Little kids

I personally know a lot of families who don't want too get professional pictures done of their families because they have little kids and they think that it would be too difficult to get the kids to keep still for pictures. But in my opinion, I think you should still be able to do it. I've heard that "it takes a certain type of photographer" to be able to take pictures/do a photo shoot for little kids. I think that anyone can do it. Yeah granted, you have to defiantly have patience. But you need patience for any type of photographing in general.
Want tips?
first, SMILE. If you give a real, smile, it usually relaxes someone.
Have little toys that can keep them distracted if needed.
REMIND THE PARENTS TO BRING A CHANGE OF CLOTHES FOR THEIR YOUNGSTERS
Its always in your best interest to bring a change of clothes, because accidents DO happen.
Also, maybe have the parents bring one of their favorite toys. Something that they love, so it will keep them content.
But I believe the two most important things are two have patience and to smile.

Prom

As we all know, prom is coming up, and it'll be here fast.
A lot of people question whether they should get a picture taken at your prom, or if you want it taken professionally, at home.
There's pros and cons to both.
At the dance:
Pros

• They will have a specific place set up, so it goes with the theme of your dance
• It'll be a fast picture
• Your partner and friends will be there too, so if you want a picture with them, they're right there

Cons

• They may only be able to take one, because there will be a line
• They'll probably be a really long line
• You won't really have time to re-ready yourself
• It may be over expensive (depending on your school)

At home
Pros

• You'll be able to take how ever much pictures you would like to take
• Any type of settings and backgrounds
• You can change into however many outfits you want(most people stick to one dress)
• You don't have to wait in crazy long lines

Cons

• Depending on who/where you go to, it may be pretty costly
• It takes a while
• You can't have pictures with anyone unless you plan a certain day so you all can get ready

I see a lot of different types of prom pictures. I think the biggest theme that's in right now, is the cowboy theme.
I am going to give you some tips that I've found use full :

• Choose a clean background
• Stable your camera (tripod/monopod if possible. If not, use a flat surface) 
• Only have one camera person at a time. So they focus on one camera. 
• Throw in some creative and fun poses
• Take multiple shots for multiple people 

(prom photography tips. John Huegel)

Selfie Sticks

The more you watch the news, look on Facebook, or other social media networks, you notice the "selfie stick". If you don't know what that is, its a long stick/rod, that you clip your phone into to take picture.
I've been hearing a lot about this, some people say it totally defeats the purpose of a "selfie", others say it could help a lot to get the perfect angle for you Facebook worthy picture.
In the most recent news article that I've read on Fox News, "Churchill Downs bans selfie sticks for Kentucky Derby", It states that not only did the runner of the Kentucky Derby ban the selfie stick, Coachella, Lollapalooza, the Yankee Stadium and Museums did too.
In this article, the Kentucky Derby banned the selfie sticks for the "safety of their horses". I imagine Coachella, Lollapalooza, and Yankee stadium banned them for the safety of the people, and Museums for the safety of their artifacts.
 Do you think they should ban them? do you think the "selfie stick" defeats the purpose of selfies?
In my opinion, I think it defeats the purpose. I think it does because, a selfie to me, is an up close just you, picture.
People claim that the whole point of the selfie stick is to get a better angle on your pictures, but why not just ask someone?
The editor of this article claims that he/she doesn't think the banning of the selfie stick will cause much controversy because its still "up and coming" not everyone knows a lot about them yet. Like myself, I didn't know anything about them until I was recommended to do a blog on it, so I researched it more. I honestly feel like their pointless, but everyone has their own opinion.
I'm sure we'll be seeing them more and more this summer and when more people become aware of them.

Pictures that go with the seasons.

Taking family picture's, or just normal "selfies" is always fun.
Outfits, picture types, almost everything will change with the season.
Here's tips on how to take pictures during each season,
Let's start with..
 Winter:
I never knew this, but If you're taking pictures where it's a very cold climate, with snow and such, bring extra battery's because "a cold battery is like a dead battery" - New York Institute Of Photography. 

• Did you know, that the brightness will mess with your camera/picture quality? Your built in light meter will put a grey tint to the super white snow, so you don't want that. To change that, let in more light. Sounds weird right? because being outside would be enough light right? actually you can change settings on your camera, so you can let more light into the picture. 
• You can always add colorful objects to your picture scene. Have the base background be white, but have something stand out. Such as, take your model, have her dress in toned colors, but then have her wear a bright red dress, she stands out compared to the snow. 

http://www.nikonusa.com/en/Learn-And-Explore/Article/ghsbd99p/moose-peterson-how-to-photograph-winter-landscapes.html

Next,
 Fall

• When it comes too taking pictures in autumn, you don't always want bright sun. 
• Studies show from photographers, that the best scene's to take photo's of during the fall is streams/ponds. 
• Going with what I said before, fog and mist too. They generate mystery, and unique colors. 

http://www.nikonusa.com/en/Learn-And-Explore/Article/h7dfres5/10-tips-for-shooting-autumn-foliage.html

Spring

• Take advantage of sunrise and sunset, they are at their best point during the spring times. 
• FLOWERS BLOSSOMING. These pictures are the most taken by photographers. 
• To go with what I just said, try to look for patterns and look for the abstract when taking pictures of flowers. 

http://www.picturecorrect.com/tips/spring-photography-tips/

Summer

• Campfires, night times, parks, wild life. Those are things that happen a lot during the summer season, and when taking pictures in the summer, those are perfect things to take photographs of.
• Most people think that while taking pictures outside in the sun, you won't need your flash. But that's not always true. 
• Also, take pictures at the same place, just at a different time. Experiment with the day.

http://digital-photography-school.com/5-hot-tips-improving-summer-photography/

Under each section, I pasted a link that you can go to, to get more of an idea on tips, and if you need help. Good luck (:

Stuck on what to take a picture of next? what your next photograph piece should be?

If you're stuck on what to photograph next, or if you need any ideas.I'm here to help.
If you honestly have no idea what you want to do, or what types of photographing you want to do next, my advice, is to take your camera everywhere you go ( if possible ) and just take pictures of things you see. For example, if you're going to the beach, take pictures of the water and the waves, or of the sand and the rocks. Be creative. Take pictures of the already built sandcastles. Maybe bring someone with you and have them pose just for fun. Or lets say you're going for a walk on a trail in the woods, there is so many things you could take pictures of. A leaf on the ground, barely on the ground. Untouched. Take pictures of the animals, Take pictures of other peoples animals, if its okay with their owner of course. Don't hesitate to take pictures, that's whats going to cause you to miss the shot. The picture you actually want.

Here's an example of what you could do, this person thought this was a wonderful sight so they captured a picture of it.

Stuck on what to bring to your photoshoot?

Is it your first time professional photo shoot? stuck on what to bring? I can help!
Some obvious things that you should bring are: Make-up, hair ties, hats, jewelry, glasses/sunglasses (here's a tip, don't wear your sunglasses right before the photo shoot, because you'll end up squinting in the photos from the brightness), or anything you'd like to use for a prop. More things that would be good to bring are, a small portable mirror, something to drink (the best things would probably be water or Gatorade) especially if you will be outside, and a little snack to keep your energy up throughout the photo shoot process.
Here's a list of things that a typical model packs for his/her photo shoot, not everything is necessary if your just starting out, but this could be used as a checklist.

• make up kit
• washcloth 
• everything needed for the make up style you choose
• eye drops 
• hair brush
• toothbrush
• sunglasses
• aspirin or anytime of medicine to help with out of the blue headaches
• hair styling products
• lotions
• scissors
• lent roller
• tissue
• bobby pins
• sun screen
• tweezers 
• beverages
• and finally, makeup remover. 

                                                                                                                                 (source: zero dean)

Cameras

As a photographer, your camera is the most important thing to you aside from things outside of photography. You literally need it in order to even take part of photography. So there's the taking of the photographs itself, then there's editing, printing, selling, and giving. If you don't have a camera, it can even be your phone, then you don't have photography. Phone cameras, are okay. But if you want the real, in depth, pictures. Then a Canon ( like I said before if you're a beginner ), or some type of digital camera, is your answer. I'm not saying you have to go out and spend $300 on a camera for good quality pictures, because there are some cameras that aren't as pricey but take pretty amazing pictures, but just know that the more professional you want to go, the more costly it will be for you.

Family pictures

To start off, you will need a lot of patience while taking family pictures. The family will most likely have a child, or children, so you'll need the patience to get everyone's eyes on you, at the same time. It will take time. But you will take at least one picture, with everyone looking. Hopefully more. To insure that you have at least one picture with everyone paying attention, and smiling, take multiple shots. Your camera will have a setting where you can take pictures, in more of a burst type setting. It may be called different things, but this setting makes it so you can take multiple pictures right after each other, this setting is used a lot for sports. Forget the traditional portrait shots. Be unique and inspirational! use weird props, such as picture frames, or over sized sunglasses!. Have your subjects run around, and act like they would when they aren't around a stranger. Have the kids play together and be themselves, and take shots of that. You will get their real, genuine, smile. Filled with their real happiness. That makes the most warming family pictures.

Senior pictures

Let's focus on Senior pictures. Almost every senior takes senior pictures. Because those are what sits at your open house. I'm going to give our photographers some helpful tips, but I'm also going to give some tips for the senior who's getting the pictures done, in case you're nervous.

First, the photographer. Always try to make the senior as comfortable as possible. Because chances are they've never had some type of professional pictures taken of just them. Try to get many ideas in your head about the poses you would want to do, because you don't want to get to the photo shoot, and realize that the poses you had in mind, don't fit your models personality. Also, bring props. Something to have them hold or focus on, because some people feel awkward in the beginning of taking photos, so having some type of props, such as books maybe takes their mind off of it until they get more comfortable.
I'm sure the Senior, or subject of your pictures, will have an idea of what they want to wear in the pictures, but you can always give them some friendly examples, or give them some friendly reminders of what they should stay away from.

Now seniors, DON'T BE SHY! always be comfortable with what you're doing! because acting shy while getting your pictures taken, can have a negative affects on your overall pictures. I was always taught, being shy hurts your smile. Another thing, do not force your smile, a relaxed smile is a better smile. Depending on your photographer, you can get helpful tips on how to get a more relaxed smile. And, if you want to get your hair touched up, or get a full haircut before your photography session, try to do it a week before your appointment. I'm saying this because if you do it a day or two before, your hair may still have that new haircut look, like a choppy look.

How to: Tips on taking wedding, senior, and family pictures.

On this blog today, were going to focus on wedding pictures.
Every photographer is going to experience every type of photography until they find the kind that fits them most. From wedding, nature, senior, and family pictures. I'm here to give you many tips on how to start, or improve on your kind of photography. First, wedding photography. Look for an opening, something like a field, try to go as wide as your camera will let you, it creates an appealing look to your picture, because it keeps your subject in the main focus. You always want your brides pose appealing also, because how her posture or pose is, can sometimes be unflattering to your picture. You can always tilt the camera too, it gives it a creative look. Instead of having your pictures always in photograph and landscape mode. Always talk to the bride, groom, and wedding party. Ask if there's anything or any pose in specific that they want to do, or if they have any ideas. Asking these questions will give them a friendly open vibe from you, you won't seem so focused on just the things you want to do. Last but not least for wedding photography, have fun. Wedding photography can be one of the funnest kinds of photography, you just can't let yourself get tense. Don't seem to focused on getting the job done.

How to get the right lighting.

Wondering how to get a better lighting?

We all have that one problem, lighting. No matter how hard we try, we always have a problem on how our pictures turn out. Many people think it's their camera, but it's most likely not. 

If it's possible, take the pictures outside. No matter the position you want the picture taken in, you'll always have some sunlight. If you're stuck with taking the picture inside, or if you'd rather have the picture inside, then have your light source on your side. You don't want the light to harsh, or it'll create a shadow, and you don't want the light source directly in front of the person in the picture, because harsh lighting may make them squint, or it may have other negative affects to your picture. 

If possible, go for two light sources on each side of you, or the person you're taking the picture of, because it will even the lighting out on both sides of the person in the picture. And you should never rely on your cameras flash for your main lighting, because even your flash will cast a shadow. You should have a main source of lighting, and you could use your flash to fill in any shadows that your pictures main light had created. 

Want some tips on using the flash on your camera?

- When using your flash, try to avoid mirrors or windows 

- Remember that your cameras flash is not as powerful as you may think it is

- To get the full affect of the flash, you'll need the person you're taking the picture of, in the flashes range, otherwise it won't come out like the flash is supposed to.

- If you're taking a picture of more than one person, be sure that each person is the same length away from the flash, otherwise the lighting on each person will be different.
                                                                                                                                   (Better lighting"

Beginner?

Want to know what camera works best for beginner photography? What is easiest to learn and get the hang of? Well, here you go! The Canon EOS 350D is the perfect beginner camera. The digital Canon EOS' are easy to use and they are flexible. Brightness, and color are all closely monitored and are very advanced. It's perfect for any type of person, or picture. On the canon, your able to change any filter or scene to fit your wants. The controls are very straightforward and easy to use and the touchscreen feature offers you fast results so the camera doesn't take very long to capture the shot. I personally would use this camera as my first piece of equipment for photography because it isn't complicating and confusing, it has the perfect amount of options.  

Source: EOS for Beginners."