How to Tone your Abdomen With a Personal Trainer

How to Tone your Abdomen With a Personal Trainer How Personal Training with a Fitness Instructor can Help you Get Great Abs ChaptersKnow Your BodyRules to Remember When Working Your AbsWays to Work Your Abs EffortlesslyPreconceived notion #1: working your abs will cause you to lose weight.That is not exactly true. While sit-ups, crunches and other moves meant to strengthen your abdominal muscles will in fact tone them, doing them will not trim your waistline.More specifically, doing only them will not trim your waistline. Exercise physiology dictates you need an entire fitness program for overall health and fitness.Preconception #2: people tend to overlook that poorly toned abs, painfully evident in those with bad posture, can lead to worse musculoskeletal problems: back pain, trouble breathing and, because of improper oxygen intake, fatigue.A final incorrect notion often held about stomach muscles: it is difficult to get them in shape.To get the flat stomach you crave, it is simply not enough to do exercises targeted to your abdominal muscles.Total body strength and conditioning is what a corrective exer cise specialist would prescribe.You have to make sure your back is toned and strong, with well-developed muscles.You have to hold good posture to ensure that your lumbars, cervical and thoracic muscles all work in concert to support your every physical endeavor.Let's follow this technical guide to how your skeletal muscles work together, before we see how to tone your stomach.Personal trainers will tell you: the key to physical fitness is knowing your body Source: Pixabay Credit: Teamsmashgame CalumDrama School Entrance Teacher 5.00 (15) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ToriSpanish Teacher 5.00 (1) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors OliviaSchool support Teacher 5.00 (2) £21/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarkESOL (English) Teacher 4.76 (17) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors YuweiChinese Teacher 4.33 (6) £19/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JenniferMusic reading Teacher 5.00 (1) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutor s LouiseAutoCAD Teacher 5.00 (3) £60/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RickyPercussion Teacher 5.00 (7) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NicolasGuitar Teacher 5.00 (2) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MyriamOrganic chemistry Teacher 5.00 (13) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JonathanEconomics Teacher 5.00 (9) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Oluwakemi imoleMaths Teacher 5.00 (1) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AlexPhysics Teacher 5.00 (1) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AdamSinging Teacher 5.00 (14) £48/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ValentiniMusic reading Teacher 5.00 (2) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MilenaMaths Teacher 5.00 (5) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RashmiEconomics Teacher 5.00 (1) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsKnow Your BodyAnyone who is knowledgeable about physical education will tell you that you have to be aware o f your body composition before you can know how to work it.A personal trainer would tell you that you have to know which muscles your abs consist of.Your abdominal girdle is made up of:the rectus abdoministhe internal and external obliquesthe transverse abdominisA critical difference in these muscles is how they are worked. Effective flexing and conditioning exercises  should work all of these muscles.A gym instructor could demonstrate a training course tailored to your abs, or you could find a local or online  personal trainer to design a fitness and nutrition regimen targeted to building, working and developing your abdominals .Traditional exercises targeted to the stomach â€" those fondly-remembered sit-ups, for example, target only the long muscle strips that give the coveted six-pak abs look.A certified personal trainer, before permitting you the first stomach crunch, would conduct a physical assessment to see what condition your abs are in.S/he is also checking your endurance levels and what stage of strength training you are at in order to prescribe a bespoke fitness regimen.Injury prevention is foremost on every personal trainer's mind.Nationally â€" all across the UK, every personal fitness trainer, whether in a gym or an in-home fitness specialist, must  undergo First Aid Certification training before qualifying to work in any aspect of the personal training business.You can rest assured that your fitness trainer is not being overly cautious  in discouraging your from sit-ups straightaway.S/he is only trying to protect you from serious lumbar injury or disc herniation as you work your way to a healthier,  fitter you.The following three signature moves benchmark progressive levels of abdominal strength and tenacity. They make up part of the fitness assessment  every private training coach might instruct you on prior to determining your scope of practice.PlankingLay face-down on the floor. Angling your elbows at ninety degrees, prop your upper body on your forearms.Plant your toes firmly on the ground, and then raise your lower extremities, so that your back is ramrod straight.Your entire body should rest on your elbows and toes. How long can you hold the pose?To meet your fitness goals, you should strive to keep planking for one minute, and then release. Optimal repetition is three times.You will feel a burn in your abs, but that is good: it means they are working.Your fitness instructor will stop the test either when your hips dip toward the floor, or when your glutes peak â€" when you point your bottom to the ceiling.The Shirato-ItoThis abdominal muscle test consists of laying flat on your back, with your legs positioned at ninety degrees.Your hands should be laced behind your neck with elbows touching the floor.Your fitness professional will then assess your lift â€" head and torso off the floor, and how long you can hold the pose. S/he will end the test once your shoulder blades or head dip down.If you can hold the pose for two minutes, the standard for this test, your personal fitness trainer will modify your training program to reflect relatively good muscle tone.The SorensenThis move is preferred by professional athletes. It consists of stretching along an exercise table with your hips and lower extremities restrained, while your torso hangs free.On your athletic coach's command, you should lift your torso so that it is in line with your hips and legs, and hold as long as you can.This strenuous pose, held for three minutes, will test not only your stomach muscles, but also those of your back, neck and arms.And it will test your lung capacity: don't forget to breathe while you hold yourself straight!Discover how to tighten your back muscles.Bend at the knee to lift heavy objects Source: Pixabay Credit: 3Dman_euRules to Remember When Working Your AbsTightening your abs should be an integral part of your overall fitness training, but there are inherent risks if not done properly.Consider the advice we 've all heard: lift heavy loads with your knees, not your back.Training techniques such as how to move, lift and work out are all a part of the knowledge you would gain when you work out with an online personal trainer, a one to one fitness specialist, or even a coach at the gym.In personal fitness training, you must respect fundamental rules (and avoid grave mistakes), such as:Do Not Brace Your FeetAthletes at beginner level tend to do sit-ups by bracing their feet under the couch, or getting their workout partner to hold them down.With fingers laced at the nape, lift after painful lift is assayed, all in the name of muscular endurance.While bracing the ankles does make sit-ups easier, you are in effect working your hip and thigh muscles more so than your stomach.A bit of kinesiology would teach you that doing sit-ups  in this manner could actually hurt your back, especially if your abs are not ready for that level of work.Anyone in the fitness business will tell you: if a defined six-pack is what you are looking for, it would be best to train that muscle group with your legs extended and...Find the best fitness classes near me.The Hands Behind the NeckWhether doing crunches or the reviled sit-up, putting your hands behind your neck is counter-productive.Unwittingly, the novice sports practicer will use those laced hands to lift the head.Try it: do your elbows struggle to join in the lift, only to point at the ceiling?Pulling on your neck takes effort away from your stomach, so that you don't get the full effect of the work you are doing.Worse: you risk injuring yourself while working out.The better place for your hands is at ear level, with the fingertips just touching the cup of your ear.If you are more advanced on the fitness spectrum, you could try crossing your arms over your chest as you work through your training programs.Keep Tension on Your AbsThis is a fundamental health rule: no matter what the activity, even standing or walking, keep your abs tens e.Beyond that, every move you make should cause an abdominal contraction.Your abs and lumbar muscles work together to hold you up. Weakness in the abdominals forces the lumbars to work harder, possibly leading to long-term back injury.Besides, it is more difficult to rediscover your flat stomach under that body fat if you don't keep your abs flexed as you walk.Maintain a Straight SpineMany who have just enrolled at the fitness center, in their quest to get fit quickly, tend to follow bad form.They curve their shoulders inward and hunch their upper back while exercising, for example.If you are doing so, you are compressing your rib cage, limiting the amount of air your lungs can take in.And, you are overworking your back while under-working your abs.Bad form has no place in your exercise program.Your training specialist will tell you: shoulders and hips should always be in line, and stretched as far apart as possible.Another strong recommendation from the fitness industry: keep your perineum tight in order to force all of the work to your abdominal muscles.New mothers doing post-natal workouts should be especially aware of this suggestion.Discover also how to tone your thighs!Capitalise on every opportunity to work your abs, even while walking Source: Pixabay Credit: ijmakiWays to Work Your Abs EffortlesslyYou are motivated to tone your tummy. You are ready to engage in functional training to become the best you.How can you do it without any personal training sessions or knowledge of exercise science?Indeed, you can establish a personal training program to tone your abs without personal training certification.Before You Get UpWhilst still in bed, you can do a few gentle sit-ups. They will be most effective if your legs are kept tightly together.After a hard day's work, who would be motivated to do any exercise programs or resistance training?Instead of a visit from a certified personal trainer, you could do a few flexes and stretches, just before bed.Check out these functional moves  that you may already be doing.Ease your torso slightly forward and pull your arms back. Feel the tension on your stomach as your chest opens up. Take a deep breath, and then release and repeat.This is a textbook move practiced in gyms, in group training and during aerobic cool down sessions.Next, pull you legs straight up, and touch your ankle with your fingertips.This move is great for working obliques and busting up fatty tissue in the belly.Breathe Through Your StomachYoga trainers embrace this move as a way to cleanse airways prior to their workout session.This training technique requires minimal effort to show great results: breathe through your stomach, so that it is completely inflated, and then exhale with maximum force.You might see small groups following this technique in the gym, after a vigorous cardio workout.This deep breathing technique is great for releasing tension and stress from your everyday activity, just before bed.Tighten as You WalkFol low fitness programs while on the phone, while dealing with clients, while coding, while editing, while reviewing graduate papers, while punching a cash register...?The sad fact is, most of our day is sedentary: too many of today's jobs require sitting for long periods of time.Still, even while sitting at your desk, you can do some isometrics, strength training, resistance work and other general sports conditioning, all with no health club membership required.You can reach your goal for a tight stomach even as you answer the phone.You might not be able to get a cardiorespiratory workout in while sitting at your desk, but you can certainly have fun flexing various muscle groups in sequence and breathing deeply is not forbidden at work, that we know of.To summarise: you hold complete accountability for your personal fitness.If you want to lose weight, get a toned body and sculpt your abs, you can start while at work, continue on the way home and even work your body while walking to be d.Let every footstep be an opportunity to flex your stomach muscles â€" gently.You don't want to walk around like a penguin, after all!You will soon see a difference in your body mass and composition.Capitalise on that and let your motivation  to train grow!Learn how to work your hamstrings.

The True Cost of College Infographic

The True Cost of College Infographic The True Cost of College How much is the average American spending on higher education? More than you might expect. This infographic goes beyond tuition and offers a comprehensive breakdown of the real costs of college, as well as what goes into financing a degree, including the realities of student loan debt. Get the info you need to plan and pay for college. Embed this infographic on your site Created by Varsity Tutors - Private Tutoring & Test Prep

13 Cheap and Easy DIY Halloween Costumes That Rock

13 Cheap and Easy DIY Halloween Costumes That Rock Megan L. So, what are you going to be for Halloween this year? Not sure yet? Youre not alone. To help you find the perfect costume this year, we put together 13 cheap and easy rockstar DIYs. Rockstars always turn heads wherever they go, and with one of these rockin costumes youre sure to do the same. Lets get this party started! Solo Artists These are great easy DIY Halloween costumes you can wear all on your own or with a backing band. 1. Paul Stanley Mastering the facepaint is key to getting the KISS frontmans iconic look. Once you have your face right, youll be instantly recognizable. Pair your perfectly painted face with black clothes for an easy look, or for a twist add a striped shirt and a beret voilà, French KISS. 2. Bruce Springsteen Its easy to be the boss for Halloween. All you need to get this look is blue jeans, a white t-shirt, and a red bandana. Break the ice with a cutie at the party by inviting them to dance on stage with you, just like Bruces Dancing in the Dark video. 3. Madonna Making a DIY Madonna costume couldnt be simpler. Head to your local thrift store and pick up a short 80s style dress, lace gloves, and lots of bracelets and pearls. For an added bonus, carry a microphone (or make one out of a paper towel roll). 4. 90s Grunge Look Depending on your lifestyle, this look might not be much of a stretch. But if you tend to be more polished and dressy, the grunge look could be a great change of pace for you. Channel your favorite alt rock stars of the 90s with oversized shirts and jeans, and of course lots of flannel. 5. Joan Jett Be one of the baddest women in rock and roll this Halloween with this simple, classic look. Pair tight jeans with a leather jacket, add a lot of attitude, and youve got this DIY Halloween costume down. Carry a guitar with you, and youre sure to be a runaway hit at the Halloween party. 6. 80s Glam Rocker Big hair and tight pants are what this costume is all about. Tease your hair or find a wig at the Halloween store, and dont forget to wear lots of eyeliner. Wear an old loose tank top or cut up a t-shirt to get this glam look on a budget. 7. Stevie Nicks Stevies signature style includes scarves, hats, and anything long and flowing. Wear your hair long and wavy and unleash your inner mystical wild child. If you have an old witch costume with a long skirt, you might even be able to repurpose it into a Stevie Nicks look. Dynamic Duos These DIY couples costumes are sure to make a splash. Pair up with your partner or a good friend and get to work! 8. Justin and Britney Bring some early 2000s nostalgia to the party and make a grand entrance with your partner in Justin and Britney inspired head-to-toe denim. 9. Weezers Buddy Holly Sick of homies dissing your girl? Show the world that you dont care what they say about you anyway with this easy DIY Halloween couples costume. All you need to do is pull together a couple of squeaky clean preppy outfits. One of you will need glasses like Buddy Holly, and for the other flipped hair like Mary Tyler Moore. 10. Hall and Oates Make your Halloween dreams come true with this easy DIY costume perfect for a fun-loving twosome. Head to a thrift store for 80s-style blazers and feather your hair. To make it a little more obvious, you can write Hall and Oates on your t-shirts. 11. Taylor Swifts 1989 Vs. Ryan Adams 1989 Got bad blood? Bring your rivalry out on Halloween with this timely costume. Get the polaroid look of the album cover by cutting frames out of large pieces of cardboard, and be ready to sing songs from 1989 all night long! 12. David Bowie and David Bowie Did someone say David Bowie? From Ziggy Stardust to Jareth the Goblin King, David Bowie has had more iconic looks than you can shake a spandex jumpsuit  at. Celebrate Halloween in style with your best friend or partner by dressing as some of David Bowies different looks throughout the years. 13. John and Yoko Dress as the original iconic rock and roll couple and make a statement this year. All you need is long hair, white clothing, and love. Or you can ditch the costumes and stay in bed for peace! So, what will you be? Tell us your favorite costume idea in the comments below! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher

Why Guitarists Should Study Music Theory

Why Guitarists Should Study Music Theory Why Learn Music Theory as a Guitarist? ChaptersDo You Have to Learn Music Theory if You Want to Play the Guitar?Can Anyone Learn How to Play the Guitar without Music Theory?Five Good Reasons for Learning Music Theory as a Guitarist“How is it that music can, without words, evoke our laughter, our fears, our highest aspirations?” - Jane SwanAlmost everyone in the UK likes music. Music, just like sport, is an integral part of thousands of children’s lives.  However, this isn't the only reason why people learn how to play music.If you want to learn how to play the guitar, do you have to learn music theory?Are you still looking for the answer to this question?Maybe it's because music theory sounds really boring was putting you off the idea of learning how to play the guitar.In this article, we're going to look at the relationship between music theory and playing the guitar and whether or not you should learn it. PeterGuitar Teacher £12/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EdgarGuitar Teacher 5.00 (8) £30/h1st less on free!Discover all our tutors PaulGuitar Teacher 5.00 (12) £18/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DanielGuitar Teacher 5.00 (3) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ToddGuitar Teacher 4.75 (4) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SamueleGuitar Teacher 5.00 (5) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors KurtGuitar Teacher 5.00 (3) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RyanGuitar Teacher £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsDo You Have to Learn Music Theory if You Want to Play the Guitar?Let's put an end to all the suspense. No, you don't have to learn music theory in order to learn how to play the guitar. However, guitar  lessons, even one for a beginner, will probably draw upon music theory to help you improve your guitar playing.You can learn musical instruments at any age. (Source: 2400474)There are plenty of famous guitarists, such as Jimi Hendrix, who never learnt music theory and still became amazing guitarists.Reading Music an d Learning TheoryHowever, when it comes to music theory, we tend to muddy the waters. A lot of people think music theory involves sitting at school desks in front of a draconian teacher who's making their students repeat after them.This is enough to put anyone off the idea...However, there are two main parts to music theory:Learning to read sheet musicConcepts concerning music theory such as intervals, major skills, minor scales, arpeggios, etc.If you're learning to play the guitar with guitar lessons in a prestigious music school, these types of lessons might be unavoidable. Most classical pieces are not available as tablature which means that you will probably have to be able to read sheet music. However, you won't necessarily need a profound understanding of music theory in order to read which notes you have to play.Most guitarists, in fact, don't even have to know how to read sheet music. A lot of songs are available as tablature. You just have to know about the guitar tablature in order to play the music. This is far simpler than learning how to read sheet music.Guitar tablature tells you what you have to do on your guitar rather than which musical notes you have to play. This is useful if you can't afford a guitar teacher, are just learning guitar for fun, and are just interested in strumming some basic guitar chords.However, tablature doesn't tend to tell you the rhythm or the note value. This can make playing certain songs complicated. A good understanding of music theory will help you learn guitar more quickly and make you a real guitar player sooner.Find out more on how to start playing guitar.Learning Music Theory to Improve Your Improvisation and Composition SkillsAs you have understood, most beginners won't need to learn how to read sheet music. Learning music theory isn't obligatory and you can always go back to it later once you've got better at playing the guitar.To get started, you should familiarise yourself with two key aspects of playing th e guitar: rhythm and chords.This way, you can immediately start enjoying playing the guitar without getting bogged down in all the dry and boring music theory.However, if you'd like to know exactly why you're playing what you're playing, you need to know more than just where to put your hands on the neck.On the other hand, after a few months or years, you might want to learn how to compose your own musical improvise and at this point, music theory will become essential.You're going to need to know how to put together scales, which chords go together with which scales, and which chord progressions make a good song, for example.If you don't know anything about music theory, you're far more likely to play the wrong notes when you improvise.Don't forget to gauge your level before you start your lessons.Can Anyone Learn How to Play the Guitar without Music Theory?Firstly, music theory is not obligatory.  But…While guitarists like Kurt Cobain composed by ear and Django Reinhardt didn't even know the names of notes or chords, these guitarists are the exceptions. They're musical geniuses.They had an incredible ear for music, unlike the average person. There isn't one born every minute…The theory of music actually involves a lot of maths and physics. (Source: 777546)We'll assume that you're just a mere mortal.  You'll need to develop your ear and constantly work on your technique.Music theory will help improve your ear, knowledge of notes, scales, chords, and different rhythms that will help speed up just how quickly you can learn how to play the guitar.Without any knowledge of music theory, it will be very difficult to compose or improvise. You can use different scales, phrases, and your knowledge of melodic theory to put together interesting licks, riffs, and guitar music.We're not just talking about composition. An understanding of harmonic and melodic structure is essential for anyone who wants to improve their creativity.  Music theory doesn't limit your creat ivity. In fact, it's a way to get the most out of your musical instrument. A knowledge of music theory will open doors to your musical creativity.The more scales and progressions you know, the more you'll be able to draw on to compose music and improvise without playing a single wrong note whether you're playing on your own or with your band.Different Ways of LearningWhile anyone can learn how to play guitar by ear, not everybody should.  While some people are able to teach themselves how to play the guitar and are willing to put the time and effort into doing so, others will need the help of a guitar tutor or teacher and require a more structured learning approach in order to play given song.Everybody's different.  Some people have a great ear for music and can learn instruments almost effortlessly.However, learning music theory can fill in the gaps in their knowledge.  Imagine how good Hendrix could've been if he'd studied music theory.  We often tend to focus on objectives achiev ed and not the journey towards achieving said objectives.Would he have been better had he learned music theory?Or would it have been a waste of time?The journey doesn't really matter if you arrive at the same result, right?The amount of time taken is what really matters.Do you still think the results are the only thing that matters?Why not think about all the famous guitarists that studied music theory and are just as good as Hendrix?Check out these great tips for guitarists, too!Five Good Reasons for Learning Music Theory as a GuitaristWhile music theory isn't obligatory, a knowledge of it could speed up just how quickly you can learn to play the guitar. It doesn't matter whether you play the acoustic guitar, electric guitar, blues, classical, or rock, everything you do on the guitar, even tuning it, is based on music theory.Not every great guitarist studied music theory. (Source: Ribastank)Are you sure you still don't want to do it?If you're still not convinced, here are five more good reasons to study music theory:Music theory is the language of musicians: if you know music theory it'll allow you to speak to any musician in terms that they'll understand. It's a universal tool that allows anyone to play music regardless of the instruments they're playing.Music theory can help improve your visual memory since you'll also be reading music and not just playing it. It's a way to learn to play a given note just by seeing it on a piece of sheet music. This will help save you time when it comes to learning new songs.By learning how to read sheet music, you'll better understand music theory and will know how chords and scales are put together. This will help you learn how to play guitar more quickly.You'll learn the most common form of musical notation. While a lot of guitarists use tabs, these can only be used by those who play string instruments.You'll be more credible as a musician: as a classically trained musician, you'll gain more credibility, especially in th e eyes of other classically trained musicians. Knowing music theory is a huge advantage for guitarists or any other musician.Don't get discouraged.The more you study music theory, the more quickly you'll learn to play the guitar. (Source: obBilder)While music theory often gets a lot of bad press, it can be really beneficial.  It might seem hard to believe when you're sitting in front of a music textbook. It's a lot more enjoyable to just play your guitar than sit down and hit the books. A beginner guitar course won't cover as much theory as an advanced one but the more you advance, the more you'll need theory.You don't have to sit down and read your entire music textbook in one go. You can study for a short period of time, then practice for a bit, then go back to studying, for example.So when will we see you in your first music theory lesson?

Getting a Good Wedding Photographer

Getting a Good Wedding Photographer What Makes a Good Wedding Photographer? ChaptersEstablish a Budget for Wedding PhotosFind the Style for Your Wedding PhotographyGetting in Touch with Your Wedding PhotographerHow Long Before the Wedding Should You Contact Photographers?Where Can You Find the Best Wedding Photographers?“The highest happiness on earth is the happiness of marriage.” - William Lyon PhelpsTrust, faithfulness, and communication are some of the key ingredients to a good marriage. However, planning a marriage requires organisation and cooperation, especially when choosing the right photographer.A wedding photographer has to capture all the emotions on the day as and when they happen. The preparation, ceremony, photos of the couple, etc., being a wedding photographer is a lot of work. They need to be discreet and professional and capture all the moments up close without getting in the way. Then they need to put all the best photographs into a collection for the happy couple to take with them in their new lives together.Here’s our advice for c hoosing the right wedding photographer. AllanPhotography Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NatashaPhotography Teacher 5.00 (7) £55/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TimothyPhotography Teacher 5.00 (5) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Anosh nadeemPhotography Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ZangmoPhotography Teacher 5.00 (6) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RosiePhotography Teacher £12/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MattPhotography Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AndyPhotography Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsEstablish a Budget for Wedding PhotosThe best wedding photographers are those who are within your budget. There’s no point in looking at photographers that you can’t afford. Weddings are expensive enough as it is. This is counterproductive and just plain frustrating. The photographer is a part of the budget that's often underestimated. (Source: Shutterbug75)The first thing you need to do is agree on how much you’re willing to spend on your photographer.  For some married couples, this is one of the most important steps and sounds a lot simpler than it is. Since a photographer is often considered an essential part of the wedding, it’s one of the first decisions you’ll make.Rates can be anywhere between £500 and £3,000 depending on what you opt for and the photographer's experience and reputation. If they’re going to be hanging around all day taking photos, expect to pay more. If you want to save money, you might want to have them there just for the ceremony.If you know someone who’s pretty good at photography, you might want them to take your photos for the rest of the wedding day. Similarly, don’t hesitate to encourage your guests to take photos of the whole day. This way, you’ll have photos from throughout the day. Even if your p hotographer is there all day, you might still want people to be taking photos so that you don’t miss a thing.Even if photography isn’t everyone’s thing, a little encouragement can go a long way. That said, you don’t want to get in the way of your professional photographer.The main part of your budget will come down to how much you have your photographer do on the day. Similarly, a novice photographer will often be cheaper than a photographer with 20 years of experience.Whatever the reason, focus on your budget when choosing your photographer. Don’t forget that photography isn’t the only thing you have to pay for.Find the Style for Your Wedding PhotographyWhether you want your photos in black and white, a vintage style, candid, or posed, different photographers have different styles and ways they like to work. To find the best wedding photographer, you need to look around. Make sure you pick the right type of wedding photographer for what you're after. (Source: StockSnap)More and more couples choose reportage photographers. These are photographers who’ll capture the moments of your wedding as they happen. They’ll focus on candid shots of the bride and groom, the guests, and provide you with photographs that capture the best moments and overall feeling of your wedding.There are also photographers who focus more on the details. They’ll focus on the beauty of the day and focus on capturing photos with nice backgrounds and beautiful colours without paying too much attention to the narrative. These photos can be looked at in any order.Each photographer will have their preferred techniques. Some choose to shoot in black and white or take colour photos then apply a filter to them. Each has their own style so you should really look at their portfolios.A portfolio is a sample of the photographer’s work and it’ll give you a general idea of their style and what they can do. Most modern photographers will present their portfolio online so that interested parties can find them easily. The samples of high definition photography and videos (in the case of videographers) will help you see what they’re capable of. You might want to look for “couple’s photography”, “portrait photography”, “photojournalism” or “reportage photography” to decide.To work out which style you prefer, you might also want to visit social networks like Instagram and Pinterest to decide what you like and what you don’t. Thus, you’ll have a better idea of what it’s all about.Your wedding photographs don't necessarily need to go into a wedding album, either. There are plenty of wedding photographers who can provide you with digital copies of your wedding pictures rather than an album you may or may not ever look at again.Find out more about where you can get wedding photos taken. AllanPhotography Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Disc over all our tutors NatashaPhotography Teacher 5.00 (7) £55/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TimothyPhotography Teacher 5.00 (5) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Anosh nadeemPhotography Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ZangmoPhotography Teacher 5.00 (6) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RosiePhotography Teacher £12/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MattPhotography Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AndyPhotography Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsGetting in Touch with Your Wedding PhotographerOnce you know what kind of style you’re after for the big day, you need to start putting together a list of names. Try to put the shortlist in order of preference. You want to make sure that your photographer is fully briefed on anything unusual that's going to take place during the wedding. (Source: SplitShire)Of course, if your list includes around 30 names, you might want to narrow your search. On the other hand, if you have just two or three that you’re interested in, you can probably start contacting them.The first thing you need to ask them is whether or not they’re available on the day of your wedding. Their rates are often on their websites but if not, you’ll want to ask them how much they charge. However, there’s nothing stopping you from telling them exactly what you want so you can get a fair quote.If everything goes well, most photographers will arrange to meet with you before the wedding to iron out the finer details. Use this opportunity to calm your nerves and ask any other burning questions that you may have.The important thing is that you and your photographer are on the same wavelength. Talk about what your wedding wil l be like, what the venue’s like, who will be there, and any other pertinent information that the photographer will need.You can also ask them about their experience:How many marriages have they done?What equipment do they use?Do they have backup equipment?How long will it take for the photos to be delivered?How much do they charge for travel?Will they have an assistant on the day?This is also a good opportunity to see if you and the photographer get along. You want to feel comfortable in your choice as it’ll be one less thing to worry about on the day.The last thing you’ll have to do is decide upon your photographer and get the contract signed.How Long Before the Wedding Should You Contact Photographers?Wedding photographers are often booked long in advance, especially for the busy summer period. Many of them will be fully booked every weekend of summer and won’t be able to help if you’ve left it too long.You need to get in touch with your photographer as soon as possible . That said, it’s pointless getting in touch if you haven’t booked your venue yet or don’t know your dates. It’s too risky booking your photographer for a certain day if you don’t have somewhere for them to photograph.If your wedding is taking place in winter, autumn, or spring, you may have more luck finding a photographer.  For reputable photographers, you’ll want to be looking at least a year in advance.Similarly, if you want an engagement photo for wedding invitations, you might have to go to a photography studio. Some wedding photography packages will include these services so discuss this all with any professional wedding photographer you talk to.Additionally, the more requests and demands you have, the earlier you want to talk through it all with your photographer. Most professional wedding photographers will be familiar with what happens during a wedding but if you're going to have something special happen as you're walking down the aisle, you might want to let t hem know.Similarly, if there's something special about the wedding venue that you want captured, tell them! They won't need wedding photography tips, they're experts at taking pictures, after all, but just let them know any pertinent information that'll help them get the best photos.Where Can You Find the Best Wedding Photographers?Where can you find great photographers? Where should you look?Perhaps you’ve got some friends who were married recently. In this case, you might want to ask them who they used and if they have any photos you’d like to take a look at. Word of mouth is a great way to find reputable photographers. You can find wedding photographers online, in the phone book, and at wedding fairs. (Source: Pexels)It’s also quite simple to find wedding photographers online by searching for them plus the name of where you’re getting married. Plenty of websites will show up. Have a look at the portfolios and rates first.There are also wedding blogs which will have recommendations for photographers where you'll be able to find their details. You just need to get in touch or have a look around their own sites.Be it wedding fairs, wedding planners, or in-person, there are plenty of ways to find the ideal photographer for your wedding. Don’t make this step more difficult or stressful than it has to be. Just make sure that you agree on the final decision.If you want the perfect wedding photo, engagement photos, or even videography, don't leave it until the last minute.

Should I Go To Oberlin College

Should I Go To Oberlin College The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teachtheyre sharing their college experiences as well. Sasha received his Bachelors degree in Neuroscience and Philosophy from Oberlin College. He is currently a tutor in Chicago specializing in philosophy tutoring, Spanish tutoring, and several other subjects. See what he had to say about his experience at Oberlin College: Describe the campus setting and transportation options. Sasha: I attended Oberlin College, in Oberlin, OH. The campus was extremely easy to get aroundit was arranged in a grid, which was only slightly longer than it was wide. Many people bike, and there is a bike co-op that is all about learning to repair bikes, and increasing bike accessibility (more on co-ops later). Coming from Philadelphia, the campus felt very quiet, and it is perhaps the safest place I will live in in my life, and certainly in the foreseeable future. There were, of course, crimes, but relative to city life, they were sparse and significantly less violent. At night, there is a free shuttle that you can call for a ride if you feel unsafe walking. Safety and Security also provides this service 24/7. How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants at Oberlin College? Sasha: I could not imagine the professors being more available. I scheduled meetings for later in the same day, and I often found that directly after class, professors would make time to talk. Beyond just providing their time, professors generously shared contacts and advice, and they were genuinely supportive people. Beyond the classroom, I have had meals with professors, both on campus and in their homes, and I organized multiple social events that included both faculty and students. How would you describe the dorm liferooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Sasha: The dorms at Oberlin College are quite diverse in terms of cleanliness, upkeep, and, for some, programming. Dorms are assigned based on a lottery system, which is randomized within semesters in-residence. Your number is constrained by how long you have been on campus, and it determines your pick order. There are some very nice dorms, and there are some more antiquated dorms. These do tend to be the first year dorms, however, the experience of living in them is likely worth it. First year dorms provide an easy place to meet people, and to hang out with your neighbors. That being said, it is not the vibe everyone wants. If you desire a strong social system, but are not one for the crush of humanity that is living in the first year dorms, the co-ops may be a good choice. Admission to the Oberlin Student Cooperative Association (OSCA), which is not owned by the college, is also run by lottery. However, it is totally random, and semesters in-residence do not matter. OSCA is owned a nd run by its members, and it functions largely independently of the college. OSCA offers more affordable housing and dining, along with an extremely dedicated and close-knit community. Living or dining in a co-op does commit you to a few hours of work each week, largely in the upkeep of the space, or in preparation for meals. There are also programmed dorms, if youd like shared cultural heritage or hobbies to help determine your neighbors. Outside of dorm life, opportunities for socializing abound. There are hundreds of clubs, spanning a massive set of interests. Which majors/programs are best represented and supported? Sasha: Politics, English, and biology are probably the most popular majors in each of the three divisions (social sciences, humanities, and natural sciences). Beyond these, comparative American studies, classics, and neuroscience are some other popular and well-supported majors. I studied neuroscience and philosophy because I wanted to approach the questions I had and continue to have from multiple directions. Oberlin College, through its faculty, made me feel very supported in my studies, and I was often asked difficult and necessary questions. How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Does Greek life play a significant role in the campus social life? Sasha: Freshman year, it was very easy for me to meet friends, many of whom I am still close with, and a few of whom I live with. There is no Greek life at Oberlin College, which I think is fantastic. The lack of a de facto social scene means that people are, in general, more intentional about seeking the sorts of friendships they want. People are also much more friendly than I was used to, so talking to strangers quickly became easy. How helpful is the Career Center and other student support services at Oberlin College? Sasha: Im not especially qualified to speak to this, as I made minimal use of the Career Center and other support services. The Registrars office was quite helpful when I needed them, as was the Office of the Student Union. The rest I cannot really speak to. How are the various study areas such as libraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Sasha: The libraries are large, and the librarians work hard to make them useful, productive spaces. The student union is a big mish-mash of room types, and it is used for all sorts of things. It could do with some redecoration, but it serves its purpose well. These sorts of buildings are well located on campus, and they rarely feel over-full. Describe the surrounding town at Oberlin College. Sasha: The town of Oberlin was founded after the college (if only by a few years), if that gives you a sense of its size. There are some great stores in town, but dont expect much diversity within any category. There is a hardware store, a general store, an antique shop, a theater, etc., but not more than one of these sorts of things. The restaurants are inexpensive if you are coming from a city, but cost more than other small towns in Ohio. The town of Oberlin is fun if you can structure your time and be creative. There are things to do, but the town isnt going out of its way to amuse you. People live there, and do cool things, but you need to be proactive about finding them. How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Sasha: The student body is about average size (without doing any math) for a liberal arts college, and it feels likes it (that is, small). That was never a bad thing for me, but if you want to only see the same people once a month, look elsewhere. Faces will likely become familiar, even if you dont know everyones name. I liked the sense of community that arose from this, as I think many of the students do. Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one you regret the most. Sasha: A memorable experience in my senior year, I took a seminar called The Neurobiology of Addiction. As you can infer from the title, the class was both science-heavy, and of significant social importance. About halfway through the semester, following discussion with the class, my professor decided to cancel the remaining oral presentation. She did this so that we could spend our time preparing a series of activities to teach the local 8th graders about addiction in a factual and approachable way. I already knew I liked teaching, but having a chance to teach a subject that is so often mired in fear mongering and misinformation was rewarding and exciting. The 8th graders and their teachers responded very favorably, as did my classmates. My professors desire to make what we were learning useful, instead of just checking off boxes on the syllabus, was an experience I wont soon forget. Check out Sashas tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Tips for Children to Overcome Procrastination

Tips for Children to Overcome Procrastination Many parents have experienced the frustration of watching their child put off important school work or studying until it is a stressful, fire drill situation. But procrastination isnt just annoying, saysEileen Huntington of Huntington Learning Center. It can be downright harmful. Parents often ask us what they can do to teach their children how to not procrastinate, and we feel there are two aspects to discuss,Huntington says. First is helping children understand why procrastination is so detrimental to their learning, and the second part comes down to adopting good habits. Here are some of the dangers of procrastination: Everything takes longer than it needs to. The most obvious problem with procrastination is that it wastes precious time. Homework that could take an hour instead takes an entire night. Often, children who procrastinate do everything school-related at the last minuteor worse, they run out of hours in the dayand squander away all their free time. Children hold themselves back. What children dont realize when they procrastinate repeatedly is that they are not fulfilling their potential. The time they spend goofing around instead of doing what they need to do is time they could be bettering themselvesin school or some other extracurricular passion. It causes stress. Procrastination puts children in the bad situation of having something to do and not enough time to do it. That is certain to lead to stress and tears for children and their parents. Long term, this can take a toll, causing children to feel overwhelmed and disappointed in themselves. Even with good intentions, children set themselves up to fail. Picture a child who wants to earn a good grade but continuously undermines his or her abilities by waiting until the last minute to study and do homework. Children simply cannot achieve goals they set for themselves when they put things off over and over. And now the tips. Here are five suggestions to help your child conquer procrastination: Embrace the planner. The planner is a great tool to help your child stay organized and on track. Each day, your child should record all homework and upcoming tests or deadlines. The planner should drive your childs nightly to-do list and serve as the master checklist for everything school related. Prioritize each days to-dos. Have your child make a list of homework at the start of each homework session and rank each task in order of importance. That exercise alone helps children get into work mode and gives them clear direction on what to start with when sitting down for homework. Make homework time screen-free time. Get your child into the habit of putting the smartphone or tablet in a drawer during homework time. And under no circumstances should your child do homework in front of a television. Set time goals. Research shows that set periods of work time combined with regular breaks help students maintain focus longer. Set a timer during homework to have your child work for 25 minutes before earning a five-minute break. Rely on programs to help with tech distractions. Many children (especially those in middle and high school) need computers to do homework. If youre concerned about making sure your child doesnt waste time on the internet or social media, programs like RescueTime are a great way to track the amount of time spent on different websites, email, and applications like Microsoft Word. You can block distracting websites during focus periods and set up alerts for spending too much time on websites or social media. Last and certainly not least,Huntington reminds parents to address the matter at hand: why their children might be procrastinating. Some children who are struggling avoid work because they fear failure, she says. Others are disorganized and lack good time management skills. Procrastination is also one symptom of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Bottom line: there are many reasons children procrastinate, but parents can help by addressing the underlying causes. For help getting your child focused on school and into a good homework routine, call Huntington at 1-800-CAN LEARN.

The Sad Truth about Recycled Gadgets English Listening Exercise

The Sad Truth about Recycled Gadgets English Listening Exercise I thought this video was really interesting and a great listening exercise. Do you know where your phones, computers, televisions and other electronics go when you recycle them? Watch this video and try answering the questions below:iframe width=560 height=315 src=//www.youtube.com/embed/5Wm__WNdOPw frameborder=0 allowfullscreen/iframe1. Im a filmmaker with a beard_________. 2. Name his two likes? 3. What is his general problem? 4. I thought Id do everyone a favor and ______ it _____, myself. 5. What did Kochoko do for Alex? What did Alex do for Kochoko? 6. How did he feel when he arrived at the market? 7. What do they do with the electronics that are brought to the dump? 8. What is the average life expectancy? 9. This __________ be a dumping waste for e waste. 10. What is the website to visit?Writing Exercise: What happens to the electronic waste in your country?Also take a look at our grammar highlight: too many or not enough.