Tuesday Tips for Photographers:: "Which Camera Should I Buy??"

Welcome to Tuesday Tips! - Free weekly advice and HOW TOs for photographers. Be sure and stop by our blog on Tuesdays & please share this resource with your photographer friends as well!

Two questions we get asked a LOT are, 

1) "What camera and lenses do you use?"
2) "I'm just starting out, what camera do you reccomend?"

Here are the answers!


1) Among other equipment, our 6 main items are:
Canon 5D mk ii camera
Canon 50mm 1.2L lens
Canon 16-35mm 2.8L lens
Canon 70-200 2.8L IS II lens
Canon 100mm 2.8L macro lens
Canon 15mm 2.8 Fisheye lens


Here's a breakdown of when we use what at a wedding: 

Getting Ready:
Tavis - 70-200mm for hair/makeup
Amy - 50mm & 100mm for detail shots  

Couple pics, bridal party & family pictures before ceremony:
Tavis - 50mm or 16-35mm for full body shots
Amy - 70-200mm for closeups & candids

The Ceremony:
Tavis - 70-200mm for non-intrusive shots at a distance
Amy - 50mm or 16-35mm for a few wide shots 

The Reception:
Tavis and I switch off between the 70-200mm & 50mm for candids. Also we'll do a few wide shots of the whole reception with the 16-35mm or the fisheye. The 16-35mm is also great for shots of the whole dance floor! 

For senior & family pictures:
Tavis - 50mm or 16-30mm for full body shots
Amy - 100mm or 70-200mm for closeups & candids



2) Here's what we recommend for those wanting to upgrade from their point & shoot cameras:

Choose either Canon or Nikon and stick with it. They're very similar, but once you start with one brand you'll want to continue with it so that all of your gear is compatible. We shoot Canon and will recommend Canon gear, but with everything we use and recommend you can find the Nikon equivalent.  There are a couple of beginner cameras to choose from. The more you spend = the nicer the camera = the more limitations that are lifted from getting the pictures you want. You really do get what you pay for when it comes to photography gear.

This first option is the Canon Rebel series

• Canon T2i (There are also other versions of the Rebel that you could choose from)
• It's around $600 from B&H online or on Amazon 
• It comes with the camera body & lens so you're set to go.

The second one we would recommend is more expensive, but is hands down a better camera then the T2i

• Canon 60d (This is the most current one. Newer versions of the this series will come out in the future)
• The camera body is around $900 from B&H online or on Amazon
• If you buy only the camera body you'll need to purchase lenses separately.

(Both of these cameras are for the hobbyist wanting to take better pictures. If you're wanting to do photography on a professional level, our recommendations would be completely different.)

Do you have a question that you'd like answered in a future Tuesday Tips post? Email your questions to Amy: info@memorymp.com - Thanks!

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Baby Bump Sneak Peek!

These pictures may seem sunny and warm, but it was actually the middle of December in Washington! Although, the 55 degree weather in Graham was a great escape from our recent frigid Yakima weather. Jordyn's parents' house gave us lots of space to shoot some photos and they also have a great view of Mr. Rainier. Congratulations to Jordyn & Logan!

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CHRISTMAS CARDS!!!

Just had to share.... look at the impromptu Christmas card garland I made!

Materials: hemp + mini clothes pins+ mini command hooks = easy & cheap!

ps. If you haven't heard of them, command hooks are a great way to hang without hurting your walls! 

I would love to get more cards for more rows of garland!

Memory Montage, 208 N. 25th Ave. Yakima, WA 98902

Happy Holidays!

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Merry Christmas from our house to yours.

IT'S OUR FIRST BIG CHRISTMAS. Last December we were in between places- house-sitting for my Grandpa. In 2008 and 2009 we had a little apartment space in Ellensburg with not much room to decorate... This year we have a house to garnish and enjoy! Every Christmas detail you see was either purchased last year at Target's after Christmas clearance, bought second hand or it is homemade. :) I'm a thrifty crafty girl! We also have a few ornaments from here and there; either gifted to us or purchased as mementos.

Check out my themed red-white-brown wrapping and ribbon! I tackled all of my shopping on black Friday, and finished all of my wrapping that Sunday. woot! 

Merry Christmas!! <3 Amy & Tavis Guild

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Yakima Photographer:: Stephen & Andrea

These two were married in 2008 (like us) and wanted some updated photos.... so we did a session with them this past fall! Andrea also does photography so I enjoyed photographing someone with a love for the art.

You can view more of our Yakima Photography on our portfolio site

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Yakima Wedding Photos:: Ryan + Casey

click play to watch the slideshow...

{w/a special song chosen by the couple}

click here to see more wedding pictures...

Ryan and Casey | Saturday, November 5, 2011 | Yakima, WA  
This Couple's Wedding Vendors:
Ceremony Venue: 1st Presbyterian
Reception Venue: State Fair Park
Photographer: Memory Montage Photography
Wedding Cake: Christie's Cakes
Wedding Colors: Purple + Fall Colors
You can view more of our Yakima Wedding Photography on our Portfolio Site
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Yakima Wedding Photographer:: Adam & Jennifer

 click play to watch the slideshow...

{w/a special song chosen by the couple}

click here to see more wedding pictures...

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Yakima Engagement Photographer:: Laura & RJ

Awwwwwww. Look at these two! Our session was tons of fun; lots of laughing and giggling between this couple in love. Laura described her style to me and I think we found the perfect place to fit her engagement photo vision: The Ahtanum Mission! (that rhyme was unplanned) - RJ plays football at Eastern Oregon so we also when to the football field and we photographed them in their matching T-shirts. Watch for their wedding photos next summer!

You can view more of our Yakima Engagement Photography on our portfolio site

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