MY NEW BLOG IS LIVE!!

Hi Everyone,

My new & improved blog is live! The new blog features bigger photos and makes it easier to leave comments & feedback!

I will be posting on the new blog from now on, so please head on over & check it out! Jill Fleming Photography Blog

Be sure to update your Bookmarks and your RSS Feeds to stay updated!

http://blog.jillflemingphotography.com

Maggie Senior Sneak Peak

SchraderBachar Family Sneak Peak

Novak Family Sneak Peak

Brandon Senior Video

Jessie Jo Senior Video

Klint Senior Video

The Fine Art Process

As a professional photographer, it is not only my job to capture beautiful images from your wedding day, engagement shoot, or portrait session, but also to help guide you through the photography process as a whole. There are many misconceptions about the differences between digital negatives, edited proofs and fine art enlargements. This page is here to help clarify any questions you might have regarding this topic and to help you fully understand the process behind transforming your photos into the fine art images that you see on this website, blog, and albums. The truth is, in today’s digital age, composing and capturing an image is really only half of the creative process involved in what we do as photographers. The other half is the tremendous amount of editing time that is spent with your images on an individual basis, transforming them into fine art images that will eventually go into your album design or hang on your wall.

What are digital negatives?
Digital Negatives are NOT the images you see in our portfolio, albums, or blog. The photos we present have had extensive editing and are considered “fine art”, the end result of the editing process. Digital Negatives are the images out of camera; no retouching, no resizing, no tweaking of any kind. They are, in a sense, a blank canvas with tons of potential with the right software and knowledge.

What does exactly does “editing” a photo entail?

There are two parts to the editing process. The first is an overall editing of color balance, exposure, contrast, etc. each image goes through to make it presentable for proofing which is why proofs take 3-5 weeks. For most images, the editing process stops here. The final step of the editing process is extremely meticulous and only done on images that are a part of the Wedding or Portrait Album, as well as enlargements 5×7 and larger. This could involve changing color hues, removing blemishes, removing distracting backgrounds, or adding special effects. The possibilities are truly endless, and since every single image is unique, they all require a different approach.

It’s much easier to answer this question visually. In the following examples, the original or “unedited” photo is the digital negative, straight out of the camera with no editing what so ever. The “proof” photo is the photo after the first round of editing (this is the image that you will see in your proofing galleries, as well as the image you will receive on DVD (if applicable). The final or “edited” photo is the image after extensive retouching work that we will use for prints, albums, canvases, etc.

Senior Sneak Peak - Klint

Senior Sneak Peak - Jessie Jo

Senior Sneak Peak - Brandon

Photo featured on the White House Blog!

A good friend of mine recently asked if I could photograph an event for a local non-profit called Everybody Wins Iowa. Everybody Wins is a national literacy and mentoring program that works to increase children's success in school through reading and mentoring experiences with local volunteers.

Melody Barnes, the Director of the Domestic Policy Council, from Washington D.C. was visiting Des Moines and wanted to come and read with the kids from Everybody Wins.

I was happy to help and documented the event for them about a week and a half ago.

Imagine my surprise when I get an alert that my name is on the WHITE HOUSE BLOG! I go to check it out and there is one of my photos! Follow the link above to check it out!

~Jill

Quentin & Jill - Engaged!

Jill & Quentin are getting married in my hometown of Valentine NE next summer and I can't wait to shoot their wedding! I traveled to Omaha to meet up with the happy couple. We worried that there might be rain but it was the most beautiful evening we had in a long time!

Here's a few of my fave pics of Jill & Quentin *~*

What Is Custom Photography?

What Is Custom Photography?

The photographic art you choose to place on your wall is ultimately the result of the vision of the photographer. This vision, coupled with what you wear to your session, the environment, the lighting, even the mood the subjects are in at the time of photographing creates the work that you will want to proudly display on your walls forevermore.

Your first step in the process is more about determining who you are, who your family is and then seeking a photographer that reflects your style. For instance let’s say your family is extremely outdoorsy and loves playing at the lake or local park. You start determining what style you like, browse through photography website portfolios and determine if any of the styles exhibited there would be a good fit with your life and family style. You have already determined that you should probably seek out an outdoorsy photographer and then begin narrowing the field down a bit.

What custom photography ultimately is all about is choice and experience (as in THE experience). Custom photography is about finding someone who will photograph your family, give you devoted 1:1 attention without worry of the next ‘in line’ or the feeling of a crowded portrait studio. A custom photographer will typically show you a fairly extensive gallery culled to only show the good images that meet the photographers’ creative sensibilities. Often the images are fully edited images-color corrected with blemishes and undereye circles removed. Custom photographers are also known as boutique studios, offering a range of products and unparalleled service. Think Lexus vs. Hyundai, think Nordstrom vs. WalMart.

Remember - A custom photographer should have you, the client and your experience in mind.

Posted with permission by Marianne Drenthe of http://www.professionalchildphotographer.com.

Cowboy Affection Receives 1st Place at American Royal Western Art Show!

I just received the news that Cowboy Affection received 1st Place in the Photography Category at the American Royal Western Art Show held in Kansas City this past weekend!

In other news: Cowboy Affection is also up for People's Choice award in the professional category of the Equine Ideal Online Photo Contest. Today is the last day to vote - so please vote before midnight tonight if you haven't done so already!

American Royal Western Art Show

Cowgirl Adventure

Exciting News! Two of my images, Cowgirl Adventure & Cowboy Affection have been selected for the American Royal Western Art Show which will be held this weekend, May 1st & 2nd at the American Royal Complex in Kansas City, Missouri.

It will be a gallery style show, sale, and auction featuring western painting, photography, and sculptures. Artists from across the United States will compete for the ultimate best in show designation as The American Royal Western Artist.

You can attend the Friday night preview to choose your artwork and see many of the artists working, and then join us again on Saturday for a Kentucky Derby Gala, Live Auction, and announcement of Artist Awards and Recognition. Friday night is free and open to the public for viewing from 6-9 pm. The doors open and silent auction begins at 3 pm on Saturday, May 2nd with the viewing of the Kentucky Derby at 5:15 pm and live auction beginning immediately after. Single tickets to the event are $50.00 and include heavey hors d'oeuvres and Mint Juleps'.

If you're going to be in the Kansas City area this weekend - please stop in Friday or Saturday and see all the great western artwork!

Cowboy Affection

If you are interested in purchasing a print of either of these images please visit my online store.

Photo of the Week

Exciting News!

I just found out that my photo Cowboy Affection was selected for "Photo of the Week" by Equine Photographers Network!

You don't have to be a member to take a look but if you love horses and photography - sign up for a free 30 day trial and leave me a message!

Cowboy Affection & my other work can be purchased here.

Neon Boneyard - Las Vegas

Here are a few of my favorites from the [b] School Neon Boneyard model shoot in Las Vegas that I got to take part in while I was in Vegas for WPPI.

The weather was a balmy 50 degrees and overcast but our models were all troopers! We did get a few moments that the sun would peak out from behind the clouds to create some great backlighting though!

Thanks so much to Chris & Allie Bartelski for organizing the photo shoot!

Bowl for Kids' Sake - Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Iowa

Bowl for Kids' Sake is one of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Iowa's(BBBSCI) main fund raising events of the year. It's a series of bowling parties held at a local bowling center. Each Bowl for Kids' Sake team is comprised of four to six individuals who raise money for BBBSCI. Once each bowler raises the minimum of $100, they're rewarded with two free bowling games and receive a complimentary bowling shoe rental. Each two-hour Bowl for Kids' Sake event is hosted by BBBSCI staff and includes music and fun prizes.

I'm a terrible bowler so I decided to donated my time and talent to document a bowling party this year at Plaza Lanes. Pictures below are from the Saturday, February 21st party that kicked off at 1pm. All images captured from the day will be donated to BBBSCI for promotion of next years event!

Neon Boneyard - Sneak Peak

I just got back from Las Vegas this afternoon from the WPPI Conference! I learned so much and had a great time meeting and learning from other very talented photographers in the industry.

I have lots to share but I wanted to share a quick sneak peak from the Neon Boneyard shoot that was organized through The [b] School while I was in Vegas.

Lots more to come....

The Travel Bug

I've been bitten by the travel bug again! I'm so excited that I'm just one week away from my next travel adventure! This time next week I'll be spending Valentine's Day at the Grand Canyon with my sweetie! After our weekend at the Grand Canyon, we'll be spending three days in VIVA Las Vegas for the Wedding & Portrait Photographers International (WPPI) convention. I can hardly wait!!

Here's a slide show of my trip to Seattle the last time the travel bug bit!

Early Bird Special!

Book your session before April 15th to take advantage of this offer!

Offer Good For:
Wedding - Senior - Family - Equine
Photography

WPPI

I'm so excited to be attending WPPI in Las Vegas this year. It's always good to invest in education and this convention has some of the top photographers in the world all speaking in one location! Even better is that location is LAS VEGAS!!!

This will be my first time attending WPPI and I'm so excited to learn some great new photographic techniques!

For the non-photographers reading this, and even some photographers, you may be asking what is WPPI? WPPI stands for Wedding & Portrait Photographers International. It is a yearly convention and trade show for photographers. Where is the first place you would think of for a gathering of over 10,000 photographers from around the world.... Vegas baby! The event will be held at the MGM Grand & Convention center this year.

If you're from Las Vegas or are going to the convention too - drop we me a note! I love to meet new people!