What is YOUR learning style?

My book, Photographing Children, has two distinct tracks to learn about creating better photographs of your children. My intention was to write a book that is geared to less technically-oriented readers who want to learn to turn an average snapshot into a more fine and dazzling portrait. This journey is about learning to see the light and to use it effectively and sculpturally. It is also about using more dramatic composition and eliciting a wide range of expressions from children, as well as finding more interesting backgrounds.

Most books on photography, and even on photographing children, elaborate about all the camera bells and whistles and digital tricks. Many people pick the books up in the bookstore and start seeing references to f-stops and color temperature, only to feel intimidated and put it right back on the shelf.

Photography needn't be so dreary!

I wanted to inspire the reader to see that it can be fun, relaxing and un-intimidating learning to create better photos of their children! When I teach photography to parents (mainly Moms) I will often have them start off using automatic mode on the camera.

Then I teach them to see, feel and LOVE light...light in the afternoon, light coming in through a window, and so on. Then we look at some of their favorite photographs, noticing how they are composed and why we are drawn to them so that we can incorporate that into their images.

In my experience as a teacher of other professional photographers, I have noticed over the years that many don't see light and make use of it in a creative way. They automatically use a flash and zap away any possibility for a beautifully "sculpted" portrait.

I have attempted in my book to show the value of using natural and available light, and classical composition.

However, if you find that you want to go a step beyond and learn more about your camera, lenses, and settings, you can follow that track through the book as well. I found a contributor, Allison Tyler Jones, who was able to add that information in a simple and friendly manner.

The photographs in the book range from very contemporary and fresh to the more classical and refined, and much in between. Readers can identify with a style that might come close to theirs.

The nice thing is that you can choose your path in reading this book, and continue to use it as a resource and inspiration as you gain confidence in your photography!

Enjoy!

Wonderful Email Received about Photographing Children by Ginny Felch

I received this email last week which brought tears to my eyes because Angela really GOT the message. Seeing the light! I have attached one of her beautiful photographs which she created BEFORE she read the book, and so I can't wait to see what she will come up with now. This photograph really demonstrates how the sculptural quality of light can enhance an image. Angela was taking advantage of using light behind her nephew, which created "rim" light around his face. Angela Stubb's has two websites, one with her photography, and one with her children's shop.

Dear Ginny

I am sure you will receive many emails like mine, but I just wanted to thank you for writing your book. I only bought it yesterday, and am not even half way through, but it is wonderful.

I have only been a 'beginner professional' for six months and whilst I am proud of my work, I have soooo much to learn and I am finding your work truly inspirational. I like to only work with natural light but even through I try , I have sometimes struggled to 'find the light' so-to-speak and yet I am already looking at the world around me with new eyes having read your first four chapters last night.

Like many photographers, I have dipped in and out of many books but your's is beautifully written, enhanced by wonderfully inspiring images and a joy to consume. I am looking forward to soaking up all that remains in the rest of the book this evening!

Sorry to gush, but you have made a real impact on me. Thank you.

Kindest regards,
Angela.

PS... I hope one day you may come to England where I can hear you speak.

First Amazon Review!

Maine children's photographer, Patrisha McLean, whose beautiful portraits are included in the book, wrote the following raving review:

"Get this book if you have any interest at all in children's photography. The photos are wonderful and inspiring-- none of those cheesy, high-flash, heavy-filter shots so depressingly common in this genre. I am very proud to have a few of my photos included in this superbly-written and illustrated book. I've looked through others of its type and the advice is usually really obvious. Not so here. Even professional children photographers will learn from this book - I've been making my living at this for 10 years and still picked up a few things myself."

Seen above is one of her fine portraits. Check out more of her work on patrishamclean