Frugally Green Mom

Today I am thrilled to have Patti, the owner of P.S. Portraits and a Gulf Coast Photographer doing a guest post for me! Patti is not only an amazing photographer, but an amazing person as well. If you're vacationing on the Coast and want to get some great photos done while having fun at the same time give her a call!

Hi! My name is Patti and I am a local photographer, specializing in families and lifestyle portraits.

I met April (Frugally Green Mom) last fall when she found me on Craig’s List. My husband had been putting my site on the “List” without my knowledge... I was mad when he told me, but now I am glad it brought April and her wonderful family to me...

When April asked me to do a guest blog post to explain some of the buttons on the digital camera, or give advice on what is a good picture vs. a bad picture, I accepted whole heartedly... Wanting to do my best and share with you a little camera know-how.

Well... I agonized over what to say, how to say it and struggled with coming off as snooty or as a know it all... I wrote this a million times in my head, and three times on the computer... I tried several angles from the technical side of “know your camera” to how to “FEEEEEEL” the shot... Ya know what???!! It was horrible! All of it! So I made the choice to share with you, why I love photography and how the camera is not only a business tool, but also a window to life.

Why do I love photography? Photography has helped me live the best life I can live...I have anxiety. Sometimes its crippling.. Being in a crowd makes me nervous, Going to new places make me nervous, Meeting new people make me nervous, BUT when I have a camera in my hand, I can do anything. I feel like I have a mission, I can focus (no pun intended) on getting the perfect shot. I can smile at a new face and say Hi, I am Patti your photographer. I love being able to give other people confidence when I take their picture.

One of the most rewarding photo shoots for me was of a little pre-teen girl, who was very self conscious, she was nervous to have my camera pointed at her.

I understood how she felt, I feel that way too! I told her, you’re beautiful. Lets play Model. Pretend you are in a magazine photo shoot. I acted like the photographers she has seen on T.V. and movies, telling her “work it” “move it” yeah! Yeah! Like that! Before we knew it, we were laughing up and having a great time, and we got this shot

Being able to capture real smiles..

or real tired babies

is what gives me the motivation to get over my anxiety, and get out into the world.

Photography has been a window to success as well. I spent many years in a profession that rarely had any good news or happy people. It got to be too much for me. I was always in a crabby mood or upset. When I thought I was at a breaking point, my husband gave me the best gift in the world, photography lessons. I spent one on one time with a private teacher, learning the in’s and out’s of “What makes a good picture”. I spent all my time swimming the world of photographs, soaking up as much as I could. It was wonderful. I started doing photos for friends, then they would tell their friends, and before I knew it, I was happy and excited about the world around me again. I was also building a business doing something I love!! What an amazing feeling!!! I never knew this could be my life! I am excited and full of joy; I can be creative and still provide for my family.

If you have a camera in your house, pick it up. Start taking pictures! Get creative, think out of the box.