Today a wedding... then two more this month.  I also shot some engagements on Saturday which turned out lovely and some bridals on Wednesday... the files are so large, they are still uploading!  I can't wait until I can post some of the new bridals... will wait until after Jessica gets married.  She was such a blast to work with!! lol She was so vivacious and such a beauty!

After the wedding today, I will be headed to Austin for more birthday fun... my bday was on the 6th, but still celebrating it. ;-) 

About to head to Arlington for a wedding...


Yvette Richardson
-Dallas Wedding Photographer and More!!

Last week I was asked to speak in front of 4th, 5th, and 6th graders at Lake Highlands Elementary school and discuss my passion... photography.  The students were able to select which classes to attend based on what they might want to be when they grow up.

It was sooooo much fun.  I spoke to 4 different groups and explained how I fell into this hobby/profession.... people.  I told them a story about my niece who was two at the time (now 14), sitting on my porch when our outside cat jumped onto the porch next to her and her eyes lit up as she exclaimed, "meow," with a wide opened mouth.  I had my camera and was able to capture her expression at the exact moment..... people expressions are my absolute favorite, capturing the moment.

I also asked the class who had a camera and if it was digital or film.  Everyone owned a camera and only 1 or 2 people in each class had both film plus digital.  There were a couple who had no clue what a film camera was.... so I explained.  Wow, have times changed.  I told them how they could benefit from being able to see their results immediately and improve on their photo skills... I encouraged them to be creative.

Among my set-up was my camera, tripod, monopod, lightstand with flash/umbrella, a canvas print of a highschool senior from Lake Highlands Highschool, a senior book with photos taken by me with photoshop special effects added, a wedding album, an engagement album, and small mini-books of the engagement album.  

Another question I asked was, "what one thing must you have in order to make a photograph?"  Only two students guessed without any hints....what do you think?  Light.  I also showed them many ways to manipulate light.  I pulled out my 5-in-one reflector, popped it open (eyes lit up with that one) and placed it over a student, showing how the light on her face was difused.  I pulled it off and said, "more light," pulled it off and said, "less light."  I did this a few times until I heard some laughter...

I explained that there are MANY types of photographers who pick a variety of subjects to capture...landscapes, animals, insects, flowers, events, etc. And that my favorite above all is People.


I also asked, "what must a People Photographer need in order to be successful?"  I think the best answer was, "they must be interpersonal."  Ok that one shocked me... I think I learned that word last year? lol  But most said, "enthusiasm, personality, outgoing..."  Yet, most did not say these until I gave an example.  I looked at a student and with a monotone, robotic voice said, "smile...face forward...turn to the left...turn to the right...sit down....stand up..."  Then I asked another student, with my enthusiastic voice, "Hi my name is Yvette and I'd love to get some great shots of you...you look great at that angle, wonderful... now step this way, turn around for me, awesome... looks good, ok smile... wonderful, now give me a serious face...etc...."  Then I asked the class who would feel more comfortable with photographer A (robot) or photographer B (outgoing)... they all picked B and then explained what it takes to be a people photographer.... I also explained the importance of customer service and getting back with customers ASAP.

Here is a link to a story written about career day in LH Today...
http://www.lakehighlandstoday.com/index.php/news/article/lhe_career_day_showcased_many_professions/

My favorite part was making the children laugh and hearing their questions like, "why do all photographers wear black."  What made my day yesterday was receiving a ton of letters from all the kids who took my class.... they were so sweet, sincere, and adorable!!  I will post a few here:

"Dear Ms. Richardson,

Thank you for taking time to come and talk to us. I liked the pictures you showed us. I still can't believe how much the whol thing costs. I just like the color.  

P.S. Can I get your number because our own photographer isn't happy when he does it."

"Dear Ms. Richardson,

Thank you for making me miss class.  I really enjoyed how you make peoples eyes brighter. You inspired me with your equipment. You taught me so much about photography and how to make peoples eyes brighter. I wanted to learn how did you become a photographer. You taught me so much in photgraphy that I didn't know. Now I want to be a photographer. Thank you for your help on photography."

"Dear Ms. Richardson,

Thank you for getting us all out of clas. You take beautiful pictures. Thank you for coming. I will remember your skills. Those will definitely come in handy one day. I hope I will be a photographer."

"Dear mom,

I thought your presentation was great. There was a lot of interesting things, but I wish class was longer so you could talk more.  I liked how you used your shield thing to put on a student. It was really funny.  It was cool that you were asking so many questions."

"Dear Ms. Richardson,

I enjoyed your presentation. I wanted to be a restaurant owner, but now I want to be a photographer. I will use the skills you told us when I go to the beach. Last year we took pictures. I really enjoy your job."

"Dear Ms. Richardson,

I really enjoyed the presenation. I really love to play with my camera. I think it is just a whole different world behind the camera. Last summer I went outside and just started taking pictures of a bunch of flowers. I would get inside of them and all kinds of stuff. It is funny that you said your favorite subject to take pictures of is people, well my favorite subject is me and my family.  I just love people because of the same reason you do.  You really inspired me to keep going on taking pictures."

"Dear Ms. Richardson,

Thank you for taking me out of class. It was nice of you to come and teach us. I enjoyed it. You were funny. You have a great career. You take wonderful pictures. You rock."

"Dear Ms. Richardson,

Thank you for spending some time with us. I like the way you decorate the pictures. I would like to be a photographer like you. And I would like for you to come next year, because I like the way you take the pictures. The one that I like the most was the one that had Melissa on it. And I like one that you showed us last."

"Dear Ms. Richardson,

I appreciate what you showed us about being a photographer. I never expected different ways of taking pictures. It just looks interesting and cool. My dad sometimes just takes pictures when we go somewhere. I thought he was just taking pictures just so he can remember, but its because it is cool, amazing, and awesome.  Now I understand him and that he wished that he became a photographer, but he makes tatoos instead of his wish."


Those were some of the letters... there were many more!  I had so much fun reading them.  I hope you do too.


Yvette Richardson
Dallas Wedding Photographer and More!

     

The Senior Pics and two weddings were awesome!! Please see my two sample galleries for some of the shots.  destinyphotos.com/seniorgallery.html and destinyphotos.com/weddinggallery.html

I've been having fun with some neat blur and color effects with photoshop.  I've received a compliment from one of my weddings and I'm still not even done uploading all of their images.  She said, "First let me tell you...the pictures are beautiful!!!! You do such amazing work! I can't wait to see the rest of them."

I'm nearing the end of her images... about to begin the reception.... more fun for me. :-)  I'm such a perfectionist with my images. I work on them as if they were my own... I hope that one day, if I ever get married... that I will find a photographer that has similar photo quirks... I just LOVE capturing the moment! 


Yvette Richardson
Dallas Wedding Photographer AND more!