Saturday, June 19, 2010
Kids Photography is Next Weekend at the SLO Children's Museum
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Latest News and Photography by Children
Wow! Has it really been almost 2 months since I posted on this blog. I have so much to tell you all about. Wedding season started a little early this year, so far I have 3 weddings to share with you...with a 4th coming very soon. I also did an engagement session and two portrait sessions with really great families. Of course, I am still doing Central Coast Songwriters photography and helping out a little with marketing. That project has led to some other opportunities with local musician and music festivals which I'm sure you'll hear about soon. I even started a blog to talk about music and photography.
We'll get to some of the photos from these session but what I really want to talk about is my Photography by Children project with SLO Children's Museum. For about 2 years I've wanted to do a photography project with children. It started when my neice got her first kid's camera. I walked around the neighborhood with her taking photos of plants, road signs, bugs, whatever she could find. Then I bought a batch of disposable cameras to give away at bridal fairs. The kids at bridal fair always look so bored but when you give them a camera they get excited. One boy came back to my booth 3 times for another camera. Two weeks ago I decided to take the leap on this project. I started researching cameras kids can use, writing a plan and I emailed the SLO Children's Museum about helping me recruit participants. Michelle at the museum emailed me back very quickly and said she loved the idea. I met with her and we discuss just doing it through the museum in conjunction with their summer program Dig In. So now I'm working on finding some funding to pay for cameras, prints and website hosting for the project. It's all very exciting! I've decided that all the donations for the music photography I do will go to this project, so keep donating people. Now it's going to a better cause than just feeding me ;) I'll be updating everyone when the project starts.
BRITTANY AND FELIPE AT THE UNIVERSITY CLUB IN SANTA BARBARA
HEATHER AND SHAWN AT CASS HOUSE IN CAYUCOS
JESSICA AND TAREK AT PEACHWOODS STEAKHOUSE IN SANTA CRUZ
KATIE AND RAVI'S ENGAGEMENT SESSION AT THE SANTA CRUZ BOARDWALK
FAMILY PORTRAITS AT THE CLIFFS IN MORRO BAY
FAMILY PORTRAIT SESSION IN CARMEL
Looks like we are all caught up now. -April Wise
We'll get to some of the photos from these session but what I really want to talk about is my Photography by Children project with SLO Children's Museum. For about 2 years I've wanted to do a photography project with children. It started when my neice got her first kid's camera. I walked around the neighborhood with her taking photos of plants, road signs, bugs, whatever she could find. Then I bought a batch of disposable cameras to give away at bridal fairs. The kids at bridal fair always look so bored but when you give them a camera they get excited. One boy came back to my booth 3 times for another camera. Two weeks ago I decided to take the leap on this project. I started researching cameras kids can use, writing a plan and I emailed the SLO Children's Museum about helping me recruit participants. Michelle at the museum emailed me back very quickly and said she loved the idea. I met with her and we discuss just doing it through the museum in conjunction with their summer program Dig In. So now I'm working on finding some funding to pay for cameras, prints and website hosting for the project. It's all very exciting! I've decided that all the donations for the music photography I do will go to this project, so keep donating people. Now it's going to a better cause than just feeding me ;) I'll be updating everyone when the project starts.
BRITTANY AND FELIPE AT THE UNIVERSITY CLUB IN SANTA BARBARA
HEATHER AND SHAWN AT CASS HOUSE IN CAYUCOS
JESSICA AND TAREK AT PEACHWOODS STEAKHOUSE IN SANTA CRUZ
KATIE AND RAVI'S ENGAGEMENT SESSION AT THE SANTA CRUZ BOARDWALK
FAMILY PORTRAITS AT THE CLIFFS IN MORRO BAY
FAMILY PORTRAIT SESSION IN CARMEL
Looks like we are all caught up now. -April Wise
Monday, March 15, 2010
Central Coast Songwriters Showcase
I love music! Almost every kind...rock, punk, reggea, folk, americana, jazz, rap, electronica, pop, country, blues. You name it and I can probably think of at least one song, musician or band I like from that genre. I listen to whatever suits my mood at the time. And I love musicians. Some of my best friends are amazing musicians. Who else would openly admit that I can make a full band with my ex-boyfriends? AND! It would be a pretty f@#$(%! awesome band. Even my brother is a working, touring musician. Unfortunately he got ALL of the musical talent in our family. Not that I'm complaining, I would never trade my camera for a guitar.
So...this rambling is going somewhere...when Casey McDonald asked me to photograph the Songwriters Showcase at The Clubhouse on Tuesday nights, well, how could I say no? I mean Hello! I get to combine two of my favorite things, music and photography, into a 3 hour event. No brainer! And I must say, the musicians this week did not disappoint. The line up was Matt Hattfield, Ricky Montijo, Bert Lev, Andrew Spearman Blake, Joe Koenig (featured), Indigo Out (Deborah Sykes and Jonathan Eister), and Michael Masterson. A full range of folk, rock, soul, bluegrass and jazz influences.
When I am photog'n I usually have to mentally block out all other distractions. I can almost never remember which songs were played at a wedding or the smell from candles etc. This time I did make a point to take breaks and listen to at least one song from each set. Everyone did an amazing job. This was my first chance to see Joe Koenig play and his "Texas-Soul" definitely did not disappoint. Chris Dennis' joined him on the box drum for a few song..very cool instrument. I was amazed to hear how much Bert Lev's voice sounds like John Denver. But I must admit my favorite of the night was Andrew Spearman Blake. John Turner joined him on the Cello which was a great compliment to Andrew's voice and acoustic style. I'm not a music critic, so I won't spend the next paragraph making comparisons and breaking down every aspect of a great song. I really have no technical knowledge but I know what I like. If you are interested in hearing any of the performers check them out for yourself. I linked the ones I could find. Also join us next Tuesday at The Clubhouse on Foothill! Here's a link to the Facebook Group for Central Coast Songwriters.
Ok enough of that and on to the goods...my favorites images from the night are below.
If you would like to see more of my favorites visit Facebook. Also the complete set from the night is available here. The next show is tomorrow night with Calloway Dreams, David Rousseve, Michael Annuzi (Avanti), Alex Davidson, Andrew Bettancourt and more...starts at 6:30.
-April Wise Photography
So...this rambling is going somewhere...when Casey McDonald asked me to photograph the Songwriters Showcase at The Clubhouse on Tuesday nights, well, how could I say no? I mean Hello! I get to combine two of my favorite things, music and photography, into a 3 hour event. No brainer! And I must say, the musicians this week did not disappoint. The line up was Matt Hattfield, Ricky Montijo, Bert Lev, Andrew Spearman Blake, Joe Koenig (featured), Indigo Out (Deborah Sykes and Jonathan Eister), and Michael Masterson. A full range of folk, rock, soul, bluegrass and jazz influences.
When I am photog'n I usually have to mentally block out all other distractions. I can almost never remember which songs were played at a wedding or the smell from candles etc. This time I did make a point to take breaks and listen to at least one song from each set. Everyone did an amazing job. This was my first chance to see Joe Koenig play and his "Texas-Soul" definitely did not disappoint. Chris Dennis' joined him on the box drum for a few song..very cool instrument. I was amazed to hear how much Bert Lev's voice sounds like John Denver. But I must admit my favorite of the night was Andrew Spearman Blake. John Turner joined him on the Cello which was a great compliment to Andrew's voice and acoustic style. I'm not a music critic, so I won't spend the next paragraph making comparisons and breaking down every aspect of a great song. I really have no technical knowledge but I know what I like. If you are interested in hearing any of the performers check them out for yourself. I linked the ones I could find. Also join us next Tuesday at The Clubhouse on Foothill! Here's a link to the Facebook Group for Central Coast Songwriters.
Ok enough of that and on to the goods...my favorites images from the night are below.
Casey McDonald
Ricky Montijo
Bert Lev
Andrew Spearman Blake
Andrew and John Turner on the Cello
Joe Koenig
Joe with Chris Dennis on the Drum
Indigo Out - Deb and John
Michael Masterson
Casey wrapping the night up
Me and Casey goofing off with the Fisheye
If you would like to see more of my favorites visit Facebook. Also the complete set from the night is available here. The next show is tomorrow night with Calloway Dreams, David Rousseve, Michael Annuzi (Avanti), Alex Davidson, Andrew Bettancourt and more...starts at 6:30.
-April Wise Photography
Monday, February 22, 2010
Tips For An Awesome Engagement Session
With the wedding planning season in full swing I have found that almost everyone has the same questions about engagement session. I want to post some quick tips to ease the stress and make your engagement session fun.Location: Choose a location that is meaningful and/or visually appealing to you. I will be happy to make suggestions but ultimately it is up to you. It is best if you think about what describes you as a couple. I recently had a session at a beach where the couple enjoy a wonderful day early in their relationship.
Clothing: Clothing should be something you feel comfortable and confident wearing. Busy patterns or tight strips because they can be distracting in photos. Bring a change of clothes, there should be plenty of time to change.
Relax: Engagement sessions are set up as 2 hour shoots. Usually the first 30 minutes to hour you are getting used to being in front of the camera. These sessions can be very intimate and most couples are not used to being photographed while kissing or showing affection. Just try to relax into the process and know that this is very common. Remember, if you don't like an image we can always delete it and shoot another one.
Prepare: Spend some time looking at other engagement portraits. I have quite a few available on both my website and Facebook page. However I also recommend looking as many options as you can, this way you have a solid idea of what you like and dislike before we start shooting.
Have Fun: Probably the most important advice I can give. If you are having a good time the photos will show it.
Prepare: Spend some time looking at other engagement portraits. I have quite a few available on both my website and Facebook page. However I also recommend looking as many options as you can, this way you have a solid idea of what you like and dislike before we start shooting.Have Fun: Probably the most important advice I can give. If you are having a good time the photos will show it.
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