I’m back!

Nov
23

Posted by: Maggie

Okay, so I realize that it has been almost a month since I posted and I feel horrible about it! At my busiest in the last two years I have still managed to post at least twice a week. But the last month and a half has been crazy! Maggie Keegan Gross Photography has been so busy that I literally have not taken a single photograph that I was not being paid to take in a month. I’ve had quadruple my normal monthly clients. Which is awesome and amazing and puts me on track for where I want my business to be in the upcoming year.

But it also means that I am exhausted and worn a bit thin. With work, Eleanor to take care of, making time for her and Josh, and (sort of) taking care of housework, all while pregnant has just taken up all of my time. Something had to give and this blog was it.

So I apologize and want you to know that I am back and recommitting myself to regular posting!

I have just two newborn sessions to shoot in December, and then the rest of the month is for business organizing & planning, blogging, and celebrating!

I hope you’ll forgive me my absence and continue to follow me and my hectic life!

p.s. If you want to see what I’ve been up to head over to Maggie Keegan Gross Photography to see all my recent work!

Comments: 1
Categories: Maggie Keegan Gross Photography, Maggie Keeps it Real
Tags: apologies, busy, work

Cranky Photography: Get Great Halloween Photos

Oct
31

Posted by: Maggie

I love Halloween, but it can be challenging to shoot, right? First, your kids are so excited (or sugar-filled) that they won’t hold still for a photo. Second, most of the holiday takes place in the dark!

Well, I have a few tips for you that will help you to get a few great photos to commemorate the holiday.

Dealing with the Kids:

1. Start out early and get them at their first door. It’s easier to shoot candid photos of your kid, than it is to get them to pose for you. Get them both knocking at the door and then their happy face as they walk away with their first goodies of the night.

2. Get a few semi-posed images. To get some good posed photos have them sit on your front porch steps or curb and show you their goodie bags! Don’t ask them to smile! You know you’ll just get that fake grin, so instead ask them questions to draw out that real smile, “How much candy are you going to get tonight? Do you think we’ll see any really spooky houses?”

Dealing with the Dark:

1. Take some pictures before it gets dark. The best photos of your night will be in that perfect light in the hour before sunset. Make sure to get your best costume photos and first door photos before the sun goes down.

2. Use ambient light. There will be some light during the night, so use it if you can. Turn your flash off set your camera to it’s widest aperture and a high ISO setting (if you know how to do that) and capture the light that is there.

3. Use your night portrait mode. Most cameras have a night portrait mode, it will usually be a face with a crescent moon or star next to it. This mode will give you those settings I mentioned above, a high ISO, and a wide aperture, but it will give you a slow shutter speed to capture the available light and then fire your flash to make sure faces are in focus. Remember, to hold still through the slower shutter. Don’t move until you the flash fires and the you hear the shutter close. This one is only going to work with mostly still subjects.

Don’t forget the most important part of Halloween: the CANDY!

Make sure to get that camera out again at the end of the night to capture your kids delight as they sort through their treats!