Bring Back the Memories

Photos are a great way to share your travels with family and friends! But before you start snapping away at everything you see, take a moment to read the tips below. Following these tips, you're sure to capture vacation memories you will treasure and can share for years to come!

Tip #1: Plan ahead!  Make sure your camera is in good working order before you go, and pack plenty of batteries! You're going to want to be able to take pictures of everything interesting or beautiful you see, so remember to bring plenty of film/memory cards. And most importantly, plan to have your camera easily accessible! A water and shock resistant case is recommended, but a padded, insulated lunch container works wonderfully as well, and is much less likely to be stolen than a fancy camera bag!

Tip #2: Get in Close!  When taking pictures of people, don’t make the mistake of always standing too far away. Get close enough so you can see the expressions on your subjects faces! Zoom in on individuals or capture them from the waist up. When photographing individuals against a grand landscape, take some pictures from further away and some up close as well!

Tip #3: Capture the Essence!  Everyone loves panoramic scenes and major landmarks, so you'll definitely want plenty of those. But try to capture the simplicity of the location as well. Try snapping a photo of a brightly colored flower box hanging from the shuttered window of an old Colonial, or the old mailbox at the end of a long, dusty driveway. Chances are it will be more compelling than if you shot the complete scene, like the entire house, lawn, driveway, etc. Focus on the details and you'll capture the true essence of the location!

Tip #4: Tell a story!  Let your pictures tell a story by creating a visual diary of your trip. Include street scenes, interesting signs, menus, and people you see along the way. Don't be afraid to use an interesting angle rather than simply head-on shots only. Pictures are often more interesting when you can catch people in candid, un-posed moments, so keep your camera handy and let the camera tell your story!

Have a great trip and don’t forget to make extra copies of your great pictures to share!

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Family Craft: Vacation Memory Frame

Now that you’ve taken great vacation pictures, let your kids help you display them with special frames to remind you of the trip.

Spread glue around the edge of a Lucite frame, there's no need to worry about making it even, just leave enough space in the center for your photo to show through.  Now attach various mementos from your trip; seashells, ticket stubs, leaves, beads, foreign coins, anything that you gathered along your travels that reminds you and your family of a special moment. 

Keep attaching items until your glue is full, then let it dry overnight.  Now slide your picture in and display your frame proudly. It’s sure to start conversations, and a great way to keep the memories alive for the little ones!

xo,

Yesie 

My Session with a Tiny Adventurer named Tony. 

It started with a very warm morning, and a beautiful bright sun. Tony was ready to go adventure off, as he always is. A quick bath, and a very appropriate set of attire, set the mood for a portrait session...

As many of you know, Tony had his first year documented with mini-shoots every month of his brand new life. After his first birthday, that however, unfortunately...has not been the case. So in hopes to capture his year and a half mark, I decided it was time to dedicate one just for him! 

We ventured off into the scenic areas of our local town, and found a bridge that is truly a vintage find! I couldn't resist NOT shooting there, so that was our first location. At first Tony wanted nothing to do with the bridge, and kept running off of it. This was not an easy task, so I decided leaving that area for last, in hopes that choosing an easier location would ease him to the bridge. Next stop, we moved onto a nearby creek surrounded by beautiful trees and butterflies! As you can see, one was captured with Tony...it is truly a breath-taking-frame-worthy sight. The light coming through the trees, was superb, and the area was fun enough to capture his exploring heart. He carried a wooden stick with him throughout most of the session, and this magical wooden stick, is the one that kept him easy to photograph, and having a blast! He didn't mind wearing his fedora throughout, and I couldn't have asked for more from him. He looks incredible, and inspires me everyday and every time I look at him.  I cannot believe I waited so many months to take my little man out, for another shoot.  

Allowing children to be themselves, is truly very important. When I work with toddlers in particular, capturing who they are, is by far greater than something posed from a box studio. I do what I do, because I am in love with it. Shooting outdoors is such a gift, such an adventure, and such an honor. Next time you are out shopping for family portraits, consider a professional who offers very artistic portraiture!

Thank you for reading, and enjoy the photographs below :) 

xo,

Yesie 

Introducing Poppy II!

The Hipster Set is currently being created, here is another fun preview of what's to come! As a set of five (and counting) available actions (not yet for sale) it includes nostalgic black and whites, as well as hip vibrant colorful actions. This set will be available for sale, individually, as well as a complete set (for a discounted price in bulk). There will be more actions, joining this retro-hip-inspired style of processing. It will only be available for Photoshop, and will come fully adjustable, to fit your editing needs.

This soft and dreamy action will create warm effects in your images, as well as a cool haze that brings your work to life! Poppy II specializes in outdoor, bright photographs. Where as if you were to edit a photograph that is a bit more busy in the background, and has darker shades Poppy (the original) would be ideal. I have created something for everyone, and every style photography. You will be blown away, by the transformation you will see before your eyes. 

Current Actions available in the Hipster Set are: 

Poppy

Poppy II

Dark Elegance

Pitch Black

Fern

Here is a featured preview of action Poppy II, please leave your comments in the section below :)

New Noir & Blanc Action Set!

The Hipster Set is proud to add two more beautiful actions to it's Collection! As a set of four available actions (not yet for sale) it includes nostalgic black and whites, as well as hip vibrant colorful actions. This set will be available for sale, individually, as well as a complete set (for a discounted price in bulk). There will be more actions, joining this retro-hip-inspired style of processing. It will only be available for Photoshop, and will come fully adjustable, to fit your editing needs.

The new black and white actions would be described as dark, and romantic. A hint of elegant nostalgia, with just the right amounts of shades in the shadows. While Dark Elegance brings a grainy film-inspired photograph to life, Pitch Black brings that punch of darkness to your processing. Whatever "editing-mood" you are in, these two will be a big hit with editorials and fashion photography. 

Current Actions available in the Hipster Set are: 

Poppy

Poppy II

Dark Elegance

Pitch Black

Fern

Here is a featured preview of actions Dark Elegance and Pitch Black, please leave your comments in the section below :)

Photoshop Experiences

My First Photoshop Action (100% all me).

Many of you already know I am an Instagram newbie, and well blogged about it yesterday. I could't help but be inspired by the photo-sharing social giant. I knew when I started posting photos on there yesterday, I wanted to "create" something of my very own. Something unique to the style of editing I've been doing...something arty...something hip. So in the midst of playing Pandora in the background, and staring at Photoshop on my computer screen, I knew I had to come up with something special. After playing around with the program and a fav photo of mine, I finally had it! At first, being the skeptic that I am, I thought it was too good to be true. So I opened another raw image from my archives, and applied the same action I created...and voila, it was just as beautiful as the first! Here is my before and after...please share your thoughts with me in the comments section below, Thank you!

xo,

Yesie

Life Goes by in an Instagram! 

For many of us this is true. It has become the new form of sharing our lives through beautiful images. Photography is everywhere now, we all have smartphones these days, and apps likes these make it so much easier to snap every moment of our lives. Transforming your images into art, and allowing the world into our lives. 

I am blogging about the famous app today because, I recently joined the social giant. The interface is not so bad, and the camera effects that it comes with are pretty easy to use. In our digital age, we bring back the low-fi look through filters, and borders. One thing I noticed was that the images you filter and post, are automatically saved onto your phone. This is very handy, because now you can print these square images and let them see the light of day. I've even come across blog tutorials to turn your images into little photostrips, which you can use for countless creative reasons. I am in love with this creative era, and as a photographer, I am in love with the idea of a social app for photo sharing as good as this one. I am happy to say "Welcome to Android, Instagram"! See all you square-cropped hipsters on the next blog.

Follow me on Instagram: ipaintwithlight

To read the awesome article by College Prep on how to create Instagram Photostrips, click here. 

Ashley, such a sweet young doll. So natural, and comfortable in front of the camera. She brings elegance, grace, beauty, youth, and a sense of serenity to all her photographs. A wonderful subject, blossoming into the little lady we all love and know. This is our second shoot together, and you can see how much she has grown; both as a young lady and as a model. 

Our mini-session together was based out of an abandoned and destroyed building. We created spectacular contrast between her wardrobe and her surroundings. We achieved superb back-lighting and lens flare, the time of day and angles were perfect. There is no denying that she is the main point of interest in her images. Check out her featured photographs, and leave some love in the comment section down below! <3

xo,

Yesie

YM Photo has hit over 1K Facebook Fans!

To celebrate, I am giving 10% OFF all Wedding Collections and Portrait Sessions booked in the month of May 2012!!!

How sweet is that?! Well, what if you are planning to have your photo shoot booked for the month of June or July, you ask? As long as you book the date in May, and reserve your spot, you are eligible for the discount. If you would like more info on "how it works" please click here.

 Thank you for all your support! I will continue to show the love and give back to all my fans!

xo,

Yesie

Entries Must:

The Anatomy of a Lifestyle Portrait Session

As a Portrait Photographer, there are times when clients seek beyond the ordinary posing, and come to be with something more candid. This style of portraiture would be considered a "Lifestyle" Portrait Session. The way the imagery is shot is a bit more photojournalist, that is to say, unprompted and unrehearsed. 

These types of sessions lend themselves to normally be shot at the client's home, where they are most comfortable and relaxed. 

My favorite lenses for these sessions, are the ones that allow me to shoot my subjects from a distance. This allows me to not intrude on the magic of the moment. A wide angle lens would also come handy when a bit more of the background is needed. Natural light is your best friend, as it is way less distracting then a strobe in someone's face, especially when you're trying to get them "in the moment". Shooting in wide apertures, is a must when shooting indoors. There are some great lenses out there, that can provide all the amenities desired to capture your client at their best indoors. They usually carry a pretty price tag, but as you probably already know, rentals are great options when on a budget! A DSLR that can perform well in low light, is desired (higher ISO range without all the noise). And of course, if need-be there are great programs that can add beautiful light to your images. However, the goal is to be a great photographer, and master your equipment FIRST! 

Find a location indoors where the light coming from outside is pretty, and then explore all the little things that matter. Expression and storytelling are key. Make your subject feel comfortable. When shooting a child, play with them for a short while to get them to be themselves, they'll love you! That is what is most important, be genuine with your subjects, and get to know them...this is how you capture their true selves. 

Avoid having your backgrounds look too sharp, this will distract the viewer from the subject in your photographs. Like I mentioned before, shoot wide open, and make sure you are metering for the brightest part of the subject...like their cheek (never an eye). I always shoot in Manual Mode, and make sure that I update my settings as I change rooms within the home. This is very important, because the light is ever changing...you don't want to get to your studio after your shoot, and find under or over exposed images that are unusable. 

For more Tips & Tricks, stay tuned! If you have any questions regarding this article, or need advice, feel free to leave me a comment and I'd be more than happy to help. 

xo

Yesie

Robert Doisneau (Parisian Artist)

Happy 100th Birthday Robert Doisneau!!! A french photographer that will always stay close to my heart. Born April 14, 1912 in Gentilly, Val-de-Marne, Paris. Died April 1, 1994 (aged 81) due to acute pancreatitis. 

Famous Robert Quotes:

"The marvels of daily life are so exciting; no movie director can arrange the unexpected that you find in the street. — Robert Doisneau"

"If I knew how to take a good photograph, I'd do it everytime." -Robert Doisneau

Photograph: "Le baiser de l'hôtel de ville"

(Kiss by the Town Hall) (circa 1950)

A brief Post-War History:

Some of Doisneau's most memorable photographs were taken after the war. He returned to freelance photography and sold photographs to Life Magazine and other international magazines. He briefly joined the Alliance Photo Agency but rejoined the Rapho agency in 1946 and remained with them throughout his working life, despite receiving an invitation from Henri Cartier-Bresson to join Magnum Photos.

His photographs never ridiculed the subjects; thus he refused to photograph women whose heads had been shaved as punishment for sleeping with Germans

In 1948 he was contracted by Vogue to work as a fashion photographer. The editors believed he would bring a fresh and more casual look the magazine but Doisneau didn’t enjoy photographing beautiful women in elegant surroundings; he preferred street photography. When he could escape from the studio, he photographed ever more in the streets of Paris.

Group XV was established in 1946 in Paris to promote photography as art and drawing attention to the preservation of French photographic heritage. Doisneau joined the Group in 1950 and participated alongside Rene-Jacques, Willy Ronis and Pierre Jahan.

The 1950s were Doisneau's peak but the 1960s were his wilderness years. In the 1970s Europe began to change and editors looked for new reportage that would show the sense of a new social era. All over Europe, the old-style picture magazines were closing as television got the public's attention. Doisneau continued to work, producing children's books, advertising photography and celebrity portraits including Alberto Giacometti, Jean Cocteau, Fernand Léger, Georges Braque and Pablo Picasso.

Doisneau worked with writers and poets such as Blaise Cendrars and Jacques Prévert, and he credited Prevert with giving him the confidence to photograph the everyday street scenes that most people simply ignored.

The photography of Robert Doisneau has had a revival since his death in 1994. Many of his portraits and photos of Paris from the end of World War II through the 1950s have been turned into calendars and postcards and have become icons of French life.

On 14 April 2012, on what would have been his 100th birthday, Google changed its logo for one day to include a montage of Doisneau's photos, in commemoration of his life.

Modern Families

Recently I had the pleasure of working with two great parents, one a "Mommy & Me" booking, the other a "Daddy & Me" session. For the parents out there who are doing it all, I commend you! You guys are doing a great job, the children I had the pleasure of working with did so well! It makes me happy to see the individual parent taking their child out for a photo shoot adventure. Photo sessions for families shouldn't only be limited to those with a larger group, I think that the "parent & child" sessions are very intimate and touching...I've had some finished photographs completely pull the heart strings. So if you're a parent, don't be shy, you too can do a family photo shoot with your little one(s)! Show the world how close you are, and showcase it for the world on the walls of your home :) 

hugs, 

Yesie Machado

Here is a preview...

Men Take Photos Too!

Here's a guy, who never gets in front of the camera, a guy who has no idea how handsome he photographs, and how well he takes direction! I wanted to share his mini-session with you guys, to represent the men who think photo sessions are for girls/kids. Men take photos too, and there is no reason why they think they shouldn't get in front of the camera!

Before & After (Jazzlyn)

I'd like to share with you guys, one of my favorite before & after's. The original image started out very underexposed, a bit drab, and lacking lustre. My subject named Jazzlyn, has a nice color combo going on with her outfit, so it was all a matter of bringing that out, and adding light and depth to her face and the rest of the image. I added tons of richness, and brought out  some great detail in her jeans and her surroundings. I also added a bit of "blush & lip gloss" to pump up the look of her face, since adding so much light took away a lot of the natural pink tones that were already there. That basically sums up my overall edit, take a look!

"Turn your photos into a piece of Art!" 

I am happy to announce YM Photo as an official vendor of Urban Lane Frames! 

"...because those photographs look better on your wall, than on a memory card!"

There's nothing better, than the feeling you get after framing one of your best family portraits on your wall. Let alone, how you feel after your first baby's portrait completes his/her's room! Colors, art, photographs...these things hold such power and emotion over us. They turn those boring blank walls, into interesting conversational pieces. The worth of your home, suddenly takes on a whole new meaning.

Here's a tip for those who aren't in the market for framing anything at the moment, but would like to get those digital images off their memory cards:

I encourage you all, to take out your memory cards, organize your files, and take them to get printed. I know you've been putting it off for some time now (or possibly years) and it's been on your mind forever! Well, take them to get printed finally! You will lift a huge weight off your shoulders, knowing that you did. So, what do you do next? Well, I would recommend some really chic/modern photo boxes, to keep your photos organized by chronological order. The outsides of them usually have tiny metal frames, that hold onto your box label, it makes things really handy when you organize them on your shelving system at home/office. I would also recommend, making a note of any photographs that need to be framed, and print those separately. Last but note least, your finishing step...buying an album for each photo box! If in your case you filled each photo box with tremendous amounts of photos from the same event, consider counting your photos, and buying a nice album that can house them all. Do this for all your photo boxes, and you can thank me later when your beautiful shelves are filled with wonderful memories, in beautiful albums. 

Timothy's Photog-Themed Photo Shoot:

As many of you have already seen, Tim did such a great job in his individual portrait session! It was very spur of the moment, but nonetheless an idea I had brewing in my mind for some time. That day we put the littlest one (Tony) in bed for a nap, and headed out for a mini-session. Tim was very relaxed, and focused. He took direction very well, and surpassed my expectations. I couldn't be happier with the way things turned out that evening. He is only 8 years young, yet has such great sense of style and creativity. I wouldn't be surprised if one day he took over the business. You can find his complete collection under the "Children's" gallery.