Wendy Schulz Photography

2008-10-08T12:40:00.000-07:00

HEY!

I'm super excited to announce that I've updated my business website!

www.wendyschulzphotography.com

Visit the link for current information on classes. Don't forget to stop by the blog and get the low down on everything that is happening!

Thanks!
Wendy

New Linky Love - Photo Class Information

2007-02-15T11:25:00.000-08:00

I know it's been forever since I posted any pictures. But I hope you are enjoying the Picture a Day blog I have been doing. It's not always great photographs, but it's fun and I'm enjoying it.

If you are looking for details about the photo classes I offer, please follow the link in the sidebar! Don't forget to sign up for the Notification Email if you are interested in signing up for future classes. The sign up link is located on the photo class information page.

If you have any questions about the class that aren't answered there, feel free to use the email me link.

Also, the March Class is now full and there is a wait list for any spaces that may open due to people dropping out. If you'd like to be added to the wait list, drop me an email. If you just want to be notified when registration opens for the April class, please sign up for the email using the link on the photo class information page.

Thanks!
w-

OPENINGS EDITED 01-29-07

2007-01-19T15:50:00.000-08:00

**UPDATE** As of this morning, the class is now full. If you'd still like information on future classes, feel free to email me. I'm hoping at some point here in the near future to get it all written out and posted nice and neat in a link on the blog. THANK YOU to all of you who expressed interest! I'll keep you updated on openings for future classes. If you wish to be added to the email list for notification, let me know!

Hi there!

I currently have a few opening for the Photo Class/Mentoring Workshop starting on February 5th.

If you'd like more details and did not receive the mass email I sent out to those who had expressed interest, email me! I'll be sure to send you a copy of the information.

wsphotography at cox dot net.

I look forward to hearing from you!
w-

Photo-A-Day

2007-01-17T09:53:00.000-08:00

Hello Faithful Readers!

I'm so grateful for all of you!

Many of you already know this, so it might be repeat information, but I've been participating in a photo-a-day challenge that I issued in conjunction with a photography message board. I hadn't linked it here because it also linked back to my personal blog. I do my best to keep my personal blog separate from my business to keep things professional. I recently took the link to my personal blog off of the photo-a-day page, so I'm comfortable sharing it here for all of you to enjoy.

Leave me a comment and say hi!
Wendy's Photo-A-Day Blog

w-

Going for a Test Drive...

2007-01-13T14:11:00.000-08:00

A wonderful friend of mine sent me a lens she didn't need anymore to replace the lens my son used as a stool.... long story.

So to test it out and see how it and I were going to work together, I chose my two favorite subjects. Who are very good at hamming it up for the camera, as long as they get the promise of being allowed to take my picture when they are done. My son's not bad with the camera and have actually gotten some decent shots of me. My daughter has some great pictures of the floor and the table and my knees... We'll have to work on that.

Enjoy!

The Post Christmas Lull

2007-01-10T17:10:00.000-08:00

I would love to be able to post some really nice pictures of wonderful families here.

But the post-Christmas lull has arrived. And I have no families to post pictures of.

Incidentally, this is GREAT time of year for family pictures. Because your photographer is very low-stress right now. Right?

Keep checking in! I have a few sessions on the horizon.

w-

Time to Breathe

2006-12-31T15:23:00.000-08:00

With the Christmas Portrait Rush over, it's nice to spend a little time out in the crisp, fresh winter air. I enjoyed the ability to just take some pictures of my own kids as they hiked.

My parents and a family friend were our trailguides. I believe the goal was to see some petroglyphs, which we did. But the kids enjoyed the hike and the water of the Agua Fria (we are creative namers here in the Southwest -- Agua Fria means "cold water" -- which is true as the water is cold. Our state tree is the Palo Verde -- "green tree". It makes sense in that the trunk and branches are green as well. But still, the creativity is lacking. My favorite name around here, though, is Table Mesa Road. The literal translation of mesa is "table". I suppose we can be redundant in multiple languages 'round these parts.)

A few of my favorite pictures of the day --

Thanks for stoping by! Have a Happy New Year!
Wendy

Give the Gift of Memories

2006-12-29T14:18:00.000-08:00

I'm a little late on this, I suppose. Probably should have suggested it about this time in November. Something to remember for next year!

At any rate, I had a couple of past clients and one friend of the family request gift certificates to give as gifts this holiday season. I generally agonized and moaned and groaned about the design of them and pestered a friend on how to get the wording just right.

If you are in search of the perfect gift for that hard to shop for person in your life, photos make great presents! Especially when you've just wracked your poor brain attempting to figure out what to give him or her for Christmas and are now desperate for a DIFFERENT gift for whatever the reason. Feel free to leave a comment, email, or call for further details!

Registration is now open UPDATED

2006-12-19T10:00:00.000-08:00

IMPORTANT --- your comment must contain a valid email address. Any comment not containing an email address won't be counted towards registration.

The details --

The Preview Session Class will start on Monday, January 8, 2007. The cost for the preview class is $125.

The first official class will begin on the first Monday of February and the cost for official classes will begin at $300. (Depending on the amount of work they end up being, I may raise that.)

The first six comments left with correct email addresses will have reserved spots in the preview class. Payment is due via paypal no later than Midnight, December 22nd. I will send you an paypal money request.

If any of the first six have failed to pay by the deadline, I will move down the list offering open spots to people in the order they have left a comment until the class is filled.

The next six comments after that have reserved seats in the first official class. Payment for that class will be due in Mid-January some time. I will send out a reminder email for what you signed up for and ask if you are still interested at that time. I will again move down the list of comments until that class if full or until I have run out of people. If I come to the end of the list, I will open the class up again for registration. I haven't decided yet how I am doing registration for classes after that point. But classes will start on the first Monday of every new month.

For more information on the class itself, go here.

Happy Commenting!
w-

****

Update:

The current list in the correct order is-

Top 6:

Carrie B
Heather K
Kathy P
Jenny
Elizabeth H
Julie B

Next 6:

Elma
Vanessa
Lindey
Marla
Kim
J.J.

The first 6 should receive paypal requests in the next 24 hours.

Looking forward to getting to know each of you!
w-

Newborn Neighbor

2006-12-16T12:36:00.000-08:00

My neighbor just had her fourth little one and he is adorably cute and quite irresistable. Of course, I feel that way about all of her children, so it shouldn't be a surprise that this little guy fits in like he was always meant to be.

And of course, someone else wanted a picture taken of them, too. But remember, I warned you they were all cute, so be prepared.

WOW! I'm a little bit overwhelmed!

2006-12-15T20:07:00.000-08:00

Thank you all so much for your interest! It was so much more than I was ever expecting. If you sent me an actual email, then I have added your name to a list and you should receive a group email with these same details in them. If you just left a comment (which is fine!) then I couldn't send you the email, so you can read the details here --

The Preview Session Class will begin on Monday, January 8, 2007.

On Tuesday, December 19, at 10am PST a registration post will be put up. The first 6 people to leave a comment will have reserved seats in the class. But if you are not one of the first six, be sure to leave a comment if you are at all interested!

The cost of the Preview Session will be $125 and payment will be due via paypal no later than midnight, December 22, PST. If any one of the first six commenters fails to submit payment, I'll just move down the list until each position is filled.

If you are still interested and are not in the Preview Session class, the next class will begin on the First Monday of February. Cost for the Regular Session is $300. Those who wanted to get into the Preview Session but missed out will have first dibs on the first regular session in the same order that they left a comment on Tusday, December 19th's post. So be sure to comment there if you want that opportunity.

I am not going to restict the Preview Session based on any sort of skill levels. Depending on how that works out, future sessions may be broken up into beginners and non-beginners, but that's not firm yet. So go ahead and sign up no matter what you think your skill-level is. Sometimes it is even better to be a beginner because you don't have to be "un-taught" poor habits.

I am extremely excited about this! I hope you all remain excited as well.

If you want to be added to the email list for future mailings about the photo classes, be sure to send me an email so I can add your address!

Looking forward to this grand adventure!

Photo Class Feelers

2006-12-14T14:41:00.000-08:00

My photography skills are what they are because of the one on one help I have received from too many people to count. Those interactions have been invaluable to me.

I have a wonderful photographer friend who I have been working with to fine tune her skills and help her to realize her own personal style and vision. It has been such a joy for me to watch her grow through the process and to truly be a part of her journey. I don't want to lose that momentum as we turn the corner into the new year and she begins to step out more confidently on her own. The two of us have been tossing back and forth a few ideas for how I could continue to see others make incredible strides in their photographic skills, whether they are hobbyists or hoping to some day (maybe soon, maybe later) become a professional.

The final product has been a small-group online class of no more than 6 who would complete a 12 week course consisting of 6 assignments. The classes would be geared towards those using SLR cameras and post production in Photoshop. The classes would also focus mainly on the area of portrait/journalistic photography, as I am not at all proficient in landscape/wildlife areas. I leave that up to the National Geographic guys :) . Each person would get an hour individual one on one chat time with me 6 times throughout the 12 week course, and other helps through the class forum from both me and the other potential classmates at any time in the 12 week period.

There would be a fee as of yet undetermined, but if there is interest, I'm thinking of offering the first course at a highly discounted rate (read: possibly free) for various reasons (mostly because the first class would be the guinea pigs for getting technical things like the forum and the chats and wording for assignments and such worked out).

If you or anyone you know might be interested, please leave a comment here or email me at wsphotography at cox dot net.

If there is interest I will open it up to registration on a first come first served basis sometime before the first of the year and classes would start mid-January.

Looking forward to hearing from you!
w-

I think my Color Issues may be SOLVED

2006-12-13T19:56:00.000-08:00

If you're a regular reader, then you know I've been having angst ridden issues about the way my pictures turn weird colors when posted on the web.

A fellow photographer finally knew what I was talking about and told me how to fix it, and I think I may now be eternally indebted to her.

Look at the pretty colors! No Jaundiced People about to die of liver failure! It's a miracle of modern medicine (well, not really, but it looks like one!)

Sometime soon I'm going to go back and replace all of the past photos with ones with correct color and it will be a beatiful thing and it will make my heart happy. For now, I'm just so thrilled beyond understanding to finally have it figured out.

Photography Friends are a True Gift!

6 months later and still cute as a button

2006-12-07T19:10:00.000-08:00

If you've been tracking along on this little adventure since the beginning, you may remember this dude:

His mommy called and set up a session for him, his parents, his uncle, and his grandparents. I was so excited! They were one of my favorite families and the proofs from their first session show how much I enjoyed them. This session was no different. I honestly don't think it has much to do with me. I've never worked with a more photogenic and calm family... they take directions so well, and I LOVE that, too. Always good when I can be the bossy one and no one takes offense.

Here are a few of my favorites from this most recent shoot six months later:

Proof That You Don't Have To Live in a Mansion

2006-11-28T15:10:00.000-08:00

Many of my clients think that because their house does not resemble a model home or a spread out of a Pottery Barn Catalogue, they can't have pictures taken there.

It's simply not true.

All a good natual light photographer needs is some form of sunlight.

My backyard is currently a mess. There is no grass, just dirt and some scraggly bits of sad, sad grass. A huge pile of pine needles and pine tree limbs and pine cones and other assorted bits of pine tree detritus is along one wall waiting to be taken to the dump. Basically, it's a pile of TRASH sitting on top of some fairly non-descript pinkish rocks (the oh-so-popular ones here in the valley because, well, they're CHEAP.)

This is my daughter in the 15 minutes we spent playing outside waiting for her brother to wake up from his nap.

Like I said, most of the time, setting is inconsequential.

Frustrated and Off Topic

2006-11-24T20:40:00.000-08:00

My color photos loose their color and make everyone look jaundiced when I post them here on the blog. I know it's a compression thing.

Seeking advice on how to avoid it or a blog host that won't compress them to such a degree. Any suggestions?

Thanks!
Wendy

So This is Love...

2006-11-24T20:28:00.000-08:00

An old College Friend of Mine has an older brother who is getting married next Spring (on a cruise ship in the Carribbean!) and she asked if I would take engagement photos of him and his fiancee as her gift to them.... There is a park nearby that makes people think we aren't in Arizona anymore.

Many Happy Blessings for your Future Together!

Urban Family

2006-11-24T20:12:00.000-08:00

I loved taking these photos. A fun, dressed up family set against the harsher reality of an urban landscape. Seemed to tie up all of the loose ends of life right in a tiny little bundle.

I don't remember what made him so happy, but I think he and his Daddy might have been showing off their abilities to count to ten....Such a smart little guy!

And who wouldn't love the freckles on this sweet girl? I LOVE freckles. They add such a fun hint of pixie meets sass to any face. It's a very good thing my children don't have freckles because I think they could do almost anything they wanted and the freckles would whisper to me that it wasn't really their fault. Impish, those freckles.

Getting Boys to Laugh

2006-10-28T16:58:00.000-07:00

Getting girls to laugh requires knowledge of each particular girl mixed with knowledge of the age group that girl happens to be in.

Getting a boy to laugh requires only one thing: Potty Humor

Age is not a factor. Anything the boy might find funny doesn't play into it either. Mention anything related to something gross, and a boy age 2 and up will giggle away without end.

Add in a mom singing the Diarrhea Song, complete with sound effects, and you've got a recipe for sucess.

I loved this family. I loved the boys and their completely opposite personalities. I enjoyed getting to know them all. And I most enjoyed how excited the father was about suggesting locations to take photos.

Dads are tricky. They are an unsual breed to take a photo of. Most of them don't want to be there. Most of them would rather be having a root canal. Or at least, that's what they want you to BELIEVE. But deep down, they are giddy. It's work to dig under the layers of "coolness" to the giddy boy underneath. But all of that work is worth it when you capture a golden moment.

A special thank you this family for reminding me of just how much fun boys of all ages can be.

stops me in my tracks

2006-10-28T16:34:00.000-07:00

a couple of months ago, I was comissioned to take photos for a 16th birthday party. It was a bit unusual as the portion of the day I would be photographing was the hour and half spent on horseback. It was quite the adventure to try to take pictures while also trying to stay on a horse. A fun adventure, but also a very interesting challenge.

As we rode about the Arizona desert on a dark afternoon with heavy monsoon clouds hanging to our South and the wind picking up, our trail guide told us stories - about the desert, about the wild horses, about his life and his travels and his journeys. He pointed out the ruins of old stagecoach stops. He told us Native American legends of the plants and the mountains.

He reminded me so much of my grandfather. A tall, lanky, horse-loving man whose face bore the tales of his life hardships and struggles but whose heart, instead of becoming hardened by these difficulties, instead had grown tender and warm.

Everytime I pass by this picture, my heart catches a bit. For a moment I am sad at the loss of someone so special to me. And then, my souls lifts up. I was priviledged to know my grandfather, and I am priviledged to have met this man.

I am reminded of how many truly wonderful people there are in this world.

The Many Faces of Children

2006-10-15T17:41:00.000-07:00

Everyone loves a smiling face. Especially if it is a genuine smile - the real deal, not the fake cheese smile we are all so fond of taking pictures of.

I do love a smiling face. But some of my favorite faces aren't smiling.

Kids can makes some absolutely wonderful faces. They can mush and pull. They pucker. They stretch. They are elastic, like gumby meets Silly Putty.

I can't help but laugh when I see them. So here's a pictoral ode to some of my favorite kid's faces --

"I'm A Scary Monster" Face

"Kiss Me" Face

"Are We Done Yet?" Face

"Look At My Lost Tooth!" Face

"GRR! I'm A Tough Guy" Face

Playing with Light

2006-10-14T14:33:00.000-07:00

I love natural light. I'll use a flash when I have to because there just isn't enough light, but I try to avoid it if I can. I'm not stricly against using a flash, but natural light is so much clearer and cleaner.

And just much more fun.

Just sitting outside playing with my kids as the evening traveled towards dusk, noticing how the light spikes around them, bribing my son with a cookie to get him to look at the camera (which resulted in a horribly fake smile right below a runny nose so I'll spare you Looking at That One). This type of bribery doesn't work with the girl child. She is too much like me to be distracted by a cookie (but very much angry later when she didn't get one like her brother).

Welcome!

2006-10-14T14:07:00.000-07:00

I am very excited to welcome you to my photoblog!

I wanted a place where I could share the stories that go along with so many of my photos. A place where you could step with me behind the camera and see what I saw.

I hope you enjoy this journey as much as I will.