Chris & Victoria - Wedding

For the second time in my life, I had the singularly disorienting (and wonderful) experience of being both a member of the wedding party and the photographer. This is a bit more feasible at LDS weddings like this one - no procession down the aisle to capture. The ceremony is private and happens in the temple, where photography is not a thing.

The couple consists of two friends of mine - a special treat, rather than belonging to one side of the aisle, only. Chris & Victoria were part of a mutual group of friends that spent a lot of time together, and it was fun to get to watch them gradually pair off and realize that they never wanted to stop being friends.

Since there is not photography inside the temple, Victoria wanted to find another way to have a "first look" picture. He didn't like being out of the loop, but Chris behaved and never saw the dress until he was given the ok the day of. We stopped by at the temple early so she could get changed and come out to met him.

After the ceremony, we got the usual round of photos - them on their way out to meet the family, group shots, just the couple. Anywhere I managed to appear is thanks to the investment I made in buying a remote trigger I hid in my hand and the tripod I dragged along.

(Photographer's aside: I don't know why, but I really love the above shot best cross-processed.)

After we were done down at the Houston temple, we drove ALL THE WAY back to Austin for a backyard reception. Their guestbook idea was really adorable - they used engagement shots to make puzzles that guests were asked to sign for the couple as a keepsake.

 

 

All in all, adorable. And at the end, everyone played with FIRE!

And just an ending shout-out to the groomsmen who help hold my stuff and round people up. It's rough shooting a wedding in heels and a skirt, let me tell you...

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.

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?

Head Shots - David

Just some quick portfolio shots from the past week.  Might recognize this dashing individual from some of my previous work with local short films.  If you need a producer, call this guy.  Seriously.  He gets things done.

Find out more at www.linkedin.com/pub/david-estrada/61/905/215

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.