The Blog | Adventures and advice from an euphoric wedding photographer.

Passion, Love & Happiness. I'm on a journey to capture these emotions from people who radiate their inner beauty and joy into my lens. I photograph because I adore weddings, a spontaneous lifestyle and meeting amazing individuals who will change my life. I hope that next unique someone is you.

Workin’ The Off-Camera Flash

May 20, 2010

This one time at photo camp…

Well I’m not really allowed to divulge the secrets, so I’ll just show you a little of what we learned. The topic focused on off-camera lighting, a technique I absolutely love. Sure I admire natural light and still use it when I’m feelin’ it, but I just really dig dramatic lighting shots....and it ain’t easy!

This first shot was practicing the use of flash to look like natural light. I think her eyes are beautiful in this portrait, especially the catch lights, and yet it doesn’t look like artificial light.

Then we headed outside, thankfully on one of the days it didn’t snow! Our goal was to light a subject while maintaining a deep blue saturated background. I love blue skies!

This is my new buddy, Blake who was rocking it with his superman pose. This was in bright sunlight and yet the use of off-camera flash makes it look like dusk and much more intense. He’s such a natural… By the way, Blake’s wife, Danielle, decorates some beautiful wedding cakes so check out her website for inspiration!

Then the sun really began to shine, so what were we to do? Over power it with flash so the subject looked natural without ugly sun splotches on their face. Here’s Roberto (who by the way sports the most amazing upside down glasses I’ve ever seen when not in front of the camera, he seriously makes me wish I had poor eyesight) striking a perfect pose under our softbox. Afraid of direct sun shoots? Never again!

And of course I can’t forget Phil! I think this was the only time I didn’t see a smile on his face, but we both thought this photo made him look intense. Oh yeah!

It’s only been a week and yet I miss that goofy group of photogs snapping away in the middle of beautiful nowhere. If you’re interested in a fantastic value for photography training, check out Treehaven’s website and seriously, just book it!

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For Photographers

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Family Portraits at Treehaven, Wisconsin

May 05, 2010

I’m currently in Wisconsin right now attending my first ever photography training camp! And when I say camp, I mean sleeping on the top bunk, sorting my silverware in the cafeteria and being forced to rise at 7am for classes. This week long event started on Monday and our teacher, Neil van Niekerk, is having a fun time corralling all 20 of us in a group and answering our bazillion questions.

Here’s us acting like paparazzi around an adorable family.

That crazy chick in the front is my roommate, Tricia Muehlbauer of Personality Portraits , who is proud that she’s sleeping in the big bed beneath my rump and gets me in trouble in class by whispering jokes in my ear.

Of course the goal of this exercise was to overpower the strong sun with off-camera flash, but the kids weren’t too excited to be photographed by a mob of photographers so they resorted to running through the beautiful trees which surrounds the facility.

I was in my glory swapping lenses with new friends and was able to grab this precious shot of Hannah snuggling with her dad.

They were extremely patient with us all and this was just one session of the day! I’ll be posting the other two sessions when I get a free moment, but it’s like boot camp (with lots of adult beverages) and so I should try to head to bed to catch a wink before we do it all over again. I’m having a blast!

Posted In:
Baby / Children, Family, For Photographers

Tags:
Wisconsin

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Download all your Flickr images quickly

April 30, 2009

I came across this really simple, free and handy tool for Flickr users using OS X on a Mac. If you need to download all your photos or just a set to a local folder, Photo Grabbr is the tool to do it. Works great and fast!

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For Photographers

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Another new lens, Another glimpse of a Pirate

April 15, 2009

Per a friend’s suggestion, I bought a new Canon 50mm f1.8 II lens recently and as is tradition, snapped my first shot of my pooch, Pirate. Yes I know the photo isn’t the greatest thanks to my excitement and forgetting to lower the ISO from 800, but I still love this grainy photo after all. You would think these boys were enjoying a lazy Sunday morning, but it was a quick Wednesday cat nap after work.

Problem was, Pirate couldn’t get much sleep thanks to the sound of the autofocus on the lens. It’s incredibly loud and quite a disappointment. I can’t really complain due to its cheap price, but I find myself leaving it on manual focus, which drives me nuts as well because I’m not a fan of the placement of the focusing ring. Well beggers can’t be choosers and I have to say I was much more impressed with the images and their sharpness when I viewed them on my computer, so maybe I’ll hold on to it after all.

Phew, 3 new lens in 6 months? This wedding season is going to be awesome!

Posted In:
For Photographers, Pets

Tags:
canon - dogs - lenes

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Diesel Booty Camp!

March 02, 2009

My wonderfully talented friend and boudoir extraordinaire, Liesl Cowley is having a fantastic seminar near Rochester, NY. Check it out and book it baby!

Where?

Adams Basin Inn Spencerport, NY : http://www.adamsbasininn.com

When?

April 17-18th, 2009

How?

Cost of workshop includes 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, one dinner and 10 images of YOU modeling. $399 total, less than a boudoir shoot by Liesl! Book by March 5 to receive a $50 discount.

Diesel’s Diva Director, Deanna of Visually Deelicious is handling all the Dollars. Send checks to:

Deanna Wallace

250 N Main St. 

Warsaw, NY 14569

Credit card payments can be accepted through paypal to:

All images will be shot on Liesl’s CF cards so that none of them will end up on any blog or website. If participants are willing for images to be used by the shooter, Liesl will burn a copy for the photographer. Liesl always keeps her images private; during these sensitive shoots, your trust is of utmost importance to Liesl!

Booty Camp Schedule

Friday April 17th

* 9am-9:30 - breakfast (provided)
* 9:30 to 10:30 - Seeing your Composition - how to see exceptional images that pull the viewer in.
* 15 minute break
* 10:45 to 11:45 - Seeing your subject – Inside & Out - how to get clients to relax and feel comfortable in an unfamiliar setting. 
* 11:45 to 12:30 - lunch (provided)
* 12:30-1:30 - Seeing your environment
* 1:30 to 5pm - Everyone models, everyone shoots.
* Free evening – You are welcome to join Liesl for an early dinner. Please note that Liesl has to edit images and prepare for morning critique session, so evening time is limited!

Saturday April 18th

* 9am-9:30 - breakfast (provided)
* 9:30 to 10:30 - Critique & debrief from shoots – what did you learn from modeling? what did you learn from shooting? how can we see more clearly, inside & out?
* 15 minute break
* 10:45 to 11:45 - Continue critique & debrief
* 11:45-12:30 - lunch
* 1-4pm - reshoot
* 7pm -Dinner (provided) with best of slideshow and general festive mayhem.

If you would like to see a portfolio of her boudoir work please email her at for a private link and password.

Attendees will receive a discount rate at Adam’s Basin Inn!  Contact Pat Haines for details and reservations at 1-888-352-3999!  Each participant will also receive a free skin-smoothing action from Make Light Real

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For Photographers

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