Mom:

Michael Stars Racerback Maxi Dress

Steve Madden Warmthh

Dad:
Old Navy Men’s Cotton-Pique Polo

Gap Lived In Slim Khaki

Older boy:

Gap Uniform Short Sleeve Pique Polo

Gap Canvas Cargo Pants

Older girl:

Gap Solid Rib Tank

Gap White Bermuda Shorts

Younger boy:

Old Navy "Shark Patrol" Poplin Shirts For Baby

Old Navy Rib Waist Linen Blend Cargo Shorts For Baby

Younger girl:

Gap Diane Von Furstenberg &Hearts; Babygap Shirtdress

Old Navy Girls Satin Lace Rosette Headbands

I did the best I could to find links to everything. Double check the colors before you buy to make sure they are what you are looking for. I don’t create these what to wear images so I did my best to find the same clothing items. Also, if the link doesn’t take you to the item you are looking for they may not carry that item anymore. Some of the items were no longer available so I found items that were similar.

These links are affiliate links. Thank you in advance if you purchase something and support Click it Up a Notch.

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Courtney Slazinik

I am a SAHM of three little girls. Married to a fabulous man in the Air Force, we know home is where the Air Force sends us. I started this blog as a place to share my love of photography and teaching. Please let me know if you have any questions along your journey! Website | My Camera Bag

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*This is sponsored by SME Writing Services.

You have heard the expression, “You never get a second chance to make a good first impression”. This is true if you have a business, like photography, where you advertise or seek out clients online. Your website/blog may be the first impression people see of you. If you want to turn those people into clients, you need to make sure you are putting your best foot forward. Your website is your biggest source of online marketing, make it shine.

Tips to getting the most out of your online marketing

1. Check your grammar and spelling.
I am the WORST person to be talking about this since my mom has to email me, all too often, to correct my mistakes. One of the biggest ways to look unprofessional is to have spelling and grammar mistakes all over your site. You never know if you miss out on a chance to book a client because of these errors.

2. Have a headshot.
Personally, I like to see who I’m hiring. Be sure to put an image of yourself on your “About Me” page. Make sure it is a current shot. You don’t want to confuse your client when you show up and they were expecting a younger version of you.

3. Location.
Is your location listed on your website? You would be surprised by how many photographers’ sites I have seen that do not have their location listed anywhere on their site. How am I supposed to know if you are in my area and can hire you if I don’t know where you are located?

4. Think before you write.
I am mainly talking about your social media presence here. Don’t air your dirty laundry on your business page. Keep all business related social media professional. Your clients are looking there as well, and if they see you bad mouthing a former client or a competitor, do you think they are going to hire you?

5. Hire someone to critique your site.
You may be too close to your website/blog to see errors or the vibe that you are putting off. By hiring someone to come in and critique your site, you get a fresh pair of eyes to check out your work. SME Writing Service can do just that. Shannon prides herself on being able to help a client polish their site so you can make the best first impression. She can ask the questions you may not have thought about. By working with someone who has editing experience, you will be able to present your site in a professional manner.

6. Well-written “About Me” page.
People really do read this page. When most people hire a photographer, or anyone for that matter, they like to feel like they know the person or have a connection with them. These people are paying you to spend time with their family and to capture who they are. If they read your “About Me” page and feel put off by it, they may not hire you. This is where having an editor, like Shannon, to help you write your “About Me” page comes in handy.

Don’t forget, your website/blog represents you, and many people will decide if they want to hire you or your competition depending on your site. Make it the best it can be.

*This is sponsored by SME Writing Services.

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Courtney Slazinik

I am a SAHM of three little girls. Married to a fabulous man in the Air Force, we know home is where the Air Force sends us. I started this blog as a place to share my love of photography and teaching. Please let me know if you have any questions along your journey! Website | My Camera Bag

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Thank you to Pam at PhotogHer for submitting the following image.
Settings: ISO 1000, F/3.2, SS 1/100

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Courtney Slazinik

I am a SAHM of three little girls. Married to a fabulous man in the Air Force, we know home is where the Air Force sends us. I started this blog as a place to share my love of photography and teaching. Please let me know if you have any questions along your journey! Website | My Camera Bag

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8 Tips for Backlighting

1. Spot Meter.
It is necessary in order to illuminate your subject. If you meter in another mode your subject will be too dark.

2. Overexpose.
Don’t trust your meter when shooting into light. You will need to overexpose the meter to get proper exposure (unless you are going for a dark, dramatic, silhouette type feel). Keep an eye on your highlights & the details in your image…you don’t want to over do it because lost detail is hard to get back during processing.

3. Lens hood.
Use it! It will help your camera focus when shooting into the light. If you don’t have one, you can cup your hand around your lens to shield out some of the light & grab focus easier.

4. Study.
Watch the light around you all day everyday. Think about how it falls when indoor & where/what times the light would be nice for portraits. Obviously if you want to achieve backlit images outdoor you will need to stick as close to sunrise/sunset as possible for those golden tones & soft light.

5. Move around.
If you don’t like the look you’re achieving simply move around your subject to change the way the light affects your image: to produce haze or rather to clean up your image. Similarly you can move your subject to achieve the same results. Even just standing up or crouching down in the same spot will give you different results. Play around & see what you like best.

6. White balance.
Try to get it right in camera! I use Kelvin outdoor & usually indoor as well (sometimes I use my expodisc indoor). Generally I begin around 5580 K while shooting an hour or two before sunset. This is just a starting point, then I will assess & tweak if needed. As the sun gets lower & warmer I adjust my kelvin temperature accordingly.

7. Back button focus.
Maybe it’s just me but I think using BBF helps lock in sharper focus. I toggle then use BBF for extra security then press the shutter.

8. Wear white (if possible).
Carrying a reflector is kind of a pain. Editing color casts is also kind of a pain! Take the easy way & reflect some light back on to your subject by wearing white.

Read more about backlighting

- Secret to Backlighting: Video Q & A
- 6 Steps to Create a Haze Effect in Photos

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Kelly Garvey - Contributor

photographer at kelly garvey photography

Hi! I'm a natural light photographer from Houston, TX in love with capturing my family's everyday moments & my client's too...thank you for being here at Click It Up A Notch with us! Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter My Camera Bag: D3S | D700 | 50mm 1.4G | 85mm 1.4G | 24-70mm 2.8 | 70-200mm 2.8 | 105mm 2.8 | 16mm 2.8 | Tamron 90mm 2.8

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The Lensbaby Composer Pro with Sweet 35mm Optic is such a fun lens. I have had a blast learning how to use it and figuring out different ways to photograph our lives with it. Below are a few lessons I’ve learned from using my Lensbaby.

1. Set your aperture to f/4 or f/5.6.
Unlike most lenses we are used to these days, you set your aperture on the lens. In fact, your camera will say the aperture is f/0. Don’t let that confuse you. Keep your aperture around f/4 or f/5.6 when starting out because you want to have more of your image in focus to help you nail the focus.

2. Manual focus can be fun.
This lens requires you to use manual focus. Please don’t let this scare you from buying a lens that requires manual focus. It has actually proved to be a fun and challenging exercise. I like being challenged when it comes to photography and this lens does that.

3. Start with it centered.
You can turn this lens to create different effects. Until you become super comfortable with the lens I recommend keeping it centered so you get used to the manual focus.

4. Challenges your creativity.
If you are stuck in a rut, I have always suggested shooting with a different lens. This one will definitely spark your creativity and give your images a new look and feel. By challenging yourself with a lens that isn’t like your everyday lens you may see things quite differently.

5. Make the ordinary, extraordinary.
You can turn an everyday snap shot into a fun and unique image with a Lensbaby. For example, the image below I took with my everyday lens and then put on my Lensbaby. The Lensbaby give it a fun and completely different feel than the other lens. What a fun way to capture a baseball field!

6. Slow down and really think.
This is a lens that really helps you to slow down. Focus and imagine on what you are trying to create. We get so busy snapping away and capturing our everyday that we often forget to slow down and examine our frame. It is refreshing to think through your shots by slowing down.

*I received my Lensbaby in exchange for this post.

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Courtney Slazinik

I am a SAHM of three little girls. Married to a fabulous man in the Air Force, we know home is where the Air Force sends us. I started this blog as a place to share my love of photography and teaching. Please let me know if you have any questions along your journey! Website | My Camera Bag

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Dear Sweet Girls,

Please, oh please, use your manners. ALWAYS.

If you receive a gift or compliment, say “thank you”.

When someone says “thank you” to you, say “you are welcome”. Don’t say “no worries”, that drives Honey crazy.

Look people in the eye when you speak to them.

Shake someone’s hand when meeting for the first time. Look them in the eye, give a firm hand shake, and say “Hi, I’m ____. Nice to meet you, ________”. Be sure to say their name back. It helps you remember their name and people like to hear their own name.

Say “hello”. You may notice when we go on a walk, I say “hello” to everyone we pass. That’s because I’m from the South Be friendly.

“Yes, ma’am” or “Yes, sir” is the correct response to an adult. Not “yah”, “ok”, “alright”, and NEVER “whatever”. Ignore what Papa says I may have said as a teenager.

Speaking of being a teenager, resist the urge to say “I know”, “Sooooo”, and rolling your eyes. I may have done it but that doesn’t mean it’s okay.

Smile…a lot. It will not only make those around you happy but you can’t help but be happy when you smile.

Call adults by Mr. or Mrs. and their last name. Close family friends you can call Ms. and their first name like “Ms. Trisha”, but don’t call adults by their first name.

Write thank you cards. A hand written note to let someone know you appreciate the gift or act of kindness goes a long way in our digital age.

Say “excuse me” if you bump into someone, knock something over, or wish to say something when someone is talking. Never interrupt.

Hold the door open. Not only for our family walking through but for anyone coming in and out. Be sure to say “hello”.

Please use these manners even when Daddy and I aren’t around. Remember, you are representing our family.

I love and adore you,
Mama

Be sure to follow through our small circle to read more letters from mother’s to their children. Check out Laurie Flickinger’s letter next.

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Courtney Slazinik

I am a SAHM of three little girls. Married to a fabulous man in the Air Force, we know home is where the Air Force sends us. I started this blog as a place to share my love of photography and teaching. Please let me know if you have any questions along your journey! Website | My Camera Bag

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Thanks to Laura at Super Sweet Life for submitting the following image.
Settings: SS 1/125, f/2.5, ISO 100

Author information

Courtney Slazinik

I am a SAHM of three little girls. Married to a fabulous man in the Air Force, we know home is where the Air Force sends us. I started this blog as a place to share my love of photography and teaching. Please let me know if you have any questions along your journey! Website | My Camera Bag

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I realize not everyone who reads my site is a mother but I know a lot of you are. I hope you are spoiled today and feel as appreciated as you should be.

You have an important job.

You have a thankless job.

You have a job where the children you are raising won’t appreciate all your hard work as much as they do once they have their own children. Being a parent is tough work but it is a job that God has entrusted you with.

You get to raise these amazing, spunky, stubborn, kind, respective, independent little people. They adore you and think you are the BEST.

Your children love you “too” much as my little one tells me. They love you to the moon and back but often times don’t have the words to tell you that.

Staying home with my girls has been the most rewarding and challenging job. It’s hard to not have a job where you get recognition for your work. It’s hard to have a job that you won’t know if you are doing a good job until they are 18 and moved out. But you know what, you ARE doing a good job.

I want you to give yourself a gift for Mother’s day.

Get in the photo with your kids. Your kids don’t care how you look. You don’t even need to set up your tripod. Use what you have.

Just GET IN THE PHOTO!

Happy Mother’s Day!

Author information

Courtney Slazinik

I am a SAHM of three little girls. Married to a fabulous man in the Air Force, we know home is where the Air Force sends us. I started this blog as a place to share my love of photography and teaching. Please let me know if you have any questions along your journey! Website | My Camera Bag

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Don’t forget to follow through our circle of photographers to see some amazing Lensbaby Love images. Check out Tracy Bradbury who rocks her Lensbaby!

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Courtney Slazinik

I am a SAHM of three little girls. Married to a fabulous man in the Air Force, we know home is where the Air Force sends us. I started this blog as a place to share my love of photography and teaching. Please let me know if you have any questions along your journey! Website | My Camera Bag

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Thanks to Jessica at Jessica Faith Photography for submitting the following image.
Settings: ISO 400, f/2.2, SS 1/2000

Author information

Courtney Slazinik

I am a SAHM of three little girls. Married to a fabulous man in the Air Force, we know home is where the Air Force sends us. I started this blog as a place to share my love of photography and teaching. Please let me know if you have any questions along your journey! Website | My Camera Bag

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