Back in June, we told you about #PullUporShutUp challenge, a campaign started by Charon Chuter, founder and CEO of Uoma Beauty. It was a movement to get brands to release their number of Black people employed in both corporate and leadership roles. Now, for Black History Month (and just because it’s an important cause), Chuter is continuing her activism with the Make It Black campaign and corresponding products. This movement raises funds for the new Pull Up For Change Impact Fund, which provides capital to emerging Black founders, but also helps shift perceptions around what it means to be Black.

Have you looked up “black” in the dictionary lately? In an open later to the Oxford English Dictionary and Merriam Webster Dictionary, Chuter states the definition of black and some of the negative synonoms. “Your definition today still reads ‘characterized by hostility or angry discontent,’ ‘not conforming to a high moral standard; morally unacceptable,’” she writes. She’s requesting these companies change these outdated ideologies.

“Language plays a critical role in how we perceive the world,” Chuter said in a statment. “The function of language goes beyond expressing ideas and concepts, it shapes thought and defines our collective consciousness. Language should be neutral, unbiased and reflective of our current realities. It is in this regard that the dictionary has work to do.”

Source: Instagram

Not only can you help by signing the petition, but you can also shop some stellar beauty products to support the important cause. Some of our favorite brands including Briogeo, Colourpop, Dragun Beauty, Flower Beauty, Maybelline, Morphe, NYX Professional Makeup, PÜR and UOMA Beauty repackaged their most iconic products in sleek black. The limited-edition products are available for purchase at Ulta Beauty through the end of February. 100 percent of the gross profits benefit the Pull Up for Change Fund.

These products look so chic and you’ll want to have them in your bathroom. Plus, they’re already ones you know and love. Shop a few online now and check back when the rest hit Ulta on February 7.

Our mission at STYLECASTER is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.

UOMA Beauty Afro.Dis.Iac Cleopatra Ink Liquid Eyeliner

An intense, long lasting, water-resistant liquid eyeliner in the blackest black.

Ulta.

Morphe Make It Black Continuous Setting Mist

Vitamins E and B5, as well as fruit extracts, condition skin as you lock in your makeup.

Ulta.

PÜR x Make It Black Fully Charged Magnetic Mascara

Lift, separate and define lashes for maximum impact.

Ulta.

NYX Professional Makeup Make It Black Warm Neutrals Ultimate Shadow Palette

With 16 perfect neutral shades in matte and shimmer finishes.

Maybelline x Make It Black SuperStay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick – Thrillseeker

Fans say this is the best black liquid lipstick on the market.

Most beginner photography articles on the web start with complicated drawings of the exposure triangle and intricate explanations of white balance.

I think that’s the perfect way to take the fun right out of learning photography because it focuses too much on the technical side of things. I’m not saying technique isn’t important. It is. But I do feel it’s not the best way to start learning photography.

Photography Is an Art

Despite the generally advocated idea that photography is not too difficult, there’s a lot more to it than pushing a button. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, frustrated, and defeated after you’ve bought your first ‘serious’ camera and the thing looks like an alien to you.

Looking for some straight forward tips on picking the best camera for you? Check out this How to Choose a Camera Guide.

Like so many other beginning photographers, you decide the safest thing to do is to keep it in Auto mode, so you don’t miss out on precious moments and once-in-a-lifetime photo opportunities.

And that is a shame because your camera’s ‘brain’ is very limited. It really needs your loving guidance to get the best out of it.

So, I’m not going to overload you with technique. I am going to give you 5 simple and practical tips you can implement today. Without all the technical background information you have no place for right now.

This way you can start to get to know your camera a little bit better and most of all develop a sense of control and fun in the process.

Hold Your Camera the Right Way

So, let’s start at the very beginning. How to hold your DSLR or Mirrorless camera. It might seem like a trivial thing, but I can assure you it’s not.

Your camera is your tool, and you should feel very comfortable with it. The end goal here is for your camera to become an extension of yourself. That starts with holding your camera the right way.

Camera Shake

When you hold your camera the right way, it doesn’t move when you press the shutter because it’s supported by you. You have to become a living tripod to give your camera the support it needs to keep still.

When you don’t support it enough, you might end up with blurry pictures caused by camera shake. This is the super small movement the camera makes the moment you press the shutter. So, you see why this first step is so important.

The Steps

#1 Let the base of the camera rest in the palm of your left hand and wrap your fingers around the lens.

#2 Take hold of the grip at the right side of the camera with your right hand.

#3 Let your right index finger rest on the shutter, ready to press.

#4 Press your upper arms in the side of your body, and keep the camera as close to your face as possible.

#5 When it’s time to press the shutter, make sure your right index finger is the only thing moving.

#6 Holding it vertical is basically the same procedure. You support the camera with your left arm and hand, using your right hand only to release the shutter.

Shoot in Program Mode

Program mode is an often-overlooked exposure mode, and that’s a pity because it can help you to step away from Auto mode without the fear of missing shots.

In Auto mode, there’s absolutely nothing you can control. It’s the safe way to go for sure when you’re starting out. But soon you become frustrated because the camera is doing its own will.

Going from Auto mode to Manual mode is a huge step and often results in missed shots. And after you’ve missed a couple of important moments because you were fumbling with your settings you resort to Auto mode. Just to be on the safe side.

But there’s a solution for beginning photographers who don’t feel confident enough to shoot in Manual mode. It’s called Program mode, and it’s perfect for taking your first independent steps in photography. It’s like learning to ride a bike with the side wheels on.

There are a few important settings you cannot control in Auto mode, but you can control them in Program Mode.

Control the Focus

The most important one is setting focus. In Auto mode, the focus is determined by the camera and it might or might not align with where you think the focus should be. As a result, you end up with blurry pics regularly.

In Program mode, you gain full control of your focus settings. It’s the main reason why you should shoot in Program mode.

Control ISO

The second reason is you can deactivate the flash and select the ISO. The ISO determines the sensitivity of the sensor. And when you’re able to select a high ISO yourself the camera will not automatically open up the flash when there’s not a lot of light available.

Shoot in RAW

And the third reason is that you can select the RAW image quality. When you shoot in RAW the range of possibilities in the editing phase is so much larger than when you shoot in Jpeg.

This is good news when you’re starting because the margin for error in exposure is quite large when you shoot in RAW. This means that even if a picture is for instance underexposed you can still make it look awesome when you’re editing.

Shooting in RAW is a no-brainer even if you don’t have access to editing software right now. For now, you can select the Raw/Jpeg image quality.

Shoot a Lot and Experiment

To become a better photographer, you have to shoot a lot. And you should definitely not be afraid of getting it wrong. It’s how you learn the best.

Of course, there’s such a thing as overshooting. That condition when your finger is just not able to let go of the shutter, and you take dozens of identical pictures in a row. That’s not what I’m talking about.

Shoot with Intent

I am talking about shooting with intent, about experimenting and playing. Trying out different things when it’s okay if you make mistakes. To carve out time for yourself to practice without the pressure of others waiting for you or the fear of missing the shot because it’s an important moment.

This is really important when you’re learning. Because it doesn’t make sense to experiment when you’re shooting a once-in-a-lifetime thing or a precious moment. You need to do that when it’s okay to mess it up. So you become comfortable with your camera and confident enough to try out new things when it actually does matter.

Discover What You Love to Shoot

Shooting a lot and experimenting become so much easier when you photograph what you love. It doesn’t matter who or what it is.

Figuring out the subjects or situations that make your photography heart sing is a very important step as a learning photographer.

Maybe your idea of a perfect day is strolling the streets of a city with your camera, or your photo heaven is spending time in nature, or you get your photography juices by photographing your kids or grandkids.

It doesn’t really matter. What matters is that you discover what you love to shoot so you can shoot with love.

Photographing with love gives you the motivation to keep at it. To show up again and again. To make the mistakes and keep coming back. For as long as it takes to get it right.

Mix Up Your Point of View

One of the most persistent mistakes I see beginning photographers make is to photograph from the same eye-level perspective all the time. Mixing up your point of view will dramatically improve your photography.

To mix up your point of view you want to be an active and involved photographer. Because what you actually use to change your point of view is not so much the camera but your body. That’s why it’s vital to be active, to walk around, and to look at your subject from different perspectives.

Walk towards your subject to photograph a detail, crouch down to get a low point of view or climb on top of things for an unusual perspective.

So, dust off your camera and start practising with these five simple, yet very effective tips, and I assure you, you will not want to stop photographing.

To help you get started, I created a free Starter Photography Playbook with a step-by-step guide for shooting in Program Mode. It gives you motivation to practice with 5 super fun and creative photography projects you can do at home.

Is photography a potential hobby? Have you tried going around town to take interesting shots? What subjects or events are your favorite to photograph? Has your hobby developed into something more? What tips might you have for a beginning photographer? Please share them below!

Whitney Rose’s Red Floral Keyhole Dress

Real Housewives of Salt Lake City Season 1 Finale Fashion

Whitney Rose’s red floral print dress literally has roses on it, making it perfect for the Salt Lake sweetie. She’s got her own feminine, fun, youthful, sexy style that she’s adhered to this season and her finale dress definitely falls in line quite well. And here’s to hoping there’s a stripper pole at the Skin Lab party so she can show us some signature moves along with her signature style to close out the season.

The Realest Housewife,

Big Blonde Hair

Click Here to See her Alexis x Revolve Dress

Photo: @WhitneyWildRose

Originally posted at: Whitney Rose’s Red Floral Keyhole Dress

Jen Shah’s Brown Faux Fur Stole

Real Housewives of Salt Lake City Season 1 Finale Fashion

Even Jen Shah’s faux fur stole probably didn’t provide enough warmth from the chill she was getting from the rest of the cast on last night’s Real Housewives of Salt Lake City Season 1 finale. But I think she may be about to feel some love from the people who post dead minks in cages whenever I post a real fur item on social, because this baby is faux! But then again, we’ll see what direction that takes when everyone sees the super real price tag on it.

The Realest Housewife,

Big Blonde Hair

Click Here to Shop Her Gucci Faux Fur Stole

Originally posted at: Jen Shah’s Brown Faux Fur Stole

I was in my late 50s when I became a caregiver for my parents, so our family dynamic was pretty established. We were a family of strong personalities. Mom was the boss and controlled all the family matters. Dad was patient, easy and outgoing and let her rule the roost.

I, on the other hand, banged heads with Mom on most things, and we didn’t have an easy relationship. Dad would wisely retreat to another room when the fireworks started.

When I jumped in to help take care of my mom when she began demonstrating signs of dementia, and my dad became exhausted by caring for her alone, I knew all hell would break loose. My mom would give me a hard time and be inconsolable, and my dad would go along for the ride.

The Caregiving Scenario

Mom did give me a hard time and Dad did go along for the ride, and both of them reacted pretty much as I had expected.

The person I hadn’t figured into the equation was myself. I hadn’t considered the shock and confusion I would feel as my role shifted from child to parent and from being taken care of to being the caregiver.

When someone you depend on begins to depend on you, the world becomes topsy-turvy. Everyone gets their knickers in a twist. It’s confusing, heart-breaking and challenging.

I went from being overly controlling to panicking that I wasn’t up to the task. My parents wanted and needed the help but resisted it because it embarrassed and frightened them. It was a mess.

Soon I realized we had to find ways to adjust to all of this change. If I could calm down and get more balanced, they might be able to feel more comfortable, too.

I discovered a few tactics that soothed me and helped me lean into the new normal and even occasionally enjoy it. Let me share them with you.

Relax

When I didn’t try so hard, worry so much, do so much and try to fix everything at once, I felt more comfortable in my new caregiver role.

Trying to do the best I could on a daily basis, as opposed to trying to be perfect, made my job a little less scary. I constantly told myself to take it easy and keep it simple. Just by showing up I had it 80% covered. The universe would take care of the rest.

When I relaxed into my role and went with the flow, it seemed to make everyone less tense. I was able to respond in a gentler, calmer way to everything and everybody. We were more at ease.

Be Kind

Kindness is second to love and is a powerful healing force for all things. By being kind to both myself and my parents, I created an atmosphere of ease and understanding. Fear and frustration can’t play out or take hold when we are being kind to each other and to ourselves.

Speaking gently and with kindness in my tone of voice completely changed the outcome of the conversation from strained to enjoyable.

Small acts of kindness and compassion soothed even the most difficult activity. Treating myself as kindly as I would a friend prevented anger and frustration from building up.

Laugh

Keeping my sense of humor saved my sanity. My family loves to laugh, and I took every opportunity I had to see the funny side of things and position our situation as fun and funny.

I knew I was in trouble when I lost my sense of humor. It was a clear indicator I was headed for burnout. So I would do anything I could to make myself and those around me laugh.

I even had goofy cat and dog videos saved that made me smile, as well as movies my family loves. One of my most powerful prayers is “please help me see the humor in this!”

These simple strategies were not always easy to remember or simple to do, but when I pulled them out of my emotional toolbox I felt relief, encouragement, and hope. As time wore on and my new role started to feel more natural, I was able to show up in less of a panic.

Relaxing, being kind and laughing helped me get used to my new normal and all the changes that came with it. Be super kind to yourself as you work through all the transition caregiving will bring. The road will go smoother and the journey will unfold in amazing ways.

If you are a caregiver, how are you dealing with this new way of living? What ways have you discovered to help you manage your life as a caregiver? Please share your tips and insights below.