Creating Awesomenessity!

Create awesome every day!

Search and you shall find…

Follow the Awesome!

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Etsy
  • LinkedIn
  • Who We Are
    • Contact Me
    • Words of Appreciation
  • Good Grub Almighty
    • Eating In
    • Eating Out
  • Crafts
  • Lifestyle
  • Motivation
  • Showcase
  • Services
    • Pricing
    • Equipment Rentals
You are here: Home / Uncategorized / How to Stop Frantically Chasing Daylight for Your Photos

How to Stop Frantically Chasing Daylight for Your Photos

February 22, 2016 by creatingawesomenessity@gmail.com 34 Comments

This post is sponsored by the amazing OttLite company and gives me the opportunity to show you #WhatsUnderMyOttLite. They may have cookies on the Dark Side, but yours don’t have to be them…bring them into the daylight! #ad

So, I’ve been doing cookies for almost 3 years now. The majority of that time honing my craft has while I had a full-time job and was teaching taekwondo 3x a week, so all of my cookie work usually started after 830 pm. It’s something that a lot of cookiers and crafters deal with because, you know, life.

Even after leaving my job, I still end up working late into the night/early morning. Just this last week, I’ve stayed up until 4 am working on orders 4 different nights! Aside from being a zombie, the biggest problem I (we) face is getting good pics to share once I’m done with the orders… Rushing to get them packed just adds to the stress of trying to get some good snapshots in.

The success of our enterprises often hinge on getting the best shots of our products to put into our shops and on to social media. But unless you’re living in Alaska during the best 6 months of the year, perfect sunlight before dawn is just not gonna happen…

A few weeks ago, someone posted in one of my cookie groups on Facebook about a store having their OttLite lamps on sale. I didn’t know anything about them, so I was a little hesitant to purchase one and my procrastination in making a decision caused me to miss the sale. I was not happy about that, but I did it to myself; I have to make sure that it’s something that I really want + need before I spend money on it and I was less interested in purchasing something on which I’d miss the sale.

On an aside, one of my favorite songs is Ironic by Alanis Morissette. That’s how I felt when I finally got an OttLite and came out of the dark. I’ve so been missing out…

So here’s the technical description from the company:

OttLite brings the power of natural daylight indoors with its innovative and functional lighting products. Founded by Dr. John Ott, the father of time lapse photography, OttLite helps you see details clearly & colors accurately while reducing glare & eyestrain. From floor lamps to table lamps to magnification, has the right lamp to help you do what you love, longer.

And, OttLite’s innovative and feature-rich LED desk lamps are intelligently designed to combine great features like USB charging ports, multiple brightness settings, adjustability and even storage with incredible natural daylight LED illumination for a great lighting experience.

All of that to say…OttLites are the awesome sauce!

For this particular project, I got to try out the Natural Daylight LED Flex Lamp. I had to choose from their large selection, but since natural daylight is what I need, I was thrilled to have the option of a lamp that would give me that type of light.

OttLite Natural Daylight LED Flex Lamp
OttLite Natural Daylight LED Flex Lamp

Deets:

 

  • Super Bright Natural Daylight LEDs rated to last up to 40,000 hours
  • Multi-position shade lets you easily adjust the light angle over your projects
  • 3 brightness settings – up to 400 lumens
  • Flexible neck directs powerful illumination where you need it
  • Touch control elegantly and easily adjusts lighting scenarios
  • Contemporary design with matte finish
  • Height adjusts from 13.5 to 25.5 inches

I really love the flexibility of my lamp, both in usage and utility. I’m using it to take pics of my cookies when I get done with them in the middle of the night, but it’s also pretty sweet for lighting pics of my DIY projects when it’s cloudy, raining and overcast, especially during the winter. I’ve always wanted to make a mini photo studio but don’t have the space or attention span to follow through on it, so this lamp is seriously the bees knees 🙂

So, check this out…

This is an unedited picture of my work station under the absolutely horrid lamp over my kitchen table. It’s more enraging at 3 am when I haven’t slept:

This is an unedited picture of my cookies with the OttLite on the lowest + warmest setting:

IMG_7470

This is an unedited picture of my cookies with the OttLite on the medium setting:

IMG_7471

This is an unedited picture of my cookies with the OttLite on the highest + brightest setting:

IMG_7472

And this is the unedited pic of the tray in daylight:

IMG_5551

The window near my table rarely gets enough sun to make for the best photos, so there is a lot of time spent trying to stage cookies near a window in the living room, praying I don’t drop and break the cookies on the way to get the money shot.

The best part of it is that taking the pics under the OttLite makes it much easier to actually edit them.

Compare the editing process under my crappy light:

mine edit

…to the editing process of a picture taken under the OttLite:

ottlite edit

There is still going to be a little editing that I will need to get the perfect picture, but starting with an OttLite makes it soooo much easier!

You can check out more at: http://products.ottlite.com/p-408-natural-daylight-led-flex-lamp.aspx#Description

 

Are you curious + interested yet?

OttLite is so fabulous that they have some pretty enticing offers for my readers…

Screen Shot 2016-02-22 at 3.58.21 PM

Just for taking the time to check this story out, you are eligible for 30% off any purchase on OttLite using coupon code OttliteLED30. Don’t be indecisive like I was because the deal is only good through May 31, 2016. Note: Only USA customers can purchase through OttLite. Canadian customers, please call 1-800-842-8848 to speak to the Customer Service team to place your order.

Not enough for you? Well, how about this…

Screen Shot 2016-02-22 at 4.03.42 PM

408
Natural Daylight LED Flex Lamp

OttLite is giving one lucky reader their very own Natural Daylight LED Flex Lamp just like mine! All you need to do is comment below and, with the hashtag #WhatsUnderMyOttLite, tell me what project you would make shine with your very own lamp!

*Contest runs until March 8, 2016. Winner will be announced on March 9th.

WE HAVE A WINNER!!

Screen Shot 2016-03-09 at 9.50.36 AM

CONGRATULATIONS TO DESIREE!!

Winners must be 18+ years old and reside in the US or Canada (not including Quebec)*

See_the_Difference

Purchase or enter to win your own OttLite and See the Difference! Best of luck!!

Untitled

Related Posts

  • Zombie Cupcake Stand: Bring Your Party to LifeZombie Cupcake Stand: Bring Your Party to Life
  • Like a Kid in a Room Full of New ToysLike a Kid in a Room Full of New Toys
  • Granting Myself Permission to be the Real MeGranting Myself Permission to be the Real Me
  • Parisian Inspired Dessert TableParisian Inspired Dessert Table

Share this:

  • Tweet
«
»

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: #LifeInABetterLight, #WhatsUnderYourOttLite, baking, cookies, crafting, daylight, diy, LED, OttLite

Comments

  1. Patricia Johnson says

    February 22, 2016 at 4:57 pm

    #WhatsUnderMyOttLite I’d use this to take brighter pics of my cookies & cakes ☺️

    Reply
    • creatingawesomenessity@gmail.com says

      February 22, 2016 at 9:49 pm

      Definitely the right tool for the job!

      Reply
  2. Julie says

    February 22, 2016 at 5:44 pm

    #WhatsUnderMyOttLite I would love to use this for my cookies. I have a window on the north side of the house that gets terrible lighting and it would really help with my pictures for sure!

    Reply
    • creatingawesomenessity@gmail.com says

      February 22, 2016 at 9:41 pm

      Absolutely! All of the lighting in my house is bad, save for 10 min at a time :/

      Reply
  3. Amber says

    February 22, 2016 at 5:45 pm

    Your cookies are absolutely beautiful!! I got the same OttLite that you did, and I am so impressed with it!

    Reply
    • creatingawesomenessity@gmail.com says

      February 22, 2016 at 9:38 pm

      Thank you! It’s such an awesome tool and I can’t believe that I’ve missed out on it for so long!

      Reply
  4. Donna says

    February 22, 2016 at 6:03 pm

    It would make my cookie pictures look bright and colorful.#WhatsUnderMyOttLite

    Reply
    • creatingawesomenessity@gmail.com says

      February 22, 2016 at 9:38 pm

      I know they’re beautiful in real life and this would definitely make them look great in pics!

      Reply
  5. Desiree says

    February 23, 2016 at 1:23 am

    #WhatsUnderMyOttLite I’d definitely use this to take pics of my cookies late at night. A lot of times, that’s the only opportunity I have to take pics before I box them up. My kitchen light just doesn’t cut it!

    Reply
    • creatingawesomenessity@gmail.com says

      February 23, 2016 at 10:23 am

      I know what you mean! Mine is the ugliest light ever AND a bulb needs to be replaced *grrr*

      Reply
  6. Linda at Mixed Kreations says

    February 23, 2016 at 4:40 pm

    Hi Katherine! I am one of the others hosing a OttLite giveaway, and I just wanted to stop by and wish you luck! Your cookie look great, and yummy!

    Reply
    • creatingawesomenessity@gmail.com says

      March 3, 2016 at 12:59 pm

      Thank you so much Linda!! Best of luck to you too! 🙂

      Reply
  7. Allison says

    March 3, 2016 at 2:51 pm

    #WhatsUnderMyOttLite I would love to do this on my dinner shots when the lighting is so horrible!

    Reply
    • creatingawesomenessity@gmail.com says

      March 3, 2016 at 3:05 pm

      And I know they would be delicious photos! I love corn fritters (anything with corn really) and they look great!

      Reply
  8. Jessica says

    March 3, 2016 at 3:48 pm

    #WhatsUnderMyOttLite
    I would love to use this light to help with taking better photos of my decorated baked goods such as cookies, cupcakes and cakes. Also would be perfect for my craft desk where I don’t get much daylight for making cards, crafts and project life albums.

    Reply
    • creatingawesomenessity@gmail.com says

      March 6, 2016 at 1:34 pm

      Oh that would be awesome! You sound so very talented…I look forward to seeing your work!

      Reply
  9. Christina Ketchum says

    March 3, 2016 at 9:52 pm

    #WhatsUnderMyOttLite I would love to have one of these to take better pictures of my crafts! I have really bad lighting and by looking at the difference it made in your already gorgeous cookies I’m jealous! 😀

    Reply
    • creatingawesomenessity@gmail.com says

      March 6, 2016 at 1:33 pm

      Aww shucks…thanks Christina! 😁 If you win, you definitely have to show me your work!

      Reply
      • Christina Ketchum says

        March 6, 2016 at 10:40 pm

        Absolutely! 😀

        Reply
  10. Kim Hunter says

    March 4, 2016 at 2:13 pm

    #WhatsUnderMyOttlite. I would greatly appreciate winning! I’m usually up decorating cookies until the wee hours with early morning pickups. Too often I have sent cookies off with customers without taking photos of my work.

    Reply
    • creatingawesomenessity@gmail.com says

      March 6, 2016 at 10:34 am

      Isn’t that that the worst! This lamp will definitely help us Cookiers out in that department 😉

      Reply
  11. Erica says

    March 5, 2016 at 8:20 pm

    #whatsundermyottlite I do a lot of crocheting and I think an ottlite would be helpful both in working on and photographing my crocheted projects.

    Reply
    • creatingawesomenessity@gmail.com says

      March 6, 2016 at 10:32 am

      I’m sure it would be! I love your Eiffel Tower embroidery project…so cute!

      Reply
    • creatingawesomenessity@gmail.com says

      April 21, 2016 at 1:06 pm

      LOL thank you!

      Reply
  12. Michelle says

    March 7, 2016 at 1:41 pm

    I love your cookies and this lite looks amazing!!

    Reply
    • creatingawesomenessity@gmail.com says

      March 7, 2016 at 3:52 pm

      Thanks Michelle! <3 It really is...I love it!

      Reply
  13. Jennifer ~ BellaGrey Designs says

    March 7, 2016 at 2:58 pm

    #WhatsUnderMyOttLite I would use this for all my styling/craft projects! I always seem to need more LIGHT!!!

    Reply
    • creatingawesomenessity@gmail.com says

      March 7, 2016 at 3:53 pm

      I know, right?! You would definitely be happy with it 🙂

      Reply
  14. Kameela says

    March 7, 2016 at 6:23 pm

    What a big difference the lighting makes!

    Reply
    • creatingawesomenessity@gmail.com says

      March 7, 2016 at 8:13 pm

      It’s amazing!! I can’t believe that I didn’t know about this sooner 🙂

      Reply
  15. Jessica says

    March 8, 2016 at 4:24 pm

    #whatsundermyottlite ummm free printables, small product shots…this is a game changer!

    Reply
    • creatingawesomenessity@gmail.com says

      March 8, 2016 at 9:05 pm

      IT SO IS!!! I can’t tell you how much I love this thing! I’m actually starting to make more stuff just so I can take nice pics 😁

      Reply
  16. Elizabeth Russell says

    March 8, 2016 at 5:05 pm

    #WhatsUnderMyOttlite
    I would use my lite to take pictures of my hair bows. About to start making hair bows and fashion scarves. And your cookies look great as always.

    Reply
    • creatingawesomenessity@gmail.com says

      March 8, 2016 at 9:05 pm

      Thank you! Let me know…I have a serious scarf obsession ❤️

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Subscribe to the Newsletter!

Subscribe + get DIY ideas, party inspiration and some freebies too!
* = required field

powered by MailChimp!

About Me

Well, isn't this a big jar of awesome-sauce?! We're glad to have you here! We are the team behind Creating Awesomenessity and our passion is to help people have amazing events without breaking the bank... Read More…

It’s Still Awesome!

We Like You Too!

We Like You Too!

Follow me on Twitter

My Tweets

Over on Instagram:

    SoFab Badge
    BASH Conference

    Contact Us:

    Memphis, TN and surrounding areas
    901-218-2677
    M-F 8am-6pm and by appointment
    Email: creatingawesomenessity@gmail.com

    Copyright © 2021 · Delightful theme by Restored 316