Behind The Lens: Tracy Muilenberg

Thank you all for your wonderful comments and support in response to my last post. I am honored and touched so many of you check in here and find value in what I share.


One of the amazing things the internet has brought me is the opportunity to reach out through photography. Helping others to use their equipment so they can better capture their memories and moments brings me great joy. I love being able to watch skills develop and see the passion you all have for photography. I'm beyond proud of those who take the skills they've learned from me to improve their personal photography or to start on their own professional path. 


Tracy Muilenberg is one of those amazing people I've been able to cross paths with. She takes beautiful photos and is spreading that beauty to families around her. There is something so special about truly capturing the essence of a family. With each click I know she is creating a work of art. 


I'd like you to meet Tracy. 

What sparked your interest in photography?
I’ve been interested in photography for a long time. I dabbled in classes here and there throughout high school in college, but it was the birth of my little girl that truly brought out my passion for photography and motivated me to buy my first DSLR. My camera is now pretty much glued to my hip.

On this picture I focused on blurring the background and filling the frame to really make my subject stand out.

What camera do you use?
I use a Nikon D60 primarily and a Canon g10 when I need to travel light.

I used the focus and recompose technique for this photo and the rule of thirds to come up with a satisfying composition.

What is your favorite lens?
Right now it is my 50 mm 1.4, but I’m just dreaming about getting the 24-70mm f2.8


What makes you happiest about your photography?
Capturing images that people will be able to look back on for a lifetime to remember special moments and times in their lives. I love doing this for my own family and I love doing it for others. I get so excited after every photo-shoot as I download the photos and start sorting through for those treasured shots where the emotion just shines through.

Backlighting- oh how it used to terrify me! Now I love it. Katrina’s lesson on metering helped me to figure this out. I meter and adjust my settings until I get the image I want.

What have you learned from me that has helped your photography most?
Your Life Captured Through the Lens got me off auto and has completely changed the way I take pictures. I was stuck on auto for a long time and Katrina’s class was exactly what I needed to help me take the plunge. There was definitely a difficult period when I first started shooting manually. I felt a little panicked because my pictures were getting worse not better, but I stuck with it and now I almost always shoot in M and I am so much happier with my photos. The class helped me to focus on what I want from an image and how to use ISO, aperture and shutter speed to achieve my desired effect.

For this image I played with depth of field. I wanted the primary focus to be the delighted look on my little girl’s face, but I also wanted the viewer to see that it was the result of being pulled by her little friend.

What photography Projects for 2010 are you working on?
I’m starting a natural light portrait photography business, Tracy Grace Photography!  I have a degree in Biology and a Degree in Landscape Architecture, but I’ve discovered my true love is Photography and I’m attempting to pursue this dream.

Thanks Tracy for sharing your beautiful images and thoughtful words. Be sure to stop by her blog, Tracy Grace Photography, to see more of her beautiful images. She's got the style I would choose in a photographer for my family photos!


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I'll be announcing dates for my next classes soon. You can find Get Me Off of Auto on sale today at Designer Digitals!