This time of year always sparks an extra edge of creativity in my blood. It must be something about the hustle and bustle and the excitement I see in my own kids’ eyes as the season approaches. Right now, I am obsessing over Christmas Lights and the beautiful colors and sparkle it creates in my photographs. One of my favorite techniques I use in almost all of my portraits is something called Bokeh which in layman’s terms is the blurry background and soft muted colors that blend almost like an impressionistic painting. It’s the part of the photograph that is outside the depth of field and it is achieved by using a wide open aperture on my lens, something along the lines of f/2.8. This lets in the most light and helps me achieve the desired look and makes my subject in the foreground stand out and shout “Hey I am here, look at MEEEEE!” Combining this technique and my newest obsession, Christmas Lights, I have a few images that I would like to share. Naturally my models include my children Sammy and Cody, my best friend Patrice who is about to give birth any second, and we don’t want to leave out Alfie our Elf on the Shelf!
Thanks for taking a peek at all the Christmas Creativity I have been dreaming up. I must now go to work on some more images that I thought of as I was writing this blog post (hehehe).
Stephanie Abeles is a Tampa Florida Photographer who specializes in custom portraiture of any and all member of your family. From Maternity, Newborn, Pets, Tweens and Teens to the entire family Stephanie Abeles Photography can capture all your special moments. Contact me to schedule your family session today!
This weeks photo challenge over at I Heart Faces is on a subject that is one of my favorites to capture (next to kids of course!). Furry Faces can be so expressive and well, they kind of have to be because they can’t speak to us in conventional terms so they have to let us know what they want in other ways.
GUSAFER!
-Anonymous
Stephanie Abeles Photography is excited to announce a partnership with Shoots for a Cure (formerly known as Think Pink Photography). Think Pink Photography was founded in October 2007 to support individuals and their families who have been touched by breast cancer. We are a charitable organization that serves two main purposes – celebrating life and supporting the cause. Recently, we changed our name and our support. We now want to support ALL cancer patients, not just breast cancer.
Through our professional photographer network, we are helping cancer patients to celebrate life with charitable photography sessions. Individuals may choose to document their fight against the disease before or during treatment, or prefer to capture their victory by scheduling a session within 12 months after treatment is completed. Photographers world-wide are now available to donate time and talent to celebrate life and support the cause. There is no cost or obligation to the cancer patient. Clients participating in a Shoots for a Cure session will receive a complimentary photo session, as well as a set of 10 small prints from the session. They will also receive a discount on any additional portraits they wish to purchase, although there is absolutely no purchase required at any time.
To support the cause, we donate and fundraise for The American Cancer Society and the Susan G Komen Foundation. All funds generated through donations and various fundraising efforts are paid directly to The American Cancer Society, the Susan G Komen Foundation, in our name, or used 100% for marketing and awareness of our program.
Please subscribe to our blog (on the Shoots for a Cure website) and tell your friends and family about Shoots for a Cure. Awareness is everything and we can’t be successful without you.
I encourage you to view our website, make a donation, or hire a photographer that supports Shoots for a Cure! If you hire me, mention Shoots for a Cure and I will make a personal donation to the organization. If you, or someone you know, would like to schedule a Shoots for a Cure session, please contact me for details.
I am very proud to be a network photographer with Shoots for a Cure, and am anxious to get the word out about this amazing program. For more information, you can contact me, or you can visit the Shoots for a Cure website at http://shootsforacure.com
Just a quick note to everyone and all my new fans! Thank you so much for all the love! I wanted to share with you something from my beginnings in photography and tell everyone to NEVER give up on your dreams.
In college, I studied art at Montclair State University. My major was Photography and the art department was kind of a typical art department with lots of very creative people. My photography professor, whom I will not mention his name, did not like me since I did not dress or act a certain way. I looked like an average college student and belonged to a sorority etc. not what you would expect an art major to look like. His opinion of me was made before he ever saw my work and that carried all through the years I attended. I excelled in all my class except for the one that was my true love; Photography. My professor said things to me like, “Your work is too pretty. You will never get shows with what you do. Your images have no power to them. That is not art. Maybe you could get a job working for Hallmark with all their sweet sappy cards.”
Long story short, I ended up working in a different field. My dream career in the one true thing that I loved, photography, seemed to be too far out of reach.
Well fast forward 17 years later, I am now finally doing what I always wanted to do! Hurray!!! Last year I took a leap of faith and began growing my photography business full time, and you know what? Those words that my college professor said to me all those years ago might have hurt at the time but I NEVER gave up on my dream and somewhere deep inside the passion was smoldering and just waiting for that waft of oxygen to take over and ignite the fire once again.
If someone tells you, you are no good, think about their perspective and why they might be saying it. Just because I did not have naked people hanging from the ceiling featured in my images, did NOT mean that I wasn’t good at photography. My artistic “angst” was coming from a different place than what my professor deemed art but what is “art” anyway? To me it is something that moves people to feel a certain way. If I take photos of a newborn and it makes the mom cry because she sees the amazing little human being that she created, THAT IS ART. If I take a regular gal and take an amazing portrait, showing the world her true beauty, THAT IS ART. Or maybe even a teen that is feeling awkward in their changing new body and I am able to portray them so they can see how wonderful they really are, THAT IS ART!
I am so happy and blessed that after all these years, what I create with a little bit of light, and a little bit of technology can move people. That is a gift and dream that I am so grateful that I never let go of!
N E V E R G I V E U P!!!
Birdsong Barn, Titusville Florida: Space Coast Wedding
May 21st, 2011. The day was perfect for a wedding and the bride and groom were as gorgeous as they come. Liz and Tim and their families were wonderful to work with and the attention to detail that the bride Liz and her crew presented from the place cards, to the purple tulle draping and especially all the delicate lilac Hydrangeas and purple Wisteria that were strategically placed here and there, it was incredible! The venue they chose for their wedding was equally beautiful and soooo much fun! A quaint little place off the beaten path in Titusville FL called the Birdsong Barn: a pole barn that was specifically designed for the owner’s daughter’s wedding. When others saw photos from her wedding, they decided to rent out the space for other wedding parties to enjoy as well.
And what a fabulous shabby chic wedding Liz and Tim held there! Here is a peek at their special day.
Getting ready is just the beginning of the fun! Friends traveled from all across the county to attend this grand event.
Everyone looks fantastic! The bride and groom are such a handsome couple! 
The first kiss as Mr. and Mrs.
I absolutely L O V E this venue!
More of the first kiss 
Just because it’s my favorite moment of the entire wedding!
More details of the Birdsong Barn.
Their first dance was a riot! Liz and Tim spent hours and hours practicing and taking dance classes to get this choreography down. It was a big hit with the crowd!
For more information on the venue contact Luanne of the Birdsong Barn via her website or facebook page.
http://birdsongbarn.shutterfly.com/
I hope you enjoyed a peek at Liz and Tim’s fabulous wedding as much as I enjoyed capturing it!
In 100 words or less I want to hear from you why your dad rocks!
The winner of the essay contest will recieve a full custom family photo session package from Stephanie Abeles Photography. Prize includes a scheduled session, 1-11×14, 1-8×10, 2-5×7′s, and 8 wallet prints.
Now go ahead, I want to hear all about your dad and why he deserves to win the session!
Accepting submissions until June 10th.
My first EVER Senior Rep Program spokesmodel search is under way!
I’m looking for outgoing girls and guys who are active in their school, sports, and community. Someone who is comfortable in front of the camera and confident to be who they are! All you have to do is let everyone know how awesome Stephanie Abeles Photography is and you can earn cold hard cash, and some amazing incentives. A limited number of reps (one boy and one girl) will be selected per school so apply now!
What you get…
- Free on-location photo session with unlimited clothing changes. ($175 value). Photos may be completed in one session or several sessions at Stephanie Abeles Photography’s discretion. Several locations may be used.
- The opportunity to earn cash for every person they refer to Stephanie Abeles Photography for senior portraits. (And their friends get perks, too!)
- Awesome insentives for multiple booking referrals!
- Several of my favorite photos as low‐resolution files to share on social networking sites like Facebook, Myspace or Blogs (with our logo on them).
- A digital slideshow video for your Facebook, Myspace, and Blog Pages.
- 50 personalized referral cards to give to friends and classmates with your name, your portraits, and our Business information to hand out to friends
- 20% off of prints and 10% off of specialty products.
- In addition, each of my Senior reps will receive a personalized reference for their college application or resume.
As a rep you must…
- Have great style, lots of personality and enjoy being in front of the camera.
- Be a current high school junior graduating in 2012.
- Live in and attend school in one of the following Central Florida counties: Lake, or Orange County.
- Be available to have one session completed before July 30th, 2011.
- Agree to tell your friends, family and classmates about Stephanie Abeles Photography and share your senior portraits with them.
- Promote, promote, promote! Facebook, Twitter, your blog or by any other means that you can spread the word about Stephanie Abeles Photography.
- Have your parents or legal guardians sign a model release form.
- Agree to represent ONLY Stephanie Abeles Photography and use these images as your senior pictures.
The Details…
- For every booked referral, earn $25 cash!
- For every 10 booked referrals, earn one of the following (your choice):
- $50 gas card
- $50 Starbucks card
- $50 itunes card
- 20 booked referrals will earn a $200 Visa Gift Card!
- Social Networking site referral print credit. Just email me a link of where you shared my information and the rep with the most social networking references of Stephanie Abeles Photography will earn a $50 print credit!
It’s really THAT easy! Ready to get the the word out? You must first complete and submit a simple online application form. Click here to Apply today!
The deadline for application submission is June 29th 2011 and selected reps will be announced here on the blog on June 30th, 2011.
Now go to it. I can’t wait to hear from you!
This weeks theme for the I Heart Faces photo challenge was “Soft and Sweet”. This beautiful little lady looked just lovely in pink and was one of the more difficult newborns to capture because she was awake for most of the session…BUT what I did manage to get while she snoozed was this image which is one of my all time favorite newborn captures! It was definitely worth the wait!
Beautiful Bella!
Senior Rep Program Soon to Launch!
Hey teens! Here are some suggestions for you on what to wear for your senior portrait sessions! I am gearing up to launch my new Senior Rep Program so stay tuned for details on how you can earn some cash, just by referring your friends to me for their senior portrait session! Until I officially launch my program you can get more details and request an application by emailing me from my contact page.
Custom Portrait PhotographerThis weeks theme for the I Heart Faces photo challenge was “Pets”. This is my dad and step mom’s Irish Wolfhound named Gracie. You would not know it from this image but when standing on all fours, she is eye to eye with my 8 year old son. The Wolfhound breed is the tallest of all dog breeds and can run like the wind but mostly they prefer to relax, watch the kids play and daze off into the sunset like I captured Gracie doing in this image.
Chillaxin'
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