Photography Backdrops

Recently I wrote about using some fabric, a bunch of flowers and hot glue to create a "flower bed" for baby pictures.

Another money saving photography tip is to make your own backdrops.

Buying a backdrop will often run over $100.00 dollars a piece.

I make mine for 20-40 dollars.

Go to your local fabric store (I developed this idea when working at Jo-Ann's so I can tell you that the materials are there) and find the quilters section.

There you will find muslin.

This is usually white or cream (sometimes black) and is used for making complicated quilts.

 Buy a big piece.

Bigger is better.

Muslin comes in various widths. 

I like to get the 140 inch and buy two yards.

If you get from Jo-Ann's I'd encourage finding a coupon. They are always around and can save big money.

Then buy one of the large bottles of fabric dye.

Now dye like usual.

If you wad it up and hold with string you'll get the patterns that look nice without being distracting.

Pin to a wall or build a sturdy holder frame out of pipe and set up for pictures.

I have at least five backdrops in various sizes and colors and probably spent the same or less then buying one straight out.

 

Photography "Flower Bed"

Besides crafting, sewing and baking, another love of mine is photography.

I have been shooting professionally for over seven years. Mostly weddings but also nature, kids, families, etc.

I'm not rich and I keep my prices low to help out people on a budget so I don't have a lot of money to throw around. So I make a lot of my backdrops and props.

I have long wanted a "flower bed" that would be great for newborn pictures.

However, to buy one is _expensive_

So recently I made one.

A piece of soft pink fabric, about 13 bunches of fake flowers, and a bunch of hot glue later!...

Now I just need a newborn baby girl in the Nashville, TN area to photograph! hehe

Working on the Shop

It is hard to do much when your most used finger is out of commission.

I've been trying to sew, my pointer finger on my right hand just keeps getting in the way.

 Makes things slower but I keep working.

Sunday I created a new project for my etsy shop.

Handmade luggage tags.

My first one is pink and black striped and while I don't much like pink, I love these luggage tags.

I'm going to make some more varieties then put them up in the shop.

So keep checking back!

In the mean time check out some of these other neat shops.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/WildlandCreations

Has great animal pictures that she puts on a number of things.

Tote bags, check book covers and more.

If you are an animal love (if you aren't, what's wrong with you?!) check out this shop.

(I might have to order some things for my yearly charity auction)

http://www.etsy.com/shop/FrogFun

Frogs are cute.

I don't know why.

They just are!

This shop has a photographer take nice quality pictures of frogs in different settings.

Squeeeee!!

Just squeee.

My favorite is this one: http://www.etsy.com/listing/93671520/frog-portrait-photography-of-live-frog

I mean seriously, a railroad spike photographer and a frog. 

It's awesomeness!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/beanforest

Buttons, pin back buttons.

Yeah, I have a thing for those.

Been collecting pins and buttons my whole life just about.

Some in this store are just too awesome.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/agaagg

I've mentioned A Girl and A Glue Gun before.

Here

 Now I'm mentioning her etsy shop.

Her blog is one I check multiple times a week.

Sure her hand warmers may seem out of season but think outside the microwave, and inside the ice box! 

Rice freezes well, I use a rice filled eye mask from the freezer when my sinuses are too swollen.

Also, on my photography facebook page here, I am currently running a giveaway.

Like the page and visit my photography website and tell me which picture is your favorite. You could win a free 8X10 print of your choice! 

But hurry, before the give away ends.

It's much better to spend a little more and get something handmade with care in America (and probably unique) then to save a tad and get some mass produced junk from another country.

(I have not received anything from these shops, I am simply mentioning some neat things to check out on etsy)

Photography

Let's start with a confession:

A nice camera that matches my requirements and has good abilities, actually makes me drool...

There I said it. :)

I've long loved taking pictures. I even have the first picture I ever took.

I've leaned over cliff edges to get a good picture. I've killed a camera getting a picture (but the shot was great). And it's rare to catch me without my camera somewhere not far away.

About 7 years ago I started doing photography professionally. I've mostly shot weddings, but also newborns and kids, couples and families, from birthdays to bands. If a camera is needed I will happily be there. It's exhausting work (especially weddings) and pay is far between but it's what I love.

Extra love goes to my hubby for always keeping me supplied with hard drive space for the mass amounts of pictures I take. I know to some that seems small but when you consider that I average around 100 pictures an hour at a wedding, and most weddings last 3-4 hours. And that he usually keeps up a backup of my pictures so they don't get lost, he has the behind the scenes, but very important job of supporting me and my love.

My photography website is: Found Here

Despite facebook tending to be ripe with picture theft I made a page that can be "liked": Facebook Presence

And if you are near the Nashville, Tennessee area and want to feed my addiction, drop me a note, we'll see what we can work out! :)