The Memories Podcast

Ep. 009: 7 Reasons to Hire a Professional Photographer/Videographer

Welcome to the ninth podcast! We’ve talked about so much of the foundational elements of memory keeping already-- first we covered figuring out your why, then gave you the first few steps for getting started, we talked about our favorite apps that help with memory keeping, and even got down into the nitty gritty of backing up your data. Our last couple episodes were all about creating routines and catching up on past memories you haven’t documented yet. And most of these topics have been about things that you need to do to document your memories--but sometimes you don’t have to have all of the burden and pressure of doing these tasks yourself. This is when you hire professionals! Read more at http://danyelllang.com/podcast [http://danyelllang.com/podcast] 1. So you’re more likely to be in your own images 2. They have the experience and expertise 3. You never know when the last chance to capture memories with your family may be. 4. Personality, Unique Characteristics, Voice: 5. To capture everyday moments as something special. 6. You can relive missed moments 7. Professionals can create family heirlooms RECAP Next week's podcast is: We want to talk more about printing out your memories in professional and purposeful ways--and you know who’s a real expert in that category? Our very own Katie. I’ll be doing an In Depth Interview w/ Katie next week so you can get to know our very own podcast host here and she can talk more about what she’s good at like albums & prints! __________ Follow Danyell Lang on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/danyell_lang/] Follow Katie Ecklebarger on In [https://www.instagram.com/katieosbornphotography/]stagram

Ep. 008: How to "Catch-up" on Memory Keeping

Today Danyell and Katie are tackling the topic of catching up on Memory Keeping. We talk about some steps you can take to ‘work towards finishing it,’ give some tips on making the process easier, and also share a fun announcement to hopefully help keep you and other people who are catching up on memory keeping inspired and motivated. Read more at http://danyelllang.com/podcast [http://danyelllang.com/podcast] Steps: 1. Assess/create your master list of what you have and haven’t documented - Organize into smaller chunks to make tasks more manageable - Example: pick a single project like “Christmas” or even just a certain month to document or make this master list appear more manageable. It’s okay to have multiple “master lists” if that makes you feel less overwhelmed by the tasks ahead. - Use notes or a word/google drive doc to make a list and break down what you have. 2. Set a specific goal for your final product - What are you creating? A year end video, a printed photo album, a lineup of journals, etc 3. Make a list of the specific tasks that need to be done - Going back to the breaking your big task into more manageable items. - Example: if you’re working on a specific month, break it up into weeks then decide what “stories” your documenting based on the pictures/videos/etc. that you have, then cull through the stuff that you have on your master list, then break down your editing process, then break down your final product creation process, and so on and so on. 4. Schedule time to work on it - Set time aside to catch up. Tack 15 mins onto your already scheduled time for memory keeping. - Reference 007 - Creating a Routine - Or create another time for your catch up tasks 5. Enjoy your final product!! We want to see your final products, but also want to be a resource for you as you go through these steps. We’ve talked a lot about how Katie and I have an instagram, but we hadn’t yet put together any sort of community for all of you…. But we have a big announcement now. We’ve created a Facebook Group just for the Memories Podcast. This group will be a great place for you all to comment, post questions, share updates about your memory keeping process, and generally just chat with us and fellow people on this journey. We’ll link the Facebook Group in the show notes and hope to see you all in there! www.facebook.com/groups/thememoriespodcast/ [//www.facebook.com/groups/thememoriespodcast/] Tips: 1. Continue recording & backing up your data: - Reference 004- Backing up your memories 2. Find tools and apps to help - Reference 003- Our favorite memory keeping apps & why social media is not 3. Keep things simple - Use templates when you can 4. Work forwards and backwards Examples of how we’re currently behind: Danyell: smashbook (honeymoon & current year) Katie: Yearly Photo Album for 2020, I’m slowly working through it and adding it on to when I’m already working on my regular memory keeping. RECAP Challenge - This week we want to challenge you to create your master list Next week's podcast is: A new month, new theme, using professionals… Why hiring a professional photog/videog is important __________ Follow Danyell Lang on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/danyell_lang/] Follow Katie Ecklebarger on In [https://www.instagram.com/katieosbornphotography/]stagram

Ep. 007: Creating a Routine for Memory Keeping

Today Danyell and Katie are diving into the topic of how to create a routine with memory keeping. We all know how easy it is for some of our favorite tasks to be pushed to the back-burner for a multitude of reasons. We become busy, we’re too tired, there isn’t enough time in the day, and so on. Before you know it, it’s been months or maybe even years since you’ve last done anything to memory keep. Read more at http://danyelllang.com/podcast [http://danyelllang.com/podcast] Struggles that people often experience in creating a routine: 1. Not having enough time 2. You’re already behind and lack motivation 3. Too Tired Remember Your “Why” Refresher of what OUR mission statements are for memory keeping * Danyell: to document the every day for my family and turn simple moments into memories so we have a life to look back on for years to come * Katie: to remind my family that in this seemingly perfect world it’s the messy, authentic, and real moments that matter most Steps to Creating a Routine: 1. Remember Your End Goal What are you trying to create in the long run? This will help you figure out how to delegate your time. Episode 2 - getting started 2. Figure out how much time you need to do a portion of your memory keeping Think about “how long does it take me to upload my photos to my computer, edit them, categorize them and put them in my family album design?” If you aren’t sure how long it takes you, time yourself using your stopwatch one evening! 3. Find/Make Time in your schedule Ask yourself questions like “What do you do in the evenings? Or what do I do when the kids have quiet time?" Are you endlessly scrolling on social media? If you don't have time in your busy schedule already, make time. It doesn't have to be 1-2 hours, but maybe 15-30 mins a week? Tips on Making Time: - Plan for it - Put it on your calendar and set a reminder. - Tell your spouse or family member so they can help motivate you/remind you! - Find someone else who loves memory keeping and set aside some time every week or once a month even to have a “Memory Keeping date”! - Carve out little pockets of time throughout your week or a few hours a month - BE CONSISTENT! Set up a routine or plan. Example: Every Wednesday evening I’ll work on memory keeping for 30 mins. Or every Saturday morning I will take photos of my kids for 15 mins. RECAP Challenge - This week we want to challenge you to write out your routine--on a paper on a note on your phone. Just get it written down. Next week's podcast is: Next week’s podcast will be all about how to catch up. We mentioned that a struggle people often experience is feeling like they're too far behind, so next week we'll address this and give you some tips and tricks for catching up. Be sure to join us next week! __________ Follow Danyell Lang on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/danyell_lang/] Follow Katie Ecklebarger on In [https://www.instagram.com/katieosbornphotography/]stagram

Ep. 006: Blogging as a form of Memory Keeping

Today’s episode is pretty special because we have our first ever guest on the podcast! We have Katie Scott, a writer, online content creator, and blogger who has a website called ChasingVibrance.com Help us in welcoming Katie! Unfortunately, Danyell couldn’t join in today as she’s feeling a little under the weather, but don’t worry she is fine! She will join back in next week for sure. Read more at http://danyelllang.com/podcast [http://danyelllang.com/podcast] Interview questions: 1. Tell us a bit about yourself 2. What ways do you like to memory keep 3. How do you balance being a busy mom and documenting your life 4. What’s your favorite way to wind down at night? And then three questions related to the topic of the week: 1. Tell us about your blog, what it’s about and why you started it. 2. What does your blogging schedule look like and how to you find time to do it? 3. Can you give some easy steps for those wanting to blog where to begin? RECAP Challenge - This week we want to challenge you to take start micro blogging (try using Instagram like Katie previously stated), or start a blog on a free site like wix.com or blogger.com Next week's podcast is: Next week’s podcast will be all about creating a routine to help you memory keep. We all know how easy it is to let things slide to the back burner. So we are going to help you create a system that works for you, your lifestyle and your form of memory keeping to help you document your every day moments and big moments as well. Be sure to join us next week! __________ Follow Danyell Lang on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/danyell_lang/] Follow Katie Ecklebarger on In [https://www.instagram.com/katieosbornphotography/]stagram

Ep. 005: Being in your own Photos & Videos

Today Danyell and Katie give you a pep talk on confidence and chat about the 4 ways that you can easily get yourself in front of the camera. They talk about the importance of getting yourself in your own photos and videos, times in which they had wished they had been in their own images more, and some of the things that they do to achieve that now. Read more at http://danyelllang.com/podcast [http://danyelllang.com/podcast] Why it’s important that you’re in your own photos/videos: This one’s pretty obvious--but we aren’t here just to document the lives of others… we want to document ourselves and our families as a whole which include us. This can actually be one of the hardest things to do because it’s so easy to take pictures of the things around us, but it’s often work to turn things around and get ourselves in the shot. Reasons why you may not want to: 1. People don’t like how they look. No makeup on, or still in your pj’s 2. Your have to put forth effort to be in your own photos or you’re tired. 3. Not feeling perfect because you want to lose 10 pounds or are waiting for something to change that would take months to happen. 4 simple ways to get yourself in the picture: 1. Take selfies We all have the selfie feature on our phones, let’s use it! 2. Use a Mirror Photo: This is kinda just a different form of a selfie, but oftentimes mirror pictures can capture a lot more in the frame. Obviously these are not going to look anything like professional family photos, but if that’s what it takes for you to capture the moment and get yourself in the photo too then by all means they’re my favorite type of photo. Video: You can definitely hold you camera up to the mirror and use it just the same as you would when you’re taking a mirror selfie, but in terms of video I’d actually recommend using a mirror a bit differently...Use it to see the back of your camera (if you don’t have a flip out screen) 3. Ask People to Take a Photo of You Disclaimer: you should never expect strangers to take good photos! * Husband, parents, friends, strangers, etc. * Don’t be afraid to ask! These moments are too precious. * Hire a professional!!! 4. Use a Tripod Gear you need: * A tripod: A tripod is an absolute must-have for shooting your own photos. You can get a really inexpensive one that will do the trick perfectly. We will link a couple in the show notes that either we have or think would be great for this situation. We recommend getting one that is an adjustable height and allows you to fold it up for easy transportation. * Your phone or a camera: If you already have a dslr or hobbyist camera, most are enabled with wifi now-a-days which means you can use an app on your phone to control the camera. However, if you’re just using your phone try using the back camera when you can (because it’s always better quality), and get a cheap bluetooth remote so you don’t have to keep running back and forth to start the self timer. RECAP Challenge - This week we want to challenge you to take one photo with yourself in it. Try something a little different and out of your comfort zone. Next week's podcast is: We have a guest!! We’ll be chatting with Katie from ChasingVibrance.com about how you can use blogging as a form of memory keeping __________ Follow Danyell Lang on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/danyell_lang/] Follow Katie Ecklebarger on In [https://www.instagram.com/katieosbornphotography/]stagram