If you’re like most people, you have a few boxes and albums with old photos lying around your home. Maybe in the back of the closet or in that forgotten corner of the attic or basement. When last did you look at these photos? And how long have they been sitting in a dusty box?
Unfortunately, the reality is that photos do eventually deteriorate and fade and naturally, you don’t want to lose those memories forever, so it’s time to get busy.
Setting one day aside to sort, scan, and store your old photos is a day well spent and these tips will help simplify the process. Heck make it a family activity on a weekend and be amazed at the family stories you find being shared as you all work together to preserve your family history! 

Step 1: Find Those Photos
The first step involves gathering all the photos you want to sort through. This is also a good time to contact family members who have photos you love and want to scan. Be sure to reassure them that they will get their photos back in the same condition. **Side note here... including family members in this activity is a great way to do one giant family wide organization project that can then be printed, shared, downloaded by all. 

Step 2: Let the Sorting Begin
During this stage, you want to select the photos that are most important to you and sort them into themes, years, or life stages – whatever categories work for you. You can also use the themes of these piles for the digital folders you will be creating.

Step 3: Decide on Storage
How do you plan to store your photos once you scan them? Platforms such as Google Drive and Dropbox are ideal for this. However, you may also want to invest in an external hard drive to create an extra copy of your most precious memories. I personally love Smug Mug for this kind of organization.  Here is my referral link if you want to check it out: https://secure.smugmug.com/signup?Coupon=T6KZTL 

Step 4: Decide How You Want to Scan Your Photos
The good news is that you don’t need a physical scanner to scan your photos. There are a number of great apps available, many of which are free, that will retain the quality of your photos. Photomyne for android and Google Photo Scan are two popular options, as well as adobe scan for ios and microsoft lens. Once you know how you will scan your photos, connect the scanner or app to your digital folders.

Step 5: Scan, Save & Share
You can now start scanning your photos per pile. Sticking to one pile at a time will make it easier to match your photos to the correct digital folder. Once your photos have been uploaded and you’ve made a backup, you can share your favorite memories with the people you love.

If you love having a physical album, you can now print themed albums that follow a specific timeline. You can even combine your latest professional family photos with older family photos to create a beautiful family heirloom. Once you have things a bit organized, you will be amazed at the endless possibilities of the things you can do and make to share those images with loved ones. 

If you found these tips helpful please like/comment/share! :) 
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Photos should be an integral part of every home, especially if you’ve paid a professional to take them. Displaying photos around your home is not just great reminders of memories you’ve shared, but your children are reminded of how loved they are too.
You should see your photos as extensions of your furniture and décor – they’re the finishing touch that brings your home to life.  If you’re in the process of planning your photo prints, here are some easy ways you can display them using frames.

1. Create a symmetrical display. For larger prints, opt for a symmetrical display. Placing large, framed prints side-by-side helps shape a room by giving it more structure. Plus, symmetry gives a room a gallery-type look and feel.
2. Add it to existing décor. There are no rules that say you need to hang framed prints. If you have a shelf in any area of your home, you can line up framed prints to add dimension. It also looks really good to add framed prints to shelves with existing décor such as books, vases, or nick-nacks.
3. Build a collage. Then there’s the option of creating a less structured look. Using different frames, create a collage wall. These frames don’t all need to contain family photos either, they can also contain prints, which will help break up the photos and tell a complete story. This is an easy way to get your photos to fit in with your existing wall art.

Keep in mind that you don’t need to use the same frame styles and colors, even when you’re grouping them together. There is no right or wrong way to do this. Do whatever fits in with your home and personal style.
If you’re ready to start hanging your photos, it’s highly recommended that you use craft paper to create templates. This way you can visualize the display before you commit to it by taping the paper pieces to the wall to see how your design looks. There are so many designs you can come up with to display your images! The opportunities are limitless. 

If you found these tips helpful please like/comment/share! 

The iPhone camera app is a powerful tool that allows users to take high-quality photos and videos. However, many users may not be aware of all the features and settings that the app has to offer. In this blog post, we'll explore some of the lesser-known features of the iPhone camera app that can help you take your photography to the next level.

• Grid lines: The camera app has a feature that displays grid lines on the screen, which can help with composition. To turn on this feature, go to Settings > Camera and turn on the Grid option.
• Focus and exposure controls: When you tap on the screen to focus on a particular subject, a yellow square will appear with a sun icon. This is the exposure control. You can drag the sun icon up or down to adjust the exposure.
• Quick access to different camera modes: Swipe left or right on the camera screen to quickly access different camera modes like video, portrait, and time-lapse.
• Third-party apps: You can use third-party camera apps that offer additional features, such as manual controls, slow-motion video, and more. These apps can be found in the App Store.
• Taking screenshots: You can take a screenshot of your camera view by pressing the volume up and power button at the same time.
• QR Code Scanning: You can scan QR Codes using the camera app, No need to install any additional App, Open the camera app and point it at the QR code, it will automatically recognize it and take you to the link.

By exploring these features, you can take your iPhone photography to the next level and capture stunning photos and videos. If you find these tips helpful please like/comment/share!

Portrait mode is a feature on the iPhone camera that allows you to take stunning, professional-looking photos of people. It uses advanced technology to create a blurred background effect, also known as bokeh, which makes the subject of the photo stand out. It is one of my very favorite modes to use when taking pictures of people, products, nature and more! In this guide, we'll teach you how to master portrait mode and take beautiful, eye-catching photos with your iPhone.

• Find the right lighting. The key to a great portrait is good lighting. Natural light is always the best option, so try to take your photos outside or near a window. Avoid harsh, direct sunlight, which can create harsh shadows on the face. Instead, look for soft, diffused light, such as that found on a cloudy day or in the shade.
• Get close to your subject. Portrait mode works best when you're close to your subject. Move in close to fill the frame with your subject's face. This will ensure that the background is properly blurred and your subject is the focal point of the photo.
• Experiment with angles. Try taking photos from different angles to see which one looks the best. For example, you might try taking a photo from a low angle to make your subject look taller and more powerful, or from a high angle to make them look smaller and more vulnerable.
• Use the focus and exposure controls. The iPhone's portrait mode has a focus and exposure control that allows you to adjust the focus and exposure of the photo. Use these controls to make sure your subject is in focus and properly exposed.
• Edit your photos. Once you've taken your photo, use the editing tools on your iPhone to make any final adjustments. You can use the brightness, contrast, and saturation tools to make your photos look even better.

By following these tips, you'll be able to take beautiful, professional-looking photos with your iPhone's portrait mode. With a little practice, you'll be able to master this powerful tool and take stunning, eye-catching portraits! 

​If you found these tips useful please like/comment/share! 

Here are five things you can do right now to uplevel your iphone photography game. 

1. Tap on the screen to focus and adjust exposure. 
2.  Remember you can use the little sun dial to go up or down with to make lighter or darker 
3. Use Live Photos to capture movement and action.
4. Turn on gridlines to improve composition.
5. Experiment with Pro mode (when available) for more control over settings.
6. Try different filters to add a unique touch to your photos.

By learning these five simple iPhone camera settings, you can take your photography to the next level. Remember to have fun and experiment with different settings to find what works best for you.

​If you find these tips helpful please like/comment/share! 

Light is one of the most essential elements in photography. It is the foundation that shapes the mood and atmosphere of a photograph, and it can make or break an image. I personally am found of using natural light as much as possible. Sometimes that is not possible and alternatives must be utilized. 

Here are a few reasons why light is so important in photography.
Light creates mood and atmosphere- The way light falls on a subject can create a wide range of moods and atmospheres. Soft, diffused light can create a peaceful and serene atmosphere, while harsh, direct light can create a dramatic and intense atmosphere. Understanding how to use light can help you create the mood and atmosphere you want in your photographs.
Light defines form and shape- Light helps to define the form and shape of a subject by creating highlights and shadows. These highlights and shadows add depth and dimension to an image, and they can help to bring a subject to life.
Light can be used to create contrast- Contrast is the difference in brightness between the lightest and darkest parts of an image. By using light creatively, you can create contrast and drama in your photographs, drawing the viewer's eye to the subject and making the image more striking.
Light brings out color- Light is essential for capturing color in an image. Without light, there would be no color in a photograph. Understanding how light affects color can help you to create more vibrant and dynamic images.
In conclusion, light is one of the most important elements in photography. Understanding how to use light can help you create the mood, atmosphere, and impact you want in your photographs. I highly recommend you try my 360 experiment to get a hands on learning experience of light in your pictures. If you are not sure what that is... message me and Ill send you a video explaining it!

​Remember to experiment with different lighting conditions and techniques to improve your skills. And if you find these tips helpful please like/comment/share!

Composition refers to the way elements in a photo are arranged, and it's crucial to creating visually interesting and pleasing images. Here are some composition tips to help you take better photos with your iPhone. To start off though make sure you have your grid turned on. Do this by going into the phone settings, go to camera, in camera settings turn on grid. Once you have done this, check out these tips to try!
Use the Rule of Thirds: The rule of thirds is a composition technique that involves dividing your frame into thirds, both horizontally and vertically. This creates four points of intersection, which are where you should place the main elements of your photo. This creates a more balanced and visually pleasing composition.
Look for Leading Lines: Leading lines are lines within a photo that lead the viewer's eye through the image. This can be a road, a fence, or any other line that guides the eye through the photo. By including leading lines in your photos, you can create a sense of depth and movement.
Pay attention to Symmetry: Symmetry is when two or more elements in a photo are mirror images of each other. This can create a sense of balance and harmony in a photo. Symmetry can be found in many everyday scenes like reflections, building and nature.
Experiment with different Angles: Shooting from different angles can change the way a photo looks. For example, shooting from a low angle can make a subject look bigger and more powerful, while shooting from a high angle can make a subject look smaller and more vulnerable. Experiment with different angles to see how it changes the look of your photos.
Use the Grid on your iPhone: Many iPhones have a built-in grid that can help you compose your photos using the rule of thirds. To enable the grid, go to Settings > Camera and turn on the Grid option. This will help you to visually see the intersection points of the rule of thirds and use it in a more effective way.
By following these composition tips, you can take better photos with your iPhone. Remember to experiment and have fun!