Arizona State University Marching Band

Just sharing some photos of the band at Saturday’s game, all taken from my droid. The excitement is awesome and the band came around to our nose bleed section!

If you have never been to a game you should do it. We recommend taking the metro early. Get off at the Mill Ave stop and wander around downtown Tempe to really get in the spirit. Then take the metro back to the stadium for a pregame band performance and the fireworks!! No need to rush back to the metro post game either cus it runs til 2am on game nights. This sure beats getting stuck in traffic.

Fear the Fork!!

Lasting Memories

We all know that photos create lasting memories of us. Capturing those tiny little babies and growing children every year on the first day of school … documenting birthdays, graduations, weddings and all the special events in between!  But is it right to photograph at a funeral? Somehow the camera seems such an invasion of privacy on such a somber occasion. After all, who wants to remember such a sad event and all those people crying and with red eyes! Come on, seriously?

Unfortunately, I’ve had to make this call on too many occasions in the last few years – 3 in this year alone. Have I always made the right decisions? Probably not. Have I always made the decision that is right for me or the family? I hope so.

I do believe that if you are not exploiting people’s misery, but more to the point; if you are attempting to create important family moments and memories never to be forgotten, honoring a loved one and remembering all the good they have done in their lives – then yes, snap that shutter.

Make some attempt to be unobtrusive. Don’t walk up to someone with bright red swollen puffy eyes and flash their face. Do you have to capture someone’s face to know what is happening anyway? No. Wait until later in the day when they are recounting fun family tales and ask them kindly if they would mind grouping together. After all you never know if, sad but true, this will be the last photo taken of a group of siblings.

As for all the beautiful floral arrangements! And where did they all come from? And how am I going to remember who to thank? Photograph them with a close up of the card attached.

The way I see it, some photos will always be yours to keep and not shown to anyone else, but you may never ever get a second chance. Snap while you can. And by golly, if the funeral procession includes you riding shotgun in a 1937 vintage firetruck – make sure to get a copy of the photo someone else took of you!

No Fooling Around today!

check out my Facebook page for an exclusive deal of the day http://www.facebook.com/AprilsPix

It Must Be Spring!

Spring is in the Air!

If schools are on Spring Break, then of course Spring is here right? Thankfully, the weather is also cooperating here in the desert SW. Our doors and windows are open, the sun is shining and the jackets have been shed. Flowers are blooming and that makes this photographer happy!

With great weather, all the neighbors are outdoors sprucing up the yards and I’ve even tackled a bit of spring cleaning myself. But have you considered a fresh new look for your website? Take a good hard look at your site and ask yourself “do my photos really portray the ideas I want my business to convey?”. For an honest answer, ask your kids – trust me, they’ll tell it like it is! So if you want to project an inviting image and what you really see is a mean old hag, then you need to give me a holler and let’s do some spring cleaning for you!!

Surrounded by SNOW!

Having taken my photography classes in the desert, I was taught to overexpose 2-stops to keep from having the snow come out ‘middle gray’. So I’ve been teaching that tip for a while now. Joke’s on me! Today I am in a total whiteout (and no I am not at a Coyotes game)…snow falling, ground is covered, even the sky is white. The generic rule wasn’t exactly working and I was changing dials for each shot. My hands were frozen, but pictures were everywhere!!

At the moment I’m thawing out with space heater and blanket, and can’t wait to get back out there.  Hopefully I can shoot a bit faster this time.

Here are some things I realized:

1. all rules are meant to be broken
2. bracket, bracket, bracket saves time changing settings with bare hands
3. continuous shoot mode is a good thing
4. change the camera settings before you go outside!!

And one thing I already knew:  cell phone photo quality  really sucks! ie, the above photo

Stay Warm!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

I suppose it’s only natural that with the name April I would feel passionate about photos of flowers. In college, taking floral photos was discouraged as being overdone and unoriginal. I refused to listen, I love flowers and worked tirelessly on finding my own way to make the beautiful objects spring forth in print.

Being Valentine’s Day, I have seen many, many postings on facebook of precious loved ones who were gifted roses among other special bouquets. Not to be too cynical here, but y’all could use a few suggestions on how to use those cell phone cameras for macro photography!!

Which brings me, lovingly, to your photo tips for today:

1. AVOID at all cost taking macro (extreme close ups) without the proper lens. Why? Because you get distortion and out of focus shots.
2. Instead, hold the camera back a bit and zoom in.
3. DO use natural lighting, meaning turn off the flippin’ flash already! All it does is blow out your subject up that close. Put the dang flower outside or in a window. Try putting some lighting behind the flower instead of always in front.
4. Be creative, imaginative! Use angles, off center, upside down, the backside…whatever, be different.
5. Take about 36 shots. You might get one worth keeping.

Ya getting the picture here? It ain’t easy!

I could go on, but I’m thinking I might be sounding like I’m lecturing, when in fact my intent was to educate. Delicate things require a delicate touch. Tedious hours of trial and error have led me to some fantabulously gorgeous canvas prints hanging all over my walls. Stop by anytime for a look see!

And if you really want to learn, I would be more than happy to provide private or group instruction…and I promise to be kinder in person

http://www.aprilsphotos.com

Polar Bear Plunge!

Val Vista Lakes, Gilbert AZ
Fundraiser for the elementary school was worth bundling up in the cold to watch and photograph! You’d have to ask the swimmers if the plunge was worth the prizes

It’s all of 34 degrees outside!

Schroeder Family

Can we go yet?

Watch for upcoming events and specials:

I’m working to arrange an art gallery type show at the Beauty Spot in Dana Park next month. Perhaps we will even include Glamour shots!!  Details to follow.
Now booking Family photos for your Christmas cards!
For all you procrastinators:  Keep an eye out for my booth in December at the VVL Artisan Market. I will be offering a tremendous deal on a quickie portrait for you to make your last minute Holiday card.
High school seniors, don’t forget I will make your portrait SPECTACULAR! And I also do invitations and announcements to suit your personal style.
To be added to my mailing list so you receive all the best deals first, email admin@aprilsphotos.com
Later,
April

Hello world!

My first ever blog!

Am I talking to myself or does anyone else care?

Hmmm, well I’m just wishing I was spending my summer at the beach.

How about you?