Reading Time: 7 minutes read

A child’s baptism and christening is one of their first important religious events. Given the fact that they are just a few months old when it happens is a great reason to photograph the event. Because when you’re only 3 or 4 months old, you’re not thinking to yourself, “why is this guy in a funny hat pouring water on my head?” And to parents, this only happens once in a child’s life so we’re taking pictures. Lots and lots of pictures. It’s important those photos are printed in a place for family and friends to see. A personalized christening photo album is that perfect place. 

Quick Links

• 5 baptism photoshoot ideas & tips
• Capture candid shots of the service
• Take formal photographs of your family
• Include photos from the party afterwards
• Always check if photographs are allowed during
• Be aware of the lighting you will be working with
• Christening photo album formats to try
• A keepsake from the day
• Capture memories with a guestbook
• How can you personalize your baptism photo album?
• How to make your own christening photo album with Motif

If this is your first child or you’re looking to improve after a previous baptism photo book, here’s a few tips and ideas to consider.    

5 baptism photoshoot ideas & tips

With companies like Motif, printing your favorite christening photos in a christening photo book is so much easier than it used to be. If you decide to photograph the event yourself or assign the task to a trusted family member, it’s a good idea to have some idea of what you’d like before the event takes place. Winging it may not produce the results you’d like. Repeating the event can be difficult. Even if you decide to hire a photographer it’s still good to plan some shots beforehand.  

Capture candid shots of the service

One of the best christening photo ideas is to shoot candid shots. Too many staged and expected photos can fall flat when capturing this once in a lifetime ceremony. Some of your best photos happen when your subjects don’t realize you’re photographing them. 

Try this experiment: take a picture of your kids having fun. Then, ask them to pose for a photo. More times than not, you’ll see a difference in the smile. Candid photography tends to capture the purity of the moment. 

Take formal photographs of your family

A healthy balance of candid and formal photos captures the ceremony completely. Formal photos are good to capture the group in attendance. They can also encompass and frame up the individual parts of the ceremony.  

Include photos from the party afterwards

Once the seriousness of the baptism/christening is in the books, it’s time to relax and enjoy the people who came together for this event. Spirits are high and collars have been loosened. It’s a perfect time to photograph the party fixings and those enjoying them. 

Always check if photographs are allowed during

Before you even take one photo, be sure to ask if photos are allowed. Churches are sacred spaces and may have rules about taking photographs. In recent times, it’s much more common for photography to be allowed. Here’s a few things you might want to ask before the ceremony:

• Ask where you can stand and where to avoid
• Ask what you can and can’t shoot
• Ask your priest if they mind being in your photos
• Can you use flash and if so when (sometimes flash photography can upset an infant so use sparingly) 

Be aware of the lighting you will be working with

Light can be a challenge when shooting baptism photography. Most churches can be quite dim and a bit gloomy. Taking bright and crisp photos might be difficult. So concentrate on the moments, embrace the lighting available, and find out beforehand how an adjustment to your ISO settings on your camera could help your photo results. 

Christening photo album formats to try

Transforming all your favorite photos from the baptism and christening from a digital format to print is really easy these days. A professionally printed personalized baptism photo album lets you display photos how you choose and have at hand whenever you reach for it. Here’s a couple ideas to consider.  

A keepsake from the day

Assembling all your favorite shots from your christening into a printed photo album is easy. You can also include photos from friends, family, and photographers you might have hired. A christening photo album can also include descriptions of the event and also important details about who attended, dates and whatever you feel important to record. Your christening photo book can live on a bookshelf with your other photo albums. Maybe next to their sibling’s baptism photo albums. 

Capture memories with a guestbook

Another great idea to include with your personalized christening album is a guestbook. It may not contain photos from the christening but it’s an opportunity for guests to sign in and leave a message for the family. Pull this out on the child’s 16th birthday to read over the well wishes everyone wrote down that many years ago. Prepare this one before the christening with a few baby photos you might have a few of and be sure to leave a bunch of blank pages to write on.  

How can you personalize your baptism photo album?

A baptism photo album by companies like Motif becomes personalized as soon as you add your own photos to it. Then, pick a theme to match the tone of your christening. Select the colors and patterns that you prefer. Describe the who, the what, the when, and whatever else you’d like with a powerful text tool. Put their name on the cover and the spine if you like. Put photos basically anywhere you’d like.  

How to make your own christening photo album with Motif

Your personalized christening photo album begins by downloading the free Motif app to your Mac laptop/desktop, iPhone or iPad. You can start your photo project without having to purchase anything. Buy your creation if you like. But by all means, please give it a try.  

On your Mac laptop or desktop, open Photos and select the photo or memory you’d like to create your christening photo album with. Right-click or in the File menu select Create then the Photo Book, and then Motif. 

On your iPhone/iPad, simply open the Motif app and then select New in the upper right corner, then choose the product Photo Book.  

From there, the Motif app springs into motion and magically places all your photos into chronological order into a photo book format. It will also select the best photos from your group and prevent duplicates from showing up in your book. Then, customize it with text, color, themes, and patterns. You’ll be surprised how easy it is.  

Bring your best photos to life with Motif.

Experience how easy creating personalized photo projects is with Motif. Our photo project app seamlessly works with Apple Photos in macOS and iOS. We do all the complicated stuff leaving the fun creative freedom to you.

The post Create A Christening Photo Album appeared first on The Motif Blog.

Reading Time: 6 minutes read

If your idea of travel is leading you past an official border, you best remember to see if your passport is up to date. In the past, the rules regarding passport photos limited where you could have one taken. Now it’s possible to take them yourself. But don’t get too excited, there are still rules that must be followed for your photo to be accepted in your application. Winks, favorite hats, and smiles are still not allowed, but you don’t have to go anywhere to make a diy passport photo.  

This story will tell you all you need to know about how to take a passport photo from the comfort of your own home. 

Expert Tips for a DIY Passport Photo

Should you enjoy going to a copy center or passport photo studio, read no further. If you don’t, we have the essential tips to let you handle this serious travel item yourself. Before the end of this article you’ll have everything you need to know about taking a proper passport photo.  

Step 1: Choose the right camera

You might be asking yourself, “can I take a passport photo with my iPhone?” You sure can. In fact any device that captures photos, whether it’s a phone, digital camera, or tablet will do. Taking a selfie that will pass all the requirements of a passport photo can be very challenging. For this reason, a friend to take the picture is also recommended. If all your friends or family members are busy you might consider mastering the timer feature on your device or even employing a remote. A trusty tripod is also a great investment to ensure steady, sharp photography.  

Find a plain background and the right position

Due to the restrictions of passport photos, it’s important to use a plain, light grey or cream background. Tiled walls or patterned wallpaper should be avoided and make sure there are no objects in the frame.

Then, position yourself 3 to 5 feet away from the person taking the photo, and a foot or so from the wall.

Step three: Ensure there is space around your head and shoulders

Do not crop your photo closely. Why? Well, the Passport Office will crop your image once they’ve received your application. Check the space around your head and shoulders for sufficient room around them.

Step four: Check the lighting

Everyone knows the best lighting is natural lighting. So, if possible, position yourself facing towards a window – a great source of natural light. Position yourself so there are no shadows on your face or behind your head, and the light is even. Avoid standing too close to a lamp, as this will light one side of your face more than the other.

Step five: Remove headwear

Photos with favorite hats or bonnets will not make it through the passport processing. Take off any headwear unless it’s worn for religious or medical reasons. Anything that may obstruct your photo, like hair clips or glasses on the top of your head should be removed.

Step six: Make sure your face and eyes are visible

Make sure your entire face is visible in the photo, so tie your hair back if it covers your face or eyes in any way. If you have a longer fringe, it may be best to sweep it to the side.

Pose in a way that ensures there are no reflections in your glasses. These can obscure your eyes. The Passport Office recommends removing glasses but if you must wear them, take care to avoid glare on the lenses. It’s also worth noting that sunglasses and tinted lenses are not permitted.

Step seven: Don’t smile!

This isn’t a drivers license or vacation photo. Look straight at the camera with a neutral expression. Close your mouth and refrain from smiling. 

Once you’ve taken your photo, check that the image is clear and in focus. Look for a shot with no red-eye. You shouldn’t make any edits to your image using computer software.

And there you have it. How to take a good passport photo at home in seven easy steps. For more information about passport photography, visit your national passport office website. In the United States, click here.  

iPhone Passport Photo FAQs

Should your knowledge of passport photo taking be fairly strong, here’s a few FAQs to fill in a question or two you might want to know.  

Can I take a passport photo with my iPhone?

Short answer, yes. The quality of photos taken with newer iPhones rivals just about any camera. 

How do I take a passport photo at home without shadow?

If possible, situate yourself directly facing a window. Direct natural light provides the best passport photo lighting. Avoid the lamps as they’re often sources of shadows. 

What size should a passport photo be?

It’s helpful to know how to take passport size photo from iPhone. You should submit a high resolution photo that isn’t blurry or grainy. The correct size of a passport photo is 2 x 2 inches.
Within that size be sure your head is between 1 and 1 ⅜  inches from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head. 

Can I have a filter on my passport photo?

Putting a filter on your passport photo can cause it to be rejected. Avoid any filters in this type of photography. 

Can you smile for a passport photo?

It’s recommended that you don’t. Keep a neutral facial expression. This is not a “say cheese” photography moment. 

Travel Photos with Motif

Your passport is your key to traveling the world. A good passport photo will literally take you places. A bad photo will lead you back to the beginning of how to take a passport photo. Again. We hope this information will lead you to destinations unknown or favorite known places filled with friends and family. 

And while you’re visiting these places, don’t forget to take plenty of photos. Lots and lots of photos with interesting backgrounds, smiling faces, and as much or little natural light you prefer. The only pro tip we suggest is printing your favorite photos to remember and cherish.  

Bring your best photos to life with Motif.

Experience how easy creating personalized photo projects is with Motif. Our photo project app seamlessly works with Apple Photos in macOS and iOS. We do all the complicated stuff leaving the fun creative freedom to you.

The post How to Take a Passport Photo at Home appeared first on The Motif Blog.

Reading Time: 15 minutes read

One of the common iPhone photography misconceptions is that you cannot use an iPhone for serious photography. Can a phone with a camera that fits in your pocket measure up against traditional photography equipment? The answer is “yes”! iPhone photography has become increasingly popular as technology has improved. No matter how advanced the technology, the quality of any photo depends on the photographer’s creative vision. To help you better understand how iPhones have become an important part of the photography world, here’s everything you need to know about iPhone photography.

Can you use an iPhone for photography?

The iPhone has been steadily updated with new features added over the years, including regular improvements to camera quality. When the iPhone 8 Plus became available, photographers were finally ready to take photos they could be proud of editing and sharing. Many professional photographers are now using smartphone cameras to snap pictures during their travels or on assignments.

There are many things to consider when thinking about both an iPhone vs. DSLR camera for photography sources. Of course, the iPhone has its limitations and can’t provide all the features that a traditional DSLR can, with interchangeable lenses and various attachments. Some days, however, carrying bulky camera gear is inconvenient. The iPhone is your lightweight alternative. With the development of iPhone camera-sized accessories, such as lenses and tripods, taking amazing photos with an iPhone is easier than ever.  And, with endless iPhone camera apps to choose from, iPhone photography can be shot and edited as well as any DSLR camera.

An iPhone camera is a tool, just like any other camera. With the proper knowledge and the right techniques, you can use your iPhone to take great photos that may be hard to believe were taken with the iPhone.

iPhone Camera Modes and How to Use Them

iPhone camera modes are the creative support behind iPhone photography. While the iPhone Camera’s flash or timer might not always reach the photography effects you’re looking for, there are plenty of other features available. Within the Camera app, you’ll see features such as Live Photos, Camera Timer, HDR, Focus, and Exposure. Three important iPhone camera modes to learn are Portrait mode, Night mode, and Burst mode. Here’s how these features expand your photography creativity and allow you to feel more comfortable using an iPhone for quality photos:

• The iPhone Portrait mode is a photo effect that blurs the background of an image by adding a simulated bokeh. This background blur isolates the subject in a photo and gives it a more professional look. Portrait mode provides similar results to ones you get when using a DSLR camera. Switch to Portrait mode by swiping on the slider at the bottom until you land on Portrait mode. Once you’re in Portrait mode, follow the on-screen prompts that let you know if you’re too close or too far from your subject or if you need to add more light to the picture.

• To use Night Mode, you’ll need an iPhone 11 (including Pro and Pro Max) or iPhone 12 (including the Mini, Pro, and Pro Max). On earlier iPhones, night photography was difficult. Blurry photos, graininess, exposure problems, and unnatural colors were common issues. The iPhone 11 and iPhone 12 cameras use intelligent software to eliminate these problems. When you shoot with Night Mode, the camera takes multiple shots over several seconds and then automatically blends the images into a single, high-quality photo. Night mode turns on automatically when taking a picture in low-light environments. You’ll see the small moon symbol near the top left turn yellow when Night mode is activated. A time indication like “1s” or “5s” will show up near the moon symbol, which signifies the exposure time (or the length of time the camera lets light in before taking the picture). When Night mode is activated, press the round shutter button to take a photo as you usually would. Hold the camera as still as possible until the exposure completes. The camera takes time to take in light to take a quality picture in very low light.

• To activate Burst Mode, you don’t have to change any of your iPhone camera settings. All you have to do is press and hold the shutter button. With an iPhone camera 11 or higher, tap the shutter button and immediately slide it to the left for portrait-oriented photos or drag it up for landscape orientation. Your device will then keep taking pictures as long as your finger touches the screen. Burst Mode takes approximately ten photos per second. Burst Mode is best for action shots that include children, animals, people playing sports, or any constant movement. Those can often be difficult to capture with a single press of the camera shutter. You can also try it when taking candid photos. Once done, open the Photos app, tap on the “Burst” album to open it and choose the “Select” button at the top right of your screen. Choose the photos you want to keep, then tap on the Done button in the right upper corner.

iPhone Photography Tips

There are a lot of ways to dive right into iPhone photography. First, get to know iPhone camera settings to learn the ins and outs of the iPhone camera. This includes taking live photos with filters, using exposure to make pictures lighter or darker, and setting the timer for hands-free shooting, among others. Here are some useful and easy iPhone photography tips to quickly improve your iPhone photography:

• In photography, the bokeh effect is used when a person or other object in the foreground is focused while the background is blurry. It’s not just a general blur –  bokeh blur draws attention to the subject and creates images with backgrounds that look dreamy and eye-catching. Using bokeh is popular in portrait photography or macro photography when the subject is very close up, or there’s a lot of lighting in the background. When purposely photographed out of focus, harsh or bright lights become soft or diffused. On an iPhone, bokeh is achieved by using Portrait mode. In Portrait mode, the camera uses depth to instinctively zoom in and frame the subject, blurring the background. You can also create bokeh by editing depth after taking the photo. 

• Use the iPhone grid feature for photo composition. The iPhone camera grid divides your photos’ frame using four lines that run horizontally and vertically across the screen. The grid shows nine squares laid across the screen, like an empty tic tac toe grid when it’s turned on. Using the camera grid to match the subject up with lines on different screen sides draws more attention to the subject in more subtle, artistic ways. You get the most out of your pictures. The camera grid is handy for landscape shots. It shows you how to frame the horizon to get a more interesting picture. You can match up objects of interest in the foreground to the lines, making sure they complement your shot and draw the eye into the scene.

• If you’re looking to capture something at a lower angle, but you don’t want to lay down on the ground, turn your phone upside down. Flipping your phone upside down gets your camera several inches lower for photographing harder to reach spots. Your photo also ends up being upside down, but you can rotate it later to be right-side up.

• The flash is the main feature of both traditional and digital cameras. It functions to brighten up a room to take a beautiful and clear picture. An iPhone flash is a mildly powerful LED,  which means using the flash feature can be a disadvantage. Consider using an external flash that works wirelessly with an iPhone for more powerful flash abilities.

• Use the volume button for several photography tricks. For one, Camera shake is the main enemy of getting a sharp photo. If it happens, it’s bound to cause blurriness. Using the volume button can help you stabilize your shot while pressing the shutter. It’s also tough to tap the camera shutter button when taking a selfie with your hand outstretched. Squeezing the volume up button on the side of your iPhone is an easier way to snap the photo.

• Did you know that your earphones can also help you get candid photos? Hold your camera towards your subject, and hold the earphones in your other hand (or have them in your ears). Use the volume “up” button on the earphones to take candid photos.

• The iPhone camera app includes exposure and focus lock features that allow you to lock the parameters and frame your shot. This “AE/AF lock” is useful when taking a photo with variable light conditions. To activate the AE/AF lock, open the iOS Camera app and tap on the screen to focus on an area. Instead of tapping and releasing, tap and hold until the focus square flickers. When you lift your finger, you’ll see an “AE/AF Lock” indicator at the top of the screen. Once the AE/AF Lock is turned on, you can frame your photo without losing the exposure and focus controls that were just set. To undo the exposure and focus lock, just tap on the screen once, and it will remove it.

There are many other iPhone photography beginner tips that will start you on your way to learning about your iPhone camera’s abilities. They’ll also give you the confidence to take photos like a pro. 

Editing iPhone Pictures with the Motif Photo App

Photographers never stop looking for picture-perfect moments. With iPhone cameras now offering great optics to capture sharp, high-resolution results, many images are being taken on smartphones. There are many free and paid photo editing apps available in the App Store. They range from basic editing and sharing tools to full-featured photo editing apps, such as Photoshop and Lightroom, that let you edit, and organize images for professional-looking photos. 

Editing photos within the iPhone Photos app is an excellent place to start. To edit photos on your iPhone, find them in the Photos app. Once you’ve found an image, tap on it to view it, then tap “Edit” in the top-right corner of the screen. If you have iCloud Photos, you’ll need to wait a second for the full-sized image to download. You’ll then be able to edit your photos. Across the bottom of the screen are four buttons, each referring to a particular set of editing tools:

• Live Photos: Only visible if your image is a Live Photo (video recorded along with a still image).
• Adjust: Standard editing controls you’ll find in most image editing apps.
• Filters: Apply or remove iPhone photo filters.
• Crop/Straighten: For changing the aspect ratio, cropping, and more.

At any point while editing an image, you can tap on the photo to see the original. This provides a point of reference for any edits you’ve made. You can see whether your changes enhance the image or not. If you’re editing a Live Photo, which is a still image with three seconds of video for context, you can also tap and hold the image at any point to see how your edits affect the video.

There are also some specific edits you can make on photos that can require a third-party app. This includes how to flip, mirror, or rotate photos on an iPhone. One feature added in iOS 13 is that you can now flip any picture straight from your Photos app. It’s great if you need a picture’s mirror image, like if you’re trying to read backward text. Not every phone can download iOS 13, however. If you have an iPhone 6 or earlier, you’ll need a third-party app. 

If you’ve ever wanted to add text to photos, use the iPhone camera Markup editing tool.  Open Photos from your home screen. Tap the “Library” tab in the lower-left corner of the screen, then select the photo you want to edit and tap “Edit.” Then, tap the More button (the three dots), and then tap “Markup.” Once you’re in the Markup editor, you can choose a drawing tool along the bottom. Your options include a pen, a highlighter, a pencil, or an eraser. Tap the color picker circle to the right to choose a color for your drawing tool (except eraser). You can now add doodles, callouts, and text to your photos.

When you’re ready to move beyond iPhone’s own editing tools, the Motif app is an easy-to-use iPhone photo editing app that’s only used with iPhone and iOS programs. Motif is a unique app that gives you even more creativity with photo editing and combines it with the ability to create photo books of your treasured memories. You can use Motif both on your iPhone/iPad or Mac, which means you can start creating a vacation photo book while you’re still on vacation. Motif allows you to save projects, so you can add photos from wherever you are and not worry about losing your work. Motif’s image selection process makes it easy to select multiple images across Memories, Albums, and your Camera Roll. You can also edit photos in the main view, rather than a separate one for editing.

Managing iPhone Photos & Technical “How-Tos”

iPhone photos can take up a lot of phone storage and fast. This can be frustrating for many reasons. You may be getting “Storage Almost Full” notifications pop up on your phone, indicating it may be time to sort and organize your photo library. Managing iPhone photos can also seem overwhelming, especially when you’ve been taking photos for years and keeping them all on your iPhone. Thankfully, there are great resources available to iPhone users to store, transfer, manage, and even print your valuable memories on the iPhone.  

You may already be familiar with iCloud, Apple’s cloud-based storage platform if you use it to back up your iPhone data. iCloud photo storage can be free, or you can upgrade (for a fee) for more storage in the cloud. It’s easy to manage photos in iCloud photo storage, including sorting and organizing photos or deleting one or more photos at once. iCloud Photo can also automatically backup and sync iPhone photos from your devices. There are various reasons as to why your photos may not be uploading to iCloud. Commonly, this is caused by iCloud Photo Library not being enabled, running out of iCloud Storage, experiencing a network issue, or a login problem with your iCloud account. 

Another cloud-based tool that manages iPhone photos is Google Photos for iPhone. Google Photos is a downloadable app for iPhone. After you’ve installed the app and logged in through a Google account, you can start syncing photos from your phone to Google Photos. The program will save all the photos you take on the iPhone. Every so often, Google will ask if you want to free up space on your phone by backing up the images to your Google Account, which is accessible through Gmail, as well.

Once you decide which photo storage service works best for you, it’s easy to transfer photos from your photo to your computer (and vice-versa). Cloud-based storage services such as iCloud and Google Photos can be installed on a desktop. This means they can be used interchangeably on a Mac and an iPhone. You can also transfer photos from a PC to an iPhone using the iCloud for Windows app (which you need to download separately on your desktop). Photos can also be transferred through iTunes (make sure you have the latest version downloaded), Airdrop (you’ll need an iPhone 5 or newer running iOS 7 or above), and Windows, by using File Explorer or Windows Explorer.

While it’s easy to keep vacation and family photos easily online, it’s also easy to print photos right from an iPhone. If you have a compatible AirPrint printer, then you can print your photos directly with AirPrint. Here’s how it works:

1. Launch Photos on your iPhone.
2. Find the photo that you want to print.
3. Tap the Share button.
4. Scroll down and tap Print. If you have a compatible printer, the Print Screen appears.
5. Tap Select Printer and select your printer.
6. Tap the + or – buttons to adjust the number of copies to print.
7. Tap Options to customize whether it’s in color or black & white and choose paper size.
8. Tap Print.

If your printer isn’t AirPrint compatible, you can still print directly from your device by downloading your printer’s accompanying app – the HP Smart app if you have an HP printer, for example. For high-quality printed photos, use heavier, glossy photo paper that can run through a printer.

iPhone Apps for Photos & Photography

As iPhone camera technology improves and develops each year, the amount of iPhone apps for photos and photography grows. Some of the best iPhone photo apps will take your photography to new creative heights. Editing apps like Lightroom and Photoshop (both of which have free and paid versions) have been the standard editing tools to bring out the best in iPhone photography. Pixlr, which offers a wide range of different photo effects, overlays, and filters, creates truly unique images. 

Then, there are unique and helpful photography apps such as Magic Hour, which tells you exactly when the “golden hour” will be outside for perfect outdoor photography, if the weather will be clear enough, and the approximate times of sunrise and sunset in your area. Nighttime and night sky photographers will find the Dark Skies night photography app useful for shooting photos of star formations without worrying about long star trails. By plugging in the type of camera and focal length of your lens into the app, Dark Skies will calculate how much exposure you will need to get the best picture. 

A long time ago, people took actual, non-digital photos and put them into big, bulky photo albums. These are great to flip through for nostalgic memories. But what if you want to share those memories with friends and family online? Chances are, you have to take a photo of the photo and post it online. If you’ve done this, you’d agree that it’s not the best solution. That’s where photo scanner apps come into play. Photo scanner apps are used right on the iPhone. Take a snap of physical photos to get a scanned copy. Scanner apps often have a unique feature to make corrections in auto-detected mistakes. This means the app can sharpen, contrast, and restore color to create digital images that are easy to share with friends and family. 

When you’re ready to put your favorite photos into their own photo book, finding the best photo book design right from your iPhone or Mac can be achieved with Motif. What sets Motif apart for its photo book creation process is it’s image curation and  Autoflow features. With image curation, the app considers lighting and composition, among other factors, to automatically select the best photos for your photo book. Autoflow then places the photos into professionally designed themes and layouts to bring your photos to life. You’ll always have a chance to edit and change any part of your photo book. Motif’s smart technology takes the guesswork out of which images to use when there are so many from which to choose.

There are over 80 personalized layouts with various themes and sizes to create the perfect photo book for your needs. Photo books are the perfect way to celebrate and share your favorite photographs from your iPhone photography journey with family and friends. Download our free app today and give your stories a home with Motif.

The post Everything You Need to Know About iPhone Photography appeared first on The Motif Blog.

Reading Time: 9 minutes read

Pregnancy is an epic journey. The first few weeks of queasiness turn into middle months of feeling great while watching your belly grow. The last trimester isd more uncomfortable but the most exciting as you prepare to welcome your child. While nine months (give or take a few weeks) seems like a long time to wait for a new baby, it passes by faster than you can say “pregnancy photoshoot.”

Pregnancy is a time for celebrations and communication. There are so many opportunities to chronicle your pregnancy journey with structured photoshoots and documented parties. You can start as early as announcing your pregnancy in a photo, complete with an announcement sign or props like tiny shoes or teddy bears. From there, you can plan many different ways to highlight your growing belly for each stage of your pregnancy journey.

Gender Reveal Photo Book

Ask anyone who’s had a baby what their most-asked pregnancy question was, and they’ll tell you it’s all about gender. Pregnancy gender reveals have become very popular over the past few years. The gender-reveal can be as simple as cutting into a white-icing cake and being surprised with pink or blue cake in the middle or popping a large balloon filled with colored confetti. More elaborate reveals have included hitting baseballs filled with colored powder or setting off colored smoke bombs.

Throwing a gender-reveal party is the perfect way to bring friends and family together for this moment of surprise. Most people find out the baby’s gender around 14-18 weeks.  

Having a friend or hiring a professional photographer to photograph the festivities will take a lot of pressure off you and your significant other capturing all the action. Make sure there’s a fluid timeline for a photo book – a beginning, middle, and end that tells a complete story of the gender reveal and the celebration around it. Elements of a gender-reveal photo book can include:

• Photos of the party decor, including food, decorations, and the gender reveal setup.
• Welcoming guests to the party.
• The gender-reveal in action.
• Reaction photos of you, your partner, and guests.
• Posed photos with friends and family after the big news.
• General party photos.

When the party’s over, and everyone finally knows whether the baby is a girl or boy, create the perfect gender reveal photobook to capture every detail of this special event.

Baby Shower Photos

What better way to capture sweet moments of your pregnancy than at a party in honor of you and your cherished baby-to-be? Historically, baby showers were for the mom-to-be and her closest female friends and family. More modern baby showers include the dad-to-be and all friends and family. They can be an intimate brunch at home or a big, catered event. In either instance, it’s a party to “shower” the mother and child and celebrate the journey to parenthood.

Baby showers usually occur during the third trimester (usually in the seventh or the eighth month of pregnancy). It’s a chance for the parents-to-be to socialize with the important people in their lives before the baby joins the family and life gets more chaotic. It’s also an opportunity for guests to give parents essential baby gifts that will be needed very soon. 

A creative and very photogenic part of a baby shower is its theme. Baby shower themes can reflect the parents’ style, favorite sports teams, or season. Popular themes include the nursery’s colors, a favorite sports team, or themes centered around the baby’s name or initials. One unique baby shower idea is to host a foodie baby shower and create a recipe photo book from the event. It’s a gift everyone will enjoy for years to come.

Couple’s Pregnancy Pictures

A couple’s pregnancy photoshoot is an essential step in your pregnancy journey because it highlights the intimate relationship between you and your partner. You can even do a series of photoshoots during your pregnancy, so you’ll have couples’ pregnancy pictures at every stage. 

Pregnancy is a special time in the lives of soon-to-be parents. A couple’s pregnancy photoshoot takes the gentle connection with the baby and documents them forever. Don’t be afraid to have fun with each other, too. Capturing quiet, intimate moments together, as well as playfully enjoying each other’s company before baby, are all worthy of documenting. Here are some ideas for couples pregnancy pictures:

• Be romantic: Pregnancy is a growing sign of the love between two people. Dress up, take pictures for a night on the town, or do an intimate photoshoot at home by candlelight or by a fireplace. 
• Be silly: Show off your playful side as a couple. Use props such as bubbles, balloons, or food to get into a giddy mood.
• Be outside: If you and your partner have a favorite hobby or place, take a photographer with you. An easy hike or stroll along the beach are excellent photo-ops.

Maternity Portrait Photography

Pregnancy is a unique time in a woman’s life, both physically and emotionally. Maternity portrait photography shows off the beauty of pregnancy and brings out all of the emotions of becoming a mom.

The best time for maternity photographs is between the 32nd and 38th week of pregnancy. The mother’s belly is round and easily noticed. The mom-to-be is comfortable enough to stand or sit for an extended time while taking photos. Choose a few outfits to get a variety of shots. Wear something that shows off your belly, such as a flowy, dramatic dress or sheer, romantic blouse. Or, reveal your belly with an open shirt or bikini. Wear what makes you comfortable and beautiful during this personal photo session.

Adding your partner or the baby’s sibling(s) makes a maternity portrait photography session more meaningful. It also creates more options when it comes to posing for pictures. Show the interaction between the siblings-to-be with sweet gestures like belly hugs and kisses. Don’t forget four-legged siblings-to-be, as well! Bringing pets into a maternity shoot captures what the entire household will look like when the baby makes his or her appearance.

Photo Baby Announcements

Baby announcements are traditionally sent through the mail to friends and family soon after a new baby’s birth. Designing a photo baby announcement before the baby’s arrival makes it easier once the baby comes. However, it is acceptable to wait until after the baby has been born (and in some cases, necessary if the baby’s gender is unknown).

Create the mailing list for your birth announcements before the baby’s birth to save some stress once the baby is born. Here’s the essential information to include on a birth announcement:

• Introduce the baby with his/her full name.
• Statistics (date, time of birth, weight, and length).
• Older siblings: Can include all the family members’ names and photos. Family pets are considered siblings here, too!
• Parents’ names: If the last names are different, the last name of the baby and each parent can be included for clarification. Otherwise, it is okay to have just the parents’ first names. 

Birth announcements should be sent as soon as possible after the baby’s birth. The ideal time frame for a birth announcement to be sent is between two weeks and two months after the delivery and no later than three to four months. If announcements need to go out later, one option is to include them with a holiday card or family letter. A photo baby announcement can also be a great part of an upcoming photobook, such as a Mother’s Day photo album.

Baby Announcement Ideas

Thankfully, there’s plenty of time to design a baby announcement when waiting for a new baby to arrive! Whether you’re creating a birth announcement to be sent out online or through the mail, they can take some time to design. There are endless design ideas for the announcement itself, but it’s the photo that will be the most exciting to choose.

There are so many ways to show off your newly growing family, including these baby announcement ideas:

• Have the baby gently held by siblings.
• Create a holiday-themed announcement (if the timing works).
• Dress up the baby in the parent’s favorite sports team gear or colors.
• Recreate a parent’s baby photo. 
• Take candid photos of the baby meeting their family.

However you design the announcement, friends and family will be thrilled to see your new little one. 

Newborn Photography Ideas

The real fun begins when you’ve reached the end of your pregnancy journey. You’ve carried your little boy or girl for nine months, and they’re finally here to be cuddled and loved. Newborn photography is adorably creative. Ideally, newborn photos are taken between 7-14 days after a baby is born. This is when babies are still sleepy and can snuggle up in cute poses or be wrapped in blankets. However the baby is posed, they’re almost guaranteed to sleep and stay in one place for some time.

If you’re using a professional photographer for a newborn photoshoot, make a shot list with them in advance so you’ll all know what to expect during the session. Be flexible with photography ideas during the photo shoot since it all depends on the baby. Newborn photography ideas feature many different ways to capture your new addition, including: 

• Tiny hands and feet
• First day in the hospital
• First day at home
• Siblings meeting baby for the first time
• Bonding with you/your partner (together as well as separately)
• Swaddled in blankets
• Photos with props (such as baskets or stuffed animals)

From the gender reveal, memorable portraits with your partner, a maternity photoshoot just for you, a baby shower with friends and family, to welcoming your bundle of joy – these are all just the first steps in a lifetime of making memories with family. By documenting each step of your pregnancy journey, you’ve laid a great foundation to tell your child’s and family’s unique story.

Bring Your Photos to Life with a Personalized Photo Book.

Celebrating a baby-to-be takes a village of loving friends and family. Throughout your pregnancy, create beautiful memory books with Motif. Whether it’s for your babymoon photos, candid everyday shots, or cherished formal family photos, creating a personalized photo book is easy with Motif. It’s a practice you’ll be happy you developed as your family grows. Being able to choose from a library of photo books that chronicle your lives is priceless.

There are over 80 personalized layouts with various themes and sizes to create the perfect photo book for your needs. Photo books are the best way to celebrate and share your favorite photographs with family and friends. Download the free Motif Photos app and give your stories a home with Motif.

The post Pregnancy & Maternity Photoshoot Ideas appeared first on The Motif Blog.

Reading Time: 4 minutes read

Planning a baby shower means it’s time to celebrate an almost-new arrival! There’s no better reason to get family and friends together than to celebrate a new baby and parents-to-be.  A baby shower is a meaningful time to gather before the baby’s arrival and celebrate a growing family.

A baby shower is also the perfect time to take many photos of your growing baby bump in a relaxed, celebratory setting. Some of the best photos are captured when mom-to-be is surrounded by family and friends, looking her best, and celebrating a new family member.

Baby Shower Picture Ideas

Baby showers are traditionally full of family, friends, food, and all the joy that comes with welcoming a new baby. Try these three baby shower picture ideas during the baby shower:

Frame the bump

The star of a baby shower is the baby bump. Framing a baby bump is a creative way to take photos with friends and family. Even if you’re not having a photo booth or photography props, use oversized picture frames for posing. Hold a picture frame around your belly with baby shower guests so they can “pose” with the baby-to-be before he or she makes their birthday debut. 

Feature the theme

Most baby showers center around a theme. Themed decorations, food, and activities bring color, ambiance, and detail to a baby shower. These are often as photo-worthy as the guests. 

Use the theme for baby shower picture ideas. A single color-themed baby shower, such as an all-white shower to signify a baby’s newness or a wintertime baby-to-be, can be dramatic. More traditional gender-themed baby showers can feature prince or princess, safari, or other colorful motifs. Baby shower themes reflect the parents-to-be’s style, such as bohemian, retro, sports fans, or classic/traditional. They can also explore a play on words or ideas, like a bee-themed shower or highlighting flowers and plants that grow like babies.

Go back in time

Everyone loves looking at baby pictures. Ask guests to bring a favorite baby picture of themselves to the baby shower and take side-by-side photos of everyone with their younger selves. This leads to a lot of reminiscing about “when I was a kid,” along with excellent baby shower pictures of guests getting into the spirit of the party.

Baby Shower Photography Tips

Baby showers are all about celebrating a tiny new person and their parents. The shower itself is also filled with photography opportunities beyond the bump. Here are some baby shower photography tips for capturing a baby shower from beginning to end:

Capture small details

Half the fun of a baby shower is in the planning. There’s a lot of creativity involved in choosing a theme and organizing the baby shower around it. These details play a significant role in creating the look and feel of the event. Capture all the small details of the baby shower. Include everything from the flowers and other decorations to food and drink. Photograph elements, such as fabric texture, food texture, flowers, patterns on decor, up close to make the details pop. This adds to the collection of memorable baby shower photos by extending beyond smiling party guests.

Highlight fun activities

Baby showers feature lots of food, friends, and presents for parents to open. There may also be an activity for guests at the baby shower, such as decorating onesies, creating a unique piece of art for the nursery, or writing encouraging notes to parents after the baby arrives. Taking photos of each activity of the baby shower helps capture the moment and the story for later telling. This includes the parents-to-be opening gifts – picking a gift, unwrapping, and reacting to the gift. Or, document a silly game guests might play or a “welcome baby” activity that’s unique for the baby shower. Years from now, you’ll enjoy revisiting the moment to reminisce. 

You may be ready to plan a baby shower now, but it will soon be time for baby photoshoot ideas, too. Capturing baby shower memories can bring ideas to the next phase of parenthood. You can stick with the baby shower theme for the newborn or baby photoshoot when the time comes.

A baby shower can be seen as a chapter in a lifetime of making memories with family. Photos will be a part of every stage of a person’s life. Wouldn’t it be great to document all the important moments in your and your families life? Whether you’d like to send a personalized photo card to family and friends or create a book of your baby shower, turn your photos into treasured gifts with Motif.

With over 80 personalized layouts and the option to choose backgrounds and sizes that suit you, a photo book lets you celebrate and share your favorite photographs with family and friends. Download the app today and give your stories a home with Motif.

The post Baby Shower Picture & Photo Ideas appeared first on The Motif Blog.

Reading Time: 7 minutes read

It’s reported that two thirds of all households have a furry friend or two waiting at the door for their owners to come home. Of those households, nearly all of them have cameras brimming with photos of those furry, loving faces. To put it quite simply, we’re infatuated with our pets. Most consider them furry members of the family. 

Pets bring us joy as companions. They make us laugh and show us affection. So it’s no surprise we can’t stop taking pictures of them. Any camera will do the job. Yet, there are a variety of pet photography lenses available to better capture your pet’s personality. Some people want more than just a photo or their pet asleep on the couch or staring up at you from your lap. 

This post aims to educate you on the best pet photography lens for your next “puptrait.” It’s important to note, there is no best lens for a pet portrait or photos in general. That’s because everyone is different and the best pet photography lens is the one that works for your photo needs. 

But First, Some Pet Photography Basics.

Before we dive into the variety of pet photography lenses, it’s good to have an understanding of some basics. Unless your pet is a turtle, you’ll realize most pets kind of understand the command, “sit.” The same applies to, “stay.” There are so many other variables that can break their concentration on you, the shooter. Introduce a squirrel to your dog photography session and it’s basically all over. That being said, some lenses that have built-in image stabilization to increase the odds of getting the best dog photos. 

Some pet photography lenses allow you to either manually or automatically focus on your subject. These AF/MF modes should be a consideration when choosing. As mentioned before, one ill-timed squirrel could leave you with a lovely shot of your dog’s tail if you were manually trying to focus your camera. If your pet is napping, manually zoom and focus away. All the tips and techniques you can find will certainly let you take better pet photos.

Technically, pets are animals. However, taking photos of pets and wildlife vary. Often, wildlife photography is done from safe distances and hidden places to prevent the subject from scaring or being alerted to your presence. Conversely, taking a pet portrait normally is done at close range. Some of the best dog photos focus heavily on their furry faces. The closer you are to the subject, the easier it is to give a scratch behind the ear or feed a treat by hand to reward them.       

Standard Photo Lenses

Standard lenses capture pet photos that are closest to what the human eye sees. The image looks natural to the viewer. They’re some of the easiest lenses to use because you don’t have to factor in distortion. Many pet photographers go for the standard lens for its ease of use.

Standard lenses also tend to have wide-open apertures. This makes them great for low light and shallow depth of field. Basic dog photography tips will only improve the photos you take. Pair them with a better understanding of the right lenses and watch your dog photography shine. 

Shooting with a Telephoto Lens.

For those photos that aren’t up close and personal, it’s really helpful to have a telephoto lens in your bag. They’re available in a variety of focal lengths to cover most any distance you’d need to shoot from. They let you sit back and photograph your pet from afar without disturbing them. 

Telephoto lenses are also useful for pet action photography because they have a longer focal length. You can better fill the frame with a distant subject at events. Examples of these events include dog shows or agility competitions.

Shooting with a Macro Lens. 

You can also try a macro lens to mix things up. A macro lens works well for photographing your pets up close and personal. As a pet photographer, you can capture lots of detail in ultra-sharp focus.

A big benefit of macro lenses is that their focusing limit is very close to the glass. You can capture those fun shots of the dog or cat coming right up to the glass of your lens!

Shooting with Wide Angle Lenses.

Wide angle lenses allow photographers to get physically closer to subjects and capture photos with a wider depth of field than longer lenses — even at comparable aperture widths.

The comparable aperture widths point is especially important when it comes to pet photography. Particularly if you’re a photographer who shys from using a flash, strobes or other artificial light sources when working with pets. Quite simply, a wider lens will free you to use faster apertures without ending up with an overly narrow and impractical depth of field.

Ultimately, it doesn’t matter how fast your lens is if the more extreme settings of your lens can not sharply capture the key facial features of your subject. Use wide angle lenses to capture your pet up close while also capturing the complement of their surroundings. 

Using the Tilt Shift Lens.

Another specialty lens is the tilt-shift lens. You can tilt or shift the optics of this lens in relation to the image sensor. You can tilt up and down and shift side to side individually. The shift function allows you to minimize distortion (common when using wide angle lenses) when you are shooting from a high or low angle. 

Analogue Lenses.

For vintage looks on dog photography, try classic analogue lenses. They will add a unique character to your images, which can help you create a personal style. You can get adapters that attach analogue lenses to your digital camera.

Lenses. Pets. Photos.

All three of these combine for great pet portrait results. As your skill set results in taking better photos, the more amazing shots fill your camera. Over time, a collection featuring your furry ones grows and grows. 

If you’re lucky enough to begin when that furry face locks eyes with yours, a story begins that can be told through photos. At the rate puppies grow, you have the chance to document its transformation from a clumsy little ball of fur into the graceful, or not so graceful character you’ll grow to love. This is the perfect opportunity to create a pet brag book with Motif. And don’t worry, the opportunities to take your best dog photos will be plenty. 

And before you shop, please consider adopting. Take a trip to your local animal shelter and experience the joy of rescuing a pet. If only we could tap the power of the tail wag, we could power the world with pets. 

Creating a photo book featuring Fido is easy. From your iPad and iPhone, simply download and open the Motif Photos app and choose the photo project you want to create. On your Mac, simply download and install Motif. In the Photos app, select a photo, album, or memory then choose File, then select Create, then choose Book, then select Motif. Motif helps place your best photos into a layout of your choosing. Be sure to add all the details of your pup’s story with the text feature, then sit back and relax. Motif prints and ships your pet photo project to your door.  

The post The Best Pet Photography Lenses You Have to Try! appeared first on The Motif Blog.

Reading Time: 16 minutes read

For beginner photographers, there are many photography terms to learn. It takes time to master them all. Understanding terms such as aperture and shutter speed help you understand why photos look the way they do. Understanding lighting terms such as exposure and white balance open your eyes to subjects in exciting ways. Composition and shooting terms, such as focus, burst mode, and depth of field broaden your photography horizon. 

It can seem overwhelming at first. Ease into your photography journey by learning some photography basics and practicing them with your camera.

Photography Basics

Photography is all about light. To let the camera “see” what you want, you have tools controlling how much light reaches the camera sensor. These are the aperture and shutter speed controls. With too much or too little light, details are lost. When adjusting aperture and shutter speed to achieve the proper exposure, it’s important to account for potential side-effects.

There are many photography terms to learn, and it takes time to master everything. 

A great photograph encompasses several elements. When these elements work well together, they bring life and emotion to digital photography. Whether shooting insects, children, mountains, or a cityscape, these elements all play an essential role in creating a photograph worth admiring.

Photography elements of a great photograph include:

• Great use of light
• Great composition (how the subject is presented)
• Sense of timing
• A clear subject

In the end, your favorite photographs will be ones you’ve put the most thought and planning into, even if it takes time to get the “picture perfect” shot. It could be days or weeks before that sunset you’ve envisioned shooting occurs. To get that perfect picture, you’ll need to be ready at precisely the right moment, with the correct aperture and composition.

Types of Photography

A photography style is more than a photography technique or editing style. It’s a combination of every decision made as a photographer. One of the best ways to discover your style is to look for patterns in your likes and dislikes. This includes where you like to travel, taste in food, how you socialize and prefer to spend free time. Consider them all to help you define your style.

As you have more experiences, your unique style develops. Clothing, food, and travel all add to the characteristics of your personal photography style. You may even love weather so much that you take an interest in rain photography. 

Here are some photography styles to experiment with when taking photos:

• Portrait photography captures the character of a subject within a photograph. Using the correct camera settings, compositions, angles, lighting, backdrops, and poses, you can capture the subject’s expressions and emotions. It’s about creating a portrait that evokes feelings and captivates viewers’ attention.
• Landscape photography is the art of capturing images that embody the essence of nature and the outdoors. Incredible landscape photography transports the viewer and gives them a sense of “being there.” As a landscape photographer, the viewer needs to connect with the photographer’s emotions taking the photo.  
• Wedding photography is a mixture of many other photographic genres. It incorporates portraiture, family and group photography, documentary, event photography, and close-up images. Wedding photography requires various equipment and preparation, especially when switching from one photography style to another throughout an event. 
• Macro photography is a unique form of photography that involves photographing small objects to make them look larger, or even life-sized, in the photo. Macro photography subjects include flowers and small insects, which aren’t typically seen up close with the naked eye. This type of photography brings out details in jewelry and other inanimate objects. 
• Fashion photography focuses on clothing and other fashion items. It can show high-end fashion, commercial fashion, streetwear, or fashion-forward looks for more experimental photography subjects. 
• Taking pictures of food is a prevalent form of photography. With social media, the rise of food blogs, it’s easier than ever to show the world beautiful food that’s being cooked and eaten. 
• Commercial photography involves taking photographs of products or individuals used to sell products or services. This includes anything else that might appear on a business website, literature, or advertisement. It may consist of models or items. Commercial photography applies to advertising, catalog work, or website work.
• Street photography is the art of capturing life and culture candidly. It’s a personal way to photograph, even if the subjects are strangers in a big city. Street photography can occur anywhere. Take photos indoors, such as in coffee shops or unfamiliar places, like country roads or small towns. Street photography is about culture and life. 
• If drawn to faraway, exotic places, travel photography takes you to the ends of the earth. It includes many photography elements, such as landscape photography, portrait photography, even street photography. The goal of travel photography is to capture a new environment’s physical and cultural aspects – even underwater photography.

Photography Gear

The ability to shoot high-quality photographs is easier than ever. With each iOS update and new iPhone release, taking pictures with a phone’s digital camera is easier and more advanced. Some people love taking photos with a Digital Single Lens Reflex (DSLR) camera. There are pros and cons to both camera options. 

With photography, the center of the universe is the camera bag and its contents. Cameras and lenses are the tools of the trade, but there are additional accessories to assist with your photography endeavors. Here’s an essential list of digital camera and phone camera accessories that benefit any photographer:

• Tripods and mounts: Phone mounts or phone/camera tripods prevent movement or vibration from blurring the shot. They keep the camera on a solid/steady surface instead of in your hands.
• Selfie Stick: This phone camera accessory positions the phone away from you while still giving precise control over the shutter. They’re typically used to take selfies. It is also usable with the higher-resolution rear camera on the phone. A steady hand can allow for excellent, hard-to-get shots.
• Remote shutter release: A remote trigger connects either wired or wirelessly to a digital camera. It allows you to release the shutter remotely without physically touching the camera. Pressing the shutter button on a remote does not move or shake the camera, keeping the lens and shutter steady.
• Snap-on Lenses: A snap-on or clip-on lens is a great way to expand an iPhone’s lens options.  These lenses provide an alternative to needing an additional camera and lenses for photos.  You can often buy a package of lenses together that include a telephoto lens, macro lens, and fisheye lens. These add-ons provide greater access to creative photography with a camera phone.
• Battery Banks: Camera phones drain a phone’s battery. More so when the flash is frequently used. Having portable batteries is extremely useful. Spare battery banks let you charge your phone between shots, so you’ll always have a photo-ready camera.
• External flash and flash remote: Different lighting modes and light colors exist with external iPhone camera flash options. Flash triggers are great for the power of a flash with full control over the light source’s angle.  An external flash trigger syncs with an iPhone via Bluetooth. It is enabled by the iPhone’s Camera app when pressing the shutter release button.
• Flashes can be battery-powered or rechargeable. They can be handheld, wireless, or can attach to an iPhone with a clip or mount.

Camera Settings

Digital camera modes, also known as camera settings, allow photographers to control the camera’s exposure, shutter speed, aperture, and ISO. Exposure settings are crucial when learning photography. The type of exposure settings used will set the tone for the final photograph. Each of these affects exposure differently: 

• ISO is adjusted to change the camera’s light sensitivity. It determines how much light is required to expose an image properly. Increasing the ISO makes the digital sensor more sensitive to light and causes it to expose faster. Decreasing the ISO makes the sensor less sensitive and causes it to expose slower.
• Shutter speed is the speed at which the lens shutter opens and closes. The period during which the shutter is open is the time during which the image is exposed. A faster shutter speed receives less exposure, while a slower shutter speed receives more.
• Aperture is the actual hole through which light enters the lens. It is expressed in f-numbers (called “f-stop”) like f/1.4, f/2, f/2.8, etc. They represent the lens opening’s size. By adjusting the aperture’s size, more or less light enters the lens and can reach the film or sensor. A more open aperture allows in more light, while a nearly-closed aperture lets in very little light.

While specific camera modes fully automate camera exposure, other modes let the photographer manually control some or all of the exposure. These are pre-programmed settings that allow you to choose the optimum shutter speed and aperture (f-stop) value for the photograph.

• Automatic mode is when the camera chooses the optimum shutter speed, aperture, ISO, and flash settings. All you need to do is point and shoot. This can be good if you have no idea of what settings to choose or need to shoot quickly. 
• Portrait mode finds a subject in the foreground of the frame. It chooses a shallow depth of field to keep the subject in focus. The background is blurred and out of focus. If the camera reads the scene as dark, it will add a fill-in flash. Portrait mode generally works best in well-lit conditions.
• Macro mode is useful for taking photographs of subjects smaller than your hand. Macro mode will not give you super close-up images. You will need a macro lens for this. Macro mode works best in bright conditions and will choose a shallow depth of field to focus on the subject.
• Landscape mode uses a small aperture (high f-stop number) to create a well-focused image from the foreground into the distance. Landscape mode needs a wide lens and works well if the scene is well lit. 

On most DSLR camera settings, there will also be the standard letter modes – M (Manual), AV (Aperture-Priority), TV or S (Shutter-Priority), and P (Programmed Auto).

• Manual mode requires the photographer to set every setting.
• Aperture-Priority allows the photographer to set the aperture value. The camera automatically sets the correct shutter speed.
• TV lets the photographer choose the shutter speed first (for example, when shooting sports), and the camera automatically sets the correct aperture.
• Programmed Auto mode is similar to the Auto mode in that the camera determines the shutter and aperture settings, but the photographer can adjust other settings manually.

iPhone cameras have settings similar to a DSLR camera. The camera features available on an iPhone depend on the individual model. Even older models have multiple camera settings to try. Access the settings when opening the Camera app on the iPhone. On newer iPhone models, camera settings are found by toggling the row of options below the camera screen:

• The ultra-wide camera lets users capture a greater field of view and is equivalent to a focal length of 13mm. This lens is useful for shooting landscapes and urban streetscapes, architecture, and building interiors. 
• Night mode is excellent for shooting in low-light settings where most cameras would produce blurry or dark photos. It will automatically take a series of pictures at different exposures for a set amount of time and then pull elements from all frames to create one image.
• iPhone Camera Live is a feature that allows photographers to take a short three-second video that captures movement, sound, and still frames. Live Photos are great for capturing photos with movement or group photos.   It allows you to ensure that everyone is looking at the camera.
• iPhone Portrait mode is used to take portraits, selfies, and photos of objects that stand out from the background. It gently blurs the background and keeps the subject matter clear.
• Optical zoom allows you to zoom in on an object without a loss of quality. It’s a better way to zoom than using digital zoom (when you spread your pinched fingers outward to zoom in).
• The iPhone camera timer is useful for capturing selfies or group photos where the photographer is included. The timer helps to reduce shake when taking photos in low-light settings.
• Burst photos capture and save multiple images of fast-moving subjects. It allows the photographer to choose the best one later. In Burst mode, your camera captures images at ten frames per second. 

Photography Composition

Photography composition highlights the arrangement of elements in a photo. It also showcases the subject within a frame. It ensures a photograph is interesting to the viewer. A good picture takes different parts and combines them into a visually pleasing whole. 

Photography composition techniques create a story told within a single frame. There are several composition techniques to learn and practice when looking for the perfect shot:

• Golden Triangle/Golden Rule: The golden triangle, also known as the golden rule, is a composition technique that photographers use to break up a scene. It emphasizes certain areas within the picture. It involves drawing a diagonal line from one corner to the other of the image, and then from that line, two more lines come from the remaining corners to connect them. The shorter lines touch the larger middle line where the most interesting parts of the composition should be. 
• The Rule of Thirds is a photography composition technique that can help you take better images. Using a grid of two horizontal and two vertical lines, place your subject slightly off-center to create a better-composed photograph. The gridlines are also useful for making sure images are straight. According to the rule of thirds, the points at which the lines intersect are the ideal places for points of interest.
• White balance is a color composition technique that adjusts a digital photograph to make colors appear more realistic. Whenever a photographic composition or course of light is changed, the white balance must also be adjusted. It’s a way to set a picture to neutral or make sure the white looks white. This is counteracted through post-production software, such as Adobe Lightroom, Photoshop, or similar photo editing programs that provide more control over compositional color.
• The focal length is the distance between the center of the lens and the camera sensor. It determines the angle of view and magnification of the subject. The focal length is measured in millimeters and is used to categorize different types of lenses.
  • Wide-angle lens: smaller than 35 mm
  • Standard lens: 35 – 70 mm
  • Medium telephoto lens: 70 – 135 mm
  • Telephoto lens: greater than 135 mm

Color Theory in Photography

The perception of different colors is an intensely personal experience. Color theory is essential. How color interacts with the light as the shutter clicks have an impact on the photo. 

Color is described in terms of three properties: hue, value, and saturation. Hue describes a color (e.g., red, orange, yellow, green, blue, violet) in its natural state. It’s often categorized into warm (red, orange, yellow) and cool (green, blue, violet). Value describes the relative lightness or darkness of a color. 

Every color system consists of primary, secondary, and tertiary colors (hues). A primary color can’t be made by mixing together other hues in its respective system. A secondary color is the result of mixing two primary hues equally. A tertiary color is the result of mixing a primary color with an adjacent secondary hue. Using a color wheel helps keep track of these relationships for additive and subtractive systems.

“True color” is the specification of a pixel’s color on a screen using a 24-bit value, which allows the possibility of up to 16,777,216 possible colors. The human eye can only perceive about 10 million colors. Images rendered in True Color appear to be incredibly realistic. For true colors that can’t be seen as vividly, there are a few things to try and bring those colors to life. This includes mastering lighting, focusing on a single color, or using photo editing software to manipulate colors to your taste.

Color contrast in photography with color schemes is another way to use the color wheel. An analogous color scheme is pleasing to the eye because it utilizes three colors side by side on the color wheel. They’re the dominant color (usually a primary or secondary color), a supporting color (a secondary or tertiary color), and a third color that is either a mix of the two first colors or an accent color that pops. 

Photography Lighting

Lighting is one of the most critical elements of any photo. Light in photography refers to how the light source, either natural or artificial, is positioned in relationship to the subject. By paying attention to how light plays off the angles and curves of your subject and which parts of the subject are illuminated and in darkness, you can become a stronger photographer. Whether doing portrait photography, still life, or landscape shots, lighting choices depend on the subject’s features and how it is to be portrayed in photos. 

Light sources occur in three different ways: – natural light, studio or artificial light, or a combination of natural and artificial. Lighting techniques will always be different depending on photography goals. For example, bright photography uses more natural light to gain the right kind of brightness in subjects. In contrast, hard light is more severe and emphasizes angles and surfaces that aren’t perfectly flat—for example, waves at a beach or a model with wrinkles. Soft light smoothes over these features.

The right photography lighting equipment is key to getting great shots. A lighting kit contains tools that help create shadow, illuminate, and highlight photography subjects in flattering and interesting ways. Different lighting options give you different results. A good lighting kit usually has two types of lighting equipment: a source of lighting and a lighting modifier. A lighting modifier is a dampener like an umbrella or a softbox. Flash and strobe lighting will give fully lit results, while softboxes and umbrellas soften lighting while still illuminating key features. 

Photo Editing?

The most important part of capturing photos is the work that happens after photographs are taken. Post-processing and editing can both create effects not captured during the shoot and enhance the captured beautiful features. 

In photography, a photo editor refers to one of two things. The first is a tool that edits images. It can also refer to a person who edits images. A photo editor’s duties depend on the company and industry. Photo editors can work at a major brand to prep product photos to list on their site and manipulate lifestyle shots for use throughout the website. Portrait photo editors often work with light-softening and skin correction editing tools. 

There are many different types of photo editing techniques and plenty of photo editing tips to help a photographer at any level. Some photo-editing techniques can be done from a digital camera, while others require photo editing software.  The way photos are shot and edited can also come from photography trends of the time. As technology advances and the way people live changes, so does the way pictures are captured. 

Some photo-editing techniques include:

• Noise reduction: Smoothing the picture out, typically by reducing pixel size.
• White balance: Adjusting the color of the light in the image.
• Contrast: Contrast is the difference between light and dark or colors. Higher contrast makes an image more punchy, while lower contrast flattens color.
• Exposure: Adjusting the brightness of the photo.
• Lens correction: Addressing issues with the camera lens.
• Color adjustments: Changing the color of an item or element in the photo.
• Resizing and cropping: Adjusting the dimensions of the image.
• Background removal: Deleting the background from the image, isolating the subject (this is often used for white background product photography).

More complex, advanced photo editing techniques include:

• Portrait corrections: fix the complexion of people in images.
• Drop and reflection shadow: create or adjust shadows.
• Special effects: this can be anything from animation to adding weather conditions like fog or snow.
• Adjusting text and visuals: add overlays or manipulate what’s already in the photograph.
• Photo stitching: Seamlessly blending two images to make it look like they were shot together.
• Photo masking and Layers: the process of hiding and revealing specified portions of an image.

Photo-editing software is a tool used to manipulate and enhance images. Photo-editing software varies in costs, features, and pros/cons. Popular photo-editing software and programs include Adobe Photoshop, Pixlr, and Canva. Popular photo-editing mobile apps include Snapseed, VSCO, or Afterlight. Some of these apps and programs are free for limited use, while others cost money to access the software.

As you find what you love to photograph and become more comfortable with photography basics, camera modes, and editing tools, organize your work to see how your skills progress over time. This includes creating photo books with Motif to highlight your favorite photo memories, to cherish for years to come.

The post Learning Photography Basics appeared first on The Motif Blog.

Reading Time: 7 minutes read

If new baby congratulations are in order, then it’s time to plan for a maternity photoshoot. A maternity photoshoot is a great way to capture sweet moments in time before life with a baby takes over. A photoshoot focuses on the love between partners and the excitement of someone new joining the family. It can also highlight parents’ preparations for their bundle of joy. 

When Should You Do a Maternity Shoot?

Maternity photoshoots occur between 28 and 36 weeks (the seventh or eighth month of pregnancy). The bump has a full, round shape during this time and the expectant mom still feels comfortable enough to take some time and energy for photos. Whether it’s a DIY maternity photoshoot or one with a professional photographer, there are infinite ways to get creative with mom, partner, and “the bump.” A photo studio is not required.

Maternity Photoshoot Outfit Ideas

A maternity photo shoot is a perfect opportunity to get glammed up and show off a pregnancy. Wear a floor or knee-length maxi dress for a glam look. A fitted maternity dress is incredibly flattering for beautiful curves. Let your mom-to-be feel confident as she heads into the last few weeks of pregnancy. Flowy dresses are less revealing but are just as beautiful in photos. Solid colors work best for all clothing in photography.

Don’t feel limited to just a dress. Wear a comfy sweater and jeans for one look and a stunning dress for another. Plan for the season. In spring, choose soft, pastel colors that match colors in nature. In winter, utilize colors that complement white or go for a pop of color against a snowy background. In summer, try on a big sun hat paired with a bathing suit. In fall, find a flattering cardigan or scarf that highlights the fall foliage.

Try not to be too “matchy” with your partner. Complementary color palettes look best when they work together in subtle ways. 

Couple Maternity Photoshoot Ideas

The focus of a maternity photoshoot is celebrating the belly/baby. It’s also about mom and partner’s excitement about becoming parents. Maternity couple photoshoot poses focus on “cradling” the belly or placing hands in a heart shape on the growing bundle of joy. Anything that shows the physical embrace of the arriving baby is a memorable image. A couple’s maternity photoshoot also highlights the love and affection for each other as they begin a new step in their journey. Looking lovingly into one another’s eyes, a quiet embrace, or documenting what they love to do together before their lives change helps capture emotion regarding the impending day.

Family Maternity Photoshoot Ideas

A couple maternity photoshoot is great whether this is the couple’s first baby or not. If this isn’t the couple’s first baby, get the siblings-to-be involved in a family photoshoot. If you’re looking for cute photos for a family maternity photoshoot ideas, try having the big brother(s) or sister(s) showing love to mom and the belly. Belly hugging, “listening” to the baby by placing an ear on the belly, or kissing mom’s bump so the baby can feel the love all showcase the future sibling’s involvement, emotion, and experience. The family also includes the family dog or cat who may become the baby’s first best friend—document their soon-to-be friendship with photos before the baby makes its debut.

Pregnancy Photoshoot Ideas At Home 

Since so much time is spent at home getting ready for a baby, creative maternity photoshoot ideas taken at home seems logical. Try a photoshoot that includes reading books to the belly or listening to music and dancing. Document how the indoor space is changing. Take photos of getting the nursery ready, setting up baby furniture, or putting all of the fluffy stuffed animals in place. Be sure to include a few before and after photos of the room. Taking the time to record these memories through a maternity photoshoot makes a great first chapter of a growing family’s story.

Seasonal Maternity Photoshoots

Parents-to-be don’t have many choices as to what season to take maternity photos – it’s the bump that dictates the seasonal photoshoot. Thankfully, every season has its beauty and creates the mood and setting for a unique maternity photo shoot. Taking outdoor maternity photos is possible any time of the year! If these ideas can not be achieved in your yard, look nearby for ideal locations. 

Winter maternity photoshoot ideas

Even if it’s cold and snowy outside, a wintery backdrop can make for some dramatic belly shots. Dressing up in a bright, glamorous dress would be stunning in the snow. If it’s too cold, wear a colorful coat and open it around the belly for effect. Or hold a bright bouquet of flowers near the bump for a pop of color in the white framing.

Spring maternity photoshoot ideas

Let a spring maternity photoshoot focus on being in nature with budding trees and plants. They’re making their appearance for the first time of the year (just like a baby!). Get outside to a field or backyard, and pose with beautiful wildflowers and colorful trees. Springtime can also be great for a picnic photoshoot. Let mom rest on a blanket for some loungy photos by herself or with her partner. Incorporate a picnic with foods that mom (and baby) have been craving for the last few months. 

Summer maternity photoshoot ideas

The summer heat can be an uncomfortable time for a pregnant woman. There are still ways to have a photoshoot. Have the mom-to-be cool off in a unique maternity summer photoshoot with a backyard blow-up kiddie pool. Give her lots of floaties to relax with. Head to the beach for a romantic, hand-in-hand stroll on the sand. Focus on some gentle splashing in the water by the couple. The beach is also the perfect spot for sunset photos. An outdoor maternity photoshoot wouldn’t be complete without a beautiful silhouette photo with the sunset and the ocean in the background.

Fall maternity photoshoot ideas

A maternity photoshoot can include colorful, cozy photos while the weather is crisp and clear during the fall. Take a walk together and take pictures in a park or forest during peak fall foliage season for maximum color effects. Get cozy next to an outdoor fire pit and roast marshmallows together. Take photos apple picking, or in the ever-popular pumpkin patch.

Taking cute maternity photos doesn’t require heading to a photography studio to capture the perfect shots. There are many more maternity photography tips for inspiration to create pictures to treasure and highlight this particular moment in time.

Once you have all your pre-baby photos, it’s time to think about all the photos you’re about to take with the new baby. The story of your family might be in its infancy stage. It’s the perfect time to begin chronicling the story with photos. Creating a photo book lets everyone look back at this special moment in time or a baby announcement for everyone to share in the excitement.

Bring your photo memories to life with Motif

Experience the joy of creating personalized photo projects with Motif. Our photo book app seamlessly works with Apple Photos in macOS and iOS. It does all the complicated stuff leaving the fun creative freedom to you.

The post Maternity Photoshoot Ideas appeared first on The Motif Blog.

Reading Time: 3 minutes read

Attention everyone! This is a friendly reminder that Valentine’s Day is February 14th. You might be saying to yourself, “That can’t be possible. January just started a week or two ago.” Well you’re right. It did. And in just a few short weeks it will be February. We don’t suggest you wait that long to start thinking about creating a thoughtful gift for that someone special in your life. The closer February 14th gets, the higher the stress level becomes. But with a little planning and some helpful Valentine photoshoot ideas, the perfect gift is close at hand.

Flowers and something sweet are the simplest Valentine’s gifts. However, making something personalized yourself can be the best Valentine’s Day gift. We’ve put together a few photo gift ideas for Valentine’s Day to make the holiday as stress-free as possible. Including flowers and something sweet only increases the odds of Valentine’s Day success. 

Valentine’s Day Family Photo Ideas 

Valentine’s Day could arguably be one of the larger contributing factors to families in general. All you November birthday people might want to think about that for a second. It’s important to note, Valentine’s Day is not just for couples. It’s a special holiday wherein the sole focus is love. Love between parents, partners, their kids, and other family members. Love is the “glue” that keeps families together. 

Newborns create an entirely new element to a family. They experience “firsts” on an almost daily basis. Here are a few baby’s first Valentine’s Day photo ideas to help celebrate them. The easiest Valentine’s shoot ideas can be achieved with just a few props. Posing a baby with building blocks spelling LOVE or with hearts on them make for cute Valentine’s Day pictures. Buy some simple craft store letters L, V, and E. Lay them on the floor and put your swaddled little one between the L and the V. Another popular idea includes mom applying some extra lipstick and planting some kisses. 

Children old enough to take a little direction can also get in on a Valentine’s Day photo or two. Pose kids making heart shapes with their hands. If your kids have longer hair, create heart shapes with it. Get crafty and make some simple props. If you have a family pet, nothing brings kids together like their dog can.    

It should also be noted, Valentine’s Day can be celebrated by couples who’ve been together for any length of time. Just because your kids are celebrating Valentine’s Day with their kids doesn’t mean the grandparents shouldn’t also. The benefit of being in a relationship for so long is there are most likely volumes of special photos to look back on. Grandparents could create a photo book to give as a gift to highlight the important things that make relationships and love last over time.  

Shoot Some Great Valentine Photography. Then, Do Something With Them. 

Photographs alone are simple enough to see and share. However, printing them in a professionally produced photo book makes them special. Motif has many Valentine’s Day surprise ideas to help you create something special for the special people in your life.

If you have the time to try any of the Valentine photography listed above, your best results can be the focus of your photo book. But first, scroll through your own photos looking for some memorable moments. Favorite the ones you love that show your feelings for them. Whichever way you choose, the Motif app makes it easy to create amazing gifts for Valentine’s Day. Motif magically flows your best images into a book, calendar, or card. The app has all the tools to personalize your special gift. Enjoy professionally designed themes and patterns with unlimited colors to choose from. Say exactly what’s in your heart. The most thoughtful gifts are the ones you make. 

The post Valentine Photo Shoot Ideas for Couples appeared first on The Motif Blog.

Reading Time: 4 minutes read

The iPhone 11 series had exciting upgrades with its camera. While the iPhone X has a standard camera and telephoto lens, it doesn’t have an ultra-wide camera lens. The iPhone 11 series and the iPhone 12 series both have a 3mm, ultra-wide-angle lens. The iPhone’s ultra-wide camera is designed for dramatic compositions. It allows photographers to capture scenes that highlight a subject that appears larger than the background. 

The iPhone 11 ultra-wide camera is a compact solution for more varied photography. For anyone interested in capitalizing on the ultra-wide camera’s abilities, it’s very easy to find and use. With a little practice, there are many ways to be a more creative photographer. 

How to Use iPhone 11 Ultra-Wide Camera

Switching the iPhone camera to the ultra-wide camera is as easy as pressing the camera button. Open the Camera app, either from the app itself or the lock screen. Tap “0.5x” above the shutter button to switch to the ultra-wide camera. Hold the iPhone steady and shoot away. It’s that easy. Press and hold any of the zoom icons (0.5x, 1x, or 2x), and the Zoom wheel appears. Drag the wheel left or right to manually scroll the focal lengths in between the default settings. The higher the number, the more the camera zooms in. 

Use this method to switch between lenses in all photo modes, except for Portrait mode. Ultra-wide isn’t available for Portrait mode. The iPhone 11’s ultra-wide camera is also available in both vertical or horizontal positioning. 

Ultra-Wide Angle Lens for Photography

The iPhone 11 ultra-wide camera is a great solution for anyone struggling to fit everything into the frame with the wide iPhone lens. The ultra-wide lens fits much more into the frame. It has a significantly wider viewing angle than the standard camera lens on the iPhone. This allows for zooming out, rather than zooming in. The ultra-wide angle makes things appear smaller but includes more of the entire scene in the photo. 

Ultra-Wide Angle Photography Ideas

The iPhone ultra-wide lens is useful anywhere you can’t physically move back further from the subject in order to fit more into the frame. Here are some examples of where the iPhone ultra-wide camera is a perfect choice for impressive shots.

Ultra-Wide Angle: Landscape Photography

The iPhone 11 ultra-wide lens allows more of a scene to be captured. This makes it perfect for shooting dramatic landscape photos. The extra-wide field of view captures more surrounding scenery, as well as more foreground detail. This includes more vast skies, longer mountain ranges, and wider ocean views.

The wider perspective helps convey a stronger sense of space and a more natural view of the surroundings. The result is more vivid photos. 

Ultra-Wide Angle: City Photography

The iPhone ultra-wide camera is great for city photography. Find a location to capture a picturesque view of a city. The ultra-wide lens allows entire buildings to fit into the frame for impressive architecture photography. Travel enthusiasts can take more expanse, dramatic photos of favorite cities and feel more of a part of the action.

Ultra-Wide Angle: Interior Photography

From an indoor perspective, the ultra-wide camera allows more of the composition into a single photo. There is no need for crowding together when taking photos of a large group in a small room. Photographing more details in a crowded interior scene, such as in a shop or at a sporting event is easier to accomplish.

The iPhone Ultra Wide lens opens up photography options. The ultra-wide angle and different perspective from the standard camera produce impressive images in a range not available in iPhones before. Find more photography tips to work on composing those iPhone 11 ultra-wide camera shots. Wherever life takes you, capture more with the iPhone Ultra Wide angle lens.

Take photos. Keep memories.

All those ultra-wide scenes should be kept somewhere they can be enjoyed by everyone. While the iPhone ultra-wide camera takes great photos, showing them off there doesn’t do them justice. Our photo books are available in various sizes for showcasing these memories. They’re available in both hard-cover and soft-cover varieties.

The post How to Use the iPhone’s Ultra-Wide Camera appeared first on The Motif Blog.