Frugal Friday - Batteries

As photographers we have found that there is a common need and a common issue in our profession regarding batteries.  We all need to conserve battery power, lengthen the lifespan of our batteries, and save on the all-mighty dollar.  Batteries are a necessary part of every photographer's arsenal and we just cannot do without them.  Fancy equipment is just a pile of plastic, metal and mirrors without the proper "juice" to make them work.  Through our experiences we have found that there are a few, simple ways we can maximize the power and lifespan of our batteries, not to mention ways to make our lives just a little bit easier.

1.  BUY RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES

This up front cost will definitely save you money over time.  Although rechargables are a bit more pricey at the beginning, we have definitely saved time, money and peace-of mind with them.  Our Eneloop batteries (by Sanyo purchased from COSTCO) have been our go-to batteries for powering our external flashes and YongNuo receivers since 2007.  They are solid and dependable.

We like rechargeable batteries because they last - we rarely have our batteries die on us during a shoot anymore.  Rechargeable batteries in the past were hardly worth anything because they just didn't have the "umph" to work longer than a few hours.  New technology has really benefited the longevity and strength that these batteries now offer.

We like rechargable batteries because we KNOW when they are full.  Before every portrait session or wedding we always "slow charge" our batteries so we know we started out at full power.  A 'slow charge' completely drains the battery and then recharges it fully.  By fully draining the battery first will give you a longer overall life of the battery as well as a better charge during each use.  This peace of mind has saved us from running into a potential problem of equipment failure because of dead batteries.

2.  SHOOT TO CONSERVE

You can elongate the life of your batteries simply by adjusting the settings on your flash or equipment.  We always shoot our external flashes on manual and put the power down to the lowest setting we can and still get the look we are aiming for.  The lower the power setting (i.e. 1/32 verses 1/1), the less battery drainage and the longer your battery will last.  Make the necessary adjustments (shutter speed, ISO, etc) to compensate your lower power setting in camera.

This is a nice fact to know if you're shooting an all day wedding or event.

3.  GET OUT EVERY LAST BIT OF JUICE

Have you ever had your camera battery die while you are in the middle of a session, a shoot or a ten-mile hike into the scenic wilderness?  Did you know that even after the camera registers that the battery is dead, you can usually still squeak out a little more power?  Now, this tip won't get you another hour of shooting, but it might allow you to sneak in one or two more necessary shots.  Don’t waste what’s left of your battery power by turning your camera on and off. Set up the shot you want and snap the image as soon as the camera turns on (if it turns on at all).

The first trick is to pop your battery out, rub the metal contacts against your clothing to create a bit of friction and quickly pop it back in.  This personally has worked for us multiple times and has given us just enough power to grab a shot.  

Another trick requires cooling your battery down.  Heat dissipates the charge of most batteries fairly quickly, but if you can remove the battery and cool it off on hot days, you might stand the chance to capture one last image. 

4. LABEL

In order to keep track of which batteries are fully charged and which are dead, we recommend a good labeling system.  It's very frustrating when you accidentally mix up good and bad batteries when you're in a hurry.  Our labeling method is simple, but effective.  We use small carrying cases that we purchased from B&H Photo and Kevin fashioned a "charged"/"dead" label that lays just below the clear plastic.  At a glance we know which batteries to grab and which batteries need to be recharged after a wedding or session.  Simply.  Easy.  Effective.

May your batteries always be fully charged and their lifespan long!

~ Heather

Frugal Friday - In the Laundry Room

One place I like to save a few pennies is in the laundry room with one simple little trick.

I learned a while ago that you can easily divide your fabric softener amount in half and still obtain the same soft and fluffy (and static-free) results.  We use dryer sheets and it is simple, easy and very cost effective to cut a stack of them in half for future use.  I have never once felt that our clothes have been less then perfect and I love the fact that I can save pennies with each load of laundry I do.  With a family of 6 with young children, you can be sure I do a lot of laundry, which means I save a lot of pennies! 

~Heather

Frugal Friday - Homemade Chicken Stock (with super-yummy soup recipe)

I don't know about all of you, but I have to admit that I'm a little addicted to those inexpensive, quick and yummy, fully-cooked rotisserie chickens you can pick up at your local supermarket. Although they may not be homemade, they are tender, juicy and just the thing to feed the family on a crazy, busy night.

But what do you do with the leftovers after the family has eaten their fill? When there's not enough left for another meal, but there is definitely meat on the bones? Well, if you ask my family, they'd tell you - chicken soup!

Because of these tough economic times I've learned that you can easily make your own chicken stock (and then chicken soup) with leftovers for cheap. This might be common knowledge to you culinary experts out there, but I guess I just never put two and two together. I figured you had to have 30+ ingredients and spend hours in the kitchen to pull together a decent batch of stock. Not so, my friends! Making simple chicken stock actually tends to be super easy!

It's funny to me, to be honest, that I find making my own stock to be a good thing, because growing up I couldn't even touch raw chicken (I could hardly even look at it). Heaven forbid I ever be asked to eat chicken off the bone!!! I was spoiled with boneless, skinless chicken breasts and wouldn't have anything to do with blood, bones or "innards". I liked my chicken to look as little like an actual animal as it could. Fortunately, my ability to handle raw meat, bones and innards have matured with me and I am proud to say that with a deep breath and some pep-talk I am able to dive in and handle a chicken carcass all on my own. (Aren't you so proud...)

Now, on to the recipe . . .

Since I feed a family of 6 + plus my parents on a regular basis (and I love leftovers), my portion sizes might be quite a bit bigger than the normal family's. Feel free to half the recipe to suit your needs.

INGREDIENTS FOR THE STOCK:

2 rotisserie chicken carcasses

water

2 onions, quarterd

3-4 bay leaves

fresh vegetables (halved carrots, celery, leek, garlic, etc), if desired

other seasonings to taste (fennel, thyme, parsley, peppercorns, etc)

Place chicken carcasses in a soup kettle or Dutch oven and cover with water.

Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 2-3 hours (or more).

Remove carcass; cool. Set aside 4 qt. broth.  Skim surface of broth and remove fat and solids.

Remove meat from bones and break into bite-size pieces; set aside.

INGREDIENTS FOR CREAMY CHICKEN AND RICE SOUP:

2-3 cups leftover meat from the carcasses

3-4 carrots, chopped

2-3 celery ribs, chopped

2 medium onions, chopped

2 cups fresh, frozen or canned corn

3/4 cup butter

3/4 cup flour

3 cups half and half or milk

1 1/2 cups long grain rice

4 Tbs salt, or to taste

1 tsp pepper

 

In a soup kettle or Dutch oven, saute the onions, carrots and celery in butter until tender.

Reduce heat and add corn; stir in flour until blended.

Gradually add 2 qts. of reserved broth. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened.

Add cream, rice, salt, pepper, remaining broth and reserved chicken. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 30-35 minutes or until rice is tender.

Serve with fresh bread and enjoy!

And here is an honest, revealing picture that proves to you that I am not all the domestic genius that I wish I was.  Do not leave a covered, simmering pot unattended!

~ Heather

 

Frugal Friday Intro

In this day, age and economic times everyone is searching for ways to save the almighty dollar.  Yes, today is Thursday, but stay tuned for our upcoming regular friday feature - Frugal Friday.  Each friday I am going to share ways that we save around the house, on the job, or in the kitchen.  We are not penny-pinching experts, but we certainly have plenty of experience with it and a lot of great opinions (if I do say so myself - lol).

We hope you will stay tuned and will learn a thing or two that will help fatten your pocket-book and slim down your budget.

~ Heather