Better late then never.

Day 3's Blog Challenge Topic. Teach your readers something.

Sounded easy enough and then my mind went completely haywire. It is truly painful for someone who suffers from ADD to have to narrow down a million thoughts racing through their head. Then comes the time. WHERE DOES ALL TIME GO? And who starts a challenge like this in the middle of the busiest season for a portrait photographer? 

I decided this evening at soccer practice I wanted to give you guys something super easy, but crazy awesome. My favorite thing in the world, well after family and caffeine ;), is catch lights. I am obsessed with them. Sadly shooting conditions do not always allow for them, but when possible they can make the difference between a good photo and freakin' fabulous one! 
Don't ask me why I choose to sit in the van with a 2yr old and an 8yr old to watch my other son's practice for over an hour instead of driving the 2 miles back home, but I did. Eventually my daughter wanted to get out (real shocker) and it was freezing, windy and gloomy. I figured what the heck, I might as well grab two shots for this post. I grabbed the camera and took 2 shots. Yep that's all she would do. Lucky for me her brothers recently showed her how to "cheese smile", ugh I was so not amused. I took one shot of her facing west and one shot of her facing east. Extra points for why I chose those 2 directions. I did change my position. I just turned around. 

BG looking super fly facing west.

BG showing of her new "cheese smile" facing east. Momma wishing we had not forgot her glasses at home.

There you have it! Have you spotted the difference? I did nothing different between the 2 photos. I hope that you can clearly see the first one has a little more sparkle in the eyes. In my Snap Camp Workshops I teach you that you do not need to edit the eyes if you shoot them properly. Eyes in their own right are just gorgeous.  I preach WHERE IS THE LIGHT! Who of you that have been to a workshop just heard my voice in your head? 

Just in case you did not spot the catch lights, there those little tiny beauties are.

My older son was standing there telling me a story. You know how kids follow you even when you don't really move when they are telling you a story? Then you step on them! I figured I would use that opportunity to photograph him for this little experiment. Again, same camera settings, lighting conditions etc. I stood in the exact same place I just rotated around and my son followed me, as you know you must give them your full eye contact when they are telling you a very important story :)

Again you can see the results of a simple change in direction. This one is more noticeable because I was shooting straight at him as he is a little closer to my height than my daughter. 

**Note edits to these photos were, re sized for web and contrast increase (I like a little depth) **

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Well I hope you enjoyed this post. I can't wait to do others for you. I hope you LOOK FOR THE LIGHT.  Fancy camera not required. Maybe next time I will show you with my phone. 

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If there is something you would like me to do a little tutorial on leave it in the comments below please and I will add it to my list.

As always thank you for taking the time to comment and read my blog.

Blessings ~ Monique