Photography Class in Katy

We've been teaching our Beginner's Photography Class for over four years to Katy and Houston moms looking to improve home photographs by using more of the features on their DSLR cameras.  We want to help you learn how to get more from your camera so you can get off auto and use more of the features built into your camera. The class covers the following topics:

10 Tips for Better Pictures
Finding the Light
Elements of Exposure
ISO
Shutter Speed
Aperture
Basic Camera Modes
Lens Overview 

This three hour class gives you a foundation for improving your home photos and taking them from snapshots to candids.

We offer a public Beginner's Photography Class a few times a year.  Our next public class is scheduled for:

Thursday May 17th, 2012
6pm - 9pm

The class will be held in a meeting room near the intersection of Cinco Ranch Boulevard and Grand Parkway/99 so it is convenient from Katy and from I-10.

Student Name:

Cell Phone:

Class size is limited. 

Not ready to sign up for a class today.  Sign up for our newsletter to find out more about future classes.

Visit our class website: http://www.iwanttoshootmykids.com to learn about our private classes too. 

Who doesn't love a puppy?  One of my two 5 month old pug puppies photographed in my backyard.

My Princess Pea!

Puppies!!!

We got new puppies - aren't they adorable?

 

Bluebonnets Portraits

 

Holiday Portrait - Lovely Girls

One of my favorite families of three beautiful girls!

 

 

 

Online Backups

 

So one of the things I talk about a lot during the photography classes I teach is the importance of online backups.

When I ask about backups usually I'm met with either a blank stare, or a mom will tell me that they have an external drive or DVD backups of their photos.

Then I give them a reality check.  DVDs start to deteriorate after 8-10 years.  If you have some tragic event at your home (fire, flood, break-in) and your computers/hard drives are destroyed, those backups to an external drive aren't going to do you any good.

So I highly recommend an automated backup service.  There are a number of options that will allow you to bascially point to various folders on your computer and say "hey, anything that goes in there should be backed up online".  That's work works best for me (if I had to remember to go in and move stuff to a backup I would get out of date).

So a couple of years ago my husband and I looked at a bunch of options, and we decided on Livedrive.  I've been extremely happy with this service.  We have 500 GB of stuff backed up.  When I get back from a portrait session or copy personal pictures on my computer, they automatically start getting backed up to the web server.   This is a great comfort to me...especially given I tend to change computers every year or so.  And because it is on a web server, I can log into the web interface and access my files from any computer if I'm away from home.  And it is not just for pictures.  You can also back up things like your financial records, important documents, and whatever else.

So, for EVERYONE out there....get an online backup service.  Set it up to automatically back up and have that peace of mind when you go to sleep at night!

Another really popular online backup service you can check out is Mozy!  They have monthly plans for back up and you can backup your photos and other important documents with them.  They have an iphone app too that will allow you to access your documents from your iphone.  They also have a restore manager making it easier to get your files after you have a computer go down or if you are moving to a new computer.

Fall Mini Sessions - Sneak Peek

 

 

 

 

 

New Photoshop Editing Classes

After teaching my beginner's and advanced photography classes to moms over the years...one of the most common questions I get AFTER the class is: How do I EDIT my photos?

So, after teaching private photography classes, I have put together a beginner's and an advanced Photoshop Elements classes.  These classes are designed for moms that are comfortable with their cameras and are ready to do some editing after they click.  And these classes will be taught online so you can log in at the scheduled time from the comfort of your home but still be able to ask questions during the class by calling our conference call number.

Visit the After the Click: Digital Editing class.

Katy Mini Sessions - Sunday November 13th

Need some new pictures of your family or children for holiday cards but don't want to splurge on a full price portrait sessions?

This Fall I will be offering 30 minute portrait sessions at LaCenterra Mall in Katy TX on Sunday November 13th.  This outdoor mall features a number of beautiful walls, doors, and landscaping to provide variety in your portraits.  Included with the session fee for your portrait session will be 15 hand edited high-resolution files and a print release so you may use the images for holiday cards or have your own prints made.

In addition, a change from past years, I will include in your digital download all the acceptable images from your session - not just the ones I edit.  After I filter out the ones with closed eyes, or where the focus is a bit off, I'll include the unedited versions of the rest of the files to you.

The session fee for the mini session is $250 for a 30 minute session payable when you reserve your session time.  The rain date for the session is Sunday November 20th. 

Reserve your session today using our online reservation system (choose Suburban Mini Sessions)

View samples of some past sessions at LaCenterra Mall

October 9th Mini Sessions - Mercer Botanical Gardens

Due to popular demand...I'm bringing back the Mercer Botanical Gardens mini sessions - only better.

On Sunday October 9th I'll be offering 30 minutes portrait sessions at Mercer Botanical Gardens.  This ideal location is one of my favorite locations to photograph in due to the beautiful grounds.  Sessions begin at 8:30am and the last appointment ends at 4:30.

These sessions will last 30 minutes and I will choose the best 15 images to hand edit before providing a link to allow you to download your images.  In addition to the 15 I edit, this year I will also be including any acceptable image in the download from the session  (I will remove any where the focus is off, eyes are closed, etc).  This is a big change from years past when I've offered mini sessions.

The session fee is $250 and can be paid when you reserve your time.  The rain date for these sessions will be October 16th.  Images will be edited and delivered within two weeks of the sessions giving you plenty of time to use the photos for your holiday cards.

Sorry, no appointments remaining.

View samples of past sessions at the Botanical Gardens

Upcoming Photography Classes

Beginner's Photography Class - May 17th 2012 @ 6pm in Katy

$175 - 3 hour small group class

Register Today