Angie Hollenbeck Photography's Blog is Relocating!

Happy New Year!

With the new year comes changes for AHP, and one of the changes is a new blog location. While Blogger has been kind to me, I think that Wordpress is more of my "style". So, please follow my blog at its new (and hopefully improved) location-

http://angiehollenbeck.wordpress.com/

How Crop Affects Your Photos | Angie Hollenbeck Photography | Lacey/Olympia Area Family Photographer

Today I wanted to take a minute to explain how choosing a photo size may affect your photograph. When you choose a size, please remember specific sizes will affect the eshetic of your photograph. Depending on what size you want (more likely than not) a portion of the photograph may have to be cropped.

My camera (which happens to be a DX) naturally captures (crops) photographs in the ratio of 4x6 (8x12/16x24)...so naturally those are the sizes that work "best" with my photographs. My goal during a shoot is to allow some space around the subject to allow for cropping since the most popular sizes tend to be in the ratio of 4x5 (8x10/16x20/etc).  Below are examples of how cropping will affect a given photograph.

The photograph on the left is the "original". This is the 4x6/8x12/16x24 (and so on) ratio. You will notice that there are no body parts cropped out whatsoever. For the photograph on the right, I have cropped the above photograph to the equivalent of an 8x10. Notice how their feet are starting to get cropped out? That is how your photograph can be changed. Granted, the main focal point is still included...there is still noticeable change. 

Here is another example. Again the first is a 8x12 crop and second an 8x10 crop. Its amazing how much more "boxy" the 8x10 looks, isn't it?

 

Also keep in mind that FX cameras are a completely different ball game. This is just a quick guide for my clients as well as photographers that are currently using a crop.

Snow Globes Here, Snow Globes There... | Angie Hollenbeck Photography | Lacey/Olympia Area Photographer |

So the past few days these ADORABLE images kept popping up on my Facebook page of photographs inside snow globes. I did a little tracking and found this adorable Facebook page called The Sleeping Willow where the template was created. I adore anything holiday and immediately jumped at the chance to try it out and offer it to my clients! Here are a few samples of these adorable creations!

Please contact me to book a Snow Globe Session! 

angie@angiehollenbeckphotography.com

www.angiehollenbeckphotography.com

{H} Family Sneak Peek | Angie Hollenbeck Photography | Lacey/Olympia Area Photographer

This morning I woke up to yet another dark and rainy day. I stalked the weather channel just to see (much to my dismay) that the rain would be here ALL day. I headed out to downtown Olympia with my fingers crossed that the rain would hold out just long enough to capture a few photos for this sweet family...and it did! We dealt with light rain off and on but managed to get a few cute shots. And let me tell you, Mr Jeremiah made me work for each of these shots! ;-)  Thanks to the {H} family for allowing me to photograph your adorable little family. Oh, and might I add, they did so stylishly! ;-)

The Gold Hope Project | Angie Hollenbeck Photography | Lacey/Olympia Area Family Photographer |

I have been meaning to blog about this for a few weeks now. I am so honored and proud to be a participating photographer in The Gold Hope Project. Have you heard about it yet?

"The Gold Hope Project is a group of photographers that have come together to capture the moments that your family holds so dear to their heart. Some of us have been touched by the presence of cancer, and some have not, but we have all been given a gift that we would like to share with you."

One of the most important things that we can do is to spread the word. It is vital to raise awareness only about the project itself, but about childhood cancer as well. Although the odds of a child beating cancer have increased significantly over the years, it is still a continuous fight. My job as a participating photographer is to provide a few moments of fun (while incorporating gold into the session) and providing photos to the fighter's family to last a lifetime.

If you are a photographer or vendor, please consider applying to become part of this fantastic organization. All others, please spread the word! Visit TGHP's website:  http://goldhope.weebly.com

{P} Family Sneak Peek | Angie Hollenbeck Photography- Lacey/Olympia Area Family Photographer |

Introducing the {P} Family!

This adorable little family endured the brisk Washington morning and spent it with me! I had an absolute blast and I am so thrilled they allowed me to photograph these moments! And can I say- can you believe how great this mama looks!? She only has a few more weeks until the newest member of the family arrives! Here are a few of my favorites from the session!

Holidays....Ummm, Yay! | {ahp} | lacey/olympia area photographer |

I adore fall. The colors, the smell of apples, leaves blowing around, the festivals and pumpkin patches...I could go on and on. Simply said, it makes my heart warm! It is also the time of year that stores turn into Hallothankstmas! (Yes that is a lovely (completely made up) compound word rooting from Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.) You know what I mean...you walk into good ole Target to find Halloween hugging Christmas...with a pinch of Thanksgiving somewhere in between. It is almost too much for me to handle...who does not LOVE holidays!? As a child I could hardly contain myself when each holiday rolled around. As an adult...there are definitely differences. Instead of worrying about what waits for me under the tree, I now have to carefully budget and plan and create the gifts that those closest to me will cherish. In all of the hustle and the bustle...we lose the magic of the holidays and forget about what it means to truly bring simple JOY to others.

Holiday portraits and Christmas cards have lost their importance somewhere between childhood and now. We rely so heavily on sending e-cards and generic well-wishes on Facebook that we have forgotten about what it feels like to open a Christmas card with the faces of those whom you adore plastered upon it. After opening that card you feel a sprinkling of holiday spirit...and you happily hang it up for all to see. We now assume that everyone knows how we are doing and what our kids look like because Facebook is there to do the work for us.

With October slowly winding down, I wanted to stress the importance of getting those holiday photos done and ordering those cards. I don't care if you book with me or another photographer, have a friend snap a shot, or stick your camera on a tripod... just make it a point to get out there and do it! There is no replacement for that bit of holiday spirit that is delivered along with your cards. Not to mention that in a few years down the road, Facebook will not display your memories proudly on your wall.  The best part of this advice? You still have PLENTY of time before things get crazy...so get on it!

P.S. Those who are considering it but have not yet done so...if you book a holiday session with me between now and December 20th, I will give you the choice between a FREE 11x14 (a $45.00 value) or 25 holiday cards (up to a $50.00 value)!

The fine print:  This must be on a newly scheduled session and cannot be combined with any other discounts or offers.