Snow, snow and MORE SNOW!!!

So, when MOST of you look out your window, theres that white stuff ALL OVER the place. Dont get me wrong, I LOVE snow, LOVE sledding with the kids, but enough is enough already. We, here in NY, have had snow on the ground consecutively since 12/26!!! It hasnt even had a CHANCE to melt away...lol. I feel for those shoveling and salting. I truly do. Now is the time where I wish even MORE that I lived in AZ.

 But Im here in NY so I have to cope...lol. It does make the photography biz a bit slower when you dont have a studio though. While I LOVE doing snow shoots, not everyone likes baring it out in the cold snow. I feel like im going through shooting withdrawls...lmao. I mean, I do shoots indoors too, but you all know how I love shooting outdoors. I miss it. I need to get my camera back out there! 

Wow! Its REALLY coming down out there! Make sure all of you out there get where youre going safely!!! Heres thinking of the warm summer sun!!!

<3 You all! 

 ~J~

A new Journey for me!

So, today marks step one in a lifetime of changes for me.

 As most of you know, im a big girl. Being small is something Ive NEVER experienced. And with it being 2011 there's ways to help that process along. Ive decided to go through with Gastric Bypass surgery and couldn't be happier about it. I know many success stories and I hope to be one as well. I know many people do not agree with this drastic measure, but most of those people have also never battled obesity. 

 Ive been overweight since infancy really. I have not one photo where I wasn't overweight. So for the chance for something like this to help me achieve what most people take for granted in life, is awesome for me. Ive been the child that skipped gym as to not get dressed with the other girls. The girl that sits at the school dances because no one would ask. I cant say I was teased much because that may have happened once until I put them in their place....lol. But I knew the 'looks'. A REAL eye opener was going to Portugal. A completely new country and I can honestly say I was the largest person there. Here in America I'm small compared to many. But I felt the stares there as if I were a freak show.

Now that my family is rounded out, I can take the time for my own health. Today was step one. I had my consult with the surgeon and nutritionist. But this will be a long process. One that Id like to share with you all. Both for the support and encouragement but also, possibly to help someone else feeling as I now do. I will be seeing my PCP once a month until June for weight management. I have a few tests to undergo by June as well and once all is done, I go in once more in June/July for a meeting with the surgeon and get a date for the surgery! 

I know A LOT of you think this is 'cheating' or 'taking the easy way out', I even may have thought that myself at one point, but after today, I know its just as much work as without the surgery. Its a tool, yes, but by no means a cure. Ill have to change my eating, and excersize like any other person losing weight through any other method. But I KNOW this is the way that will help me best. 

So now, when I look in the mirror, I see what I know what will be. I see me a year from now. Being able to take the stairs without getting winded. Or playing with my children on the floor and getting up easily. I dont know how I came to be where Im at today. But I KNOW how Ill come to be tomorrow. So heres to the future and my health and better times with my family! I will update you all as I go along this journey. 

<3 you all!

 ~J~

2011's COOLEST Kid contest!!!!

Yep, you read correctly.... COOLEST kid! 

I figured, EVERY kid is literally THE CUTEST, and it really is nothing more than a FB popularity contest, so im changing up the name! 

So... is YOUR kid the coolest?! Let's find out!

PLEASE READ RULES CAREFULLY!!!

To Enter:

1. Email a current, close up, color photo of your child by his/her self to info@JMPNY.com. Photos can NOT be copyrighted by anyone else but you or myself. If youd like to enter a shot *I* took of your child simply let me know. If you have more than one child, please enter a separate photo for each child.
2. For each child entered, please include the following info: Childs First Name,age child will be on 4/1/11, and parents FULL name.
3. Please copy and paste the following in your entry email,: " I, NAME, give full permission to Jennifer Morais to use this photo for use on her FB page for the contest only. I certify that I have FULL rights to this photo and understand it will be discarded as soon as the contest id completely over."

As soon as i receive your entry, you will be sent a confirmation stating either that youre IN or more info is needed. DO NOT ASSUME YOU ARE IN THE CONTEST UNLESS YOU RECEIVE THIS EMAIL. 

I will be taking entries until 3/31/11. Child will be categorized by age they will be on 4/1/11. Categories will be as follows:

Baby - 0 Days - 12 months

Toddler - 13 months - 23 months

Little ones - 2 yrs - 4yrs

Big Kids - 5yrs - 9yrs

Tweens - 10yrs - 12yrs

The Contest:

The contest will start on 4/1/11 for voting. Photos will go up on my FB page and voting will begin. Rules will be posted for voting and they MUST be followed exactly to be a valid entry. Rules for voting are as follows:

1. ALL voters MUST be a fan of Jennifer Morais Photography in order to vote. 
2. Voting will be fore 5 days. EACH VOTER can vote only ONE time per image. Meaning they can vote for as many children as they'd like but ONLY ONCE.
3. Profiles must be legit. No fake profiles created just to vote. I will be the judge if something looks fake or not and if it even SEEMS phoney, it will be removed. 
4. Tagging is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED to get the max votes from your friends. 
5. NO CHEATING OF ANY SORT. Anyone suspected of cheating will be spoken to first and possibly removed from the contest. 

We are all adults so im hoping we can all act as such. there was A LOT of hostility last time and im hoping all will be well. Let not ruin it for all those who have fun with this!

Heres some of last years winners!!

What youll win!!!

One winner from EACH category will win a FREE photo session at a location of MY choice in Westchester.

Winner must book the session by 5/31/11.

PLEASE BE AWARE OF PRINT COST AND SUCH BEFORE YOU ENTER. You can find it on my site at www.JMPNY.com under 'Info'.

If you have ANY questions, please contact me at info@jmpny.com. 

Thanks so much and GOOD LUCK!!!

Need a new Camera?! Whats best for YOU?!

So youre in the market for a new camera, eh? Your current one takes all dark and blurry shots you say, eh? Now I sound like Im from Canada, eh?! ...lol.

But in all seriousness, I get asked this ALL THE TIME! "Which camera would you recommend? I need a new one. This ones crap!" So I figured id blog about it and now when my inbox gets cluttered with this question from my great and loyal fans. I can direct them to one place. 

First you have to understand A LOT of the time photos come bad, its user error. You need to understand WHY your photos are coming dark and/or blurry. If youre camera is on auto (how most people shoot with point and shoots) your pretty much leaving your images to chance. The CHANCE that the lighting is perfect for a well lit image. The CHANCE that theres enough light for your p&s (point and shoot) to determine it needs a great enough shutter speed (ss) that your image will be actually in focus. 

So heres the deal!

If you think upgrading to a DSLR (fancy shmancy thing that changes lenses) will give you better images.... PLEASE don't waste your hard earned money. I'm not saying they wont be better... because surely they will. But not enough for the amount you'll be spending. If you're going to be shooting on 'auto' I recommend buying a higher end p&s. Maybe even one that has a 'manual' function mode where you can practice shooting manually. (YOU setting ISO, shutter speed and F stop) The Kodak Easy Shares or Canon Powershots are great options for what youll be needing them for. Even if youre wanting to LEARN to shoot manual.... id start there. 

I know people who go out and get a DSLR and are SO bummed that 'theyre not as good as they thought'.... ummm... yes they are... you just need to KNOW the camera and what it does. First off, the lens that will come with your DSLR is not good in low light. Youll need a flash. Your pop-up flash is NOT ideal but hey.... it does the trick right? If you want a lens for low light.... youre looking at an additional $500 or more on top of that $500-$700 DSLR you just bought. All to take pics of your dog inside. =) Shooting a DSLR on 'AUTO' will render the same results as will your p&s on 'auto'. You REALLY want great images... switch your little dial to the 'M' and PRACTICE! It does eventually get fun!!

This is merely my own personal opinion of which we all know are like ____ Everyone's got one. But this is also my professional opinion, so if it saves you $1000 in the long run. Youre welcome. ;)

And if you need a crash course in how to use the new DSLR you purchased and feel overwhelmed..... im offering one on one classes. Email me for info if needed.

http://www.JMPNY.com