a k s photography

How to achieve a successful photography session

2011-10-16T12:42:00.000-07:00

Weather you have booked a session with me, another photographer, or you are planning to have "uncle Bob" snap a casual photo of your family, here are some pointers to make any of the above more successful. (There are a lot of other little things that could influence a photo session such as weather, or time of day, or if a child didn't get enough rest the night before, or you came down with a bad case of allergies that morning, on and on a and on....but here are a few things that we can control to some extent):

1) Listen to your photographer for instructions on what to wear. Together with your photographer you can come up with a wardrobe that would be both photogenic and suits your style and personality.

2) Bring your personalities to the shoot. Don't be a fake version of yourself. I promise you that even in a corporate head shot shoot, you will benefit from having a bit of genuine personality showing through. It's always easier to ask you to bring the volume down that it is to ask you to turn it up.

3) Don't forget to interact with your fellow photo mates. If you are with your family, friends, or just your significant other...what makes the photos special is when you interact with each other. Standing merely side by side does not a special photo make. It could be just facing each other, laying a hand on a shoulder, or hugging your child. All of it gives another dimension to the photo.

4) Remember that what ever mood or vibe you and your photographer bring to the photo session, can directly be reflected in your photos. So stay positive, optimistic, flexible, and open minded. This goes both ways for you and your photographer (Me!). No matter what went on prior to a photo-shoot as soon as I arrive on location, my focus is you and how to make you feel comfortable. Your photos depend on it.

5) Be vocal about the things that you don't like. Make certain your photographer is aware of your likes and dislikes. Know your photographer and let them get to know you. It ends so much better if you spend the time to meet and discuss the specifics.

6) Be realistic about the time commitment that a photo session requires. If you have a family of 4 and you want a full session, don't commit to another engagement 30 minutes after you start your session. The feeling of being in a rush can negatively affect the performance of your photographer, and even your own frame of mind.

7) Above all don't be afraid to have fun, or suggest to do a photo-shoot around your passion or interests. When you are enjoying yourself magic happens. When I photograph children, I can count on them eventually forgetting about me and my big lens and going about their business...but with adults it's a bit more difficult. We tend to stay conscious of the camera and let that influence our smile, posture, our facial expressions, etc...

8) One last bit about posture...stay conscious of your shoulders...we tend to raise them up as we get more tense or nervous. Don't be afraid to put your head on a shoulder, lean on a tree, hug your child, smell a flower, hold a hand, run, walk, or even hop. This is the time to have fun, be romantic, be philosophical, soulful, inquisitive, curious, sporty, flirty, thoughtful, BE PASSIONATE, BE YOURSELF...that's where the magic is.

Much Love,

Shadi Dunkin

a k s photography

512-785-8331

http://www.aksphotographyaustin.com/

shadi@aksphotographyaustin.com

Sleepless in Seattle

2010-07-21T15:10:00.001-07:00

Yes they were probably a little sleepless the night before, after all they were to be married the next day. But that said, Heather and Garett were the coolest bride and groom I have ever photographed or met! Everything went as planned and even I stayed on schedule! As the clouds gave way to sunshine the wedding day for this sweet couple started with heavens smiling down on them and so went on the rest of the day and night. Here are a few samples of their special day.

Photo Tip:

Be prepared for anything. Gear up for what ever. Have enough memory, batteries, lenses, etc. Also don't forget your snacks and water. Stay hydrated!

Love is beautiful

2010-06-08T20:00:00.000-07:00

Photographing a mother and child is one of my favorite types of sessions. I can always count on magical moments to unfold in front of my lens. This session was no exception...but it was one of the most intensely loving sessions I have had. Here's a sample of what I saw that day...it was beautiful...it was love.

Photo Tip: Water element in the photo usually makes the image more interesting...this could be anything from an ocean scene to just running through the sprinklers in the front yard. A rainy day shouldn't keep you from shooting either...put ziplocks on your gear and head outside. In the case of the above session the small ponds created beautiful reflections, a place to explore, and in general interesting textures and shapes.

Austin People

2010-05-27T07:27:00.000-07:00

Diversity is beautiful. Downtown Austin has plenty of it. The pallet of colors from skin to clothing is a treat for the eye and the lens. Here's a sample of what I saw in just the time it took for the light to turn green.

Photo Tip: Plain and Simple - Take your camera every where. The opportunity to take a compelling photo could arise at any time and any where.

Remembering

2010-05-19T14:28:00.000-07:00

As a child we rely on photos or drawings to tell us a story...well as an adult, I still love to see photos that tell stories. I still like to learn about a new place through photos. To me they are the next best thing to being there. After taking a photo and returning home, when I look back at the images, they always transform me back to the exact moment when I took the photo. I like that a lot. That's one of the biggest reasons I like photography.....beacause I like remembering.

Photo Tip: When you are faced with new surroundings, take time to learn how to photograph it best in order to get the result you want. Bright sunshine, white sand, crystal blue waters, all present challenges in photography. Read about it ahead of time, and when you get there practice it and experiment.

Wedding in the mountains

2010-04-08T07:23:00.001-07:00

The wedding party lined up and the room was big and comfortably heated. The guests took their seats and the Bride started walking down the Isle in her strapless gown along side of her dad. As the bride and groom held hands and got ready for the officiant to start, two very large wooden doors slid open behind them revealing a breathtaking snowy mountain scene....yes it was subfreezing temperatures and snow was falling right outside but the couple was not phased and the rest of the wedding party didn't mind. The ceremony was beautiful and personal. The love that filled the air warmed everyone up as almost every woman and man in attendance shed tears of joy. For this couple I hope the road is long and beautiful as their journey started so beautifully.

Photo Tip: Photography is truly painting with light. I love silhouettes, but what I love even more is to catch highlights and slivers of light on the subject's form to give the photo three dimensionality and convey emotions very subtly.

The big day

2010-04-01T10:21:00.000-07:00

Brides are so beautiful. Weddings are such happy occasions. On that big day every one looks their best and every one has amazing dreams and hopes for a happy future. On a day such as this it's only fitting to have all your friends and family be a part of it. A witness to your commitment to a better future. It's like a contract you make with yourself and your partner to forever uphold what is right and what is fair with love and honesty. The beginning of something beautiful. The romance, the honesty, the love, the sweet smell of "forever" in the air...it's the stuff that makes great images.

Photo Tip: Beauty of digital photography is that you can sometimes ignore the bad lighting conditions and not so pleasing back grounds or other inconveniences...you can always fix them post capture... I know first hand in these wedding photos that I shot at 3200 ISO - Concentrate on the moment that is unfolding in front of you.

Thanks to Signature Bridal Salon www.signaturebridalsalon.com

Also the models: Zoe Alexander, Barbara Rappaport, Brianna Flee, Ariane Reis,

Mother's Embrace

2010-03-01T08:37:00.000-08:00

Photographing a child is the best thing. They don't mind about their looks and posing. They do what they want...they are natural. So basically almost no child looks bad in any photo. They just look like themselves. And being yourself is something we all strive for everyday as adults. We want so badly to be able to be ourselves... yet as a child it seems effortless and accepted by all. Combine the effortlessness of a child's charm with the most powerful of all forces, a mother's embrace. That's magic.

Photo Tip: If you are photographing in daylight with sunny skies, your best bet is to place your subject in "open shade". Trees don't make the best shades, as they let the light rays come through the leaves and make patches of extreme contrasted light on your subjects skin and clothing. A place like a porch with an awning is the best.

Rare and exciting

2010-03-01T08:00:00.000-08:00

It's rare to see snow flakes come down in bunches in our city, but they did. They were large and airy and lingered in the air as they danced in harmony to the ground. As soon as the first snowflake fell every child and grownup was getting ready to go outside as their excitement began to build up. The thought of building a snowman or sliding down the hill and having hot cocoa afterwards is enough to put a smile on anyone's face.

The snow made the landscape quiet down. It muffled the noises, it calmed the air unlike the loudness of a rainstorm the snow was gentle and serene. As if it was white for a reason...to promote peace. Indeed everything seemed very peaceful. Even the kids that screamed as they slid down the hill in their laundry basket seemed peaceful.

Photo Tip: Cover your camera gear with large ziplock bags when shooting in rain or snow. They are very effective and inexpensive.

Strong, Positive, Ageless

2010-01-19T13:11:00.000-08:00

You know someone has made an amazing impression on you if a week later you are still thinking about the 10 minute conversation you had. As I looked through the lens and framed this family a face at a time....the ninety year old grandmother stood strong as a rock, proud as a peacock, fearless like a lion, and then she even laughed and had fun like a free spirited 18 year old. It wasn't surprising that the rest of the family were just as amazing. Each of them had a calm and a peaceful presence about them...each of them made me feel welcomed. I learned so much from our meeting. I learned that you shouldn't let life beat you down...be young at heart and you will be forever ageless.

Photo Tip: Even if you are taking photos inside and have set up lights that you can't move around, don't forget to use your zoom and telephoto capabilities to capture details that later may mean so much.

a Wedding - a Reunion

2009-12-30T17:02:00.000-08:00

There's something very special about a union of two people. Commitment to, and promise of love makes the event truly unforgettable. I was honored to have witnessed the marriage of Jill and Mark. The two were undeniably in love and the evidence was in front of my lens each time I framed them in a photo. Smiles never left their faces, their arms never stopped embracing, and the kisses went on and on. In the midst of all this not only their dreams of being together came true, but also the dreams of their five year old son, as he watched mommy and daddy exchange their sacred vows. The ceremony went on as the three of them held on to each other, heads bowed in prayer....hearts full of love.

Photo Tip: Stay in the moment and experience your subject's emotional state if you can, in order to anticipate the "awww moments" . Allow yourself to be touched by the moment....it's okay!

Sweetness, tender love, and a brand new angel is born

2009-12-16T11:47:00.000-08:00

We react to the events of each day as they unfold and sometimes during the course of life we are surprised by the emotions that arise as we encounter certain people or situations. Often we don't think too much about it, but once in a while the feelings are so undeniably strong that we take notice.

As I hold my newly born nephew in my arms, the warmth of his body takes me into a world beyond where my body resides. My head droops lower in order to be as close to his breath as possible. His peaceful slumber is calming and quiets my mind....and that's when emotions take hold and rise up deep from my gut...and my heart beats faster as tears find their way out on my cheeks.

Surprised by this deep emotional reaction I turn away so not everyone can see the private personal moment I am having with this angel. But after a while it's impossible to hide. I can't really explain it but when it was time to take a few photos of him it was apparent to me that those photos will reflect my tender feelings towards him.

I am so moved by this little baby...."Mason"

Photo Tip: Take photos of what moves you......it's always a sure bet you will get an amazing photo

Beauty and the light

2009-10-26T12:10:00.001-07:00

I can't say enough about light. The quality of it gives your photographs the emotional value that they each possess. The direction of it, the temperature, the amount, ...every aspect of it can affect your photo in a different way. I am learning that by manipulating the light I can give my photographs more feeling. The pure sunlight can give the photo a playful feel, the cloudy overcast skies can make the photo moody and sometime mysterious, the warm light of the sunset gives photos a romantic glow...and on and on. These few photos were taken in the middle of the day, but with some control of the light I was able to get the perfect tone and highlights....of course it didn't hurt that she was beautiful.

Photo Tip: Control the light by using diffusers like standing some one next to a window with sheer curtains if there is a lot of sunlight pouring inside. Or reflectors, like having a person hold a white poster board underneath their chin for fill light.

Holiday Promotion

2009-10-20T08:52:00.000-07:00

Limited Offer for the Holiday Season All Sessions during the months of October, November, and December of 2009 will benefit from a 50% discounted rate on the Session Fee.

Special Holiday Package $175.00

Includes the following:
* A one hour session with the photographer for up to 4 people. The session will mainly focus on group configurations for the purposes of Holiday gifts and cards. Additional people will be $25.00 each.
* One enlargement of the photo of your choice up to an 8X12
* 5 digital neagatives of poses captured during this session for your unlimited use.
* Location will be decided upon booking.

Special Family Package $295.00

Includes the following:
* A two hour session with the photographer for up to 10 people. The session will mainly focus on getting a family portrait with the extended family members. Additional people will be $25.00 each.
* 3 enlargements of the family portrait up to an 11X14
*(optional) purchase of 10 digital negatives of other poses captured during this session for your unlimited use is $50.00
*The location will be decided upon booking.

Best in Show

2009-09-25T17:04:00.000-07:00

They announced the winners of the Texas Photo Festival 2009 - and guess who was the winner of the "Best in Show" Category? Yours truly! Here's my winning photo. The set was of an old antique clothing store with lots of old time hats and shawls. The kids were Smithville's residences and were being models for a day. "Derek" is the boy in the photo, and he was had a very intense gaze and was able to be confident enough to look straight in to the lens. The girls had lots of beautiful big hats and boas and shawls to decorate themselves with, but the boys only had the hat and black jacket and the cigar! The character of this young man is all in his eyes. I loved to photograph him.

"Little Hawk" a Cherokee

2009-09-17T06:09:00.000-07:00

It was true. I had not ever personally met an American Indian before. As I told him that I shook his hand and he was happy to tell me a little bit more about himself. He was adopted by his parents. They were not from the same tribe. He was a Cherokee.
"I am the black sheep of the family you know". He pointed out all of his tattoos that covered both forearms.
He also told me how proudly he served in the Marines as a Gunnery Sergeant for 22 years. He had patches of honor all over his leather vest. He pointed them all to me. He said he wants to go back to serve but they won't take him since he's 57.
Why are you named Little Hawk, I asked. "Because I fly high and protect the young", he said very quickly. "I am the elder, the kids respect me". As he stood by the table where he laid all of the skulls and bones he sold, I took a few photographs.

Photo Tip: People and their stories are inspiring. I wouldn't have been able to take "Little Hawk's" photo effectively if I hadn't listened to his story first. That's why in order to capture the essence of your subject in a photograph you need to get to know them. Case and pointe : Moms and Dads take some of the best photos of their kids, simply because they know them the most.

Kids. Little, medium, and big

2009-09-08T10:37:00.001-07:00

After all that I photograph, I still come back to the subject of children. They possess a freshness and innocence that begs you to document its rarity. All body parts are brand new and shiny. Free smiles all around and when tears come, they are as pure as rain water. It amazes me always, how we are touched by children every time we are in contact with them . Photographing children can tell so many stories. With no preconceived notions, they make the best subjects. No wonder some of the most powerful photographs of all times are of children.

Photo Tip:

In taking photographs, try to capture the emotion rather than just the aesthetics. It comes with practice. You can sense a moment before it happens sometimes. You can have your camera ready and capture a few shots before and after just to make sure you get that one special one. In other words, shoot in burst.

Austin - Home Sweet Home

2009-08-30T19:01:00.000-07:00

I love this town. It has character. It becomes more obvious every time I am away from this interesting city. I feel comfortable here. I feel good here. I am becoming even more aware of its beauty as I take more and more photographs around town. People like to be photographed with iconic scenes of their hometown. There are so many here. I find them one by one. Some of them are commonly seen in photos, like the 360 bridge or the Capital building...and some of them are rarely seen in any photos like the one I have here of my boys in front of the Gingerman. They are all parts of Austin and they all provoke different thoughts and memories for each person.

Photo Tip: Get a new perspective on an old subject. Create a twist to an otherwise ordinary scene. You can do this a lot of times with changing your position as compared to your subject. For example get really low or even put the camera on the ground and shoot what you see. Photograph a building from a different angle than most people view it. You might find your way more interesting.

Oceans, Mountains, and Fun

2009-08-18T07:03:00.001-07:00

It's been a long time since the last post. The summer has kept me busy. Photography has been good and family life has been full of adventure. Our travels took us to Colorado and the Pacific Northwest. It allowed me to try my hand at some serious landscape photography. Sometimes it seemed I got so overwhelemed by the beauty of it all that I couldn't pick a good scene to photograph. In those times I had to take a deep breath and focus....and then just follow my insticts as a photographer. Light is everything. It makes or breaks a photograph. It gives it life. So with that in mind I have a few photos of our trip that I will share with you.

Photo Tip: The hour before Sunset is the "golden hour". That is when you should photograph outside. In our great state of Texas most of the day is brightly lit. So keep in mind the quality of light. One thing you can do to fill in the shadows on a face in a bright day is to use your on camera "fill in" flash. It will give your subject's face a little less contrast and more of the eyes can be seen.

The Colors of Summer

2009-07-15T08:19:00.000-07:00

Summer in Austin, Texas is known for its unbearable heat. Yet we still find reasons to leave our air conditioned homes. The colors of summer are just as hot as the temperatures. Intense greens, intense browns, and if there is a flower that survives, it usually has a pretty intense color.

Photo Tip:

In the bright sun, try avoiding the mid day hours for photography, the light is unflattering and shadows are very strong. But if you find yourself outside in those hours make the best of it. Since you have plenty of available light try to capture people, animals, or other moving objects in action. With plenty of available light you can get away with a very high shutter speed and very low ISO which allows you to freeze the action. A cannonballing kid off the side of the pool or a water bird about to strike at the fish in the lake.

4th Fest

2009-07-05T13:03:00.001-07:00

So it was the 4th of July and more than anything else it was a time for kids to have fun. Here is Kian at four and three quarters. That's what he would say if you asked him how old you are! This photo gives you a quick rundown of his favorite things...he's a candy loving, hotwheels glasses wearing, soccer playing, photo taking proud resident of the WellsBranch community.

Photo Tip:
Try to compose as best as you can before you press the shutter release button. Composing afterwards by cropping is not ideal. But don't hesitate to crop to get a stronger photo if need be. What this basically means is that if you are photographing in a hurry and not thinking about your composition, you could get a mediocre photo instead of a really good one!

Black Bird

2009-06-30T07:09:00.001-07:00

I was trying to see the beauty in this very common creature. We have a million of them in Austin. They can be annoying, messy, and sometimes even aggressive if they want your french fries!
As it turns out they can be quite graceful.

Photo Tip :
It's possible to take a photo of the most unlikely subject and make it work. The best photographs are not always made from the most beautiful subjects. Common subjects are most accessible.
In this case a silhouette of a black bird seems to work as a strong photograph.
To get a silhouette make sure the subject is backlit.

Fathers

2009-06-16T16:57:00.001-07:00

He's my Dad:

Dad, can you teach me to walk? Teach me to talk? Dad can you put batteries in my talking doll? Dad can you take me to school? Can you show me the way? Dad can you mend my broken heart? Dad can you Keep us safe ? Dad can you teach me not to be afraid of anything just like you? Can you teach me how to not take myself seriously? Dad can you teach me to fix things? Can you teach me to be selfless? Dad can you teach me how to sacrifice my life for my children and never ask anything in return? Dad can you love my kids and care for them any time we ask? Dad will you do anything for me no matter how old I am? The answer to all of these questions are a resounding YES ... it's just understood. We never have to wonder. It's never spoken but he's not ever more than a few moments away if you need him. He will stay up all night and hold my newborn's oxygen mask ...all night... without a minute of sleep ... he's 72 but he has the energy of a 22 year old man. Never afraid of any hard work or pain. He's amazing. He's my dad. We love you dad .

He's my husband:

"I knew you'd be a good mom", he said. The truth is that I didn't even know that myself back then. His intuition was seeing far in to the future. A future we would build together. He is the angel that came into my life just when I needed him. He works hard, he plays hard. He provides and protects. He reads to our kids, he runs around with them untill they are all tired and sweaty. He teaches them about our world. He gets tired but he won't even take a five mintue break. He's worried but he never lets on. He tickles and chases and hides and draws, kicks, swims, hikes, bikes, and camps. He hugs and cuddles and kisses and is not afraid to show his love. He takes care of them when they're sick. He takes care of me when I'm sick. He would do anything for us. He is true to his word. He is exciting, he knows a lot, he's smart and can fix anything, he's my rock, he is my friend, he's my love, he's their daddy, he is their hero, he's my husband.
We love you Chris.

Photo Tip:

Photos of loved ones are a precious treasure. Take them often and chronicle the lives of the ones you love. Black and white can be achieved with most any photo-editing software and camrera out there now and it gives your project a photojournalistic feel.

A New Life

2009-06-09T12:44:00.001-07:00

So beautiful to photograph a newborn. I so appreciate the parents that allow me to come in to their homes after only a few days of having a baby. The gentle cradle of mom's arms, the sweet daddy kisses and sometimes the gentle or not so gentle pats of a sibling. It's all so exciting and amazing to observe...and photograph. Hope these memories I caught in still photos last you a lifetime.

Photo Tip from Shadi:
Hands are a powerful symbol in any image. Little hands, big hands, newborn hands, old hands, hands playing an instrument, hands painting with a brush, hands sweeping the hair off of a lover's face...pay attention to the hands. Include them in the photograph. They tell stories.

Capturing the summer fun

2009-06-05T06:56:00.000-07:00

Hello from shadi and a k s photography - Summer is well on it's way and and with schools out kids are free to play and have fun. It's a great time to catch them in action. Call for available session times for your next outdoors activity. It can be a great time to capture your family in action and completely candid and still get photos to treasure for generations to come.

Photography Tip from Shadi :

A little tilt goes a long way

Try to tilt your camera a just a little as you are taking a photo. You might just be surprised at the results. Don't go too far or the viewer will get the feeling your subject is falling out of the photo!

Just enough to tell more of the story and get across your point of view.

The Fundraiser Dinner

2009-05-29T16:06:00.000-07:00

The Fundraiser - It was a wonderful cause and lots of wonderful people and I am glad I was a part of it. I hope you all come and look at your photos. Just go to the client section and put in the password that I provided you. So wonderful to meet all of you and looking forward to connecting with you soon.

Shadi

Introducing "a k s photography"

2009-05-23T14:04:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my blog where I will share what's new at "a k s photography". Share photography tips with any one that's interested, and maybe a photograph or two will find their way in this blog. The content will be driven by my clients' needs.

Thank you for joining me. Until next time.

Here Shadi's 1st tip: When you think you've gotten close enough to your subject, take another step forward.