I just happened to notice that my last blog was more than a month ago. That won't do. The only thing is, I totally don't have time to blog right now. But I can't stand that it's been so long since I did. So instead of blogging. I'm going to recap the past month so you will see exactly why I simply don't have time for this.
September 25. One day after my last blog. Early release from school then off to the dentist for the kids where I got to spend a whopping 3 hours in the waiting room. Seriously. There would be no blog that day.
September 26. Two days after my last blog. Boudoir party. A very fun day of boudoir with some very fun ladies who snuck out of work together with their most interesting unmentionables on underneath their stuffy work clothes. There would be no blogging on this day!
September 27. Brianna and Travis got hitched. Totally fun wedding, but alas not time for blogging.
September 28. Kelly and Jason got married. Nicest couple ever. No time to blog!
September 29. Wake at 5 am to catch plane for Chicago where I was met by a bride and her family to be taken on a whirlwind tour of the city to shoot her bridals. Blogging? Forget about it!
September 30. Arriving home to a full list of chores and catch up work. sigh.
October 1-3. Full days of catching up, wedding sneak peeks, editing, returning phone calls and trying to breathe. No blog.
October 4. Ugh. Worst day ever. Sad news on the homefront. Forget about getting anything done for the next few days. Where's the hole I can climb into? You wouldn't want to see any blogging from me about this.
October 5. Calendar unveiling party! I'm totally going to blog about this shortly!
October 6. Happy birthday to me. I mean who can blog on their birthday? Really?
October 7. Picture day at school. The glorious annual event in which I stand in line and direct hundreds of children to their appointed Lifetouch photographer to get their stale but extremely traditional school pictures taken. With all the hair combing, nose wiping and smile inducing, how could I possibly blog?
October 8- 9. Still more editing, 2 sessions and a class.
October 10. Bras for a Cause. One of the most fun events I have the pleasure of photographing. Take a look at this . Now this it totally blog worthy. Okay I dropped the ball on this one, but who had time? Because right away we go into...
October 11. Multiple sessions and..
October 12. Lindsey and Seth get married. Beautiful couple and beautiful wedding.
October 13. Darla and Randy get married. Fun couple and a very rainy day.
October 14-18. Studio prep. So I'm breathing dust and cleaning, prepping and moving into my brand new studio space. Who has time to blog when you're doing manual labor. Really?
October 19. Sue and Jim get married in this perfect back yard ceremony.
October 20. Lovely visit with family out of town while I meet up with another fun couple for an engagement. No time to blog on the road.
October 21-29. No fewer than 11 appointments including sessions and meetings as well as studio prep, catch up editing, and quality time with the family.
Which brings us to today, October 30. I concocted a list of excuses for my lack of blogging, which in itself, made a blog. I'm pretty clever that way.
Now for my list of coming attractions, that is, things that are on my list to blog about when I get a minute here and there and I'm feeling spunky and creative: a blog about The Humane Society Calendar, a blog about my most recent experiences at judging (the Guadalupe County Fair one day and then the San Antonio Professional Photographers guild another day), a blog about the difference between there, their and they're because, really, isn't about time we all got that right?, and last but not least, a blog about my brand spanking new studio in the Landmark building. I'm seriously excited about it and I can't wait to share photos and invite all of you out. But alas, that's for another day. I've already blogged today.
Lisa On Location Photography
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Off With That Light (off the camera, that is) {New Braunfels Wedding Photography}
My clients sometimes ask me why I do what I do. For example, "Why do you run around like a crazy person putting that thing all over the place?" as I move my light from one corner to the next often tripping over my own feet in the process.
"I'm making magic," I tell them. "I got mad ninja lighting skills." I typically get blank stares and rolled eyes. They aren't convinced but at least they stay out of the way and they do eventually get used to various strobes firing in various locations. Sometimes startling people and making babies cry (sorry about that little one). But there is a method to my madness.
You see photography is literally the "study of light". And most people are just comfortable using the light on their camera. That's fine and dandy. It's a good way to light a scene and show you what's going on and I often use that method to document a scene. It's safe. But most people leave the light on their camera all the time and get by. I'm not most people. To me photography is a delicate balance of light and shadow. It's brightness meeting darkness and combining in a magical dance of poetry. So I'll often taken the light off the camera and put it somewhere else. Sometimes it's a miserable failure of nightmarish shadows and blown out faces. Good thing there's a delete button. But when I succeed, my lovely clients oohh and aahh and say "how did you do that?"
So today I'm going to share a few images of off camera magic. It's often a simple technique of trial and error. Take a look below.
In the below image, the strobe is off camera and to the rear of model on my right.
The one below was actually shot with two lights, neither of them on the camera. Each was about 45 degrees to either side of me in between me and this lovely couple.
Shooting with multiple light sources give dimension to a scene. Notice in the comparison below how the scene shot with one light on the camera appears more flat while the image shot with one light behind the couple and one light on the camera has more depth and appears more 3-dimensional so to speak.
It's fun to play with lighting and I'm always eager to try new set-ups and new techniques. Like I said, there's always that delete button.
Lisa On Location Photography
"I'm making magic," I tell them. "I got mad ninja lighting skills." I typically get blank stares and rolled eyes. They aren't convinced but at least they stay out of the way and they do eventually get used to various strobes firing in various locations. Sometimes startling people and making babies cry (sorry about that little one). But there is a method to my madness.
You see photography is literally the "study of light". And most people are just comfortable using the light on their camera. That's fine and dandy. It's a good way to light a scene and show you what's going on and I often use that method to document a scene. It's safe. But most people leave the light on their camera all the time and get by. I'm not most people. To me photography is a delicate balance of light and shadow. It's brightness meeting darkness and combining in a magical dance of poetry. So I'll often taken the light off the camera and put it somewhere else. Sometimes it's a miserable failure of nightmarish shadows and blown out faces. Good thing there's a delete button. But when I succeed, my lovely clients oohh and aahh and say "how did you do that?"
So today I'm going to share a few images of off camera magic. It's often a simple technique of trial and error. Take a look below.
In the below image, the strobe is off camera and to the rear of model on my right.
The one below was actually shot with two lights, neither of them on the camera. Each was about 45 degrees to either side of me in between me and this lovely couple.
Shooting with multiple light sources give dimension to a scene. Notice in the comparison below how the scene shot with one light on the camera appears more flat while the image shot with one light behind the couple and one light on the camera has more depth and appears more 3-dimensional so to speak.
It's fun to play with lighting and I'm always eager to try new set-ups and new techniques. Like I said, there's always that delete button.
Lisa On Location Photography
Saturday, September 14, 2013
The Latest Trend in Wedding Photography -- Bring Rover {New Braunfels Wedding Photography}
When I got married many years ago my family and friends laughed at me when I suggested I include my sweet kitty in my bridal or wedding photos. "Absolutely not," said my parents. It was just the latest in a long list of silly things that I wanted that society frowned up and I was told no. Don't get me started!
But today's brides have decided that anything goes. It's their big day, it's their bridal photo session. Why can't they bring their best friend and include him or her in their wedding or bridal photos. And they're right! I admit that I see dogs and horses brought along on more engagement sessions than bridals, but I have to say I really love them in bridals. Beautiful girl in long white dress with a slobbery animal. They won't let dirt or mud near them in that dress, but hand them slobbery puppy mess and all is right with the world.
I've gotten quite experienced with photographing animals the past few months while working with the Humane Society for their 2014 Pin-ups for Paws calendar, I'll blog about that later! So I don't blink an eye when a pristine bride in white pulls out a doggie treat and says "mind of I call over Spot for a few shots?"
The happy couple often jointly adopt some of these animals. They're becoming a family and that family includes their animals so why not include them in their photos.
Lisa On Location Photography
But today's brides have decided that anything goes. It's their big day, it's their bridal photo session. Why can't they bring their best friend and include him or her in their wedding or bridal photos. And they're right! I admit that I see dogs and horses brought along on more engagement sessions than bridals, but I have to say I really love them in bridals. Beautiful girl in long white dress with a slobbery animal. They won't let dirt or mud near them in that dress, but hand them slobbery puppy mess and all is right with the world.
I've gotten quite experienced with photographing animals the past few months while working with the Humane Society for their 2014 Pin-ups for Paws calendar, I'll blog about that later! So I don't blink an eye when a pristine bride in white pulls out a doggie treat and says "mind of I call over Spot for a few shots?"
The happy couple often jointly adopt some of these animals. They're becoming a family and that family includes their animals so why not include them in their photos.
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Welcome to my 15 minutes {New Braunfels Pin-up Photography}
What's that old expression? "Everyone gets their 15 minutes of fame." I think Andy Warhol first said it, or something like it. But nevertheless, I got my 15 minutes on Saturday and it lasted a whole day. That's the day I was featured above the fold on the front page of the New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung.
So it's not People magazine, but that's okay. Everything in good time.
It's a step up from my old column in the Brenham Banner Press where I wrote ad nauseam about things that aren't really all that important. And it's certainly better than the old days of patrolling the police beat for the Temple Daily Telegram, where I might get a byline for writing a story about a purse snatching. No, it's better than that! This time I got my face plastered on news stands all over town, with my hair and make-up rocking in vintage style thanks to my friend Laura Myers. And I got the photo credit as well. And that's not all, oh no that's not all. They printed my press release practically word for word. How's that for a triple threat!?
The story is all about the calendar I've been working on to raise funds for the New Braunfels Humane Society. I'll blog more about that later. I'm really excited about it and can't wait to share more of the pin-up images I made for it. But all in good time.
So halfway through the morning, after enjoying a cappuccino at the breakfast table and perusing my story, I meandered out to my local Pilot gas station to pick up more copies of it. While checking out my two additional copies of the newspaper I noticed the lady rang me up for just one. "Excuse me, I'm getting two issues of this paper, not one." I said as I pointed to my face on the front page. "You may wonder why I'm getting two instead of one and it's because that's me, right there on the front page above the fold." The lady looked at the paper and she looked back up at me.
"Were you Alice?" she said.
"Excuse me," I said. "No I'm Lisa."
"I mean are you Alice in that play, Alice in Wonderland?" she said. "And that's why you're on the cover."
"Well no, I'm not in a play. I'm a cover girl like the headline says. I'm a model. And a writer. And a photographer too." I said. "It's sort of a big deal."
She shrugged her shoulders and told me to have a nice day. She didn't ask for my autograph, but that's okay. As I said, all in good time.
Today's paper has something boring above the fold about the city council raising taxes or something like that. My issue was so much nicer. And because I'm feeling generous and don't think I should make you go all the way to the newspaper office to pick up a back issue, I shall print the original press release right here.
Pin-ups for Paws Calendar Raises Funds for New Braunfels Humane Society
September 4, 2014
New Braunfels is already buzzing about the production of an unconventional pin-up calendar featuring models and pets to raise much needed funds for the New Braunfels Humane Society. The calendar has generated excitement along with a few disapproving comments on the Society's Facebook page in recent weeks. But most of the response has been overwhelmingly positive, says Amanda Craig, vice president for the board of directors of the society.
The full calendar will be unveiled at Billy's Ice House on October 5 at 6 pm. The models, photographer, and some of the pets featured will be on hand to sign autographs and meet and greet supporters of the calendar.
The society got 60 new likes on their page in one day when someone made negative comments about the calendar on a local New Braunfels e-mail list. And dozens of Facebook users jumped in line to purchase a calendar, Craig said.
The calendar will feature 12 local businesses, one for each month, and 15 models from New Braunfels and the surrounding areas.
“The calendar project is different from other fundraisers because not one dollar was taken from our funds to make it happen. Usually there are some upfront costs associated with this type of thing,” said Craig. “Twelve local business each purchased a calendar month which gave us the needed funds for production and printing.”
The pin-ups were photographed by Lisa Elliott Blaschke of Lisa on Location Photography, who donated all her time and talents to the project. Blaschke incorporated classic pin-up style by studying some of the master pin-up artists of the mid 20th century. She also worked with the sponsors to incorporate their ideas as well to create one-of-a-kind pin-up art representing each business, Blaschke said. The pin-up images are family friendly, she said.
All of the models are volunteers and the animals featured came from the shelter or were the pets of models, board members and sponsors.
“People came from all around to help us make this a reality and we are deeply grateful to each and every one,” Craig said.
The calendar has already pre-sold a large percentage of the 500-copy print run. Calendars can be ordered for $20 through the society's Facebook page www.facebook.com/hsnbainc
Brigete Bardot once said “I gave my beauty and youth to men. I am going to give my wisdom and experience to animals,” said Craig. “In our case we drew from the wisdom and experience of an amazing group of people. We combined that with the beauty of adorable animals and put it all in a 12X12 calendar that is sure to raise both funds and awareness for our shelter. I think Bardot would be proud.”
Lisa On Location Photography
So it's not People magazine, but that's okay. Everything in good time.
It's a step up from my old column in the Brenham Banner Press where I wrote ad nauseam about things that aren't really all that important. And it's certainly better than the old days of patrolling the police beat for the Temple Daily Telegram, where I might get a byline for writing a story about a purse snatching. No, it's better than that! This time I got my face plastered on news stands all over town, with my hair and make-up rocking in vintage style thanks to my friend Laura Myers. And I got the photo credit as well. And that's not all, oh no that's not all. They printed my press release practically word for word. How's that for a triple threat!?
The story is all about the calendar I've been working on to raise funds for the New Braunfels Humane Society. I'll blog more about that later. I'm really excited about it and can't wait to share more of the pin-up images I made for it. But all in good time.
So halfway through the morning, after enjoying a cappuccino at the breakfast table and perusing my story, I meandered out to my local Pilot gas station to pick up more copies of it. While checking out my two additional copies of the newspaper I noticed the lady rang me up for just one. "Excuse me, I'm getting two issues of this paper, not one." I said as I pointed to my face on the front page. "You may wonder why I'm getting two instead of one and it's because that's me, right there on the front page above the fold." The lady looked at the paper and she looked back up at me.
"Were you Alice?" she said.
"Excuse me," I said. "No I'm Lisa."
"I mean are you Alice in that play, Alice in Wonderland?" she said. "And that's why you're on the cover."
"Well no, I'm not in a play. I'm a cover girl like the headline says. I'm a model. And a writer. And a photographer too." I said. "It's sort of a big deal."
She shrugged her shoulders and told me to have a nice day. She didn't ask for my autograph, but that's okay. As I said, all in good time.
Today's paper has something boring above the fold about the city council raising taxes or something like that. My issue was so much nicer. And because I'm feeling generous and don't think I should make you go all the way to the newspaper office to pick up a back issue, I shall print the original press release right here.
Pin-ups for Paws Calendar Raises Funds for New Braunfels Humane Society
September 4, 2014
New Braunfels is already buzzing about the production of an unconventional pin-up calendar featuring models and pets to raise much needed funds for the New Braunfels Humane Society. The calendar has generated excitement along with a few disapproving comments on the Society's Facebook page in recent weeks. But most of the response has been overwhelmingly positive, says Amanda Craig, vice president for the board of directors of the society.
The full calendar will be unveiled at Billy's Ice House on October 5 at 6 pm. The models, photographer, and some of the pets featured will be on hand to sign autographs and meet and greet supporters of the calendar.
The society got 60 new likes on their page in one day when someone made negative comments about the calendar on a local New Braunfels e-mail list. And dozens of Facebook users jumped in line to purchase a calendar, Craig said.
The calendar will feature 12 local businesses, one for each month, and 15 models from New Braunfels and the surrounding areas.
“The calendar project is different from other fundraisers because not one dollar was taken from our funds to make it happen. Usually there are some upfront costs associated with this type of thing,” said Craig. “Twelve local business each purchased a calendar month which gave us the needed funds for production and printing.”
The pin-ups were photographed by Lisa Elliott Blaschke of Lisa on Location Photography, who donated all her time and talents to the project. Blaschke incorporated classic pin-up style by studying some of the master pin-up artists of the mid 20th century. She also worked with the sponsors to incorporate their ideas as well to create one-of-a-kind pin-up art representing each business, Blaschke said. The pin-up images are family friendly, she said.
All of the models are volunteers and the animals featured came from the shelter or were the pets of models, board members and sponsors.
“People came from all around to help us make this a reality and we are deeply grateful to each and every one,” Craig said.
The calendar has already pre-sold a large percentage of the 500-copy print run. Calendars can be ordered for $20 through the society's Facebook page www.facebook.com/hsnbainc
Brigete Bardot once said “I gave my beauty and youth to men. I am going to give my wisdom and experience to animals,” said Craig. “In our case we drew from the wisdom and experience of an amazing group of people. We combined that with the beauty of adorable animals and put it all in a 12X12 calendar that is sure to raise both funds and awareness for our shelter. I think Bardot would be proud.”
Lisa On Location Photography
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Long Veils: Number 3 on my list of things that make me happy at a bridal session! {New Braunfels Wedding Photogrpahy}
That's just an estimate. It may be number 4 or 5ish, but it's definitely in the top 10 of things that make me giddy when I arrive at a bridal session. Number 1 is of course animals taking part in the session, but that's for another blog another day.
Most brides prefer the short veils, if they use a veil at all. And that's fine and dandy too. The shorter veils are easier to handle. They don't get in the way. They don't snag on the ground, but the also don't get caught in the wind or wrap around the dress, or flow and fly in a dramatic fashion with just the right light.
So yes, I love the long veils.
Lisa On Location Photography
Most brides prefer the short veils, if they use a veil at all. And that's fine and dandy too. The shorter veils are easier to handle. They don't get in the way. They don't snag on the ground, but the also don't get caught in the wind or wrap around the dress, or flow and fly in a dramatic fashion with just the right light.
So yes, I love the long veils.
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
The Griswalds -- er I mean The Blaschkes - hit the Caribbean.
It's not often that I'm able to block out a week and not book it so I can get away with the family. But that's what I did that first week of August. I turned away wedding requests, said no to clients wanting my time and I turned off the cell phone.
It was strange and different to not be busy all the time. But it wasn't long before I got really good at sitting around and doing nothing. We took a cruise to Belize and it was blissful. Unfortunately, we're incapable of going anywhere as a family without leaving mayhem in our wake. I'm just happy we made it to the second to last day of Camp Carnival before they asked us to not bring The Boy back.
Over the course of the week we swam with dolphins, sang Karaoke, we hung out at picture perfect beaches, paid too much for cheap souvenir crap that was probably made in China, we toured Mayan ruins, drank sugary adult beverages from cups that looked like monkey heads and ate entirely too much food.
It was a blast.
I wanted to share with you just a few of the images we took while in Belize. It really was a wild and unspoiled country, still untouched by hordes of tourists and developers. The people were very friendly and eager to invite us to return. This was before they got to know our Boy, however. But I digress. Enjoy just a few scenes from Belize.
And my apologies to our very forgiving tour bus driver who, I'm sure, was wondering who clogged up the potty with an ice cream cone. Sorry about that.
Lisa On Location Photography
It was strange and different to not be busy all the time. But it wasn't long before I got really good at sitting around and doing nothing. We took a cruise to Belize and it was blissful. Unfortunately, we're incapable of going anywhere as a family without leaving mayhem in our wake. I'm just happy we made it to the second to last day of Camp Carnival before they asked us to not bring The Boy back.
Over the course of the week we swam with dolphins, sang Karaoke, we hung out at picture perfect beaches, paid too much for cheap souvenir crap that was probably made in China, we toured Mayan ruins, drank sugary adult beverages from cups that looked like monkey heads and ate entirely too much food.
It was a blast.
I wanted to share with you just a few of the images we took while in Belize. It really was a wild and unspoiled country, still untouched by hordes of tourists and developers. The people were very friendly and eager to invite us to return. This was before they got to know our Boy, however. But I digress. Enjoy just a few scenes from Belize.
And my apologies to our very forgiving tour bus driver who, I'm sure, was wondering who clogged up the potty with an ice cream cone. Sorry about that.
Lisa On Location Photography
Thursday, August 1, 2013
Happy "Closing of the Chicken Ranch" Day {New Braunfels Photography}
Forty years ago today one of the most famous (or should I say in-famous) brothels to ever grace us with its presence, the Chicken Ranch in LaGrange, TX, closed down.
Okay, so big deal, you're thinking. Well it really is a big deal. My darling dearest has spent the past few years researching the brothel for his book, "Texas Has A Whorehouse in It". The book is almost done, but in the meantime, we've put out a little teaser to whet your appetite.
During the course of Jayme's research we've managed to befriend a number of Chicken Ranch notables including the current owner of the property. As a result we've had the green light (as opposed to the red light *snicker*) to photograph and research this property extensively.
Most of the images were taken by yours truly but some of the really smoking ones like the star trails over the ranch and the infrared images were taken by Jayme.
To get a little sneakity peek of the book flip through this.
And if you're ready to purchase this masterpiece of Texas history, by all means follow this lovely link. Hardcover. Softcover.
And to read more about the amazing book Jayme is still working on, follow him on his blog and website: Here it is!
Lisa On Location Photography
Okay, so big deal, you're thinking. Well it really is a big deal. My darling dearest has spent the past few years researching the brothel for his book, "Texas Has A Whorehouse in It". The book is almost done, but in the meantime, we've put out a little teaser to whet your appetite.
During the course of Jayme's research we've managed to befriend a number of Chicken Ranch notables including the current owner of the property. As a result we've had the green light (as opposed to the red light *snicker*) to photograph and research this property extensively.
Most of the images were taken by yours truly but some of the really smoking ones like the star trails over the ranch and the infrared images were taken by Jayme.
To get a little sneakity peek of the book flip through this.
And if you're ready to purchase this masterpiece of Texas history, by all means follow this lovely link. Hardcover. Softcover.
And to read more about the amazing book Jayme is still working on, follow him on his blog and website: Here it is!
Lisa On Location Photography
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