Class of '63 Reunion

The East High School Class of 1963 enjoyed their 45th reunion this past weekend. It was wonderful to see them catching up with one another-it seemed there was constant hugging and smiles. The reunion dinner was held at Tallgrass Country Club-always an elegant choice for an event.

For the photos, we started with a group picture of the entire class of around 90 individuals. Then were the smaller classes from the various elementary and junior high schools. Following the many planned group photos, I captured candid moments of friends visiting, couples dancing and friends reminiscing.

The highlight of the evening, for me, was when a kind gentleman stopped for a quick chat after the group photos. He explained that he used to be a photographer and also had taught photography. He commented that my organizational and posing skills really showed up in arranging the large class photo, and that I made everyone feel relaxed and comfortable. He did offer an interesting insight, especially from a male perspective, saying,"I truly believe that women do a superior job as photographers. A woman is more attentive to details and (typically) has better communication skills". In concluding his observation he offered the finest compliment,"You have a PhD in photography psychology!"

Thank you, Class of '63!

Rita and kids

This past Saturday I got to photograph Rita and her son and daughter. They have a new home, so we started with pictures out in front of the house, then moved to their large backyard. Their house borders a natural wildlife area, so we got to do a little hiking in the fall grasses for some more unique photos. Even their two happy dogs were included in some of the images. (I have been the photographer for Rita and her children since 1994... Thank you, Rita!)

To smile or not to smile...

Typically parents want a photo of their child smiling. As we all know, though, sometimes children go through a stage of being more serious, solemn and somber. This past week I photographed a family with a little girl of two who simply stared at me and my camera, as if she were daring me to take her picture. After getting some traditional photos, I told her brother to "tickle Daddy" and finally we got a smile...this was one of my favorites from their portrait session.

Digital Negatives?

Isn't technology a funny thing? It seems to change and advance almost daily. (Remember the "latest and greatest" computer you bought-the one that was upstaged by a newer and better model before you even got it home?)

This is certainly true in photography. Some amazing cameras have been developed with extreme digital capabilities. Sometimes, though, what's new is actually old...case in point:

There are ads running in professional photography magazines for a company offering to create digital negatives from digital photo files. They assert, and it is true, that negatives are a stable format and will be around for many years to come. (Think eight track and VHS tapes: it's only a matter of time until CF and SD cards and image CDs will become dinosaurs, too.) Anyway, this company will copy digital images into archival negatives for longevity.

I am way ahead in this way of thinking. For every wedding that I photograph, I incorporate shooting with a medium format film camera alongside my digital cameras. The optics in my medium format Hasselblad camera are perfect, and the archival negatives will stand the test of time. Plus, there are some fun things that I can do with that camera that just can't be done the same way in PhotoShop-take a look at the double exposure (above) from the ordination of Father Michael earlier this year.

(On a side note: approximately 18 months after a wedding, the negative and digital files are sent to underground storage in Hutchinson, Kansas. The same place where the original Wizard of Oz, and other irreplaceable movies, medical and legal files, etc. are safely stored in optimum conditions. That way the bride and groom have their album, and the files are kept safe from tornados, hurricanes, and so on. All it takes is a phone call to retrieve the file if a photo is needed later-like for a 10th anniversary, or Christmas gift.)

Weddings are a once in a lifetime moment...I only offer the best to the brides and grooms that become clients of Wright Focus Photography.

Rachel, Adrienne and Kate

This past Saturday was one of those autumn days you wish you could bottle up and save to enjoy again later. No wind, beautiful fall colors, and some terrific senior girls to photograph!

First was Rachel--we got started at Botanica, then went to Oak Park and finally headed to the "water wall" outside the Hyatt along the Arkansas River. We even walked down by the Boathouse for some fun shots.

Next was Adrian--I met her in downtown Wichita and we went all over the Old Town district. From there we went to Riverside Park and then along the river...she will have a lot of poses from which to choose!

Then I enjoyed photographing Kate, a girl that I have been photographing for about ten years. It has been a lot of fun to watch her grow into a beautiful young woman. Kate was photographed at her home in Benton, with plans to do more shots in Wichita in two weeks.(I photographed her with her entire family while there, too.)

Thank you Rachel, Adrian and Kate...It was a fantastic day!

Why a bridal portrait?

A bridal portrait session is like a dress rehearsal for the wedding day. Putting on your dress and walking back and forth in front of the mirror at the bridal shop isn't really "wearing" your dress. Having a formal portrait taken of you in your wedding gown gives you the opportunity to get to know your gown and to "get comfortable" in it.

The bridal portrait session allows for another memorable moment between you and the special people you have along-especially your mom, sister, grandmother, or future mother-in-law. It is the chance to go somewhere more personal or unique for your portrait-such as along the river, the front porch at your grandparent's home, Old Town or even your hometown!

If you decide to have a bridal portrait session, allow enough time so that your favorite pose from the portrait session may be framed and displayed at the reception. It would also make a wonderful appreciation gift for your parents, or a beautiful wedding gift for your new husband.

Every time I have photographed a bride in her wedding gown prior to the wedding day, she has decided to change something after spending that "dress rehearsal" time in her gown-her hairstyle, the length of the veil, a slight hem of the gown, more comfortable shoes, etc. Much better to know about a needed change before the big day!

Remember, the more comfortable you are in your wedding gown, the more relaxed and radiant you will be on your wedding day.

A Day Brightener...

Yesterday I received a nice note from newlyweds Mike and Stacia:

Edye,

Thank you for photographing our wedding. The pictures look wonderful...our friends and family have all loved the quality of your work. Thank you again for helping make our day hectic free.

Sincerely, Mike & Stacia

I love what I do, and it makes my day to get a thank you note like the one above.

Alex

The strong winds and recent rain have caused several portrait sessions to be rescheduled. However this past Saturday was nice, and I had the opportunity to photograph Alex, a senior from McPherson. He shows horses, so we started with some casual shots with him and his horse. From there we headed to downtown Wichita for some more unique images...his senior portraits won't look like those of any other McPherson senior- Thank you, Alex!

Class of 2009

From photographing weddings to horse shows to families to seniors...happily, my business is never boring!

Yesterday I enjoyed photographing a senior from Flint Hills High School. We started with some photos at her house with her awesome car and her sweet dog. From there, we headed to El Dorado Lake and then to the waterfall east of El Dorado-WOW! She and her Mom had spent an evening finding great areas around the lake that held special memories, and that's where we went to make her senior portrait images more personal and memorable for her. Thank you, Tia!

Autumn Portraits

What a beautiful time of year! The days are cooler, nights are a little chilly and the colors of the trees are turning into vivid shades of autumn.

If you are thinking of family portraits for holiday gifts, Christmas cards, or just because everyone will be together for Thanksgiving--give me a call to schedule your family portrait.

This past Sunday I went to Emporia to photograph a large family group. Three generations with many different combinations: the whole family, grandparents, grandparents with grandchildren, siblings, parents with children and so on. It was a lot of fun-thank you Browning and Kraft families!

Note: for all of the Dads out there who only have family portraits taken to "keep the peace" ...the entire shoot lasted less than an hour...a small amount of time for you to put up with a photographer.

Photography Layaway Plans

With the wedding photography options available through Wright Focus, the payments have always been divided into several payments: one third at booking, one third 60 days before the wedding and one third 30 days before the wedding. For those wishing to make other arrangements, I would be happy to set up a "layaway" payment plan for wedding packages that would fit your budget preferences. (Also note that I am happy to custom design an entire wedding photography plan to work within your budget.)

For those parents bombarded with expenses for their teen's senior year...I understand. If you would like to set up payment arrangements for senior portraits, just give me a call or send an email. The same layaway option would be available for family portraits as well.

There is a family that I have been photographing for nearly twenty years. They have seen ups and downs in their household budget. However, throughout the years, the mom has picked "milestone moments" for each child to be professionally photographed- at one year of age, 5 , 12 and 18 years. Even if they didn't order portraits right at that time, she always made sure that the portraits were taken. As Cristinette would say, "My child is only this age for a little while!".