Breaking News: Dead Motherboard!

WE ARE EXPERIENCING TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES....

Thank God for my Dell extended warranty! Last night, the motherboard on my Dell XPS 710 died a sudden and most unexpected death. I tried to reboot, but nothing happened, save for a steady yellow light on the power button and a continuously moving (and extremely noisy) fan. A few checks on my purchase documents showed that I am still covered under warranty until May 2011, so I called Dell and was thrilled to find out a technician will be out this Wednesday to basically give me a brand new computer....free of charge!

I will be getting a new motherboard, a new power supply and a new front panel on my tower -- something that the technician said would have cost me $1,500 to replace myself, or basically the cost of a new computer.

It may seem like a large chunk of change to add those warranty plans when you are making such a large purchase as a new computer. But it was definitely worth it for me. Even though my current photo editing orders will be delayed, my clients will benefit from a new, more efficient operating system.

STAY TURNED

Get the Goods: My first stint contracting out post processing services

ORIGINAL IMAGE (with my own post processing)



EDITED BY RETOUCHUP.COM



The more backlogged I get with my photo editing, the more I have been thinking about trying to save time and get caught up by contracting out editing and post processing services. I've always loved editing in Photoshop. It's a different way for me to be able to work some creative muscle. But as demand for my services has grown, the time I take post processing has prevented me from building my business.

I've researched numerous online retouching services from those that specialize in editing weddings and other multiple photo events to those that work on individual portraits. Choose from basic retouching such as softening wrinkles, whitening teeth and head swapping to artistic enhancements and B&W conversions. Some require the RAW image for processing, while others will accept a JPEG. And of course they vary in cost. So far, I've liked the services offered by and may likely

Retouchup.com
Silverback Imaging and Design
Great Touching
399retouch.com

I decided to try Retouchup.com for my first trial run because it was offering it's first 10 retouches for free. A few of the images taken during the 2010 Success Summit & Expo in June needed some glass glare removal. I did everything I could with my limited Photoshop skills but just couldn't get the look I wanted.

After signing up with retouchup.com, I uploaded six JPEG files on Thursday, July 29 at about 4:30 a.m. and the photos were completed and ready for me to download two days later. I opted for the "Complete Plus" service because it includes eyeglass glare and brace removal along with standard retouch services such as facial glare, stray hairs, whitening teeth and eyes, removing blemishes, softening or removing bags under the eyes, even fixing spots in the background. You get all that for $5 -- that's per image not per head in the photo.

Here's some before and afters:
BEFORE



AFTER



BEFORE



AFTER



Considering the previous hours I spent cursing and unsuccessfully trying to remove the glare, I think the work the artist Rossi did was incredible. The turnover time was quick and the overall upload process easy and convenient. While the first two images I posted are fairly true to form and still look like the subject Hanifah without appearing overprocessed, I think the third image was edited more heavily than I would have done, especially around the eye area. When I edit, I like to try to keep the subject's face looking more human rather than magazine airbrushed. I actually prefer the specular highlights commonly seen on the nose, cheeks and forehead (although I like to soften them alittle). Retouchup.com knows that every photographer's style is different, so I think next time I will specify a softer touch on the skin shine removal. I will definitely be using this service again. Make sure to follow Retouchup.com on their Facebook fan page as well to get coupons and free orders.

I can't wait to see what Hanifah thinks, as I've given her both options to choose from when she downloads digital images from my website. I would also love to hear which photos you think look best.

Saturday Morning Cartoons

Here is my favorite "What the Duck" comic from this week. Rock on Aaron! "What the Duck" is an online comic strip created by Aaron Johnson. I just love how Aaron's wry sense of humor reflects the current state of the photography industry. But what really freaks me out sometimes is how much they reflect whatever situation I'm currently experiencing as a professional photographer ...whether it's working with clients, desperately trying to stay on top of equipment and technology upgrades or trying to figure out social networking sites like Facebook or Twitter.

The genius of his strip is the way viewers can interact with Aaron and his comic character. Folks are welcome to link, post, copy/paste, or save the strips to their own sites, blogs, forums, newsletters, etc. Aaron also allows viewers to suggest titles for his individual strips, and post photos of their own plushy and stuffed W.T. Duck working or hanging out.

This Weekend: Photographying my editor's child

Image by Gary Jacobson
Tomorrow, I'm very excited to be photographing by boss' daughter! Nearly two years ago, I was so disappointed when my editor went into labor the morning we had scheduled to shoot her maternity photos, but daughter Eden had different plans. Tomorrow, I will be letting Eden take the reigns again when she wanders through a golden field of sunflowers near my home. I will be using my 70-200 lens to back way off and get some candid shots of the toddler playing with the flowers.

Am I nervous to be shooting my boss's baby? Sure, a little bit. But on the other hand, Elana's continuous support and encouragement of my photography skills from the very moment I picked up my Canon XTi fills me with pride and confidence to do a good job. Eden is a lady of style, just like her Mommy, so I can't wait to see what stylish garb she will be gracing me with. Given her age, I will only be able to shoot Eden for about an hour (if I'm luck) before her attention span and willingness to cooperate disappears. But I plan to make the 30 to 45 minutes that she gives me count! The field of sunflowers is so breath-taking under a blue sky that it's also going to be where I hope to shoot several upcoming senior portrait sessions.

An Aside: How do clients find me?

It never ceases to amaze me how new clients find my photography services given the hundreds of professional photographers they have to choose from in Colorado. I've made it a habit to ask all of my clients how they came to find my studio during our initial consultation, primarily to gauge how the success of my Google or Facebook Ad campaigns. It lets me know where I might want to beef up money for my ads or change some keywords to help make finding me easier. For instance, since most of my recent clients have found me just by typing in the words "Denver event photographer," I would want to make sure to optimize those words by having them appear all over my website or blog items so Google picks me up.

This past weekend, I shot a family reunion for The Dermers. I asked my client about how they located me and was shocked and pleased by the results. Turns out one of the family members (based out of state) was on a forum asking about photography services and how much he could expect to pay for having his reunion shot. A comment led him to a photographer directory site where I had added my studio's name to the list. He checked out my photos, liked what he saw and suggested his Colorado-based mother to contact me.

Ian found me on photography directory and persuaded his mother, Janet, to hire me.

Voila!

It's good to know all that time and effort I put in to diligently adding my studio to various photography directors or even links I post to my website in photography forums can help lead a trail of bread crumbs directly to Picture Your World Photography!

Get the Job Done: My first Quinceanera!

Ali's Quinceanera held last month in June was a great success, and I look forward to being able to shoot more of these cultural events in the future! The family received their final images this week, so I wanted to post several of my favorites on the blog. A Quinceaneara is a coming of age ceremony in some Latin American cultures celebrating a girl's 15th birthday. The scope is similar to a Sweet Sixteen with the grandeur of a wedding due to the honoree's gown, a court and a reception held after a church ceremony.

I drove to Paxton, Nebraska, to shoot Ali's ceremony, which started with a family barbecue. I enjoyed covering this event because it gave me an excellent chance to do some family portraits as well as some special event photography.

Today's blog is ALL ABOUT THE DRESS! I will post other photos taken of Ali's court, the ceremony and the dance-filled reception later.

On Location: Blogging Live from a Car Show Photo Booth

Photo by Jason Peckovitch, Editing by Sheba Wheeler

It's barely 11 a.m. and I'm already drenched with sweat. Photographer and colleague Jason Peckovitch of Illusive Dreams and I are on location at the 5150 Rise and Shine Car Show at Red and Jerry's shooting photos of models with cars, editing them and printing them on site for a minimal fee. A few weeks ago, a rainstorm and fierce winds buckled Jason's canopy, snapping the metal frame beyond use. So Jason ponied up the $200 we needed to buy a new extreme Sports Authority canopy that took four people to put together. But man was it worth the effort! The Quik Shade Summit S233 canopy is strong and sturdy with two let down thick frame walls for more shade. The aluminex-backed wall might work well for portraits too if we get anyone interested in those today.

Photo by Jason Peckovitch. Editing by Sheba Wheeler

But the main attraction will definitely be getting models to pose with vehicles in the show. We have numerous models for our clients to choose from thanks to Brody Hall and Kylea Killeen from Tempting Images who offered their own models for us to borrow in shoots today.

Here are some sample shots from previous car shows Jason and I have covered. A 5x7 costs $10 and an 8x10 is $15, plus $5 extra for a model.

Photo by Jason Peckovitch, Edited by Sheba Wheeler

Stop by and say hello! Bring water! :)