Owens-Lugar Photography Blog

Appointments in April are now available!

April 15th {2pm-5pm}
April 21st {1pm-4pm}
April 29th {2pm-5pm}

Can’t wait until then?? Contact me for an Easter Mini-Session on March 25th! Let’s welcome spring with some great portraits! ♥ Thanks!

It’s a hot topic among photographers and clients these days:  How does image editing vary among portraits and wedding images?  As the editing process is purely based on personal opinion and preference, many clients often wonder what type of editing their images will receive.  I have found that many photographers share their professional editing process online; and after reading many editing philosophies, I find that my personal process is the majority standard.  To clear up any questions my clients may have on the topic, I’ve posted a clear-cut answer below regarding editing and enhancements for portraits and wedding images.

Both portrait and wedding images will receive color-cast correction, image cropping and rotating, as well as contrast correction.

Portrait images may receive extra attention in regards to vignetting, and color enhancement.  Attention may be given, if needed, to teeth whitening, eye brightening, airbrushing skin, darkening eyelashes and removing blemishes.  The level of attention spent on each image varies with the mood of the image, the overall look of the image, and the desired look of the image previously requested by the client.  Various color tones may be used to enhance the mood, such as sepia, color pop or a dramatic black and white.

In order to return wedding images to the Bride and Groom in a timely manner, only select wedding images will receive the extra enhancements described above.  Couples can expect enhancements to be added, at no additional fee, to up to 25 images for the Tulip Package, 35 images for the Rose Package, and up to 55 images for the Bouquet Package.  Those images that receive extra attention can be selected for you, or if the Bride and Groom prefer, they can select the images they prefer to receive extra enhancements from from their password protected online image gallery.  Generally, the images that receive extra attention are those that will be used in an album, or will be printed.

When selecting a photographer for your portraits or events, it is best to discuss your expectations regarding editing and the overall look of your photos before entering into a contract.  This will help eliminate any future misunderstandings or discrepancies between what you expect, and the product you receive.  Because overall, photography is an art, not a science.  Be sure to be specific when discussing the desired look of your images.

Our first photo sessions will be Autumn Mini-Sessions on Saturday, September 3rd.  What a great way to come by, see the new space, visit for a bit and have a 15 minute mini-session with our great fall theme set up!  Mini-Session hours will be from 9am-11am and 1pm-3pm.  Calling ahead to reserve your time slot is recommended, but not required.  We look forward to seeing you then!

September is completely booked, as is October, with the exception of one studio portrait opening on Oct 2nd. Contact me now for November or December portraits! Thanks, everyone! Looking forward to all the upcoming events!

Photo Books

The first option is one that I’ve always offered to my clients, which is an affordable, fun option that is completely customizable.  I can change the background or page color, add text, quotes and small details that go with the theme.  The pages are bendable, and are the same thickness you would find in magazines.  For most sizes, the client has the option of a hardback cardboard-like cover, or soft, vinyl cover.  I find these photo books to be the perfect option for child or baby books, high school senior albums, wedding guest books or wedding albums for the bride and groom wanting more cash to use on their honeymoon.

Information, sizes and pricing on photo books:

Keepsake Albums

The second option is a timeless piece that really is an heirloom album.  The options are less, but the result is priceless.  This keepsake can be in a leather or linen cover.  The colors are trendy and playful.  Clients can choose from Ivory, Apple Green, Hot Pink, Red, Navy, Coffee or Black.  The pages in the album can be white or black.  There is no fuss with scrapbooking details, just beautifully printed photos.  The pages are 2mm thick, so worry of tearing or bending isn’t an issue.  Each page lays flat to display pictures seamlessly.  These keepsakes come with a manufacturer’s warranty.  Although these albums are built to never fade or discolor, if any issues do arise, it will be repaired or replaced.  I find these photo books to be the perfect option for boudoir gift albums and wedding albums for the bride and groom who wish to have only the best album to display their memories.

Information, sizes and pricing on keepsake albums:

Owens-Lugar Photography has been awarded in Art & Design the Best Couple Portrait of 2010 from 411marketsource.com!  What an honor!  Thanks to everyone who voted for my image!  And a HUGE thank you to Elena & Nathan for being such amazing subjects to photograph!  I loved your engagement shoot, and it’s great to see that others did as well!  Great job, guys!

I am in the middle building, which is 4212 Cypress Park.  My suite is the first one you get to on the main level.  It’s on the left, Suite A.  There is a great conference/meeting area right as you walk in…which I definitely could have used this month!  Two bathrooms are off to the right, which will be very convenient for wardrobe changes!  As you walk down the hallway, there is a make-up room to the left.  Just ahead is a studio space, a bit smaller than I would have liked, but it will work just fine!

I’m very excited to get in there and get things set up, situated and ready to meet clients!  I have met so much this month at Panera Bread and Mill Mountain Coffee that I’m starting to feel like I should be on payroll!

In addition to the great location, comfortable space and privacy, this studio will open up new ventures in my photography.  Boudoir photography, business head shots, family portraits, and individual studio portraiture will now be available to my clients!  The outdoor space is amazing, too!  I can just envision family portraits on the hill behind the studio, mountains in the background, trees with fall colored leaves.  All over the grounds are perfect spots for high school senior portraits and family pictures.

I’ll keep posting progress and pictures as I can take them!  Here’s to another adventure

What makes it special?  Well, for starters, there’s the Blue Ridge Mountains in the background, lots of green grass to hold an event or wedding, and lots of covered areas with fire pits, seating and all the rustic charm and character you could imagine.  This place is decorated adorably.  And the Bridal Suite offers such an elegant, romantic place to get ready on your special day.

I just fell in love with the place!  And after I met Bob & Laura, the owners of the lodge, I felt even more at home.  If you are planning an event, wedding or reunion, you have got to check this place out! Visit their website for photos and info!   Website

Picture Courtesy of http://dps.dgs.virginia.gov/forum2006/pages/hotelinformation.htm

May 12, 2010

“Well about 2 weeks ago Brad and I had the pleasure of doing a maternity shoot with a wonderful photographer, Beth-Ann Lugar!  We had so much fun with all of the things that we could do and it was so nice to just relax and have some fun.  She came out to our house where we did shots in Brayden’s nursery and outside.  She made it so comfortable and easy!! Thank you again, Beth-Ann, for these wonderful pictures and we can’t wait for Brayden to get here so you can meet him!”

July 14, 2010

“We had the honor again to have Beth-Ann come back into our home to shoot Brayden’s newborn photos and she did such a wonderful job. He was a little fussy in the beginning, but after another ounce of milk he settled down. We had so much fun with these shots and hope to have her do them again when he is 3 months!! Here are just a few of the shots, we hope you enjoy looking at them as much as we do! ”