Did you take more photographs than you know what to do with last year? I certainly did and so many of the photographs are memories or moments I want to relive. How do you make your favorite moments captured come to life again? (This post  contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on links at no additional cost to you. When I find a great product or service, I like to share my experience.)

As many of the readers here at Life-n-Reflection know; I strive to do something new each month to share my photography outside the digital realm. You may have seen my recent Photography Stationery. This month for the new year I decided to create a personalized photography planner with Tiny Prints. I LOVE how the color printed and as usual the quality is amazing! The planner cover is printed on a thick card stock base with a soft textured matte finish. It is a lined notebook you can use to document and plan your photography trips, still life sessions, and seasonal prompts this year.  Check out my tips below for creating your very own photography planner! 

5 Tips for Creating A Photography Planner:

1. Choose a base cover design from Tiny Prints or create your own in Photoshop for your planner.
2. Select up to six photographs for the cover. If you are showcasing multiple photos select or post process your photographs to exert the same vibrancy. You wouldn't want one dull photo in the bunch.
3. Mix it up - select a variety of landscape and portrait photographs for a unique appeal.
4. Add a title or an inspiration quote in Photoshop ahead of time over your photographs or in the designing process at Tiny Prints. It's quick and easy to add one during the design process and they have lots of fonts choices too! I chose an inspiration quote, "Gratitude for the the small and simple things" with the year as a title.
5. Always do a quick preview to see that your photographs are framed in a pleasing manner if any cropping with occur during the printing. Especially, if your photograph includes an important travel icon, like the Eiffel Tower or the faces of your loved ones.
6. Here's a few photography prompt checklists to get you started when your planner your arrives: Summer, Autumn, and Holiday. 

Do you have tips for reliving your favorite photos captured, share in the comments below! 

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2017 Photography Calendar

Photography is an ART of observation. It has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them.  - Elliot Erwitt 

 (This post  contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on links at no additional cost to you. When I find a great product or service, I like to share my experience.)

Life-n-Reflection is about reflecting on things we see, photograph, document, and record. We can most certainly  learn from our observations. My favorite way to share those observations is in a yearly calendar!  For my 2017 calendar I choose to create an Easel Calendar with Shutterfly. Let me just say, it is adorable! The calendar is a convenient 5" x 7" inch size printed on thick card stock. It even comes with a stand. Do you see it in the top photo above? Yes, that is real wood. You can use the wood stand for years to come or display stationery, prints, or printable signs. Keep reading for 5 Tips to Creating a Photography Calendar.

5 Tips for Creating A Photography Calendar:

1. Choose a base template design or create your own in Photoshop for your calendar.Use the one I choose here or check out 100s of options at Creative Market ready to customize. 
2. Select 12 photographs one for each monthly calendar. I highly recommend selecting or post processing your photographs to exert the same vibrancy. You wouldn't want one dull photo in the bunch.
3. Instagram photos work great for this easel calendar! Or select portrait and landscape  photos to crop and clip into the design.
4. Add a title or an inspiration quote in Photoshop over your photographs or in the designing process. It's quick and easy to add one during the design process and including many fonts choices.
5. Always do a quick preview to see that your photographs are framed in a pleasing manner, especially if any cropping with occur during the printing.

Are looking for more ways to share your photography observations - see my Photography Stationery! Do you have tips for sharing your favorite observations, share in the comments below.

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10 Ways to Improve Your Food Photography

Who hasn't been dazzled by the latest trend - foodie photography? Are you ready to join the band wagon and improve your captures of your best dishes? Jump right on with my quick guide below! *This post contains affiliate links at no extra cost to you.

#1 Know Your Camera

Start improving your food photography using the camera you have instead of rushing out to buy a big better camera with no guarantee you’ll get better shots! Just about any entry level DSLR will work for food photography.  Learning to use your camera’s mode settings is one the easiest way to get better a shot. Add a wee bit of ISO, shutter speed, and aperture knowledge and the cat is in the bag!

Download my pack of Photography Sheet Cheats to brush up on ISO, shutter speed, and aperture.

#2 Light the Way

Great lighting is key to great food photography. On camera flash is a big No-No, keep your flash off. Use natural light whenever possible. I recommend calling dibs on a space in your home that receives natural light for most of the day. If the light is too bright diffuse it with a lightweight fabric shade or curtain.  If there is not enough light use a bouncer or white foam board to bounce light back on your subject.

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#3  The Variety Show

One of the quickest and easiest ways to improve your food photography is shooting on a variety of backgrounds. Start with something as simple as a white or black foam board. Then add wood planks, wood paneling, contact paper, kraft wrapping paper, flour sack towels, or pro vinyl photography backgrounds to your collection.

Keep in mind you’ll want to select one background for each recipe you are photographing. Now, you can certainly take a few shots on different backgrounds to see what looks best. But, I do not recommended using multiple backgrounds in a single article.

#4 Start with a Good Angle

Anyone in advertising knows every product has good angle. You just have to find it first! Shoot straight on, eye to eye, from the side, closeup, or from above. I recommend photographing your food dish in at least two angles to give you more options when selecting photographs for an article. 

#5 Prop It Like You Mean It

Why go to all the hard work of cooking an incredible dish to just photograph it on your kitchen table? Layering your shot with props is great method to showcase your dish. Checkout my list of favorite props:

• Linen towels
• Measuring spoons
• Spices
• Vintage muffin pans
• Cake pedestals
• Wooden spoons
• Flour sifter
• Vintage saucers
• Cutting boards
• Metal cooling racks

#6 Get Your Move On

You may notice some of the food photography photos you're most drawn to have a hint of movement. Movement can difficult to capture unless you are working with a tripod and a remote shutter or a partner in crime. Short on both? Then sprinkle sugar or spices around your subject, unfold that napkin or kitchen towel, or drop fresh foods or florals right onto your background. In case you haven’t gotten the hint - GET MESSY to CREATE MOVEMENT!

#7 Tell a Story

Now, that you have a variety of angles, backgrounds, and props. Use the best possible lighting and movement to tell a story within the frame. Pull in fresh fruits or veggies, spices, utensils, and mixing bowls used to make your recipe. Will it be dark and moody or bright and cheerful. It’s your story, so tell it!

#8 Be Inspired

Are you feeling apprehensive about styling food photography? Get inspired with resources like Pinterest, Instagram, Foodgawker, and Tastespotting. You can even search for keywords like; farm to table, dark moody food photography, or even the title of the recipe you're whipping on.

#9 Take it to the Next Level

Post processing your shots can correct slight color casts, brighten things up, boost contrast, and even blur the background; in case you didn’t shoot in aperture priority and now you want that look! Use Adobe Photoshop or your favorite free photo editing software to step it up.

#10 Practice Makes Best

Has anyone ever told you can’t play in the game if you miss practice? Well… Just keeping practicing. Try different backgrounds, props, and light sources until you begin to see the result you are looking for.

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Colors of Autumn: Crimson

Join me Kristy, Life-n-Reflection and Lisa, Simply Living for a Colors of Autumn Photography Challenge! Weekly Oct 3rd thorough Oct 28th. 

This week we are inspired by the Autumn's Crimson Red. A vivid,  crisp red most often seen in nature this season in the Midwest.

The afternoon sunlight filtered through the crimson leaves makes the day glow, like that of warm firelight. Or may your find it dangling from the branches at your local apple orchard just waiting to bite into! Where have you found crimson red this week? 

Check out my 5 Tips for Creating Custom Stationery!

Share your Autumn captures below, link open Mon - Thu. And enter win fun photography prizes in the Colors of Autumn Photography Giveaway!! Weekly features and Winners Announced Monday Oct 31st on All Hollow’s Eve!!

An InLinkz Link-up

Join me on Instagram and Share your Photo Stories:  Image-in-ing / Seasons / Our World Tues  Communal Global / Life Thru the Lens /  Through My Lens /  Photo Journal / Photo Friday / Today’s Flowers