Heart to Heart

A photoshop play

I got this idea from another blog and thought you'd be interested in seeing a smidgen of the computer work that goes into an image. Learning how to shoot technically is one giant monster to battle.  I can't say I'm a technical expert, but I hold my own according to the way I like to shoot.  The other beast is photoshop.  Post processing is a tricky thing.  It requires a discerning eye and restraint.   It's so easy to go overboard.  This shot in particular is a little more dramatic than most shots I take, but it was purposeful.  I wanted it to appear dreamy.  So in keeping with the look I was going for I decided to backlight the shot and I post-processed this shot a bit heavier than what I normally do.

A little technical info for any camera techies:

Shot with a Canon 5d mk II using a Canon 24-70 mm f2.8 L series lens

Shutter speed 1/320

Aperture 2.8

ISO 800

 Dreamy? Yes! Misson Accomplished!!

 
 

 

Lemonade Couture Mini Sessions

*** Update***

All Saturday time slots for the lemonade couture sessions have been booked.  We will be opening up 3 or 4 time slots on Sunday, April 17th.  If you're interested, send me an email.

Spring Couture

These are going to be Pee-recious!!!  The fabulous Amber that styled the Wonderland Couture shoots back in the fall will be styling these shoots as well so I have no doubt that they will be a homerun as far as styling goes.  See for yourself...she's not lacking in style.

So, we're still finalizing dates, but we expect it to have these shoots the second or third week in April.  I will get back to you with those dates sometime next week.  Wishing all of you a wonderful weekend.  We'll be celebrating the birth of a very sassy 3 year old ;)

 

My new co-blogger

Did ya miss me?  I'm back in the saddle this week, but first I must ask forgiveness for my rudeness.  You may have noticed a new blogger lurking 'round these parts and I'm a little late in introducing my friend, but better late than never.  BJane (aka Buffy) is a friend and crafter extraordinaire.  You can normally find her over at her Bjane Brewing blog, but I've asked her to grace us with her presence.  Why?  Why not?  I know she will have so many crafts and tips for you to enjoy.  And if you must know....she's as cute in person as she looks on the computer screen.  My very own Doris Day. I'm hoping to add one more special guest blogger as soon as I tidy up the blog with a new look.  You will love it all.

Mentoring

I am so excited about this.  I'm excited for you and excited for me because if you didn't know, I'm a teacher by nature and I was a teacher by profession for 7 years. 

The mentoring i'm offering is appropriate for those of you looking to learn how to use creative modes on your camera (shutter priority, aperture priority) and trying to get away from full auto to allow you a little more creativity when photographing your life ventures.   It's not a mentoring intended for professionals nor am I instructing on photoshop, but I think there is still plenty of information to share!  If you feel your camera is a little big for your britches I can help.  I'm also considering how to set up a mock shoot so that we can do a little bit of hands-on training, too! And if these are successful, maybe in the future I can offer mentoring to those trying to break into the biz or trying to learn photoshop.  Baby steps, baby steps.

The mentoring sessions will last about 3 hours and I am asking that you pay the fee when booking your mentor appt.  with me.  The fee for one individual is $250.  If you want to share the 3 hour session with a buddy the fee is a bit cheaper at $425.  If you want to bring ANOTHER buddy the fee for 3 hours and 3 people is $625.  I don't want to take on more than 3 at a time and the total fee must be paid at the same time if you're splitting sessions.

The only days I'm marking out on my calendar are Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.  We can work something out any other day of the week, morning or evening.  I hope to hear from you soon!

 

 

CALENDAR

I'm hoping the calendars below will answer some questions for you.  If you are interested in a date that is blank (weekdays) email me for availability.  You can use the arrows next to the month to scroll through future months.  If something is not clear, just let me know and I'll do my best to answer!

 

South First Street

I just wanted to share some images of one of my Austin locations.  This were taken on South First Street.  As you can tell it's a very funky and colorful area, but because we'll be shooting on sidewalks alongside a relatively busy street this might be a better spot for couples or families with older kiddos.  The shoots on S. 1st Street will be Saturday July 17th at 5 and 6 pm.  I still have one 6 o'clock slot for Taylor and both St. Edwards slots are open.  For more information on Austin shoots click right here!

  <a href="http://heartspunimagery.typepad.com"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v360/vivi2002/Grab2010f.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a> </a>     I think I did it with the help of a friend! I got my scroll box to work. If you happen to plug it into your blog, let me know so I can click it and make sure it directs you to the right site.  

Housekeeping and Horses

Housekeeping and horses do not go hand in hand.  So, I'll start with a little virtual housekeeping for Heartspun in the year 2010.

I lost sleep deciding whether or not to up my prices for this year.  It's been several years since I've increased my rates and after a very successful year it would be natural to raise my rates in accordance to the demand.  Basic economics, right?  But, I've decided to give it another year before I reconsider.  The economy is slowly picking back up and I am giving myself another year to continue building a solid client base.  So for this year, my rates will remain the same.  What I will be firm about will be my travel fees.  I do shoot locally (Crosby, Baytown, Liberty, Atascocita) with no additional fees, but I will definitely be charging travel fees for locations outside of these areas.  I'll post specifics later.  I hope you understand that while this is my passion, it's also an income for us that pays our bills and while I know my services aren't cheap, I also believe that what you receive is worth the investment.  I've never marketed myself as a cheap photographer and I don't intend to do so lest I give you cheap work.  You don't want cheap work.  There's a lot of pride in my work and when I show up to our one hour shoot, it's only a fraction of the time invested in the final product you receive.

So....good news is that for 2010 the price for a shoot is 250.  Yay, you!

On to horses...

I rarely accept 'special assignments' but I agreed to do this for a good friend and it was fun!  Cherry Creek Equestrian Center is a brand new facility in Mont Belvieu.  It is state of the art and so I drove out for an afternoon of cowboys and horses, roping and barrels with Tee and Jacque Woolman.

  

Merry Christmas

May I extend the warmest thank you for such a wonderful season and for the wonderful comments that  I soak up with an elephant-sized grin on my face?  May I offer you a virtual cup of hot chocolate and a shortbread cookie to show you how much I appreciate you? 

I do. I really do.  

It's been a successful year in my business venture and I have you to thank.  I appreciate every second you spend picking apart my photographs and every comment that you type and every word of encouragement that you offer.  I'll be back on January 5th.  It's time for me to focus on my family and celebrate the birth of my Lord and Savior.  Enjoy your loved ones, too.