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Yes, it began with a tree in a parking lot.  I was scouting for interesting places to take portrait shots for a bar mitzvah, and I saw this tree… I had some fantasies about how I might use the tree as a transformative element.  Thankfully, it worked!  You can see that the group of siblings looks like it is in a clearing of a forest, instead of in a parking lot off Rte. 9 in NJ.  Then, I did similar “magic” on the whole family group… and thought it was perfect, until someone pointed out that one of the sons was missing from the picture!  So, I added him in… it’s mostly believable, right?

Our recent iteration of our “Flower Girl” has drawn some attention and questions.  Even after people realize that it is a composite, they’re still not sure how certain things were accomplished.

So here is how we did it:

1.  We began with a beautiful photographic image.
2. The image of the girl was extracted from the background, and hand-painted in Corel Painter.
3. The background was hand painted from scratch, using a color palette taken from the girl.
4. The floor is a continuation of the background, with a soft pink layer in Photoshop, again, taken from the palette.
5. We made a “reflection” of the girl by copying the layer of the girl and flipping it vertically and lowering the opacity.
6. The shadow under the girl is a layer of black blur, then blended with the floor.

I still LOVE the original photograph.. I’m not advocating to paint every image that comes out of the camera, but I just want to stay open to the possibilities where painting can enhance an image.

I’ve already donated $$$ to Houston recovery… I want to do so much more… I can’t do it alone.  Beto and I decided to use our business as a way to generate funds for Hurricane relief.  We’ve cut our portrait session fee in 1/2, to $150.   After the shoot, we will donate $300 in the clients’ name to hurricane relief… Houston, SXM, Florida… wherever is needed.  For more info, call Nancy at 347-439-9349.

Para info en español, llama a Beto 347-673-3008.

I couldn’t sleep last night.  (Anyone who knows me, knows that something MAJOR must have been going on!)  I can’t get my mind off of the hurricanes… I thought Harvey was the worst disaster I had ever seen, and immediately sent a donation to help the victims.

We’re nowhere near finished cleaning up that mess, and Irma comes to destroy the Caribbean Islands I love so much!  The people of St. Martin, Anguilla, and Saba have brought me so much joy.. I have to be there for them in some way now.

So here’s what we’re going to do:

Our portrait creation (session) fee is $300.  I’m going to cut the session fee in half — & charge clients $150.  After the shoot, the full $300 will be donated, by us, to hurricane disaster relief in the name of the client.  

This way, you can give to the hurricane victims, while also giving yourself memorable artwork for your home.

The portrait could be to redecorate your home, and for upcoming holiday cards. The subject?  Whoever or whatever is important to you — yourself, your family, your kids, your pets…   We will gladly come to you, NYC tri-state area.  (We shoot in SW Florida, too, but that’s on hold…)

Let’s do this now.  Book by Friday, September 29 for this opportunity!

Looking forward,

Nancy

347-439-9349

p.s.  to participate in this relief effort, you only have to reserve a consultation before Sept. 29.  The appointment can be later.

I really am trying to get through my normal work day… I’m editing images, framing orders, etc… but I can’t stop thinking about Irma and all the devastation.  I have been lucky enough to spend time in the Caribbean… my heart goes out to friends we’ve made there…

On another note, I got an email from “FlyLady,” who is someone who helps me stay organized. (FlyLady.net) I thought it was so interesting that in putting together her list of what’s important to save, “Pictures” was number 3, only after “people” and “pets.”

If pictures are truly the most important physical possession a person can have, I am so blessed to be able to serve people as a portrait photographer.

1. People
2. Pets
3. Pictures
4. Papers
5. Prescriptions
6. Purses and Petrol(fuel)
7. Proper clothing
8. Planner, Calendar, Control Journal
9. Personal Protection; Feminine
10. Phones, Radios, and Fuel
11. Patience

It was truly wonderful to work with Jordan Michelle once again!  She looks good in EVERYTHING…is super friendly, and did we mention GORGEOUS?

To see more of our afternoon shoot, see the one minute video: