a little about mj

I'm on an exciting journey of motherhood, photography and giving back to a world that has been so good to me. I truly believe that if you trust in the learning process, TRY, destroy self doubt and then try again - that you can do anything. Now is the time to join the digital photography movement! Moms are leading the way - won't you join us?

Post image for DIY frame for instagram photos

Have you ever asked yourself what you’re going to do with all of those priceless instagram photos hiding away on your phone? They may be not all be technically correct but they sure are real. They are everyday snap shots – the messy, badly lit, out of focus, laughing, crying, silly, amazing moments – called life. I wanted a fun way to view them “in person” but I knew I liked them together in a group. It’s a power in numbers kind of thing. They all work together and create this storyboard of your life.

This is most definitely a pinterest inspired idea and it was SUPER easy! I’m excited because it will be so easy and inexpensive to constantly rotate the photos (not sayin’ this will happen toooo often, but the opportunity is there). [click to continue…]


Post image for manual exposure : simplifed

Ok mamas, I really, really hope that you have been giving manual mode a try. It really is the one thing that will take your photos to the next level. Just tell your auto mode that you’re officially fighting and you’re going to see what else is out there. I promise once you get the hang of it, you will never EVER look back.

I am an extremely visual person (hence the career as a photographer, I guess)- so no matter how many times I heard someone explain exposure, or how many times I read about it – I never really grasped it until I could get a visual. Here is one that worked for me, maybe it will help you too. If it doesn’t, just forget I mentioned it.

OK, I want you to picture a bucket. Now, I want you to visualize a stream of chocolate going into that bucket. There are three questions I want you to ask yourself? How big is the bucket? What is the size of the stream and how long will it be flowing? [click to continue…]


a personalized photo welcome sign

Thumbnail image for a personalized photo welcome sign

I didn’t find this idea on Pinterest, I didn’t have a manual or step by step instructions – I’m pretty sure this vision came to me in a dream. It was a humbling project that kept teaching me over and over again about learning to cope with plan B, learning to re-envision and adjust accordingly. [...]

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video tutorial: photographing in the bright sunlight

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The flags have been hung, the burgers have been eaten, we’ve said our thank yous to all who serve our country so selflessly – Memorial Day has officially come and gone. The smell of sunscreen is permeating the parks and beaches, school is ending, SUMMER IS HERE! So what does that mean for you and [...]

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iphone photos as art

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all photos and text (ignore the by mary jane above) by emily crawford of ethreeit.com I’m convinced that almost every scene I happen upon holds the possibility for art. Some things instantly catch my attention, while other things appear only after assessing my surroundings–and pouring a little dose of imagination in to the mix, of [...]

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a photo a week for one year!

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…all photographs ©Annemarie Bollman… First things first – the winner of the Addy Lane actions is Michelle Cherrington! Congratulations – you’re going to love them!! Please email me to claim your prize. (mj@photogmommie.com) Thank you everyone for playing! And now, another little spark of inspiration. I am so in awe of mamas that can stick [...]

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