Memory Portraits

First off, I'm happy to report that I'm actively photographing these days, and really enjoying it. Though I've been slow to post, I've had great opportunities to share some moments with friends and capture a few beautiful scenes between all of the other things in my schedule.

Back in September, in the middle of a last-minute move between apartments, work, and trying to keep up social obligations, I had a birthday party. In the past, I've put tons of time into planning music, food, and an all-around intensively good time. This year, the main attraction was more for me than everyone else.

... I took everyone to a set-up outside (between their socializing) and took pictures of them. They are very similar to the portraits I did in Bruxelles, and I think I've settled on the way I like to remember. Straight on, and with some personality.

With paying jobs queued up, I had to put editing on the back burner, but I have most of them edited. Below are a few of the beautiful people in my life here in Texas. I'm closer to some than others, but I really do appreciate the small and large contributions people have made to my life since I got here.

Full of Hot Air

As promised, here are some shots from the hot air balloon festival at Horseshoe Bay Resort this past April. They had me in to fraternize and shoot at a press event, as well as during the opening night of the festival. Sadly, it was overcast a lot of the day and the wind kept them from getting all the balloons up at night, but it didn't stop them from trying! It took whole crews of people just to hold the baskets on the ground as the wind tried to push the half-inflated balloons over.

The Fastest Growing City

This is where I live. Well, not downtown, but this is nearby. I've been overdue for a while in going out to do the skyline, but I still want to try some other angles and atmospheric conditions. I won't rest until it's and AWESOME shot of downtown...

In other news, I'm not dead. In spite of not posting recently, I've actually done photography for a hot air balloon festival and behind-the-scenes coverage for a national ad campaign contest. Some of that should end up on this blog soon, eh?

What I Do All Day

You may wonder, "Andrea, you're a photographer, you currently work in the photography field, and you never update your blog EVER.  What do you do with your time?"

I'll tell you what, I do lots and lots of editing!

I have been working for another photographer for a while doing primarily editing - and BOY is it time-consuming!  The process he chooses to use brings in a lot of lost detail in post-production, so I spend hours painting windows and other details back into images of buildings.  Below is a before and after example of one instance where I both shot and edited for one of his clients.

This is one of the less dramatic examples (some images have such extremes between light and dark that once I pull the detail back in, the two images look starkly different), but the amount of time it can take to accurately trace around windows and objects is exhausting.  Note all of the bright window spaces that are completely blown out in the original image on the left - it's my job to make those visible again, then make sure all the colors are accurate and pretty, contrast is nice, the image is sharp... yeah.  Every single one of those tiny, bright windows and lights and bright patches of sidewalk.

So, now you know.  Instead of pursuing art projects, I've been painting windows.

On the bright side - I've gotten SO good at painting windows, and being that far up in a highrise for a shoot was terrifyingly cool.

Katie & Brock Wedding

December weddings are so much less... snowy and unpredictable in Texas.  This wedding was down in Houston, in a really lovely area, I might add.  The couple was adorable and their family was a lot of fun.  It was an all-around good day.  Now to catch up on editing...

Lovely Faces in Texas

Yes, I know it has been ages since my last post.  I'm failing miserably at regular updating.

Most of my time has been spent doing editing with another architectural photographer, which doesn't give me much to show for myself.  In my "spare" time, though, I've gotten to do a little work with people in the area.  In the cases below, a photo shoot for a family reunion and some head shots for the talented Kyra (she sings, she dances... she does it all, y'know?).

The Aaron Smith Band - Another little backlog item

When I first got out here to Texas, I met a guy who does some music.  We had a little collaboration session, took some pictures, and made a little cover art.  You can listen to the music here.

Texas Update

I'm failing at this blogging thing, but I promise I haven't been idle!

Life is busy down here in Texas.  Back in December, I took a drive up to Dallas area to join Kira and Cam for their wedding open house and take some pictures for them.

But really, most of my time has been spent with buildings lately.  Between working with another area photographer and working on my own portfolio, architecture is ruling my life.  It helps make things interesting when there are lots of awesome homes as well as commercial buildings in the area.  Stay tuned for more building images... for there shall be many.