We all have smart phones, right? And we all use them to take the majority of our pictures. Even I do! I’m not just a photographer, I’m also a busy mom, wife, friend, etc, and my phone is always on me somewhere.

We are not always going to take awesome pictures, but when you’re in the mood to intentionally take a better picture, here are a few tips and tricks that will produce a MUCH better image for you – even if all you’re shooting with is your cell phone.
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Five Tips and Tricks for Better Phone Pictures:

• Set your focal point on the eyes.  Most cell phone cameras allow you to set your focal point. Some do this with the tap of a finger, others have to be set manually. But when you have the option to set the focal point, set it for the eyes of your subject. Don’t just aim at the face, but got a step further and make sure the eyes are tack sharp. This is where the viewer’s eyes naturally fall. No one will notice or care if the neck is soft focus. The eyes have it, folks! (see what I did there?)

There you have it – a few things to focus on that will improve your image!  Let me know what you think!  Even better, practice those few things and share some of your images! Don’t be shy… I LOVE seeing pictures. Post away!

Questions? Email me at lori@wetsilver.com
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(Shout out to my kids, who are the subjects of MOST of my images)

Black and white is timeless, and I believe that is the appeal.  You aren't drawn to the clothing so much, but to the subjects. And one of my favorite things about black and white? It looks great in every room, no matter what colors the subjects were wearing!

But there are techniques involved to make an image appear exactly as you want it to, whether it is color or black and white.  Sometimes you want a soft look, while other times you want a stark contrast, and the options are truly limitless, even in black and white.  

Check out this video of different effects with black and white!​

I LOVE newborn sessions - love them!  Let me give you some fun facts:
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1. At least one parent always gets pooped or peed on.  It is rare that I don’t, as well.
2. Some babies sleep the entire time and I’m packed and ready to leave within two hours of arriving.
3. Some babies eat, pee, poop, fuss, and take three minute naps for the entirety of the session and I may be there five hours, getting the shots I want to showcase.
4. Sibling images are my ALL TIME FAVORITES!
5. Those gorgeous sibling images are WAY more difficult than they seem, but always worth it!
6. ALL baby skin needs editing – they turn pink anywhere anything touches them.

I believe that every mother deserves a set of gorgeous images of her baby. Carrying that baby inside you for nine months is no joke… it is HARD on your body.  Then labor comes along… yeah, mommas, you earned those pictures!

When I shoot a set of newborn portraits, I try to incorporate any family member present – at least any who will allow me to include them. NO one looks their best after bringing a newborn home.  Sleep deprivation sets in and everyone is trying to adjust. But you know what? You will never regret being in those pictures. If you don’t do it for yourself, do it for your babies, who will one day look back and realize how loved they are.

Confession time… those gorgeous images you see do not look like that straight out of the camera.  There is a lot of effort after the session that goes into perfecting the images you see.

If you’re a photographer and you’re reading, hoping for editing tips, go ahead and watch the video. You can always hit me up if you have questions.

If you’re a curious parent or parent-to-be, then enjoy!  THIS is why you book a professional ;)

...And Why You Should Discuss it with Your Photographer.

A large part of what goes in to making gorgeous images is skin retouching.  I often ask myself a very simple question: Will it be there in two weeks?  If the answer is no, then I remove it.  For example, bruises and blemishes are a no-brainer!  When it comes to things like moles, birthmarks, and scars, I generally ask my clients about their editing preferences. This is my own set of parameters.  But every photographer is different and it’s important to make sure you and your photographer are on the same page.

Not all photographers edit their own images.  Many choose to outsource the editing.  When they do this, then anything beyond basic edits becomes an upcharge.  That is how professional retouchers charge for their services.  Blemish removal is usually part of the base fee, but “Can you make that arm slimmer?” might run you 50% more per image. 

And then there are plenty of photographers who take great pride in editing their own images, myself included.  I’ve been working with Adobe Photoshop for well over a decade and there is almost nothing that is impossible for me at this point.  My goal is to make sure my clients get EXACTLY the image they desire – no upcharges. Retouching is included and so are special requests.

That said, every photographer edits differently, has a different skill set, and charges differently. Not all photographers know how to make the changes to an image that you’re hoping to see.

​Here are some questions you may want to ask before you book:

1. Do you do your own editing and retouching?
2. Do you include blemish removal?
3. Is there a fee for special requests, such as slimming, contouring, etc?
4. Can I see some examples of your editing work? (this is CRITICAL – not everyone is skilled at editing and you need to see what you’re getting)

You need to be up front with your photographer about the features you love about yourself, as well as the others in the images.  You also need to be up front about what you’d rather not showcase (those things that make you self-conscious) – your photographer’s job is to make sure you get images that thrill you! It’s their goal, and input from you gets them there MUCH more effectively.

​Want to watch me do an extreme skin retouching session?  Enjoy!

​Questions?  Please feel free to contact me at lori@wetsilver.com