Castle Point Photography

Storyboard Design Tricks

Often, the hardest part of creating a piece of art is beginning.  Writers get writer's block and painters may stand in front of a canvas for hours before laying the first stroke.  As a photographer, I often feel lucky, because I can jump into the beginning right away.  I normally don't stand in front of a newborn and have to decide where to begin.  The inspiration is so strong and fluid during a session, that the beginning happens quickly.  Where I sometimes reach a wall is when I get home and sit in front of my computer.  I get caught up in the designing of albums, storyboards, cards, etc.  It's easy to get overwhelmed with which images to choose, how to process them, text or no text, simply because I have too much time to think about it.  There are a few tricks that I keep in mind while designing, that help me to jump back into that fluidity in which I thrive.

First, remember that you are telling a story.  Wikipedia defines Storyboards as "graphic organizers such as a series of illustrations or images displayed in sequence for the purpose of pre-visualizing a motion graphic or interactive media sequence, including website interactivity."  Simply, it tells a story.  When choosing images for a Storyboard, it's important to select shots that are sequential or at least from a similar moment in time.  Check out the first example...

I love these three images.  The first is a quiet moment, with Baby looking right at us.  The second she's looking down, but it shows off her beautiful eyelashes.  The third she's back to looking at us and Mom is laughing.  All great moments individually, but together do they tell a story?  Not really.  The viewer is left wondering why Mom is laughing.  Mom knows, the photographer knows, but we the viewers feel left out of the moment.  As you design, remember that your viewers were not with you at the session.  They don't have the same context that you do and will be left confused.  Will Mom have to explain to her family and friends what made her laugh every time she has guests to her home?  Probably.  At that point, Mom is the storyteller, not you, the photographer.  On to the next example...

Ahhhh, NOW we know why Mom is laughing.  Mom kissed baby, one of those squishy kinds of kisses on mushy cheeks, and THAT made Mom laugh. Much better.  Do you see the difference?  After going back to the session photos, we decided that this was the story that we wanted to tell.  It is tender and sweet and funny at the same time.  Did you notice what else happened when we focused on a tighter story?  All of the backgrounds became similar.  This makes the Storyboard more appealing to the viewers eye.  It unifies the images and creates order and simplicity.  After I put this Storyboard together, however, I noticed something that I didn't like.

Ahhh... yeah, the height of Mom's head is different in the first shot as compared to the second and third.  The composition of this image is slightly different.  It's a small thing, but it bothers me.  And it may bother Mom, too.  I went back to the images and replaced it with a different shot that had Mom at the same height.

Do you see how it changes the "flow" of the Storyboard?  Both images are great, but this revised Storyboard has more consistancy, and I like that better. 

Ask yourself...

Do the images tell a story, or will the viewer need more information to figure it out?

Are the backgrounds similar?

Is the composition consistent?

Stay tuned for more design tricks...

Storyboard Week

*I hope everyone had a wonderful long weekend and enjoyed Memorial Day.  I hope that you also took time out this weekend to think about and be thankful for our men and women who have sacrificed so much for our country.  Thank You!!*

Ever since I posted about Storyboards in April, I have been getting a ton of new visitors referred by Google from their searches about Storyboards.  For those of you wondering, I use several statistics programs to track this sort of thing.  It helps me to understand what my readers want and what they are looking for.  So based on these new readers, I have decided to spend some time this week on Storyboards.  Alot of the information will be geared towards other photographers, but there may be a few pointers included for my clients as well.  I'm going to cover how to design storyboards for those that feel comfortable in Photoshop, as well as where to purchase storyboard actions for those that would rather not play around in PS.  I'll go over design tricks, adding text, and materials to print on.  I'll even be giving away a Storyboard action for those that stick around until Friday!

Here's another storyboard that happens to be the first page of an album..

Rainy Playground

It was an adventure for him, walking down a city sidewalk early in the morning, in search of a NEW playground.  The anticipation of it, the wonder, the promise of fun and play just a few blocks away, you could see it in his smile.  "where is it?" | "almost there" | "is that it?" | "no..." | "where is it?" | "almost there" | and so on, until finally... "OH BOY!!!!" 

These were shot on a recent trip Bodhi and I took to NYC to see his Uncle Jim.  He tired himself out so much that Jim carried him all the way home :)

Here are my favorites...

Blogosphere-coolmompicks

In my continuing quest to bring all things useful and cool to my readers, I present to you today... coolmompicks.com.  This awesome blog is written by actual Moms and features reviews of everything from Kids Clothes and Toys, to Decor and my favorite category, "Maternitywear That Doesn't Suck". 

Their posts are short, witty, and packed full of great links to online shops, kids events, and fun stuff for parents.  In their own words, "We're just a few moms that track down cool stuff so you can stay busy being fabulous. We know cool stuff doesn't make the mom, but it certainly helps make life a little better."

Go and check them out!

See, Mommy?

Me: "Oh.  My.  Goodness.  WHATareYouDoing?!?!"

Bodhi: "Washing my hair, see Mommy?"

Happy Mother's Day!

It's amazing how nature has a way of blessing us in small ways.  Ever since we moved into this house, our lilac trees have blossomed perfectly for Mother's Day.  As if the tiny little flowers are watching the calender days count down, each one opens on cue, day by day, until collectively they catch up to one another and smile proudly in full bloom.  My Mother has for 30+ years experienced the same magical gift from her Rhododendron plants.  Always in bloom for Mother's day, without fail. 

So, after gathering a few blossoms, our home is filled with the beauty of lilac and I am intoxicated with it's scent.  Happy Mother's Day to all of the Mother's and Mother's-to-be, Grandmothers and Aunties and special souls that guide our children and love them with all their heart.

Baby C and The Ladies

I have an old photograph from my childhood taken outside of my parent's house that remains a favorite of my Mother's 30 years later.  My brother is squinting, my sister is biting her lower lip and I'm gazing into la-la land as babies often do.  It's not a stellar photograph by any means.  It is, however, an amazing photograph.  Rare and precious and beautiful.  It has nothing to do with the print and everything to do with the subjects.  Four generations.  The Kids, the Parents, the Grandparents, and the Great Grandmother.  If you ever have the chance to capture such an image, seize it.

Rachel did just that after deciding on a beautiful Mother's Day gift of a photo session with the Ladies in her life.  When she emailed me a day or two after our first session back in March, I was thrilled to be a part of it.  My first thought was of that old photograph of my family.  The opportunity to give her not one, but an entire session of images made my heart jump.  Four generations.  The Child, the Mother, The Grandmothers, the Great Grandmother.  Rare and precious and beautiful.

Here are the favorites...

Elmo had a walk on roll for a bit :)

These images below happened moments apart... the first where Baby C was fluttering her dress and the second where she started to fuss a bit... the image needs a recorded clip to hear the collective "Awwww..." from all the Ladies doting on her.  She is so loved :)

The Miracle Twins

Babies are miracles.  I've said it more than once and probably at least one thousand times.  Often, the miracle of a new baby is doubled with twins.  And sometimes, the miracle is amplified by a triumph over life threatening situations.  This is certainly the case with Baby S and his twin brother Baby G.

When I met Rebecca yesterday, her little miracles were sleeping soundly and she quietly began telling me the story of their lives.  I sat before her, literally on the edge of my seat, as she spoke so calmly of all they had been through. 

An ultrasound at 18 weeks.  Complications.  A Diagnosis.  Your babies will not survive unless we go ahead with the surgery. 18 weeks.  The decision.  In-Utero surgery.  18 weeks.  Chance of survival at 25%.  Bedrest.  Waiting.  Hoping.  Praying.  31 weeks.  They made it.  Just over 1 pound and 3 pounds.  Weeks and weeks  in NICU.  Waiting.  Hoping.  Praying.

Now, as I sit before her, it is 6 months later, and they made it.  Not only have they made it, but they are thriving, and silly, and completely cute!  They are miracles indeed.

Here are the favorites...

Blogoshpere

Finding what you need on the internet can certainly be the proverbial needle in a haystack.  Other times, you stumble upon something that you never knew you were looking for!  I am a self proclaimed Tangential Internet Reader.

What is a Tangential Internet User?  Let me explain.  You sit at your computer with the intention of finding a florist for a new baby floral delivery.  On the florist's website is a link to a cute baby boutique that just opened.  You click.  You browse.  You find another link to a blog the boutique was featured on.  You click.  You read.  There's an article on the blog about this amazing new set of children's rainboots that are sold at Target.  You click.  You see if your local Target has them in stock.  Yes.  Awesome. 

Wait.  What was I doing?  (It's an hour later...) 

Yeah, I think you may know what I'm talking about.  :)  Thanks to this slight problem I have,  I have an endless list of bookmarked blogs and boutiques.  I thought it would fun to share a few here and there that I have found to be particularly cool.

That said, I have to start with the Big Kahuna.  Daily Candy for Kids. 

Daily Candy is an online newsletter that rounds up the best in fashion and products and fun stuff about town.  I personally subscribe to all of their Kids newsletters because I like to know about everything!  Of course, you can opt to only subscribe to NYC as well.  If you don't like getting email subscriptions, then you need only visit their site, all of the articles are posted there.

For you Mom's out there that know it's not ALWAYS about your kids, there is, of course, the original Daily Candy.  Same content, but for grown-ups ;)