Image of the day

             It's Friday!!! I can't believe how fast this week has went for me. I guess being busy does that. I just wanted to share a quick photo of the day with all of you. I may not have a chance to publish a new post for a couple of days. I have a Valentine clinic tomorrow that I am so excited for. Can't wait! Such cute ideas in store for the girls.

              I've been working on a new brand for all my logos and my business in general. I tried it out on this photo. What do you think? I like the little touch of pink. Have a great weekend everyone!

One photo several different ways

             I've been looking a lot lately at how to make every photo I take different and exciting. This is harder than you think. Sure I can change angles, or composition or even the pose and accessories, but sometimes there is a certain image that just speaks to me. Usually by accident. This is an example of one of my favorite photos of my oldest daughter. I shot about 100 frames of her this particular day and although some were much more appealing in other ways (like exposure, framing, poses, etc.) this one just got to me. Maybe it was her eyes, or the look on her face. I can't really put my finger on it, but I love it. And as a Mom or to a client this is what I strive to deliver. A photograph that you love to look at. Something you just love to pass by while it hangs in a special place in your home. This is one such portrait for me. Enjoy!

                                     Straight out of the camera. Not bad but lacking a little oomph!

                                
                                 Color edit. Just made the colors pop!

                                 Black & White Conversion

                          And finally my favorite. Look what a little cropping can do to change it up.



More to come soon...

Miss Jen

        This is a follow up to the session I posted yesterday. I wanted both girls to shine all on their own so I chose to do two different showings for them. This is Jen. She is one of my best friends and GORGEOUS inside and out. Ever since we met we have just connected. Gosh I love that. It has only happened a few times in my life. They know who they are and they know they are my favorites :) I love some girl time.

         Now on to the fabulous photos.  Enjoy Jen. Hope they made him smile :)

Miss Heather

            I had the most amazing time this weekend. Things are going so good for me. Business is great and growing with leaps and bounds. Thank you all for that. This gorgeous girl is my daughters best friend Heather. Isn't she gorgeous..... :) They came up for a special photo shoot this weekend and it was so great to see them and have some fun on the trax. Here's what came out of it. Enjoy!!!

                                            My very favorite of the day. Can we say MODEL? 

              This cute shot was an idea of hers. Just playing around and it was one of my favorites. Quite a trooper to lay down on the tracks like that :)

                       Gorgeous high key effect. I thought it might be a little blown out, but I like it. It's all in a persons opinion right???  To each their own, and we love it!

                   Check out my new chair!!!! I absolutely love it!!! To see more of their work go to    www.aryannsplace.blogspot.com They do truly beautiful work! An awesome mother and daughter team. Thanks again.

                                                  Cutest Valentine cards for your friends too :)


Call to make your valentine session appointment today. Thanks for stoppin bye!

Valentine's Day Mini Session

      Hello Everyone! I just wanted to announce my Valentine's Day Mini Sessions that will be held this Sat. Jan. 22nd from Noon until 4:00pm. Each session will be 30 min. and you will receive 4 edited images on a disc, 16 valentine cards, and 1 8x10. Each session will cost $45.00. Call or email me today for your session time. Hurry they are filling up fast. I am posting some examples of cards below. Thanks everyone!!!

( If any one would like to order Valentine Cards from a previous session I can do that as well. Call for details)

                                    
                                          Happy Valentines Day To All of my Friends and Clients!!!!

Lil' Cowboys

        Here's a little something I've been working on. Seriously how cute are these two little cowboys? It makes me wonder what they'll grow up to be one day....

Follow up session...

             I just wanted to share a few more beautiful shots with you from my session with this couple. All I can say is Gorgeous!!!! I love the city look and feel to these pictures. It's not something I do much of. Although, I think I'll start. And L-O-V-E the boots Brindi. They were real troopers for this session. Come on... laying on the frozen ground with no coats and it's 15 degrees outside. Wow!!! But what a fabulous look it gave to the whole session. I hope they love them as much as I do. More to come soon....


            In the next few weeks I am going to be changing the look of my blog. Just a little heads up. Thanks for being patient with me. There is great things to come this year! I can feel it! Have a wonderful day :)

Before & After Photos

                                                                            SOOC

                                                                           After

                                                                            SOOC

                                                                             After

                                                                            SOOC

                                                                             After
            
             In these combination of photos I wanted to show you my before and afters. As you can see I am still not quite there in my SOOC (straight out of the camera) shots. My #1 goal for 2011 is to get it as close to perfect SOOC as I can. I am continuing to learn all my do's and don'ts of my manual settings. I struggle with exposure a lot of the time. I am getting a Grey card to perfect my white balance and am so excited to try it out. As long as I'm making some progress I am happy. My main focus is to cut down on my post-production time. I am still learning all the in & outs of this as well. Photoshop is slowly becoming my friend.  :)

              My point in showing you my flaws is to see my progress as I grow as a photographer. These  were not the best shots to begin with. Of course the girls were perfect it was the photographer who was off. I am continuing to learn and better myself everyday. I want to tell all of my clients and friends "THANK YOU" so very much for helping me start my business this year. It has been fabulous and I am so excited to see what 2011 will bring.

Cutest Couple...

           Hello everyone. I'm back. I hope you all had a wonderful holiday with your families. I had an amazing few days off. Now back to creating beautiful images for clients to enjoy.

           Here is a sneak peak for Brindi. This was the funnest couple I had the opportunity to work with. She is a good friend of mine and a fellow photographer. I always get a little nervous when I do a shoot with another photographer. I  hope they like what I'm doing and didn't have a different idea in their creative mind. I did my best to capture some great shots of her and her husband. I think they are fabulous. Hopefully so will she. It's easy to get great shots when the couple you're working with truly loves each other and are happy. It shows through in their photos. As you can see...

           These are just the tip of the iceberg Brindi. More to come soon...

           It's good to be back. :)

Happy Holidays

       

        Happy Holidays Everyone!!! I just wanted to let all my friends and clients know I will be taking a small break for Christmas to spend some much needed time with my family. Starting today I'm officially off the clock. I'll return to work Dec. 26th. I have a fun couples session booked that day :) If anyone needs anything from me feel free to call or email me as I will be checking my messages daily. I hope we all enjoy our little breaks and this wonderful holiday season! I know I will. I plan to fill today with baking cookies and wrapping presents. Merry Christmas Y'all ;) Warmest Wishes From the Martinez Family !!!