It's time once again to register for the New Braunfels Community Education's Intro to Photograpy course. I split it into two different courses this time -- one for the owner of the point and shoot camera, and one for the owner of the DSLR. My hope for the first semester was that those with DSLRs would take the session 1 course, the intro course, and then continue on with session 2. That's not what happened, however and I had a lot of people in my second session who did not take the first, and as a result I ended up having to repeat a lot of information which may have been frustrating for those who took the first session. Although they seemed fine with, I thought I'd try it this way and see what happens. I may go back to the way it was last semester, however, and simply make session 1 a prerequisite for session 2 -- it's a work in progress! If you are interested in either or both of these courses, take a look at the Community Ed website and contact them about signing up. It's a lot of fun!
I mentioned yesterday that I attended the Sandy Puc Family Portrait tour and learned quite a bit about marketing. One of the interesting tidbits I learned was that YouTube is actually the second most popular search engine on the web. Who knew!? So I decided to make a few little slideshows of images and put them on YouTube just for fun and to see if they get any clicks. What do you think?
Keep watching here as I play with some of the ideas I learned the other night. You never know what you'll see!
Friday, January 29, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Lisa on Location joins Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep
I attended a seminar last night in Austin with the great Sandy Puc. A portrait photographer from Colorado who, in my opinion, is one of the greatest photo marketing minds. She presented tons of ideas to get my name out there and get clients into my studio. Although my studio is the great outdoors, I think I can still use a lot of what she said and apply it to my own needs.
Sandy Puc is also the photographer responsible for beginning Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep -- an organization that sends photographers into hospitals to create professionally done portraits of babies who will never leave the hospital. They were either born with conditions that will not allow them to live off life support, or they were born still. These families are provided with this service at their own request free of charge. It's a way for them to cherish the memory of their child's short life. It's a way of celebrating their life -- however short -- by providing soft portraits without the harshness of the lights and the glaring colors that are often caught in point and shoot images they would otherwise receive.
A friend of mine lost a baby a couple of years ago when he was just a month old after losing a battle with a heart condition he was born with. She recommended I join this group last year but I couldn't bring myself to join because it seemed too heart wrenching. I finally decided last week to give it a try. It was then that I found out who Sandy Puc was. I had signed on for this seminar weeks ago and had no idea of the connection until then.
Thanks Sandy, for all you've done for this and the other charities you've helped and for helping so many photographers learn the skills to use to follow their dreams.
The photo I'm sharing today was shot by my husband and second shooter, Jayme, and processed by myself. Thanks to the lovely Taylor for letting him shoot you!
Sandy Puc is also the photographer responsible for beginning Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep -- an organization that sends photographers into hospitals to create professionally done portraits of babies who will never leave the hospital. They were either born with conditions that will not allow them to live off life support, or they were born still. These families are provided with this service at their own request free of charge. It's a way for them to cherish the memory of their child's short life. It's a way of celebrating their life -- however short -- by providing soft portraits without the harshness of the lights and the glaring colors that are often caught in point and shoot images they would otherwise receive.
A friend of mine lost a baby a couple of years ago when he was just a month old after losing a battle with a heart condition he was born with. She recommended I join this group last year but I couldn't bring myself to join because it seemed too heart wrenching. I finally decided last week to give it a try. It was then that I found out who Sandy Puc was. I had signed on for this seminar weeks ago and had no idea of the connection until then.
Thanks Sandy, for all you've done for this and the other charities you've helped and for helping so many photographers learn the skills to use to follow their dreams.
The photo I'm sharing today was shot by my husband and second shooter, Jayme, and processed by myself. Thanks to the lovely Taylor for letting him shoot you!
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Hello New Filters!
I found some new Photoshop filters that I simply can't believe I haven't bought before. Nik Software has a line of filters that you can purchase for download to add to Photoshop and I'd seen some of them in passing and finally decided to give them a try myself. I am having a blast playing with them. The photo on the right was quite lovely before the Midnight Filter, but after the filter, it seems to take on a hand painted quality. I think it's a keeper.
I've always thought the funnest part of photography was taking the RAW image and making it pop in Photoshop. Now I'm like a kid on Christmas morning, with lots of new toys to play with.
My fun is soon to come to end, however, because next week marks the start of something totally unrelated to Photography, but that will most likely consumer every waking moment of my time. Girl Scout Cookie Season. Yes, you will most likely see a lot of me if you go anywhere at all over the next four weekends. Go to Walmart and see those cute girls pushing their boxes of sinful delight while their moms huddle behind them bundled up in coats and shivering in the rain -- that would be me. The moms standing outside the gas stations arms crossed pacing back and forth and watching the clock while their daughters push those cookies -- that would be me.
If you happen to see me out there, be a dear and please buy a box of cookies. It really is a good cause.
I've always thought the funnest part of photography was taking the RAW image and making it pop in Photoshop. Now I'm like a kid on Christmas morning, with lots of new toys to play with.
My fun is soon to come to end, however, because next week marks the start of something totally unrelated to Photography, but that will most likely consumer every waking moment of my time. Girl Scout Cookie Season. Yes, you will most likely see a lot of me if you go anywhere at all over the next four weekends. Go to Walmart and see those cute girls pushing their boxes of sinful delight while their moms huddle behind them bundled up in coats and shivering in the rain -- that would be me. The moms standing outside the gas stations arms crossed pacing back and forth and watching the clock while their daughters push those cookies -- that would be me.
If you happen to see me out there, be a dear and please buy a box of cookies. It really is a good cause.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
One Bridal Show Down, Many More to Come!
So I got a taste of the world of weddings on Sunday. I attended my first bridal show as a photographer. The last time I attended one of these I was a bride 14 years ago and it certainly wasn't to this level. I shook hands with dozens of brides, passed out hundreds of cards and sample photographs and answered question after question. Jayme and I started sounding like a broken record. And those little jokes and one-liners that were so funny the first 30 minutes started to lose their humor after 4 hours. But, the important thing is that now Lisa on Location has a presence in the bridal community of New Braunfels.
The images that seemed to get the most attention were those in my Trash the Dress series. Most of the brides gasped in amazement at the bride floating the Comal River and saying "I would never...." yet there were a handful who cherished the idea of having some fun in their gown after the wedding, much to the horror of their mother standing nearby. So no, the concept is not for everyone, but then again neither is the Snuggie, but still it sells.
I have had quite a few calls and e-mails since the show and my calendar is starting to fill up for the spring.
The photos I decided to share today was taken at the bridal show. This is one of the flower girl models having her hair done a few booths down from us.
The images that seemed to get the most attention were those in my Trash the Dress series. Most of the brides gasped in amazement at the bride floating the Comal River and saying "I would never...." yet there were a handful who cherished the idea of having some fun in their gown after the wedding, much to the horror of their mother standing nearby. So no, the concept is not for everyone, but then again neither is the Snuggie, but still it sells.
I have had quite a few calls and e-mails since the show and my calendar is starting to fill up for the spring.
The photos I decided to share today was taken at the bridal show. This is one of the flower girl models having her hair done a few booths down from us.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
My new lens came in!
My new lens came in today! It was almost like giving birth. First there was the period of planning and saving as I watched the price go up and down to the point where I finally decided to pounce on it. Then there was the nausea much like morning sickness early on when I placed the order -- I just spent how much?! -- then there was the period of anxious anticipation as I counted the days waiting for its arrival. And finally the moment I'd been waiting for -- the ring of the bell as the UPS man asked me to sign his little gadget and take possession of my package. Okay so that last part wasn't preceded by hours of labor, but you get the idea. There's a new baby in the house.
Introducing the Canon 70-200mm f2.8L IS USM. Weighing in at 3 pounds and 2 ounces, born to us at 2:08 p.m. today. I know her name is a mouthful but I haven't decided on a shorter name yet. I may just refer to her as Niamh -- the Celtic Goddess of beauty and brightness -- because she's really going to create some beautiful images by letting in more light (hence the brightness part). I had to Google that.
But whatever we call her, I know she'll be an important addition to my arsenal of lenses. Take a look at the first shot I took with her just moments after pulling her out of her bubble-wrap womb. My boy was all the way across the room when I shot this image. The lighting was quite low and there was no use of flash and he still came out sharp and with fine detail on his little face.
I can't wait for my next wedding!
Introducing the Canon 70-200mm f2.8L IS USM. Weighing in at 3 pounds and 2 ounces, born to us at 2:08 p.m. today. I know her name is a mouthful but I haven't decided on a shorter name yet. I may just refer to her as Niamh -- the Celtic Goddess of beauty and brightness -- because she's really going to create some beautiful images by letting in more light (hence the brightness part). I had to Google that.
But whatever we call her, I know she'll be an important addition to my arsenal of lenses. Take a look at the first shot I took with her just moments after pulling her out of her bubble-wrap womb. My boy was all the way across the room when I shot this image. The lighting was quite low and there was no use of flash and he still came out sharp and with fine detail on his little face.
I can't wait for my next wedding!
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
It's Wedding-Booking-Season and time to reflect on the past year...
Lisa on Location has been getting lots of wedding requests the past few weeks and that's been great. I love weddings! So far I have a few weddings booked for this spring as well as October and December. The time to book a wedding for this year is now! I try not to shoot more than one or two weddings a month. I like to have some Saturdays off every now and then. I have a spot reserved at the Hill Country Bridal Spectacular on January 17 and I'm hoping to meet many more brides at that time. This will be my first Bridal Show and I'm really excited about it. I printed up some of my favorite bridal photos on canvas gallery wraps and they look wonderful! I can't wait to display them.
While putting together my display, I've gone over a lot of sessions over the past year to select the very best images to share and it made me realize how far I've come and how many people I've met along the way. I worked with a lot of models early on last year in trade for print deals -- we helped each with portfolio building -- and many of them have moved on to bigger and better things. One is now a highly sought-after professional in her business with lots of prestigious bookings. Another is garnering walk-on spots for television shows and enjoying some major gigs in the Houston area. Others are continuing with their own successes in our area and/or moving on to other markets. I'm so proud of all of them. I get to say "I knew her when." It's so great to keep in touch with these people and see where their dreams take them. It's also nice to reflect on my own skills and wonder how much further I'll go in the next year. I consider my photographic skills today to be so much improved over the past year and I can only imagine that I will continue to grow and learn as a photographer. There are so many amazing workshops and conferences coming this year that I look forward to attending. I'm excited to see what 2010 brings me and how much further I can grow.
While putting together my display, I've gone over a lot of sessions over the past year to select the very best images to share and it made me realize how far I've come and how many people I've met along the way. I worked with a lot of models early on last year in trade for print deals -- we helped each with portfolio building -- and many of them have moved on to bigger and better things. One is now a highly sought-after professional in her business with lots of prestigious bookings. Another is garnering walk-on spots for television shows and enjoying some major gigs in the Houston area. Others are continuing with their own successes in our area and/or moving on to other markets. I'm so proud of all of them. I get to say "I knew her when." It's so great to keep in touch with these people and see where their dreams take them. It's also nice to reflect on my own skills and wonder how much further I'll go in the next year. I consider my photographic skills today to be so much improved over the past year and I can only imagine that I will continue to grow and learn as a photographer. There are so many amazing workshops and conferences coming this year that I look forward to attending. I'm excited to see what 2010 brings me and how much further I can grow.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Happy New Year
The past few weeks have gone by in a blur! I can't believe it's time for the kids to start back up to school. I have enjoyed the past few days immensely. There were no activities, no appointments, no place we needed to be so we just existed. We hung out around the house and caught up on chores. We also made time for some nearby sight-seeing, we toured the San Antonio Botanical Gardens, ate at our favorite restaurants, did some shopping. Usually I'm ready for a return to normalcy, but not this time. I like doing nothing and being lazy!
On the photo side of all this, I shot like crazy at the SA Botanical Gardens and I hope to share some of it soon. I also decided to offer it as one of the locations I can recommend for outdoor shoots. There were lots of photographers and subjects there having their portraits made and it's easy to see why.
The photo I'm sharing today is very personal. This is my boy. He's become a candy-holic this holiday season and it seems separating him from his candy addiction will be troublesome. The boy found himself in paradise the other day when we put together a gingerbread house. If he were small enough to move into it and take up residence he would do it in a heartbeat. I dread the dental bills.
On the photo side of all this, I shot like crazy at the SA Botanical Gardens and I hope to share some of it soon. I also decided to offer it as one of the locations I can recommend for outdoor shoots. There were lots of photographers and subjects there having their portraits made and it's easy to see why.
The photo I'm sharing today is very personal. This is my boy. He's become a candy-holic this holiday season and it seems separating him from his candy addiction will be troublesome. The boy found himself in paradise the other day when we put together a gingerbread house. If he were small enough to move into it and take up residence he would do it in a heartbeat. I dread the dental bills.
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