Ridiculously Happy Ppl: Recent Episodes
Sophia Lemon
I'm Sophia Lemon, and I photograph ridiculously happy people, love baseball, and consume loose leaf tea like it's going out of style.
This show is for you, the type of ridiculously happy person I love to work with. Together we are going to step out of our discomfort, self doubt, and self consciousness, and embrace the natural joy that can be found in our lives each day. Because happiness isn’t found in cars and vacation homes.
My passion is found in self love and self care, and I am heavily influenced by health and productivity. In fact, once upon a time I thought I wasn’t photogenic, and I find many of my clients think the same thing. But I've come to learn it's not about how much makeup you wear or the size of your waist that makes you look good in photos. It's that true sense of happiness with ones self.
That's what this show is about. It's about seeing yourself the way your family and friends do. You are a beautiful soul full of life and laughter, and you deserve to be acutely aware of that fact!
Pop me in your ears and listen for insight into living your fabulous life the way you've always dreamed.
Wondering how I get those beautiful and natural photographs of people? That's what this episode is all about! If you've ever felt unhappy with photographs of yourself, I bet I know the reason why. It's because you're trying to look like someone else. But being yourself is what makes everyone around you love you. Listen to this episode for my advice on showing off your true self.
Get the updated Picture Perfect Guide at http://pictureperfect.guide
Find the links that go with this episode at http://sophialemon.com/14
Get the Picture Perfect Guide at http://pictureperfect.guide
This episode is all about bringing your skin, your hair, and your body together with your mind so that you not only look fantastic for your next special event or photo op, but that you feel even better!
See the photos that go with this episode at http://sophialemon.com/13
Join the community on Facebook at http://sophialemon.com/Facebook
Thanks to Benjamin Edward for my super cool caricature and Bensound for my awesome beats.
Get the Picture Perfect Guide at http://pictureperfect.guide - Get all the show notes at http://sophialemon.com/we - Having a bad day? Everyone does. And frankly, life would be boring if it were stress free. Still, it's a good idea to have some easy and effective strategies to turn a bad day into a good day when you're feeling like you just aren't going to make it. Here are 10 things I do to fix my brain when I'm having an off day: 1) Take a bath; 2) Go for a walk (outdoors); 3) Listen to a favourite song;4) Have a good meal; 5) Take a nap; 6) Clean up; 7) Hug someone; 8) Dress up; 9) Wear sweatpants; 10) Do something nice for someone else. - Thanks to Benjamin Edward for my super cool caricature and Bensound for my awesome beats. - Join the community on Facebook at http://sophialemon.com/facebook
To see the pictures that go along with this episode go to http://sophialemon.com/11
To download my Picture Perfect Guide go to http://pictureperfect.guide
As a photographer I’m often asked, “How do I take better photos of my family?” In the past I’ve sat down with friends to explain the physics of photography. I’ve struggled through the settings on their cameras; written notes; drawn diagrams; and gone over the relationship between ISO200, f5.6, and 1/250 again, and again, and again. Ultimately I don’t think I’ve helped anyone this way, so I’ve decided to try another approach on teaching folks how to take better family photos.
Taking better photos of your family is not about what ISO/aperture/shutterspeed combination produces the best photographs, or what zoom lens you’ll need, or how much sunlight is too much sunlight. It’s about taking the best photos of your family you can with the equipment you have right now. These tips won’t make you a professional, but they will help you take photos you’ll be more proud to show off.
1) Simplify. 2) Say cheese! Maybe... 3) Delete. 4) More light! 5) Get in your photos! - Join the Facebook community at http://sophialemon.com/facebook
Check out the show notes at http://sophialemon.com/10
Thinking of purchasing a new camera to document your family or next big trip? Listen to this for the best camera upgrade, and 10 reasons to upgrade.
Here is the camera you should get: none! The camera you already have will probably do the trick. I bet the camera you’re looking at is packed with features. It has one billion megapixels, 70 to infinity zoom, and a bulb setting; whatever that is; and you can always get extra lenses. But the truth is, unless you’re a professional, a photography student, or a diehard hobbyist you likely have no need for a camera better than the one in your smartphone. It probably does more than you need it to, and you’ll never use it to its full potential (or even want to).
Join the community on Facebook at http://sophialemon.com/facebook
Join the Facebook community at http://sophialemon.com/facebook -
In 2013 I attended my first wedding as a guest since I started working as a wedding photographer. Every 5 minutes I found myself in a panic and reaching for my camera. But it wasn't there! It was weird. Much to the surprise of other guests, I didn't take my camera with me. And it proved to be incredibly liberating. Though I had experienced the 'unplugged wedding' as a photographer, I hadn't yet experienced it as a guest. This wedding totally convinced me that it's the way to go!
Here are the questions you should ask yourself when deciding whether to go unplugged: Are you hiring a professional? Do you want your guests to be engaged in your wedding? Do you want them in your photos? If they take photos, will you ever see them?
Ultimately if you decide to go unplugged the best advice I can give you is to communicate your wishes. You can send along instructions in your invitations, ask your officiant to share your wishes before the ceremony starts, and you should tell your photographer whether you are going unplugged or not so she knows what to expect.
Get the show notes and see the photos that go along with this episode here: http://sophialemon.com/9 -
Thanks to Benjamin Edward for my super cool caricature and Bensound for my theme music!
See all the notes for this show at http://sophialemon.com/8 and join the community on Facebook at http://sophialemon.com/Facebook
Copyright law is a little bit convoluted. I admit it! As a photographer I care a lot about it, but even I find it difficult to decipher. In fact I had a heck of a time reading the Canadian Copyright Act when researching this article. So for you, someone who might not have a reason to think about it ever, I imagine it's absolutely baffling. It's a question I often receive from clients as we discuss my process and our contract. When we get to the copyright clause there are understandably questions about who owns what, and what my clients can do with their photos. After all, you are contracting me to create photographs for you. So when you read that I own the rights to all of the photographs I produce you might rightly be surprised. Being that this is an important and significant investment, you should understand why your photographer owns the copyright to your photographs, what it means for you, and what you should look for in your photography contract to be sure you're absolutely covered and protected.
Thanks to Benjamin Edward for my super cool caricature and Bensound for my awesome beats.
See the photos that go with this episode at http://sophialemon.com/7 - Join the Facebook community at http://sophialemon.com/facebook - When you're trying to create a beautiful and timeless family portrait it is important that you choose the right clothing. Just Google bad family portraits to see why. You'll find lots of hilarious outfits and concepts which make great Facebook profile photos and future blackmail material. But when it's time to tell your family story you really want to get it right, and you want it to last! Not too long ago it was popular for the whole family to wear white shirts and blue jeans. In fact, your Google search will probably return lots of matching outfits in family portraits. These days, however, the trend is to coordinate, not match for a couple of reasons. First, this is the best way to show off each family member's unique personality. And second, not every outfit looks good on every person. Those white shirts will wash out most skin tones, and not every cut works on every body. Listen to this episode for my tips on what to wear, how to dress your kids, and what not to wear for your family portrait session to ensure that everyone looks fantastic and your portraits last!
See the photos that go with this episode at http://sophialemon.com/6
I photographed the cutest little almost-two-year-old last week in the Niagara Region. I spent 3 hours with him and his family. He showed me his mechanic skills, how he cuts the grass with his dad, and his garden. In that 3 hours there was a lot of laughter, some intense curiosity, and even some tears. But altogether it went really smoothly, and it got me thinking about how parents can prepare young children (and themselves) for their session. - So this is what I got into in this week's podcast episode. Here's a quick rundown: Don’t talk in too much detail about your session; Give your photographer some topics your kids like to talk about; If there are tears, let them flow. Don't stress out about it; Arrive early so you can introduce your kids to your photographer before the camera comes out; Don’t expect your children to behave for more than 20 minutes; Don’t say cheese. Natural smiles are always better; Only look at the camera when you are asked to; Never expect children younger than 2 to look at the camera on command; Do not scold your child for behaving like a child; Trust your photographer to get some great photos of your children in the moment.
Join the community on Facebook at http://sophialemon.com/facebook - Thanks to Benjamin Edward for my super cool caricature and Bensound for my awesome beats.
Join the Facebook Community: http://sophialemon.com/facebook Follow my shenanigans on Instagram: http://instagram.com/ridiculouslyhappyppl
Thanks to Benjamin Edward for my super cool caricature and Bensound for my awesome beats.
To see the photos that go along with this episode and to contact me directly go to sophialemon.com/5.
Here's your tips for keeping your family and wedding artwork looking fantastic for decades!
Store your canvases front to front and back to back. The staples and wires on the back can rip the image side of your artwork.
Be careful! The fabric your photograph is printed on is delicate, and if you put enough pressure on the image your finger can slip right through and leave a hole in your loved ones’ faces. Not a good look…
Don’t get them wet! The inks from your photo will peel right off the canvas! (Trust me, I’ve seen it happen.) If you absolutely have to clean your canvas use a soft cloth, and if you MUST use water be sure the cloth is just damp (nearly dry). Do not under any circumstances use any store-bought cleaning solutions, lemon, or vinegar.
Never touch your prints with your fingers. Have you ever seen the finger prints you leave behind on a glossy print? The oils your fingers leave behind cannot be cleaned off and will damage your print. Pick up prints by the edges, wear gloves when handling them, and if you must clear off dust use a dry, soft cloth.
Store your prints flat and in a solid box to protect them from curling and folding. Large format photographic printers print on rolls of paper, and given the chance your prints will curl again. This is one reason why I recommend that you mount your photographs for framing. And of course, never fold your prints!
Where possible, keep your photos out of direct sunlight, even when displaying them on the wall. This will protect them from turning that vintage yellow colour you see in your grandparents’ wedding album.
Avoid manually changing the photos in your frames too often. I’m an advocate for updating the artwork on your walls, but if you intend to regularly change the images in a frame be sure you have chosen a high quality frame, that your photographs are professionally mounted, and you should probably take them to a framer to be changed. Fiddling too much with your frames can loosen the backing and allow for your photos to curl and warp.
Store your albums and books in a cool, dry place. Keeping them in their box will go a long way to keeping them clean and dust free. Do not stack your albums under other heavy objects as that can cause even hard covers and thick pages to bend.
Photographically printed, flush mount albums feature images printed on photographic papers that are then glued to one-another to create full-width spreads you can flip through like any other book. These papers are delicate and susceptible to splitting and tearing if they are not appropriately cared for.
Avoid touching your album pages directly with your fingers. The oils from your fingers will transfer to the page and will damage them (just like a loose print). Turn the pages by the edge of each page.
You should enjoy your album regularly. The only caveat to this is that albums are delicate and the more use they get the closer they get to ripping along the spine. Sh*t happens! Be careful flipping through the pages, don’t fling the book open too hastily, and don’t slam it shut or throw it on your coffee table (or at another human being for any reason). You should also chat with your photographer about her replacement policy. Some (not all) will replace damaged albums within a reasonable amount of time. Be sure to thoroughly inspect your album closely on delivery as well.
Before you order your prints, you should speak with your photographer about lamination and gallery glass which will go a long way to help protect your images from fading and discolouring. Otherwise, enjoy your new artwork! You’re now pretty well equipped to keep it looking fabulous for years.
Between confirming your flowers, finalizing your cake, and managing your soon-to-be in-laws, the weeks before the wedding can be a complete, exhausting blur. Your family and other guests will hound you with questions, your coordinator will be buzzing your phone constantly, and your bridesmaids will insist on a wild bachelorette party, leaving you no brain power to remember to moisturize, let alone the energy to do it. You might forget to whiten your teeth. You certainly won't have time to fit in a hair trim with your stylist the week of the wedding. And you'll probably totally forget to sleep.
Listen to this episode for a run-down of everything you need to check off your beauty to do list before the big day and WHEN to do each of them.
Check out the photos that go with this episode and download the Picture Perfect Guide app at http://sophialemon.com/4
Join the community on Facebook at http://sophialemon.com/facebook
Thanks to Benjamin Edward for my super cool caricature and Bensound for my awesome beats.
Choosing the perfect location is an important part of the portrait process. It's also a very difficult one. In fact, if a deeply meaningful location doesn't immediately pop into your head you might be absolutely stumped. Most of my clients stare blankly at me when this question comes up, and many just defer to me for the final decision. But choosing the right location for your portraits can be what makes them truly meaningful instead of, "just some pictures of us." So how do you pick the right place?
In this episode I share my workflow for choosing a location for your portrait session.
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Subscribe to the podcast at http://sophialemon.com/podcast
Thanks to Benjamin Edward for my super cool caricature, and Bensound for my awesome beats.
The expectations for our teens are high, and the consequences for not meeting them can seem absolutely life-shattering. Add bullying, anxiety, and depression to that, and it's no surprise that the teens in our lives will experience low self esteem. It is heart breaking. As adults, there are a few things we can do to repair and improve their self confidence. One of my favourites for those on the cusp of adulthood is to remind them of how spectacular they are. Whether it's by subtly dropping them compliments or creating time to celebrate their achievements, we can help the young adults in our lives recognize how amazing they are and believe it.
Listen for my favourite 3 ways to boost your teen's confidence and how photography can help you do it!
See the photos that go with this episode at http://sophialemon.com/2
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