This is going to be a very different week. Today I cannot give you many tips because this particular topic is very new to me.
I have taken what could be considered “family self-portraits”, but our family consists of 2 people: me and my husband. And I’ve already covered the COUPLES SELFIES.

Recently as I was thinking about our family that will be hopefully expanding in the future, I realized that before i even realize it, there will be three of us. So I wanted to make sure that I cherish the times that we have now. And what occurred to me is that while I have a million photos of me and hubby, I do not have a single photo with our WHOLE family together, which would include our 3 cats.
I mean, really, with all my self-portraiture, I have NEVER taken a picture with me, hubby and cats.

I don’t want to look back and not see our life without our kitties, before it becomes the three of us.

So that brought me to this week’s theme: FAMILY PORTRAIT

I am sure that just like me, you have few to none photos of your whole family together taken by you. And why not, it’s so easy! Now that you’re all a few weeks into the selfie challenges, you should have the skills to pull this off.

So the challenge this week is to take a FULL family photo. I am talking hubbies, kitties, doggies, fishies and all. I know it’s going to be a challenge to make sure pets are in the picture, but I think we owe it to ourselves to make this happen at least once, at least for this challenge.

So since I am just as new to this, as you are, I encourage you to share any tips you might accumulate during your family selfie shoot when you link up next Saturday. I will then put all the tips together for a tutorial ( and of course give credit to those who shared the tips). So this will be our little collaboration. We all will be learning as we go and I’m very excited about putting together all of our experience.

A few general tips:

• make sure all your settings are done, your camera and tripod are set up, your remote (or timer) is working before you drag your kids/pets into this.
• use a simple location that you have good access to.
• hubby should serve as a point of focus for you ( if you’re using a remote). Once you’re focused properly, have him gather up the kids, help him get the pets.
• MAKE IT QUICK {hubbies are impatient, kids are even more difficult, and pets are impossible- you have 3 shots if you’re lucky).
• use treats to get cats and dogs to sit still.
• make sure your light is abundant and your shutter speed is fast.
• read my tips on taking couples selfies.

I’ve been really excited about taking a REAL FAMILY PHOTO  for a while now and have been waiting for this week’s theme.

So let’s do this for ourselves and for our families { even though they don’t really appreciate our picture taking }

{photo taken by Leeka}

LINK UP

Smell it , smell it? Now take it!

Link up your jumps, people!

Tips on how to take jumping photos

This shot was inspired by my friend David!

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LINK UP:

Last week’s challenge of Magic Tricks was surprisingly inspiring! I was amazed by all of your ideas and creativity that  you displayed. So I’d like to feature some of the best work here today:

Please be sure to visit and comment on these works of art and creativity

In no particular order:
Shalay from Love Struck go abducted by aliens. I loved the levitation over the bed idea and have been thinking about doing it for a year and never got around to it. Shalay did this in less than a week and gave it an awesome spooky twist.

Gina from Chic Homeschool Mama had herself dangling on a stick. I have to say that’s a first one for me! I’ve never seen that one done before.

Ashley from Ramblings and Photos turned into an awesome cute Easter Bunny

Kim from Granthamania completely suprised me and all of us with an original idea that I think is close to heart for all the mamas and daddies out there: fear of our children getting hurt.
Kim went from hating taking selfies to this amazing shot! I love it!

Robin from Playdough in My Carpet did this clever take on the “family circus”. I loved that she incorporated her kids into the photoshoot and went really far with the make up and accessories! That’s dedication! And i think this should become their  family poster!

Jamie from From High Heels to Sneakers did another awesome zen levitation shot. Look at the perfect form and the cute red toes that are perfectly floating in the air.

And finally  the master Photoshopper Shaunna from Captivus Living pulled some Harry Potter on us. Check out her tutorial on how to make this effect!

SO there you have it! The best of the best! Self portrait photographers, magic makers, photoshop pro! I’m proud of you girls- you kicked ASS!
Sorry for those who couldn’t make it last weeks. You have  JUMP selfie this week, so get on it!

I do not think I will ever get tired of photographing beach atmosphere. Every time I am at the beach, it feels and looks different.
The light is absolutely amazing all day long and all year round. It really transforms the area.

To see pictures of us from that day, you can click here, since I only post my own photography here, and leave pictures my husband took and the storyline for the personal side of things.

Who doesn’t like PINK?

{ready to leave for the beach}