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R & R IS GOOD FOR THE SOUL

I decided it was time my husband and I got away for a quick escape to beautiful and QUIET Marco Island, on the west coast of Florida.  There is just something about leaving your home and work behind and not worrying about the chores and daily activities.    Marco Island is just a quick one hour drive across the state for us and has such a quiet lifestyle.  We stayed at the beautiful Hilton Beach Resort with a Gulf view from our balcony.

So, what did we do??  Sleep in, walked on the beach, napped on the beach, lounged in the pool, slept by the pool, read, ate at some yummy restaurants, and R_E_L_A_X_E_D!!  We even went out and bought some tennis rackets and chased balls around the clay tennis courts…. so I guess that counts for exercise.  Of course, I took along my camera and captured some of the beautiful beachscapes for my 2011 pictorial calendar.  One of the highlights of our stay was when we went out on a charter boat and got to watch dolphins play and of course I was so excited to capture some of those playful shots!  We explored one of the 10,000 Islands and did some seashelling for our grandkids.

There is nothing like clearing the mind and soul with a little R & R…. I recommend it to everyone!

EVERY evening had a gorgeous sunset sky

EVERY evening had a gorgeous sunset sky

Dean relaxing waiting for the sunset  (wearing our PPA cruise shirt)

Dean relaxing waiting for the sunset (wearing our PPA cruise shirt)

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Dolphins playing in the wake of our boat.  UP CLOSE and Personal!!

Dolphins playing in the wake of our boat. UP CLOSE and Personal!!

Showing off his skills!

Showing off his skills!

Jumping in tandem... so cool

Jumping in tandem... so cool

A deserted house on the 10,000 Islands.. YES, a family actually lived there.

A deserted house on the 10,000 Islands.. YES, a family actually lived there.

The Hilton pool was relaxing.

The Hilton pool was relaxing.

Sunsets were amazing... skies were a brilliant orange glow.

Sunsets were amazing... skies were a brilliant orange glow.

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Dean watching the sunset on our last night.

Dean watching the sunset on our last night.

One of God's gifts to the universe... a beautiful sunset.

One of God's gifts to the universe... a beautiful sunset.

WHY CHOOSE A PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER

Today many people own a ‘nice’ camera.  But when you are planning your wedding day, or a special family portrait session, who do you choose to capture those once-in-a-lifetime moments??  Do you choose a friend with a ‘nice’ camera or a professional photographer?  An educated consumer would know to choose a professional photographer.  There are so many other skills needed to capture that special shot, besides clicking the shutter button,.  A professional knows about lighting, angles, composition, how to set up a shot to make you look your best, and how to do it quickly and efficiently.. they are being paid to know all this.  And then, their job is not finished.  After the artful capture, then the professional needs to have the skills to edit the images and make artistic decisions for black and white and color correction and making the images print ready.  This is what I pride myself on…  the artistic and skilled knowledge and passion to capture  a special moment in a way that will create wonderful memories.

I invite you to read what other professional photographers say in this article by PPA, “Professional Photographers of America”: CLICK THE LINK BELOW.

SEE THE DIFFERENCE

Capture your dream with professional wedding photography

“A professional wedding photographer may be the most important investment you make, since your wedding pictures are the only lasting keepsake of your dream day.”

Texas School for Professional Photographers

A week of fun, education, and recharging for photography!  I had an amazing time with 1000 other professional photographers as we studied hard, and partied harder for a full week in May in Texas.  I received a full scholarship to attend this well-known school , so I couldn’t pass it up.  I met so many new friends and fellow-photographers and of course, learned some great new techniques and skills.  I studied under Rick and Deborah Ferro who taught an ‘All About Weddings’ class.  But they didn’t stop there.. we also talked about lighting, posing, photoshop, business, marketing, and painting.  We had amazing models who made our work fun and easy.  It was good to sit and talk to other photographers with the same passion and get a feel for how they run their business.

The last day of our week, one of the lab vendors BWC printing, sponsored a ‘Texas Shoot Out”, where we had over 30 shooting stations with mentors, models and lots of creativity.  We spent about 3 hours photographing whatever we wanted using some of the techniques we had learned that week.  What a fun event.  Then when the shoot out was over, they announced that they were running a contest of the images we shot and we could post our favorite 10 shots.  Of all the images posted, one of mine placed and won the “Distingusihed Print Award”.  I was honored and thrilled to have placed among all the entries.  Below is my winning image… which by the way, was probably the next to last shot I took all day.

I recommend everyone who has the opportunity to always work on improving your skills to the next level, you can never stop learning what you love to do.  Some wise photographer once said, “You are only as good as your next shot”.  Keep on clicking.

Most of these images are all straight out of camera with minor tweaking in lightroom.

My winning Distinguished Print, "Forecast Showers"

My winning Distinguished Print, "Forecast Showers"

Behind the scenes with Rick Ferro

Behind the scenes with Rick Ferro

posing techniques with the models

posing techniques with the models

This was the brides 'waiting' room at the church... AMAZING church.... photographers paradise.

This was the brides 'waiting' room at the church... AMAZING church.... photographers paradise.

some of my shots next from the week long classes.

some of my shots next from the week long classes.

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Interior of this gorgeous church... working on posing.

Interior of this gorgeous church... working on posing.

More models working the silhouette shots.

More models working the silhouette shots.

Ferro's famous kiss to the eyes shot.

Ferro's famous kiss to the eyes shot.

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a little more contemporary twist on the bridal shot.

a little more contemporary twist on the bridal shot.

Stairwell with one light on lightstand

Stairwell with one light on lightstand

looking outside  through the window of the church

looking outside through the window of the church

playing around with composition and negative space

playing around with composition and negative space

The church grounds even had waterfalls.... amazing

The church grounds even had waterfalls.... amazing

One of the next days we stayed inside and worked on posing and lighting in the studio.

Ferro showing some posing techs with the model.

Ferro showing some posing techs with the model.

He used drapes and fabrics in different ways.

He used drapes and fabrics in different ways.

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Ferro talked a lot about posing, especially the HANDS.. and graceful hands

Ferro talked a lot about posing, especially the HANDS.. and graceful hands

use of negative space and hands

use of negative space and hands

Ferro worked with couples and specifically how to place their hands.

Ferro worked with couples and specifically how to place their hands.

lips to the eyes, and soft hands

lips to the eyes, and soft hands

a good way to pose the hands for wedding rings of bride and groom

a good way to pose the hands for wedding rings of bride and groom

the focus on the guy, woman as the 'prop'

the focus on the guy, woman as the 'prop'

example of intentionally overexposing in high key.... cool effect IN camera.

example of intentionally overexposing in high key.... cool effect IN camera.

and I even got a high key of myself ;-)

and I even got a high key of myself ;-)

And Lastily… here are a few more images from the last day of the TEXAS SHOOT OUT, sponsored by BWC printing lab.

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I took about another 1000 pictures that week…. we had sports cars, motorcycles, babies, teens, families, dogs, clowns, brides, grooms, just about everything you could want to have as models and props.  Thanks Don Dickson and the Texas School for Professional Photographers and our mentors Rick and Deborah Ferro…. I came away with a ton of inspiration and knowledge!!!

ROLL OUT THE RED CARPET

I’m trying to get myself caught up with my BLOG posting on Diane’s View…. the summer heat is keeping me inside and maybe now I will catch up.

I wanted to share a few photos from the RED CARPET SHOOT  for the Youth Co-op, Inc. organization for World Refugee Day.  The event was held at the Seminole Hard Rock Casino IMPROV club on a very bright sunny afternoon.  Lots of great and giving people attended this event to offer their support for refugees in our country.  the guests not only had a Red carpet paparazzi treatment from myself and my assistant, Eileen, but they also viewed the premier showing of a film about Refugees.

In a letter sent out to all the honored guests:  “World Refugee Day is internationally sponsored by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
This year under the theme “HOME”, UNHCR hopes to raise awareness about refugees and increase
support of their relief efforts. Locally, one of the goals of this year’s World Refugee Day celebration
is to introduce prominent civic, religious, and community leaders such as you to the many community,
faith-based, and governmental organizations and agencies that serve refugees in our community.
As you well know, refugees are an integral part of our community. In the last five years alone, a total of
132,870 refugees were settled in Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach Counties. Refugees in our area
come from various countries including Cuba, Haiti, Colombia, Venezuela, Iraq, and Burma.”

Here are a few of the shots taken that night.

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Yuri Ybarra - Hello Mrs. Schafer, We had our picture taking as a group back on June 14th at the Hard Rock Improv Club. How can I view all the pictures from this event? Please contact me.

Diane Schafer - Hi Yuri, Thank you for your request. I will send you a direct link to your email address. Thanks, Diane

JAVIER & LAURA’S WEDDING

I had the pleasure  of photographing the wedding of Javier and Laura.  They both looked so beautiful and everyone had so much fun on the dance floor at the reception.  They were married at St. Bonaventure Catholic church where colorful stain glass windows glowed down on the couple.  The reception was held at the Doubletree Hotel on the Intercoastal with the tropical waterways enhancing the cocktail hour.  They didn’t hold back when they smashed cake in each others faces….what a hoot.  Here are a few of my favorites.

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yup... he did it, full cake in the face

yup... he did it, full cake in the face

she got payback cake in the face.

she got payback cake in the face.

They were great sports with a fun sense of humor!

They were great sports with a fun sense of humor!

By the end ... Javier was cool in his vest

By the end ... Javier was cool in his vest

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RENEE’S MATERNITY SESSION

Renee and her husband, Chris and their boys had a beautiful family and maternity session at their home.  Renee is a wonderful friend, awesome and very  talented hairdresser and my major spokesperson for my photography business.  Everyone who sits in her salon chair comes away looking beautiful and feeling great and she shares with them all the photos I’ve taken of her family over the years.  It was an honor to document her pregnancy of her precious princess due in June.  I can’t wait to photograph her baby the first week of her life with this loving family.

Here are a few of my favorites from our session.

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I wish you all the best Renee… I can’t wait to meet your little Princess.

Jennifer’s Quince at Vizcaya Gardens

Jennifer was a beautiful jewel in the amazing renaissance Gardens of Vizcaya in Miami…. she sparkled in every scene.  Jennifer had a great sense of the camera lens and was so much fun to work with.  Her gown was beautiful and looked so perfect in the gardens by the bay.  These are a few of my favorite shots, there were sooo many.

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Cinderella lost her slipper...

Cinderella lost her slipper...

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Thanks Jennifer for a great Quince in the gardens, I wish you all the best.

CARLOS & YAMI’s Wedding- Lovebirds in Paradise

Carlos & Yami had an amazing celebration of their love on their wedding day, May 8, 2010.   Yami was “Pretty In Pink” in a gorgeous long pink gown  with her bridesmaids carrying out the Japanese-Asian theme for the day.  Carlos was handsome in his black tux as he saw his bride for the ‘first look’ in the Red Door garden at the beautiful Hyatt Bonaventure Hotel in Weston.  They pulled out all the ’special effects’ with white love-bird doves flying from their hands during their ceremony, and then add to that the beautiful backdrop of a cherry blossom-like tree  and waterfalls and gardens.  At the reception the WOW-factor didn’t stop as they made their grand entrance through a cloud of smoke and danced their first dance to a video they made during their engagement photo shoot “This I Swear”.  The reception room carried out the Japanese theme beautifully decorated with drapes of black and pink and lanterns and colored lights all over the room.  All their family and friends had a wonderful time celebrating with the beautiful couple.   A BIG thank you to my second shooter/assistant, Eileen…  she got some great dove shots and the dance in the clouds is her shot as well!  CONGRATULATIONS to Carlos and Yami!!!!

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Their First Look

Their First Look

The Red Door Spa

The Red Door Spa

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The Love Birds are released.

The Love Birds are released.

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A toast in their new outfits for the Reception party.

A toast in their new outfits for the Reception party.

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CRAZY CAM fun at the reception!

CRAZY CAM fun at the reception!

What a memorable celebration, with so many details and surprises that made the day very special.  CONGRATULATIONS CARLOS AND YAMI!

Dottie - Stunning work as usual Diane!

Diane Schafer - Thanks Dottie! This was an out-of-the-box fun wedding to photograph.

Michele and Sal’s Beautiful Wedding!

The Kentucky Derby would just have to wait!  Michele and Sal had their wedding and festivities just before the big race and it was a ‘winner’!  All their family and friends came out on this gorgeous day to celebrate their wedding.  Everyone had a fabulous time as the bride and groom said their vows and afterwards the guests enjoyed a game of ‘Michele and Sal Trivia”.  They all danced the day away under the white tent as all their favorites were played by the DJ.  Thanks Michele and Sal for the opportunity to capture some of your special moments.  Here are a few of my favorites.

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SISTERS IN THE PARK

I had the pleasure of photographing two beautiful sisters for their first model shoot.  We went to my favorite park in Weston, Peace Mound Park and had a fun day exploring the grounds.  They both did fantastic posing and playing for the camera.   Their mom and dad joined us and were a big help with wardrobe and making it a fun family day outing and photo session.  Here are a few of my favorites.  Enjoy.

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