This week kicks off the Holidays with Thanksgiving and then holiday parties are sure to follow. Chances are you'll have work parties, family parties, friend parties, church parties, trips to the mall to see Santa, etc. Some of these will include friends or family that you may not see on a regular basis. I'm guessing that you'll want pictures of these fun events. So....

I threw this list together as my top 6 tips. They are do-able whether you have a small point and shoot camera, or a top of the line DSLR. You don't need to be a pro to use these tips. Just grab your camera (with batteries) and go!

1. Plan Ahead and Be Prepared. Nothing is worse then going to use the camera and realizing your battery is almost dead. Or you forgot to put the memory card in. Or you forgot the camera completely. If you are like most, chances are this has happened to you at least once. Pack your bag the night before! If your battery uses regular alkaline (AA or AAA) batteries, make sure you have spares in your bag. If you have a rechargeable battery, get an extra one or two just for good measure. You can usually find them cheap on amazon.com or tigerdirect.com, or newegg.com. Make sure everything is charged up the day before. Check your memory cards. Clear them off and if you have a few extras, grab those as well.

2. Take your large group shots first thing. Once everyone has arrived for dinner or a party, take the large group shot. Everyone will be looking their best and more obliged to get a shot first thing rather than after they have stuffed their bellies full and can hardly move.

3. Get candid. Don’t spend your whole evening posing people into pictures. Just capture the moments as they happen. If people are looking your way, great. But if you are playing a group game, get the reactions from members. Get on the ground - eye level with your kids. Take pictures of your kids actually seeing their present for the first time rather than holding it up for the camera with a cheesy smile. You’ll cherish those pictures more than the posed. I promise!

4. Get up close. Don't be afraid to get up close. Most people see a beautiful nature scene, say "Wow!" and snap a shot of the whole landscape. Or they stand far back from the family gathering to “get it all in.” Don't settle for canned shots; zoom in on the details that matter. This draws viewers' eyes to the subject. Of course, you may want to capture some of the background (or foreground) elements to frame your subject.

5. Capture relationships - not just people. If you see grandma interacting with the newest member of the family in a snuggle, hurry and grab the shot. How about the newlyweds holding hands and nuzzling - grab it. Maybe mom and dad sneaking in a kiss right after dinner. Some of the best shots are those where we are unaware of the camera and just doing our thing. Be prepared for those moments because they will happen.

6. SHARE the moments! Don’t be a picture hog. Let others share the memories as seen through your lens. Post them to Facebook and let your family tag themselves. Create a flickr.com account. Blog your pictures, give discs of your pictures as gifts, make a few prints and have them framed for grandma, you can even create books with your images.

Happy Holidays and Happy Shooting!

As a photographer, I feel as though getting quality prints is a top priority. Think about this - your photographer has high quality and expensive equipment that is adjusted to capture color correctly. Then, your photographer takes those great pictures and loads them onto their color calibrated moniter to view them. As photographers, we calibrate our moniters so that the color we see is the color that is going to print. We try to make it consistant and even across the camera, the moniter, and finally to the printer.

Most likely, your photographer will spend a few hours editing your images. Fixing little things here and there, maybe enhancing a few colors to make them pop. From the time we begin the photoshoot, to the time we deliver your images, the time spent can equal SEVERAL hours - especially with wedding photography.

Personally, I feel like if you are going spend a few hundred to a few thousand dollars on your photography and I am going to invest the time and money to make your images as perfect as possible, then why shouldn't your prints to reflect all that hard work and money. And this, my dear friends, is why Wal-Mart prints just don't cut the mustard. Their equipment isn't the same...some even add their own finishing. Other times, skin tones look gray and washed out, color is dulled, and just ...yuck. I have a good comparison post coming up.

Not just Wal-Mart but most of the big box stores. Sure, I say go to the bix box get a 4x6 print of all the images and put them in a photo album. They won't be perfect, but it's nice to have prints of each image and it can be costly if you need to print a couple hundred prints.

However - if you are going to display the images, wouldn't you want the best? Spend a bit more and get mom and nice, professionally printed 8x10. For your own walls, get a gorgeous 20x24 and be proud of it!

This is why I absolutely love Veronica and the staff at Pro Digital Photos. They walk you through any questions or problems. Their equipment is top of the line and calibrated frequently to ensure true color. The turn-around time is usually less than a day. And more important - they are AFFORDABLE! If you are local to the area, you can go in and they can help you get your prints ordered, or just order them online and have them shipped to you.

They also carry fun photo products. You can get calendars, photo books, ceramic photo tiles, metallic prints, holiday cards, announcements, canvases and much more. Their store is DARLING! I could spend all day just sitting in there - having tea party or reading a book.

Trust me, you will not be disappointed with your products from Pro Digital Photos. Tell them I sent you!

To help you see what amazing quality Pro Digital offers, Veronica has offered to do a giveaway (6x6 photo tile with easel) to one lucky winner and to give you all 50 FREE PRINTS! What the heck --she is amazing! Here's the deal:

Go to Pro Digital Photos Facebook Page. Like their page, then leave them a comment on their page telling them what your favorite product is that they offer. Then send an email to info@prodigitalphotos.com telling them that you liked their page and that Celeste Grover from Studio C Photography sent you. You will then get an email with your coupon code for your 50 free 4x6 prints. You have to send the email to get the code though.

The giveaway is part of the deal - everyone who likes, comments, and emails will automatically be entered to win a 6x6 photo tile with easel (which are INCREDIBLE!). The winner will be announced on MONDAY July 18 so make sure you enter!

Millcreek Cabinets has got to be one of the best cabinet shops in Utah! They are professional, quick, affordable, and their design team is amazing. The things they think up for remodels is a dream! If you are looking for cabinetry, give Millcreek a call! 801-746-1061  - or go "Like" them on Facebook