We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
So, I know that many of us ladies need to start OUR own Christmas lists! So, here is an idea. If you don’t yet have one consider asking Santa for a nice camera. Maybe a lower range DSLR (like mine) or a high end point and shoot. Something to help you take your family pictures to the next level while giving yourself a new hobby.
I get asked almost daily about what camera I use. First, I want to point out something that I have really learned over the past few months. A good camera is to photography what a good oven is to a baking. It certainly aids you in creating the best product but there are a million other things that go into it. As I have been learning more and venturing out of the automatic modes and into the manual modes I now understand how it is that 100 people could hold the same camera and stand in front of the same thing and not a single picture of them will be just alike. But, that is the fun part! It’s given me something new to learn and my mind loves soaking it in! So, this might just become a fun hobby for you too!
The camera that I use is the NIKON 3200. I bought the bundle off Amazon last year. I have since bought a 35mm 1.8 lens that I use more often than the basic kit lens. I do use the kit zoom lens fairly often though.
Another huge part of this game is the editing. Now that can take one photo and make it look a trillion different ways. From cleaning up an eye sore in the background to creating a magical storybook look, you can paint the light however you see fit! I use Lightroom for my editing needs. And editing is a whole other beast. I was shocked to learn how powerful it was. If you can learn to photograph in the correct light you can create something magical when you process your image.
I love my camera. I am not a professional photographer nor and expert on this topic so this is just simply answering the question of which one I use. Everyone will have an opinion. Canon vs Nikon. Coke vs Pepsi. Photoshop vs Lightroom. Tea vs Coffee. Although I hear that Photoshop is much more powerful, their Lightroom is very user friendly once you get the hang of it. I have my eye on next level of cameras right now. I am challenging myself to really learn the craft over the next year and then reward myself with an even better tool!
Also, read your user manuals through and through. And then start reading books and tutorials to learn how to maximize your experience. I just finished “How to photograph your kids like a pro” and it was a really great basic books that I think most of you would benefit from. I have taken several online photography classes and learned vocabulary and parts of a photo that I never knew existed.
Happy Holidays!
