• Most sports shots will require a fast shutter speed. I rarely go below 1/500th of a second. If your photos turn out too dark at 1/500th then boost the ISO to compensate.
• Consider using flash if you are within 15 feet of your subject. Just enough to light the face of your athlete will help even the exposure.
• Position yourself to avoid background clutter. Safety nets, cars, advertisements, etc. can draw attention away from your subject.
• Use a long lens if you can, it will make your subject stand out from the back ground.
• Turn your camera to ‘burst’ mode. Things happen fast in sports, make sure you can keep up!
• Think about your angle, will shooting below the athlete make them look ‘larger than life’ or is it better to shoot from above and display them as part of their environment.
• Most importantly, timing is EVERYTHING! Anticipate movement, use predictive focus and wait until the peak of the action to shoot!

On another more specific note, if you’re going to be shooting anything muddy and dirty wear clothes that can get messy and use the longest lens you can. I was zoomed to 200mm most of the day on Saturday and I still ended up crusted in mud from the tip of my lens hood all the way down to the insides of my socks. If you do not have a weather sealed camera you might consider an easy trick that I use – grab a clear plastic bag and make a poncho with just the lens sticking out. On most cameras you will still be able to manage the controls even with it bagged up. good luck on your action endeavors, happy shooting!

To see more of my mud run photos visit the album

To check my availability for your sporting event contact me here!

Lacey LaDuke Photography

Call me: (541)954-2458 or (509)954-3885

Email Me: LaDukePhoto@Gmail.com

Facebook: www.Facebook.com/LaDukePhoto

Instagram: LaDukePhoto

I have done many senior portrait sessions and every shoot is different. In order to make things go as smoothly as possible I’ve compiled a short list of steps you can take prior to your session. We’ve only got a couple hours to to make amazing photographs so coming prepared is going to be vital!

Pre-planning:

When you book your session let me know the things that interest you. Are you involved with any sports or clubs at school? Do you have a favorite pet you want to bring along? What do you enjoy doing outside of school? These are all things that we can use to make your photos unique to you. It’s unlikely that you’ll ever have another opportunity like this to do a photo session that so boldly encompasses exactly who you are. Do you love mountain biking? Are you captain of the debate team? Have you been doing gymnastics your whole life? These things define you as a person, why not include them?

What to wear:

• Avoid strong patterns (plaid, paisley, overly floral blouses, etc). They can be distracting. If you want to wear patterns layer them under a jacket or blouse.
• Darker colors such as black, navy and dark green will slim you. Shirts with 3/4 or long sleeves are also slimming.
• Light colors such as white/beige or light grey can dominate the photo and make you look ghostly if you are already pale or they will make you appear orange if you have tan skin.
• Bring at least 3 different shirts, jackets or dresses. If you can dress in layers it will add variety. Don’t forget letter jackets and sports uniforms.
• Accessorize! Sunglasses, bracelets, scarves and hats all personalize your ‘look’. Pay attention to how your shoes go with your outfits – they will be in some photos.

Make-Up:

Less is more. Wear it light and natural for your session. Go easy on the eye make up especially. Also NO glitter! It will reflect light and leave you with shiny little pock marks. Some eye make-up has a certain ‘shimmer’ which is okay, but body glitter and lip gloss tends to reflect light unevenly. Consider bringing a matte or transparent face powder to cut down on shiny skin.

Posing/Locations:

Don’t stress over posing, you might practice your smile in the mirror that morning, but otherwise I’ll help you pose once the session begins. The general rule is, “If it feels awkward, you’ll look awkward.” Always look for a comfortable natural feeling pose as close to what the photographer suggests as you can.
As far as locations go, if you have a place that is special to you like the high school track, your favorite park or your family’s own backyard speak up! I’ve got a ton of great suggestions from Alton Baker, to the top of Spencer Butte or even in an urban setting like downtown Eugene or Springfield.

The day before your session & morning of:

• Drink plenty of water. Being hydrated makes your skin vibrant and fresh and will ward off dehydration headaches.
• Get a good nights rest the night before to avoid tired eyes.
• If you aren’t feeling well please reschedule – You need to feel your best to look your best!
• Eat a small meal and bring a light snack prior, it will help stave off hunger but not leave you feeling bloated.

I realize this is a lot of information to digest, just take a deep breath and know that I am here the whole time to help you out. Let’s go out and have some fun while taking memorable senior portraits that you will be proud to show off!

Contact me today to book your session! I am available for portraits within a 50mile radius of Spokane or Eugene. A small travel fee applies outside of my service area.

Lacey LaDuke Photography

Call me: (541)954-2458 or (509)954-3885

Email Me: LaDukePhoto@Gmail.com

Facebook: www.Facebook.com/LaDukePhoto

Instagram: LaDukePhoto

Click for more information on Spokane or Eugene Senior Portraits by LaDuke Photography

Contact me today to book a discounted session – Just mention this blog post!

Kailee S.

Lacey LaDuke Photography

Call me: (541)954-2458 or (509)954-3885

Email Me: LaDukePhoto@Gmail.com

Facebook: www.Facebook.com/LaDukePhoto

Instagram: LaDukePhoto

See The Rest of Their Engagement Here!

May 1-9th – Enter to WIN a FREE Engagement Session HERE!

Lacey LaDuke Photography

Call me: (541)954-2458 or (509)954-3885

Email Me: LaDukePhoto@Gmail.com

Facebook: www.Facebook.com/LaDukePhoto

Instagram: LaDukePhoto

Over the years as a photographer in Spokane and Eugene I’ve gotten to meet some really fantastic people. I love that I get to take a peek into their lives. Senior portraits, engagements, weddings, family photos. I do it all and I love the friends that I have made along the way. This is why I’ve decided to make a few new friends by running a drawing for a free engagement session. If your name is drawn you will receive a one hour session at an agreed upon location.

Here’s how to enter:

• Go “Like” LaDuke Photography on Facebook

• Find the above photo and leave a comment with your wedding date.

• Click “Share” and post the photo to your page and encourage your friends to do the same!

It really is that simple! On the morning of May 9th, 2012 I will randomly draw a name and announce the winning couple. Even though there can only be one winner I’m still giving everyone a prize for making an effort. If you do not win the drawing, but are still interested in booking a session with me I will give you $25 off of a standard portrait session or $100 off of my Gold or Platinum wedding packages. Just mention the contest when you book! (This applies any shoot, not just engagement sessions.)

If you win here’s what you get:

• One hour photo session at an agreed upon location.
• One outfit change,
• Disk with 10 finalized digital images of your choice.
• Professional grade retouching and selective black and white conversions.
• Online proofing gallery for friends and family with print options.
• You will be featured on my contest wrap up blog.

There are a few minor restrictions. Your free engagement session must be booked by the end of June 2012. Contestants can enter from anywhere so long as they are willing to do their engagement session within a 50 mile radius of Spokane or Eugene otherwise travel charges will apply. To win you must be a fan of LaDuke Photography on Facebook and you must “Share” the above photo. – But you don’t have to stop there! Feel free to pin this to your pinboards, share the link via email or spread the word how over you see fit! Just tell your friends to let me know who sent them!

The Second Photographer

A second photographer is a trained wedding and event photographer who is able to work independently to accurately capture the intricate details of your wedding day. My second photographers are usually independent wedding photographers themselves and my years of experience have taught me how to be very selective in choosing who to work with. I look for someone with a style similar to my own, but with a unique eye that will help to deliver a slightly different perspective to your photos.

One of the most important aspects of a having second photographer is our ability to give you greater photo coverage and depth. While my second photographer focuses on the Groom and Groomsmen getting ready (or sneaking off to toss a football or what have you), I’m able to spend most of my time with the Bride and Bridesmaids to capture every intricate detail. Also, using a second photographer for the ceremony allows us to capture multiple angles to ensure that we don’t miss the perfect shot while minimizing how much we need to move around.

When it comes time for the posed and bridal party shots, the second photographer generally plays the role of my assistant, but also continues to capture those candid and personal shots that may otherwise be missed.

The Assistant

The assistant is essentially a “photographer in training” and their purpose is to be with me at all times to help with lighting, organization, and workflow. For the larger photos (bridal party, family, etc.), they are my second set of eyes. They look for loose strands of hair, misplaced hands, and other imperfections. Depending on their skill level an assistant may take candid photos or detail shots, but their overall role is still an assistant capacity. They mind my equipment and carry my ladder so I can get all of the best angles. They get to move around light stands and chase down your groomsmen or grandparents who wandered off to visit with guests and family. An assistant is very helpful to me, but they rarely increase the amount of finished wedding photos that you receive and they don’t necessarily do a whole lot to speed up the formal wedding photography process. This can be a big concern if you are doing your formal wedding photos during a rushed cocktail hour.

At your wedding there are so intricate details and moments to capture. No matter how talented a photographer is, a second shooter will always make a positive contribution to your wedding day. Even if you are on the fence about it, you know you want to give yourself every opportunity to get the best photos possible. I highly recommend adding a second photographer to your wedding package. You only get married once, so make sure I’ve got you covered from every angle! 

All of these images were taken within minutes of each other thanks to employing a 2nd photographer

Winter weddings are always fun, but shooting in a single building venue poses a challenge to even the most experienced wedding photographers. You always have to remain vigilant to make sure the bride and groom don’t accidentally interact. For a wedding like this, I like to utilize a second photographer to make sure that someone is always on guard. For this Spokane wedding, I was able to focus on the bridesmaids getting ready in the upstairs bridal area while my second photographer kept the groomsmen occupied with posed photos in the “man cave”. Everything worked out to perfection and we managed to keep the groom’s prying eyes off his lovely bride to be!

Unique wedding plans? Bold ideas and bright colors? Inspiring venues?…Sign me up! LaDuke Photography loves weddings that are as unique and creative as you are!

I’ve got select openings for Summer and Fall of 2012 and I’ve started booking 2012-2013 Winter weddings in both Spokane, Washington and Eugene, Oregon. Contact me today to check my availability and get a free custom quote! Read more about my wedding packages and rates here.

Lacey LaDuke Photography

(541)954-2485 – Oregon

(509)954-3885 – Washington

Contact me today for a free consultation!

Lacey LaDuke

541-954-2458 or 509-954-3885

In the spirit of the season I’d like to share a short and fun post from Improve Photography about how to take better holiday photos. This is a guest post by Jeff Cable that has several tips on capturing the excitement, the traditions and the little details you might not think about until it is too late.

See the post here: Tips for Capturing Memorable Holiday Photos

Also, take a moment to enjoy a few winter photos that I’ve taken!

Do you have a special Eugene or Springfield location where you and your fiancé would like to take your engagement photos? Maybe something simple like Hendricks Park or on the 50 yard line of Autzen Stadium? How about a hike up to the top of Spencer Butte or Skinners Butte, overlooking Eugene? At LaDuke Photography, I’m even available for photo sessions anywhere, so don’t hesitate to ask! I love exploring the outdoors and I can help you find the perfect location; perhaps up on the McKenzie River or how about wedding photography on the Oregon Coast? I want to be there to help you preserve every precious moment. Contact me to brainstorm some ideas today!