Online Beginner Photography Class

After many inquiries, I have been working hard at making the beginner photography class I teach available to everyone- including those who live far, far away! I am so excited to share that it is now available to attend online! And from now until tonight at 8pm you'll save $25 off the registration fee!

This online class is for parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles {really anyone & everyone} who has a nice camera and wants to learn how to use it to it’s full potential. We will cover the technical side of photography- how to use all those fancy dials, but also it’s a  class that will push your creativity and help you to begin to see the world differently. It will challenge you to think about what your pictures say and help you to move from taking snapshots to really capturing memories!

DETAILS:
Each week we will cover a different topic. Students will receive a password to view an online video each week and will have access to these videos for the duration of the course + 2 weeks after the course has ended. You will also receive a PDF download to have to be able to reference back all that you have learned. After each video is released students may email me any questions they may have on the topic for that week. Often learning comes from the questions someone else may have and I want us all to be encouraged and learn together, so relevant FAQs will be made into a PDF download as well.

Week One: Exposure (aperture, shutter speed, ISO and how to use them all together)

Week Two: Your equipment- camera dials, lens choices- how to decide what you need & when, with a review on exposure.

Week Three: Light & Composition

Week Four: Thinking Creatively (how to take better images, ideas on different projects to train your eye to see differently, practical ways to get authentic expressions from your kids- I have four kids myself and have a few tricks up my sleeve!)

The first online class will be in May. The videos will be released each Wednesday- May 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd. Videos will remain up for viewing until June 12th, 2013.

COST:
Regular price:
Single seat-
$150 (+gst)
Booking with a friend (each)-
$125 (+gst)

**24 hour sale from 8pm on Tuesday March 5th, 2013- 8pm on Wednesday March 6th, 2013.

Single seat- $125 (+gst)
Booking with a friend (each)- $100 (+gst)

Please click here to book your seat!

#28lovefilleddays

Are you on Instagram?

If you are I'd love for you to join me in a little project for the month of February. Everyday this month I am going to take a picture of something I love. I want to be intentional and really take the time to slow down and "notice" the many lovely things in my life :) 

I'm using the hashtag #28lovefilleddays.
 
If you want to join in please feel free! Just take a picture of something you love and use the hashtag in your comment. I'd love to see all the things you love this month too! 

Here's my baby. I love that she loves books as much as her mama does :)

A Shameless Plug...

Yesterday I made an official business page on Facebook.
And I'm kinda feeling like I'm back in elementary waiting in line to get picked for the dodgeball team....
:)

Wanna come "like" me?

Ten on Tuesday

1. Yes, I do know it's Thursday, but doesn't Ten on Tuesday just sound better?

2. We have been sick, sick, sick. Sore throats, fevers, stuffy/runny noses and lots o' hacking. In the attempt to make the best of our spring break we have been having a week long pajama party.

3. Things have been pretty quiet here on this blog but I have been a busy little bee working away on the computer and I am finally ready to show you what I've been working on...

YIPPEE!!!
Check out my new photography site.
{click on image}

4. This guy is the reason it looks so fancy.

Chris, YOU are the best husband EVER.
Thanks for loving me the way you do:)
Mwah!
xoxo

5. This weekend our big boy spent his first night away from home with friends (he's slept over with family lots, but this was his first time staying with one of his friends.)
His school hockey team had a tournament out of town and he was invited to go up with one of his friend's family. He did awesome. I, on the other hand was a complete wreck. Poor Chris had to reassure me every 5 minutes that he was fine. When did he get so big?! Wasn't it just yesterday that I was up rocking him through the night?

6. This was my facebook status on tuesday. Joy.

7. I'm probably the last person on earth to know about "Annie Eats" but in case I'm not I thought I'd share her with you. Oh my yumminess.

8. Ellie has slept 8 hours straight the last two nights. I think we should buy her a pony.

9. It's official. Our little family has decided that Romona & Beezus is the best movie ever:)

10. Ok friends, I need your help..... what should I throw in the oven for dinner tonight?

Tuesday Randomness

• yesterday Chris' parents surprised us and took all three kids for the day. The ENTIRE day! So, we went out for lunch. Alone. Without children. Alone, people! We were actually able to have an entire conversation without interruptions. It was glorious.
• I have done approximately 12 loads of laundry in the attempts to get ready for our vacation next week. I have approximately 12 more to go (at least it feels like it)
• my "get ready for our vacation list" is written and I'm a little afraid of it. It's two pages long.
• last week we had a great time learning all about dinosaurs- post coming soon...maybe.
  
• we have really been enjoying our summer homeschooling but as I'm looking at my crazy 2 page long list I think we might take a week off :)
• my sister is getting married and I got to take some engagement shots for them! there were about 10,000 mosquitoes and now she looks like she has the chicken pox but we had fun anyway! Click here to see a few more shots from our session.

• it's official. my blogging mojo is definitely MIA. I have tried to write, really, but my brain is just stuck in lazy summer mode :)
• ok, I really need to stop procrastinating now and tackle that scary list....
  

Secret Project

** Update: WOW! I am so overwhelmed and humbled by your response to my free photography sessions. Thank you so much! I have currently filled all the "limited spaces" for now and truly appreciate your support!**

I have been working on a top secret project for the last little bit and I am now ready to reveal it to you.
Ahhhhhhhh!

Are you ready?

Really,

really,

ready??

Ok, here it is:

That's right, I am jumping in with both feet and starting up a home photography business.
Eeek!
It is something I have been dreaming of doing for quite awhile... and am finally feeling like it's time.

So.....I am offering a limited number of FREE photography sessions (of your kiddos, family, couples ect.) to help build up my portfolio. The only catch is I get to use your pictures as part of my photography portfolio :)

If you live in or around the Calgary area, please contact me (simplysarablog@gmail.com) and we'll set something up.

Feel free to check out my new photography blog for a peak into some of my recent shots :)

Ramblings...

Peek-A-Boo!

Yup, I'm still here....

I know my posts have been a bit more sporadic. Sadly, I don't really have an exciting reason why. I have just found that I am running out of things to talk about :)

We've had a pretty low key week.... although we did get to see the Easter Bunny at the mall, where the girls decorated Easter cookies and had fun playing with my cousins two little ones. (my big girl was very excited to discover that the Easter Bunny is indeed PINK and enjoyed informing her older brother of that fact!)

I have been driving Chris crazy singing the last part of this song over, and over, and over....

"do do do do do do do dodo dodo...."

He gets super annoyed every time I come close to him and start singing it. But I can't help it if I can't get it out of my head! Right?! Plus, I kinda like bugging him.

We started spring cleaning the house (very excited stuff), we took a few long walks, went to our library (where I discovered I have $19 in overdue fees- eek!), and we spent one morning wandering around Fish Creek Park so that I could (once again) play with my camera.


Only problem was the battery on my camera died about 5 minutes after we got there....boo! (note to self- check the battery before you decide to take the kids on a little photo shoot)
We ended up staying awhile, walking around, enjoying the fresh air, listening to all the birds and especially saying "Hi!" to all the people we saw.
:)

I'm realizing that the more I take pictures the more I'm loving it. It is probably my favorite thing to do. I am excited to keep practicing, learn my camera better, and figure out exactly how to work with lighting.....

Well friends, that's about all I've got.
I told you I've run out of stuff to talk about. Don't worry, though, I'm sure it won't last long...I'll be back soon to ramble on like usual :)

Have a great weekend everyone!

Winter Beauty

Yesterday, Chris and I found ourselves with a couple hours to spare
sans kiddos!
And because he knows and love me,
he suggested we spend some time outside so that I could play with my camera.

Babe, thank you.
I love you so much for that.


This next one might be my favorite.
The beauty of all the branches going every which way.
Natural chaos.
Reminds me of my life, most days :)

Oh, and this one.
Chris suggested I take this angle shot of the bench
and I am in LOVE with it.

Even though we only lasted about 45 minutes
in the FREEZING cold...
(eek! I seriously thought my fingers were going to fall off)

It was the most fun I have had in a looooong time!

Taking in the winter beauty.
Spending alone time with my best friend.
It was the perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

Chris,
I love you more and more
everyday.

Nikon vs Cannon???

I have some very exciting news to share...

It seems Santa WAS listening when I mentioned how I loved my friend's camera and was hoping to get one for Christmas.

Chris surprised me by saying that he has actually been thinking about getting me a new digital SLR camera for months. (LOVE him!) We currently have a nice point and shoot, but I have been dreaming of owning an SLR for a looooong time.
He has been such a trooper and been on the internet and gone into camera stores to get some research done before making such a big purchase. (I hate doing research. He knows this and loves me enough to do it for me!)
Problem is that we he has been looking at both Nikon and Cannon and has found that they are both very comparable cameras. It seems to come down to personal preference.

So, this is where you come in! I know some of you are stepping (or are already there) into the professional picture taking scene (one that I secretly would L.O.V.E to do someday...shhhh...don't tell anyone) so, I was wondering what cameras (lenses/flashes ect) you use and if you have any advice.

Keep in mind that we are not looking for the most complex camera out there. We sadly don't have an unlimited budget.
:)
We have also been looking at package deals, where you get the camera and a couple of lenses together. Is this the way to go? Or would you buy the camera and lenses separate?

Thank you so much for your advice!