Here is to a year of new things. Lots of Light stalking, and goodness capturing. I added a vintage Nikonos to the collection to boot. Hope you are excited for a year full of all sorts of possibliites.
Pax,
a
Hey There Shinny, Happy People,
I thought I would show you a case study of most of the major big box stores and their print quality and see if you start to see the big picture. I wanted to show you what you get because you have spent so much time and energy getting to this point, I wanted you to be comfortable with your options. This is a VERY important step in your entire session process.
I sent an image of my pretty baby off to 5 of the local “do it yourself” big box stores just to see the difference in comparison to the original digital file, and what my pro print lab offered. Sending your prints to non-pro labs is going to leave you with not only sub-par quality prints, but inconsistent results. The technician running the machine, the calibration of the printer, the paper quality etc. are all going to influence your final prints. 
Here is the original image. The color is even, her skin tone is clear and the highlights are subtle throughout her hair. Nothing is overblown or hazy. Every thing has great definition and tone. There is nothing over contrasty or shadowy on her face. Now take a look at a few examples from CVS, Wlamart, Walgreens, Costco and Target. The quality difference is really amazing when you see them all side by side.
I ascribe to the professional photographers code of ethics so I wont discredit the economy, ease and accessibility these options provide but ask yourself, is it something you want to hang in your home and look at for the next several years?! All of these images are 5×7 in size, so envision what you are seeing on the screen here, increased in size to an 8 x10 and larger and imagine what you would see.
This is the image direct from my print lab printed on Kodak Professional Endura Paper. The color, clarity and definition are obvious. You be the judge for yourself! Here is an example of print order I provide for every client. The investment in fine art archival prints are just as important as the photographer you choose and the little details like your location and choice of dress.
Commissioning a Photographic artist to shoot your images is an investment. My clients typically spend between $700 – $1800 in prints from their session because they want a product that will last. I hope this was as helpful for making an informed decision not only about your photographer but your print options as well.
Pax,
Amber
Building a successful boutique photography business takes attention to detail. It is the little things that count. You have to be organized and committed to offering premium service to every client. My clients pay for the best. They want luxury, that want artistic quality and they want one of a kind attention. I happily give the service that gives you the extra special treatment. Did you know, that in most cases, I hand deliver all of my clients prints to their door step? In a few cases I have even personally designed their framing based on their homes decor and hung it myself. My clients are worth the extra mile, and I want you to remember, as they pass by my art in their home everyday, the fun they had during the entire process. This is why I use Millers Professional Printing for all of my studio needs. I am running a successful photography business while raising a family, homeschooling my children, being involved in our church, boyscouts, dive team and everything else raising 3 small kids throws at you. I have to surround myself with the best team possible to give the best product, service and attention that each of my amazing clients deserve.
My fine art prints arrive encased in a lovely boutique ivory colored box with a dark chocolate colored grosgrain ribbon to insure that they will be safe and sound.
Your fine art prints are hand wrapped in a lovely wax paper, not yucky plastic cling wrap and enclosed with an elegant tissue paper. In fact the box and wrapping are so pretty you can give this as a gift to your husband, parents, teachers, whatever the case may be, the minute I drop it off.
Your prints are printed on the highest quality archival paper ensuring their color and quality holds up to the riggers of normal life. You most definitely do not get that from your everyday big box store that offers photo printing. You wont believe it when you see it, but this really isn’t some sales technique. Check out my print study here. You really do get what you pay for!
Every image 11×14 or larger is printed on a substrate making sure it will not crease or bend and is laminated allowing you to frame your print without glass giving you that museum quality. If you are interested in seeing what this looks like, please ask me for a sample. I will be happy to bring it with me to our consultation.
I am commonly asked about digital files. While I am happy to sell you the digital files, you may want to read my post on why you should think twice about buying digital files from your photographer. In fact, I give you the gift of these digital files when you purchase my premium package which includes my most popular item, a press printed album. That’s what these files are for, digital enjoyment only. I know you want to show your friends and family on facebook and use them as the slide show on your computer and I want you to do that, so I make sure to give you exactly what you are looking for combined with the highest quality prints that are available in the industry today. I want you to have your cake and eat it too!
I wanted to give you a little glimpse at all the joy that awaits you when you book your session. I believe preserving your family at every stage in life is a worthy investment. Sure, snap shots and iphone images are a great anthology of your life…but their is nothing like a little extra special star treatment that the whole family will enjoy. You can leave all the planning and staging up to me, and just enjoy yourself. I believe I can create beautiful one of kind art that you will be happy to enjoy for many years to come.
Amber
Underwater Fashion Photography is an amazing dream like creation. It takes a small village to pull it off right. Set stylists, safety divers, directors, photographers, lighting assistants. It takes the better part of a morning setting up a simple shoot like this one and several days for a more elaborate advertising production. Everything underwater, takes longer and is harder to capture the first time.
My Dad and I have been collaborating on several underwater sessions and are having a BALL with this Father/Daughter project. This little mermaid is a natural. It takes a bit of practice to help coach your model on how to hold their face underwater, what to do with air bubbles and how to keep your eyes open when looking at the camera. It is an added bonus to feel very comfortable in the water, whatever your age. In short what looks like an easy image to capture, is not easy at all. You have to have the right equipment, the right lighting the right environment and the right eye to grab something while it is in motion..but when you have all that in the mix, this is a whole lot of FUN, FUN, FUN!
Stay tuned as our underwater adventures grow and grow and grow! You will just die when you see the Little Mermaid Creation this little sweeties Mama Created for her. Simply Amazing. If you are interested in modeling in our next underwater production, shoot me an email at amber@amberbishop.com
Pax,
Amber
Hey Kids…Here is one of the tools I use to stay unblocked creatively.What new creative thing are you going to tackle this year..this month..this week…heck…TODAY? I want to know..inspire me with “yo bad self” and inspire the rest of the lurkers around here by telling the world in the comments!
Pax,
Amber
for creatives , odds and ends , seniors
The Devil is in the Details ~ Why you should have your makeup done professionally before a photo session!
I wanted to give you a few behind the scenes look at my last underwater fashion photography session and introduce my fellow artist and all around crazy, cute, femme, phonom..Jennifer Cruz! I exclusively offer Jennifer’s makeup services on all of my high school senior, high fashion and boudoir sessions. Really, she is that good…and I want to give you the deluxe service you deserve.Hey go big or go home I always say.
When building a super creative, fun and forward thinking business in any industry, you surround “yo bad self ” with best of the best. So yep, I surround my bad self with the best makeup artist, gear (lenses and lighting- Nikon all the way baby!) and print house in the industry just to give you a super deluxe, yummy, funalicious experience. You ever hear of the phrase “you get what you pay for”?…”Haven’t you found that to be true”? I know I sure have with almost everything in life. So let’s do this now…RIGHT – don’t’ go cheap…you deserve the best! I want you to look back at this moment in you or your loved ones life years from now and get a twinkle in your eye and say “Dang, just AMAZING!” and just to clarify Amazing isn’t a body type or hair style, Amazing is what you carry inside, and I am gonna work my magic and bring it on out for you and the rest of the world to see.
With any truly great photographic image, light is crazy important, as well as even skin tone and bright eyes. They all only add to the rest of what we will do. They are all small subtle things but add up to a huge difference when they are not there. In order to produce the images that I know you will love, you want to have every detail nailed before you even begin your session. That is why we go over location, lighting, and overall design (set and wardrobe) before we even get to shoot day.This is a collaborative artistic effort, and I want to bring you my best. I work hard to make sure my technical skills and artistic energy is on board and engaged just so you can look and feel your best. In case you forgot, I just wanted to remind you of why I work in this industry in the first place.
So there you have it, I am building my dream team, and you get to be a part of this awesome Art Fest as I grow along. So what is your best tip for surrounding yourself with your dream team? Share your tip in the comments! Hey and if you like this or were inspired, consider sharing it with your peeps! If you tweet this and or like me on facebook…you get juicy discounts on all my rocking services…so get to it!
As a photographer I am always looking for inspiration. As a client you should be looking for inspiration too. Collaborating with your photographer will give you the best overall session. So go out there and find what you love. Create your pin boards, lets talk about styling, think texture and accessories.I wanted to give you a look into what the hottest young actors and models in Hollywood are doing in their photo sessions for a little inspiration. I will be posting an adorable session tomorrow from my newest senior rep Katie, so make sure to check it out!
See you then,
Amber
Have you ever heard the phrase, “It’s all in the details?” Well you know what, they are right. It’s all the little things, that come together to make the whole experience amazing. My job is to help you express your creative side your job is to show up looking your best ready to have some fun.
There are lots of creative ideas we can use with location and props but styling is just as important. Think about being comfortable, AND feeling fabulous at the same time. Some thing with color, something that is special to you, something super fun and cute. So in order to give you a visual idea of some creative details, I have come up with my very own lookbook pin board on pinterest. Browse around. Get some ideas, and then make it your own. We are sure to have a blast on the day of your session. Get ready to be silly, and serious, sassy and sublime because this session is all about you! Here a is a quote from a recent client.
You are an AMAZING photographer and a great friend! The photos you took of me gave me back my confidence and encouraged my boyfriend to pursue me. Couldn’t be more thankful! Can’t wait to see your business continue to grow
~ Laura
Think shoes, bracelets, eye makeup and bikes….
okay just kidding, but this is just a way of showing you that anything can look fabulous when we creatively work together.
Better yet, create your own look book pin board and show me the things that you love. We can work together to give you the look you love the best!
XO – a
It’s back-to-school again, and I am showcasing one of my class of 2012 seniors for Amber Bishop Photography who just had her photo session last month. I have had a great time over the last 4 years photographing Hattie and her family. This year, she knew she wanted something different then your average old fashioned studio session for her senior pictures so she gave me a call. We hit the town and made a morning of it down on clematis street.
Here is Hattie – our lovely Benjamin School class of 2012 senior!! Be sure to ask Hattie about her session with me. If you grab one of her senior rep cards it will give you a free gift with me when you book your session, so make sure you find her and get one;-)
We still have after-school sessions this October and November and the lighting is amazing this time of year. To book your session for this fall (& winter if you’d like!) please email me at [amber@amberbishop.com], or call (561) 222 5606. Thank you!! To see all of Hattie’s Session please go [here] and click on the clients tab.
I shoot images every day. At times it may only be with my iphone, but I am constantly cataloging light, things I see that I love, ideas, locations. It is just part of the way my brain thinks. It is fun too to see it crop up in my kids. I will hear them call out behind me in the car while we are driving…”Mom there is a great location for a photo shoot”.
Most artistic people love to create. We paint, we throw pottery, we knit, we craft, we decorate, we read blogs, we write blogs..so….this is a space where other creatives like to gather and hang out, and I get to show of what I am creating and being inspired by…..I thought I would share with you my top 5 creative websites that keep me visually stimulated daily.
Here are the top 5 photographers I like to follow. I am fascinated to see that most of these are a) men and b) shoot film. That is one of my main artistic goals over the next year…to begin using film in my sessions.
I hope this inspires you!
a
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