The Perfect Setting. Learning lessons in taking better pictures Part 1

One thing about being a small online business owner is that I've had to try on and wear many hats. Two of these "hats" have been photography and modeling. I've been slowly learning this for the past 3 years, and I've had growing pains around this skill of point and shoot. Because a good photo is beyond point and shoot.
 I've finally gotten to the place of not complaining about it and just embracing it. So what if you are your own model and have to rely on other people to take your photos? What do you do? What if you have to take your own picture?

Here's what I'm talking about:

After many attempts of trying to take a picture of myself in the scarf I made, I finally caved in and asked one my neighbors, who had been walking by, to take a picture. This picture. Its not the guys fault. I could tell he didn't know much about camera's by the way he was holding the camera. His finger was over the flash( good thing my flash wasn't on). Lesson learned. Don't ask random neighbors (or strangers) to take a picture of you. Unless you are at Disneyland.

Here I am trying to take a picture of myself in a crocheted headband I made. Its pretty hit or miss for me when it comes to taking my own picture. I personally don't like it because I have to overcome certain obstacles like outstretched arms, awkward posing and little boys playing in the background. I could ask my husband, but I know he doesn't like to do it, so I just let it be. Note to self: buy a tall tripod.

Here's what I do 

Luckily I have a couple of family members that know how to work a camera, but I still try my hardest to make the picture as best as possible from the modeling side of the camera. I have to be knowledgeable in both photography and modeling in order to set the stage for a picture I want to display in my shop. Here are some pictures of a recent photo shoot at the beach. Amazingly perfect weather for picture taking. Over cast yet very bright because we were on the sand. 

I feel silly in saying this because I'm not a professional in any of the arenas of photography or modeling, but I do take posing seriously. So I think that counts for something. I know that I look good in some angles and better in others. It all about making the picture as visually interesting as possible without taking away from what I am trying to show off, which is, my crocheted headband. This is the beach setting on my Cannon, edited by iPhoto.

Find a interesting background. Now when I say interesting I mean "not distracting".You don't want your backdrop to steel your thunder, good or bad. Something that has texture is nice. I chose this green foliage because I knew that it would really complement my hair, eyes, and sweater shrug.  I used my foliage setting on Cannon and edited it on iphoto.

Can you tell the difference between the Beach setting and the Foliage setting in these pictures? 

Links to help and learn

Being photogenic

Taking better outdoor photos

Pose a little better

If you know of a good link on posing or photo shooting. Please share! via comments.

Summertime equals vacation time

Which is were I will be this week. Then I'll spend a week in sunny Florida shortly after that. So I'll probably be blogging easy for a while. I hope all your summers are fun and sun filled with hints of tans.

Danielle

Heres a sneak peak at my new Boho braided headwraps. They can be found in my shop when I get back from Vaca.

moonlight

sugar rush

coffeehouse

Fallish Desires

A sneak peak at a design I'm working on.

Fall can definetly bring a flurry of wants, needs, and desires.  Its hard not to jump into the coziness that fall has to bring even when my state is having a indian summer. Which is what I wanted since we barely had a summer to begin with, BTW.

As a designer, I'm suppose to be ahead of the game. Its always best to prepare a season in advance. This is something I find extremely hard to do sometimes. I tend to find inspiration in the moment, not in a season previous to the one I'm in. But in essence that is what a designer does. They set trends, whether they realize it or not.  Remember the scene in the movie "The Devil Wears Prada" where Miranda schools Andy in the ways of fashion? The runway influences all parts of the fashion industry all the way down to the Dress Barn stores. When I first watched that scene I realized that I didn't even know that's what happened. I took note though. 

Heres my example:

I read from PiperLime that school boy plaid was in the top ten trends for this fall.

Heres what I found on Etsy. All cute and totally trendy.

via Kibber

from HydraHeart

from The Closet Stuffer

Heres what I found at Anthro.

On the runway,

Christian Dior Fall 2010

  

DKNY Fall 2010

Are you sick of plaid yet? Apparently, I not because here's what I've been working on.

Its a new design I'm going to put in my shop, a light weight double wide headband, and yes, in plaid.

It has a couple extra perks, like a pocket and a sweet surprise in which I will fully show when the pattern is released!

What is your fall inspiration this year? Have you made something that is fallish. Link it up in the comments and tell me about it.

Luv,

Danielle

The Great Horned Moss Owl!

I have been inspired by my natural surroundings, and moss has been my latest medium. I've had this idea in my back pocket for a few weeks, and I was able to bring it to life last night. I made it for my new shop Abundant Homestead, where you can find rustic and nature inspired home goods. Check it out! Here for your viewing pleasure.

He's made from two types of moss : spanish and sphagnum. He's cute, a great conversationist, wild and rustic, and makes you smile. All great qualities while looking for a owl. 

I want to know, Do you like it or hate it? If you had him, where would you place him?

Calling all pattern testers....or maybe just three

I've been working hard making a new pattern/tutorial for my Etsy shop. I would like to know if anyone of you lovely readers would like to "test" it out and give me feed back.

Different flowers, same technique.

I need three volunteers, so the first ones to comment with there email on this will get the "tester" tutorial. I will also have questions that I would like to have answered concerning the tutorial.

Having a sewing machine is really helpful but is not necessary.

Thank you for helping me out!  

Newest Member of the Hookable Designs Family

Meet the newest Hookable Designs member. I have been itching to just sit down and design, and finally found the time to do it. Its a bracelet, which surprised me, because I don't really make bracelets that often. But I love her. I also don't normally genderize (you like my made up word?) jewelry but with this one I'll make an exception because the design is so boldly feminine.   

 

Does it look really long for a bracelet? Well its because you double wrap it.

I haven't found a name for it(uh, I mean her). So I want to know what name you would give this beauty?

 I have more pictures that I'm going to be posting in my Etsy shop after I put Lincoln to bed. So check it out!

Now For Something Random 

Do you see what I see? No thats not two daisies being held together, that two daisies growing out of one stem. Its a Siamese Twin daisy! I randomly found it while walking though hundreds of daisies in attempt  to check out some seeding lupines in my field. I thought it was so rare that I had to take a picture of it and share with you all.

Monday love,

Danielle

Inspirational Tuesdays- Robins Egg Blue

Welcome to Inspirational Tuesday

Robins Egg Blue

This sign is so sweet from Barn Owl Primitives. Taking a cue from the birdies that build their homes for their little ones. Its perfect for above the table, over a fireplace or hanging on the front door.

 These heart shaped nesting bowls are from D BABCOCK. She has beautiful pottery and a unique eye for producing her items. I love how these fit together, its a heart within a heart, within a heart!

Glory! I love this shirt! It makes me think I would look so cool and sophisticated with a little edge, which I like. Its from the designer Out Of Line and its made from cotton jersey, and in my book that is a double plus. I actually love all of her clothes.

Isn't this clever! Button soap from Hello Crafty. I've never seen anything like this, nor have I thought of anything like this. This would be the perfect gift and so fun for the kids. 

Every girl wants to SPARKLE

True confession. I love fabric. I have so much inspiration sometimes just looking at fabric.

So when I found out Lincoln was invited to a little girls b-day I knew my day had come to get this oh so wonderful sparkly vinyl fabric. 

And Now For Your Viewing Pleasure

I've had the idea for these headbands for a while, I was just waiting for it to become a reality. I'm calling it the I Am Wonderful Headband, cause lets face it what little girl wouldn't feel wonderful in something SO SPARKLY. 

This is what happens when I don't have a model. I have to use Miss Monkey. I think I will make more, and in different varieties, and put them in my Etsy shop to test drive them.

What do you think? 

Love,

Danielle

P.S. What do you think of my banner? I made it in Photoshop....its a love hate relationship.

HookableDesigns Feature!

Hey friends , Check out Transforme for HookableDesigns blog feature.  If you comment, your in the drawing for a sweet pair of earrings!


Hooray!!


Love