6 Tips to Becoming an iPhone Photo Expert

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As a professional photographer, I am honestly amazed at the capability iPhones have to capture quality images. With different modes and filters, sometimes it can even be hard to distinguish an iPhone photo vs. a photo captured on a digital camera. I personally use iphone photos for all of my instagram stories and highlights. You can check out my shots on instagram here. Since we carry around our phones 24/7, we have the opportunity to create some pretty cool things. 

 

Have you ever looked back on your photos and thought, “What in the world was I thinking when I took this?” If so, this post is for you. I am offering some tips that will change the game for you iPhone photographers – AKA, almost everyone.

 

Slow down

 

First and foremost this is one of the biggest problems we face when taking pictures. A picture freezes a moment and captures it in time, so slow down and focus on that moment. Look at the screen while you are taking the photo and be aware of objects you are either putting in or cutting out. Once we do this, we avoid errors such as accidentally cutting grandmas head off. 

 

Tap the screen to lock focus

 

It’s true. We can get a lock on our focus simply by clicking the subject and holding down on the screen for a few seconds. You would be amazed at what this simple trick can do to change the quality of your iPhone photos. 

 

Zoom with your feet, not with your phone

 

This is possibly my favorite one. When you zoom with your iPhone, the quality is quite literally destroyed. If your images turn out pixelated and grainy, this is why. Next time you go to take a picture, zoom with your feet. Don’t be scared to get up close to your subject, you will thank me later.

 

Take advantage of the different shooting modes

 

As a photographer myself, I think this feature is so cool. You have the option to choose between a regular photo, portrait, square, panoramic, and even wide angle view on the new iPhone 11. Take into account what you are shooting and decide which mode would be best. For portraits, be sure to pull your subject away from the background to get the best depth of field. 

 

Get different Angles

 

Who said you had to be one and done? Don’t be scared to move around when you are taking photos with your iPhone. Get angles from up high and down low, up close and further away. Test out different options with your subject to see which ones you like best. It’s better to have too many to choose from than not enough. 

 

Use a preset

 

And lastly, the complete and total game changer: applying a preset. Also known as adding a filter on your photo which has the ability to change the entire look and feel. Check out free apps such as vsco, colourtone and lightroom to filter your photos like a #pro. Here’s an example of an iPhone photo with a lightroom preset below.

Use these tips and wow people with your next iphone photo. Happy shooting!

 

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Why Dogs Make the Best Companions

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If you haven’t had the chance to be loved by a dog, you’re doing it all wrong. Dogs are some of the best companions to go through life with and they are guaranteed to stick by your side through the good, the bad and the ugly. As cheesy as it may sound, dogs really do provide unconditional love. Even though we are all human and extremely far from perfect, you will never do wrong in your pups eyes. 

 

Now let’s talk about all of the ways a dog could benefit your life…

 

They are always willing to do whatever you want- 

Dogs are so excited to just be with you. Wanna go on a walk? Spend a few hours in the office? Drive around town? Have a lazy day spent on the couch? Whatever the task may be, they are right there next to you feeling so thankful to be included in your life. 

 

They will reduce your stress at work-

Pets remind people to step away from the stress of the world and provide a temporary distraction including laughter and positivity. Studies have actually proved that pets have calming effects, reduce blood pressure, lower stress and make employees more productive. Can’t bring your pet to work? They will be the first one to greet you at the door to welcome you home when you get off. As soon as you give them a reaction, the worries of work will fade, at least momentarily. 

 

At Amazon’s headquarters in Seattle, nearly 6,000 pups share a workspace with their humans. Amazon has a good thing going. But are we really surprised…they always are ahead of the game. We are pet friendly here at Ment and it brightens our day to see furry friends walk in the office. 

 

They provide unconditional love-

Even when we don’t deserve it, dogs will be there to love us unconditionally. Without even using words, they are there for you even if no one else is. Dogs know our emotions and want to celebrate when we are excited, and cuddle up close by when we are sad. Dogs believe in their humans. What more could you ask for? 

 

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All About the Benefits of a Day Pass. Try it For Yourself!

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If you are scrolling through our site, you are probably familiar with the amenities Ment Cowork has to offer. But have you heard about our day pass or thought about the endless opportunities it could serve you? If you are working in business, quit scrolling and take a few minutes to find out how you could improve. 

For just $25 a day, you can come and work on the second floor of 911 College Street, distraction free. With access to a soundproof phone booth, a conference room and a variety of thoughtfully designed work spaces, Ment offers the amenities to make you look and feel top of the line. Rather than meeting in that overcrowded coffee shop or trying to find some peace and quiet while on your next conference call, give the day pass a chance and find out how much work you could really be getting done. At the end of the day, time is money. I’d say we all can appreciate the value of both of those. 

How much money could you make with out $25 day pass? Don’t ask us…ask a few of our frequent day pass attendees. 

Skylar Wooden, owner of Wooden Writes: “I’m able to do 100% of my work from home. But, working from home sometimes comes with distractions, making it more cost-effective to work outside of the house (e.g. a coffee shop). Though I work in coffee shops often, I cannot have successful client calls with all of the loud chatter. So, buying day passes has allowed me to be in a quiet space with access to a phone booth. The space is also beautiful, so any time I’ve needed branding photos for either of my websites, I’ve had them taken at Ment; I bought a day pass for that as well.”

Kirsty Washam, owner of Fed Up Pharmacist: “The Ment Cowork day pass is perfect for my growing business. It gives me a quiet & professional space to work and meet clients. And all of my clients have had wonderful things to say about Ment! I’m thankful Bowling Green has a wonderful space like this.”

 

Click here to purchase a day pass and take your business to the next level. 

 

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Community Over Competition: Breaking it Down

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Community over competition. We’ve heard it a thousand times, we preach it, but sometimes it can be hard to believe it. Fear gets in the way. We get it, we’ve been there and totally understand. 

 

Let me just say this for those in the back row who need to hear it: No matter the industry you’re in…saturated or not, you are needed. You are wanted! You have the potential to bring something to the table that no one else can simply for the reason that you are you. We were each created as unique individuals with a purpose, so find that purpose and chase the heck out of it. Quit comparing yourself to others and stay true to who you are. 

 

Okay, now that that has been said, I would just like to mention that there is nothing wrong with friendly competition. We all want to be the best, and to do so we must do our best, but in doing so that does not mean putting others down along the way. Rather than envying the person conquering goals next to you, compliment them. Learn from them and find what works for you. 

 

Find your people, the ones who will cheer you on but also let you know when you’re in the wrong. Now do the same for them! This community should inspire you for continued growth and if they aren’t…you should probably find new people. 

 

This is what coworking is all about. On the second floor of 911 College Street, we have graphic designers, engineers, leadership strategists, etc. We are cultivating a community full of a variety of small businesses who all share different strengths and weaknesses. 

 

Last week, women of all ages gathered together in our space to hear from life coach Kathryn Freeburg about what it really means to empower. Ment was a safe space full of positivity and love, something we strive for each and every day. 

 

At the end of the day, we are only human. Humans require positive interaction and a community to lean on. If you show up for your community and your clients, they will do the same for you. We are not ment to walk through this life alone. 

 

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Stop Using the Excuse “Too Busy”

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“Sorry, I can’t. I’m too busy,”  is a common excuse for people around this time of year. As things pick up, you try to find the time to slow down. Business professionals, students, stay at home mommas, I don’t care who you are. You have definitely pulled this excuse once or twice this season and if you haven’t, I applaud you. Like seriously, you’re a better person than I am. 

 

I’m not writing this post to judge or condemn you, because heck I am so guilty of this myself. I’m here to break down the definition “busy” and help apply it to our lives, so we don’t keep making the same silly mistakes. 

 

To be honest, we are all busy. Whether it be running our children around to their weekly activities, cramming for three tests the following week, or signing a contract regarding a financial business decision. But between these things, we all find ways to fill our free time like scrolling through facebook or watching our favorite netflix show. Not to say these are bad things at all, just pointing out this totally contradicts the excuse of being “too busy.” Busy is described as keeping yourself occupied, so today I ask you, what do you occupy your life with? Even the busiest people in the world find time for the people and things they care about. 

 

I don’t want to confuse this post with the importance of saying no. If something comes up that’s not important to you, let them know. It’s okay to say no, and in fact sounds a whole lot better than saying you’re too busy. It is extremely important to prioritize your life and make time for what is important to you. Next time you try telling someone you are too busy, rather stop talking and listen to them. Ask about the things that are going on in their life, and help find ways they can prioritize their situation. 


Remember, you woke up today to do great things. Do not underestimate yourself. I challenge you to stay positive during this busy season and lift up others, rather than make excuses for yourself.

 

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The Convenience of Coworking

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Work when you want & can

 

Coworking spaces are on the rise all around the world. If you are following Ment, I’m sure you are familiar with who we are and what we offer by now. However, have you really thought of the benefits you could gain by giving coworking a try? 

 

You have heard it before, one of the biggest pros to coworking is convience. Before you look scroll past and ignore the rest of this post, I want you to break down your life and ask yourself how convenient it is. Are you commuting an hour to your office every day? Trying to work 9-5 at your home office while starting a family? Driving 15 minutes to spend $5 on a fancy latte just to share on your instagram story? Neglecting cooking dinner every night due to your chaotic, all over the place work schedule? Lets face it, we all have things that come up last minute and cause inconvenience, but often times we place ourselves right there in the very situation. 

 

Coworking instills a convenient, professional workplace that you can go to, right in the heart of your town. For an affordable price, you are able to know and trust the environment you work in and get things done, so you have time for fun later in the evening without feeling guilty. 

 

The friendly environment that coworking offers provides individuals with a community rather than competition, whether it be working together to complete tasks, or even blow off some steam over a cup of coffee. Coworking allows you to network and build connections with like minded individuals who will inspire you to do your best. 

 

Do you travel for work? Many coworking companies offer sister spaces, in which you can go and work for free. There’s nothing worse than working out of your hotel room or airport between flights. Here at Ment, we partner with IHub and Center 615, based out of Louisville and Nashville to provide free day passes to our traveling members. 

 

Overall, coworking reduces uncertainty and allows you to leave your work where it belongs – at work. What is your next step to add convenience in your life? 

 

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Ment To Thrive

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An Empowerment workshop & inside look on Kathryn Freeburg’s journey as a life coach

Everyone has a unique story and I truly believe that everyone’s story is worth sharing. So here is mine…. I grew up in Bowling Green, KY, but I was adopted from Guatemala as a baby. I went to Bowling Green High School and Western Kentucky University. It took me almost 10 years to graduate from college and little did I realize that I was showing myself what I would be helping others believe today: you get to decide the timeline of your life and what you do with it.  I am married to my wonderful and strong husband, Tim, and we have two golden retrievers: Chip and Joanna (yes, like Fixer Upper) and two labs Boom and Blitz (named after the Seattle Seahawks mascots). Our house is full of love and dog hair and we wouldn’t want it any other way, except for a stronger vacuum. I met my husband Tim on a plane as I was on my way to Canada to meet my biological brothers, who I found over Facebook, for the first time… but that’s a story for another day. 

 

Up until the last couple of years, I allowed the opinions of others and society’s “rules” decide my life for a while. I let people influence how I dressed, what I ate, watched or said – I even let them influence what I thought about myself. While I have been very fortunate to have lived an overall  happy life, it hasn’t happened without its fair share of heartache, ugly cries, low bank accounts, anxiety and challenges. But I wanted more than just a happy life- I wanted to live an abundantly joyful life. It wasn’t until my entrepreneurial husband encouraged me to go to a personal growth workshop by Tony Robbins that I realized that I wasn’t serving my purpose and more importantly, myself. After many conversations, budgeting, panic attacks, dreaming and pints of Cookies N Cream ice cream we decided as a family that I would quit my full time job with benefits and I would pursue my dream of being a life coach. Talk about sweaty palms when I turned in my resignation! I remember the day that I walked out of my job for the last time as an employee that I only felt peace and excitement for what I was about to do. I guess you could say that I “Marie Kondo’d” my job and thanked it for helping me pay my bills and meet some incredible individuals who were vessels for some amazing moments, but most importantly I was thankful to my job for showing me that I didn’t have to work a traditional job for my life to have meaning and that I didn’t want to. I want to live a life how I decide and with whom I decide. 

 

Fast forward through trainings, self growth, quiet hustling like a ninja, some anxiety and lots of dance parties in my car with my husband when successes came and here I am. A life coach who is serving others and building a community that is based on love, kindness, compassion and inclusion. I have the privilege to work with individuals of all ages and small groups to help them feel loved and step into who they were born to be: whoever they want to be. 

 

You are here to thrive as you decide. You are not here to be complacent and do the motions of what your friends, mom, boss, teacher, significant other or society as a whole tells you to do. You are here to thrive as individuals to bring your talents and gifts to the community table to help others. As you gain knowledge, confidence and unbury your dreams you step into the state of thriving. You step into the state of gratitude, humility, self confidence, and see yourself for who you are and love it every step of the way. You step into you and who you were born to be. 

 

As your life coach, I stand as your unconditional advocate. I meet you where you are right now and show up to help you grow into the person or place you envision, together. From here on out, you are never alone. I will always be in your corner, even and especially if there are times when it feels like no one else is. You are already worthy of anything and everything you dream of. All you have to do is take one step forward – I’ve got you. I see you. 

 

You are loved and needed in this world. You have a story to share and a life worth living. I am ready to stand with you, but you have to decide when. It is either one day or day one – which one will you choose? 

 

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Beet Box: Healthy Eating Made Simple

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This month we are partnering with Beet Box Produce. Their mission is to make healthy eating simple by offering chef-cooked prepared meals, fresh produce boxes and healthy local groceries delivered right to your home. By partnering with a variety of organic Kentucky farmers, they are able to support local farmers and get their nutritious, delicious food out for you to try. 

Beet Box began in 2014 as a produce delivery service, providing local and organic produce. It wasn’t until 2016 they began meal preparation into their delivery service. In 2018 they opened a store front and built a full commercial kitchen. Michelle Darnall, owner of Beet Box, describes their inventory as a lot of hard to find items, things that you would not walk in and find at your local grocery store.

Beetbox is open Monday through Friday 10-6. Alongside of their prepared meals and grocery delivery subscription, Beet Box has a large store front allowing for pop up shops, local artist events, class series, etc. This local business here in the heart of Bowling Green has a passion for connecting with the community and supporting other small businesses. 

Want to try out Beet Box? Use the code “newbie” to save 20% off of your first delivery. 

 

 

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3 Tips to Start September off Right

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As labor day weekend draws to an end, we all hopefully will head back to work this week with cleared minds and hopefully some rest. September has somehow snuck up on us, and can I just say how rude of summer to come and go so quickly. As business men and women, it is essential that we take each and every day to our full advantage. Today, I’m going to offer three tips to start the month off on the right foot and make it the most productive one yet. 

A new month brings the chance to start new, set goals, accomplish more and overall better yourself. Focus on where you’re at today, where you would like to be in the future and the steps you are going to take to get there. 

Get a good night’s sleep: I’m sure you have heard this one before, but how often have you actually tried to enable it in your routine? Leave your work at work, come home and be present with the ones you love and when it is time to unplug, I challenge you to really and truly unplug this month. Leave your cell phone charging across the room, lay your clothes out for the next morning and get to bed at a decent time. Wake up a bit earlier this month than you’re used to, even if it’s just 15 minutes. Use this time to manage morning tasks, answer emails and eat a nutritious breakfast. 

Set Goals: If you don’t have goals, WYD? This month set goals for yourself or your business. Whether it be one big one or three small ones, the ball is in your court. Put these goals somewhere you will look at them multiple times a day and each time you’re working on something, ask yourself if what you’re doing aligns with a specific goal. If it doesn’t, it probably is taking away from something more beneficial you could be doing. And that leads us to…

Avoid Multitasking: My personal worst. This month, rather than micromanaging one hundred little projects, try focusing on one project or task at a time. Decide how you want to manage your ideas and follow a list or timeline to check things off. Believe it or not, this will actually decrease stress and increase productivity. 

Find an accountability partner to help you establish these goals and stick to them. I hope these few tips help you start September off on the best foot possible! 

 

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