Check out our Valentines:

How To Enter:

With just a few simple steps, you can submit a photo of that special someone. If your Valentine is selected as a winning photo, we will feature your Valentine’s photo on the Mom It Forward website, Facebook page, and/or newsletter! The best part? If your Valentine’s photo wins, you win a chocolatey treat from Hershey’s Kisses! See the Official Rules for details.

Deadlines:

The contest runs from February 5-29, 2012. The final entry submission deadline is February 29, 2012. Daily winners will be announced by 10:00 a.m. ET Sunday – Friday. Weekly winners will be announced every Sunday. The Grand Prize winner will be announced on the Mom It Forward Facebook page March 5, 2012.

Hershey’s Kisses Prizes:

Hershey’s Kisses and Valentine’s Day are a match made in heaven! By entering the contest, you’ll have a chance to be one of the following winners:

• Daily Winners: This photo will be featured on our Mom It Forward Facebook Page and will receive two bags of Valentine’s Hershey’s Kisses Milk Chocolates (ARV: $7.98).
• Weekly Winners: One winner will be selected every week for a total of four weekly winners. Their photos will be featured in the Mom It Forward Newsletter and will receive three bags of Valentine’s Hershey’s Kisses Milk Chocolates and two bags of Giant Hershey’s Kisses (ARV: $20.95).
• Grand Prize Winner: One grand prize winner will be selected at the end of this contest. This photo will be announced on March 5 and will be featured on the Mom It Forward Facebook page and in the Mom It Forward Newsletter. This winner will receive seven bags of Valentine’s Hershey’s Kisses Milk Chocolates, four Giant Hershey’s Kisses, one Kisses Brand Plush Interactive Bear, one Chocolate Lover’s Pillow, and one Kisses Brand Recipe and Crafts Cookbook (ARV: $83.74).

#WhosYourValentine Instagram Photo a Day

Love is in the air and we can’t get enough of it! Spouses, kids, pets, friends — all of those are great options for Valentines and we can’t wait to see who you submit into the contest. But, there are so many other things in our lives that we love! Books, places, colors, recipes — what items do you absolutely love?

We would love to see things you love captured in photos throughout the month of February. Snap a photo, upload it to Instagram, and tag it with the #WhosYourValentine hashtag! The bonus photo can be sent out on March 1 and it should share your favorite moment!

Who’s your Valentine? What things do you love in your life?

As a photographer, I could not be more excited to start capturing this cute, little bundle of joy on my camera. I look forward to seeing my little nephew through the lens of my camera to capture all of his smiles, cries, tears, and laughs.

When it comes to babies and toddlers, they are so full of life and joy. Capturing special moments and showcasing them in frames, photo books, scrapbooks, and online albums is so important. Even though I’m not a parent, I’ve heard that “they grow up so fast” so living the special moments over and over again through the power of a photograph is a great way to cherish the younger years.

That’s what I love about photography. With the right amount of camera and light knowledge, you can capture those special moments that you’ll be proud to show off to family and friends. However, I’ll be the first to admit that taking photographs of babies and toddlers can seem a bit daunting at first. You can’t really tell them what to do and you can’t really tell them to “do that pose over again.” Even though they are cute, to the photographer, they’re finicky, fidgety, and fussy. Therefore, you need to approach the subject with an open mind and create a fun, playful environment where the child and other family members feel at ease.

5 Photography Tips for Babies and Toddlers

1. Plan Accordingly

If you’re planning a shoot, talk it over with the parent(s) and figure out the child’s schedule. When do they eat? When do they nap? What do they like to do throughout the day? You need to really get to know your subject so that the child feels happy and comfortable during the shoot.

If you’re trying to take photos of your own child, you know his/her schedule so stick to it to keep your child happy. You know what times will work best for your kids.

2. Fill the Frame

Let’s face it, babies and toddlers are adorable. Their skin is perfect, their smiles are contagious, and their expressions are priceless. Why would you want people to squint at your photograph to try and find those expressions? Get up close and personal with the child you’re photographing. Once they feel comfortable with the camera, they will really let their true side shine and that’s when the magic happens.

Reminder: Avoid cropping at the joints (knee, elbow, neck, etc.). If you do this, your photos might give people a creepy and uneasy feeling. Also, if you’re photographing a child and parents, make sure you take flattering angles of the parents. To be blatantly honest, minimize arm fat, neck wrinkles, and belly bulge (especially on new moms). Everyone wants to be beautiful in the photographs.

3. Watch Your Surroundings

You don’t want to take away from the cuteness of your subject. With that being said, be mindful of your surroundings. If you’re photographing in a room in a house, remove all distracting items. If you’re photographing outside, be sure that items in your camera’s frame won’t steal your viewer’s eyes. Also, you want to choose rooms and spaces with good lighting.

4. Use Good Light

In my opinion, natural light is always best. In fact, I don’t shoot in anything but natural light (unless I’m photographing an indoor event). With that being said, you don’t want the lighting to be too harsh. If the light coming through a window is too bright and you don’t have a special diffuser, tape a sheet of tissue paper to the window. The tissue paper will soften the sunlight.

If you’re going outside for a photo shoot with your kids, pick times during the early morning or late afternoon. Try and shy away from the middle of the day since the sun is strongest at that time. If you have to shoot at that time, pick shaded areas. Even areas with pops of sunlight here and there are a good choice.

5. Capture the Catch Light

Have you ever looked at a photo and noticed that a child’s eyes are so bright and sparkly? That’s called “Catch Light,” a photography term used to describe either the specular highlight in a subject’s eye from a light source, or the light source itself. The Catch Light adds so much dimension to a photograph and it really gives photos the “Wow” factor.

How often do you photograph your children? What are your photography tips when photographing babies and toddlers?

Jen Tilley has an insatiable appetite for all things related to baking and cooking. She is the author, photographer and recipe developer on How To: Simplify, a blog that shares tips, tricks and recipes to simplify life in the kitchen. She enjoys sharing recipes that require very few ingredients and only a small amount of prep and cook time, all of which make time spent in the kitchen simple and enjoyable. Find her online at How To: Simplify, @HowToSimplify, and Jen Tilley Photography.

Have you used Pinterest yet? If you have been using social media, then you have probably at least heard of it. This new and interesting site is actually now receiving more traffic than the crafting site Etsy even though it’s only been around for a few months. Have I grabbed your attention yet?

That said, you are probably wondering, “What exactly is Pinterest? And wow can I use it to promote my business?” The most basic definition of Pinterest is that it is a site that allows you to create boards and upload any images and text you want to those boards. You can create a new board for each category, you can include links in your text, and you can even upload videos. Then people can search for images on boards, or for entire boards by keyword and comment on them, repin them, (similar to retweeting on twitter), or share them with their followers on the site. You can also share your pins and boards and the pins of boards of others on facebook and twitter. In many aspects, you could say that Pinterest is a twitter for pictures.

How To Use Pinterest for Business

Here are some ideas on how you can use Pinterest to generate interest in your business:

1. Create boards by category and upload pictures (known as pins on the site) that represent various aspects of your business. These could include things such as pictures of your products, screenshots of your website, pictures of a business event or anything else that is related to your business or niche market.
2. Use the search feature to locate pins and boards that are related to your business and either repin them to one of your boards or comment on them.
3. Share pins and boards that are related to your business on twitter or on your facebook page.
4. Include a relevant link with the description of your pins.
5. Find and follow people on Pinterest who are sharing pins and boards that are related to your business and your products.

In short, there are lots of potential ways to use Pinterest for business and since the site is new, it will evolve over time and many more people will use it and it will become even more important and useful for both business owners and for people looking for new and interesting ideas.

 Do you use Pinterest? What do you like most about Pinterest? How do you use Pinterest for your blog/business?

AnnaLaura Brown is a home business owner and social media trainer. She specializes in helping people get healthier by managing and controlling allergies, asthma, autism and ADD. Grab your free power secrets ebook and learn more about how she can help you at http://annalaurabrown.com.

Snapfish.com makes the New Year a snap by helping you imagine, create and share one-of-a-kind customizable photo books, cards, home décor and more. There is no better time to start as you’re capturing your photos this holiday and setting your photo resolutions and reorganizing everything for 2012. You can design your own photo book, or, enlist the services of Snapfish’s professional designers with your direction so you don’t even have to worry about doing it yourself. In fact, Snapfish also offers same-day pick up at retail at more than 10,000 locations across the country including Walmart, Meijer and Duane Reade.

Be sure to mark your calendar on Tuesday, December 20 and join us as we chat about Holiday Photos and Photo Resolutions!

Party Topic

Join Snapfish and our panel of experts as we talk holiday photos and photo resolutions! The party will be held on Tuesday, December 20 from 9 -11p.m. ET (8CT, 7MT, 6PT). Click here to see details about the giveaway and enter for a chance to win.

Party Details

• What: Girls’ Night Out (#gno) Twitter party (Click here to learn about #gno!)
• When: Tuesday, December 20 from 9-11 p.m. EST (8 CT, 7 MT, & 6 PT)
• Where: Party with us on our very own Custom Tweetgrid! (Use hashtags #gno and #Snapfishnewyear)
• Topic: Photos and Photo Resolutions
• Who: Brand Panelist: @SnapfishbyHP, Community Panelists: @noflashcards @dineanddish @TCreativeBlogs @iheartnaptime @RealMomKitchen @dumbparent @craftingchicks, Moderators: @jylmomIF @Dadventurous @troypattee @MomItForward
• Party Favors: Click here to enter the giveaway.
• RSVP: Use Mr. Linky below (enter the twitter URL and your twitter ID (e.g., http://twitter.com/jylmomIF).

RT @MomItForward Join the @SnapfishbyHP #gno Twitter party 12/20 (9-11 ET) on photography http://bit.ly/tMTbsP #snapfishnewyear PLS RT

Note: Mom It Forward accepts paid sponsorships for most #gno Twitter parties. During the parties, brand sponsors provide tips, techniques, expert advice, and information on party topics. Mom It Forward is grateful for the giveaway prizes, coupons, and discounts that sponsors also provide to the Mom It Forward community in conjunction with #gno Twitter parties.

Fortunately, Snapfish.com makes the New Year a snap by helping you imagine, create and share a one-of-a-kind customizable photo books, cards, home décor and more. You can design your own book, or, enlist the services of Snapfish’s professional designers with your direction so you don’t even have to worry about doing it yourself. In fact, Snapfish also offers same-day pick up at retail at more than 10,000 locations across the country including Walmart, Meijer and Duane Reade.

Imagine the perfect photo book for any occasion, and then bring it to life at Snapfish.com.

The Prizes

This week’s giveaway is all about holiday photos and photo resolutions. Five winners will receive a Snapfish gift card (ARV: $50).

Entry Requirements

For a chance to enter and win, please complete the following requirements and leave a separate comment for each on this post, including links to your original tweets.

1. Follow @SnapfishbyHP on Twitter.
2. Like the Snapfish by HP Facebook page.
3. Answer the following question in the comment section below: How do you love to showcase your favorite photos?
4. Tweet the following:

• RT @MomItForward @SnapfishbyHP makes showcasing ur photos a snap! Learn more: http://bit.ly/ukWHO6 #gno #snapfishnewyear PLS RT

• RT @MomItForward GIVEAWAY! Enter 2 win a @SnapfishbyHP $50 Gift Card (5 Winners)  http://bit.ly/ukWHO6 #gno #snapfishnewyear PLS RT

Optional Entries

The following are extra entries that are completely optional and will earn you one extra entry for each completed item. Leave a separate comment on this post for each completed optional entry.

• Follow @momitforward on Twitter.
• Like Mom It Forward on Facebook: http://facebook.com/momitforward.

Terms and Conditions

Winners will be selected randomly through http://random.org. No purchase necessary to enter. Giveaway ends at 11:59 p.m. ET Wednesday, December 21. See all terms and conditions here. This giveaway is available to U.S. residents only. 

All images in this article were taken from a fixed lens digital camera (no high tech professional gear) to illustrate that with just a few simple tips, you can transform any snapshot into something to be proud of.

5 Tips for Better Photography

1. Get Close

Unless you’re photographing vast scenic vistas, you’ll want to get close to your subject. Notice the difference between these two photographs. Think of a picture as one sentence in a paragraph. What are you truly taking a picture of, the boy, or the lawn?

Too far away!

Much better!

There is no need to try to capture everything within a single picture. If you’re photographing a party for instance, get in close to the candle blowing (not too close!). If you want a picture of everyone present, let that be a different photograph. If you’re on vacation, take a picture of the Grand Canyon and leave the family out. If you want a picture of the family by the Grand Canyon, let that be a second photograph with a nice close up of the family and the Grand Canyon as merely a backdrop to the scene.

2. Avoid Distracting Backgrounds

Often times a background is just as important as the foreground of a photograph in creating a great image. Usually however, if you notice the background, the image has problems. Be sure there is nothing, or at least very little, in the background distracting from your subject. Usually merely moving the subject or the camera a couple feet is all that’s needed. Also, ensure there aren’t any vertical objects in the background that appear to be jutting from your subjects head. If you have access to an imaging editing program, you may be able to blur the background with little effort (if you can’t produce this effect while you’re photographing).

Better, but still distracting

Much better!

3. Know Your Equipment

No matter what your budget, your equipment has limitations. Know them! Most people don’t read their manuals. The best way to ensure you’re getting the most out of your equipment, and your money, is by reading your manuals. Most cameras, even inexpensive cameras, have settings that will improve your photos. Take the time to read your manuals and understand what your camera can and can’t do.

Background too cluttered

4. Experiment

The best way to learn the limitations of your equipment, along with knowing what your gear can excel at, is to experiment. Try different lighting conditions. Notice the differences in shadows and quality of lighting during morning, afternoon and evening photography. Try shooting from different angles and perspectives. Shoot into the sun and with the sun at your back, noticing how the shadows and colors change merely by pointing your camera in a different direction.

How many things can you improve in this photo?

5. Learn from the best

By far the easiest way to improve your photography is to study images that you love. Find images that you want to recreate and study them. What time of day was the picture taken? How far away is the camera from the subject? What colors, shadows, and details do you see? Why do you think your photograph of the Grand Canyon is boring, but you love someone else’s photograph?

What are your favorite photography tips? In what ways do you hope to improve your photography skills?

Earl Bowser is a native Californian staying constantly busy with a large variety of interests. Owner of Bowser Multimedia Productions, his passions include photography, film, online marketing, genealogy, writing, philosophy, entrepreneurship, travelling and world changing action. Be sure to check out bowsermultimediaproductions.com - Marketing Your Business for Online Success.

Last week, our #gno tweeters had the opportunity to learn some valuable photography tips from Me Ra Koh, key note speaker at Evo ’11 and Evo ’12, a regular photo expert contributor for The Nate Berkus Show on NBC, author, and host of the sold-out CONFIDENCE  workshops. Her work and photo-recipes have been featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Lifetime Television, and VH1. She and other panelists shared ideas on how to gain confidence both behind and in front of the camera. Here are the top 10 tips, in no particular order:

Top 10 Tweet Tips for Camera Confidence

1. Decide what story to tell before you shoot. Get in closer, frame the picture tighter. If the background doesn’t add to the story of the photo, get it out. In other words, look for background that accentuates the story.
2. Don’t be afraid to shoot from unconventional angles, whether that means standing on a picnic table or bed looking down at your subject, or lying on the floor looking up. Take lots of shots to find out what works best.
3. Know that it’s not necessarily what camera you use, but how you use it. @chookooloonks says, “I’ve seen great cameras take crappy shots, and crappy cameras take great shots. It’s all in how you use the tool.”
4. Off-center your subject so they aren’t always in middle of photo. Read up on the Rule of Thirds and the Golden Triangle. Me Ra Koh says that, at first, she carried a small frame around to help her see the world in frames and thirds.
5. Choose a proper lens. @greeblemonkey recommends getting a lens with a low-number f-stop, 2.8 or lower.
6. Stray away from “Cheese.” When photographing kids, tell them to say “poop” or “fart” instead of “cheese.” Causes more natural laughter.
7. Choose one thing to work on per year, like using back light.
8. Turn your flash to the ceiling for more diffuse light. Another easy diffuser is a cotton sheet.
9. Read books like The Artists’ Way and Millionaire Women Next Door to get inspiration and confidence and tips on dealing with critics.
10. Keep a journal. It’s a “great way to release and be open for new inspiration,” says @lucrecerbraxton.

Photography, when done right, can be not only a means of enriching content or expressing one’s self, but also of gaining confidence in many aspects of life. Let us know how these tips works for you.

What do you love most about photography? What photography tips and tricks have helped you improve your photography skills over the years?

Throughout her life, Me Ra Koh has faced many challenges but she mentions that it’s not enough to survive but overcome. Partnered with her photographer husband, they are a powerful force of beauty. Their incredible eye when it comes to photography is inspiring, encouraging, and uplifting.

Beyond their passion for photography is a vision to see people find confidence in things they never dreamed of doing. Often this is as simple as a mom understanding how to use her new camera. They have created CONFIDENCE Workshops that have sold out for the last four years, along with bestselling books, 101 kits, and their award winning DVD series to help encourage women to build their confidence and enjoy photography, the gift that gives for generations to come.

Party Topic

Join Me Ra Koh and our panel of experts as we discuss photography and confidence. The party will be held on Wednesday, August 31 from 9-11 ET (8CT, 7MT, 6PT). Click here to see details about the giveaway and enter for a chance to win.

Party Details

• What: Girls’ Night Out (#gno) Twitter party (Click here to learn about #gno!)
• When: Wednesday, August 31 from 9-11 p.m. EST (8 CT, 7 MT, & 6 PT)
• Where: Party with us on our very own Custom Tweetgrid! (Use hashtags #gno and #Photography)
• Topic: Photography and Confidence
• Who: Brand Panelist: @MeRaKoh, Community Panelists: @Chookooloonks @Greeblemonkey @HowToSimplify @bizziemommy , Moderators: @jylmomIF @Dadventurous @troypattee @MomItForward @TimeOutMom
• Party Favors: Click here to enter the giveaway.
• RSVP: Use Mr. Linky below (enter the twitter URL and your twitter ID (e.g., http://twitter.com/jylmomIF).

RT @MomItForward Join the @MeRaKoh #gno Twitter party 8/31 (9-11 ET) about #Photography and Confidence http://bit.ly/r6i0sE PLS RT

Note: Mom It Forward accepts paid sponsorships for most #gno Twitter parties. During the parties, brand sponsors provide tips, techniques, expert advice, and information on party topics. Mom It Forward is grateful for the giveaway prizes, coupons, and discounts that sponsors also provide to the Mom It Forward community in conjunction with #gno Twitter parties.

CONFIDENCE Workshops

Are you ready to gain CONFIDENCE in 2011? This workshop is for women only (sorry guys). This workshop is a power packed weekend that is meant to empower women by helping them understand their cameras—turning “happy accidents” into consistent success. All levels come from the mom who is afraid to take her new camera out of the box to the woman running a side photography business.  Coming from a Masters degree in teaching, Me Ra brings a number of teaching strategies to the workshop so every woman walks away with CONFIDENCE in using her camera. But this workshop is more than a photography workshop. True to their reputation and the testimonies you’ve read, Brian and Me Ra have a heart to bring inspiration, encouragement and vision to women. They will make you laugh so hard your side will be aching. And then be prepared because their stories may bring tears too. Me Ra and Brian have a goal to refresh women, build their CONFIDENCE and help them capture the photos they want. But not only help women shoot better photos, but also, have the understanding behind HOW they got their favorite photos so they can replicate their successes again and again.  (This year Brian surprised Me Ra with a special birthday blog post, CLICK HERE to read 100 plus moving comments that women left not only about Me Ra but also the impact the CONFIDENCE Workshop has had on their lives!)

The following are dates for the various workshops throughout the fall:

• Seattle: September 10 and 11 (SOLD OUT!)
• Sacramento: September 24 and 25
• Washington, D.C.: October 8 and 9 (only TWO spots left!)
• Dallas: November 12 and 13

Book

Capture the story of your baby’s first year! The first twelve months of your child’s life are full of precious, fleeting moments, from sleepy newborn yawns to first smiles and wobbly first steps. Why entrust your memories to hastily taken snapshots—or worse yet, none at all? Let professional photographer (and mom) Me Ra Koh help you capture the moments with 40 beautiful “photo recipes” anyone can do, with any camera. Telling your baby’s story in pictures has never been easier!

Photo Contest

Mark your calendars! Me Ra is excited to announce her new partnership with The Nielsen Photo Group to bring you the New Beginnings Photography Contest, opening Wednesday, August 31st!  Start sorting through your photos and get ready to upload your favorites for any of the categories! The prizes are packed with inspiration and sheer fun!  For example, you may find yourself not only winning but sitting in Me Ra Koh’ CONFIDENCE Workshop AND being a V.I.P. guest to The Nate Berkus Show! And with Go Pro!…your photo might be requested by a stock agency! Anything is possible with the New Beginnings Photography Contest! Time to get your photos off the computer and have some fun!

The Prizes

This week’s giveaway is all about photography and confidence. One grand prize winner will win a $400 gift card to the CONFIDENCE Workshop, a copy of Me Ra’s bestselling book “Your Baby in Pictures”, and her award winning instructional DVD series “Refuse to Say Cheese.” Four runner-ups will win a copy of the book and DVD. (ARV: $19.99-$200).  Also, the first 25 people to enter the New Beginnings Photo Contest will even more prizes!

Entry Requirements

For a chance to enter and win, please complete the following requirements and leave a separate comment for each on this post, including links to your original tweets

1. Follow @MeRaKoh on Twitter.
2. Like Me Ra Koh’s Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/pages/MeRa-Koh/209564791813).
3. Sign up for Me Ra Koh’s newsletter in the right hand margin at www.merakoh.com
4. Answer the following question in the comment section below: How do you gain confidence?
5. Tweet the following:

• RT @MomItForward Love #photography? Enter the New Beginnings Photography Contest 4 a chance 2 win prizes! http://bit.ly/rsDDwh #gno PLS RT

• RT @MomItForward GIVEAWAY! Enter 2 win $400 GC to @MeRaKoh‘s workshop, book, & DVD (5 Winners) http://bit.ly/n0zOk0 #Photography #gno PLS RT

Optional Entries

The following are extra entries that are completely optional and will earn you one extra entry for each completed item. Leave a separate comment on this post for each completed optional entry.

• Follow @momitforward on Twitter.
• Like Mom It Forward on Facebook: http://facebook.com/momitforward.

Terms and Conditions

Winners will be selected randomly through http://random.org. No purchase necessary to enter. Giveaway ends at 11:59 p.m. ET Thursday, September 1. See all terms and conditions here. This giveaway is available to U.S. residents only.

Indeed, in her hands, a camera is not just a means of capturing an event, but a catalyst for sharing, for building confidence, for showing love. Many people love the camera and are reasonably good at taking pictures. However, it takes a special, perhaps emotional person to not only achieve the level of success she has, but also to care for her subjects and care to teach and lift other photographers as well. Indeed, Me Ra and her husband have had their work featured on VH1’s Fabulous Weddings, The Oprah Winfrey Show, and Lifetime Television. Grace Ormonde’s premier Wedding Style magazine named them one their Masters of Craft photography teams. Their images of weddings and children have been published worldwide and have won international awards.

She is a powerful force for good. Her CONFIDENCE workshops focus on teaching women both the mechanics and emotions of photography. She is a maker of progression. That’s because she herself has progressed and evolved. So many of us experience unexpected twists in life and pain. Some dwell on the “unfairness” of those twists, or wallow in the pain. Many don’t know how to move beyond the pain. But, as surely as time marches on and the sun rises and sets each day, we all must choose to rise above it. Those who truly do are most often the ones who don’t ignore the role that twists and pain have played in their life, but acknowledge that those things are or were, for better or for worse, a part of their existence, a part in making them who they are today.

Being a successful photographer was not, in fact, something Me Ra originally envisioned being, but came out of a place of pain. “I didn’t find photography. Photography found me. And then it healed me.” More than 10 years ago, she had risen above the trauma of date rape, then written and published a book about overcoming it. She and her husband Brian spent 18 months on the road doing over 50 national TV and radio interviews about the book, “hoping,” she says, that “one woman would feel hope again.”

But then pain confronted her again with the loss of their son Aidan. She sought refuge behind the camera, at a loss for words either written or spoken. In capturing the ignorantly blissful moments of her daughter Pascaline, she began to work through her grieving process, to heal, and in so doing, found that she was good at taking pictures. Other people started noticing too, she was asked to photograph other people’s weddings, babies, and precious moments. Her passion and that of her husband have propelled to generous success.

She is making a difference, then, both because of the inspiration of her story, and what she does to proactively inspire others. You can read more about her at MeRaKoh.com/blog, on Twitter @merakoh, and on Facebook.

What steps do you take to improve your photography skills? What do you love most about photography?