Fun news! Emma and I are happy to announce that we are partnering up with Adobe Photoshop Elements for the summer! Wait, what does this mean? It means we will be sharing tips and tricks using Photoshop each month from now until September. We use Photoshop every single day to prepare content for this blog, so we really felt like it was a perfect fit.
We take photos daily for A Beautiful Mess. Whether it's for a DIY, recipe or Today Is features, we feel like we have a camera in front of our face at all times. We love the challenge of always improving. We love the process of going from an idea to a finished photo. We love playing with color and texture. Most of all, we love capturing people and creating photographs that tell a little bit about a person's life. 
Here's a little peek into our everyday photo routine...
GEAR/ I've posted a full list of gear here. We like to keep it simple in this department. The only updates we have had since then are that I now use a Canon 60D
, I use a Bamboo Tablet to write/draw on my photos and I use Totally Rad Actions! to edit my images.
LIGHTING/ We use 100% natural lighting. We do have some lights that we used in the past for retail photos and we found that it just didn't fit with our style. We love the vibe of natural light so we often shuffle around our schedule to make sure we can take photos during the daylight. For DIY or recipes we prefer to shoot early in the day. For fashion photos we love the magic hour.
BACKDROPS + LOCATIONS/ We collect props and wood backdrops at our studio and homes to use for blog photos. For fashion photos (or any photos with people) we love to drive around our city and scout out cool walls and fences. We usually spend more time finding the perfect spot than taking the actual photos. :)
PHOTOSHOP/ I mentioned the actions we use above. When using actions we still do lots of tweaks before and after we run the action. We use photoshop to correct colors, exposure and then to create a fun vibe with colors. In the future I'll share some before/after examples with you. Our photos sometimes start out pretty dull looking and after we play with the colors they have a lot more personality. I prefer very warm tones in my photos. We also add fonts and handwriting to photos pretty much every day.
We're passionate about capturing our lives with our cameras. Our photos don't have to be perfect. We care about celebrating the little things and capturing moments that our children will look back on. They might laugh at our ridiculous outfits and they might make fun of the way we styled our homes... but they will know us better and they will get to see a part of our lives from before they were born. We love this! Details are everything.
We believe the little things are what really count when it comes to photography. This photo was snapped during the first month I dated Jeremy. Each time I look at it, I feel something. I'm instantly nostalgic, warm and so thankful. I think that's what a photograph should do. That's a little idealistic maybe, but it's something to strive for. It's a beautiful goal.
We're excited to share more over the next few months. This weekend we are heading to San Francisco to meet everyone from Photoshop and get prepared for the campaign. We will probably post a bunch of instagrams (@elsiecake + @emmaredvelvet) if you want to follow along. XO. elsie + emma
Adobe Photoshop Elements/ Facebook.Twitter.YouTube.Pinterest
I absolutely love this! Your blog is one of the main things that has inspired me to become more interested and more serious about photography, so I cannot wait to see your tutorials! You always have such beautiful photographs, and they all exude a warm, friendly feel that is just so lovely!
Posted by: Kate | June 06, 2012 at 08:06 AM
Congrats on the new venture! Cannot wait to see and try out come of your photoshop tutorials!
Becky K.
https://pixiwishes.jux.com/
Posted by: Becky K | June 06, 2012 at 08:11 AM
Your photos are one of my favourite things about A Beautiful Mess. I've loved all of your photography tips in the past and I'm looking forward to your Photoshop tips! Have a great time in San Francisco!
xx
http://www.thrifted.ca
Posted by: Allison | June 06, 2012 at 08:13 AM
Congratulations! This is going to be a fun series!
Posted by: Rebecca in NC | June 06, 2012 at 08:14 AM
I love your amazing photos, so it'll be wonderful to see what photoshop elements do you use.
good luck!
Posted by: Crdisorder | June 06, 2012 at 08:21 AM
What a beautiful post.
When are you guys coming to Toronto? Speaking engagements? Lectures? Book tour? C'mom guys - we want to see you too!
xoxo
http://natashafatah.com
http://natashafatah.com
Posted by: Natasha Fatah | June 06, 2012 at 08:23 AM
its..goergeous.
Posted by: edinel enriquez | June 06, 2012 at 08:23 AM
Congratulations!! Your blog photos are so gorgeous.....I l o v e Emma's lipstick and your mustard cardigan ..... Hi's from London!
Kate.xXx.
Posted by: Kate | June 06, 2012 at 08:24 AM
"be sure to wear some flowers in your hair" <3
This is going to be a great partnership!
Posted by: Gabriela N. | June 06, 2012 at 08:24 AM
AWESOME!!!! Super stoked for you gals!!! Can't wait!!! I love photoshop and also use it everyday!
~Sacha
Posted by: Sacha | June 06, 2012 at 08:25 AM
Fantastic news! I've been meaning to learn how to use photoshop :)
Posted by: Bronwen | June 06, 2012 at 08:26 AM
Oooh, I'm so thrilled about this! I just got a Bamboo Tablet for Mother's Day, and I've been feeling overwhelmed with all the possibilities in trying to learn how to use it. I'm really looking forward to your tips and tricks over the summer months. Thanks so much!
Cheers,
Melissa
http://mablibs.com
Posted by: Melissa B. | June 06, 2012 at 08:28 AM
Yay!!!!! I am so excited!!! Have fun in San Francisco. I love that place!
Posted by: Kass | June 06, 2012 at 08:32 AM
Great tip: writing on your photos with your Bamboo tablet. We have one, but before now I never thought about using it to write on photos. Thanks!
Posted by: Christien | June 06, 2012 at 08:41 AM
The picture in your blog is amazing. They have such a warm personal feel to them, at the same time they look really professional. I can't wait to se the Photoshop tutorials:)
Posted by: Kristin | June 06, 2012 at 08:45 AM
Love the idea! Can hardly wait for the new posts. I love your idea about writing on your photos with your tablet! It becomes so much personal!! Love the idea really
Posted by: MissLilly | June 06, 2012 at 08:46 AM
Your photos are gorgeous! Can't wait to learn more about photoshop - I use it every day too!
love
amy
x
Posted by: amy | June 06, 2012 at 08:47 AM
I use Photoshop almost everyday since I started blogging too. I was a complete rookie and now I can tell with confidence that I am a more experienced photoshop user. These tutorials I am sure that will be perfect for enriching my knowledge! Thanks for this girls! :)
http://inwhirlofinspiration.blogspot.com
http://inwhirlofinspiration.blogspot.com
Posted by: call me debbie | June 06, 2012 at 08:50 AM
Great news! Congratulations Elsie & Emma!! Looking forward for the Photoshop tutorials <3
Posted by: Udeshi | June 06, 2012 at 08:51 AM
I'm SO excited! YES!!!
Posted by: Mary-Beth | June 06, 2012 at 09:02 AM