How To...

I totally don't post "how to's" enough but now seems to be a good time.

Lacy Tatum asks:

What settings should you use on a cloudy, blue-sky day if you want your subject still light enough but your sky not over-exposed (w/o using flash)?

This is a great question! I know so many people that have asked the same question. There are a few ways to accomplish this but I will focus on one. Also know that all my advice is based on a person shooting in manual mode. Because that's what I encourage everyone to shoot in.

1) A main key to be aware of is the time of day. Most of you know that the best time to shoot is sunrise and sunset. This is also true when setting up this type of shot. You most definitely cannot get good light on your subject and the clouds when there is sun directly above you because it will create shadows all over your subject's face.

2) Face your subject toward the sun. This will be your light source to light up the subject's face while not over-exposing the beautifully blue and fluffy clouded sky. Depending on how much the sun has set and how bright the sun is, will determine when you need to take your shot. If the sun in BRIGHT!! then wait for a cloud to cover the sun. The cloud will soften the light on the subjects face. If the sun is farther along in the "setting" process, then shoot it that way.

3) From there it is just adjusting your settings. Your ISO is usually down low, your aperture is usually a little higher, and your shutter speed is... well all depends on how much the sun has set.

Sun fully out!

f/13, 1/200, 200 iso, 35mm

Here are two other ways to get that effect...

1) USE YOUR FLASH. Its not the end of the world to use a flash. Just manually control the power of the flash.

Using a flash. :)

f/11, 1/200, 200 iso, 35mm

2) Use a reflector. Like a white wall, garage door, brick, concrete, store bought reflector, ect. In this situation the light would be behind the subject, you being against or in front of the reflective surface, and adjusting your manual settings as needed. This would require the sun not to be in full blown out setting mode. Just catch the sun a little higher in the setting process.

Hand held reflector. Mountains are acting as clouds in this example.

f/7.1, 1/800, 400 iso, 35mm

And just to give the opposite view...

Shooting into the sun! Great sun beams!

f/2.8, 1/320, 250 iso, 35mm

I hope this is helpful!

Love,

CPP

"Where's Tyler"

So today I had intended on blogging a shoot but the internet is ridiculously slow! Like someone at the internet place is April Fooling me. So I thought I would keep this simple with a more obvious, not so funny, but fun "Where's Tyler" We took this a while ago but I just came across it again today. I am growing very fond of reflection pictures.... I have another that I will share in the future!

This was taken with our point and shoot on our 1yr Anniversary.

I hope you had a great April 1st and that you aren't as gullible as me. But luckily no one really pranked me except Tyler. He said he was getting off of work early....

HA! I should have known... He never is off early.

Love,

CPP

Sholtes Wedding

Oh, Mr. and Mrs. Sholtes... they really are perfect for one another.

I met Ben 3 years ago while on a mission trip in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. (Side note: This is the same trip that I met Tyler and we know how that ended!) Ben is one adventurous dude and I knew from the time I met him, that the women he married would be rare. She would somehow have to be able to keep up with him and handle his crazy ways. Julianne is seriously that girl. Ben and Julianne met in a college bible study up in Peoria IL. Ben was leading it and Julianne was asked to be involved with this new study. Ben immediately saw something special and soon after the summer ended, they were engaged. The first time I met Julianne in person was on the wedding day, immediately I felt so comfortable around her. She was so calm, fun, and excited. I just loved hanging out with her all day.

The entire day they could not stop looking at each other with just pure adoration for one another. They are just so in love and I really do feel blessed that I was able to capture their special day for them. I hope you enjoy these pictures as much as me.

*click on the image to enlarge

Great job Ben, for being so photogenic.

These guys were so funny. They really are crazy.

See....

Julianne was just simply beautiful.

These are some of my favorite of her.

The picture on the right... See she is just so fun.

The colors with the snow were just gorgeous.

They opted to see each other before the ceremony.

It worked out perfect!

These pictures of them together just speak volumes

of how much they light up when they're near each other.

Really Julianne, beautiful!


Sholtes Family

Spuler Family

When she walked down they isle it was

like Ben fell in love all over again. Precious!

They saved their first kiss for the wedding day....

Needless to say it was a long kiss.

They couldn't stop kissing after that.

They had a pretty short reception but it was perfect.

They were so ready to get out of there and start life together.

We obviously had to slip away after they "drove off".

GORGE!!!!!

I always try to come with a special little prop for each wedding.

As the prop and wedding gift, I made them this heart pillow and they loved it.

Hope you enjoyed! Thanks Mr. and Mrs. Sholtes for letting me be apart of such a wonderful day. Love you both.

Love,

CPP

Terrific Tory

A few weeks ago we had a wedding in Peoria, IL. (The Sholtes Wedding) The issue was is that Tyler was a groomsmen in the wedding and I could do it on my own but I prefer a second shooter. So we had to improvise. Tory is like our go to guy for everything. In Tyler's DJ business Tory learned how to use all the equipment and has helped Tyler out on many DJ gigs. Naturally we know he has a gift at learning things quickly and jumping in to help out with no hesitation.

So I knew that Tory was riding up to Peoria with us and it was perfect timing to ask him if he wanted to us help out. I asked if him if while I was taking pictures of the guys if he could just get some candids for me. He did a wonderful job! I was pleasantly surprised. We love Tory like a brother and we are so thankful for all the help and love he has given us. Check him out. No really ladies... he is single. Just kidding, check out the shots he was able to get.

*Click on the image to enlarge

I just love the way he stands when he is shooting.

Like I said he jumped in with no hesitation.

Tyler does this all the time too! Just sneaks into my shot.

Where's Waldo/Tory?

Here is just a few of his shots... see why Im so proud.

Thank you Tory so much for all of your hard work that day and the great product you produced.... You're a great second shooter! And you are a great friend. God bless you brother.

Hope you enjoyed.

Love,

CPP

Berger Sneak Peek!

Tyler's Nanny (grandmother) says that rain on you're wedding day is good luck... I cant say its good luck but I can say we got some fabulous pictures on this rainy wedding day.

I just am thrilled to share these with ya'll! This was such a sweet wedding to be apart of. Love you Brandon and Brittney Berger!

Enjoy!

*click on image to enlarge

Aren't they the most gorgeous couple?

I love this one of Britt! Simple. Classy.

You two were fierce!

I just really liked this bridal party. So fun.

Hope you enjoyed the sneak peek! More to come soon.

Love,

CPP

Where's Tyler?

Where's (Waldo) Tyler?????

I just love when I can find Tyler in a picture! Really!

You know how this works... see if you can find Tyler? (This one is sorta easy but its still good)

*click on image to enlarge

Happy Tuesday!

Love, CPP

Sneak Peek: Sholtes Wedding

Sholtes Wedding

Ben and Julianne Sholtes got married this past weekend in Peoria, IL! It was a perfect day! Really! I usually hate cold weather (I would much rather be super hot than super cold) but this weekend was like a dream. Perfect dusty snow, lighting was just fantastic, and the bride and groom were glowing. So here is a few sneak peeks of yesterdays spectacular event!

*To enlarge just click on the image

Hope you enjoyed this little teaser!

Love,

CPP