You know what they say, the best camera is the one that is with you!

The truth is, when I’m out in the world photographing my own children, I rarely use my BIG camera.  89% of the photos I take of them I take on my iPhone.  Why?  Because I have it on me.  Always.  And because I know how to use it to get awesome photos!!  And guess what? You can too because on July 13^th, I’m teaching an iPhone photography class!!!

This class is for you if you want to:

• Turn your snap-shots into works of art
• Learn how to shoot, process and print amazing photos all from your phone
• Unlock the mysteries of Hipstamatic, Instagram, Camera+, Snapseed and many more amazing and fun apps

In this class you can expect to learn:

• The basic rules of good exposure and composition (and how to achieve both using your phone)
• An understanding of light, and how best to use it
• How to get better photos SOOC (straight out of camera)
• My favorite photo apps and how to use them
• Tips and tools for printing (from your phone) so that your photos can live on your walls and not just in your computer

As part of the class you will also get:

• One-on-one feedback and instruction time so that your individual needs and questions will be addressed.
• Lots of practice! We will go on a photo safari to practice what we have learned
• Access to a private Facebook Group where you can share your photos, ask questions and learn from others in the group.  I’ll also be on the Facebook page to answer questions and give feedback well after the class is over!
• And I’ll feed you  :)

Details:

• Class will be held at my Greenwood studio on July 13th from 10:00 to 2:00.
• The cost of the four hour class is $250 (a $50 non-refundable deposit is required at registration)

Space is limited, so sign up today!  Shoot me an email (Sandra@sandracoan.com) or give me a call (206.841.2260)!

I just returned from a lovely trip to Palm Springs.  It was warm and sunny everyday!!  I love Seattle, but there is something to be said for January trips to the sun!! Here is a self portrait I took while there.  :)

Well, my kids did it for the first time last night and thought it was the best thing ever!!!

(my husband, who joined them at around midnight, did not)

oh, and I let them photograph their little adventure on our ipod... I'll be sure to share those gems soon!

There really is nothing better than Seattle in the summertime! When it's nice here, it's the best place on earth!  Really. Here is a little peek into the canoe trip I took last week with my boys and my dad.  We paddled around the arboretum for a couple of hours.  It was lovely.

What always amazes me about the arobretum is that it's smack-dab in the middle of the city!  And,if not for the fact that we were paddling under the 520 (one of our busiest highways), you'd never know it.  It's quiet and peaceful and full of wildlife... and it's a 15 minute drive from my house!  How awesome is that!

Seattle really is a great place to live.

I need to make a public apology to you Seattle.  You see, I've been talking behind your back for awhile now.  I've sat outside, in the rain, at the park and cursed your name.  I've  dressed my kids in long pants and raincoats (in July) and asked myself "why do I live in this godforsaken place?"  I've advised friends against moving here.  But the truth is Seattle, when you're nice, you're really, really nice.  And I do love you.  I do. So I'm sorry for all the bad things I've said.  I'll change my ways, I promise.  Just please give me more days like yesterday.  If you can do that, I'll never say another bad thing about you..... well, at least until October.

This has been a very exciting week for my  family.  This week both of my boys learned to ride their bikes without training wheels!  So cool.  They are very excited about it, and have morphed from part-time superheroes, part-time ninjas into full-time, bike riding superheroes called Racer H and Racer D. So congratulations Racer H and Racer D!  And look our evil doers everywhere!

I know it's in poor taste to post another photographer's work without their permission, but when the photographer(s) is six, and your son (or sons, as the case may be) then I think it's ok. My two little monkeys got a hold of my iPhone this morning and proceeded to take almost 300 pictures, all within the span of about 15 minutes.  Now maybe I'm just blinded by my mommy goggles, but I think some of them are really good!  Do I have a couple of little artist on my hands!?

Here is a peek into my home through the eyes of two six year olds.  I hope you enjoy these as much as I do!

Seattle is so predictable.  June is always cold and rainy.  July 1st is cold and rainy.  And then, just when you think you can't take anymore, July 5th comes along, and suddenly it's summertime.  This year however, Mother Nature gave us all the gift of a sunny and warm July 4th!  And what a day it was! We started the day with my boys marching in a parade along with my mom and her office.  Very fun!  Then we went to our friends farm and enjoyed the sunshine with good food, friends, and age appropriate fire works! It was a beautiful day!

On the way home, we stopped and were able to take in Seattle's Lake Union Fireworks show!

The next day, we were treated to a personal tour of Pop Cap headquarters (the makers of Plants vs. Zombies: a.k.a H and D's favorite game EVER)  It was awesome!  The boys learned how the games are made and programed and came home with a ton of cool swag!

So far, summer is off to a great start.  And now that summer is actually feeling like summer, I'm excited for even more adventures.  Who knows, I may even go camping! (eek!)

The Fourth of July is just around the corner.  I'm sure you are busy planning your family outings, BBQ's and fireworks.  Hopefully you are also planning to take lots of pictures of your kids enjoying this fun holiday.

That, my friend, is why I'm going to share my five favorite tips for photographing kids!

1.Don't ask them to say cheese.  Ever. Instead, try getting down to their level and acting silly. Sing songs, make funny noises, tell jokes, whatever it takes to get your kids to laugh at you.  Once they're laughing, then take your pictures.  You'll have more than one of a true, genuine smile.  I promise!

2. Be a spy!  Or a wild-life photographer!  Just sit back and quietly observe.  Photographing kids in their natural environment, while they are just doing their thing is the best way to get those lovely candids we all love.

3. Let them be themselves!  Let them wear crazy outfits!  Let them pose with their legos or stuffed animals!  Let them make silly faces!  In twenty years, every wacky photo you've ever taken will be family treasure.

4. Be fast!  You don’t have long before your child will tire of you and your camera.  Shoot fast and furious… you can always edit later!

5. Edit.  This is a hard one for parents.  But remember, just because your child is in a picture, doesn't mean it's a good picture.  Look for the best of the best.  The rest can go.  Your child will thank you later.

Want to know more?  Well stay tuned, I'll be sharing more tips and tricks all summer long!  And if you really want to learn how to get great photos of your kids, then sign up for my newsletter!  I'll be teaching my Photography 101 for parents again soon, as well as my iPhone class.  Being on the mailing list means that when I do, you'll be the first to know!

Happy Shooting!

Sandra

So, for some reason I thought it would be a good idea to sign my boys up for summer swim classes at one of the only outdoor pools we have here in Seattle.  Fun, right?  The only problem is June is not all that summery.  Yesterday it was fifty degrees and rainy.  All the parents stood around the pool in parkas, under umbrellas and watched as their children learned to swim while slowly turning blue.  I personally was miserable.  Luckily, the kids don't seem to mind