My Favorite Photo from 2013

     I thought it might be fun to pick out my favorite image of 2013 from the Robb Photo library. The rules for this contest were as such: the image had to be taken by me.  The prize is yet to be determined... I knew it'd be tough because I had so many great memories of being a photographer this year and met so many fun people that allowed me to participate in their lives in this way.  So how to choose?

Do you wanna know how to get better at taking pictures?

 

 
     Whether you're getting a new camera, using the one that's been gathering dust since last Christmas or using your phone, there is ONE sure fire way to get better at taking pictures!  It's the easiest trick in the book!  You can throw out ALL of the rules and know that with this formula, I'm about to show you how to take better pictures!

I only hope I can be this creative AND useful in a single moment!

     This story has been going viral, and as a photographer and person with family members dealing with and surviving cancer, I feel so responsible to make sure I am also sharing this man's incredible story.  It's one of those "I wish I'd have thought of that" moments, but it's okay.  It was his moment and a reminder that God has given me a gift that can inspire, inform and bring joy to others and I can only hope that when the moment arrives, I do not miss it.  Please read (and view) how incredibly creative and inspirational this photographer is!  A perfect holiday story!

     To read more about it and to donate, visit http://www.thetutuproject.com/about/

Take better Christmas pictures!

   

     In my opinion, there are three annual events that occur every year that scream for picture taking: 1. Birthdays 2. Halloween and 3. Christmas.  Sure, we have weddings and all those other jazzy fun events that are important to document, but these the three that I mention happen every year, you know they're coming and you know how they make you feel.  I say that because it can help you take better pictures.  Knowing what you're in for, having an emotion attached to it and seeing it in your mind's eye can help you pre-compose the images you want to get before they happen.  Now...how do you put the camera (or phone) in your hand and put what's in your head on the hard drive?

     This post is meant for the folks that aren't carrying around soft boxes, Ice Lights or speedlights.  You can be just as successful getting great Holiday pictures with your under $2500 DSLR and $500 worth of other equipment!  Here's how.

Relationship Photography (subtitled: how to avoid bad photography decisions)

     I never used to care so much about having my picture taken, that is, until I started feeling like I was out of shape (since I've stopped acting/dancing) and especially since I've noticed an older version of me in the mirror.  Looking at a picture of me and my wife triggered a chain reaction of thoughts: how photography tells stories,  how it brings people together, the holidays, family and relationships, how people don't always love having their picture taken, how bad pictures happen, ugly sweaters, blah blah blah...  The thoughts just came flooding in, and I thought "hey, don't be selfish!  Share your thoughts!  Share your experiences!  That's what blogging is for!"  So I thought, as an experienced photographer and as someone that cares about YOUR relationships, I'd offer some advice that bridges photography and relationships.  I call it, Relationship Photography.