I was so excited to open up a big box from Magnolia Market on Christmas morning! I have been a Fixer Upper fan for years and this was just as good as finding my Rainbow Care Bear under the Christmas tree when I was a little girl. The great big box was filled these beautiful cotton stems, a subscription to their new magazine The Magnolia Journal, and few other surprises I'll be creating with too! 

As any Midwestern knows winter light is quite sparing and quite blue. Hmm... I wonder if that's why is called "The Winter Blues"? Anyhow, I loved these cotton stems in my cream and white ceramic pitchers, so I simply had to save these still life shots. Check out my Before and After below to see what a difference a light texture on a brightening blending mode can do! Then share your texture natural or enhanced in this week's Texture Twist.

Before and After Photoshop Tutorial

Dust Cloud Texture / Soft Light Blending Mode / 35% Opacity

Add a Layer Mask and brush texture away from subject with a soft brush at 70% opacity

THE SEASONS

An InLinkz Link-up

 
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In the Studio: Peonies Dipped in Daylight

I've been daydreaming about having a still photography shoot with peonies. Well, the day finally came and I got go up close to these jewels! To tone down the white I applied a texture overlays to create a matte finish. Check it out below!

Photoshop Tutorial:

Enchanted #1 Overlay / Darker Color / 65% Opacity  

Duplicate the overlay layer and change the blending mode of the new layer to soft light

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The Texture Twist Photo Challenge

Scroll down to link up your photos with a Texture Twist

- natural or enhanced

An InLinkz Link-up

In the Studio: Tiger Lily

On our Wedding Anniversary this summer my husband brought me home 7 vases of flowers. Yes, seven. I spent hours the next day photographing all the unique beauties. This Tiger Lily was one of the most unique his picked. The yellow was so bright and I just had to see it softened up. What do you think?

Photoshop Tutorial:

White Washed #2 Texture / Soft Light / 70% Opacity  

Add a layer mask and brush away texture from your subject with soft brush at 75% opacity

 
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The Texture Twist Photo Challenge

Scroll down to link up your photos with a Texture Twist

- natural or enhanced

An InLinkz Link-up

The Studio: Living with Intent

"Live Less out of Habit and More out of Intent"

I am sure many of you have experienced the same.  Be you a wife, husband, mother, father, and/or career woman/man it can be difficult to carve out time for things one loves. Be that as it may, I encourage to do just that. Make time for things that matter most to you.

Photoshop Tutorial:

Creme Brulee #1 Overlay / Color Burn / 20% Opacity 

Hurricane Warm Texture / Overlay / 60% Opacity

 

Join me on Instagram and Share your Photo Stories: I Heart Macro / Image-in-ing / Communal Global / Our World Tues / Garden Tues / Life Thru the Lens /  Through My Lens / Maple Hill Hop / Little Things /  Photo Journal / Photo Friday /

The Texture Twist Photo Challenge

Scroll down to link up your photos with a Texture Twist

- natural or enhanced

An InLinkz Link-up

Still Photography Must Haves: Reindeer Moss

Reindeer moss is a great addition to product photography.  Did you know preserved moss lasts for years?

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Photo Feature Friday:

Photography Must Haves

I thinks it's the little details and texture that make ivy & twine a must have for photography stills.  For this still life I went to a recycled books store and bought two paperbacks for a $1.  I tore the covers off of course! I cranked a piece of cardboard through my paper embosser and wrapped it around the books.  Next, I added twine and a vintage Dollie.  Last I tucked in a few sprigs of ivy tied with a little twine bow. 

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Show {off}

Give me Your Best Shot

Air your Laundry 
Photo Feature Friday: White 

P.S. Today's the last day to enter the Texture Giveaway at  The Shabby Photographer

Still Photography Must Haves

Dried leaves add a sense of life, texture, and color to any still life.  I recommend clipping any low stems from branches before drying.  This creates a sturdy base for hang drying and a handle for arranging.  If you'd like to dry delicate leaves use a flower press or tuck leaves between wax paper in a coffee table book.

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Feathered Nest Friday

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Fabulous Friday 

Show {off}

Give me Your Best Shot
Be Joyful
LEM Challenge: Green
Photo Feature Friday

Still Photography Tips

Ever wonder how other bloggers get the most amazing shots of their decorations, crafts, and baked goods?

• Choose a spot in your home that receives an abundance of natural light
• Create a blank canvas for your subjects- I used a white linen table cloth and large white canvas
• Turn off your flash to avoid harsh shadows and dull subjects
• Start with your main subject and add to until you get something you really like

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Show {off}

Give me Your Best Shot
Be Joyful
Air your Laundry 
Photo Feature Friday

Still Photography Must Haves: Whispers

Still Photography Must Haves:

Dried flowers, glass bottles, and a sheet music.  For this set I covered a poster board with music pages torn from a 1940s grade school music book. It makes a unique backdrop!

Add a soft aged look to your stills or portraits:

1. Simply drag and drop the Chiffon Overlay 3 onto your image
2. Lower the opacity of the transparency to reveal more of your image

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Give me Your Best Shot

Still Photography Must Haves: Parisian

Still Photography Must Haves:

White tulips, a glass vase, and a white background provided a nearly blank palette for adding textures. I used a poster board covered in 
white canvas fabric for my backdrop!

Try this mix of textures on your blank palette or portraits with a white background:

1. Begin with the Aged Paper Texture, set the blending mode to linear burn at half opacity
2. Duplicate the Aged Paper layer [Ctrl J], blend this new layer on multiply between 20 and 30 percent opacity
3. Add Parisian Script with the Fading Script Texture, blend on soft light at full opacity
4. Apply a layer mask to the Fading Script and brush script from subject

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Show {off}

Give me Your Best Shot

Air Your Laundry
LEM: Texture
Crafty Day

Still Photography Must Haves

Mini clocks make fun subjects for stills!
1. French Alarm clock from Dreamy Whites Shop 2. Vintage Alarm Clock by Vintage Chic

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Feathered Nest Friday

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Still Photography Must Haves

Vintage or aged tickets add a whimsical touch to still lifes!

1. Skee-ball Tickets from Vintage Carny    4. Admisson Tickets by Second Sister

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A few of my favorite things

Feathered Nest Friday

Show and Tell Friday
Vintage Friday

Still Photography Must Haves

Scales are great tools for staging a photo still! I love the wire basket on the scale.   It could be filled with just about anything!

1. Way Rite scale       2. Vintage white scale from Little Byrd

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Be Joyful 

A few of my favorite things

Feathered Nest Friday

Show and Tell Friday
Friday Favorites 

Still Photography Must Haves

Nothing adds a french country touch to your stills like lavender!
It's one of my favorite dried flowers! 
I love to fill sachets and paper cones with lavender. 

1. Dried Organic Bundle $18.00  2. Farmhouse Lavender 3. Lavender Fine Art Print

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Be Joyful 

A few of my favorite things

Feathered Nest Friday

Show and Tell Friday

Still Photography Must Haves

I would love to play with these clock faces in a still shoot!

1.Porcelain Pocket Watch Faces            2. Clock Pieces 

Share your passions with Be Joyful, A few my favorite things, and Vintage Inspiration Friday!

Still Photography Must Haves

Antique lace and dollies add a soft touch to photo stills.  I love the intricate designs and shades of cream!

1. Dollies and Notions       2. Treasure of Lace Dollies

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Still Photography Must Haves

Twine is a must have for your stills- use it tied up bundles of dried flowers or stacks of antique books

1. Vintage Twine 2. Natural Twine

P.S. I've been interview on a A Place for Twiggs!!!  
Texture Twist starts Saturday at 12:01 AM CST!!

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