Calling all momma photogs, mamarazzis and wannabes! Have I got a book for you.
“Making the Mamarazzi” is a new book by family and child photographer, Michelle Sauer of Michelle Sauer Photography. I met Michelle through an Early Childhood and Family Education class when Bug and her youngest were two. Since then, I see her photos, her gorgeous photos, float across different social media feeds. I love her work and am impressed by her tremendous gift.
Michelle is a wife and stay-at-home, homeschooling mother of three sweet children, two girls and a boy. She started her photography journey four years ago when she wanted to be able to take beautiful photos of her quickly growing brood. A self-taught photographer, she learned by reading all she could, testing out what she read, reading some more and so on. In her learning, she found a real passion for photography.
Michelle started her photography business in the fall of 2008 and it’s been growing since then. In the beginning, she shot a little of everything but has since narrowed down her work to children and families, plus a few senior sessions. Her real passion lies in photographing kids being kids. She works to capture families together, laughing, loving and playing as they seem to be more well received that standard posed shots. I agree.
Michelle’s book, “Making the Mamarazzi” has been a two year labor of love. It started as she was putting together information for a workshop she was teaching. Slowly, it morphed into a full fledged how-to book, not on starting a photography business but capturing your family life beautifully. The book is almost 50 pages of full color instruction, written in Michelle’s candid style. If you want to learn to take amazing pictures of your children, this is the book for you.
This book,available in PDF download, is broken up into five parts:
1. Channeling Your Inner Mamarazzi
2. Your Camera and How to Use it
3. Finding the Light
4. Creating the Moment
5. Shoot!
It begins with technical information on how to use your camera as Michelle encourages mamarazzi’s to shoot in full manual mode so they have full control over the exposure of each shot. She explains everything from camera symbols, metering, white balance, photo composition, lighting and ‘subject vs. story’ shots, along with a long list of other technical and creative instruction. While learning about the camera is an important step, Michelle says that a lot of photographing one’s family is more creative.
I was given the opportunity to read Michelle’s book and I think it’s a fabulous manual for mamarazzis-in-the-making or anyone wanting to take beautiful photos. Michelle has a deep knowledge of the technical side of photography and imparts this knowledge through easy-to-understand instruction and helpful diagrams. I’ve been using my camera in full manual mode for over a year now. It really is fun once you get the hang of it and it changes the photos you take dramatically. I enjoyed the technical refresher plus I learned a bunch of little photo tweaks I am looking forward to messing with in the coming weeks.
I really liked this line:
“A mamarazzi DOES NOT ask her child to smile, or say cheese. She simply sneaks up and pretends she’s on a safari. She observes, she plays on the sidelines; she photographs her subject without interfering in their lives. Of course there are times when you will want that beautiful portrait and it will require some interaction, but that interaction must be done appropriately to illicit a natural look…”
Exactly. Well done, Michelle. You have a gift!
___________________________________________________________
GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED
Winner: Liz Berget
So here’s the sweetest part: Michelle has graciously offered to give away one copy of her book to one of you fabulous readers!
Here’s how you enter:
- Comment below and tell me about one of your favorite photos from your life or from somewhere else.
- Just to be nice, go on over and visit Michelle’s site and ‘oo’ and ‘ah’ at her work. :) If you are in the Twin Cities area and need a photographer, Michelle is the way to go!
The contest ends Wednesday, August 8th at 12:00am CST, the winner to be announced Thursday, August 9th. Please make sure to enter a valid email address so that I can contact you with the free PDF download code.
BUT WAIT!! – For those who don’t win or those itchin’ to learn, she has also made a special coupon code, valid through August 8th, pricing the book at just $70. Follow the link below to the shopping cart, enter the code: mamarazzi and the book is yours at the discounted price.
If you buy the book and do win, Michelle will refund your purchase.
Thank you so much Michelle! Thanks for sharing your beautiful gift.
Good luck readers! You are well on your way to becoming a fabulous mamarazzi. :)
Take care.
Michelle has a photo of a little girl in pigtails along the edge of a lake in pink dress. She’s timidly walking and the photo is taken from the back. I liked it because the hair reminds me of pigtails I had when I was little like that, and I love the water. Love you sister!
Thanks so much for doing this Amy! What a great write up! I hope you don’t mind if I share it!
My favorite picture is about five minutes afte
I was born, my dad is holding
Me, smiling like a fool
In love:) its the best. I love my daddy-o.
My favorite photo isy first of lucas, best day of my life!
I too took an ECFE class with Michelle and Amy. I have seen her photos on Facebook occasionally and am very impressed. I have a strong interest in photography as well and just purchased a new more expensive camera and would love to utilize it to its full potential. I would be intrested in purchasing her book if I don’t win it. I would also be interested in a class if sent the information.
I love a certain photo of my parents kissing with the sunset’s rays beaming from between them. I believe it was taken at the beach. They are posed from head to toe, standing a couple feet apart, leaning into each other. Their silhouettes are black and the sun’s glow is orange, gold and red. My mom was alway smitten by my dad. This shows in the picture.
My favorite photos are from the tulip fields in holland. Keukenhoff is one of the most photographed places in the world for good reason. I also love Michelle’s photos – I was introduced to them through my friend and coworker Molly, who is good friends with Michelle. She has a fabulous talent for capturing children and families.
This book looks fantastic! We’ve already taken about a million pictures of Owen, but I’d love to get better at it! Her website looks great – and her prices seem so reasonable. We might have to hit her up for some family photos this fall. Great giveaway!
Oh! And my favorite picture? There is a picture of Eric and I from when we were dating…that we took of ourselves after a several day camping trip. We had just ducked our heads in a stream to cool off and feel less gross…and we snapped a picture of ourselves with silly faces. I just love how it captured that time of our lives.
My friend Megan has recently started up her photography business. She has taken some pretty amazing pictures. I also like most any picture with my Dad in it. He is not a fan of the camera, but has this smirk that makes me smile every time.
We are expecting our first child in December, so it would be nice to get some pointers!