Architectural Digest

And before I crossed the street and climbed into my Jeep, I paused...


EDITOR'S NOTE: This academy is in an area called Obispado. It is full of old ritzy mansions that have now been turned into shared housing or offices and windy skinny avenues. Obispado is about an 8 minute drive from our house. 

New Directions

About a month ago, my good friend and colleague was looking for some fresh art for her classroom bulletin board. She wanted her favorite authors' words displayed, and I took up the challenge myself. I since have been approached by other teachers in the Middle School who saw the board if they can print a MLK, or William Shakespeare. I received a few emails and comments after the post, asking if I had considered selling these posters to deck even more walls in more classrooms. I am currently in the middle of little bitsy etsy (whoops!) business plan, and am expanding this concept of "words of the great." There will be different collections like: American Literature, English Literature, Philosophers and Civil Right Leaders. It's so fun to research a name that pops to my head, find the portrait and hand pick a quote. You know who was ridiculously funny? Mark Twain. 

EDITOR'S NOTE: Whose words would you love to see grace a poster? Collection suggestions? 

Chime in. 

Taking it to the Next Level

EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the first time I have edited hair into a style in Photoshop, instead of just adding body through the Liquify tool. I also enhanced her eyelashes the slightest bit, and adjusted her lip shade. I toggled between the before and after over and over again last night, which is what I do when I'm really giddy about a result. What do you think about drastic "aesthetician" retouching? Would you want to display an enhanced picture of yourself even if it's not true to day to day appearance?

Deuce

When 2 more work colleagues got the word a little late about Supermodel Makeovers in a half hour, I obliged and said we could just go to Ale's house after work Friday. Same rules apply, 10 minute photoshoot each, and they agreed to let me do the editing at home this weekend once they picked their favorite at the house. And I'm so glad we did, these turned out to be my favorite from the promotion. 

EDITOR'S NOTE: These pictures were taken in Alejandra's dining room. All you need is a white wall people, I'll do the rest.

Work Ready: Clockin' Out

EDITOR'S NOTE: Rory's response is "I'm still going to take pictures of you." Which might just be in order if I ever purchase a $60 hat again...

Soar

EDITOR'S NOTE: Over Valentine's Day dinner Rory leaned over in our high back arm chairs and grabbed my hand which means he needs to say something important. "I want to have a baby...I want to be a father." We spent the rest of the night blushing and giggling and questioning and worrying and thinking some more. It was the first time it was put on the table and given time to be considered. Just hours before I was looking through old files and found this slow motion gem of Rodrigo playing with his cousin's baby last November. And I was thinking "He will be such a great father."

Pop

EDITOR'S NOTE: Yes, I'm getting a poster print for our office. Feliz Dia de Amor lovers!

30 Minutes...and Then Some

I put up this promotion 2 weeks ago and let word of mouth do the rest...
Most were booked for today, just in time for Dia de Amor on Tuesday. It was back to back appointments, and although I had scheduled them to be in and out in 30 minutes, once they saw one retouch they wanted more. And I started doing photo retouching a-la-carte like it was going out of style. It was a busy day, a rush, and I'm out of business cards. Success.













EDITOR'S NOTE: The rockin' mama's teeth in the Guess Jeans tee were not photoshopped...I know, right?! I bought a new fan. Let there be hair glam.

Barrio Antiguo

EDITOR'S NOTE: I asked Rory to get some shots of me taking pictures, which is always good to have on hand. He started playing with video on the subway, which turned into a little BTS video! Enjoy

In Living Color

A DoublClik First: Photo Restoration

EDITOR'S NOTE: Can I call it restoration if I don't know the original color of my grandma's dress? I don't know, but inventing color into a black and white picture was challenging on so many levels. I didn't watch a tutorial or research tips, I just selected areas that would be the same color, then painted with a low opacity Soft Light brush. And if you can believe it, I did with my pointer finger on the track pad. I worked on it for a couple days, but all in all I bet it took 2 hours to complete. My grandma Rosemarie's response made it worth all the while. "I can't believe you did this. I can feel myself there. And if you notice, I have long curls in my hair. I must have been 12 or 13. Thanks you so much."  

30 Minutes

EDITOR'S NOTE: This promo took a few hours over the course of 2 days to construct. And it's always on that second day I come back, look at the design and turn it up a little bit. Like downloading Stars and Sparkle brushes, and creating my own 10 minute interval clocks. Adding that I'm a Guru Winner was one the last things I added, and the fontface Trajan Pro will always make you look like a big deal. Last year, at this time I launched www.doublclik.com as well as this blog. I promoted my new brand on Facebook, saying I would do a free retouch on anyone's picture if they put "I <3 www.doublclik.com" as their status. It upped my site traffic, and helped me get my name out there. But, I was getting all KINDS of shots. Some were isight, some were scanned, and some were done by another photographer, which is always a gray zone. I managed to put together a before and after video:

But I'm past the freebie stage and realize no one will take my brand seriously if I don't. I also want to give clients a front row seat into how retouching works, and just how fast I can do it. A year ago I wouldn't be able to do it in 10 minutes, but it's become second nature and after a quick 5 sec survey of the shot, I know what needs corrected and enhanced. (...I also stopped just making everyone tan...) Once I liked the ring of "Make-Over in 30 minutes" I had to scheme a location. This wouldn't be worth my time if I were driving to everyone's house. After all, I only need a wall to do quick sexy snapshots. I called on a new acquaintance of mine who has an home studio in his basement. I told him the days I'd like to set up shop, and we discussed a renting agreement. He'll have his white backdrop and lights ready to go, and I'll bring my big Mac and table to set up so clients can see their shots and editing on a big screen. Impact, it's all about impact. I have already booked 3 appointments for Saturday back to back, and am ready to show these ladies what DoublClik is all about: flawless, magazine-ready, knock-em-dead retouching.