Archive for October, 2011

happy halloween!

October 31, 2011

Happy Halloween from yours truly and one of my most favorite families in my photography world.  Yes, you’ve seen them before…lots-0-times on my blog.  We have a sort of photography love affair type relationship :)

love in an orchard

October 27, 2011

Tell my why again I haven’t been photographing in orchards…like…every. single. shoot?

post processing with presets

October 26, 2011

While the business side of things can, well, suck it, I LOOOOOOVE to shoot and I love to edit.  My continuous goal is to create an image correctly straight out of camera and then lightly enhance my images in post production.  Editing my images is like putting the star on top of the Christmas tree…like putting the cherry on top of the banana split…or even putting the Halloween costume on my cute, new puppy.  You take something good (hopefully my images in my case) and then make it just a little better.

However, with editing, I want the beautiful images…I just don’t have tons-o-time to do it.  I am all about simplicity and efficiency…both in my final image as well as the process used to create it.  That process of creation involved about 50% Lightroom and 50% Photoshop…and a WHOLE lot of time needed to do it.

Then came the rumor.  The rumor that my friend, Jodi Friedman from MCP Actions, had created an intensive Lightroom/ACR preset set that was to be released soon.  Ummmmm, YES please.  She is a genius and I knew it was going to be amazing.

I have had the privilege of testing her new Quick Clicks Lightroom and ACR Presets for the last few weeks and I can officially say that my entire editing process has changed.  My time in Photoshop has now been cut in half and that, for me, is priceless as I want to spend the majority of my time editing in Lightroom.  Her set is HUNORMOUS (a real word according to my 4 year old), is set up in an organized workflow sequence (white balance, exposure, color, black and white, and then finishing enhancers), ANDDDD you can layer presets on top of one another without undoing the previous preset (huge if you are a Lightroom user and know what I mean)!

I love to promote businesses and products that I believe in and Jodi has produced something that I more than believe in and use on a daily basis.  Just passing the love along.  Oh, and to make it even better, her presets are on sale for $30 off until October 31st! Hurry…as we all know MCP discounts and sales are crazy rare!!!

Just a few examples below.  The rest of these images from this shoot are coming tomorrow :)

Color version…Cool Sunshine (White Balance), Add 1/3 Stop (slight exposure boost), Bahamas (warm and pop), Rum Raisin (slight pinky tone), Burnt Edges Light (slight vignette), Sharp Attack Light (sharpening), Manual spot removal of spots on sweater and scratch above eye.

Black and White version…Milkshake Glass

Time spent? 2 minutes.  And then, I just batch process the others in this same setting for exact same and instant results.  Without ever leaving Lightroom.  YEEEEEHAWWWW!

olivia…class of 2012

October 25, 2011

Yep, I’m convinced. I am SURE we didn’t look like this when I was a senior. By WE, I mean my entire graduating class…just to make me feel better. And by THIS, I mean supermodelesque. Olivia…you are so beautiful…inside and out.

sunshine

October 24, 2011

This is just what I needed to make me smile today. Blonde curls and sunshine…and the cutest little girl to go along with them :)

tonnies…carnival style

October 20, 2011

Lots of fun and color from one of my very favorite families to brighten up your dreary, Michigan day…

Love their outfits!  Perfect for our carnival style theme…

So many favorites from this session, but this one is super fab.  Rock it Sharon :)

Love you in this one, Sharon…

Another fave…

shawn and brynne…engaged

October 17, 2011

Get ready for a Shawn and Brynne overload! I liked hanging out with them…A LOT :)

Ooooo!  A favorite!

Gasp!  Another favorite!

And again, another favorite of mine from the evening…

hans and lauren…married

October 12, 2011

Their day started at the lovely Jefferson Avenue Presbyterian Church in Detroit. This church was one of the most beautiful churches I have ever photographed at.

Sigh…love Hans and Lauren in this.  The sun peeked out for just a few moments, and we quickly took advantage.

Equally love them in this…

We made a quick pit stop at the Inn on Ferry Street in Detroit…

And then we moved on the the reception…held at the Piquette Ford Plant in Detroit.  Wow.  I told Lauren that if I could do my wedding reception over again, this would be place.  And to top it off, they had amazing taste in decor and ambience…

What?!?!?  I was in awe of this “detail” at the reception.  Kris from Artcasters starts with a blank canvas, and then continues to paint throughout the evening, until he finishes the painting, and then GIVES IT TO THE BRIDE AND GROOM!!!  Best. Idea. Ever.

The guys from Startrax were some of the best DJ’s and entertainers I have ever worked with at a wedding…

First dance as bride and groom…

And, then it’s time to PARTAY!!!

heather…class of 2012

October 11, 2011

You would never know our session was rain, shine, rain, shine, rain, shine the entire time. Thanks Heather…you rocked this crazy Michigan weather!!!

2012 workshops!

October 7, 2011

Wow. 2011 has come and is almost gone. I can’t believe it is already time to look forward to 2012! So, with 2012 in mind, let’s talk workshops! To answer the questions we have been receiving…Yes, we will be holding workshops in 2012 (2-3 at the most). Yes, we will be taking the workshops to other states. No, we do not have exact dates yet, but will be announcing workshop dates and locations toward the end of October. And yes, they will be SO VERY awesome!!!

Our September 2011 workshop was, well, just fabulous. We feel so blessed to be working with and teaching such special and creative people! Thank you to our attendees, our staff (Ken Duffy, Brittni Schroeder, Cortnie Steoger, and Laurel Hogge), and of course, our VERY favorite companies that have been so gracious to support us and sponsor our workshops.  You can click on any logo to be taken directly to their websites.

A few images from our September workshop, taken by yours truly…

And…as a special bonus at our workshops, my face will contort into many random expressions for your entertainment…