How to use the graduated filter tool in Lightroom

When it comes to editing, I always start in Lightroom. I catalog my photos here, so it's easy to open my most recent images, apply my edits and either export to Photoshop if I want to do additional editing, or export to share/print right from Lightroom.

There are a few tools I use routinely in Lightroom, and if you have watched any of my other editing videos, you've probably seen them in use. This week, I thought I would break them down individually and share how my favorite tools work, as well as I how I use them to edit my images. 

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First up is the graduated filter. This tool is awesome for bringing back details in the sky (assuming you are shooting in RAW - which is another awesome reason you should start shooting in RAW if you aren't already!). I also will use the graduated filter tool to lighten/darker specific areas of my images to add more depth and dimension. Check out the video below to see this tool in action! 

Stephanie Bryan Photography - How to use the Graduated Filter tool in Lightroom from stephaniebryan on Vimeo.

As you can see, I love how you can bring back those beautiful details like wispy clouds in the image above. Do you use this tool in your editing process? Be sure to check back all week for more Lightroom editing tips!

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He, She + Me - March

HE: loves being the first one up • wakes up to his alarm clock every morning, turns on the fireplace + makes his breakfast 😳 • pulls out my chair at dinner • tells me his "glad news" everyday • still has a major crush on a girl in his class + blushes when you mention her name • insists he’s going to marry Anna and me (please don’t ever grow up ❤) • filling out his March Madness bracket like a champ • bites his nails when he’s excited • loves salted caramel ice cream the most • has the most adorable secret handshake with Anna

SHE: celebrates her EIGHTH birthday in a few short days 🎉 • has been counting down said birthday since Halloween • has moved from Shopkins to Num Noms • is obsessed with Moana • had two speaking parts in her school program + nailed them • scored her first two goals EVER in soccer and was so incredibly proud of herself • carries around our old iPhone like an extra appendage and blares awful Kidz Bop morning + night • is dying to be done with her booster seat • steals alllll my bags of frozen grapes • asks her magic 8 ball questions all.day.long

ME: craving the beach • counting down the days until I’m in sunny California • downloading books galore on my Kindle • making my way through This Is Us and trying to hide my eyes and cover my ears whenever anyone mentions the show 🙈 • already mourning the end of basketball • so thankful for photography classes that help to push me creatively • loving on my Helios lens • making lists and setting daily goals • going on almost three months of daily blogging + tutorial sharing • thinking of starting Whole 30 aggggggaaaaain (but really all I want is tacos 🌮

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Project Mama + Me is a monthly project created to remember all the little bits + pieces of our everyday. Follow #projectmamaandme on Instagram.

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Baby Lily | Raleigh Lifestyle Newborn Photographer

I have all the heart eyes in the world for sweet baby Lily and I am so honored to have been able to capture Lily and her parents just a few days after she made her little way into this world.

Watching a first time mama and daddy with their new bundle of joy is priceless and being able to record some of those sweet moments is just my favorite. All the snuggles, cuddles, yawns and even those baby cries are worth documenting. Little Lily decided to stay awake for most of our session (just like a lot of those newborns who can easily get overstimulated), so she got extra snuggles from her mama and daddy for this session.

Thank you, Allison and Jimmy, for inviting me into your darling home to capture your new family of three! xo

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For newborn session inquiries, please contact me at stephanie@stephaniebryanphoto.com or via my contact page.

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May Mama + Me Sessions | Raleigh Lifestyle Photographer

Hey mamas? When's the last time YOU got in a photo with your kids? Excluding selfies. Hmmmm.... That's hard to answer, right? Maybe you snapped a quick Easter family photo, or if you're like me, it was probably Christmas (or even last fall). Let's change that, m'kay?

Why you need a mama + me session

Mamas are usually the ones BEHIND the cameras. They are the ones documenting those little moments of life. Dads are ALL in those photos. But what about you? You need to put on a pretty dress and snuggle your babies and let someone else worry about snapping away for a change!

Capturing the bond of mothers and their children is near and dear to me. I lost my mama when I was just 19 and there isn't one day that goes by where I don't wish she were still here. The photos I have of us together are PRICELESS. Beyond priceless. They aren't professional photos, just snapshots, but I am so thankful someone picked up a camera that day and captured that moment in time. 

After becoming a mama to my two little ones, it just seemed like life passed too quickly and everyone kept changing and growing and evolving. Capturing you and your children NOW is so very important. 

The mama + me details

The mama + me sessions will take place within the month of May. I have a few select openings for these sessions, so don't wait! Together, we will decide on a gorgeous location and I'll even help you figure out what to wear. The goal of these sessions (like all of my sessions) is to have FUN! All you have to do is show up with your babies and snuggle on them. I will do all the rest. 

The session includes:

- a ONE hour session in a gorgeous location

- 10 high resolution digital images with full printing rights and release

- an online gallery of all images (available within 3 weeks of your session) to share with friends and family

- $100 off your next family session (applicable to session fee only. excludes promotional sales + packages)

Mama + me sessions are for mamas and children only.

Investment

There are two options for payment for your Mama + Me session! You can pay a $100 deposit of the full amount to hold your session or you can pay a discounted rate($200)  if you purchase the entire session now. Please note these are on a first come/first serve basis. 

The fine print:

These sessions are completely non-refundable and will be held in the month of May only. Session will be rescheduled for inclement weather only. Session for mamas only. Offer can not be used for a family session. All sessions will take place within 30 miles of Raleigh, NC unless otherwise planned. Session is non-transferable.

Book your session using the two checkout options above, or contact me today with any questions!!

stephanie@stephaniebryanphoto.com

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Why I love the Helios lens

A few months ago I picked up a Helios 44-2 on a whim from Amazon. I can't remember where I heard about this lens, but someone had mentioned the amazing flare, swirly bokeh and light leaks from this lens and I really wanted to give it a try. I found one for $35 on Amazon (which if you know the prices of lenses these days, this is a AMAZING), and I just couldn't pass it up. The Helios is a Russian designed lens and was plentifully manufactured, which makes the prices so inexpensive. This fun lens has become one of my favorites and I always keep it in my camera bag.

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Why I love the Helios lens (and why I think you will too)!!

1. It's different than your typical lens

The Helios is a manual lens, which is WAY different than all of my other auto lenses. Both the focus and aperture can be manually adjusted so you can adjust not only your focus points, but the depth of field as well. 

2. The Helios makes you slow down

If there was an over-snapper-anonymous club, I would definitely be a member. I have a tendency to way over-shoot both personally and professionally. I don't really chimp that much during my shooting, so I think I overcompensate by over-shooting. With the Helios, I literally have to take a deep breath and slow down. I can totally over-shoot with the Helios, but most of them are likely going to be out of focus since my subjects are always moving. In manual, I have to pay attention to the light and my subjects and really "wait" for that shot. It's been a fun challenge for me! A big BONUS of the Helios lens is that it's a great way to get my creative juices flowing if I'm in a rut and just don't feel inspired! Have

3. Light leaks, sun flares, swirly bokeh, oh my.

This! This is what I love most about the Helios. The light leaks and sun flares from this lens are amazing and if you have something to filter the light through, you are pretty much guaranteed a light filled photo. If you've followed along with me for a while, you probably know that I have a mild (ok - crazy) obsession with light and sun flares. They make my heart go pitter-patter and there is nothing better than capturing my kids or families in some pretty light. The Helios does all that and more. It make take some patience and practice, but it is so worth it.

Have you ever tried out the Helios?? If it's in your budget, I totally think it's worth adding it to your collection!! 

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My two favorite lenses for family sessions

I love family sessions. Like a lot.

There's something about being able to capture the love and joy of a family that just melts my heart. If you've ever had a session with me, you know I like to have FUN. We run, we jump, we play and you get to be you. Kids throw tantrums, pout, cry and barely pay me any attention. And that's the way I like it. I want to capture the real and the raw. The laugh and giggles, but also the pouts and sass. All of these things make up your family and they are worth remembering!

When it comes to an outdoor family session, I basically stick to two lenses throughout the entirety of my session - my Sigma Art 35mm and my Canon 135L. (For my in-home lifestyle and newborn sessions, I use my Sigma Art 24mm, which you can read all about here in this post!).

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Sigma Art 35mm

I always start my session with the Sigma Art 35mm. This lens is probably on my camera more than any other lens and it's a "classic" everyday lens. I like starting with the 35mm because it allows me enough room to move around my families and chase those kiddos here and there. It's wide enough where you don't feel like I'm standing on top of your subject and it lets me get some good angles.

Since this is a wider-angle lens, it doesn't have much compression even when shot wide open at 1.4 (and I usually keep my aperture around 2.0-2.8 anyway depending on the number of family members in my session. My sessions start about an hour + a half before sunset, so the light at the beginning of the session is still pretty high above the tree line, so I'm really not going to be getting lots of bokeh and light leaks anyway. Starting with this lens means I can switch over to my 135mm as the light turns magical. 

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Canon EF 135mm

This lens is purely magical and I typically always pull this baby out towards the end of the session. By this time, I have (for the most part) captured some good moments of the families together and most kids are done having their picture taken anyways and are ready to roam. By switching to the 135mm, I can stand WAY far back and just let the kids be themselves. The light is also usually magical towards the end of the session and the 135 gives such beautiful compression with gorgeous bokeh. This lens also pretty tack sharp even wide open at 2.0. The only negative to this lens is it does give off a good bit of haze if you are shooting directly into the sunlight. I always try to filter my subjects with trees or something along that line to reduce the haze. The 135mm is crazy sharp wide open (sharper than any of my Sigmas, I think) and the compression just can't be beat.

What about you? What's your go-to lens for outdoor sessions? Share your favorite below!

For lifestyle family session inquiries, please contact me at stephanie@stephaniebryanphoto.com or via my contact page.

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My tips for editing greens + yellows

We all have a certain preference when it comes to editing and that's what makes editing and photography so great. Two people can take the same photo and end up with a completely different result. While some people might love one color, other people prefer to totally change it or desaturate it. There really is no wrong or right.

For me, when it comes to editing, I am always trying to keep my colors and tones as close to the  naked eye as possible. There are always different variables like light, shadows and color casts that change the way the camera detects and captures colors. Greens and yellows seem to be more "neon" and vibrant straight out of the camera and I always prefer to tweak these colors to be more presentative of how they actually were.

I do the majority of my editing in Lightroom and have found that the HSL (hue, saturation, luminance) panel and split toning can really help to make those greens/yellows more natural!

In this short video, I'll share with you my Lightroom process for editing the greens and yellows in my images! Let me know if you have any questions!

Stephanie Bryan Photography - My tips for editing greens + yellows from stephaniebryan on Vimeo.

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The McLaughlin Family | Raleigh Lifestyle Maternity Photographer

I met this beautiful mama on my daughter Anna's very first day of kindergarten. She and her sweet daughter, Grace, had matching shoes and Anna and I thought that was SO darn cute. I knew we were destined to be friends. :)

Anna and Grace quickly became "besties" and I am so very thankful to have these two beautiful girls in my life. Megan keeps me sane during the school year and Grace is as sweet as she looks. It was truly an honor to capture their family of three together before the arrival of their dear baby boy.

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For session inquiries, please contact me at stephanie@stephaniemakes.com or via my contact page.

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How to add a radial blur to your images

The radial blur tool in Photoshop can add a fun and unique look to your photos. I love using radial blurs with backlighting and images taken in tall grasses. The radial blur adds a fun movement to your images and helps to "soften" backlighting. 

Here are the steps for adding a radial blur in Photoshop! And be sure to check out the video below for step-by-step directions!

1. Duplicate your background layer.

2. Go to Filter - Blur - Radial Blur.

3. Select the type of blur you want (spin, zoom) and the intensity of the blur (I usually stick to 10 or 11).

4. In your layers palette, create a clipping mask and invert the radial blur layer (Command I on Mac; Control I for PC).

5. Select the gradient tool on the tool bar (make sure your foreground/background layer is inverse of the clipping mask layer you created) and click/drag your mouse across your image to apply the radial blur.

6. Create a second layer mask on the radial blur and use a brush to brush off any areas you don't want the radial blur.

7. Decrease the opacity to your liking.

Stephanie Bryan Photography - How to add a Radial Blur from stephaniebryan on Vimeo.

The radial blur tool is a fun tool to keep in your back pocket when you want to add a little interest to your images. A little can go a long way, so be sure to play around and find what works best for you!

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Understanding color space

When I upgraded to the new Adobe Creative Cloud and starting using Lightroom to edit my photos, I noticed a little discrepancy with the colors in my images. I was ALWAYS editing my photos EVEN MORE when I posted to Instagram or any social media platform. To be honest, I was kind of stumped with what was wrong. I mean, I was spending ALLLLL this time editing my images and then I would go to post it to Instagram or wherever and the colors were just wacky. So I did some research and reading found that there was most likely a color space discrepancy between my edits and my phone. Today I thought I would share what I've learned about color space and maybe help you understand it too. (And just FYI, I definitely DO NOT consider myself an expert on this matter....).

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What is color space?

Color space is a range of colors that is represented in an image. In this digital age, the spectrum of colors is incredibly diverse and depending on your camera, editing programs and WHAT you plan to do with your photos, your color space will likely need to vary. 

The most used color spaces are sRGB, Adobe RGB and ProPhoto RGB. They each have a different range of colors and will give you different results. Let's take a closer look at each.

sRGB - sRGB (standard red, green, blue) is based on a color gamut of red, green and blue, and is the world's most recognized color space. It is most likely the color space on your monitor, tablet and cell phone (unless you have the latest + greatest). Your local print shop is also very likely calibrated to sRGB.

Adobe RGB - Adobe RBG is also based on the red, blue, green gamut, but includes a wider range within each color (see the photo below for example). The colors within Adobe RGB will have more vibrancy (saturation) within the shadows, mid tones and highlights. 

ProPhoto RGB - ProPhoto RGB was created by Kodak and includes the largest range of colors within its color space. There is more luminance and vibrancy within the colors of ProPhoto RGB. (again, see photo below for comparison).

Image: GBallard/Photoshop

Which color space should you use?

Ok! So now that you have some idea of the various color spaces available, which one should you choose?? Sadly, there is no easy answer to this since it all depends on WHAT and HOW you use your photos. ProPhoto RGB includes the largest spectrum of colors, so it seems that would be the natural "best" choice, however, monitors, phones and even most commercial printers are not able to accommodate this color space. The "gold standard" of color space is sRGB so if you upload a photo using ProPhoto RGB color space to Facebook, Instagram or anywhere on the web, your monitor or device is going to convert your photo to sRGB to display and let's just say that's not going to be good because basically your monitor/device is going to change all of your colors to fit the sRGB space and all that time you spent editing and getting that "green" just perfect was wasted. Same thing goes for printing. If you edit and save your image in a different color space than your printing company, you image will likely be desaturated, muddy and totally not how you edited it. So it seems like you should use sRGB, right?? (Are you confused yet?).

Not exactly.

Here's what I do + why. My camera has two options when it comes to color space - sRGB and Adobe RGB. I have my camera set to capture images using the Adobe RGB color space so I can get the widest variety of colors possible in camera (remember - I shoot in RAW. If you are shooting in JPEG, your camera will likely default to sRGB). In both Lightroom and Photoshop, I edit using the largest color space possible (Lightroom uses Adobe RGB, I have Photoshop set to ProPhoto RGB) to ensure I am editing with the widest range of colors, and then convert my final image to sRGB before saving and uploading to the web or to a client gallery. If I am posting online or providing images for my client's to print, I want what others view or print, to match my edits exactly. By saving those files for sharing in sRGB, I can make sure the photos are pretty much identical.

If you use a professional printing company like Millers or H&H, just be sure to check what their recommended color space is for printing and save your files in that manner. 

How to change your program's color space

If you use Lightroom for all your editing, then you are already using the Adobe RGB color space. If you want to save your edited images as sRGB for sharing and local printing, then just be sure to save it as sRGB when exporting. 

If you edit in both Lightroom and Photoshop and go back and forth between the two, you will need to specific what color space you want the external editing program to use. You can see what you currently use by going to Lightroom - Preferences - External Editing.

To check or change your color space in Photoshop, go to Edit - Color Settings. 

And if you want to convert your color space to sRGB for sharing and posting online (or local printing), you will go to Edit - Convert to Profile, and then select sRGB. Since I convert all of my files for sharing and clients, I created an action for this step (check out this post to see how easy it is to create an action in Photoshop).

Whew! Color space can be kind of confusing altogether and I definitely don't know that I have the BEST understanding of it, but I have learned that sRGB is the most widely used color space and is likely the best option when uploading to websites, blogs or social media platforms. When it comes to printing, it's best to double check with your printing company and see what color space they recommend!

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3 ways to brighten the whites in your images

I often get asked on Instagram and my blog how I get my whites so bright and clean. It's no secret that I LOVE a good white background and I use whites as negative space any chance I get. The one key to making your whites a "true, bright" white is to start out with accurate white balance. White balance can really throw off the colors in an image altogether and it's definitely easy to see any warm or cool undertones you may have in your whites if your color balance is off.  Check out this post if you want to learn more about white balance and how to set/change it! 

Luckily, there are several ways to "brighten" your whites if you didn't get a chance to accurately set your white balance, or it was off altogether! I typically always adjust the whites in my images, even when I shoot in Kelvin. I like my whites to be bright and clean! Here's how I do it! (And there's a video below that shows you step-by-step how I use these different tools - and it includes my little secret for double checking how the whites actually will look!)

1. Levels adjustment with masking.

After I apply the basic "adjustments" to my photo in either LR or Camera RAW, I usually start my edits by adding a levels adjustment to brighten the highlights and midtones. If my image was shot on a white background, I've found that increasing the highlights and midtones really helps to make those whites pop. After I've increased them both, I create a clipping mask and brush off the adjustments it made it the main subject. 

2. Selective color tool.

The selective color tool is great for removing a certain hue from your whites. If you notice a blueish tint or a yellow undertone, try pulling that specific color out using this tool. Be careful though! A little tweaking goes a long way!

3. Dodge tool.

The final tool I use to help brighten my whites is the dodge tool. Just like the selective color tool, a little adjusting can go a LONG way! Be sure to use the dodge tool on the lowest opacity you can. Too much dodging will leave streaks and spots on your background since you are essentially removing ALL color from your image. So unless your background is 100% white, you will likely be able to see the areas where you  "dodged" in your photo. 

Check out the video below to see all three tools in action (as well as my secret for seeing how your whites actually look)!

Stephanie Bryan Photography - 3 ways to brighten the whites in your images from stephaniebryan on Vimeo.

And there you have it! My tips for brighter whites! Do you use any of these tools?? Let me know if you give them a try!

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Around our clocks - 9am

Happy Monday, friends!
The "Around Our Clocks" blog circle continues and today we are all sharing a glimpse at what our 9:00am looks like. We have been tracked out of school for the past three weeks, so our 9am looks very different now than it did a month ago. During the weekdays, my two are at school, but over their track outs, we venture out to a new spot almost every day. We love exploring our local parks and lakes. On this day, Anna was with a friend, so Drew, Chase and I went exploring around the lake. These two are just two peas in a pod and I love around water (and sand and rocks), they are in their element. 

It drizzled on us when we first got there and we alllllllmost left, but the rain passed right on by and we had the entire lake to ourselves. Such a peaceful morning. 

Thanks so much for stopping by today! To continue on the "Around Our Clocks" blog circle, click on over to Anna-Liisa Nixon Photography, South Florida Documentary Family Photographer to see what her 9am looks like.

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5 tips to improve your Instagram feed

Since 2009, I have been a BIG fan of Instagram. I love the IG community and the wonderful artists and mamas I've met along the way. I make it a point to get on a few times each day and try to post at least 4-5 times a week as my schedule allows. There's really no "secret" when it comes to creating an attractive Instagram feed, but these are some things I have worked on over the years for a cohesive feed. (And just FYI - I by NO MEANS think my Instagram feed "stands out" or is perfect. These are just my thoughts!)

1. Plan ahead and organize your photos

I am probably a little too obsessed with my Instagram feed. I LOVE a good grid of photos in general, so I always like to see how my photos will look with the rest of my feed. There are tons of tools available these days for planning and organizing your Instagram feed and if you're wanting to up your Instagram game, then I totally recommend checking them out! My favorite is the Snug app, which is free in the Apple store. It allows you to add/remove/rearrange photos as much as you like. It does not schedule your photos for you, which is totally fine with me. Planoly is another good planning tool, which allows you to both organize/arrange your photos, as well as schedule them on a calendar with a reminder. You can access Planoly from your computer, so if you have all your photos on your desktop, that might come in handy. The basic organizer with Planoly is free, but there are options for upgrades. 

2. Stay consistent in your editing

Instagram feeds that "stand out" are usually pretty cohesive in colors, tones and style. In general I try to stay pretty consistent in my editing style, so my colors and tones are usually pretty much the same (ex. I like my blues a little more green than blue; I prefer my greens a little desaturated, etc...). If you're consistent in your editing, then the overall feel of your Instagram feed with be consistent. It will be true to your style and editing techniques, which will help brand you and your images!

3. Balance colors and whites

If you scroll back through my feed, you will see that I try to have a good mix of light and dark photos. I frequently use the planning tools mentioned above to make sure there is a good balance of colors/whites throughout my feed. I try to pay attention to how images will look in a row, as well as how they look stacked on the image below. Weird, I know, but I like a good consistent feed and it's kind of become my guilty pleasure. 

If you scroll WAAAAAY back in my feed, you will see my "I love everything white and bright" stage (also the stage where I photographed my kids against every white wall I saw....). I was consistent with my love for everything white, but over the years, I fell in love with rich tones, golden flares and more. Now, I try to mix in a little of both so the grid of photos stays cohesive, but also true to my current style.

4. Mix in a variety of angles and perspectives

Just like colors and whites, be sure to vary your angles and perspective for interest. Shoot from above, fill the entire frame with your subject or use a middle composition. Give your "viewers" something different and unique to look at as they scroll through your feed. 

5. Delete it if it doesn't work

Delete, delete, delete! If it doesn't look right or it bothers me, I delete it. I obviously still have the image on my camera or computer, so it's not like it's actually gone, but if it doesn't jive with my feed, it's a goner. I am very selective about the photos I post and I love to tell a story with my feed and I don't feel bad one bit if I decide to delete a photo! It's your feed! Own it!

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3 reasons to calibrate your monitor

I'm going to be honest here and tell you straight up that I had NO IDEA what monitor calibration meant about two years ago. I saw it all over the place over at Clickin Moms and every time I joined a new forum and created a profile, there was always that box to check if your monitor was calibrated, but I seriously had no idea what it meant or how to even do it.

And then I started shooting in RAW and upgraded to the new Adobe Creative Cloud and started seeing a HUGE discrepancy in my printed photos. I print the majority of my personal photos at home, and up until I switched to RAW I never noticed any real difference between how I edited my photos (and how they looked on my monitor) and the actual printed photos. When I switched to RAW, I changed my color space as well (I'll do a WHOLE post on color space one day too because it's so important to understand) and noticed my images and colors were just wacky.

So I did some research, bought a calibrator (Spyder 5 Express from Amazon) and decided to calibrate my monitor and see what happened. (And just FYI - the Spyder 5 Express is probably the lowest end of the Spyder series. Looking back, I would have probably purchased the Spyder 5 Pro). But....oh man...it was incredibly shocking to see the difference in the calibrated and uncalibrated view. Now I calibrate every month and am so thankful that I do! If you are a professional photographer, shoot in RAW or notice any discrepencies between your monitor and prints or your monitor and cell phone pictures, then you should consider calibrating as well. 

What is monitor calibration?

In basic terms, monitor calibration is a measure of the colors being displayed on your screen. You use a device that sits on your screen and measures the various colors. It's pretty simple to do and super fast. Calibrating a monitor ensures that the colors displayed are accurate and consistent across every display, including printed images as well.

And if you're interested, you can watch the quick video below to see the process, as well as the calibrated/uncalibrated view in the program. 

3 reasons you should calibrate your monitor?

1. Your monitor doesn't come calibrated.

2. Printed photos may differ from your monitor.

3. Monitors and screen displays change over time.

Computers get older. Colors change. Screens change. Bulbs get weaker. All of these are reasons enough to calibrate your monitor to make sure what you see is what you get. 

As you can see in the video and the photos below, my monitor was a tad more "green" prior to the calibration. I noticed the biggest difference the very first time I calibrated my monitor. Now, I regularly calibrate and only notice a small difference each time I calibrate. 

Stephanie Bryan Photography Monitor Calibration from stephaniebryan on Vimeo.

3 reasons you should calibrate your monitor?

1. Your monitor doesn't come calibrated.

If you are sharing or printing photos, it's best to make sure your images are consistent across all displays. And as much as you could think monitors would come calibrated, they don't. Prior to calibrating my monitors, I always noticed I had to warm my photos up quite a bit when posting on Instagram. They were always on the cooler side, even though they "appeared" warm enough to me when I edited them on my computer.

2. Printed photos may differ from your monitor.

There is nothing more frustrating and disappointing to see you work look differently on someone else's phone, monitor or framed picture. If you are a professional photographer and others are purchasing prints or even digital files from you, it's probably wise to make sure your work is consistent in all medias! 

3. Monitors and screen displays change over time.

Computers get older. Colors change. Screens change. Bulbs get weaker. All of these are reasons enough to calibrate your monitor to make sure what you see is what you get. Calibrating helps to ensure your colors are consistent and true to how you edit. 

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As you can see in the video above and the photos below, my monitor was a tad more "green" prior to the calibration. I noticed the biggest difference the very first time I calibrated my monitor. Now, I regularly calibrate and only notice a small difference each time I calibrate. 

Do you calibrate your monitor? Have you ever noticed a discrepancy between your images on various displays or printed images? It might be time to give monitor calibration a go! 

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How to use the content-aware tool in Photoshop

Have you ever used the content-aware tool in Photoshop??? If not, you totally need to give it a shot! It's a game changer for cleaning up distracting elements and expanding your canvas! I use it all the time and love how quick and easy it is!!  It's not always 100% accurate, but I do find it does a better job at removing objects than the spot healing tool!

Click on the video below to watch the tool in action. Promise you will be addicted soon!

Stephanie Bryan Photography - How to use the content-aware tool in Photoshop from stephaniebryan on Vimeo.

So cool right?? I use this tool quite frequently and love how quick and easy it is to remove distracting elements or expand my frame. Hope you will give it a try! Let me know what you think!

Hope you will give it a try! Let me know what you think!

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3 tips for better composition

A well composed image will always stand out. Composition is probably my favorite technical aspect of photography and I tend to look at composing my image the same way a designer or artist looks at a blank canvas. There are lots of things that come into play when you think about the composition of an image and here are some things I keep in mind when I'm envisioning a capture.

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1. Keep the rule of thirds in mind and be on the lookout for leading lines and framing opportunities.

The rule of thirds, leading lines and framing are all ways to compose your image for the most visual impact. The rule of thirds (check out this blog post for a complete description + examples) is a method of composing your image into a third of your frame. By placing your focal point or subject in just a third of your frame, you are creating more "blank space" in your image and are drawing your reader in to what you are capturing and helping to tell your story. 

You can read all about why I love leading lines in this post, but for the most part, leading lines help to draw your viewer attentions to your subject and can also enhance the depth and dimension of an image. Framing (another favorite of mine) adds visual interest to a capture and helps to focus on the subject at hand!

2. Simplify the scene

Too many objects in your scene will distract from your overall subject being captured. If it doesn't add to my story, I usually prefer to shoot around any unwanted objects by changing my perspective (shooting looking up, looking down, filling my frame). Simplifying the scene and being selective of what to include is going to make your subject the star of the image!

3. Add depth + texture

A photo is a one-dimensional object, but you can add interest and draw a viewer in with depth and textures. Shooting with a wider open aperture or changing your shooting perspective are awesome ways to make an image pop. 

There are many other things to consider when composing an image. The ones I listed above are just some of the things I keep in mind when envisioning a photo. The most important thing to remember about all of these is that they aren't set in stone. You don't have to follow the rule of thirds on every single photo. You don't have to shoot around any objects that may not be a big part of your story. Photography is an art and it's unique for each individual. I always try to learn the "rules" and know how they can enhance an image and then decide for myself how and when to "break them"!

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5 tips for photographing your children

My love for photography started 100% with my children. They are my muses and my inspiration. I love capturing them together and separately. I love documenting our life and the ins and outs of our everyday. Photographing your own children, though, can be quite a challenge. Most children of snap-happy mamas are likely used to a camera and may or may not be tired of being photographed. Here are my 5 tips for getting those genuine photos of your own children. 

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1. Be a fly on the wall

I try to photograph my children and our everyday from a distance. I've had my camera out enough for them to not even pay me one lick of attention anymore. They no longer look in my direction and give me the "cheese" face when I start snapping. Yes, I love a good portrait photo or a picture where everyone is smiling, but those in-between moments where everyone is just doing their own thing are my very favorites. So I try to be a fly on the wall in their world. I quietly walk in to a room where they are and attempt to capture them doing whatever it is they are doing. I try to capture them being kids and crazy and weird and all that stuff. If we are outside, I might gently guide them over to some pretty flowers in pretty light, or I might ask them if they see that "treasure" on the ground (i.e. rocks) over in that pretty light. And sometimes I may just ask them to move this way or that, but for the most part, I try to be as invisible as possible.

2. Don't stop snapping

If I see pretty light and really want a photo of my two together, I will ask them if I can take their photo and then tell them where I want them to be. I might ask them a question or have them tell me something, but for the most part I don't guide or direct them, but instead, I just let them be themselves while I photograph around them from various angels (up, down and all around). Those "golden" photos (which are my favorites) are always the ones that happen when the me from years ago would have put my camera down. If I ask them to tell me something or do something for me, I just keep snapping both before and after. The moment AFTER the moment you asked for are always the best. That's where those genuine smiles and real giggles come out. That's where their true personalities shine. So don't stop snapping after the moment. Keep snapping and then you will see the true magic of your children.

3. Be patient

Oh man. Patience is key with your own children. I am totally guilty of getting frustrated when I really envision a photo, but it's not happening like I had imagined. Being patient and letting my kiddos be themselves is the only way I'm going to even get a decent shot. As soon as I let my frustrations get the best of me, the show is done. They are done. And I am definitely done. So be patient and take a deep breath. Remember that photographing your own children should be fun and easy, which brings me to my next point....

4. Let them help you

When I let me kids help me with photos, they get a sparkle in their eye. Sometimes I let them decide what they want photographed and other times, I just hand my camera over and let them take a few photos. Some of the most fun I've had with my camera have been child-led. They wanted their photograph taken with such-and-such toy and then the magic happened. 

5. Know when to put the camera down

This. This exactly. The biggest part of being your family photographer is knowing WHEN to put your camera down. It's knowing when to be a part of the action instead of a bystander capturing a moment. It's knowing when the photo just isn't going to happen and that's a-okay. It's knowing that even though the moment wasn't captured doesn't mean that it didn't happen. It's also a great way to recharge your batteries and seek out inspiration from other outlets instead. 

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How to quickly resize your images

I know I've mentioned this before, but I am always trying to maximize my time and find ways to make my post-processing "process" simpler and easier. I've learned a few tricks along the way and they have all been "lightbulb moments" for me.....the kind where you are like "how did I ever live without this?!?".  Batching resizing my images is one of those "lightbulb moments" for sure. Anything that saves me time is a win-win and this one is just too easy to NOT do!

I am always resizing my images for blog posts, contributor posts, client sessions, Instagram, Facebook...yada yada yada. Being able to batch resize my images has been a lifesaver and it's seriously so easy to do using Photoshop! You can also easily do this in Lightroom, but I find PS to be a little fast and easier if I already have them images on a folder on my desktop or hard drive and they are easily accessible. 

Follow these super easy steps to batch resize your images in Photoshop.

1. Open Photoshop (duh, right)?

2. Go to File - Scripts - Image Processor (see photo below)

3. Enter your information in the pop up box on your screen.

Use first (#1) section to open the images you want to resize. You can also do this with any images you have open in Photoshop (so if you have them already open in PS, just start with step 2 above). In section #2, you will select where you want these images saved. I keep "Save in same location" selected and the are saved in a folder in that main folder. You can easily select a different folder here. Easy peasy!

For section #3, you will enter how you want them save (JPEG, PSD, TIFF), as well as the quality and the size you want them saved as. If there are any actions you want to run on these images, you can do that in section #4, but I usually just leave that one as it is. 

4. Click "Run"

The final step is to select the "run" option in the top right of your pop up box and your images will be resized and waiting for you in their original folder!! Voila! Don't you love learning short cuts???

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Baby Amelia | Raleigh Lifestyle Newborn Photographer

Oh sweet baby!

Baby Amelia was maybe THE BEST baby I have ever photographed. She didn't make a PEEP the entire time. Her mama and daddy say she gets fussy at night, but I'm not sure if I believe them. She was a total angel, not to mention the squishiest baby ever.

I love getting a glimpse of my client's everyday....their homes, nurseries, pets, personalities. Getting to really know them and being able to connect with them is really my favorite part of this whole gig. I'm a lucky gal, for sure.

Thank you Arika and Andrey for letting me spend the morning with you and sweet baby Amelia. xo

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For newborn session inquiries, please contact me at stephanie@stephaniemakes.com or via my contact page.

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3 tips for capturing reflections

I love capturing reflections in just about anything - water, glass, windows....you name it! Reflections are super fun and can add a ton of interest to any photo. I am always on the lookout for reflective surfaces and hopefully these 3 tips will help you achieve a fun reflection!

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1. Think about the surface

There are many different surfaces where you can find reflections. Water is probably my favorite surface in which to capture reflections because it really makes the viewer stop and look at the photo. Water reflections allow you to see both the subject + their reflection, which adds extra interest to the image. To really nail a water reflection, you need water that is pretty still (like puddles, completely calm ponds, etc..) and you have to pay attention to how and where the light is in the sky. Harsh, direct sunlight makes it much harder to see + capture reflections. I've found that reflections are easier to see when the sun is either lower in the sky or the day is overcast + cloudy. 

Other reflective surfaces, such as mirrors, windows and doors are also perfect for capturing reflections. The key to these type of reflections (or at least for me) is to try keep myself and my camera out of the photo. It takes a good bit of moving around and ducking/weaving, but I promise it's possible!

2. Change your angle

When you're shooting in attempt to capture a reflection, you really have to move up, down and all around to find the perfect angle for that reflection. For water shots, I've found that squatting down low and really changing my viewpoint can help me see and capture the reflection I'm hoping for. A still subject is always easier to photograph, so luckily, my kids like to play with water or look for fish and turtles so I'm able to take advantage of their stillness and move around a little to find the best angle.

For other reflective surfaces like windows and doors, I also find that moving my camera angle slightly can make a BIG difference when it comes to capturing a reflection.  Begin by looking with your naked eye before you even try to capture it with your camera. If you can see a reflection with your eye, then you can find it in camera. It just might take a little movement to figure out the best angle.

3. Keep your eyes open + experiment

Maybe it's the creative part of my brain, but I am always on the lookout for ways I can document our everyday life in new and exciting ways. Using reflective surfaces to capture more details of our story is definitely one of my favorites. I recommend keeping your eyes open and snapping away if the moment strikes. Pull your camera out as you're walking past windows and capture your kiddos running this way and that. Use glasses or doors to show your surroundings and what the day looked like from your vantage point. The key is to experiment and have fun along the way! 

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