Archive for November, 2006

November 30th, 2006

Hope You Like It!!

Oooh! I’m SUPER excited to share today!

I’ve been working on a special gift for our brides. I’m big into detail. And I’ve wanted Me Ra Koh Photography to have a gift for our signature brides that is unique and unexpected.

Well, we’ve finally figured it out! Here’s a picture of it! :)

Just wrapped it up today! Pink and chocolate brown of course with a little “Hope you like it!” tag on top! :) How many ladies would agree that “packaging is every thing!”

I can’t say what is in the pink box because a lot of our beautiful brides follow this blog daily, and I don’t want the surprise to be ruined for them. But I’ll give a few hints!

1. It’s a Vintage item.

2. But it’s also Signature in it’s Design. The designer is from Seattle.

3. The line has been created Exclusively for our brides and only our brides.

4. And it’s Personalized to each bride!

That’s it! We have our last 2006 wedding this Saturday at the Union Station in Seattle. I’ll let you know what the bride thinks! I’m dying to give it to her now!

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November 29th, 2006

Playing with Shutter Speeds on a Snow Day!

The first big snow fall of 2006 hit our home last night. The kids could hardly stand it as they watched it flurry outside their bedroom window. I’m amazed they even fell asleep! And poor Brian…he was up north in Bothell for some work which is 1 1/2 hours away. When it took 45 minutes to leave the parking lot, he decided to stay later and wait for traffic to clear up. He left at 10:30pm and get home until 5 am this morning! What a nightmare!

So while dad caught up on sleep, we got our snow suits on! The light was great, so I grabbed the camera and started shooting the kids. It had taken 45 minutes to dress them in their snow gear, and now they were complaining of being hot. (I know you moms know this routine well!) With how frustrated they were, I can’t believe I was able to catch a few shots.

This is my favorite shot of the three! But I thought it’d be helpful if I showed you the first two so you can see how a simple adjustment in your shutter speed can change every thing.

The image below was my first shot. I had my f-stop at 5.0, ISO was 400, and my shutter speed was at 500. You can see how it came out to dark.

The reason it was to dark for me is because the sun was BEAUTIFUL! It was pouring in through the French doors, and I had to capture the light with the white snow. So I left all my settings the same, except I slowed my shutter speed down to 250. This is what I got next.

It’s better, but I still wanted to show the sun flare. So I dropped my shutter speed all the way down to 160. My camera told me I was overexposed, but it’s okay if I overexpose the snow. As long as I can still tell it’s snow I’m good. The main thing is I wanted the image to make me feel the coldness outside with the two little ones eager to go play, and then to feel the contrast of the bright sun and even see the sun spot on Blazey for a bit of drama. :) Here is the shot at 160 shutter speed.

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Exercise for “Playing with Shutter Speeds”

1. Understanding your shutter speed is one of the three main functions on your camera. I say three because there are more, but only three really matter to me in the end. My shutter speed, aperture or f-stop, and my ISO setting. Try an exercise with just your shutter speed to understand it’s role a bit better.

2. Have your spouse, friend or kids stand in a doorway or window that has lots of natural light. Put your camera in AV mode and take a picture of them. Look and see if it’s to dark.

3. If it’s to dark, look at what your camera automatically set for the shutter speed. Remember that number and switch your camera to Manuel mode. Bring your shutter speed down a bit (example from 500-250) and shoot again. Is the picture brighter?

4. Try it a third time, except slow your shutter way down (from 160-100). Shoot that shot and check out the light. How is it now?

5. If all your images are dark you may need to adjust your ISO so it’s a bit faster, or you may need to lower your aperture too. Don’t stress. Just play around with it, and you’ll be amazed at what you learn through trial and error.

(I know this exercise is a bit more technical and may be frustrating. If it’s any consolation, Brian and I never went to school for photography. We learned every thing by trial and error. Our business grew from $1200 a wedding to $15K a wedding in less than four years. So relax and enjoy the process. Make as many mistakes as you need too. I’m amazed at what I learn in my mistakes. And if you’re digital, you’ll learn so much faster than we did with film! :) )

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To learn more about me visit About Me Ra.

To find out more information on our photography workshops, visit “Documenting a Child’s Life.” We have 3 spots left for our March 10th 2007 workshop!

To see our day job, visit our website. :)

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November 28th, 2006

The Time Out Chair!

We’ve got a “Time Out” chair in our home. Do you have one of these? They’re great!

When the kids are getting a bit over board, it’s time for the “Time Out” chair. Blazey used to like the time out chair because he’d watch sissy sit in it all the time. Lately he’s had a different attitude about it all. Brian and I can see him starting to understand that the time out chair is not really the seat of honor. :)

The other day Blazey had a time out for pushing his sister over. (I honestly think it was an innocent rough display of affection, but it wouldn’t make sense to his sister if we let it go. :) Tough parenting at it’s finest! :) ). We pulled out the time out chair and told him he had to sit there for two minutes because he is two years old. Oh boy, he was mad.

With all his pouting, I couldn’t help but pull out the camera.

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Exercise for “Time Out” Chairs

1. The next time your little one needs a time out, extend the minutes on that timer when they’re not looking so you can grab your own pouter shot. (And be sure to put the chair by the window for some good natural light! :) ) So bad to set up a “time out” shot, but I don’t know if there is any thing sweeter!

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November 27th, 2006

Encouragement for Losing Weight?

Okay, it’s not like me to post something like this, BUT…I can’t resist!

En route to Vegas, I came across a People magazine. One of the articles was on staying fit and Matthew McConaughey made a little quote about his ability to stay in such great shape.

He said his rule of thumb is to break a sweat every day. That’s it ladies. Break a sweat every day, and you may be sporting Matthew’s six pack abs around too!

I read this and thought ‘are you kidding me!’ If I lost weight because I broke a sweat multiple times a day as I chase my kids around, I would be so paper thin you wouldn’t even see me! Sorry Matthew, but I don’t think your rule of thumb works for moms, at least this mom.

But don’t get me wrong, I wish it was! Especially after Thanksgiving Dinner! :) How many broke a sweat trying to pull that meal off!

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November 23rd, 2006

PJ’s and Bare Feet!

Turkey is finally in the oven, kids are giggling on the couch, fire is burning, cider is simmering…I love this time of year.

Without question, our kids make the day magical. More than ever, kids are just having fun being kids. If you have little ones, and they have cousins or siblings, let them stay in their PJ’s a while longer this morning while the turkey cooks.

In between cooking :) , be on the look out for a PJ’s and Bare Feet shot. The kind of shot that isn’t about their great smile on Thanksgiving day or the pretty dress. Instead make it a shot that will remind you of how small they were and how sweet their excitement for Thanksgiving dinner was. These are the images that remind me of the magic of Thanksgiving.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving from all of us at Me Ra Koh Photography!

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November 22nd, 2006

Using Uncle Greg!

It’s one thing to get one child to smile for a shot, but how do you get three kids to smile?

Pascaline and her cousin Zoe could almost be twins with their blond hair and big brown eyes.

You add Blaze to the equation, and I’m dying with my camera! I wanted to be sure and get some shots of all three kids together so I enlisted Uncle Gregg to help. I had him stand behind me and do crazy, goofy things. While he entertained them, I shot away. It seems that once you get their emotion going, kids will start doing the funniest things. The true nature comes out when you’re not expecting it.

Check out the ones below of Blaze. He never stops reaching for one of the kittens, and then he has a fit in the end. Loved that shot the most! :)

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Exercise for “Using Uncle Gregg”

1. This exercise is a fun one to do during the holidays because it takes a goofy relative to help you. Our kids are often bored with us parents trying to get them to hold still for photos, but when you put Uncle Gregg next to you…be ready for the laughs that comes from someone they don’t see every day. It’s great!

2. Have the kids sit down on the sidewalk. I like the sidewalk because it often has a nice reflection of light coming off it, especially on cloudy days. Having the kids sit down also helps them stay put while you’re shooting.

3. Sit right in front of them with your camera (maybe four feet away at the most). Be front and center, ready to shoot, and then have your own Uncle Gregg do his magic.

4. Tell Uncle Gregg to stand behind you and do crazy, goofy stuff. Tell him to make noise because kids don’t seem to be interested without noise (remember, this is only going to work for five minutes so you’re going for crazy, extreme, goofy impact all at once). Wild bird calls, chicken dances or animal noises work great!

5. Shoot away! And be on the watch for those moments when they forget about Uncle Gregg and start doing funny things, like Blaze did in the shots above. :) Sneaky guy!

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To learn more about me visit About Me Ra.

To find out more information on our photography workshops, visit “Documenting a Child’s Life.”

To see our day job, visit our website. :)

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November 21st, 2006

Thanksgiving in Vegas!

We knew this would be a great trip, but we had no idea.

Brian’s sister and brother-in-law, Carmen and Gregg, live in Las Vegas. Carmen and Gregg have both been competitive gymnasts most of their life. But at a certain age a gymnast either retires or begins coaching. That is until Franco Dragone came along as a director for Cirque Du Soleil.

The industry of Cirque Du Soleil has given people like Carmen and Gregg a chance to keep using their creative talents and fine tuned bodies in a level of intense performance. They’ve been performing with Dragone and their own company, Airealistic, for several years. In the last couple years, they’ve been an integral part in the creative acrobatics of a new show called Le Reve at the Wynn Las Vegas.

Brian and I took the kids last night, and I’m speechless. It was the most beautiful show I have ever seen. Our kids were also mesmerized as they watched their uncle center stage, commanding the performers. And then to see their auntie come flying through the air and then dive 80 feet into water…speechless…breathtaking. As Blaze got into bed he told me that Superman can fly, but Auntie Carmen can fly too.

With our two kids eating cheerios, drinking apple juice, yelling “HI UNCLE GREGG”, sucking on suckers as an attempt to keep them from talking, I still felt moved. I think I cried four or five times.

Brian and I have been doing so much traveling these days. It’s been a wonderful, explosive year for Me Ra Koh Photography. But these last few weeks, I feel like I’ve been running on empty a bit.

To be at this show and watch something so beautiful–full of art, life, passion…I felt like I was being poured into. I had no idea how much my creative spirit was needing to be refreshed and fed. This is already an unforgettable Thanksgiving.

Check back tomorrow for some fun shots of the kids, and a photography tip for shooting multiple kids at once!

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November 17th, 2006

Flower Deliveries Make Every Thing Better!

Wow, it has been such a stressful, crazy week!

Both kids have done this thing where they keep trading sicknesses with each other. You know what I’m talking about? Blaze, our 2 yr. old, starts with a fever and for two days sleeps from 3pm-8am the next day. I know you’re thinking, “Wow, what a break for you!” Hold that thought…

Pascaline, the 5 yr. old, has the head cold and has gone through 3 dozen Kleenex boxes in three days. I feel like a Kleenex bomb went off in EVERY room of my house. She’s up at all times of the night because she can’t breathe. And when it finally breaks, Blaze takes her head cold and gives her the fever.

We’re going on day eight, and I’m about ready to lose my mind! To top it off, Brian crawled out of bed with a soar throat, and oh boy, husbands being sick takes this to an all NEW LEVEL. HELP!!

In the midst of all this, I’ve been trying to stay caught up on emails, returning phone calls, deadlines for magazines, etc. I’ve had the worst luck with New York Magazine. For whatever reason, they haven’t been able to receive my faxes, my interview with their writer has been hard to schedule, and I feel like I’m causing them more stress than helping.

Their City Weddings issue will go out to their 425,000 subscribers at the end of December. They are doing a special, small but cool, write up on Me Ra Koh Photography. I was about ready to give up on the whole thing (trying to find a time when my kids aren’t crying for the interview and a fax that will work for their fax number), when I had the interview with Leslie this morning. I was so relieved with how well it went. Leslie was great!

To top it off, I walk out my front door to get the mail, and on our doorstep is the most beautiful arrangement of purple orchids. I’m thinking Brian sent these, but he was to cool this morning, and he’s the worst at keeping secrets (which I love). I open the card, and it’s from Elaine Woo at New York Magazine, just as a thank you gesture.

My whole week felt so much better when I found those flowers! Wow! It’s amazing how an unexpected flower delivery can make every thing feel better!

Thanks Elaine for all your patience this week! Brian and I are so excited to work more with you and New York Magazine!

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November 16th, 2006

Sleepy Newborns Part 2

On Tuesday I left off with key images to capture while you’re sleepy newborn is still a newborn. I mentioned how I always like to get into the client’s home the first ten days after birth. It’s amazing how fast these little ones grow in their awareness with eyes opening and even head control. Hopefully you’ve been able to get some fun shots with the exercises provided. It’s such a magical time of life!

Here are some other “must have” shots when I’m shooting a newborn.

#4 This is a shot I like to call “The Fleeting Baby Grip.” You’ve got to move super fast on this shot because they can’t always grip your finger that well when they’re newborns. I’ll do a dozen of these shots to make sure we caught the right one. Usually what happens, the mom or dad takes the baby’s hand and wiggles their finger into the tiny fist. The baby holds it for a split second, wiggles, and the grip is gone. If you can catch the “Fleeting Baby Grip,” it’s so worth it!

#5 The classic “Baby Feet” Shot. When Blaze was born I wanted to do a baby feet shot that was a bit out of the box. So I had my husband hold a big piece of Lycra fabric (stretches and molds around the baby’s body), and we put Blaze inside with his feet hanging out. This is what we caught! :) He slept through the whole thing.

For his birth announcement, we wrote, “On May 5th, our family grew by two feet.” We made postcards out of the image and sent them to all our family, friends and clients. It was a hit! Feel free to steal the idea, but be sure to send me one! :)

#6 The “Puckered Lips” shot. This is a great one to do at the end of the photo session (before the meltdown begins) when they’re getting ready to eat again. Have mom hold baby on her chest so the baby can smell her milk, and you’ll get the best expressions from that sleepy newborn. :) Their lips pucker right up as if they can taste the milk. Sometimes their eyes even open.

I hope these tips and different shots are helpful for you. The first ten days of your baby’s life can be so overwhelming and tiring. But if you can put 30 minutes aside and try some of these ideas, you won’t regret it. Try and limit it to 30 minutes so you and your baby continue to get the rest your bodies so desperately need.

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November 15th, 2006

Wedding Accessories and Bridal Christmas Gifts!

This post if for all my future brides and their family and friends!

One of the reasons Brian and I love shooting weddings is that every one is so different from the last. Each bride has a vision of what her wedding day will look like, and her vision is unique to herself. Usually this vision comes out in the many details of her wedding; menus, guest favors, centerpieces. It’s an honor to shoot these events and witness the many expressions of beauty.

Some brides have their vision, but they don’t know how to make it come to life. For those that are in need of guidance in making the details of their wedding glow… meet by beautiful sister-in-law, Erica Hong.

She was a stunning bride. And what an amazing experience it was to shoot her and my brother’s wedding this last July in Maui. This is also the couple that will be featured on VH1′s My Big Fat Fabulous Wedding series in January 2007. If you haven’t heard the story, you’ve got to check it out. It’s a good one! :)

I think the VH1 producers couldn’t help but fall in love with Erica because she oozes this warmth, beauty, affection, and sweetness that is straight from Tennessee. :)

On top of all this, she is an amazing accessory designer. She did all, and I mean ALL, the hundreds of accessories for her wedding. It was one of the most amazing events I’d ever seen with detail to every piece. The reason I’m sharing all this is because she’s still doing her beautiful wedding creations, except now she’s creating them for other brides!

Her business is Poshong Events. When you visit her website you’ll see the first statement says, “Poshong Events is not an event planning company. We focus solely on event accessories. We work with you, or your event planner to help you make your event posh!”

If you are in need of help with the accessories for your wedding from menus, place cards, centerpieces, gifts for guests, and all the other details that make your event shine, check out her website. You can click her logo below.

Another friend of mine has taken an exciting venture into the wedding industry. I had to post her stuff because these items are great! It’s the perfect gift idea for a bride, flower girl or ring bearer. Check out these great kits! Click on the individual images to go to her website!

I’m thinking these would be great Christmas gifts or wedding day surprises. It’d even be fun to order as a gift if your a wedding photographer! Wouldn’t your bride love it if you walked in with your cameras and a kit that had all the essentials for her big day?! Just a thought! :)

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