Sierra Springs Photo Blog

Alisha

Karen Schmautz — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 15:49:21 +0000

I had a great time with Alisha, who is a senior in high school. She was fun and comfortable in front of the camera. We took this series of photos in Old Town Sacramento.

The forecast of rain made for some beautiful skies for this shoot.

I loved working with Alisha and her adventurous spirit made for some wonderful results.

Old Town Sacramento

Karen Schmautz — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 15:50:05 +0000

I participated in a photo shoot on Saturday in Old Town Sacramento. What a fabulous place for pictures. We were able to get some fabulous shots, even though it had been raining on and off all day.

Towards the end of the day, the sky began to break up and we were able to get some great shots with fabulous sky. Take a gander at the one above one with the Delta King in the background.

This was my last shot of the day. What could be better?

More photos later.

Beloved Friends

Karen Schmautz — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 02:40:40 +0000

This is my best friend, Julie. She lives in Southern California with her wonderful husband and their darling son. This weekend they came up to our house in Northern California for a quick visit. I always enjoy spending time with her as she is a very busy woman. Her 10 year old son was diagnosed with medium to severe autism. He is a sweet, beautiful little boy, but he is a full time job as he has many needs.

She and her husband have devoted their lives to this little guy. Through their efforts he has learned to look at people, say please and thank you and communicate his needs in short sentences. The love they have for him and the love he returns is obvious. As he is a full time job, Julie’s husband, Jack, works hard and without complaint, to support them both.

Autism is not something I was familiar with until my friends had their son. I have watched them learn about it through their efforts to treat and understand their child. They are the bravest and most loving parents I know. I’ve seen the blessing that little guy has been through the trials and joy that he brings. Autism is a very chaotic and hard to understand world. This little boy has let me into his life and I thank God for that. I also thank God for my friends who love this child with a fierce and wonderful love. I pray blessings upon this loving and hard working family. They never give up.

Valentine’s Day is fast approaching

Karen Schmautz — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 23:57:37 +0000

I love Valentine’s Day. It’s so romantic and full of kisses and roses and candy and holding hands and other romantic things.

That’s why I’m offering a Valentine special. Let me photograph you and your valentine for a romantic photograph and a romantic photograph session that you won’t soon forget.

Ten romantic photographs, fully retouched, ready to print on a CD. You pick the place. The cost…only $100.00. (Cost may be more outside a 30 mile radius of the Placerville, CA area.)

This Valetine offer is available through February 5, 2010. Contact me at schmautzhaus@sbcglobal.net for an appointment.

Spot

Karen Schmautz — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 01:41:28 +0000

My old faithful cat passed away today. I think he was about 17 years old and we have had him since he was born. This photo was taken last week, but you can see by his eyes that he seems very tired. Poor old guy.

This is the first time in 30 years that I haven’t had some sort of pet. Spot was the last of three pets to pass on this year.

He was a good old cat and he will be missed.

Rest well, old friend.

Happy Thanksgiving

Karen Schmautz — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 19:13:48 +0000

to you and yours…

We’re heading out to Plymouth (California not Mass) to celebrate with over 100 relatives at an old one-room school house. What a treat.

More portfolio fun

Karen Schmautz — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 22:46:26 +0000

Since my portfolio is due tomorrow, I’m trying to finish up the pieces I want to present. I finished the one above today and I’m pretty happy with it, so I will probably include it. I am still deciding about the next one. I like it, but I’m not crazy about it.

I think this might make a good advertisement, but it’s not really portrait art, which is what my project for my portfolio is all about.

This is my cover page.

And I will probably include this one. I don’t want to do too many because the more I turn in the more chances I have to screw up and get a bad grade. Sigh.

At any rate, it was fun doing all these fun techniques and I learned a bunch about photoshop.

Wish me luck.

Some fantasy photoshop work

Karen Schmautz — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:58:55 +0000

CD cover

I’ve been taking an advanced Photoshop class at the local college. It is taught by a Sacramento Wedding/portrait photographer and I have learned so much. The class has also sparked interest in learning to do more with the photos that I take.

Here’s a couple of examples:

Movie Poster

Ipod image

Fantasy image (the young man and yoyo are real, but everything else is fantasy)

Poster or info card

Use the light, Luke

Karen Schmautz — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 19:08:39 +0000

You just can’t take a bad photo when you make good use of window light…especially windows that are huge and grimy like those at Preston Castle. Here’s Brittany with a beautiful Renaissance outfit on. Just look at the light on her face, will ya? Good, huh? Here’s another:

Now this gal has got so much good stuff going on. She’s got that wonderful red hair which complements the fur coat. Her blue, blue eyes are knock out beautiful and she’s wearing red lipstick. I placed her in front of a huge, dirty north facing window (best light) and just snapped away. The only bad photos I had of her were operator error on my part.

Here’s a young man, senior in high school.

I prefer using a north facing window, but in this shot put him in front of a large, filthy south facing window and I got away with it because the sky was totally overcast at the time providing a nice soft light. Look at the way the window lights up his eyes. I love that he was wearing a tie and a nice vest. So classy.

One more window light…

Now, what’s not to like about this gorgeous gal. She’s standing directly in front of my big, huge, filthy, north-facing window. I just love this photo. Her eyes are just knock-out. The light on her face is soft and attractive. Pretty much anyone would look good in this light, but she is a true beauty.

I keep telling my husband that the reason I don’t do windows is because they make better light for photographers when they are dirty. He’s not buying it.

Happy Birthday and Happy Halloween

Karen Schmautz — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 17:55:51 +0000

Where was I 19 years ago today? Oh yeah, I remember. I was in the hospital giving birth to my darling daughter. I don’t think she’s changed much from the darling little girl, to the beautiful young woman she is today. She’s still goofy, fun, stubborn (she gets that from me) and fiercely independent. She’s also a wonderful sister to two brothers and a loving daughter.

When she was growing up we used to take her to Halloween festivals on Halloween. Consequently she grew up thinking that everyone celebrated her birthday by dressing up and handing out candy. Heh.

Happy Birthday, darlin’.

So, where’s the scary photo? Okay. Here’s one I took of Preston Castle last year. I dolled it up a little to make it look a little spookier.

Happy Halloween.