my cool etsy find and a look behind the scenes. . .


I discovered this awesome camera stamp by MOXIEpear via a blog giveaway I spotted on Facebook. Assuming that I would most likely not be winning the giveaway, I went ahead and ordered the stamp. A little retail therapy, if you will. I do plan to use it for packaging my camera strap covers and am rather excited about it. Can I just say how much I love the way this stamp was packaged? It came in the cute drawstring bag shown below. Anywho, as cool as I think this stamp is, I didn't think I could write an entire blog post about a stamp. Sooooo....I decided to add in some behind the scenes images of where I take my photos for blog posts and shop updates!





Now, I don't have an actual photo studio or even a permanent set up. I use my daughter's room.  I clear a spot in front of the window, kick a couple of toys around, and set up my back drop, aka white poster board and/or white foam core board. I use random toys to help prop stuff up if need be. Hey, you gotta go where the light is!

My "photo studio" has some pro's and con's. What's good? I get great indirect natural light through this particular window for several hours a day. The table comes in handy by allowing me to place my subjects in the light. What's not so good? Those evil lime green walls! One of these days I will paint those walls white and get a proper back drop stand. Until then, this is what I'm working with. . .




If I'm taking photos of something flat, I'll just put my foam core board on the table and shoot down. Below was my set up for the photo I took of my stamp above.




If I'm taking a photo of something that I need to shoot straight on, like a purse, or Ming Ming, my model for today; I put a piece of poster board on the table and then prop the foam core board upright as my back drop. I use whatever is handy as a prop. The board also acts as reflector and helps to bounce light at the subject.




I also process my photos in Adobe Lightroom 3 and Photoshop CS5. If my poster board wasn't all wrinkled and would lay flat, I would probably not completely remove the seam where the two boards meet. However, since that seam looks kind of rough and isn't straight, I got rid of it.





Hope you enjoyed a glimpse behind the scenes of this blog! If you're a fan of photography "pullbacks", here are few more for you to check out:

Ponder and Stitch  - jewelry

Gingercake - staging

LJHolloway Photography - garage studio/child photography

Erin Elizabeth Photography - newborn set up


I'll leave you with a couple of shots of our new puppy, Stella. She's a Boston Terrier and an absolute sweetheart! Another fast moving object to chase with my camera ;)




10 comments

  1. Love the post. I am in awe of your photography skills-you got skills, girl!
    Stella is diddy! I am curious to see how big she will get. Kiwi is ginormous compared to other BT.

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  2. Thanks for the tips! Stella is so sweet!!! :)

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  3. Cool! Adorable puppy...love Bostons!

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  4. thanks for sharing the photo tips & links :)

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  5. Thanks for the tips! I trolled over to "photoshop" the other day, but I am such a computer newbie, I ran quickly in the other direction!! Maybe some day!

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  6. I think your daughter's room and my daughter's playroom are one in the same. We have Ming Ming here too as well as that singing house! :)
    Such a cute stamp- thanks for the photo tips Vanessa.

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  7. oh i just love stella! and the camera stamp, I have that one favorited! :)

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  8. Congratulations on your new addition of Stella to your family! We have a two year old Boston named Bella and she is just wonderful! A bit crazy during the puppy years but so lovable and is always with us! ENJOY!

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  9. Love this post! Thanks for the insider tips! :) Where did you get your boards - craft store? I also enjoyed poking around your blog. I'm your newest follower!

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