Happy Grandparent’s Day!

Posted on by May 21, 2011

“Grandparents can do more for us than anyone else in the world; they sprinkle stardust in our eyes.”
~ Alex Haley

A very happy Grandparents Day to all the grandparents out there! Grandparents are so important in kids’ lives. Grandparents can buffer the effects of adverse life events, they can encourage and support their grandchildren’s activities, they can take the time to really listen, they can spend time doing simple things, and all of this is so helpful to boosting kid’s development.

We hope that no matter where your grandchildren live, that you can have a wonderful, fulfilling relationship with them. There are so many ways to stay in touch, whether you live close by or far away.

This week we are going to focus on the grandparents. So be sure to come back to check out what we have in store for you!

Tuesday Top Ten: 10 Tips for Photographing Babies

Posted on by February 29, 2012

There’s nothing like having a baby to bring out the photographer in all of us. Every movement, every expression, every cute little finger and toe just needs to be captured on film, right? Or these days, on our digital cameras to be uploaded to the computer to be shared with the world! I know how it is. Taking photos of my kids, especially when they were tiny, was something I loved to do. Luckily I am a good editor or we would have millions of images.

Top Ten Tips for Better Photos of Your Baby:

  1. There are a lot of variables to look at and things you can change, but the most important tip I can give is to just shoot. Shoot picture after picture, especially if you have a digital camera, and you will end up some good ones, also some terrible, but it’s worth it to get to the really great ones. If you’re really interested pay attention to what you did when you created a great photo so you can do it again! Take your camera everywhere and just take pictures.
  2. I know how frustrating it is when you see your baby do something simply amazing and the picture comes out all wrong. Sometimes you are not going to get a great photo, but capturing the moment is still important. Don’t hold back on capturing your baby’s first bath because the lighting is all wrong or you have the wrong lens. You also might be surprised what you can get in less than perfect situations. Plus, you don’t need every photo to look perfect and posed.
  3. Use natural light whenever possible. Very rarely is using your built-in flash a good idea, unless you are able to “bounce” the light off of the wall or ceiling. Soft light coming in through a window is my absolute favorite. Morning and afternoon light is also lovely for outdoor shots.
  4. Move in close to your baby. Move in even closer than you might first think. Emphasize what is really important and cut out the rest. This will make your photos much more impactful than seeing a basket of laundry, toys, and whatnot lying around your adorable angel.
  5. Get really, really close. I don’t think there is anything much sweeter than an artful photo of a newborn’s tiny feet or hands. Using a macro lens or even a macro setting can make for some great shots.
  6. Experiment with angles and perspective. Try starting at baby’s eye level. Then try other positions like getting down on the floor or getting up high by standing on a (sturdy) chair. You might be surprised at what you get.
  7. Try to keep backgrounds simple. Whether you’re indoors or outside, be conscious of what is going on behind and around your baby. You want the focus of the photo to be on your baby, not her surroundings.
  8. Have fun with scale. Particularly for babies, and as they grow, it is fun to take photos with something that really demonstrates their small size. I love taking photos of my baby girl every three months in the same rocking chair. I love seeing how she is grown in just a year by comparing the photos. Or take shots of your baby’s tiny hand wrapped around her daddy’s finger.
  9. Experiment with color. With the digital age, it is easier than ever to make changes to your photos after the fact. Change it to black and white, boost or fade the color, erase small imperfections. All of these manipulations can be done by whatever program you use to upload your photos to your computer and are typically simple to do. If you are so inclined, there are more expensive and expansive programs to learn to use!
  10. Include other people. While your baby may be the cutest subject ever, it is so wonderful later on to see the photo with him and great-grandpa or auntie. And don’t forget to make sure someone is taking pictures of you too! Don’t just hide behind the camera. As your baby gets older she will love to see photos of the two of you together, and yes she will probably mock your hairstyle or clothing as a teenager, but isn’t that a rite of passage?

Tomorrow, for Wordless Wednesday, I will post some of my favorite photos that I have taken of my oldest baby, the second baby, and the baby. If anyone wants to include one of their own, e-mail me the photo and what credit you would like shown. Happy shooting!

Women’s Equality Day

Posted on by March 12, 2012

Women hold up half the sky according to a Chinese proverb, and I might venture they may even more than that. August 26 is Women’s Equality Day. It was first established in 1971 by Rep. Bella Abzug to celebrate the passage of the 19th Amendment. Women got the right to vote 89 years ago today. Every year our president issues a proclamation for our country that “renews its commitment to freedom and justice for all our citizens.” Is it just words?

Look at some numbers from around the world (most from the Women’s Learning Partnership):

  • Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury and death for women worldwide.
  • Only 1 in 100 battered women in the U.S. reports the abuse she suffers. Every nine seconds, a woman is battered by her domestic partner.
  • Everyday, 6000 girls are genitally mutilated.
  • Every year in India, 5000 brides are murdered or commit suicide because their marriage dowries are considered inadequate.
  • In Russia, half of all murder victims are women killed by their male partners.
  • In South Africa, a woman is raped every 80 seconds.
  • In the U.S., one in five women will be victims of rape in her lifetime. A woman is raped every 3 minutes.
  • Two-thirds of the world’s children who receive less than four years of education are girls.
  • 600,000 women — one every minute — die each year from pregnancy-related causes. Most of these deaths are preventable.
  • In the Global South, women traditionally eat last and least. They do not get more to eat even during pregnancy and nursing.
  • 90% of the rural female labor force are called “housewives” and excluded from the formal definition of economic activity.
  • Where women do the same work as men, they are paid 30 to 40 percent less than men.
  • There is no country in the world where women’s wages are equal to those of men.
  • Women produce nearly 80% of the food on the planet, but receive less than 10% of agricultural assistance.
  • Women own about 1% of the world’s assets.
  • Out of over 180 countries, only 13 have elected women heads of state or government.
  • In the developing countries of Mozambique, Vietnam, and Namibia, 34.8%, 27.3%, and 26.9%, respectively, of seats in the lower house of parliament are held by women.
  • On the other hand, in the developed nations of USA, France, and Japan, 16.3%, 12.2%, and 9.4%, respectively, of seats in the lower house of parliament are held by women.
  • Between 60 million and 107 million women are “missing” from this world. In countries where women are severely devalued, they vanish.
  • Investing in women and girls might have the highest return on investment in the developing world.

If you would like to do something check out this list of some amazing organizations. I am sure you will be able to find one that inspires you and your family. I know I have some more reading to do.

For some photos with your words, visit the multimedia, A Powerful Truth, or the article “Saving The World’s Women” from the NY Times. Indeed powerful.

Tuesday Top Ten: 10 Best Fruits & Veggies To Buy Organic For Baby

Posted on by May 21, 2011

I get it. It can be hard to buy everything organic and/or local. Especially once you have kids. There are some foods that are more important than others, though. Those that are more likely to have high amounts of pesticides and multiple pesticides.

Babies’ and children’s exposure to pesticides is so much more harmful because of their small size and lessened ability to metabolize toxic chemicals out of the body. And since they are still developing and their systems so sensitive, pesticides can cause permanent damage to their still developing brains, nervous systems, endocrine (hormone) systems, and reproductive systems. Pregnant women need to be careful as well in what they consume to protect their little ones and themselves.

If you buy certified organic or Integrated Pest Management (IPM) you know that you are making a positive impact on the environment by not exposing soil, water, and wildlife to pesticides and you know that you aren’t exposing your family to those same toxic chemicals. Local Farmer’s Markets are a wonderful place to find local, organic, or IPM produce and you can really learn where your food is coming from.

Top Ten Fruits & Veggies to Buy Organic:

  1. Peaches
  2. Apples (including applesauce)
  3. Nectarines
  4. Strawberries
  5. Cherries
  6. Pears
  7. Sweet Bell Peppers
  8. Celery
  9. Grapes
  10. Leafy Greens- including Spinach, Kale, Lettuce