Today's personal photo of the day is from a parking lot in Cave Creek. Old rusted out Dodge truck... cool colors and lines. I love getting up close to capture details like this. It was an overcast day today (a rare thing in Arizona) so it helped keep colors more saturated in the photograph.
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Categorized In: arizona | cave creek | photographer | scottsdale
Courtesy of the the cave creek library... I went to return some items to the library and took a stroll through the gardens behind the library. It was full sun when I was there, but this close up of an agave plant (with some added effects) is my photo of the day today.
Categorized In: agave | arizona | cave creek | photo | photographer
I know things get hectic around the holidays, and your first thought probably ISN'T "Gosh, let's all get a family portrait done this year while we are all together!" I KNOW how much adults do not like getting their "picture" taken... but at the same time don't you really enjoy looking back at the images from the past and remembering the fun times...and creating a professional portrait probably isn't as painful as you might think! My clients actually ENJOY the process, and since I can come to you while you are all gathering anyway, it makes it an easy thing to do. Give me a call if a family portrait sounds like a good idea this year, and I can help you make it happen.
Outdoor Family Portrait:
A Family Portrait in your Home
A Family Portrait in Your Own Backyard
"Other things may change us, but we start and end with family."
Anthony Brandt
Categorized In: carefree | cave creek | event photography | family portrait | portrait photographer | professional photographer | scottsdale
I’ve been a full time professional photographer for over 12 years now, and when I look back over my body of work in those past years, I can see how far I have come from the days when I left a session hoping I had some good images! Experience DOES matter of course, and I can easily see how I have improved over the years. HOWEVER, it is also easy to get lazy or into a rut. I vow not to let that happen.
One of my friends and mentor is a retired Master Photographer (Donald Jack, for those of you who have been around any length of time) who recently reminded me of some basic rules in photography that he sees so many of the new photographers totally ignoring. My first instinct was to say that the “old rules” don’t matter anymore… clients don’t want a “posed” portrait. But then I looked at Donald’s past work, and I looked at how he so carefully created these timeless images that took my breath away, and I realized that a GREAT photograph CAN still be timeless and well crafted without looking staged or stiff. It was a reminder to me to NOT get careless or complacent with my images.
So just what makes a photograph a great photograph? As a professional photographer I learned all about “the rule of thirds” for composition, using the right aperture to create a focal point, using the right lens for the look I wanted, how to “see” the light hitting the subject, and manipulate the light to make it work… all these tools are important and should be learned.
But in ADDITION to these rules and tools, I personally think that images need to evoke a feeling and tell a story. It needs to draw the viewer in, and make them want to stay for a while and visit. I want my clients to smile, laugh, or feel a tug at the heart when they look at the images we create together. But I also vow to make sure that the basic rules of my craft are not ignored in the process of creating these captured moments.
I will continue to work with my clients from the conception of the portraits (what locations will be best, what colors should be worn, what story is to be told…) to the best display of the final images (wall portraits, coffee table book, canvas gallery wraps…) to create a GREAT portrait that will be cherished over the years. That is my promise to all my clients (and my challenge to all photographers).
Categorized In: anthem | arizona | cave creek | family photography | phoenix | portrait photography | professional photographer | scottsdale
Hi! I'm Pam Spicer... I am the owner and Photographer for Spicer Photography located in far north Scottsdale, Arizona. My specialty is photographing children, families, high school seniors, pets, and executives. I am married to Jerry and we share our home with our golden retreiver KC. Thanks for checking out my blog! I hope you will check back often to see what's new at Spicer Photography. Oh, and it would be really cool if you tell someone else about my work and help spread the word. Thanks!
neela commented on February 7th, 2010
LOVE,LOVE,LOVE this!!!! Gorgeous! Nice shot!