Andie Smith is a Dallas-based freelance photographer, specializing in editorial and fine art photography. She is eight18 photography & andie smith photography and is available for international assignments.
Andie’s favorite artistic expression has always been photography. As a child, she fell in love with the art while vacationing with her family. Even now, when she looks at those photos, she is instantly transported back in time to experience those moments again – the sights, the sounds, the smells, the people. It is Andie’s hope that her photography evokes a similar response in all her clients.
Tabitha & I were honored to photograph Phil and Christina’s wedding at Wyldewood Wedding Chapel. What a beautiful location for a wedding!!! A classic white chapel, and it beautiful inside, too. The outside is fantastic too!
They are so cute together…and tell how much they love each other. Their friends and family traveled from all over the country to be with them on their special day. Speeking of the country..It was so neat to see the guests from California react to the lighting bugs that we get out in the country.
I love her ring!!!
Something old: Christina’s grandmother’s cameo broach. What a wonderful detail!
Thank you for letting me part of your special day!
One of the things I love about being a photographer is that I am always learning. I learn from other photographers, books, the local Canon rep (he’s a wealth of knowledge but don’t tell him I admitted that!), and every once in awhile I still get some great information from a former teacher. Over the last few years I’ve collected a few quick tips. (they work for the mom with a camera who just want to to take pictures of her kids and those of us working in the industry)
- For a better picture: take at least one step closer.
- Learn your camera. Read the manual…this goes for your pro SLRs to you everyday point and shoot.
- Shoot everyday (or as much as you can): Why is Jennifer Wu a better landscape photographer than I am? She has been shooting for 15 years and has hundreds of thousands more shutter clicks than I do.
- Shoot what you know. Shoot what you don’t know. So basically shoot everything.
- (this is for the SLR users) Hoods not filters…. back button focus….. vacuum your camera bags.
- If you are using a wide angle lens and can’t touch your subject…you are not close enough (of course this rule has and will be broken)
- Stop thinking of other photographers as your competition, think of them as colleagues. Ask them questions, answer theirs. People hire you, for your style and your personality….that is something that is uniquly yours. Learn from each other. There is a photographer in town that borrows my wide angle lens when she has a big family to shoot, and I borrow her macro. Make a community.
-Look at photos others have taken, and figure out what you like about it.
- Don’t be afraid to lay on the ground, or bring a step stool. Your shot will be more interesting if you don’t take it from your standing height.
- Never stop learning, and always enjoy taking pictures.
July 1, 2009 - 9:28 amChristine - All great advice. I think if we ever get to a point where we feel we know it all - we are done in!
I really like that you view other photographers as a community and share and learn. This is such a great point and definitely the way I feel about things!
July 1, 2009 - 10:20 amKaTrina Blanks - Great tips!! Thanks for posting them!
July 1, 2009 - 11:12 amchris jenkins - some great advice you give. i really love the point of never stop learning. i learn something new every time i shoot a session or if i am just out experimenting.
i agree with you - other photographers are your colleagues - i have asked and answered questions many times - you do learn from each other!
July 1, 2009 - 11:20 amJennifer McBee - Great advice Andi. I agree that other photographers are part of my community! Without them, I wouldn't know a quarter of what I have learned in the past 2 years. I love it now when I can passs on what "little" I have learned to those who are just starting out.
Last point about laying on the ground or standing on something is so true. Some of my favorite pictures and most commented on are from a different perspective.
Thanks again for the great pointers and reinforcement.
When I ordered the red petticoat I knew I had to photograph Miss Alexandra in it! (her sister is one of eight18 photography’s 2009 seniors!). She is beautiful, and look, she still has the cute gap in her teeth! I really think it is important that parents make sure to get pictures taken of their kids at this stage!
and I love this shot of Alexandra and her Mom sharing a secret!
I heard the “awwww” from here! Don’t forget to watch the slide show to see more of my favorites!
If you want a session with the petticoat, call or e-mail to schedule a session. I also have a black/pink one in a larger size on order!
Hey boys! The same rules apply to you as to the girls…have fun with your clothes! Don’t be afraid to wear classics but with some color!
Shorts: During the summer sessions in Texas…shorts are a must!! These are fun from old navy and look awesome with a polo, or a long sleeve white button up shirt with the sleeves rolled up:
If you don’t feel comfy wearing bright plaid shorts (they are not for every one) plain khaki cargo shorts always work!
Hollister has great casual clothes, and they photograph well too!
Ambercrombie has the same style.
Want to look a little “dressed up”? If you show up in a vest/jeans..I will love you! lol…okay maybe like you a lot….I love this look, seen here at j.crew
but why not have fun with the tie?
Do you know where you are going to school in the fall? don’t forget the hoodie or t-shirt from your school!
I was procrastinating and skimming through my flickr images yesterday and realized how much some of my old images inspired me. Not because the perfection of following all photographic rules….but because I still learning to “see”. I was a toddler, exploring the world. I knew very little about aperture, and shutter speed and that noon was a horrible time to shoot. I just wanted to take pictures!
During my 1st semester (or were they quarters?) at the Art Institute- Fort Lauderdale we took a field trip to Adam and Eve, an incredible architectural salvage company in West Palm Beach, FL. We had to shoot b&w film for class…but I also brought digital rebel for non-class pictures. I look at these images and still love them…I wonder if I still see the world the same way…would I still take these images? would i take them from the same angle? I hope I would but with better knowledge on how my camera works!
Senior girls should wear what they feel the most confident in, you usually know what you look good in! here are some things i think would look great in front of the camera!
June 20, 2009 - 2:08 amjoscelyne - Those are great suggestions. I would encourage the girls to either have their makeupb done professionally or offer them tips. I cringe when I see these beautiful young ladies with too much clumpy mascara or fly away hair. It distracts from their beauty.
June 20, 2009 - 6:55 amJudy - That orange floral from forever 21 is toooo cute.
Great layout.
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