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Hummingbird Blog

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Parties Fit For A Princess

2/10/2019

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DIY. Here at Hummingbird Studios, our space can be used and changed to fit your needs while still feeling homey. Whether you're looking for somewhere to throw a party for a glistening princess who wants a pink, wintery wonderland or in need of a space to host a bridal shower with an open bar and elaborate dessert table, we have the space for you. Let us be your home away from home, and book your event with us today!
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Valentine’s Day Celebrations

2/10/2019

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In need of a space to throw your Valentine's Day spectacular? We would love to host your party! Hummingbird Studios is a homey, DIY location where you can shape the space as you need and to fit your needs. We do last mintue events and bookings as well. Contact us today about your event!
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'Tis the Season!

12/3/2018

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Looking to gather with friends and family this holiday season? Book your festive event at our own Hummingbird Studios! Don't stress out about having everyone in your home, and focus more on the ones you love during this most wonderful time of year. We can recommend caterers, bar service, party planners, and more too!
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Little Smiles

10/8/2018

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We love having children's events in the studio! The pitter patter, the little smiles, the giggles; they all make for a fun and happy birthday party or get together! We even have a park next door to let the little ones run around in the fresh air. Book your next event today!
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Family Portraits- Fun in the Studio!

9/29/2018

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Did you know we have family portrait sessions in our studio? Our partner company, The Kidographer, uses the studio for in-studio sessions for not only family portraits, but for children portraits and cake smash sessions too! They also help with our in-studio event photography! We would love to have you in the studio for your photo session. Head over to thekidographer.com to make a booking!
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Cake Smash Fun

8/27/2018

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We love cake smash sessions! A cute simple background means all the focus is on the cutie going to town on the cake (and who doesn't love that). Book your baby's cake smash session today; we can't wait to help you create fun memories!
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Celebrating Your Bundle of Joy

8/19/2018

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Baby showers are so fun to attend, but now it's time to throw your own! You booked our Hummingbird Studios space now you just need to decorate and bring in food and drinks. Professional decorators can do a wonderful job pulling your idea or theme together, and the execution is exquisite! Having your shower catered can also save you from the stress of having to cook, bake, and spend hours running to stores for food. Lastly, a serviced bar can add a pampered touch to the special day for everyone. Have fun, enjoy it, and congratulations on your bundle of joy!
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The Final Touches on the Big Day

11/8/2017

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Getting ready on the big day is the most memorable time to bond with your bridal party and primp to perfection. It was so amazing that this bride transformed our space into a beauty salon and dressing room to have all of her friends and family nearby while she prepared to walk down the aisle. 

From her elegant dress to the beautiful muted pastel flower bouquets, her wedding day was off to a beautiful start at Hummingbird Studios. 

We love to accommodate for all kinds of unique occasions, whatever your vision is for our space, we are happy to help make it possible! 
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Headshot Ready?

9/8/2017

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So you've scheduled your headshots, you've got the perfect outfit picked out and you're ready for your big close up, right?

Not so fast!
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Taking a headshot that you can be satisfied with takes some time and a bit of effort, even before you get in front of the camera. To get headshots that represent your personality and your professional goals we've complied a list of tips that will help your picture do all of the talking, in the best ways. 

Happy shooting!  


1. Book US and GO PRO
Spend the money. It’s worth it. Go to a professional, who is trained, understands lighting, and takes headshots for a living, not some friend who happens to have a decent camera who “sorta knows a little about photography.” Save those pictures for Instagram, and leave the headshots to the pros

2. All eyes on you 
Just like with on-camera acting, it’s all about the eyes, and what’s happening behind them. It’s your closeup, your moment. Your eyes should be perfectly in focus, alive, and energized, and not dead and glazed over.  Capturing the eyes in a powerful way will draw the viewer into the photo, establishing a strong connection that will speak volumes.

3. Go easy on the cover up 
Yes, lots can be done with retouching. There is no need to put on tons of makeup. You want to look like yourself on your best day, and not look like you tried too hard. Your main concern is shine so we advise bringing along some translucent powder.

4.  It's all about the angles 
Although a headshot may seem like a glorified selfie, this isn't Instagram. Make sure to practice your pose and look in a mirror to check out your best angles. That way when you get into the studio you'll know just what to do, which will give you that extra confidence that is likely to shine through your pictures! 

5. Posing tips!  
 
Try locking your shoulders and sticking your forehead out, but careful not that your not sticking your chin out because you’ll end up with you face pointing at the ceiling. Make sure you are not looking down and your eyes don’t move. Just lock your shoulders and stick your forehead out, which is a very simple technique. If you are scared that it looks weird, that means your doing something right.. and remember practice makes perfect!


6. Love what you wear!
You have to love it! We don’t want to shoot you in anything that you don’t feel comfortable wearing. If you don’t feel comfortable, it will show and you won’t shoot well in it, so don’t bring it.

7. What is a "squinch"?

It's your secret weapon! A squinch describes the action of squinting your eyes in such a way as to portray confidence and self-assurance as opposed to the fear and uncertainty that you project when you stare wide-eyed at the camera. This can be very effective for a more commanding headshot. 

8. Do you
Be yourself. This is where you can get some of your own personal style into the shot. People always ask what colors are best and we can’t answer that until we see you and your wardrobe. It’s better to get a visual of something. Bring a variety of colors that represent you! It’s amazing how many times something has looked amazing on camera that we didn’t initially think would work. And vice versa.

9. Don't worry about the season
Don’t be too selective or seasonal. Bring everything from casual shirts and t-shirts to formal blouses and shirts to sweaters and light jackets can work, depending on the kind of headshot you're going for. Textures and layers can work well, but would generally stay away from crazy patterns.

10. It's all about your jawline
The idea that the camera adds ten pounds can be true but there's a way to make your face look thinner, accentuate your jawline! Before you come in to the studio study your face in the mirror with a relaxed pose, then experiment with sticking your forehead towards the mirror and tilting your chin down. You'll notice a difference, and once you've practiced at home, you'll be ready to take the headshots you've dreamed about in the studio. 

8. This one is for the boys!
We recommend you get your haircut 4 to 5 days prior to the shoot so it doesn’t have that “freshly cut” look.


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For more tips and tricks to get your best headshot please visit: 

7 Tips for a Better Headshot
How to Take Perfect Headshots: Six Tips
How to prepare for your shoot
It's All About the Jaw! 
Peter Hurley Shares His ‘Most Incredible Tip for Looking Photogenic’: Squinching
When I started shooting headshots, I was very good at the math behind it.


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Fall Party Planning!

9/1/2017

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For a lot of us September marks the very beginning of the fall season. 

Which is also one of the most festive seasons of the year, from back to school, apple picking, pumpkin patches, halloween all of the way to Thanksgiving! There are so many things to look forward to this season. And of course with each celebration and there is almost always a party or a gathering that follows! So follow our fall party tips for planning a fun fall party in our great studio space!
1. One person's pumpkin is another's... 
Turn a pumpkin into a festive bowl perfect for chips. Use half of a large hallowed-out pumpkin set on top a bed of twigs and fall berries to make the perfect serving bowl for your fall party.
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2. Pumpkins for days
A pile of pumpkins in a rainbow of fall hues is a sweetly seasonal way to greet guests. Pick the shapeliest pumpkin to be the center of attention and paint "welcome" on its side using crafts paint and a small artist's brush.

3. Fall flavors
You may want to keep dinner simple, but this is a great party for dessert! Some delicious ideas for dessert are: apple fritters, maple donuts, caramel apples, and of course pumpkin pie.
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4. Follow the trail
Create a trail mix mixing station. This is a fun way to make a hands on snack for your guests with a strong fall theme. This is also a great way for your guests to mingle and snack at the same time. ​

5. A theme to remember 
 How about an Oktoberfest party!? If you can’t make it to Oktoberfest in Germany, host a party of your own. The key is to put out an abundant amount of beer, pretzels and Bavarian-themed decorations. ​
6. Candy apple bar
Cutting up apples and putting them on sticks could be a great way to have another interactive fall snack. Get a pot for dipping caramel into and some toppings on the side and you have the perfect snack that is informal, tasty and a fall classic favorite! ​
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For more information about fall party planning follow these links:
Throw a Fall Harvest Party
17 Fall Party Theme Ideas to Help You Host Up Until the Holidays
Fall Harvest Party
CAMPING PARTY IDEAS
6" Painted Pie Pumpkin Welcome Silhouette
Tasty Tuesdays: Candy Apple Bar
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    At Hummingbird Studios we love to talk all things, events, celebrations, and anything in between. We hope we can spark your interest and give you ideas for your next Hummingbird gathering!

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  • LINCOLN PARK STUDIO
  • Photography
  • Headshots
  • Studio Rental Rates & Reservations
  • Headshot Happy Hours
  • EVENT PHOTOGRAPHY
  • FIND US
  • Contact
  • PARTY & SHOWER PACKAGES
  • BLOG
  • Past Events
  • About Us