There’s something magical about summertime.  The kids are out of school, mom and dad often use vacation time during the summer months in order to spend time with their family, and outings with friends and family become ever so popular.  Trips to the beach, Fathers Day, and The 4th of July as well as others are things everyone looks forward to.  More often than not such holidays and events become cherished memories for those who participate in them.  Each event only happens once and many who share in the good times wish there was a way to keep such celebrations and trips alive.

Orange County photographer Mark Montgomery offers Southland residents a way to do just that.  Mark offers a wide variety of different Orange County photography packages to his clients so that regardless of budget anyone who wants to have photographs of their event taken may do so.  Mark doesn’t just take photographs in his studio however, he also acts as an Orange County destination photographer.  What this means is that anyone interested in capturing memories to print can do so and choose any location for the shoot.  Beaches, parks, amusement parks, and landmarks remain popular destinations with Mark’s clients as do their homes.

To make working with Mark even more appealing, Mark periodically offers specials related to holiday’s and seasons.  Orange County photographer Mark Montgomery is proud to announced his “Summer Special” which includes an on location session for the price of $100!  This price tag includes the following:

• High-res digital proofing
• Pre-shoot consultation
• Travel to beach or park in Orange County of your choosing
• bonus 8 x 10
• 10 % off any additional prints

Summer sessions fill up quickly and must be booked before August 15, 2009 to receive this special offer.  If you are someone you know is looking to have some Orange County photography done you may contact Mark Montgomery directly for assistance.

In addition to Mark’s fantastic “Summer Special” he also offers tips to those Orange County residents who prefer taking photographs themselves.  These 4th of July Orange County photography tips will help you get the best shots and capture all of the fun.

1. First of all, make sure that you are not downwind of the show. If you are, you’ll be taking pictures of smoke and not fireworks!
2. If you’ve a tripod, you’ll want to pack that along with your chairs, drinks and snacks. Shooting on a tripod allows you capture longer exposures without moving the camera.
3. Another good trick is to use the self-timer on your camera to take the picture. Even the slightest movement from your hand depressing the shutter release on the camera can cause a picture to be blurry.
4. Set up your camera properly. First, make sure that your flash is turned off. Then, if your camera allows you to set your shutter speed, try experimenting with long exposures. Try a 3, 5, and 10 second exposure to see what you get. Typically, you’ll be better off using a long exposure for the individual fireworks and a shorter exposure for the grand finale (since there is so much light in the sky with all the bursts). Remember that the longer the exposure, the more of a “trail” you’ll see for each burst and the more likely you’re to catch multiple bursts in one image.