

0 Comments

 
Since August 19th is World Photo Day, I just had to use that as my inspiration for this month's Picture-Perfect Pointer.  The big question then became, what set of images do I curate to celebrate this occasion?  After some deep consideration, I thought why not share our first photos after we upgraded our camera collection, changing our joy of photography forever?

Of course for context this upgrade occurred in 2005 when my husband and I purchased what I still deem one of our best gifts for ourselves - our first Nikon DSLR camera.  We figured there was no better time to take the plunge than before our 2-week honeymoon to Italy.  And boy, were we right!  The quality of the pictures we were able to take was beyond compare and many were enlarged and framed for my husband's office.  They serve as a constant reminder of why he works so hard for our family.  

While a camera that fits in your pocket is convenient, and has a role to play in our day-to-day, nothing beats the quality of a single-lens reflex.  So whether you have one and don't use it because it is "too big" or if you are contemplating if the sticker price is worth it, I can assure you that the memories you capture will bring smiles today and for generations to come.
Picture
A collage made on Fotojet of some favorite moments ​from my honeymoon to Italy in January 2006.
0 Comments

Click Away

7/31/2016

0 Comments

 
​​How many of us when invited to a party say, "Let me know if I can bring anything?" Which, without fail, the gracious host or hostess says, "Just yourself."  However, what they should be saying is, "Just yourself...and your camera!"

Whenever I am at a party taking pictures (even just as a guest, and not as paid help), some guest always comments to me, "I should really use my nice camera more."  Well, let me assure you that there is no better place or time to do that than at a party. 

Once you break out the camera, my suggestion would be to take those pictures that the party host would never dare to stop and capture at risk of neglecting the guests.  That is what makes your support all the more special. Any host will delight in receiving an unexpected gift the day-after.

My list of must-haves include:  a solo picture of the guest of honor and one with the family or close friends, pictures of the decor (including the cake) and of course the guests.  Oh, and don't forget one of yourself.
Picture
Pictures taken by Michelle Schoulder of Michelle Makes Memories.
0 Comments

​With An Editing Eye

6/30/2016

0 Comments

 
​With photography it is quality, not quantity that counts.  No matter how many pictures we can take within seconds in our digital age, it does not guarantee us that we will be able to capture that flawless photo.  

By flawless I am not advocating altering a subject matter's shape or form.  Quite the contrary.  My preference is to highlight the subject by removing any potential distractions.

Sometimes the basic editing tools of changing the brightness or cropping in will not cut it.  That is where someone with more advanced software can help out by removing rogue objects or individuals or in the case of little ones...maybe masking that runny nose or giving a virtual face wipe to that leftover lunch!

Friends often compliment me that I take the best pictures.  My response is that I take plenty of bad pictures...I just spend the time to edit them before posting for the world to see.
Picture
Check out more of my Before & After
examples by clicking here.
0 Comments

Don't Forget The "Fun" In Fundraising

5/31/2016

0 Comments

 
April showers traditionally bring May flowers, but this year in my life they brought a fundraiser, fashion show and fabulous memories!

One of my greatest joys outside of my family is being able to utilize my skill set in a way that helps others.  So when asked to serve as Fundraising Vice-President for the Junior League of Bronxville it was a no brainer.  I am able to volunteer, plan events and help Stamp Out Hunger in Southern Westchester while doing it.

After planning a number of fundraisers, my advice to others is to take advantage of the photo opportunities.  There is no better way to promote your organization's brand and create buzz around an event than when people are sharing pictures - especially with a branded step-and-repeat (backdrop) on social media for the days following.  Nothing says "support us" like smiling faces!
Picture
​Photography from the fundraiser by
K. Salkey Photography.
0 Comments

​Snap Shots Of The Small Stuff

4/30/2016

0 Comments

 
Planning parties can be a lot of fun...but that fun comes as a result of hard work. Quite often it is all the smallest of details that make the overall event a big success.

After putting in that time and effort, my best tip is to make sure you capture ALL the elements of your party.  Before guests arrive walk around the venue and take photographs of your decorations, your favors...even your food.  Since we know that the event will be over in a snap, you want to be able to look back and see how all the time you spent in advance of the big day translated into happy memories you can treasure forever.

Personally, I also like to remember all the people that work behind the scenes to make the event a special one.  I always pop in the kitchen or round everyone up for a group photo as the event is winding down.  The best part is seeing the pride they have in knowing they helped make your event picture perfect! ​
Picture
Some special people and details from
my first party planning gig!
0 Comments
<<Previous

    Author

    I am not a photographer, nor do I pretend to be one.  However, I am an avid picture taker.  In fact, when I look back at my compilation of photos over the past 10+ years, they number somewhere north of 65,000 (and that is AFTER I deleted the bad ones!).  Through this time I have learned some lessons, tips and tricks and those are what I share with you below in an effort to help everyone capture more of those special memories!    ​​

    Categories

    All
    Event Planning
    Food Photos
    Holiday Photos
    Photo Collage
    Photo Editing
    Photo Equipment
    Photo Gifts
    Photo Pointers
    Photos For Social Media
    Photo Staging
    Preserving Memories
    Taking Photos With Kids

    Archives

    March 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015


​Michelle Makes Memories LLC


Email:  

concierge@michellemakesmemories.com
  • Home
  • About
  • Testimonials
  • Ring Me
  • JLB