Shelley Dee Photography: January 2014

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Photography Giveaway {The Winner Is} Marin, Napa, Sonoma County Portrait & Wedding Photographer...Shelley Hohe

So last week as a thank you to all my Facebook fans and to all those I photographed in the last year, I decided to give away a few prizes. The 1st prize which includes a Starbucks gift card and a Kelly Moore Accessory Bag goes to one of my fans who was so nice to vote for her favorite photo. The winner of this prize goes to Sarah from Sarah Hill Photography. Sarah was kind enough to take the time out of her day to vote and leave a comment on my Facebook page. The second prize is a complimentary photo session for one of my clients who I had the honor of photographing this past year and the winner of this prize goes to Sam. I did her senior photos just recently and I had so many people who commented on her photos through this blog, Facebook and private messages. Thanks to everyone who participated in this fun giveaway and voting for your favorite photo!!!

Congratulations Sarah and Sam and thanks to all those who participated!!

Lifestyle, Portrait and Wedding Photographer serving Marin, Napa, Sonoma and Beyond!

415.827.9646

To view more photos and stay updated on special offers

Like Shelley Dee Photography on Facebook

Monday, January 13, 2014

2013 Vote for your favorite photo {GIVEAWAY} Marin, Napa, Sonoma County Portrait & Wedding Photographer...Shelley Hohe

With having so many favorite photos from 2013 and feeling so blessed to have been able to work with such amazing people, I thought it would be fun to have a "vote for your favorite photo" contest! The clients photo with the most votes will receive a complimentary photo session and I will also be giving away a Starbucks gift card with a Kelly Moore Accessory Pouch in which I will giveaway randomly to one of the voters. All you have to do is leave a comment here on my blog or under the post on my Facebook page stating your favorite photo with your email address so if you win the Starbucks gift card and the Kelly Moore accessory pouch, I can notify you.

Thank you so much and Happy Voting!!!

Lifestyle, Portrait and Wedding Photographer serving Marin, Napa, Sonoma and Beyond!

415.827.9646

To view more photos and stay updated on special offers

Like Shelley Dee Photography on Facebook

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

WHY I ONLY USE OFF CAMERA FLASH {Photography Lighting} Marin, Napa, Sonoma County Portrait & Wedding Photographer...Shelley Hohe

Ever since I received my new Canon 5d Mark III camera I have been asked why there is not a built in flash on my camera. To be honest if I had a choice I would never use any flash because I prefer outdoor natural sunlight. Photographing weddings you need to learn and know how to use off camera flash especially if it's indoors! This is the reason and why I only use off camera flash when needed...

Built in camera flashes can not be controlled in where you point them. When taking a photo the flash points directly towards your subjects making them look unflattering and washed out. With off camera flashes you can angle them, bounce them off a ceiling or place them on a light stand and move the flash around where ever you want your subject to be highlighted...you can't do this with your built in flash. Also with off camera flash you can diffuse it using a diffuser, umbrella or a soft box in which you can't do this with a built in flash. When diffusing light it makes the light from your off camera flash look more natural which is what I always go for. Sometimes you might want to make your photos look a little more dramatic by adding off camera flash pointing towards your subjects from behind...this adds for some really nice back or side lighting. I definitely like to use this kind of lighting for wedding receptions.

Here is a photo I took of a bride and groom during their first dance at their reception. I had an off camera flash with a diffuser on my camera pointing at a 45% angle. I did not want the flash pointing right in their faces. You can also bounce the flash off the ceiling or a close by wall if they are white. In my case the walls and ceiling were not so that is why I just angled my flash. I also wanted to add some back lighting by placing another off camera flash on a light stand directly behind them. I really like how it lights them up from behind. By using both flashes I make sure that the foreground and background are consistent with eachother.