Highland High School Marching Band Invitational - September 6, 2014

It was a PERFECT night for marching band! It was also the first competition of the season and the night two of the seven bands competing were debuting their new uniforms.

To kick off the night's festivities was the Highland Middle School Band playing the National Anthem.

(They sounded fantastic!)

First band to compete was the Kankakee Valley High School Marching Cougars with their show "Rock Art" featuring the songs, "Pompeii", "Carry On", and "What You Did in the Dark 'Light 'Em Up'".

They ended the evening earning a Silver Rating.

To see all the images from their performance, please click here.

The second band to perform was the Crown Point High School Royal Regiment. This was also their debut night for the brand new uniforms. Their show was "Cirque" which included the selections, "Distorted", "Reve Rouge," "A La Lune," and "Urban".

They ended the evening earning a Silver Rating.

To see all the images from their performance, please click here.

The third band to perform was the Michigan City High School Wolf Pack Marching Band. Their show, entitled "Rent" included the selections, "Without You" and "Seasons of Love".

They ended the evening earning a Silver Rating.

To see all the images from their performance, please click here.

The fourth band to perform was the Calumet High School Marching Warriors. Their show, "Marching Band Life", included the selections, "Bad Day" by Daniel Powter, "Good Time" by Adam Young, and "Hey Brother" by Avicii.

They ended the evening earning a Silver Rating.

To see all the images from their performance, please click here.

The fifth band to perform was the Hobart High School Pride of Hobart. Their show, entitled "Music from Tommy" included the selections, "Pinball Wizard", "Go to the Mirror", and "Sparks".

They ended the evening earning a Silver Rating.

To see all the images from their performance, please click here.

The sixth band to perform was the Rensselaer High School Bomber Brigade. Their show, "Reborn", and included the selections "New World Symphony" by Dvorak and arranged by Sweeny, "You are the New Day" by J. David and arranged by B. Scott, and "Auld Lang Syne" arranged Michael Ruiz.

 They ended the evening earning a Silver Rating.

To see all the images from their performance, please click here.

The seventh and final band to perform was Highland High School Marching Trojan Pride. This was also their debut night for their new uniforms. Their show, "Minimally Speaking" included the selections "New Rhythmics" and "Layers" both by Richard Saucedo. 

 

They ended the evening earning a Silver Rating.

To see all the images from their performance, and that of the middle school, please click here.

Thank you to Highland High School, the Highland High School Marching Trojan Pride, the parents, and the volunteers for hosting this amazing event!

Thank you also to all the marching band members, staff, and parents for your time, talent, and dedication to making and performing beautiful music!

(Also, please don't forget to 'like' Photography by Elisabeth on Facebook or visit my website: www.photographybyemg.com to keep up-to-date on new photos and specials!)

Why do they charge that much?

When searching for a photographer for my own wedding I found myself on MANY different photographers' websites. I searched and read through their "investment" pages (which quite frankly, the word investment usually scared me because it typically meant it was going to cost me an arm and a leg) and was often (at the time) appalled at how much some of these photographers were charging. I also helped my friends sort through photographers for their weddings and was shocked at how much some of these people paid. Then, when I decided to really take my photography full time, I started reevaluating my pricing. Those photographers, as it turned out, were not so outrageous with their pricing after all.

Before you call me insane or biased, allow me to explain.

One of my friends paid about $3,000 for her photographer (with an assistant) and videographer. I balked at the price, but then I took at look at all of what she was getting for her money.

-Engagment photo session
-Photographer and assistant for a 10 hour day
-Videographer for a 10 hour day
-CD and full rights to ALL the images
-two canvass prints
-two 'parent' albums
-a personal wedding album
-printing credits

There may have been more, but this is the basic gyst.

So, in essence people assume that each person gets $1000 for 10 hours of work. ($100 an hour). Well, this would be true if 10 hours was all the work they were putting in.

First, lets say the main photographer spends around two hours actually shooting the engagement photo session, and then has about six to eight hours of editing. (So here is around ten hours of work.)

Then there is the actual day - around thirty hours of work that day.

THEN there is the editing of all the photos and film. I cannot speak for the videographer, but I know it can take at least one to two weeks for one person to go through and edit all the pictures and make any special creations. So why don't brides and grooms see all their pictures in two weeks? They are not the only wedding or batch of pictures being edited.

So where are we with the rough estimate of hours for the photographer? 
10 - engagement pictures
20 - wedding day
50 - editing and creating products
------
80 hours divided by $2000 (assuming there is an even three way split) = around $25 an hour for both people combined. Not the outrageous number people assume. For trained, experienced photographers with professional equipment/software, I feel this is a fair price. They have to support a family and pay bills, too.

Now are my numbers one hundred percent accurate? No, but they can't be too far off. So before you 'pull a me' and start getting all "judge-y" about photographer prices, take a moment or two to think about the value of what they are offering. I'm not saying to break your photo budget and hire someone you can't afford, but keep experience and time in mind. What end product do you want?

I don't charge the same price, but I am still newer to the field and feel I need more experience and events 'under my belt' before I can begin to think I have a right to charge that much. With that being said, I'm also not going to give my photo services away. My time is worth something to me, and I work very hard to capture and create high quality images and products. There is a lot of love that goes into all my images. Why? Because these are someone's once in a lifetime memories and they are trusting ME to capture it. I walk into each shoot as if it were my own and invest the time and energy to make it the best it can be. Cliche? Sure, but it is true and I wouldn't do it any other way.

I hope this helps some of you who are in search of a photographer! If you have any questions, I'd be glad to help!

Until next time, keep on clickin'!


(Also, please don't forget to like Photography by Elisabeth on Facebook or visit my website: www.photographybyemg.com !)

Top Gadgets I Use

With all the technological advances flying at us on a (nearly) daily basis, I sat and thought about what my favorites are.

1. Obviously, my camera!!! I would not have a job or a paycheck, or sanity for that matter, if I did not have my amazing camera! 

2. My computer and all the awesome editing software! Not only for work, but I love the fact that I can keep in touch with my friends and family even if they are scattered all around the world.

3. My start phone! From email to voice mail to maps (and directions), to social media and keeping up with the rest of the world, my life has not been the same since the upgrade. ;) It has become not only a fantastic way to keep in touch with my friends and family scattered around the world, I can run a good chunk of my business with it!

4. Polarizing lens filter! It is not only a way to protect the front of your precious (and expensive) lens, it also helps take some of the work out of the editing process.

5. Headphones. I have an amazing pair of Sony noise cancelling headphones my husband bought for me about two Christmases ago and they are simply wonderful. I can get some serious work done without disturbing anyone with music volume while also limiting my distractions. Which, for those who know me well, is an ongoing battle! :)

6. With the headphones comes the daily use of Spotify. This is one of the best things I have started to use in regard to listening to music. If you've never heard of or used it, click the link above and check it out.

7. On cold/cooler days - my faithful Keurig! This wonderful little machine has made my MANY cups of coffee, tea, and even the occasional bowl of oatmeal!

What are your favorite things to use?

Until next time, keep in clickin'!

(Also, please don't forget to like Photography by Elisabeth on Facebook or visit my website: www.photographybyemg.com !)

Which Color?

In an earlier post I mentioned one of my favorite effects to do to a photo was the "half and half" approach. In the last week or so I have been working on wedding photos and have been experimenting with different color combinations. Which do you like better? I'm giving the bride all the choices, but am wondering what the general opinion was. 

Here they are:

 This is the first time I've tried half sepia and half color...thoughts?

Here I did one with the just the accent colors, and then added the bridesmaids' dresses in.

Let me know what you think. And until next time, keep on clickin'! :)

(Also, please don't forget to like Photography by Elisabeth on Facebook or visit my website: www.photographybyemg.com !)

A Day in the Life

On many days this is what at least one of my monitors looks like. Yes, I have two monitors. (It is AWESOME!)

Then at least one of my assistants is always around to help and provide constructive criticism:

How do you spend your days? Share some stories and pictures! :)

Until next time, keep on clickin'! 

(Also, please don't forget to like Photography by Elisabeth on Facebook or visit my website: www.photographybyemg.com !)

Fourth of July Favorites!

While getting ready to have some Fourth of July Fun with my friends, family, and my camera, I took a look back at favorite 'fourth' pictures I've taken over past years.

Sparklers are great props for night photography - just be very careful!

I can't wait to see what I get this year! What are some of your favorite parts about 'the fourth'?

Until next time, keep on clickin'!

Worldwide Visitors!

I was looking through some of my analytics and logistics about my blog and noticed that I have been read around the world. This is an amazing feeling. I know some of the countries I have family in, but most of them are complete (and quite welcome) surprises! So, as a way to say hello and thank you, I've looked up the official languages of each country and am saying a special message to each one of you!

United States - Thank you so much for visiting and reading my blog!

Germany - Vielen Dank für Ihren Besuch und lesen mein Blog!

France - Merci pour votre visite et lecture de mon blog !

Brazil - Obrigado, muito obrigado por visitar e ler o meu blog!

Finland - Suuret kiitokset vierailevien ja lukemisen blogista!

Ireland - Thank you so much for visiting and reading my blog!

Ukraine - Величезне спасибі за відвідування та читання моєму блозі!

Panama - Muchas gracias por visitar y leer mi blog!

Russia - Благодарим вас за посещение и чтении мой блог!

Singapore - Thank you so much for visiting and reading my blog!

United Kingdom - Thank you so much for visiting and reading my blog!

Netherlands - Dank je wel voor het bezoeken en lezen van mijn blog!

Belgium - Vielen Dank für Ihren Besuch und lesen mein Blog!

Israel - شكرا جزيلا لك على زيارة مدونتي القراءة !

Nigeria - Thank you so much for visiting and reading my blog!

Pakistan - کے لئے اپ کا شکریہ. ابھی میری بلاگ پڑھنے کا دورہ کرنے اور!

Thailand - ขอขอบคุณมากสำหรับการเที่ยวชมและอ่านบล็อกของฉัน

I think I have all countries that have visited accounted for. If not, I didn't mean to leave you off the list, and THANK YOU for reading!

Until next time, keep on clickin'! :)

(Also, please don't forget to like Photography by Elisabeth on Facebook or visit my website: www.photographybyemg.com !)

New Toys!

I am so excited! I just purchased a new lens for my camera! Why, you may ask? I have nearly wore out my current one! Four years and over forty thousand captures will do that to a camera and lens. The next big purchase is going to be a new camera body, but that is going to have to wait until after my July weddings (Which I am so excited to do!).

Which lens did I buy? See here:

it is a Tamron AF 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di II LD Aspherical (IF) Macro Zoom Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras (Model A14E). It is very similar to the lense one of my best friends let me try, and I am in love with the wide range I'll have. This will almost replace my big zoom lens, but not quite. ;)

I'll let you all know how much I love it when it arrives!

Until then, keep on clickin'! 

(Also, please don't forget to like Photography by Elisabeth on Facebook or visit my website: www.photographybyemg.com !)

I've Taken Engagement Pictures...Now What?

This question comes up frequently. What do people do with the engagement pictures? Many times they are incorporated into the wedding in some way, either they are part of the reception favor or they are part of the invitation or they are part of the guestbook table. 

Sure, some prints are bought, but with all the wedding pictures coming, not many people want to buy that many pictures. I have found, and have been recommending, a pretty awesome way to preserve the memories.

Introducing the awesome "coffee table book" and guest book in one!

Instead of having the traditional guest book that you look at maybe once or twice, this is a book everyone is going to want to see nearly as often as the wedding album itself. Then, not only does the happy couple have a beautiful book with all their engagement pictures, but all the wedding guests are able to see (and love) them!

Here are examples of two books I've done in the past:

Not only can this be done for weddings, but also graduation open houses, which makes a fantastic place for advice for the graduate!

Until next time, keep on clickin'! :)


(Also, please don't forget to like Photography by Elisabeth on Facebook or visit my website: www.photographybyemg.com !)

One of my favorite photo effects.

Half black and white/half color is one of the coolest effects I've done, maybe equal with the "eye brightening" process (for another blog). Why? It is something different, and I see it as a combination of the old and the new. Photographs used to be only printed in sepia or grey tones and then transitioned to color. This combines a little of both worlds!

I also love this effect because it draws your eye to different parts of the image that may have gone unnoticed otherwise.

Here are some of my favorite "half and half" photos: 

There are many more picture like this in my life, and many more effects I love using, but I'll show those next time.

Until next time, keep on clickin'! :)


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