So today I am finally sharing a few phone photography tips. There is nothing rocket science about these, just a few things that popped out to me when I was looking through pictures already on my phone. Indoor Lighting: great lighting is key in photography whether you are using a phone, a dslr, a film…
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I started a new project this year. I am taking one photo day on Instagram to mark something I am thankful for that day. At the end of the year I am going to order a 366 page (leap year) square photo book from the year. Every year is a big year, but this year…
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I really, really love the idea of a gratitude book for the year, what a great way to mark each day!
Savannah – Blurb.com is probably where I will print it
[...] ran across a wonderful idea yesterday over at Under the Sycamore- Ashley Ann Campbell’s fabulous blog. She has committed to taking a picture a day [...]
where are you going to send your pictures for the book? I am doing 365 days of pictures also and might want to make a book too. Good idea!
Such an awesome idea. I’m thankful for many things, including this blog. So, thank you!!
Wow! Love it. I don’t have an iPhone, so I do instagram through my iPad. Photos are grainy, but still memorable 
. Don’t you love ‘kisses from katie’? I read it in two days..and I don’t have time to read…made me want to adopt 2, or 10…
Love these photo projects..you’re off to a great start! I love that you have donuts with the Grandparents…very special 
What a great idea to so a book!!! I think I might do one now too! Thanks for sharing your photos! So fun and I love the cowboy boots shot…
Thank you!
I’m reading Kisses from Katie right now! So encouraging to see God working in her heart!
these are such lovely pictures for such a special project. i love the idea!
Absolutely love this idea. You already have 31 great pictures. I can’t wait to see how the 366 come together. You’ll have to show us pics of the printed book when it is done. Where are you planning to add the descriptions/captions when you put together the instagram book? Thanks, as always, for sharing!
Thanks for sharing those! Your family looks so sweet!
…great idea gotta love instagram.
What a great idea! If only I was cool enough to have a good phone Mine is ancient, I need an updated one just so I can take pictures.
Found your blog through Meg, love it!
Happy Thursday.
Where did you get the ‘Okie Grown’ mug?
SO enjoyed reading kisses from katie! We are hoping to go and volunteer at her Amazima Ministry when we go to Uganda later this year to adopt our daughter
would you speak more of how you will have the photos published from instagram? what a great idea…
I am doing the exact same thing. I am keeping track on the app My 365….so cool!
tara
I’m doing this with instagram too! Though I”m not committing to one a day … http://juliekittredge.com/blog/2012/01/1000-gifts-in-2012/
And by the way. LOVE following you and Megan. I knew her when she lived in Chicago and did the crafts for MOPS! So fun to watch her journey into bigger and better things – I followed you two separately and then you found each other and now look at what you’re doing! So fun. Love the idea of capturing thankfulness visually.
I was just thinking about starting something like this! I love that I get to start my morning with your blog.
you have the most beautiful family
Purty cool on the pictures. One thing I learned in my ‘teacher years’ was the normal years are actually 364 1/4 days. So every 4th year we collect a day making it a true 365. However, our calendar system does 365 and 366 to keep it easy. There you have it…useless facts! Your day can be complete now. In fact, if you want to take a pic of my comment and put it in your next month’s ‘thankful pics’, I’d completely understand.
Love this idea!! My goal this month is to do a photo a day, and a photo of something I’m thankful for it the perfect I idea. I might copy
I love the intentional thankfulness. A reminder to look out at the good each day. Just perfect. Thank you for the inspiration. I am a daily reader of your blog. A daily treasue for me.
Wonderful idea! You are so creative with the daily journal/thankful type ideas! Love it.
Love the pictures!
Love the project!
Love your ideas!
Kisses and blessings.
Mirys – from Brazil
awesome, love that idea. may have to do it one year. i’ve been documenting my 1000 thanksgivings on my blog in list form, i’m almost half way through 1000 gifts (the book) excited for this year
Love this, and like Lindsay, I’m thinking we’re not too far into the year to have to miss out on doing this. Going to sift through my January pictures this weekend before it’s too late.
Love it Ashley. There is truly so much to be thankful for! Although I need another blog like I need a hole in the head, I’ve started a daily project this year too (projectsimplify365.com) One month in I am absolutely blown away at how completely life changing the simple act of mindfully doing one purposeful thing each day can be. God is so good. I will keep you and your family in my prayers this year as you follow this amazing path.
LOVE this. I’m sure I took a picture everyday in January, so it’s still possible! Love your pictures.
So, I went nearly three weeks without using my camera. Crazy. That is the longest we’ve ever been apart. When I went to pick it up, I was informed how incredibly dirty it was inside and out. I felt embarrassed and a bit ashamed. It was like someone coming to my house and telling me…
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Aww yay for having the camera in your hands again – I love these photos of the kids. Such real moments Such happiness! I’m dying for the 24-70 lens but right now it’s outta my price range.
Ashley, love this project! I love how you verbalized how the ampersand brings two things together to create the perfect combination! I’ve never that about it like that- but I love it! To me the ampersand has always symbolized a kind of “we’re not finished yet” attitude. Like when Oprah said “You get a car, & you get a car, & you get a car!” Just the idea that more wonderful things are to come- which I know is the case for your family this year!!! Looking forward to watching your dreams of adopting come true! Love you guys!
I’m moving in to your place. That alright with you?
i’m so glad you got your camera back too. i love to study your photos. oh how i want a 24-70mm lens. do you know anything about the tamron version? it seems to be well rated on amazon and b&h.
I love your photography. How do you get your pictures on your blog so crisp? I am taking a photography class locally so I can learn to take better pictures. Your pictures inspire me to learn and take better pictures.
I’ve seen those popcorn tubs before and thought to myself, I don’t need them. Seeing your kids use them makes me think maybe I do. What a perfect little snack container for use in the living room.
I just love the pictures of your kids. Your little girl is getting so big! They grow up too fast.
Glad you got your camera back. I have been without mine as well. It’s just a point and shoot (our Canon DSLR and I have not become friends…yet), but my charger disappeared 
Waiting on a new one and going to be taking a course soon to help me and the Canon get acquainted!
I love your photography! So pretty !
Marci, it is underthesycamore
loving your painting SO much. you did such a great job on it! you have mad skills, girl!
and i should have looked at your bunting more! i love that you used fabric to trim it! i am SO excited to attempt making another bunting soon! actually, i’m literally just coming up with my idea as i write this comment! WOOT!
and that love katie daisy print is to die for!
Jen – my dad built it for me!
Where oh where is your couch from? It looks soooo snuggly!
Love the light and your photos. I know always I say the same but is true
You are my inspiration I tried to take photos of my children’s day by day and there are no as pretties as yours
I continue practising
I’m glad you got your camera back too! You encourage me to take my own in to get cleaned – is it really a yearly thing? Happily off to Design Sponge to get in the Valentine’s spirit. : )
I can’t put my finger on what it is, but I so love that picture of the little foot on the rocking chair. Something about it captures the perfect blend of sunny afternoons + innocence + childhood.
You don’t give yourself enough credit! That painting is beautiful! I actually thought you had taken a piece of fabric and used it to cover the canvas, until I read this post. On a different note, I just noticed all of the new sponsors on the right side of the page. I can’t wait to browse through them all!
Oooh, love that fun penciled-on frame. And hooray hurrah for getting your camera back!
Your wall is so happy!!! I love that no one else has exactly the same decor that you have. It’s unique. It’s you. Though it would be dishonest to not admit that I’m trying to copy your cheerful, colorful style to make my house uniquely “mine” (or my families!)
And your canvas painting…fabulous!!!
Love seeing how you “play” with different angles. I hope some camera repair lady tells me someday that I take too many pictures…what a compliment!
Jess’s “China” is lovely…a perfect reminder of Little One.
I saw it laying on “our bed” ha! this weekend and I got a little teary.
I can’t imagine what it means to you.
Leila – I think I made her sound bad, she is wonderful at what she does. I will continue to take my camera to her because she is so thorough…and right. I do need to take better care of my camera! She was nice in how she interacted with me, I was just embarrassed that she even had to point out how dirty it was…a dirty camera leads to a broken camera….which she doesn’t want for me. Thanks for the compliment!
yeah for getting your camera back! you’re kids are going to have such a great time looking back on growing up in such a beautiful, love-filled home! and by the way-i am TOTALLY copying your valentine to give to my hubby!LOVE IT!!! inspirational as always!
Sometimes you have to wonder if people want your business! You would think someone would tell you something like “thanks for bringing your camera to me — I can tell you love your camera!” Imagine if the dry cleaner berated you for your dirty suits!
You are an amazing photographer!
amazing blog!! Have a nice day.
by AshleyAnn
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Ally - Thanks for the tips! I’m always too lazy to bring my DSLR out so have resorted to using my phone’s camera too but the pictures are always less than ideal. Could be the fact that I’m using a BB too? You don’t happen to know of any good apps/tips for them, do you?
Ashlee Rae Jaimez - Oh wow, I LOVED this post! I am pretty good w/ my phone and pics, but not great w/ it. These tips will be duly noted! I am a total beginner when it comes to photography but I know what I like and how I want my pictures to come out. Thanks again…cannot wait to try them out.
xx
Jenn - I love Instagram for the very reason of changing up my photos. I just started using Camera+ more and I love it. It has lighting settings to help with the funky colors. Like you can change it to flourescent and stuff. Hope that helps!
Jenny B. - Great tips! I am keeping notes for when (and if) I finally get an iPhone.
Ana - I love these pictures! I LOVE my SLR, but my iPhone plays a big role in my daily photography habit!
Thank you for the tips!
AshleyAnn - Her headband is from Daisy & Dots, a Craft Weekend sponsor
http://www.etsy.com/shop/daisysanddots
amber P - I love having my phone available at any time. I love my dslr too and the phone can’t even compare, however it’s great to have the convenience and size of the phone. My favorite phone apps are
PicSayPro, Little Photo, PicsArt and Streamzoo. I have a droid, so I don’t have Instagram on that (boo!) but Streamzoo makes up for it! (just voted the #1 photo sharing app for 2011) I have an iPod Touch but the camera quality is terrible.
Mrs. Zoom - Awesome ideas. I just became obsessed with Instagram! Also, love the headband!
Katie @ Lovebird Productions - Can I just say that I love your house decor? It looks cozy, inviting and warm! And your kiddos are adorable! I agree with more people reaching for their phone to snap a quick picture than a camera. I love these tips because my phone pictures always look bad! lol Thank you for sharing and happy Friday!
Kimberlee Jost - Thank you!
Now to buy the phone…I am thinking I should wait for iphone 5?
Can I wait that long?!!!!
Trish - yes i have this problem with my little one too… i found if you put their hair in piggies and then tie it under them it stays longer, unless they rip it out and have issues with their hair being done. Which i have that problem too
Amy - Great tips, Ashley! I just realized (by accident) this week that it’s also possible to lock exposure on the iphone (great if you’ve got a back-lit situation). To do so, just hold your finger on the screen (where you want to set the exposure) until the focus square flashes larger. You can then move your camera around without the exposure changing constantly. This has been great for snapping photos of the little ones (if I can’t pin them between my legs or bribe them with chocolate).
Lisa Johnson - I have been trying to talk myself into buying a nice camera for a long time. Because my daughter is an awesome photographer, I’ve gotten lazy and relied on her to capture life on film. However, she’s become busier and busier and will soon be getting married, so it’s definitely time I took some ownership of the need for some good photos. No more excuses that all I’ve got handy is this iphone camera! You’ve inspired me
Julie - Ah ha – after reading through the comments I figured it out and found them. Thanks!
Julie - I am DYING over that headband!!! PLEASE tell me I can get it online because I’m pretty sure both of my darlings absolutely need one!
Ada in Coastal Cali - your pictures are always wonderful, but lets face it phones are always with us & therefore we’d better figure out how to take better pictures with em! I’ve found I like the app pics better because of the coloring issue….but camera+ does all of those things you just get to choose, but that also adds more steps.
on a side note…..thought of you yesterday while shopping in Target for stuff & giving a lookyloo thru the Valentines cards, we exchange more than one so I keep looking even after I get “the card” for more…..and there was one that looked JUST LIKE YOUR NEW WEBSITE! So lovely & just same colors etc. By chance is your designer making cards too? Anyhwho, had to tell ya.
Praying your adoption papers are flying thru quickly and that babe is home soon!!!
xo
Leslie - Talking about beauty in the everyday and taking pictures that tell a story … that’s what my brother does. He co-founded an organization called To Tell A Story (http://totellastory.org) that does just that. He uses social media to tell stories. He spent the better part of 2010 traveling throughout Africa and Asia taking pictures for Bright Hope World, telling stories of all God is doing, giving a voice to people who otherwise don’t have one.
Debbie C - Thanks again Ashley for your wonderful shooting tips! We have a nice dslr, but not a smartphone, and now I’m itching for an iPhone just to use those awesome photo apps. ;D By the way, I LOVE Firecracker’s headband and must figure out how to make one for my LO!
Jacci in Ohio - Oh, also, I was thinking… it seems to me like if my iPhone shot is too dark, I can lighten it up considerably by tapping a part of the composed shot that is darker than other areas… it doesn’t seem to affect the overall focus in a negative was (usually) and helps the camera know that I’d like more light. At least, it seems like it works! lol. i don’t really know what I’m talking about
Jacci in Ohio - Love this
I just love your photos, period. I could stare and stare at them. I feel like I learn just by looking at what you’ve done. I was wondering if you have any plans in the future for a SnapShops II or SnapShops “Intermediate” or something, lol. I’m comfortable shooting in manual… moving my settings all around to adjust my shots, but they still aren’t as great as I’d like. I feel like I may be just barely beyond the basics the snap shops is intended to teach, but I ****know**** there is a ton I still need to learn. Anyway, just wondering. I think part of my problem is just lighting. I’m not getting pics as sharp as I really want… I think it’s just that my shutter speeds have to hover around 80 or 100 to get a decent indoor shot even with the aperture wide open :/ i also don’t stabilize my body well enough… i know i could get a crisper shot if i improved that.
Cate - Thank you for your cleverness! I adore your blog!
Seriously Sassy Mama - I love taking pics with my phone. That is probably because I do not way to lug my camera around.
AshleyAnn - Trish – If only she’d leave them in!
Stacie – I just set it up in Photoshop
Mandi & Kiley – thank you!!!
Mandi Parkhurst - SnapShop made the investment of a DSLR camera worth it. Getting a nice camera alone would not solve the issues I had with taking a good picture. Ashley not only explains the technical side, but also the creative side. She lets you borrow her eyes to look for what you want to capture in a meaningful and beautiful way. Thank you, Ashley for the gift of SnapShop.
kiley - No compensation received for my previous comment unless you count the photos I’ve captured of my days with my kids
!!! It’s just that good!
kiley - I’m sad that my SnapShop course is ending on Sunday but grateful that you offer lots of tips and such on your blog!!! To anyone considering taking Ashley’s photography course; It is worth every penny!!! The evolution of my photography skills over the past three weeks has been amazing…from shooting in fully automatic mode, to horribly atrocious pictures in manual while learning how each of the three parts work together to now taking decent photos in manual that I’m really proud of….rock my world!!! Revolutionary!!! Ashley teaches the basic skills of manual photography with just enough technical jargon to have a grasp of what’s happening and instills the confidence needed in her clear, simple, conversational teaching style. Now those “wanna-be-mommy-photography” books that I own make sense!!! No hesitation in recommeding this online course!!! My only regret is not signing up earlier!
stacie - thanks for all these tips!
i use my iPhone a bunch too … mostly instagram and hipstamatic for the fun of it.
i’m so curious though, what do you do to get those square pictures put into a collage style on your blog? photoshop? i need blog help big time!! anyone you recommend?
xoxo.
Trish - firecracker looks good in the headband
Loren - I love these little ‘how to take photos’ features. It’s so great to see your pictures from different angles. You always do a great job explaining ‘why’ it looks better from different angles. Also you’re photos are always adorable. I love your stylistic choices, and the decor in your home.
Andy - love your girl’s dress in the pics.