I will be out of town in Philadelphia this weekend and will return Monday. Not sure if I will have internet access but with three shoots in 24 hours I will probably be too busy to be ON the internet 🙂 I will return all calls and emails on Monday!
-Amy
One of my good friends, Susan of Whimsical Photo Design wrote a great article on her blog a few weeks ago about which cameras she would recommend buying. I thought that it would be a great thing to post now as we close out October and people begin to think about cameras for holiday presents. I know a new point and shoot is on MY list!!
For full disclosure purposes, Susan shoots using the Nikon system. She uses a Nikon D3 and has approximately 9 different lenses that she uses with it. I shoot with a D700 and a few different lenses but do plan on upgrading to the D3 at some point in the (distant :)) future. Both of our biases, especially for the higher end DSLR cameras do lean towards Nikon, because we are familiar with it and we really feel like the system is more intuitive. However I have also shot with a Canon and respect it for the good camera and system that it is. Please do realize, as with all things, just because you buy something nice doesn’t mean that you will automatically be taking great pictures. Photography takes a lot of work, a lot of studying and a lot of time to get good at. BUT having a decent camera is a good starting point. Keep reading for her thoughts!! (And by the way, definitely check out her work – she does GORGEOUS weddings!! – when you’re done reading.)
So with a little help from the newest issue of Consumer Reports, Shutterbug Magazine, and Popular Photography, here is my list of recommendations.
Point-and-Shoot
Point-and-shoot cameras are the most popular out there, because essentially, the user just “points and shoots.” Pretty self-explanatory there. Pros of these types of cameras: Small and lightweight, easy to put into a pocket, easy to use with little to no photographic knowledge needed, take pretty dang good pictures. Cons of these types of cameras: Limited photographic abilities, takes poor action and night shots, delay in pressing the shutter and the camera actually taking the picture, sensor is smaller and therefore blowing up pictures can be difficult.
My picks: I like the Canon PowerShot series in this particular category. I think the image quality is great for these little point and shoots and the price is reasonable. There is one Nikon I think is great as well.
Canon PowerShot A1000IS
Nikon Cool Pix L20
Bridge Cameras
Bridge cameras essentially gap the bridge between a point and shoot camera and a more advanced DSLR camera. These cameras typically have more functionality, more control to the exposure and essentially are the first step into a DSLR camera. In this category, there is one powerful Canon that I think it a wonderful little camera!
Canon PowerShot G11
Entry-level DSLR Cameras
This is the first step into the Digital SLR category. The pros to these types of cameras are: More control over exposures, fully manual modes, the ability to pick and choose different lenses, and better image quality. The cons are: Heavier and bulkier to lug around, more expensive, have to purchase lenses, can be more difficult to use.
The Canon Rebel T1i has gotten superior reviews in everything I’ve read. But in this category, you are buying into a system, not just a brand. Since I really believe in the Nikon system, I have to recommend the Nikon D5000 as well. Regardless of which you choose, plan on spending ~$1,000-$1,200 on this entry level system.
Mid-Range DSLR
In this category, I only have one recommendation. The Nikon D90 which also has HD Video capabilities. Expect to spend about $1,200-$1,500 depending the kit and accessories you need.
As for retailers, I prefer B&H Photo Video, Adorama, Amazon.com, (and, for RIer’s, Hunt’s Photo and Video). If you are buying a point-and-shoot, places like Best Buy work just fine.
Due to the weather this past weekend I have no more sessions to blog this week. Boooo. Ah well. Instead I thought I would share five people/sites who inspire me instead. Each of these people have served as an inspiration to me for so many different reasons. Several of them I would like to be when I grow up. 😀 Others, I just adore their approach to their work. If you like things like this, then you MUST check out Blogs of Photogs.
The Image is Found
Seriously, I love these people. Love. I want to be BFFs with them. Their work is amazing, their style is incredible and they just seem so FUN! When I am asked who I would have photograph my wedding I choose them hands down. I think I would have them photograph me changing my shoes. Make sure to check out all of their work. I am sure you will love them as much as I do.
I have known Lyndsay for over three years now through an online community I am a member of. Her work is amazing and her images just shine. She also has the most beautiful birth photography I have ever seen. She makes me want to photograph a birth. (Not familiar with birth photography? Check out her Birth site. Stunning.) Her blog is one of the most entertaining that I read and she does a fantastic job of combining her personal and business lives.
Tara is a phenomenal lifestyle photographer based out of Southern California. Her work is (like the others) just gorgeous. She captures moments which is, I think, why I love her. She lives what I dream to do.
Okay so maybe this is cheating a bit. Bernadette is already one of my BFF photography friends. She and I worked in Philly together (well not together but you know what I mean). She started shooting just animals but then worked her way into portraits and if there is such a thing as raw, pure, natural talent, she is it. Her work is gorgeous, from her commercial work, to her pets to her little guy (who has been seen on THIS blog several times!!) she excels at all of it. I have watched her grow and am so so proud of her. (And I am staying at her place my first weekend in Philly so yay again!!)
Amber is, quite possibly, one of the best newborn photographers I have ever seen. Ever. Her style and work are just gorgeous. She does older kids as well, but I feel that she truly shines with her newborns. Warning, her site and blog will DEFINITELY give you baby fever! And she is super cool in real life as well as I have had the privilege of finding out 😀
That’s it for now. Maybe later I’ll add some more!
This week, a palette of green, grey and white. Nice and clean, nice and simple. 🙂 Mom’s clothes are Boden USA. Dad is Boden, Gap and Kohls, Girl and Boy are both The Children’s Place. And can I just say how much I *love* the little girl’s boots??
1. I rented two lenses this past weekend to try something new and I am in LOVE. I got the 85mm and the 35 mm. I used both in my last two sneak peeks. GORGEOUS!!! Now I have lens lust. It is a bad bad thing. Like anything else you get addicted to, you need more and more of it!
2. The last few sessions I had available are booking up! I still have a few spots in November. Don’t wait. 🙂
3. I have new holiday card templates. Just like lenses, it is a sick sick addiction. Fortunately buying templates is quite less expensive than buying lenses! If you had a session with me this year and want to use some of your photos in a holiday card, let me know and I can design one for you! You don’t have to have had a session just now to do it.
4. In family news, Layne is now on the move. Watch out world! She can’t crawl but has mastered scooting along on her bottom with one leg in front and one leg behind. She’s getting quite fast! She is also walking clear across the room if you hold her hands. The girl is SO not going to crawl. Fortunately at 22 lbs she also isn’t quite ready to stand on her own just yet. That’s a lot of weight for those little cankles. 😉
5. I have another couple shoot coming up in the middle of November and I can’t WAIT. I am already super excited about it – they never had engagement photos done so they want to do anniversary shots. We’re doing it in the Narragansett area and in the evening. I have an idea that I want to try based on another photographer’s work. SO can’t wait!!
6. Speaking of shoots, I am getting to shoot on a dairy farm this Friday!! I think. Unless they change their mind and want it at their house. Seriously, how much FUN with that be? She talked about baby cows 🙂 Stay tuned!
7. I am very excited to announce that I will be introducing you all to some of my closest photography friends right here on the blog. There are going to be interviews, photos, lots and lots of stuff to look at. All coming over the next few weeks and months.
8. I am getting ready for my first of two weekends in Philadelphia! I can’t wait to get back and see some old friends and old clients. And meet some new ones, too!!! This coming weekend is two sessions with brand new clients, and in two weeks I’ll be back again for five (!!) sessions with old clients. And in two weeks I get two nights in a hotel all to myself. Any mom knows that this is pretty much equivalent to heaven on earth. Now if only I hadn’t scheduled shoots for 8:30 in the morning I could have added sleeping in to the list. Ah well.
9. I have developed (another) small addiction – this time to newborn hats. If you haven’t discovered Etsy yet, you must. I now, having finally integrated hats and other hand knit things into my newborn sessions, spend way too much time poring over the site looks for new goodies. You can find just about anything on there you want that is handmade. Such a great resource!! And in today’s economy it also kinda feels good to give money to a person and not a big company.
10. And last I leave you with one more shot from my mini this past weekend. I just love the moment here – we have all gotten these kisses from our kids. Full on running to you kisses. Now a little secret – she had actually put a candy in her mouth as a joke. But his reaction and the resulting shot – priceless 😉
