Moms at Work
In the Wink of an Eye
Monday, May 26, 2008
This is the latest installment of SuzySaid's "Moms at Work" series that profiles local entrepreneurs who are balancing career and motherhood and contributing to our community.
When Char Lukacs husband, Michael, was transferred to Connecticut last fall, not only did the family relocate to Westport but her burgeoning photography business was uprooted as well.
Wink Photography specializes in portraiture of babies and children ages 5 and under. Char describes her work as "fresh, modern and artistic". She works in both black & white as well as color.
"My clients are looking for something different in children' portraiture, something beyond the 10 minute department store experience," she said. "Parents love my ability to connect with their little ones. They often say the sessions feel more like a playdate then a photo shoot."
Char, a mom to a 6-year-old and a 4-year-old, has creative packages for young families. Purchase a "Maternity and Newborn Session" for yourself or a close friend or relative. For $500, Wink Photography will shoot one maternity session and one newborn session within the first 4 weeks of the new arrival. (See website for more details.)
SuzySaid asked Char for some helpful hints in capturing life's most precious moments:
Tip #1: Choose the Right Camera
When working with fast-moving toddlers and kids, the shorter the "delay" on your digital camera, the better. Try out different models in the store before you buy and give each camera a quick test drive on your own kids right in the store. Parents looking to upgrade their camera this year will find a improved reaction time compared to cameras made just a year or two prior. When I want to grab a few great shots of my own kids without lugging my pro camera around, I really like the quick response and clarity of the Sony Cyber-shot W 170.
Tip #2: Turn off the Flash
If you are frustrated by the red-eye look or just looking to improve the mood of your images, try turning off the flash. Even in low light situations this can work! Check out your camera's manual for instructions on increasing the iso of your camera (this increases the sensitivity to light) and plan to give it a little practice. This works really well for birthday candle shots!!
Tip #3: Work on Composition
If you pay attention to the lines of your image you can turn an ordinary snapshot into a well-composed, artistic image. Try to avoid the "bulls-eye" look where you center the subject right in the middle of the screen. Instead, try to pay attention to the lines of the entire frame and use the lines in your image to draw the viewer into the shot. Moving in close also works great! Just be sure to note the limits of your camera's focus to avoid your close-in shots becoming blurry.
Tip #4: Keep Shooting
Many clients are surprised to learn I take at least 200 shots at each photo session and edit those down to around 30 finished images. When photographing you own kids, take multiple shots to ensure you are capturing that perfect image!
Char Lukacs
Wink Photography
Westport, Connecticut
203.291.9595
www.winkportraits.com
When Char Lukacs husband, Michael, was transferred to Connecticut last fall, not only did the family relocate to Westport but her burgeoning photography business was uprooted as well.
Wink Photography specializes in portraiture of babies and children ages 5 and under. Char describes her work as "fresh, modern and artistic". She works in both black & white as well as color.
"My clients are looking for something different in children' portraiture, something beyond the 10 minute department store experience," she said. "Parents love my ability to connect with their little ones. They often say the sessions feel more like a playdate then a photo shoot."
Char, a mom to a 6-year-old and a 4-year-old, has creative packages for young families. Purchase a "Maternity and Newborn Session" for yourself or a close friend or relative. For $500, Wink Photography will shoot one maternity session and one newborn session within the first 4 weeks of the new arrival. (See website for more details.)
SuzySaid asked Char for some helpful hints in capturing life's most precious moments:
Tip #1: Choose the Right Camera
When working with fast-moving toddlers and kids, the shorter the "delay" on your digital camera, the better. Try out different models in the store before you buy and give each camera a quick test drive on your own kids right in the store. Parents looking to upgrade their camera this year will find a improved reaction time compared to cameras made just a year or two prior. When I want to grab a few great shots of my own kids without lugging my pro camera around, I really like the quick response and clarity of the Sony Cyber-shot W 170.
Tip #2: Turn off the Flash
If you are frustrated by the red-eye look or just looking to improve the mood of your images, try turning off the flash. Even in low light situations this can work! Check out your camera's manual for instructions on increasing the iso of your camera (this increases the sensitivity to light) and plan to give it a little practice. This works really well for birthday candle shots!!
Tip #3: Work on Composition
If you pay attention to the lines of your image you can turn an ordinary snapshot into a well-composed, artistic image. Try to avoid the "bulls-eye" look where you center the subject right in the middle of the screen. Instead, try to pay attention to the lines of the entire frame and use the lines in your image to draw the viewer into the shot. Moving in close also works great! Just be sure to note the limits of your camera's focus to avoid your close-in shots becoming blurry.
Tip #4: Keep Shooting
Many clients are surprised to learn I take at least 200 shots at each photo session and edit those down to around 30 finished images. When photographing you own kids, take multiple shots to ensure you are capturing that perfect image!
Char Lukacs
Wink Photography
Westport, Connecticut
203.291.9595
www.winkportraits.com
