We KNOW it has been too long since there has been a post here, and let us be the first to apologize. We are hard at work on the book and with the whole thing due on December first, we are in a bit of a frenzy of writing, shooting and editing.

Since we are spending so much time at work on book details, it is hard to even keep shooting our own lives as well. Then again, it is next to impossible for us NOT to keep shooting. We feel there is something integral to daily life missing when we do not photograph for ourselves…it is what keeps us growing as artists and people. It keeps us sane.

We get asked all the time for camera recommendations. People want to know what the perfect camera is. Some of you may have seen Rachel talk at BlogHer and if you did, you will know that our thoughts on the perfect camera are in line with the old adage… “the best camera is the one you have on you at that moment.” If your camera is at home in the camera bag in the closet, it may be safe, but it certainly is not taking any photos.  This is not a new concept nor is it ours alone…this guy even wrote a book on it.

That said, we totally understand that at times you will just not be able to take your big fancy camera. We don’t always have ours. That is one of the reasons that it is so hard to compile just ONE post telling you what camera we recommend. So for all the reasons that fall under the heading “It Depends”, we want to begin a series of “the best camera for you” posts by focusing on the tiny one you have in your hand probably every day…

The camera phone.

Using a camera phone is not just convenient, but it is great practice. It frees you from the pressure to get the settings perfect and allows you to concentrate on composition and visual storytelling. Unfettered by the “right” f-stop and embracing the grain and unexpected colors, you can really learn to see the shots. With some phones, you can download apps that take the standard camera on the phone and turn it into a whole world of possible cameras from a vintage polaroid with expired film to a land camera loaded with black and white plates.  Some of the apps have “the rule of thirds” grid option for the camera’s viewfinder.  If you need help with composition, that tool will make it a no-brainer to put the subject in the most interesting position in the frame.  We will share our equipment and favorite apps with you now.

Get ready to let yourself go and create some instant art.

Peta uses the iPhone4.

hipstamatic - $1.99

- fun!
- change lenses/ borders/flash effects to create different looks
- based on different vintage cameras/lenses
- square format pushes creativity
- upload directly to facebook/twitter
- classic viewfinder mode captures the scene slightly differently than what you see in the viewfinder, just like vintage cameras
- cute vintage camera interface
- option to purchase more “lenses” and “films” to change things up

cross process – $0.99

- great vintage cross process effects
- can either take the photo with the app or use photos from library
- choice to save a “straight” version of the shot in the library
- different colour effects to try
- straight forward interface
- doesn’t affect the quality of the shot beyond the colouring, which is great for when you want a bit of pretty colouring without going too lo-fi with the effects
- choice of border or none

Rachel uses the HTC Desire, an android phone.

Vignette – £2.99 full version (free trial version that works on the tiny size only)

- completely customizable effects even after taking the shot and you can save your favorite combinations
- option to save a copy of your image and then apply new effects for many different versions of one shot
- frequent free updates
- self timer and time lapse options
- square just one of the many different crops available
- large selection of borders or the option to have none
- easy upload to flickr, facebook, twitter and other web sharing sites from app
- can import any other photos to the app and apply effects at any time
- works with flash if your phone has one
- geotag your shots…great if you are location scouting and want to easily remember where an image was taken

Apps are great fun, but do you want to get even more out of your little camera? You can buy these awesome little extra lenses from photojojo.

We really think that training yourself to photograph things on a daily basis will help you stretch your limits.  It will spark ideas that you can take further with your big camera.  You can finally tackle that 365 – photo a day project that you have been putting off because the thought of editing a photo a day is overwhelming…well, at least that is what Rachel has done!  You can follow her 365 self portrait project on flickr.

Peta and Rachel pin prints they do at home from their camera phones on boards as a visual sort of record for upcoming projects.  You can make your own with a blank canvas from the dollar store or a magnetic panel from Ikea.

Peta is framing small prints of her favorite shots in large frames with big white mats.  Rachel would, but she A) takes too many darn photos and B) totally forgets to frame anything.

Our only warning…get organized because you are going to take A LOT of photos!  Make sure you download the images from your phone on a regular basis so that you don’t lose all those shots if your phone goes missing or crashes!  Rachel has a folder on her computer called “phone-tography” where she keeps all of her camera phone shots in dated subfolders.  With her 365 project, she downloads her images daily.

Are you shooting your life with your camera phone?  We want to see!  Please link your sites, sets or just your favorite shot in the comments so that we can all watch your art grow.  Let us know what camera-phone you have and your favorite app if you have one.

For all of you wanting to buy a new DSLR, we will be having more posts coming up with our thoughts on Nikon options, Canon options and then the great gear from other brands!  This is just the beginning.  In the meantime, keep working with whatever you have!

Mom / Mum / Mama / Móðir / 母亲 / мать / Moeder / Madre / 母

In honor of Mother’s Day (in most countries) this weekend, we would love to “meet” your moms.
Images from years gone past or just an iPhone snap that you took yesterday… please share with us!
(Maybe your photo will be our next Spotted. post!)

No photo handy, tell us a quick story about the woman you call mom or even just her name.

We’ll start:
Here is Rae Lou, Rachel’s mommy with (almost) all of her grandkids from last summer.

And here is Peta’s mum, Leah with baby Peta, 23 years ago.

We love you Mom and Mum! Happy Mother’s Day.

The response to our last poll on locations for a possible teaching tour was really wonderful.  Clearly there are a lot of you who would like to learn more and we have a much better feel for where we are considering holding these classes.  We would love to hear from you now about budget and time.  If you would just take a minute to answer this super short poll, we would appreciate your thoughts.

Does your camera take great pictures?  Well, have we got a coffee mug for you.
Can’t stop taking photos of your baby?  There is a onesie for that.

Beyond Snapshots has teamed up with the AWESOME, fantastic, Jodi Walker, the talented designer behind Itch Design to come out with a line of fun, quirky, photo-themed goodies for your enjoyment. We are beyond thrilled with what she has come up with and we think you will love it too!

There is something for everyone. We love that all the American Apparel tees are organic and we are really excited about the cute SIGG bottles and the adorable journals (it will be perfect for jotting notes for our book!)

Head over to the store to see the full range

More fun designs will be rolled out soon!

We are working with Melissa to take this show on the road. Since this workshop is for you, first question… Where you would like to join us?

We are going to start showcasing some of our joint sessions on this blog. First up is this sweet newborn, what a strong little guy he was at only 3 weeks!

Back in October we were a bit overwhelmed and asked the internet if it knew of anyone who would be interested in assisting us.  Linda was the first to respond.

We got back to work convinced we could do it all ourselves and did not really want to burden someone with our crazy.

Lind emailed to check on us.

We assured her that we were JUST fine and would be in touch.

February came around and we had a book deal, a full online class, plans for our first in person workshops, a blog to maintain, shoots together, magazine articles and there was suddenly not enough coffee in the world to make it doable on our own.

Certain that Linda must have found someone else, we twittered again…we meant it this time.

We had so many wonderful people contact us, but one name popped up again right away.

Linda!  We warned her that we were on the perfectionist side of controlling.  We warned her that the twins were part of the daily deal.  We warned her.

She showed up with cake (cake!) and purpose and got us in line.  We now have a sorted inbox, the class is coming together even better than before, Kieran is in love with her and this is just the beginning.

Welcome to the Beyond Snapshots team, Linda.

Check out her fantastic food blog.  I am now warning you, you will gain weight just by looking at her delicious photos of the things she makes.

is finally officially underway.  We have been working hard on this dream for some time now and today we can finally spill the beans.

We are excited and proud to announce our news that we have signed a book publishing deal with Random House / Amphoto!

With a focus that extends past just the time spent raising kids, Beyond Snapshots the book will teach people in all stages of life how to take their fancy cameras off auto and shoot life like the pros.

There are so many wonderful things in store for the blog now that this book is underway.  We will continue to bring you all the tips and features as we have been doing…there is just going to be even more to offer!  Make sure that you sign up for our mailing list and check back here for updates and casting calls…

Thank you all for being part of this journey, we expect it to be a lot of fun.

Our first Beyond Snapshots online workshop. The workshop is now sold out. Check back for more dates!

We are so excited for this opportunity to team up and teach in a more intimate online classroom. Don’t worry, the blog is not going anywhere. In fact, it will continue to grow!

Interested in the class?

Things needed: Your DSLR with at least one lens (any brand), an editing program (Adobe Photoshop Elements or even better, Photoshop full version), a computer to do it all on.

Who this class is for: Beginning photographers who want to learn how to get the most out of that fancy camera and see what actually goes into making great photographs.

What we will cover: We are starting from the beginning…that is why this class is for beginners.  After we get you understanding the functions of the camera and properties of light we will go through composition, posing, inspiration, style and other elements of portrait photography.  From there we take you through organizing and processing your files.  We will be posting assignments to inspire you and even sharing behind the scenes videos.  Our final focus will be on printing, sharing and blogging those gorgeous photos of yours.  There is just so much that will be covered that it can’t all fit here…that is why we are running the class!

How we are going to teach: We have a great new virtual classroom for this workshop.  You go through the lessons as they are released weekly and turn your assignments in online.  While these are not graded assignments, we will be giving each member individual feedback.  This is your chance for personal photo mentoring by Rachel Devine and Peta Mazey in the comfort of your own home!  Don’t worry, you don’t need to change out of your jammies, it is all online, but we do answer your questions and help you work through your trouble spots.

The first workshop is scheduled for 5 April – 24 May (7 weeks)

The workshop cost is $500 and has a limited enrollment so that each person gets personal attention from both of us.

To secure your spot in the class go to the registration website by clicking here

This workshop won’t be covering any business information or client relations.

Coming soon - Details on portfolio reviews and private mentoring with Rachel and Peta

So much is going on behind the scenes right now that we are actually going to have to drag New Zealand a little bit closer to Melbourne so we can get things done.  OK, that is not really possible so Peta is getting on a plane and flying over here tomorrow.

We are going to finish up the online classes and release the dates and information in the next few days!  We also have a new feature of the blog to reveal and of course, the winner of the contest!

We also have a bunch of shoots to do and more.  It will be so much easier when we can be in the same room instead of meeting at our “virtual office” like we do every other day.

Thank you all so much for your enthusiasm and support as we get this all off the ground!