My Dream...An Inspirational Trip to Italy! {San Antonio Portrait Photographer}

Well, it is almost here.

On Monday, June 17, Trey and I will be embarking on our Italian Adventure.

It has been a LONG time in the making. On our honeymoon, 15 years ago, we went on a Mediterranean cruise and vowed to come back to Italy where we could really explore the country.

For the past 15 years, I have seen photographers go and come back with a newfound inspiration for their photography. I have dreamed about one day being able to go and photograph all of the beauty of Italy.

Well the day is almost here. Not only do I get to go explore Italy with my husband, but I also get the privilege of photographing one of my fabulous client's family while I am in Rome. They have chosen my "Complete Destination Package" which means I will be able to spend ALL DAY photographing them ALL OVER Rome!!! I am so excited!!

I have spent HOURS and HOURS planning our itinerary. From hotels, to tours, to restaurants and trains....thank goodness for Rick Steves' book and Website....I have done it all on a budget. One thing is for sure, this is not a restful vacation. This is going to be an adventure!!

I hope to post images each day to show some of the highlights of our adventures. You can see those on Facebook (Elizabeth Cruger Homan).

I am hoping to come back with a renewed spirit and a restored passion to create ART for my clients. That is what I LOVE to do.

So WATCH OUT...I will be even more passionate than I usually am!

Say a prayer for us as we travel and for the fabulous family and friends we leave behind to care for our children. We will really miss them!!

Ciao,
Elizabeth

Elizabeth's Signature Painted Piece {San Antonio Portrait Photographer}

Paintings have adorned the walls of homes for hundreds, maybe even thousands of years. Paintings have allowed artists to tell stories and express their inner selves. It is through this medium that artists have been able to create both real and imaginary landscapes and people.

With the invention of photography, people have moved away from the time honored craft of painting. Now, with the help of computer software and digital technology combined with traditional painting techniques, we are able to take an image that we capture and elevate it to a level that is unmatched. With traditional paintings, it was very difficult to create an exact likeness of a person. Because our paintings begin with a photograph, our subjects are an exact likeness of themselves (only better). These painted pieces are truly one of a kind. No two images will ever look the same.

Our artist uses a painting technique that builds the painting using several layers of oil. This process is very time consuming, however it creates a richness and depth that can be seen as well as felt. These paintings cannot be created by just any photographer or printing company. In fact, we are unaware of any other photographer in our area or surrounding areas that is able to produce a comparable product.

For the final product to be amazing, you have to begin with an exquisite photograph that can only be created by a Master Photographer. We would like to invite you to come in and see for yourself our beautiful painted pieces. We call them an "Elizabeth"!

Below are a few examples of some images that are either on display

at the studio or in client's homes.

 

When you are ready for a true art piece for your home, consider an "Elizabeth"

Introducing the NEW "Signature Art Book"

This year we are introducing a new line of portraits.

Our first product to introduce was the "Elizabeth" Painted Portrait.

We unveiled this late last year and the response has been overwhelming!

 

We have now come up with a brand new addition to our

Signature Series Line.

The Signature Art Book.

 

This gorgeous album is truly one of a kind.

Image selection is a collaboration between the client and the artist.

After the initial selection, each image will be transformed into a fine art piece.

Everything from the dimensions of the album, to the image treatments

and layouts, to the cover design will make your album incredibly unique.

The end product is a story-telling coffee table book that will be

cherished as a piece of fine art.

We hope that you will take a look at our sample Signature Art Book 

next time you visit the studio.

 

Here are a few images from our sample:

 

 

 

 

 

Summer Thursdays at the McNay {San Antonio Portrait Photographer}

Brand NEW for Summer 2013:

 

 

 

Available Dates:

(All on Thursdays)

June 6

June 13

July 11

July 18

August 15

 

Only 3 sessions available on each date (6:00, 6:45 & 7:30), so call us

quickly to get the spot of your choice.

210-497-3809

 

These sessions are PERFECT for anything...

families, children, high school seniors, engagement, bridal, dancers

 

There is something for everyone:

Manicured Park-like settings, Contemporary areas, Traditional Columns, Natural areas.

 

Here are some more sample images from the McNay:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Summer Beach Portraits {San Antonio Portrait Photographer}

Summertime!

It is almost here and I am sure the kids in your life are as excited as mine!

 

Every time I think of Summer, I think of the BEACH. 

 

 As a child, my family would go to Padre Island and spend some awesome family time hanging out at the beach, collecting seashells and fishing off the dock. I remember lazy days by the pool listening to the "jam box" (haha...totally showing my age), sleeping in late, watching movies at night and eating popsicles as fast as we could before they melted.

 

Those were the days.

 

Wouldn't it be awesome to re-live that vacation every day?

 

This is your year. Capture that special time with your family with a

Portrait on the Beach.

 

Not only are these some of the most fun sessions we do, they also make

absolutely STUNNING wall décor!

 

Beach portraits are not just reserved for families.

They are perfect for almost anything:

Engagements...High School Seniors...Anniversaries...Children...Dancers

 

We are going to 4 different beaches this year and ALL of them have at

least ONE opening.

 

North South Padre Island...June 7-11

Only a 2.5 5 hour drive from San Antonio. Great for a weekend getaway as soon

as school is out. Our plans have changed and we have switched locations! Join us!

 

Destin, Florida...July 19-26

One of the best family vacation spots! TONS of family activities to do. Stay in a hotel, a condo or a home. There are so many options (we go through www.vrbo.com).

The entire Emerald Coast is beautiful but my favorite is

Seaside...a Picture Perfect setting!

http://www.seasidefl.com/

Here are some AWESOME things to do in the Destin area!

One of my FAVORITE things to do is to rent a pontoon boat and head out to Crab Island where the kids can find hermit crabs and then get a refreshing ice cream from the Ice Cream boat!

Check it out here.

 

 

TopSail Beach, North Carolina...July 27-August 3

I hear this is a gorgeous area, but this will be our first time to visit.

Close to the Outer Banks, we have heard that it is beautiful with many

photographic opportunities.

http://www.topsailbeach.org/

 

Playa del Carmen, Mexico...August 6-11

I have been to this resort several times and I can honestly say that we LOVE it there!

Held at an All-Inclusive Resort, you will never miss a meal (or a margarita) and your kids will have a blast on the lazy river, in the wave pool and hanging out at the Ice Cream Bar. The MOST relaxing vacation EVER. And the beach is beautiful as is the resort for an unforgettable Portrait Experience!

Click HERE for more information about the resort.

 

So there, I have planned your family vacation for you!

Not only will you have a BLAST with your family, you will have some amazing portraits to remind you of the fabulous time you had.

 

You can thank me later :-)

 

Seriously though,

Life moves fast and I don't want anyone to miss out on a great opportunity.

Call us to discuss the possibilities.

 

xoxo,

Elizabeth

 

PS: NEXT YEAR....HAWAII!!!! We are thinking Maui AND Kauai AND maybe even the Big Island. We will spend a few days on each island. Call us if you want us to work around YOUR schedule. Right now the dates are totally up in the air!

 

Here are some beautiful Beach Portraits!

 

Padre Island

Playa del Carmen

Padre Island

Padre Island

Padre Island

Padre Island

Playa del Carmen

Padre Island

Padre Island

Playa del Carmen



Seaside, Florida

Seaside, Florida

Seaside, Florida

Seaside, Florida

Seaside, Florida

 

Playa del Carmen

Playa del Carmen

Padre Island

Playa del Carmen

Playa del Carmen

Padre Island

Playa del Carmen

 

 

 

 

Which Portrait Should I Select for my Wall? {San Antonio Portrait Photographer}

Which image should I select as my wall portrait?

We get this question each and every day. While, there is no right or wrong answer, there are some guidelines that I like to follow.

PS: This is only MY opinion :-)

1. You never want the head(s) to be LARGER than life size.
It could be the most beautiful image in the world of this child, however, if it is larger than life, it just looks TOO big. Close up portraits are great for your desk, piano, wallet or in a small grouping. Full body images make better large wall portraits such as this example.

Too Big of Head size



Good Head Size

2. You want to select an image you will love today, tomorrow and forever. I like to think of it as capturing the "spirit" of the subject and not just a "roadmap" of the face. In other words, I want the image to capture WHO they are as opposed to WHAT they look like.

Although this is a beautiful image, save this one for the Christmas card and 8x10 desk portrait. You may tire of looking at yourself smiling back at you after a few years.

The action going on between parents and child captures a moment of innocence and sweetness that will not last forever. As this child grows, this portrait will only grow more valuable.

3. Give the subjects room to breathe in the image. In art, rarely will you see the head at the top of the canvas and the feet at the bottom. There is usually scenery to give them some space and show the "scene" that they are in.

An old Masters painting. Love the use of space. the posing and the use of light and shadow.

We are often asked to crop the image in, losing the space and scene that gives the image a pleasing composition. They seem crowded in this crop and make me feel a bit claustrophobic.

The image cropped as designed and shown during the Order Appointment. Using the rules of composition and design, this image has a much more pleasing look than the cropped version above.