Life-n-Reflection

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

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

The Seasons: Midsummer's Dream

Apple Blossoms... "You had me at Hello"

You may just see more of these here next month. I don't want to rush through my apple blossom captures. When everything turns green in summer, I dream of apple blossoms, red buds, and lilacs from spring.

Photoshop Tutorial:

Hazel #4 Overlay / 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

Country: Daylight

OK, I promise these are the last magnolias this Spring...

I just love way the light bounces around and the sky turns golden as daylight reaching the blooming white magnolias.

Enhanced with Pearl Cove Overlay (It's a free Life-n-Reflection Texture Overlay Sample) and Cinnamon Texture from Artist Texture Collection Vol 9

Join me in photo challenge: I Heart Macro / Our World Tues / Life Thru the Lens / Image-in-ing / Little Things / Wed Around the World / Through My Lens / Photo Journal /

The Texture Twist Photo Challenge

Scroll down to link up your photos with a Texture Twist

- natural or enhanced

Seasons: Windswept Magnolia

My first visit to our local botanical gardens this year was on a slightly cool, windy March afternoon. There wasn't much in bloom. The ground was spotted with yellow daffodils and purple crocuses. But, I came to photograph the blooming trees. Especially the magnolias, which are a favorite of mine. Their wild twisting branches reach up the sky and the little warmth the sun provides. The blooms are quite delicate and swept back and forth by the wind. All of which is enchanted in the Spring garden.

Enhanced with the Master Textures Vol 3 - Sparks
Cool and the Pearl Cove Overlay - Free Texture Overlay Sample

Join me in photo challenge: I Heart Macro / Our World Tues / Life Thru the Lens / Image-in-ing / Little Things / Wed Around the World / Through My Lens /

The Texture Twist Photo Challenge

Scroll down to link up your photos with a Texture Twist

- natural or enhanced

The Texture Touch

Washed in Light,
Recipe:

tack on the breath warm texture and blend to linear burn
adjust the opacity to between 15 and 20 percent
smooth on a layer of the mr. smith texture and blend to darker color
lower opacity to 35 percent and apply a layer mask to brush away texture from your subject

Join me in photo challenge:

Touch Up Tues / The Happiness Project / Simplicity Challenge / Sweet Shot Tues / Communal Global / Barn Charm / Photo Tip Tues / The Creative Exchange

Photo Touch: Spring Pastures

I photographed this image at a friend's horseback ride lesson. The pastures are lined with acres of beautiful white fences.

Touch up your image with a soft texture layer:
Add the Driftwood Overlay 4 to your image and blend on darker color

Join me in photo challenge:
Touch Up Tuesday
The Happiness Project
Sweet Shot Tuesday
Communal Global Blog Hop
Shutter Love Tuesday: Summer
The Creative Exchange

Photo Trends: Market Finds

Market bouquets are frequently subjects of Fine Art Photography. The make the perfect image for greeting cards. I love to pick a bundle of white roses or tulips and mix them into a setting. What type of bouquet do you often bring home from the market?

Share your inspirations as Live and Love out loud, Wordish Wed, White Wednesday, Lovely Photo Wed, and Wordless Wednesday.

Studio Spaces: Kiwi Green

I'm loving this office by Blair at Design by Delight. The sea treasures on top the shelves are so fun! And I love the clear bins for storing your rolled up backdrops and vinyl barn-wood floors.

Share your projects at Making Monday Marvelous
P.S. I'm spilling the beans at Scenic Glory today!

Still Photography Must Haves: Reindeer Moss

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

Share your passions at:

Give me Your Best Shot

Photo Feature Friday:

Photo Trends: Script

Have you noticed script being added to Fine Art Photography? I see it every week and used in different ways. Have you tried script in your photography yet?

Share your inspirations as Live and Love out loud, Wordish Wed, and Wordless Wednesday.

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.

Share your passions at:

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

Before n After: White Sage

I love mixing textures to create depth and warm light! Psst... Check out the texture giveaway at The Shabby Photographer.

Try this on your next shot:

Add depth with the antique cool texture blended on overlay at 65% opacity
Warm up your hues with the innocence cool texture on soft light at 85% opacity

Got a before and after to share?

Still Photography Must Haves: Vintage Glass

I can't remember where I found this little glass bottle. I tend to hold on to things I think will have another purpose later. Does anyone else have that problem? I filled the little glass bottle with dried leaves and tied a french tag on from the The French Nest Co.

Share your passions at:

Give me Your Best Shot

Air your Laundry

In the Studio

I keep a small collection of creamer pitchers in my studio for props.
The embossed designs add texture and depth to food photography.
They are also perfect for styling a tea party!

Share your little details at The Simple Things, Amaze Me Monday, Making Monday Marvelous, Macro Monday

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

Share your passions at:

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

Studio Spaces:Minimalist

If this space were mine, I would have a huge white canvas board and glass top desk the size of a dinning table. I would empty all those drawers and cabinets on the blank space to create like mad!! How about you?

Source: X files Space

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:

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

Share your passions at:

A few of my favorite things