{5 ideas} for adding text to your photos

Yesterday was my sister Amber's birthday.  It seems like everyone in this area of Washington has gardening fever, so Ryan and I gifted her some gnomes (she recently read a book about gnomes that peaked her interest), a beautiful succulant, and flower pot to celebrate!  Today I thought it would be cute to share some photos of said gnomes along with 5 simple ideas for adding digital text to your photos.  It was super fun to take pics of these little guys.....Enjoy!!!

1.)  Find negative or empty space for adding text to your photo:

2.) Align your text around an object in your photo:

3.) Use natural framing (if present) to frame your text:

4.) Add text onto a busy background (I like to choose a color for my text that helps it stand out the most):


5.) Add text before and after an image in your photo to create movement:


(You can click on any of the images to see them larger in Flickr.)

And as you've probably guessed, one of the photos above is of a gnome in my hanging flower basket.....I ended up buying one for our home too! I am totally crushing over how cute he is!!! 

If you have any questions please feel free to ask.  <3 Carrie

{5 ideas} for week in the life photography

Well, I took the plunge and decided to join *week in the life*. I figured a lot of you were doing the same, so today I'll be sharing some fun photography ideas for this project.

When I'm documenting entire days, sometimes I want a break from trying to capture everything as it happens and just want a no brainer prompts. Here are 5 ideas for capturing things you just might want to remember....

1. Capture negative space.  Take a photo leaving negative space.  This is artistic, plus it gives you a fun place for journaling or embellishments.  The photo of the white cherry blossoms above is my example of this from Tuesday.

2. His & Hers.  (or She & Hers if it's you and your sister or you and your bestie)  This includes anything that you both have.  Below is my His & Hers with our cell phones.  I don't know about you, but I switch out my phones every year or so, and I wish I have taken a photo like this last year when we both had Blackberrys.  Other ideas for this prompt are cars, shoes, drinks, laptops, etc.

3. From the ground up. This is by far my favorite way to capture an entire scene. All you have to do is set your camera on a table, desk, or low to the ground, aim in the general direction of what you trying to capture and snap away.  Below I was able to capture my puppy Ponyo while playing in the yard.....

4. Pretty Pattern. This is a full shot only of a pattern you love. I find that it is fun to document these types of things because they look sweet printed out and are often things I tend to replace or switch out as the seasons change of I get tired of them. Below is our new doormat. I think it's nice and cheerful : )

5. What's In My Bag. This type of photo has been the most fun to look at and scrapbook with once printed out (for me). It can apply to your purse, your laptop bag, your camera bag, your makeup bag, etc. Below is what was in my purse on Tuesday.....

Originally, I wasn't going to participate in *week in the life*, so I have no Monday photos. I am totally okay with that. And I will probably only have photos using these same prompts for every day and I'm okay with that too. I'm just going with the flow. To mix it up a little I thought it would be fun to also share my Wednesday photos which are only taken with my camera phone.....

From left to right, top to bottom, here are my pics....

1.  Negative Space.  The pretty raindrops on Ryan's car window.

2.  What's in my bag.  This time it's my laptop bag.

3.  His & Hers.  Our espresso drinks while working at Cafe Ladro.

4.  Negative Space again.  But this time, it's a self portrait.

5.  Pretty Pattern.  The magnolia petals in the yard.

6.  From the ground up.  Ryan working on his laptop at the coffee shop, with the photo taken from the table.

I hope you enjoy these prompts as much as I have.  <3 Carrie