What is on the Negative Disk?

I was asked a great question today! One I hope I would have asked if I were the customer.
What, exactly, are the negatives?
When I shoot a wedding, for example, I will take tons of photos - I tend to go a bit crazy. The digital age allows this, although I was pretty spendy with film as well. I then take your images home and weed through them, selecting the ones that tell your story best.
Of those images, each and every one is color corrected - optimized for the best color and contrast. A few (I always say 20 but that is limiting myself. I do get carried away here too) get "edited." Teeth whitened, blemishes removed, eyes brightened, random flying objects deleted from the background (you can't control birds, bless their hearts), etc.

The process looks something like this:

Because editing is pretty intense and can be fairly time consuming, I don't edit every image once I've color corrected them. I do charge $5 for each additional edit requested.

All the color corrections and edits will be included on your negative disk along with a copyright release allowing you to print and share wherever, and with whomever, you like. I do recommend having your images printed professionally - either by me or the company of your choice. Walgreen's printing machines will attempt to auto correct your images and I promise you won't like the results.

Hopefully that helps clarify what a negative disk is. Thanks for the great question!

"Mom, exploring is dangerous."

My kiddos have the "opportunity" to join me as I gallivant around town in search of amazing sites to photograph. They are tolerant of my camera, but give me little more these days than a nonchalant "cheese", unbidden even, while continuing whatever they are doing. They don't even look at me! They get to be my props anyway.
The latest jaunt took us out Seguin Ave, or Farm to Market 725.  My oldest, who is five, asks me what we are doing. I answer, "exploring," to which he replies: "Mom, exploring is dangerous because you don't know where you are." He is so profound.
Well, we did eventually find our way back home. And look what we found along the way!

These are taken near an old bridge where Long Creek runs under the road just past Grove Lane. You'll see the "No Dumping" sign.

The waterfall and red building are really close by. So gorgeous! 

It's A Girl! Hee hee hee :)

Two days ago my little sister called me from AZ with some nonsense about cows and sunset lighting. She was out with her friend taking pictures and asked me to edit them for her. Okay. No problem. I'll get to them sometime.
Last night I called my mom, who informed me these were her second round of senior portraits and she needed an announcement ASAP! Um . . . sure! So I just spent the last hour on the phone giggling with my sister while we designed her graduation announcement long-distance. It is late and I'm pretty loopy. Also, I think my ear is going to need some physical therapy! (How might that work?)
Anyway, I think it looks pretty good. I'm not going to post it just yet so she can keep her announcement top secret (because we share lots of Facebook friends) until the envelope unveiling. So . . . sneak peek? 

San Antonio LDS Temple Wedding

Last weekend I took pictures for a wedding at the San Antonio LDS temple grounds. What an amazingly beautiful place! I'm so glad I had the opportunity to work there and got some great shots.

My favorite thing about this wedding: hands down, the bride's beautiful smile! Coming in a close second were the color coordinating ties - who knew!? All the groom's family wore red. All the bride's family wore goldenrod. Talk about making things a little easier for the photographer! Very nice. And super cute too!

Site Searching

I'll let you in on a little secret: I'm lost!
So I am driving around aimlessly looking for a good place to take pictures here in New Braunfels, Texas. I've found a few, but feel like I must be missing something important. So, I keep driving. Don't worry, I'll find it!
Today's shoot at the Alamo was good for me. Not just to get out and get working again, but to put things into perspective. I've been complaining about having to start over every 18 months or so. Loosing all my clients and landing in a place I know nothing about is tough, but I want to use this time to see and do a few things I might never get a chance to do again.
And so I present what I have so far. New Braunfels:

Hinman Island Park

Landa Park

Evangelical Lutheran Church of St. Martins

Remember the Alamo!

Today was my shoot at the Alamo! I got to work as a second photographer for Ashley - my cousin. It was fun not being the one stressing out! The Alamo is beautiful, as is downtown San Antonio. It was a gorgeous morning and I am sunburned to prove it! Aside from the burning, I'm pretty happy with the shots I got. What an awesome day!

I Love Weddings

I love, love, love, LOVE weddings! I am getting ready tonight to shoot a bridal session in the morning with my cousin - who runs her own business in San Antonio. http://ashleyzufeltphotography.blogspot.com/. I am so excited! We are shooting at the Alamo! I've only lived in Texas for 2 months. This is my first shoot since I've arrived and at a historical staple no less! Tomorrow should be a great day!

In perusing about the internet, gathering ideas and generally admiring the beautiful work of other photographers throughout the world, I began thinking how I just LOVE weddings! I love the fairy tale. I love the life each different wedding has - and how different the photos turn out because of that.

My last wedding was clear back in October - before I had a baby and moved to Texas via a month lay-over at Mom's house in Arizona.  It was a wonderful, crazy adventure and, while I did get to practice my newborn photography skills on the cutest baby girl I have EVER seen, I miss the wedding scene. So, here are a few of my favorites from my last wedding. Thanks go out to my good friend Frank and his amazing bride, Brittanie. Here's wishing you two love birds all the best!