ProFusion Expo 2016 & What's Been Happening Lately

Hey Everyone!

I'm finally caught up since coming back from vacation! I've been meaning to write this blog for weeks but when I came back from Scotland, Mac my eldest dog and my everything was having some issues. I don't want to get into too much detail but he has had heart problems all of his life and for the last 2 months things have gotten worse. For a few weeks there, it was the most scariest and hardest thing we have had to deal with. After taking him to the vet and getting him on some medication an monitoring his heart, he is doing so much better! I'm planning shoots again now that he's on the mend and is getting better day by day. We are just taking it one day at a time but he was my priority for the last few weeks.

Anyway! Onto my blog for today. I wanted to write a little bit about my time in Toronto at the ProFusion Expo. Buuut I go in depth in the February Issue of Practical Photography Magazine (out soon!). So be sure to pick up a copy at your local store to read all about it ;)

Thank you so incredibly much to Vistek and Elinchrom LTD! Thank you so much to Gary for giving me this opportunity and believing in me. It was a pleasure meeting everyone from Vistek Toronto and Bram from Switzerland! A huge thank you to everyone who came out to watch me speak. Thank you for coming up after the show to ask me questions, talk to me and even ask for selfies. The amazing team of ladies I had: beauties Olivia and Julia from Anita Morris Models and the wonderful Ann Oster. You ladies are incredible, I could not have done it without you thank you so much! Last but definitely not least I just want to thank my amazing fiancé. He travelled with me and was my assistant for the 2 days we were there. You were such a huge support and help for me. I can't thank you enough for everything you did for me. Love you! And my amazing parents, in-laws and everyone else who supported me from near and far. You have no idea what your support means to me. Thank you! 

For those who inquired about workshops/mentoring sessions please keep an eye out for an announcement. They will be happening!

I have some amazing editorials coming up after my winter sessions so be sure to keep an eye out! The New Year is looking to be amazing!

Until next time,

Lisa-Marie xo

 

Growing as a Retoucher and Photographer

Hey Everyone!

Hope you are all doing good! Over the last 6 months or so I have been experimenting with my retouching. Photographers will probably understand where I am coming from but after some time I get tired of editing the same way. That time came for me a few months ago and I decided I was going to try new things. I watched Youtube videos for days, researched other photographers and read some books and then I started up Photoshop and took some old shots and started experimenting. I also started using my Wacom tablet and oh my word it has changed my life! How did I edit on a trackpad for so long? lol!

I started editing some old photos with my Wacom and honestly I almost gave up. To go from editing on a trackpad to using this tablet was, I'm not going to lie, frustrating. But the more I practiced and persevered the more I loved it and my editing time became quicker. For my natural light portraits I attempted a more 'fine art' approach and honestly I love it and have continued to edit this way. I even created a few of my own actions that I use on almost every shot right now. 

My beauty photography and retouching is something I am focusing on at the moment. I love beauty and studio work right now.  Studio photography used to scare me, I'm a natural light shooter and being in a studio with all of these lights made me uneasy until very recently. Now I prefer studio work and can't wait to keep experimenting with lighting. Don't be afraid to try new things, get some friends together and try different lighting. Try different angles. Experiment. Don't let it make you uneasy, get behind your camera and go for it. I'm glad I did because I can see my work evolving and growing each time I do a shoot in studio. 

Photography and retouching always requires you to grow and learn. There's always something new. I love that about this industry. I always worried that I didn't have a particular style but now looking back at my work, especially my newer work I see a distinct style there. To all you new photographers, don't hold back! I was told in University never break the rules and honestly now I love breaking the rules because your vision is YOUR vision. 

Here is some of my old editing style vs my new editing style. I love going back and seeing how much my work has grown over the years. There's nothing wrong with the old photos, I still love them but the newer work represents my style right now. 

Until next time,

Lisa-Marie xo

Vistek Contest Winner!

Hi Everyone!

Hope you are all well! Life has been a roller coaster the last few months, I'm taking a small break from photography for the month of June due to a family matter. Although I haven't been shooting I have some really exciting news that I can't wait to share with you! The first piece of good news is that for the first time in my life I have actually won something, and it is to do with photography which makes it even better. I entered a contest that Vistek hosts every year called "Show Us Your Best", I never enter contests like this but I thought why not?

I had a hard time deciding on an image to enter, I have so many favourite images that it was a tough decision. I decided to go with my "Twisted Fairytale" image featuring the talents of Jill Billingsley, Sheba Levoir, Kelsey McIntyre and Cory Christopher. This editorial was so amazing, it brought back a fire in me for creative/fantasy work. It has become one of my most popular images to date so I thought since it was well received I would enter it. I did it for fun not expecting to win. I asked my friends to vote for me and I couldn't believe how many of my friends voted and shared it. By the time the contest was over I had 474 votes, I was hoping to get at least 50 so that was mind-blowing to me.

I made the Top Ten based on the votes and the final images went to the judges for the winner to be chosen. There were so many amazing images I was sure I wouldn't win but I was very happy with even making the top ten. I woke up to an email the other day announcing me as the winner, and I think I screamed for a good 15 minutes (sorry to my fiancé for screaming at you on the phone haha). My image is going to be used in Epson advertisements in both magazines and on television plus a print is being places in the Vistek store! I also won an Epson printer! I cannot wait to print my new portfolio and now offer prints to clients! I have more exciting things happening for Lisa-Marie Photography so stay tuned!

Here is the link: http://prophotoblog.stfi.re/community/contests-promotions/the-vistekepson-show-us-your-best-contest-winner-is/?sf=aaygdbd&utm_campaign=2016%20Scotiabank%20CONTACT%20Photography%20Festival&utm_content=31630458&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook#aa

Thank you so much to everyone who voted and the judges!  

Until next time,

Lisa-Marie xo