In today’s society we all have access to cameras… digital point and shoots, helgas, 35mm, cell phones, key chain cameras and more and more available the infamous DSLs.  I am sure I’ve talked before in previous posts about how I came into photography so I will skip that story… but we all know someone who is a photographer these days!  What sets aside the photographer from the PHOTOGRAPHER?  For me, the easiest explanation is what they do with the image after it’s captured.

Along side the more affordable DSLRs there are an abundance of online tutorials, groups and classes that people can take to learn how to take a good picture.  For most, this is enough. The image is creative, you’ve followed basic composition rules; the technical stuff like exposure, color, white balance etc. are all good; resizing is accomplished… you’re ready to share! AWESOME!  LOOK I’M A PHOTOGRAPHER!!  … but why doesn’t it look like so-and-so’s pictures? And the crickets chirp…

There is more to just showing up and snapping off a few frames.  Before you even get to the point of taking the pictures there is a lot of work and that goes without saying that once you’ve taken the images there is a lot of work that goes in afterwards… this would be called the “editing” phase!

Believe it or not the pictures on my blog or that you buy don’t come out of the camera looking that way!  These are all “edited”.  Now now that doesn’t mean I “photoshopped” the image (a term I despise because it implies that I manipulated the photo so much that anyone could of taken it had they had the software to do so).  Editing programs like CS3/4/5 (photoshop), Photoshop Elements, Lightroom, Picassa, Aperture etc… are all the modern day dark rooms many photographers spent countless hours in EDITING.  Because I use a DIGITAL camera I need to use a DIGITAL process to edit my images.  Make sense?  OK, good, now that’s all cleared up…

Personally my workflow involves reviewing and culling images, soft edits (aka as “proofs”), blog edits, and final edits.  I go through and cull the images – throw out the bad ones where people are mid blink, I’ve missed focus or the picture is just unpleasant.  Then I soft edit – correct exposure, color balance and white balance if needed.  Believe it or not I make mistakes… and I don’t mind making mistakes because I learn something every time I do so (and this will be the last time you ever see me admit this!!). Final edits – I go through and add my flair to the picture.  It’s a unique combination of boosts, curves and super top secret moves that give me my “style” or “brand”.  This is applied to all images so it’s consistent through the gallery.  BUT, WAIT! There’s more… My favorite edits are my blog edits.  These are usually favorite pictures from the session that have been edited a little more.  Sometimes that involves removing blemishes, or removing that photo jumper who ruined the perfect shot or doing a super creative edit with over lays or textures and sparkles and rainbows!  More often than not it’s just extra flair on top of my final edits or black and white conversions.

Depending on what type of event and  number of pictures, these edits can take a couple hours or a couple of days.  It’s a process.  The fact that it can take a couple of hours might seem quick but also throw other clients, emails, family, kids, dogs, planes, trains and automobiles… it takes a good chunk of time.  Photographers keep weird hours too.  Stay at home mothers keep even weirder hours ; )

Here are a couple of before and after edits…

Above is a good example of how just the slightest boost can take a drab straigh out of camera shot and turn it into the masterpiece I knew it was capable of with the right edit!

I have a tendency to shoot a little safe, so I shoot with my histogram as far to the left as possible. I know other photographers who “shoot to the right” but when I do I sometimes blow out highlights.  It’s very easy to blow those out and lose the little details like white flowers on white dress or the lace in the veil.  I don’t want to miss ANY details!!

Again, a shot this a little “safe” which gives it the appearance of being a little under exposed. It also looks filmy and dull straight out of camera to me, what do you think?  The middle edit is my edited version with the “Yvonne touch”… this also happens to be my “proof” because, yes, I’m that good! HAHA! I kid, I kid!  Last but not least is a creative edit I did with selective coloring.  I’m not normally a selective color girl but when I converted to black and white I thought it needed a punch!  I know the hot momma, Angela, liked it ; )

Speaking of Angela and Marc… I just heard they had their bundle of joy!!  Let’s welcome their little guy to the world!!  I’ll be photographing him very soon for his debut!!

Love, Yvonne

It’s funny when inspiration strikes… You know i have to write something relevant and I don’t forecast too easily because of this.   Today, through a lucky alignment of stars, I went somewhere I’m totally not comfortable with – flash.  The kids were acting crazy forcing me to not attend previously planned events, so I embrace my hermit lifestyle a little closer and invited our lunch company home to keep me sane!  My gal pal brought her little boys over who somehow managed to tame my wild crew and they played perfectly (again perfect alignment of stars) which allowed me to practice flashing (tee hee!) with a willing and patient victim.

Flash has always intimidated me.  All the equipment, the different set ups, the bright lights… and did I mention the equipment?!  It just looks scary!  Where to put what and how to sync it all together… *shudder*  Well today, through trial and error, I think I made some head way in my new quest of flash mastering (why does that sound so weird??).

Anyway, without going off on pretty pretty princess skirt tangents, Emily quickly accepted my volun-telling orders!  She sat, listened and executed everything perfectly while I set up different flash arrangements.  I played with two flash, off camera flash, bouncing flashes, and any other one/two flash combos you might be able to think of.  With a make shift studio I think I now understand why some people fall in love with studio lighting.  The control is unbelievable!  I am so pleased with my images today that I just had to share!!

Before I do, I think this is a true testament of stepping out of your comfort zone and pushing yourself to learn something new.  Today I concurred a fear and I feel much more comfortable and empowered!!

Thank you Emily for the endless hours of torture you endured today… I’ll make sure to keep the “goofy stuff” tucked away safe and sound… or until I need some inspiration for my next what wednesday I can pull some “what not to do” poses out!

Love, Yvonne

OK, in an effort to not totally be consumed by The Twilight Sage : Eclipse (which I TOTALLY went to the midnight showing! Don’t judge, you wish you were there if you weren’t!!) I’m posting a few of my favorite things.

I swear, there is nothing better than french toast: it’s toast, it’s fried and if you are like me and add butter powdered sugar, it’s perfection!  I’m sure my dentist would cringe looking at this but you know she gives my kids candy… so she can’t judge.  Some of my best moments involve french toast… seriously. I remember waking up as a kid at Maw-maw’s house and eating 6 pieces in the morning!  Yes, I ate SIX slices one day!!  At basic training in the USAF the smells of french toast and pancakes filled the chow hall… it wasn’t until the third week that I ate anything but cereal (because it was quick and was the furthest point from the instructors), but when I did I  got the piece with the most powdered sugar and it was heaven.  Now, as a mummy, my kids ask for it and it makes us ALL happy : )

I’ve recently found my next favorite… grapefruit green tea sweetened with agave nectar. YUM-O!  I have to admit, I am totally in love with The Republic of Tea’s packaging.  If I change my brand again one day it may be my model!  I also like the fact that I’m fighting for a cure when I drink it… I only buy the sip for the cure editions.

If you haven’t stumbled upon this next item get to your local TJs!  Oh. Em. Gee… yes I just said that.  Eating antioxidants never tasted sooo good.  Life should be covered in dark chocolate.  How perfect would the world be if every bride and groom served these as their party favors? Seriously. My kinda people!

So just to prove these are my favorite things… I took pictures.  If I could tie them up in brown paper packages with string and kittens and what not I totally would. Have a great Wednesday!!

OK in my quest to become a better blogger I’m trying to come up with things to keep me motivated.  Hoping “Wicked Wednesday” will help keep me on track and committed to at least one post a week … hoping also that it can answer a few of those questions that you’re always wondering.  Maybe it should be “Wondering Wednesday” or “What Wednesday”??  I am liking “What” so much better… OK I’m already getting off track here with the purpose of this Wicked What Wednesday post!!

This Whatever Wednesday I’m focusing on wearing it vintage style.  I know me,I always freak out what to wear right before a shoot… and I’m BEHIND the camera! HAHA!  I can only imagine what I’m going to do when it comes time for my turn in front… hopefully I’ll be able to look back at one of these posts and go “AH-HA!” To go with a theme of a super adorable couple I’m working with here’s my take on vintage.  Of course Anthropologie is the place to go when looking for something a little vintage chic, especially if you don’t have the time to hunt through racks at the buffalo exchange or other thrifts stores.  Which, if you have the time I highly suggest because lets face it, it’s just rad to find a treasure that doesn’t cost an arm and leg and the promise of the first born child! TANGENT!! Anyway, to finish the look accessories are a must: super adorable belts and hair pins and some AWESOME recycled jewelry… made from… wait for it… SPOONS!

I love finding new purposes for old items around the house and I totally fell in love with this crafty lady I found on etsy, LTmakesjewelry!  The rings and bracelet are just a couple of her designs made out of spoons.  They add that unique personalized touch to the vintage look – and think of how personalized it can get when you request a custom piece from your own silverware?! Oh my the possibilities are ENDLESS!!  I wish I was brilliant enough to have thought of this, but I’m thankful she is!  How cute would it be to use  your great grandparents silverware to make your wedding rings?! I just LOVE that idea… I wish I had some silverware that was passed down to me!!

So back on track… we’re always focusing on what the ladies should wear.  What about our studly counterparts?  They need some styling too, right?  Today that was my mission. Find something within the style of wearing it vintage and I found this studly ensemble at Warwick Designs (I know the store is located in LA but still, super cute!!). I’m sure it could easily be replicated with a little time and focus at your local thrift store.

So what’s left for this perfect vintage inspired shoot?  The cutest couple and a location!  I got locations that have the most beautiful lighting… just saying

Love, YvonneMale attire: Warwick Designs Female attire: Anthropologie Jewelry: LTmakesjewelry