Your Living Library

There are few thing s that can touch the soul more deeply than gazing at a picture of a loved one. And sometimes, those old photos—the ones crammed into a tattered cardboard box that had been sitting in the closet for years untouched—can reveal a path from your past that widens your world in ways you never anticipated.

My dad and I had often talked about “Grandma Mary’s box” and how we really needed to go through its contents and get things organized. We even looked through a few things but never really got serious about it.

Then my dad’s cancer returned.

I flew to Washington to spend some time with him –he is almost finished with chemo and doing very well—and we had an opportunity to finally tackle that box. There’s nothing like a health scare to put your priorities in place, and for us, those priorities included making sure that our future generations could find old family photos and learn the stories behind them.

I thought I knew my grandmother and her origins, but going through those photograph gave me a much better understanding of her.

I learned my great grandmother was an orphan.

I learned what my dad was like as a teenager and about his early years as an Air Force Officer.

I learned what a savvy marketer and businesswoman my grandmother was in her day.

My dad, brother and I spent several hours around that box. My dad shared stories and answered questions I’d never before thought to ask. I’m committed to making sure my own children (and one day FAR AWAY) my grandchildren know these stories and see these photographs. They are a living pictorial of those who came before us; it is up to us to continue the tradition.

Here are a few tips to help you convert that box of scattered pictures and memorabilia into a living library that loved ones will return to often:

Make it Fun: We tend to look at organizing projects as dreaded tasks, but this one can be an entertaining family event. Invite family over, order pizza and gather round the table or living room floor to get started. As you start sorting through photos, conversations will start and memories will be shared. Consider this a celebration of your ancestors and a way to honor their lives. It’s also a great way to spend a Friday night.

Create Your Own Method: So many people think they need to organize photographs chronologically, but this can be a taxing and tedious process. Instead, look at the items and create groups that make sense. With our family photos, for example, we divided the piles into my grandfather’s and grandmother’s sides of the family and worked from there. We also created a “Cousins” pile and separate piles for newspaper clippings, passports/documents and other items.

Label Photos: I joked with my dad about this because he kept writing “me” on the back of his old photos (The man has a Ph.D.!). I reminded him that the idea was for other family members to know who he was and that required using his full name. It doesn’t have to be fancy but try to be as descriptive as possible about the people shown in each photo.

Choose Quality Storage Boxes: Don’t think that you have to put everything into photo albums. If you’d prefer to go that route, that’s wonderful, but acid-free archival boxes (each labeled accordingly) work very well for this purpose. Consider using upright plastic file folders (often used for in-process scrapbook pages) to preserve larger documents and newspaper clippings.

So, please let me remind you that your photography is more than just a hobby.

It’s more than just shooting pictures at a birthday party.

You are creating your own living library, one that will touch countless people in numerous ways.

And it will continue long after you’re gone.

What story will you leave behind?

On the Hunt for Great Easter Photos

Easter Sunday comes early this year, so now’s the time to get ready to record exuberant little egg-hunters as they search nearby land for treasures nestled in the grass and hidden from view.

Here are a few ideas to help ensure you’re ready to hop on that perfect shot:

·Visualize in Advance: Are there certain traditions held each year that you’d like to capture? Plan a few shots and consider which locations would give you the best results. For example, before the kids run in an Easter egg hunt, where should you stand to make sure you capture their faces in the photograph

·Check Your Gear: Is your digital camera’s battery fully charged? Have you downloaded pictures from previous events onto your computer and re-formatted your camera card so it’s ready to go? Do you remember how to use the timer function? It only takes a few minutes to make sure your camera gear is ready, and it’s worth the time if it saves you from having your camera battery shut down in the middle of all the fun.

·Prepare Your Props and Place: If you want to shoot posed images, consider setting up one mini shooting area and include props such as an Easter basket, stuffed animal rabbits or other items you feel would properly adorn your photos in a kid-friendly way. Check how the image is framed in advance to determine if your props are properly spaced and leave enough room for your subjects.

·Capture Color: Easter is filled with colorful eggs, dresses and decorations. Consider taking a few close-up shots that center on a single colorful object or arrangement. Try to keep the image composition simple so the color is stunning.

·Get Low: Crouch down low during the egg hunt to give your photos a unique and personal perspective. Let the child’s reach be at the forefront of the image and shoot upward; the result is candid and yet very personal.

Grand Vision and Strong Community Ties Part of the Austin Center for Photography Plan

David Keenan, Founder and President of the Austin Center for Photography, has always had a knack for bringing talented groups of people together. Growing up, his networking skills and strategic thinking flourished on the basketball court. “I always loved to get teams together, and they could be three-on-three teams or city league teams-- it didn’t matter. Our win/loss record was pretty good because it was all about finding the right group of talent and bringing them together.”

Keenan, who has built a successful career in the software industry, is now turning his attention to his passion for photography. Keenan has long carried a vision for creating a grand, top-tier photographic center in Austin that features national as well as local talent—one that provides a welcoming community for those with a love of photography. Keenan turned to the Houston Center for Photography to expand his knowledge into how successful photography-centered non-profit entities operate. “Madeline Yale (Executive Director and Curator of HCP) and many other members were extremely helpful in sharing information about how they’d made HCP successful.”

The Board members of ACP envision a uniquely-Austin center designed to celebrate the breadth of talent across the country as well as in our own backyard. Keenan states that the ACP board is filled with “a great group of people, each with unique talents, and each is committed to the success of this vision. Jerry Sullivan, owner of Precision Camera & Video, is a member of the board. There are no egos involved. They just want to see ACP grow and connect with the community.”

Keenan also states that Austin is home to many highly-regarded and talented photographers and bringing them together as a resource to celebrate the craft and connect with the community is a driving force in expanding ACP. “There are so many celebrated photographers in Austin and most people don’t even realize they live here. For example, Marianne Fulton, an ex-curator of the George Eastman house and the author of Mary Ellen Mark: 25 Years, calls Austin home. She is just one example of the rich resources we have here in our city.”

The ACP’s first Icons in Photography event, An Evening with Mary Ellen Mark, was a huge sold-out success. Ms. Mark was then interviewed by Texas Monthly Talks’ Evan Smith (this interview will air in early May). There are three more events planned this year, the next one being An Evening with Alec Soth on June 4, 2009. Future plans for ACP within the next three years include expansion into offering a national competition with possible grants and awards, two galleries that feature national and local artists, a variety of workshops and an integrated coffee shop with walls to be graced with quality photographic art. There is also some discussion about a possible youth outreach initiative to encourage young photographers to pursue their passion for the craft.

The Austin Center for Photography is still in its infancy but many see its potential as nothing less than stunning. The ACP welcomes volunteers to assist with its Icons in Photography Events and also offers memberships that start at as little as just $30per year. For more information, visit

Using Photography to Support Your Kids’ School

Like many parents, you invest time supporting your children’s school through volunteer work, fundraising, chaperoning field trips and other labors of love. Parental volunteers are a powerful and important part of helping educators give our kids the best possible experience in and out of the classroom. If you love taking pictures, you might consider using your hobby to contribute to your school’s efforts.

As the unofficial photographer for my kids’ classes, I enjoy the opportunity of shooting these events and sharing them with parents who were unable to attend due to work or schedule conflicts. Let’s face it—as involved as we are, we have many other work and personal roles and simply can’t be at every single event for every single child. Having someone take photographs of the class during a field trip can be a wonderful gift for those parents who were unable to attend. The images can also be used to help the school promote itself, its fundraising efforts or for other related purposes. In addition, the images can be used to create personalized teacher gifts at the end of the year.

Here are a few tips to turn your photography into both a gift for parents and a marketing tool for your school:

Personalize the Shot: Group shots are wonderful and necessary but make sure to take individual shots of each child if at all possible. Zoom in close to fill the frame with the child’s face and wait for that candid smile or impromptu interaction. These magical moments just require a bit of planning and patience. Ignore the bustle around you for a few seconds to see if you can portray the essence of what that child is experiencing.

Capture Interaction: Some of the best photos are those of children engaged in particular projects or working together. Even something as seemingly simple as sharing a lunch outdoors on a picnic table can translate into an extraordinary photograph. Look for kids who are enjoying a moment together and start snapping away. Just don’t get too close—your goal is to capture the moment, not interrupt it.

Share & Upload: Once your event is over, make sure to upload your photos to your local photo store’s online website. It’s one of the easiest ways to share images and you can simply email a link to the album to all the parents and teachers involved. They can then order prints and other items from the photo store directly.

Get Permission: It is very important to get permission and to have a parent sign a standard model release anytime the child’s picture might be used for posters, flyers or other promotional item. There are standard model release forms that can be found online for your school to use. Some parents may prefer not to have their child included, and that’s okay. Your school’s office should already have these provisions in place, but if not, find the form and have copies made for each child in the class.

The next time you gear up for a field trip, make sure to take your camera (and accessories) and assign yourself the role of event photographer. It’s a chance to practice your hobby and an opportunity to give a gift to the kids and families all while supporting the school.

A New Year’s Resolution that Still Lets You Enjoy Dessert

I just can't seem to give up chocolate.

While I love the fresh start that each New Year offers, I shun any resolution that involves giving up sweets, watching Deadliest Catch or finding matches for all the stray socks, Army men and Barbie shoes that populate my casa.

Those things are here to stay.

So, for all you weary change-agents, here’s my suggestion:

On your list where it says “go to gym 8 days a week” and “give up dessert until my 85th birthday”--go ahead and just scratch one of those off and replace it with “organize my digital pictures.”

This resolution is one that is very attainable, although it may seem like a daunting task at first. For those who still remain unconvinced, here is my cheat sheet for how to make sure you can find your favorite photos without losing your cool.

And it only requires 30 minutes per week.

Week One:
Start Searching: Get online and do a search for ‘image management software’ or ‘photo organization’ programs. Write down a few that look good. Maybe they had solid reviews from a computer magazine or other resource that you trust. Print out a few pages from your search and put them in your folder. All done.

Week Two:
Pick and Play: Spend 30 minutes reading about the top choices. Which ones have features you like (and are explained in a language that resembles English)? Do you want to mark your favorite photos, learn how to edit and enhance them, or find that picture of Uncle Lou on a moment’s notice? Take a few notes on the sheets you printed last week that will help you remember which products you liked and why.
Don’t forget to call your favorite photo retailer to ask their recommendation. These folks are the professionals and can guide you to the best product for your needs.

Week Three:
Bite the Bullet and Buy (or Not!) Many image management programs offer free trials or even free copies. Choose the program you think will best suit your needs and download a trial version. Don’t play with it yet if you don’t have time. Make sure to completely back-up your images on an external drive or to DVD before installing any new programs (as an extra precaution). Then install the software (making sure it comes from a reputable source) and make sure it opens properly.

Week Four:
Wander and Explore: Your goal here is not to become an expert. It’s simply to play with a few tools and see what each one does. Don’t save any of your changes if you’re editing a photograph. Just consider yourself an imaging explorer and get a lay of the land, so to speak.

Week Five:
Choose One Thing: Pick a technique or feature you’d like to learn. Only one. Experiment, search the online help files or Google the topic to pick up some tips. You can even find photo software tutorials on YouTube.
If you’d like to learn more, great. If not, go back to your chore list.
One warning here: once you get started, you might discover that you’d rather do this than the laundry, and that’s okay. In fact, it’s encouraged.

Week Six and Beyond:
Repeat Week Five.

Hey, maybe this photo organizing resolution is one that will stick.
If not, well, do an extra 30 minutes in the weight room for me, ok?

Captivating Candids

Few things spark the imagination like the holiday season. Families coming together from across the country—or even across the ocean—to connect and celebrate is an event that needs to be remembered in photos for years to come. Taking great candid shots is a bit like being a sports referee—you’re doing your job well when people don’t even realize you’re there. Learning to be invisible is a powerful photographic tool to keep at the ready.

This is the perfect time to take a break from shooting all posed photos, and instead, use your camera to capture the true spirit and experiences of the holiday. Here are a few tips to help you create truly captivating candids:

Be an Observer…: Keep your camera under wraps for a bit and just watch the interaction between your loved ones. This will allow you to recognize meaningful moments and important stories to share through photography. For example, do you have a great-grandparent or two in your presence? If so, consider taking pictures of her telling your children a story or of a little one sitting in her lap. Resist the urge to come close with your camera and ask for a posed shot. Instead, stay off to the side and zoom in closely to capture the interaction. The goal is to show the moment as it happened.

…But Have Your Camera Ready: Make sure your camera is close by and ready to shoot when the opportunity arises. You’ll know when that perfect moment is at hand, and by having your camera set properly, you’ll be far more successful in getting the moment exactly as you intended.

Take the Long Road: You can keep your distance and still capture intimate shots with the help of a long zoom or telephoto lens. This lens will help you respect your subjects’ boundaries and keep you from interfering with the moment while still allowing you to get close enough to keep your images intimate.

Go Flash-Free: Nothing can break up a moment faster than a flash lighting up a room. If you have enough natural light in the room or outdoors, nix the flash to keep the moment protected. If you’re shooting in a dark area, try using your low-light setting on your camera or increase your ISO setting to help adapt to the environment.

Anticipate Traditions: If your family has standing traditions during the holiday season, make it a tradition to photograph the event. Make sure you’re ready before the activity starts by having your camera set properly, a tripod ready if needed or any other considerations. This will help keep the focus on the event itself rather than the photography of the event.

Your end result will be a photo library that chronicles your entire holiday happenings in a way that will bring a smile to your face every time you look at them.

Momagenda.com Offers Free Checklists to Organize Holiday Shopping

Name one mom you know right now that isn't feeling stressed about holiday shopping...

Didn't think so.

Don't worry--help is on the way!

If your visions of sugarplums have been replaced with visions of shopping lists, Christmas decorations and endless errands, join the sisterhood! Some days I feel as though I’m more speed than direction.

If you’re looking for a way to tame those tasks, I’ve got a great resource. Momagenda.com has posted some wonderful free downloadable checklists to help you keep your holiday shopping in order. They’ve also just announced their holiday discounts so if you’re looking for a great gift to give to a mom this season, consider a planner designed to manage time based upon the way a family is structured.

I can’t think of a nicer gift to give to a mom—except maybe ten pounds of chocolate truffles and a twelve-hour massage. Or a year of free car detailing. I’m pretty sure I’ve still got french fries under my seat dating back to the Clinton administration!

Get your downloadable holiday checklists here. http://www.momagenda.com/

Taking Your Show on the Road This Thanksgiving

My husband and I just completed an eight-hour car ride with three small kids in tow, all so we could attend my sister's wedding and celebrate an early Thanksgiving with loved ones. I won't bore you with all details, but suffice it to say that I believe a royal coronation would have taken less planning.

I know it's no small shakes to take your crew 'on tour' this Thansgiving. There are clothes, stuffed animals and pajamas to remember--but don't forget about your camera!

Here a few tips so you won’t have to spend a moment worrying about whether your camera is ready when you are to capture those smiles.

Preparation Pays: Those Scouts know what they’re talking about when they advise us to ‘be prepared.’ This is certainly true when it comes to digital camera batteries. Make sure to pack an extra set of AA batteries or an extra rechargeable battery. It is a very small investment and can mean the difference between getting the shots you want and hoping a relative will send copies of her pictures to you after the event is over.

Lens Cloths Save Time Later: Keep a lens cloth in your camera bag and spend a few seconds cleaning your camera lens before you start shooting. If you carry a small 'point-and-shoot' camera, keep a lens cloth in your handbag (I do!). Finding a recurrent smudge on your favorite Thanksgiving photos can make you feel a little less joyous, and cleaning your lens before the picture event is far less time consuming than trying to correct the images later using a photo editing program later.

Bring the Right Bag: Not all camera bags are created equal, and cramming your camera and accessories into a backpack or briefcase isn’t always the best idea. For special family visits and vacations, it pays to pack your camera and accessories in a properly-padded camera bag. There are designs for every budget and style preference, and when it comes to getting ready for a trip, a camera bag is the one accessory that can keep all your gear properly organized and protected.

How I Became a Member of a Club I Never Wanted to Join...

Well, I just became a statistic.

I am now one of the 43% of people who have lost valuable data and photographs due to a computer issue, although in my case, I didn’t suffer a hard drive crash. My laptop was stolen, and with it, were all the most important files and photos I cherished.

After the anger and shock wore off, I got right to work. I had been using an online back-up service, and I can tell you it was the one thing (along with an extremely patient husband) that helped me get back up and running within a week’s time. I shudder to think what would have happened had I chosen not to back up that data.

I ask you to make sure that you’re backing up your files and photos either on DVDs, an external hard drive, or an online service. I use a combination of methods and chose Carbonite.com for the online backup service. It was worth every penny of the $50 I spent on the subscription.

It’s true that ‘you don’t know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone.’ Let my experience serve as a reminder. Ignore some other chores long enough to back up your favorite photos and files. It will give you peace of mind and be time well spent.