Category: Photography Page 4 of 24

Tips and guides for readers who want to take better photos to display on their Nixplay Frames.

Tricks To Teach Your Dog For The Best Puppy Photos

On February 17, 2020

International Puppy Day—the perfect day to celebrate your furry companions and a great opportunity to share your favorite snaps of your pup—is fast approaching! And in true holiday spirit, we’ve pulled together some of our top tricks to teach your dog and take the best puppy photos. Share them with your friends online or display them at home to treasure for yourself—the choice is yours.

Easy Tricks To Teach Your Dog

Wondering what the best dog poses for pictures are? We’ve pulled together some of the best tricks to teach your dog, making for extra cute dog poses and the best puppy photos so that you can make your dog photography extra special for their big day. And remember, the trick is to always keep treats at hand to praise and reward their hard work!

“Sit”

First things first, you’ll need to make sure they know how to “sit”, if they don’t already. This pose makes for a smart and put-together snap of your pooch on their big day. Just follow these easy steps:

Stand in front of your dog and hold their favorite treat near their nose.
Keeping the treat near their nose, move it over their head in an arc movement. They will raise their head back to follow the treat and will end up sitting on the floor to accommodate this movement. Once they sit, praise them and give the treat!

Practice this regularly to get them used to the process.

Later on, add the verbal cue “sit” as they go to sit down. It’s important that you time it right, otherwise they may start to associate the cue with the wrong movement.

Eventually you will find that you can complete this trick without the need for a treat.

“Stay”

This trick is ideal for dog photography. Getting them to stay in one place will help you to get a still, clear portrait with minimal movement or blurs! Here’s what you need to do:

Get them into the “down” position.
With a treat at the ready, put up your hand in the “stop” sign with your palm facing them.
Wait a few seconds before you give them the treat and say “stay” before you feed it to them.

Top tip: Only reward them with a treat while they are lying down, not if they have gotten up!

Regularly practice these few steps, gradually increasing the length of time that they are lying down. Start to increase the distance between you and them, taking one step back every few times you practice the trick. Eventually they should pick up the trick and will be able to perform it without a treat at all.

Don’t forget to practice in different pet-friendly places—at the park, in the garden, around the house—so that your pet can still perform the trick even when you’re away from home.

“Shake”

This trick makes for an adorable dog pose for pictures, showing off the relationship between you and your pup perfectly. But hold back from picking up their paw, as they’ll get there on their own. Here’s how:

Sit them down in front of you and hold your hand out, with a treat enclosed in your palm.
Let the pooch sniff or lick your hand to figure out what you’re after.
Once they paw at your hand, open it up and give them the treat along with some praise.
Repeat these steps until the dog is pawing at your hand consistently.
You can now start increasing the difficulty and have your dog holding their paw on your hand for a longer period of time before you hand over the treat. Make sure that they know you want their paw on your hand. Taking the time to pause in that position will help them understand this. They will begin to realize that placing and holding their paw on your hand gets them the treat—not just scratching at it.
Start introducing the verbal cue. So before their paw makes contact with your hand, say “shake”. They will soon start to make the connection between the behavior and the verbal cue.
Now you can start to slowly introduce some gentle up and down movements—as if you’re shaking their hand.
Repeat the previous steps until they’re completely confident in this trick.

“Beg”/“Up”

A cute dog pose makes for an even cuter photo. If your pup can master this trick, then you’ll get an unforgettable photo to show off this International Puppy Day.

Get your dog to “sit” and hold a treat to their nose, giving them the command “beg” (or “up”).
As they reach to take the treat, move it over their head so they have to reach up and get it.
Then, move it higher until your pup is sitting up on their hind legs in the “begging” position. Once they’re up, give them praise and hand them a treat!
Repeat these steps frequently so that they become familiar with the process and eventually learn to do it on command.

“Roll over”

This one may be a little harder to photograph in one image, but you can film a little clip to share with your friends and family. With a Nixplay Wi-Fi Frame, you can showcase your best dog photos and your favorite videos all in one place.

Get your furry friend into the “down” position.
Take a tasty treat and hold it at the side of their head by their nose.
Move your hand towards their shoulder, which will encourage them to follow the treat and roll flat on their side.
Repeat this a few times and give them praise every time they do it well so that they can get used to these steps.
Once they’ve mastered the previous steps, with a treat, continue moving your hand from their shoulder to their back. They should then roll over to their back.
Continue moving the treat so they roll over onto the other side.

Once your pup is confidently following these steps, start adding the “roll over” verbal cue. Eventually, you can reduce the hand motions and take away the treats, but they should be able to do this trick on cue!

Our Top Dog Photography Tips

It can be hard to make your pup sit still when they’re full of excitement, but we’ve put together some of our top dog photography ideas to make sure you get the best snap of your pup for the big day.

Practice makes perfect. Even though it may seem hard at first, never give up.
Lose the flash. The bright light can be off-putting and damaging for their eyes. So to make sure you get the best shot, use artificial lighting to eliminate the need for flash photography.
Get down to their level. It will help them to feel less intimidated, as well as giving you an adorable close-up shot!
Get the best expressions. Use playful tactics to make them wide-eyed and super smiley, or get their ears to perk up for a great shot by making goofy noises.
Choose a faster shutter speed. This will help you capture a clearer image before your pup inevitably moves their head or body during the shot. If you’re shooting your dog photography on your phone, choose the burst mode to get a sequence of shots to choose from.

For more dog photography tips, read our blog: “4 Animal Photography Tips You Should Try With Your Pet”.

Showing Off Your International Puppy Day Snaps

Once you’ve captured your best dog photos, it’s time to show them off to your friends and family! With a Nixplay Smart Photo Frame, displaying your favorite snaps has never been easier. Find your frame online today and make your house a home with personal and memorable photos that can last a lifetime.

Use the hashtag #InternationalPuppyDay when uploading your best puppy photos online and let everyone see your best dog photography skills – and browse through their snaps, too!

How To Take Better Photos In The New Decade

By Mark Condon

On January 10, 2020

In Photography

2020 had just begun, and the start of a new decade means taking lots of photos! However, capturing the magic you’re seeing in front of you can be a lot harder than it looks.

With that in mind, here are some beginner-friendly tips that will help you take the best photos, whatever time of year it is.

Plan Ahead

The last thing you want while setting up for a family portrait is discovering that your SD card is full, or worse, not even there. The same is true of a dead or dying battery.

Make sure to clear your cards and charge your batteries well before any party or event starts. And since you invested in your photography gear, make sure to always pack them with care, whether that simply means charging your phone and checking its camera settings or bringing a DSLR with a number of different lenses.

Take Some Test Shots

Many gatherings happen indoors with less than optimal lighting. That’s why it’s helpful to take some test shots before everyone arrives, especially if you’re not used to low-light situations or don’t know your camera very well. Taking a few test shots will give you a chance to dial in your settings, troubleshoot without any pressure, and stack the deck in favor of you landing great shots.

Use A Tripod

A tripod might seem a bit of overkill for family gatherings, but if you’re looking to get great images of stationary objects in low light, they really can’t be beaten. It can really come in handy for those special moments that need a longer exposure.

Tripods don’t have to be big and bulky either. In fact, there’s a whole host of lightweight, small-profile travel tripods to choose from these days. You can even find an excellent yet affordable mini-tripod that can fit in a pocket or a purse. Either way, it never hurts to have one on hand, especially if you want to pose the family before a dinner meal. As a bonus, it also ensures that you’ll be in the frame, too.

Turn Off The Flash Indoors, And Bump Up The ISO Instead

One of the more common mistakes beginners make during indoor shoots is letting the automatic flash fire. Sure, it can help get your photos in focus in low-light situations, but it also can create unflattering shadows, whitewashed faces, and images that are overexposed in general.

What a lot of novice shutterbugs don’t know is that increasing the ISO instead of using a flash will get you better results almost every time.

ISO refers to your camera’s sensitivity to light. The higher the ISO number, the more sensitive to light your sensor is and the less light it needs to expose your images. While super-high ISOs can lead to noise in the image, these days most cameras can easily shoot with the ISO just a little elevated—see more here regarding what is ISO for clarification.

For indoor gatherings like a cozy party, try using an ISO setting in the 800-1600 range. Depending on your camera, you may even be able to go up to 6400 or beyond. Modern technology is getting pretty amazing, after all!

Even when taking photos using your phone, try raising the ISO a bit instead of using the flash. Check out these iPhone photography tips for more advice on getting great smartphone photos.

Ditch Auto Mode

Just about everybody starts off using the Auto mode on their cameras (phone or otherwise), but your camera doesn’t always make the best choices. For best results, learn to use some of the other modes on your camera.

For example, aperture priority mode (A or Av) is a really easy step up. It lets you choose the aperture and ISO settings, leaving the camera to figure out the shutter speed.

Another option is shutter priority mode (S or Tv), which lets you choose the shutter speed and ISO, leaving the camera to decide on the best aperture (For indoor gatherings, try starting out somewhere between 1/60 and 1/90.)

Both of these are great step-ups from Auto Mode, and they’re relatively easy to learn and to master. Just make sure to practice a bit before the event you want to photograph so you know how both of these modes work.

Look For Moments, Not Poses

While it will likely be hard to avoid going for at least a few posed family photos, the most touching photos come show how people are with one another and the elements around them.

Try getting shots of your family interacting with each other—maybe laughing or sharing a drink. Or catch them as they open presents or light candles. By taking pictures of people just being themselves, you’ll be more likely to capture memories that will strike a chord long into the future.

If you really prefer to get some staged shots, here’s a guide to posing as a couple that might help make mum and dad look even more loved-up!

Get Down To Eye Level With The Kids

When taking photos of children, don’t hesitate to get down to their level.

When taking shots of the kids—especially toddlers and babies—try taking shots from their eye level. This allows us to see the world a bit more from their point of view while avoiding the distant feel that shooting from above can often evoke.

Learn To Edit

While it might be tempting to just shoot and share, the best photos usually undergo at least a little post-processing. I’m not talking about adding an Instagram filter, but rather basic (or even more creative) adjustments that will bring out the best in your images.

Adobe Lightroom is the industry standard for pros and amateurs alike, but if that’s a bit much for you there are plenty of other great programs out there that make editing super-fast, fun, and easy. There even a lot of free options out there for both smartphones and computers alike.

Whichever you choose, learning a bit of post-processing will really bring out the shine in your images.

Show off your work!

Whether you’re using your phone or a dedicated camera, coming out with disappointing photos is never fun.

So, if you’re new to the world of photography or just want to get better at capturing the magic of the holiday season, these tips should help you make frame-worthy photos you’ll want to send to your friends and family.

And speaking of frame-worthy, don’t forget to display your images on a Nixplay digital frame!

Whether you’re looking for a smart frame that features the latest in connectivity (i.e. snagging photos from Facebook or Instagram) or just want a trusty digital frame (i.e no wi-fi), Nixplay makes it super easy to display all your favorite images on the wall, on the mantel, or just about anywhere you can think of putting up a photo.

You can even use Amazon Alexa or Google Home Assistant to turn it on or off, or turn on Nixplay’s motion sensor and have the photos magically play when someone enters the room!

We hope these bits of advice will help you capture the magic of the new decade and leave you with some great memories to treasure and display.

Mark Condon

Mark is the founder of Shotkit, a site which gives photography enthusiasts a peek into the camera bags of the world’s best photographers.

https://shotkit.com/

Coping With Deployment Separation

By Alice Murray

On October 18, 2019

In Photography

Life as a military family can be challenging. Staying close to a loved one whilst they’re on deployment can be hard, and it’s not just for the time that they’re away either.

The moments leading up to and following deployment may cause confusion and anxiety. After all, it seems like only yesterday that you were enjoying the warmth of your home, sitting on the couch with your family while watching a movie. Now, your family is separated because of a patriotic commitment, and you pray every night that you will all be together again.

Thanks to technology, there are several ways that you can stay close to your loved ones on deployment. Follow our top tips to make that precious time you have together extra special, and stay close with Nixplay.

Arrange Plenty Of Video Calls

Arranging plenty of video calls while you’re away from your family will allow you to express thoughts and share things that are difficult to convey over the phone. It’s also a great way to stay updated with each other and receive plenty of assurance that they’re okay.

Maybe your kids want to show your loved one their latest art masterpiece, or maybe your dog wants to say hello. Video calls can make all of this possible. You can smile together, laugh together, or even cry together. Just make sure you have a decent internet connection before you start and you’re good to go!

Send A Handwritten Letter Or A Military Care Package

Despite the benefits of technological communication, nothing beats the good old traditional method. Handwritten letters and care packages are wonderful keepsakes for military families. Better yet, they’ll be lovely mementos for when you fast-forward 40 years from now to when your children are old enough to have families of their own. They’ll be showing the letters that they once sent to their family, passing on the memories through the generations.

If you’re struggling with what to write, start with how you’re feeling and what you’re up to. Keep your loved one updated about any big milestones, but also remember to tell them about the small things, too. What did you do today? What did you have for dinner? Anything is relevant and interesting, trust us! The more details you include, the closer to them you will feel—and vice versa.

If your loved one is going to be away for Christmas or their birthday, send over some cards with “open on {date}” on them. These cards are a great way to get them into the festive spirit. Cards labeled “open when you’re feeling sad” or “open when you want a laugh” are also a nice gesture that you can send all year round.

Another way to stay in touch is to send a military care package. Here are some ideas of what to include:

Food and drink: Send them some of their favorite snacks and candy. Small things like this will help them feel closer to home, no matter how far away they are. Gum and mints are also a great addition to your military care package, as well as protein bars and shake mixes.

Toiletries: As well as the basics, like toothpaste and shower gel, consider where your loved one is based. Hand cream may come in handy if they’re spending time in the desert, and sunscreen is always helpful wherever they may be!

Flip flops: gravel and sand can often find itself on the floor of a shared bathroom, so keep it clean and send your loved one some flip flops in their favorite hue.

Sticker books: It’s a nice little something to share out in the local communities.

Christmas and birthday presents: if your loved ones are away for their next birthday or Christmas, send them over some gifts to get them in the festive spirit.

A calendar: Send them a calendar with their return date filled in so they can count down the days until they come home.

Every base is different, so if you’re not sure what you can or can’t send, be sure to check with your loved one first.

Top tip: Rather than sending printed family photos, save valuable space in your care package and send personal photographs via a Nixplay Smart Photo Frame!

Exchange Belongings Before They Leave

It can be nice to exchange personal belongings with your loved ones before they leave so that you have something of each other to help you stay close while you’re apart. Give them a part of you and keep something that belongs to them, whether it’s your favorite necklace or a treasured family heirloom. That way, it will feel like they’re with you every day.

Invest In A Nixplay Digital Frame

One of the most effective ways to stay close as a military family is to send photos to one another via Nixplay Wi-Fi Photo Frames. With our smart frames, you can share photos and videos straight from your phone, computer, or tablet to your loved ones, no matter where they are. You can also share 15-second videos and personal messages, as well as send live updates with photos of your day. From selfies with the kids to pictures of the dog, you can keep your loved one in the loop with a Nixplay Smart Photo Frame.

Struggling to choose which photos to send? Discover some of our military family photo ideas to stay close with your loved ones on deployment.

Pre-deployment Family Photo Ideas

Organizing a mini family photoshoot pre-deployment is a great way to get a collection of photos ready for your Nixplay frame. Whether it’s done professionally or at home with a smartphone, each image will be treasured as it’s really the thought that counts.

Here are some of our pre-deployment family photo ideas:

Get the kids together and take one big family photo. Take this one in the comfort of your own home, and make sure that everyone is smiling brightly and you’re all facing the right direction. You just can’t beat a cheery family photo!
If you’re being deployed or have a child who’s being deployed abroad, you might want to take individual photos with each of your children and family members to build up your collection.
Take some fun pictures too! Whether that’s cuddly toys or fancy dress costumes, you can jazz up your military family photos and have some real fun with it.
Get a photo with the family pet (if you have one, of course).
Don’t just take staged photos. Where possible, get some candid snaps of your family enjoying their time together, in real life. Whether these photos are taken while playing video games, running around at the park, or simply sitting down at dinner, they’ll make for nice memories to add to your albums. These photos are the ones that will feel the most authentic and will bring the biggest smile to your face.
You could take photos in seasonal clothing too. If your loved one is stationed overseas for the holidays, it may be comforting to look at snaps of everyone looking festive, especially with the holiday season drawing near!

Set up your Wi-Fi photo frame with these images before you go, or send them across to your loved ones whilst they’re away to remind them of how much you love them.

How To Properly Welcome Them Home

Whilst it’s important to stay close with deployed soldiers when they’re away, welcoming them home in the right way is equally as important. It can be an anxious time, so you need to allow for re-adjustment. Respect that things may be different, and be open and reassuring.

Your loved one may need some space to think, or they might need you to listen while they talk about their experiences. But don’t let that stop you from having fun. Liven things up a bit with a banner and gear up the house in preparation. Get all of their favorite things in—food, drinks, films, the lot. And remember to set up your digital photo frame with all of your favorite family photos.

Our smart frames, Wi-Fi frames, and digital photo frames are the perfect way to stay close to your loved ones on deployment. Get together a collection of military family photos and set up your digital display to stay connected.

Top tips on couples maternity photography with Nixplay

Maternity Photography Tips to Capture the Journey to Parenthood

By Alice Murray

On September 24, 2019

In Photography

The pregnancy journey is a magical one, especially for first-time parents. So, how can you ensure that those milestone maternity moments are remembered forever?

Capturing that pregnancy glow on camera while getting ready for a baby can seem like a bit of a challenge, especially if you’re busy doing a million other tasks. But even if you’re spending all of your spare time shopping for baby clothes, attending birthing classes and baby-proofing your home, it’s never too late to start documenting your memories.

Our maternity photography tips and advice will make it easier to take timeless pregnancy photos.

How To Take Pregnancy Photos

Watching your body change every day can be a daunting experience, but it’s also one of the most exciting journeys you’ll ever have.

First, you need to decide on the kind of vibe you’re going for with your pregnancy photos. Most moms want to achieve flattering shots that complement their baby bump. As a baby grows in its own unique way, so does the body carrying it, and what works for one mom might not work for another. Do you want wholesome and natural candid pictures or theatrical, happy photos? The options are endless, and everyone has different preferences.

The most crucial aspects of any photo are the lighting and angles, which can spell the difference between success and disaster. If your bump is quite round and profound, a straight-on shot can work. If not, try twisting to the side at a 45-degree angle to bring out your bump.

Location is everything when it comes to taking photos, so be sure to choose a scenic backdrop with clear or natural lighting. You can opt for a relaxed photoshoot in own home, or venture further and get photos taken in a place that means something to you. Either way, the baby’s comfort and safety should be of utmost priority.

You can also highlight your pregnancy journey by taking a new photo every week from the same spot and angle. This way, you can clearly see the changes your body is going through with the ultimate time-lapse image. You can also mix it up and only take photos in your third trimester when the bump’s growth is most noticeable.

How to take pregnancy photos is up to you, but there are a few go-to guidelines to capture high-quality maternity photos, regardless of where you’re taking them.

Maternity Photography Tips

When taking maternity photos, you should steer clear of loose or flowy clothing and stick to figure-hugging material. This is the most effortless way to emphasize your baby bump, which is the whole point of having pregnancy photos.

The most common pregnancy pose is holding your hands gently on your belly, which never fails to look natural and nurturing. But don’t hesitate to get creative with standing, sitting and leaning positions in your photos. The main focus will always be the bump, so as long as you’re angling the camera to your belly, your photos will be effective.

While taking your photos in nice, natural daylight is generally the way to go, you could be a little more adventurous and play around with shadow or low light photography. This will help you go the extra mile to show off that precious baby bump while lessening the focus on yourself in the photos.

Selfies are also a great way to document your pregnancy journey, but these should be more realistic. A good selfie needs eye contact and a genuine, relatable smile. This is the perfect way to capture pregnancy photos if you want to do it in the style of a diary or a vlog.

Couples Maternity Photography

Pregnancy isn’t just a special time for mom. Couples maternity photography is a memorable way to get dad involved and spend some quality time together before the baby is born.

It’s important to take maternity photos that express who you are as a couple and encapsulate the emotions you’re both feeling. The best tip for couples is to keep close together and to not be afraid to make it personal and fun. Even making each other laugh can create picture-perfect memories. This is the last time it’s going to be just the two of you before you embark on the long journey of parenthood, so make the most of it!

Display your maternity photos and pregnancy journey with a Nixplay frame

Getting Ready For A Baby

Getting ready for a baby can be a nerve-wracking time, but it’s also a time to celebrate! As busy and complicated as it can be, you shouldn’t forget that you’re about to bring new life into the world, and a moment as huge as this deserves the best photos.

Sharing your pregnancy journey with loved ones and friends is important too, and it’s going to be easier with a digital photo frame. With our high-tech range of displays, you can view and share your maternity photos anywhere you like and create a special keepsake the whole family can enjoy.

View our range of Wi-Fi frames, smart frames and digital frames online now.

Capturing vacation memories with Nixplay

How To Capture And Relive Your Vacation Memories

By Alice Murray

On August 28, 2019

In Photography

When you’re on vacation, it’s easy to forget about capturing the moment. Whether you’re soaking up the sun on a sandy beach, taking to the snowy slopes on a skiing trip, or camping under the stars, you’re determined to enjoy the luxury of a few stress-free days. and sometimes, this means forgetting to take photos of those priceless vacation moments to share with your family and friends back home.

We get it. You’re ready to switch off, relax and unwind. But you also need to spend your time wisely if you want photos of your trip.

Now, we like to think of ourselves as valuable players in the digital photo game, which is why we’ve put together some top tips on how to take vacation photos and how to guarantee that your vacation memories are unforgettable. Read on!

How To Take Vacation Photos

You’ve spent a long time planning your dream vacation and an even longer time driving, boarding trains or flying to get there, so of course, you want to capture your trip in all its glory.

But how can you show off your holiday of a lifetime when your photos simply don’t do it justice?

Taking the perfect vacation pictures doesn’t have to be a challenge. Even if you don’t have an expensive digital camera, high-quality photos can still be taken on most smartphones – which makes it even easier to share a few snapshots on Instagram while you’re away!

Lighting

It sounds simple, but shooting in good light is the most valuable tool at your disposal when it comes to photography.

With natural lighting, timing is everything, and the best times of day to chase the light with your camera lens are sunrise and sunset.

In busy vacation destinations that are usually packed with tourists, you’ll also find these times of day are the most peaceful, giving you that extra bit of ‘me’ time.

Angles

Getting adventurous with angles is crucial, and you’ve got to grab photo opportunities with both hands – even if that means hiking to the top of a mountain to get a birds-eye-view shot or burying yourself in the sand to get a perfect close-up of the ocean.

The best vacation photos give their viewers a chance to completely immerse themselves in your journey. Conveying connections through photos is what it’s all about, and capturing those ‘caught in the moment’ candid camera angles is the most effective way to do this.

Editing

Have you ever felt a bit disappointed while going through the photos you’ve taken? Either the brightness is too high, the saturation isn’t balanced, or the contrast is wrong. Luckily, there are several handy smartphone apps you can use that will quickly solve any problems.

Picture editing can be daunting if you’ve never experimented with it, but once you’ve had a play around with some basic tools, it’ll become second nature and your photos will look completely refreshed!

Make The Most of Social Media

Taking pictures is one thing, but sharing them with the world is another. With platforms like Instagram and Pinterest, anyone can be a professional photographer. Even if it’s just a hobby, having all your vacation pictures in one place gives you the opportunity to build a following online and share your thoughts and ideas with likeminded people.

You can even set up a ‘highlights’ reel on Instagram, so your vacation pictures can be easily accessed and viewed as a full story.

What To Do With Vacation Photos

When your vacation comes to end, it’s natural to feel a bit gloomy. You’ve waited all year for that dream vacation, and then it’s over in the blink of an eye. But one way to beat the holiday blues is to weigh the positives. Your vacation may be over, but what you’re left with is a wealth of new memories, knowledge and most importantly, photos.

But what to do with vacation photos is entirely up to you. You can share them on social media, print them for a canvas board, or get imaginative with a photo album.

An inspiring way to combine all of this is to view, display and share your photos with a network of family and friends on a digital photo frame. Nixplay’s range of smart digital displays has reinvented the way you look back at your vacation memories letting you connect instantly to your social media channels and create the perfect keepsake for every occasion.

What Is The Best Way To Organize Photos?

Sometimes you’d take such a variety of vacation pictures on your trip that they start to become a little muddled.

The best way to organize photos is to first categorize them into albums or folders on your smartphone or camera. Maybe you’ve got several family vacation photos that you want to separate from all the scenic beach sunset shots. Or perhaps you want to divide your vacation selfies from your tropical palm tree photos.

A tidy photo collection leads to a tidy mind, and Nixplay’s photo displays give you unlimited photo playlists and albums, allowing you to organize your photos in a few easy clicks.

So, whatever type of vacation you’re planning, make sure you don’t forget the camera!