Real vs. “photoshopped”— what do you prefer?

01/11/2012 by anissa | 1 Comment

As an artist, I like to create an image in my head first, then ultimately, execute that mental image onto an art piece for my client.

I watched this video today, and would love some feedback on your thoughts on “enhancements” to your photographs:

If you could be thinner/more shapely in the final printed products you purchased… would you ask for it?

If you could mask/change a <perceived> body flaw… would you?

Would you like your portraits to make you appear taller or shorter than you actually are? Why?

Do you agree with the video’s assumption that public consumer media “modifies” their model to meet certain perceived “standards?” If so, what do you think those standards are?

After watching the short video, I would LOVE to hear your feedback— so please comment!

CLICK HERE TO WATCH DENVER PHOTOGRAPHY- TO PHOTOSHOP OR NOT TO PHOTOSHOP?

Posted in Blog

Next PB&J Limited Edition Session: Urban Families June 24th & 25th 4-7 p.m.

06/09/2011 by anissa | Leave a comment

Announcing the FIRST pb&j session: Urban Families! Only 12 spots

When: Friday, June 24th + Saturday, June 25th

Times: By appointment only, 4-7 p.m. (view open time slots)

Price: $35 Session; Packages from $49!

Where: Downtown Denver: Historic Union Station

Perfect for:

Kids
Families
Pets

Need more info? Pricing? CLICK HERE

*Note: High School Seniors and Newborns are not eligible for this pb&j session

CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR FAVORITE APPOINTMENT TIME ONLINE BEFORE THEY’RE GONE!

Posted in Blog, Children's Portraiture, Family Photos, Limited Edition Events Tagged Family Portraits Downtown, Portrait Specials |

Introducing PB & J: Great portraits made simple

06/09/2011 by anissa | Comments Off

What is PB & J?

I am proud to offer a high-quality, custom photography experience and top-of-the-line, heirloom portraiture to display and remember your greatest treasure: your family.

I also realize that, while everyone would love to create beautiful, high-end artwork with portraits every year, it’s not always in the budget or fits in with a busy family’s schedule.

So I created a separate division of Anissa Long Photography for my budget and time-constrained families called PB&J! Simplicity is what it’s all about, and here are the main points:

Theme-based, pre-scheduled sessions at a designated outdoor or studio location
Best-suited for one subject or focus (family-only, one child, pet, etc.)
Sessions are 15 minutes in length and will offer 5-15 images to choose from
Sessions are announced on our blog and Facebook page (so be sure to “Like” our page: http://www.facebook.com/AnissaLongPhotography)
You can schedule and pay for your session fee online (first-come, first-served).
Viewing and ordering is online, with simple packages and digital images to choose from.

Posted in Blog, Children's Portraiture

Denver Children’s Photographer: Add Items From Your Child’s Room to His Portraits

05/13/2011 by anissa | Leave a comment

Working a portrait display into your child’s room can be a simple task if you plan ahead just a bit.

How many times have you come home from a portrait order session and wondered where you will display all the new pictures you have just brought home? To avoid this dilemma in the future, just follow these guidelines when planning your next portrait session for your child:

1. Walk through your home and make a list of places where you would like to add a portrait of your child, along with how much space you have. You can even use your camera phone to snap a picture of the space to show your photographer during your planning meeting.

2. Take note of the size, style and color of frames that you like to use in each room. Also, note the color and decorating style of the room. Your photographer will use your decorating style to help determine the style and layout of your portrait display.

3. Babies and small children LOVE to look at images of themselves, so don’t be afraid to display portraits of the child in his room. Bring along decorative items or toys from his room to the portrait session. Not only will the items help tie the portrait display to the room, but years from now, when the original items have been packed up or given away, the memories will remain in the portrait display.

Here are a few of my favorites from a recent portrait session with Coltrane. You can see how his face lights up with his favorite things around him!

Using these 3 planning steps will help you be able to display your child’s portraits AND maintain your decor! Be sure to subscribe to the blog for more helpful tips!

Posted in Blog, Children's Portraiture, Design Consultation Tagged Child photography, Children's portraits, Portrait Display Ideas |

Denver Area Silpada Rep Headshots

04/21/2011 by anissa | Leave a comment

I had the privilege of attending the April District-wide meeting of Silpada Sterling Silver Jewelry representatives, where we created new professional headshots for many of the ladies.

Each of the ladies wore some of their favorite pieces from the Spring 2011 Silpada Jewelry line.

These Silpada Representatives show how easy it is to update a professional image with ease. Does your professional image need updating? CLICK HERE and ask how you can get an updated professional headshot for just $29.

Posted in Blog, Commercial Photography, Executive Headshots, Public Relations Tagged professional headshots, Silpada Jewelry |

Demolition Day: Henderson Grain Co., Abilene, Tx

04/05/2011 by anissa | Leave a comment

Last week during Spring Break, my husband, our 2 girls and I went on a whirlwind 5-day, 2500-mile driving trip through Texas, starting in Denver.

Our route took us through Abilene, Tx. where my mom’s parents and grandparents lived for over 50 years. Here are a few images of my grandfather’s grain company, Henderson Grain Co. He passed away in 2008, and the property is in process of demolition to clear the land for modern development. So it was bittersweet to be there in time to get these memories on record for my own family.

We arrived just in time to get a few pictures at sunset… unfortunately, this would be the last time I would ever see this old place.

I have no idea what this metal thing is, but it looked like it once had a very important job at this place…as well as this chair:

And the sunset gave some marvelous shadows and shapes:

Yes, lots of memories in Abilene, Tx. A fond farewell, Henderson Grain Co.!

Posted in Blog, Old Buildings, Personal Tagged Abilene, Grain Silo, Old Buildings |

MODEL CASTING CALL FOR FRONT RANGE HIGH SCHOOLS: Class of 2012

03/24/2011 by anissa | Leave a comment

OPEN NOW! MODEL CASTING CALL FOR FRONT RANGE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

It’s time to start thinking about Senior Pictures! And the way we do that at Anissa Long Photography is by holding an open model casting call. We only allow a limited number of students from each Front Range High School to represent our studio, but we want students in all shapes and sizes. You don’t need to be the most beautiful… but we do need you to be motivated and have lots of friends! If you think you would make a great model, then CLICK HERE to Apply for our model open casting call before May 15th, 2011!

BENEFITS

If you are chosen from our open model casting call, you will get:
FREE studio model session
FREE family photo session
FREE senior session of your choice (if photographed in June/July)
Unlimited CUSTOM Model Rep cards to hand out to your friends
Digital images for unlimited Facebook use!
CASH and prizes for referring friends to the studio
FAME- be recognized by your friends on our Blog, Marketing Pieces, Website, and Twitter!

If you are chosen from our model casting call, you must meet these qualifications:

You must be outgoing, have a fun personality, and not be shy in front of the camera. Involvement in sports and/or music activities is a MUST!
You must have a Facebook account and personal profile page. Facebook is our main communication method for our models.
You must have your senior pictures taken at Anissa Long Photography and you can’t represent any other photography studio.
There is a small deposit of $50 due at the time that you sign your Model Contract. We are making an investment in you, and ask that you make a “good-faith” investment in us!

We will review your application and get back to you within 3 business days. Remember, we have a limited number of Model Rep opportunities at each school, so Apply NOW! If accepted, you and a parent or guardian MUST attend an introductory meeting. We will be reviewing the details of the program, signing your contract, and scheduling your Model Session at that time.

Complete the ONLINE APPLICATION today and Join the FUN!

Also, be sure to LIKE our FACEBOOK FAN PAGE for SNEAK-PEAKS, and to find out who else will be joining you as one of Anissa’s Senior Models for the Class of 2012!

Use the buttons below to let all your friends know about our Model Casting Call before it’s too late!

Posted in Anissa's Models, Blog, High School Senior Portraits, Senior Models, Senior Pictures Tagged High School Pictures, Senior Model, Seniors 2012 |

A1 Business Builders help Community Food Share Pantry in Longmont, Colorado

03/21/2011 by anissa | Leave a comment

Colorado Photographer Food Drive with A1 Business Builders

John Tanguma, of Jaytee Productions, helps to pack up the donations for Community Share Food Pantry

I am very fortunate to belong to a dynamic group of business owners called A1 Business Builders, which is a chapter of BNI Colorado.

For the past couple of weeks, one of our members, Brighton American Family Insurance agent, Ernie Rodgers, has been coordinating a food drive for Community Food Share pantry in Longmont, Colorado.

Ernie wanted to raise awareness within our group and our community that food pantries tend to run low on basic necessities at this time of year. Most people tend to donate food around the Thanksgiving and Christmas Holidays, but there is a constant need year-round for items like peanut butter and diapers.

Ernie Rodgers helped take donations from Mark Wilson, of PuroClean, last Friday.

Members of A1 Business Builders like Mark Wilson of PuroClean, John Tanguma of Jaytee Productions, John Malley of Integra Insurance group and many others donated a wide variety of canned goods, boxed dinners, and other basics during the first two weeks of March. As local business owners, we feel that it’s important to help our local families during hard times.

The proceeds from this drive went to Community Food Share (6363 Horizon Lane, Longmont, CO 80503 / 303-652-3663) Local homeless and less fortunate people benefit from this organization. Future proceeds may go to Community Food Share and/or DenUM (Denver Urban Ministries) (1717 E. Colfax Ave., Denver, CO 80218 / 303-355-4896 / www.DenUM.org). You can give them a call or go to their website for more info on how to help.

Ernie stated, “This is the first food drive that I have organized, and it won’t be the last. It’s such a wonderful feeling to know that you are helping hungry families put food on their tables.”

Are you a local business owner who would like to be more involved in our community, while promoting your business? Contact Anissa Long Photography for more information on A1 Business Builders chapter of BNI Colorado!

Posted in Blog, Public Relations Tagged BNI, Spring food bank donations |

Latest Denver Fashion Trends from the Runway

03/16/2011 by anissa | 7 Comments

Tuesday evening’s Sassy GNO Fashion Trends Runway show, held at Cinebarre Theaters in Thornton, CO. a huge success

Fashion Trends Boutique-d Owner Kara Knott

Kara Knott, owner of Boutique'd Sponsored the Runway Show at Cinebarre

Thornton, CO. The fashion trends runway show was produced by Kara Knott, owner of Boutique’d fashions on Tuesday, March 15th. The runway platform was the main bar, and there wasn’t a bad seat in the house to check out all the latest “bling” in women’s fashion.

I always enjoy these types of events for two reasons: first, to support local fashion-related businesses, and second, to stay on top of the latest fashion trends for the upcoming Senior Portrait season!

John Tanguma, of Jaytee Productions, was emcee and host of the evening. He was definitely a crowd favorite as he announced several great door prizes every 15 minutes during the evening.

Among the great sponsor door prizes were:

Movie Gift Certificates from Cinebarre (I actually won (2) tickets myself!)

Spa Gift Certificates from Taliesin Salon in Westminster

And one of the most popular items given away by Boutique’d were sets of jewel-encrusted bra straps. If you’ve never seen these, check out the photos below- they’re one of the latest fashion trends and perfect to wear with tank tops!

Comments on Fashion Trends; specifically, all the “Bling” in this year’s fashion show? Post your thoughts below!

If you are a High School Student, and are interested in modeling the latest Fashion Trends for Denver, click here to find out more!

Posted in Blog, High School Senior Portraits, Senior Models

Professional Photographer vs. The MWAC

03/10/2011 by anissa | Leave a comment

According to UrbanDictionary.com, MWAC def.: ”Mom With A Camera. Member of the skyrocketing group of amateurs-turned-wannabe-pros who start part-time photography businesses shooting mostly children and babies, who make a living by undercutting real pros. They can do this b/c their spouses have supporting jobs, and because photography has become easy to do on a basic level because everything, from click to print, is so easy to do now.”

Moms With a Camera, or MWAC representing themselves as Pros

There is a lot of controversy lately in the professional photography community due to the high influx of less-than-qualified photographers, or MWAC, who represent themselves to their community as “Pros;” they charge a small percentage of what the pros charge and deliver their products via “all session images on CD.”

Digital photography has become relatively easy to access, with digital consumer camera and printer prices falling steadily over the past 10 years. Also, the simplicity of “auto” camera settings for different lighting situations can yield decent and sometimes really great snapshots from novice photographers.

Although a professional photographer’s fees may, at first glance, appear to be over-inflated compared to the MWAC, the difference is in the final product.

The images delivered by a professional photographer will be timeless, and will feel like more than “snapshots.” The phrase, “you get what you pay for,” will become transparent as you continue to appreciate the professional portraits on display of the walls of your home.

Recently, the Professional Photographers of America released this helpful video which explains why you should choose a pro to photograph important events in your family’s life.

I would love for you to post any comments regarding this phenomenon in the comments below. Have you considered using a MWAC vs. Pro? Why or Why Not? Also, if you have used a MWAC from a Groupon or other “Deal,” was your experience positive or negative?

Want to follow our blog posts and comments here? Subscribe to our Blog to learn more about MWAC and the photography industry HERE.

Posted in Blog Tagged MWAC, Professional Photographer |