animal Archives - Monika Life Photography

Pet Photography: How to photo LOVE your Extended Family

April 25, 2022April 25, 2022

We love your extended fur and winged and scaled pet family, as much (if not more) than you! And, pet photography is such a joy and wonder. What can be better than capturing your favourite furball catching a frisbee in midair or rolling in joy on fresh, green grass?

Pet Photography Basics:

What to consider when photographing your pet (ok, your most favourite family member!)

lighting – shoot outdoors on a cloudy day (or indoors with light diffusers/reflectors) to avoid squinting

attention – keep their attention, offer treats/showing treats just off the camera lens side

patience – do tire them out with a brisk walk or run so they are ready to sit, pause, or lie down as requested

focus – focus on the eyes is a must but a clear, doggo snout is what makes the photo composition just right (avoid shallow depth of field, for example less than f5.6)

distractions – avoid distractions from family, friends or well meaning owners (it is often easier to shoot on your own, or when the owners are out of sight, even when you are on location at their home)

speed – do use a fast shutter speed (1/125th), especially on darker days or working with less than optimal lighting. Also, shoot quickly and allow the subtle movements and adjustments on your pet’s face to be captured

special – do keep it special. Photograph your pet at their best, doing their favourite activity or catch them in the action of their most common/funny pose.

resources – use the camera you have! ( YOUR phone is great.) If you want something bigger, better, brighter, check out these cameras: cameraio.com/

inspiration – a picture is worth a thousand words (or ideas!) check out great photo sources, for ideas, to get your best shot. dreamstime.com/photos-images/pets

Try these tips above and send me a comment with your success story!

Need a helping photo hand? book a session by contacting me here.

Enjoy Some of My Fave Doggo Super Stars

in My Dog Photography Gallery

Check out happy dogs in my last travel blog post here

animal

Samara Beach Sunsets in Costa Rica: How to Photograph…

January 15, 2022April 18, 2022

chihuaha on the beach with sunset warm haze in costa rica

Which photo belongs where? Can you tell?
Beach Sunsets are magical.

Samara Beach is the perfect place to take in a gorgeous sunset at low tide, pick up ceviche from a trolley vendor and maybe a few extra cold beers, up the street in the tuck shop…

Quiet reflection of branches, ocean and sun setting on the beach on Samara Beach, Costa Rica

beaches are the greatest story tellers and secret keepers of the tropics

Select a photo you love for purchase.
Photos for sale:

Spotlight on:
Samara Beach
Carillo Beach
Bahia de Ora – Playa Camaronal and the Wildlife Refuge for Turtles
Playa Nosara – Tropical Rural Sunshine

Price & Size Guide
Greeting Cards (sets of 5, blank inside) 5×7″ $55
Photo Print Singles
8×10″ $55
11×17″ $125
24×36″ $155

Canvas Print
12×18″ unmounted, canvas only $ 225
12×18″ mounted on a frame $300

beach umbrella on Samara beach — Classic Beach umbrella on Samara Beach, Costa Rica (Visit Samara tourist org)

BUY NOW

boulder among the lava rocks on Samara Beach, Costa Rica

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Fishing and large Driftwood arm on Camaron Beach — Fishing and large Driftwood arm on Camaronal Beach, Costa Rica

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'Dinosaur' Driftwood and Clouds landscape at Samara Beach, Costa Rica

Sunsets and Bougainvillea at Carillo Beach Lookout

Surfer heading home from enjoying the surf on Samara Beach, at Sunset, Costa Rica

Dogs playing and people walking on Samara Beach, Costa Rica

You belong here, sunset reflection on the sea of Samara Beach, Costa Rica

Looking back on the setting sun and surf at Nosara Beach, Costa Rica

You Belong Here.

Looking back on the sea, surf and sand landscape, I hear the ocean whisper sweet nothings that sound like:
‘You Belong Here’ as the surf breaks and the sea rushes foam to shore. The beauty, harmony and balance between water, earth, air and fire are enticing and soothing.
You belong here – I hear again and again.

What do you hear, when the Pacific waters talk to you?

The atmosphere is relaxed, friendly and typical surf town fun. The surfers, fishermen and beach goers all get along well, with the big bay ocean swell.

Carillo Beach is quiet and ideal for families, bird watching, picnics and resting in between scenic drives up the hillsides to watch the sunrise and sunset. The rock formations offer beautiful intrigue and fascinating views. The gently sloping, white sand beach is flanked by two river beds, that generally dry up during the dry season of December to April.

Bahia the Ora – Wildlife Refuge Protected Beach is ideal for nature lovers. Come here to watch baby turtles be released into the ocean. Fish and enjoy the surf on a most magical and extensive quiet beach. Bring your own beach comfort gear, food and drinks since there is no access to vendors on the beach. And, remember to take everything you brought to the beach: back home with you.

How to Photograph beach sunsets and beach life basics:
1. Use and try photographing at different time
2. Watch for cloudy or partly cloudy days to offer contrast and intrigue to your photo
3. Allow people, animals or relatable content in the photo for depth and intrigue
4. Do go to the same area a few times to see how each day the light changes
5. Do vary up the height vantage point, when taking the photograph
6. Do look for contrasting activity: high surf, quiet beach or beach goers and flat ocean with low tide

Which scenic beach sunsets photograph is your favourite?