san antonio wedding photographer Archives

Jan

So You Were Gifted a Wedding Photographer?

After the surprise, shock and excitement finally wears off of your engagement, the very next thing you do is set a wedding date. The first two vendors that should be decided upon are the venue and the photographer. But, what happens if someone has gifted the Texas wedding photographer for you? By “gift” I mean pays for this service for you.

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Someone willing to gift a Texas wedding photographer is a very generous soul. First and foremost, you should really, really thank this person from the bottom of your heart. In a 2009 poll conducted by TheKnot.com and the WeddingChannel.com, the average cost of a gift from a friend was $70, while a gift from a family member averaged $129. I’ll go out on a limb and guess that there are very few professional wedding photographers within this price range. (If they are this inexpensive, they are just starting out or not very skilled—in photography or business matters!) Chances are, someone who is willing to gift your wedding photographer is spending way more than the average wedding guest.

Hopefully, the photographer hasn’t already been chosen. Ask if you can help select the Texas wedding photographer. There are a few reasons why you and your fiancé should help choose the photographer. The two most important reasons are style and personality. If the images you would like of your wedding do not look like what is in the portfolio of your gifted wedding photographer, there’s going to be a problem. And, if you and the photographer’s personalities clash, there’s going to be a problem. The way you feel about your wedding photographer will be the same way you feel about the images they capture. If you think the photographer is yicky, then you will think your wedding day images are yicky. Don’t have yicky images! You won’t be happy.

What will the gifted photographer offer as part of his or her services? If you have your heart set on an Italian-made storybook album, but the gifted photographer doesn’t offer this as a resource, then you’re not going to be happy. What if you’d like a first look session, digital negatives or a day after session? What if the gifted photographer is purely a shoot and burn photographer and doesn’t offer any of these products? At the end of the night, they hand you a DVD full of unedited images and walk off. You won’t be happy.

What if the Texas wedding photographer shoots 75 weddings a year and doesn’t deliver your finished images in a timely manner? (I make a promise to deliver all my finished images within 21 days of the wedding.) Anything longer than that just isn’t acceptable. There are many court cases involving photographers who don’t deliver as promised simply because they are overbooked, under experienced or both. Look for a photographer who requires a written agreement. This way you are aware of all the expectations beforehand and there aren’t any surprises. You want to make sure that your gifted photographer is not overbooked and has adequate experience to deliver the products, services and images you want. If you have to wait eight months to see your images, you won’t be happy.

There’s many other factors that are just as important. Things like insurance, back up plans, second shooters, and professionalism are all items of importance. As seemingly unimportant items as they are, they could become very important on your wedding day. What if the photographer’s equipment fails? What if he/she becomes ill? What if they enjoy partying like rock stars with your wedding guests? Even if youwere gifted a wedding photographer, make sure the wedding photographer is a good match for you. If not, you’ll feel yicky and your images will be yicky. Your whole wedding experience will be yicky. Don’t be yicky.

If it happens that you’re not satisfied with your gifted wedding photographer, the first thing you need to do is tell the person who gifted it. Be honest. Let them know you are extremely grateful for their generosity, but you just don’t feel like the photographer will be a good fit for you. Ask if there is any way the monetary amount can be applied to a photographer of your choice. If this isn’t a choice, ask about the possibility of having a second photographer for your special day. If neither of the fixes are viable, you just have to find a way to politely decline the gift. It will probably be a very difficult conversation to have, but it’s important. We’re talking about one of the single most important days of your life AND one that you just can’t do over.

Here are some questionsthat will help you choose a great wedding photographer and here are some warning signs to be on the lookout for. If you know someone is considering gifting the wedding photographer to you, help them get educated about choosing wedding professionals. The more everyone knows, the better choices can be made all the way around. Be photographed!

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Until next time, be positive, happy, and healthy, and don’t forget to be photographed.

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I am a San Antonio-based wedding and senior photographer who started Ata-Girl Photography Co., LLC in 2010. As one of the up-and-coming San Antonio wedding photographers, I am also available to shoot in Austin, Houston and Dallas and the surrounding areas. I am also available for destination weddings worldwide. Ata-Girl Photography Co. offers an amazing wedding photography service that you won’t soon forget. As a professional photographer, my sole purpose is to provide you the absolute best photography experience.

I am a professional photographer who enjoys documenting the important milestones and captivating moments in people’s lives. I firmly believe that the unique set of circumstances I have faced in life has prepared me to take a personal and genuine interest in my photography clients. When I’m not photographing a wedding, family or high school senior, I enjoy watching my daughter play softball, hiking, cycling, reading, and listening to Elvis!

The post, So You Were Gifted a Wedding Photographer?, first appeared on Ata-Girl Photography Co’s website and blog. Please feel free to comment here, or share this post with your friends via Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest. Please email me if you have any questions about this article or want to share a neat idea for a future blog post with me.

Nov

I’m Thankful for…

Last year, I tried to write a blog post about 100 of the things I’m most thankful for and when I had reached about 88, my blog post died. I lacked enough ambition to start over, so I’m trying again this year—making sure to “Save Draft” every few minutes until I’m finished. I’m going to preface the list with this advisory: Anything past #4 is NOT in order and is most likely tied for 5th!

1. My Daughters
2. Family
3. Friends
4. Ozzie
5. Life, itself
6. Love
7. Sunsets
8. Hiking Trails
9. Music
10. Elvis’ Music
11. Glazed Donuts
12. Photography
13. Nikon
14. Mountains
15. Waterfalls
16. Trust
17. XM Radio
18. Memory
19. Flowers
20. Technology
21. Pastures
22. Sewing Machines
23. Rocky Road Ice Cream
24. Art
25. Loyalty

26. Batteries
27. Flashlights
28. Soft Beds
29. All Animals
30. Foot Rubs
31. Cashews
32. Contacts/Glasses
33. Makeup
34. Hair Products
35. Stuffing
36. Rib-Eyes
37. Backstrap
38. Exercise
39. Pens
40. Road Trips
41. Serenity
42. Peace
43. Puffy Clouds
44. Doctors
45. Medicine
46. Karma
47. Ant Lions
48. Homemade Bread
49. Dirt
50. Nail Polish

51. Internet
52. Facebook
53. Word Press
54. Jewelry
55. Spirituality
56. Country Roads
57. Good People
58. French Toast
59. Fried Eggs
60. Juevos Rancheros
61. Hot Peppers
62. Camp Fires
63. Generosity
64. Parks
65. Bacon!
66. Central Air & Heat
67. Tamales
68. Rain
69. Sound of Rain on Tin Roof
70. Babies
71. Flushing Toilets
72. Backpacks
73. Butter
74. Corn Bread
75. Honey

76. Dry Socks
77. Organ Trasnplants
78. Fishing Poles
79. Sunglasses
80. Sunscreen
81. Fresh Water
82. Salt Water
83. Peanut Butter
84. Grape Jelly
85. 12-Grain Bread
86. Books
87. My Nook App
88. Reading in Bed
89. Nurses
90. Teachers
91. Artists
92. History
93. Sports
94. Leisure Time
95. Sweat
96. Audible Heart Beats
97. Hugs
98. Kisses
99. Q-Tips
100.Sketcher Go-Walks

As I mentioned in this post, there are many blessings in my life and many things I love about life itself. However, these things are only given to us to in order to survive this life—to make it bearable. If life only consisted of evil, sin and death, not one person would be able to endure life… and honestly, who would want to? Take a few minutes today to be thankful for all the things in life you are thankful for… no matter how minuscule. It will certainly make you realize how blessed you truly are.

Be photographed!

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The post, I’m Thankful for…, first appeared on Ata-Girl Photography Co’s website and blog. Please feel free to comment here, or share this post with your friends via Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest. Please email me if you have any questions about this article or want to share a neat idea for a future blog post with me.

Nov

A Present from the Past

Earlier this year in July, my 71-year-old Aunt Marie passed away. Three months later in October, we had our annual family reunion. I was surprised with a gift that Aunt Marie had wrapped for me prior to her death. This gift, among others, were found when her house was cleaned out. There were gifts meant to celebrate her loved ones’ anniversaries, birthdays, and even Christmas. My gift, in particular, was because I was named after her… Tammy Marie. For whatever reason, these gifts remained in a closet, unforgotten until they were discovered by her sister.

I waited almost a month to open this present because I wanted to photograph it as I opened it. I expected to open a sweet gift from a sweet aunt—an aunt who regularly sent me birthday cards into my 40s. I thought it was the neatest thing to have the opportunity to open an unexpected gift from someone after they had passed away. I anticipated a moment to feel a tangible love from someone who had already passed away.

This is very difficult to explain, but my hopes of a sweet memory were crushed before I even unwrapped the gift. I almost wish I had never opened it. It would have been easier to have just left it wrapped only to imagine what may be inside. It would have been less painful too.

Inside the spiritual note card, I deciphered irony and contradiction in my aunt’s writing. While the card began and ended with kind words, the words in the middle stung my eyes and reopened childhood wounds. My aunt made hateful references to my own mother’s mental illness, yet it was evident to me that she was experiencing the same. These were words she never would have uttered in her right frame of mind. It hurt my heart to read them, but at the same time I recognized an illness that had reared its ugly head many times during my own youth.

While the words are very hurtful, I know they are the words spoken from a disease and not from the sweet aunt I remember. If I was not familiar with mental illness, I would blame her… even in her death. But, I am not mad at her for making these statements or calling my mother these names. I recognize it for it is—a sickness.

Sadly, one in four adults suffer from a mental disease in any given year. (Ironically, I received this gift about a week after World Mental Health Day.) Because of the stigma, many refuse to seek medical help. As in my mother’s case, many can’t even recognize that they need medical help. If you or someone you know might be experiencing mental illness, seek medical advice. Support an organization who helps support people with mental illnesses. Do something to bring awareness to this illness. People shouldn’t have to suffer inside their own minds. Together, we can remove the stigma.

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The post, A Present from the Past, first appeared on Ata-Girl Photography Co’s website and blog. Please feel free to comment here, or share this post with your friends via Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest. Please email me if you have any questions about this article or want to share a neat idea for a future blog post with me.

Oct

The Berclair Mansion, a South Texas Wedding Venue

The Berclair Mansion first captured my imagination when a close friend told me about it. Later, I added to my curiosity when I (re-) learned that my Blalock side-of-the-family stayed in Berclair for a while as they were making the move from Comanche, Oklahoma to Christine, Texas in their covered wagon sometime before 1909.

looking at the front of the berclair mansion by San Antonio TX Wedding Photographer Tammy Blalock, Ata-Girl Photography Co.

On my way to cover a recent reception, I stopped in Berclair, Texas to photograph this mansion. Berclair is a very small town. The 2000 Census says that 253 people reside there. I have had a few brief visits here in the past, but none with my camera. I was a few minutes early so I decided to kill two birds with one stone.

Berclair Mansion sits about two blocks off of Highway 59. It’s allegedly haunted… which makes it even more interesting. As the story goes, the house was built in 1936 by Etta Terrell after her husband had passed away. When she was a young girl, her family’s house had burned to the ground and she vowed to have a fire-proof house one day. She was 75, but she finally made her wish come true. The mansion took two years to complete during which time Etta and her four sisters toured Europe buying the furniture and fixtures. The mansion is a 10,000 square foot, 22-room, two-story construction made of 60 tons of steel and cement. In 1936, it was the largest single family home made of steel in the United States. Etta is given credit for bringing electricity to the entire town of Berclair. She paid for this service entirely on her own so she could have power in her own house.

Etta passed away in 1957 and the house was willed from one sister to the next, finally making its way to Etta’s niece. Genevieve passed away in 1998 and her will actually stipulated that the home and all of its contents be destroyed. There are a few different stories online about how the home came to be owned by the Beeville Art Association. One is that it would have cost $95,000 to destroy the home and the heirs did not want to pay for that so they gave it to the art association. The other story makes reference to a “raging” legal battle. Either way, the house and its 16th and 17th century antiques were kept in tact. Renovations were made possible by selling a painting that was found in a closet at an auction for a mere $10 million.

For most of the year, you can tour Berclair Mansion every last Sunday of the month for $10 a person. However, their Facebook page also says that in November and December, tours are every Sunday. You can also host a luncheon for a minimum of 20 attendees at $25 a piece. Or, you can actually use the mansion as your South Texas wedding venue. I’ll be visiting this mansion sometime in the near future to learn even more about it! I’d like to see the inside!

If you don’t want to drive all the way out to Berclair, you can always just visit Lambermont Events right here in San Antonio.

Images from The Berclair Mansion

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Let’s “hangout!” I wanna hear about your love story!

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About Ata-Girl

I am a San Antonio-based wedding photographer and I cater to outdoor-loving couples who prefer to have all the realness captured on their wedding days. I am the wedding photographer for the outdoor adventurers, the romantics, the laid back, the snugglers, and those who wish to capture all their realness.

I am absolutely in love with capturing the kinds of weddings where there are more hugs than handshakes, the dance floor rumbles all night long, and chairs are pretty much rendered useless after dinner. Whiskey bottles are passed around, most of the wedding party has been best-best friends since kindergarten, Grams is likely to lose her shoes and your partner is much more emotional than you are. These kinds of weddings are my jam!

You can always call or text, but if you really want to get to know me, schedule a meetup!

I started Ata-Girl Photography Co., LLC in 2010. I firmly believe that the unique set of circumstances I have faced in life has prepared me to take a personal and genuine interest in my photography clients. I enjoy documenting the important milestones and captivating moments in people’s lives. I love being a part of people’s journeys and consider myself privileged to document their legacies.

If you enjoyed this blog post and would like to get your hands on 20 FREE interactive wedding planning tools that every couple needs, please take a moment to access them here.

I am a published author (purchase my book here), a podcast host (listen here) (watch here) and a WPPI-C certified professional, full-time wedding photographer. I specialize in a 10-day image delivery, same-day prints, same-day slideshows, Italian handcrafted wedding albums and I have a mobile meeting space.

When I’m not behind my camera, you can find me hiking, cycling, backpacking, camping, enjoying water sports, listening to music (Elvis and Prince), hunting for arrowheads, reading audiobooks, occasionally eating a few glazed donuts (my only weakness to sweets) and then re-starting my keto diet about every 10 days. The most important things in life are for me to see my two daughters happy and to create a family history my grandparents and grandson would be proud of.

Aug

Fame & Shame #14

Here is the latest installment of Fame & Shame—a small peek into my life!

All Those Who Say New Yorkers are Rude: While I did encounter a few people in New York who were… shall we say, slightly impatient, the majority of the people I encountered were very friendly. They were eager to share good things about their city and a few even offered tips for staying safe. We received inside information on restaurants, help in the subway when we were confused, and a warning about gypsy cab drivers from a man who called himself Mr. New York. So, for all of you who have described New Yorkers in a blanket adjective using the word “rude,” shame on you! That wasn’t my experience!
Line Cutters: Whether it be in traffic, in the bathroom, at a cash register, or in the airport security line, if you cut in line, you’re inconsiderate! Please wait your turn!
End of Summer: You’re approaching too fast and I don’t like that. Please slow down a bit; I’m not ready for you to end!

Southwest™ Employees Working SAT on July 25: In my NYC Recap, I shared how we missed our 6:10 a.m. flight out of San Antonio to Atlanta. The security line was the longest I have ever seen with the line reaching all the way into Terminal B—and there were two columns of people! We stood in line for 55 minutes before we finally reached the point of removing our shoes. Once we cleared security, we had missed our flight by less than 10 minutes. The Southwest employee at our first gate looked around and found a 5:00 p.m. flight. Ouch! The computers were slow but she kept looking. Finally, and like the hero she is, she found the 6:40 a.m. to Houston and we had only minutes to get to that gate before we missed the second flight of the morning. I wished I would have gotten her name!
Skecher Go Walks™: I’ve never been much of a Sketcher™ fan! The Skechers I have owned, have been very heavy and very stiff. I quit buying them after owning two pairs. However, my daughter discovered these Go Walks™ just one day before our departure to NYC! They are not the most unattractive shoe I’ve ever seen, but they are close! She encouraged me to try them on to see how comfortable they were. OOOOHHH LA LA! These shoes are an absolute must for traveling, going to the mall, working on your feet or attending a trade show. Basically, any time you’re going to spend hours and hours on your feet and these aren’t attached, you’re not being a smart person! (I’ll be using these at all the weddings I photograph!)
Vacations: I love being able to disconnect every once in a while! I’m thankful that I have this opportunity a few times a year! If you don’t count the many times we drove home from Oklahoma or Missouri for Christmas, my dad didn’t take many vacations… in fact, I only remember two family vacations! Both were epic road trips across the United States that I’ll never forget!

So, chime in!! Leave a comment at the bottom of this post to let me know what deserves a little fame for you this week. Until next time, be positive, be happy, be healthy, and don’t forget to be photographed.

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The post, Fame & Shame #14, first appeared on Ata-Girl Photography Co’s website and blog. Please feel free to comment here, or share this post with your friends via Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest. Please email me if you have any questions about this article or want to share a neat idea for a future blog post with me.

Jul

Fame & Shame #13

Here is the latest installment of Fame & Shame—a small peek into my life!

Thieves: People who think they can take for free what you work to pay for make me ill.
Quick Readers: Uhm… Just because you can read three books to my one only makes you one thing… a quick reader. So quit gloating! Besides, I like to take a small nap every seven pages or so.
The Last Days of Vacation: The last days of vacation are like a long, drawn out torture almost so painful they deny you any last bits of enjoyment. I wished there was a way to end a vacation abruptly without anticipating its end.

Independence: Thank you to every human who has ever done anything, no matter how minute, to secure my independence and my freedom.
Reading: I love the way it allows me to momentarily take a trip to a land I will never visit, to taste food I will never eat, to know people I will never meet and to see the world through someone else’s eyes–all without ever leaving the comfort of my camp recliner.
The Great Outdoors: Again, without it, my mental status would be highly questionable.

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Until next time, be positive, be happy, be healthy, and don’t forget to be photographed.

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I am a San Antonio-based wedding and senior photographer who started Ata-Girl Photography Co., LLC in 2010. As one of the up-and-coming San Antonio wedding photographers, I am also available to shoot in Austin, Houston and Dallas and the surrounding areas. I am also available for destination weddings worldwide. Ata-Girl Photography Co. offers an amazing wedding photography service that you won’t soon forget. As professional photographer, my sole purpose is to provide you the absolute best photography experience.

The post, Fame & Shame #13, first appeared on Ata-Girl Photography Co’s website and blog. Please feel free to comment here, or share this post with your friends via Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest. Please email me if you have any questions about this article or want to share a neat idea for a future blog post with me.

Jan

Get the Most out of Your New Camera

With Christmas just passed, I’m guessing a lot of you received a shiny, new DSLR camera from Santa! Being the gadget freak that I am, I can imagine how much excitement this may have caused you! If you’re upgrading from a point-and-shoot, then this blog post is just for you. Here are a few suggestions for getting the most joy out of your new toy!

1. Shoot.

The first thing I always do with a new camera is take it straight out of the box and shoot. A new piece of gear calls my name so strongly I can hardly resist the urge. So, take it out of the box, assemble the lens, insert the memory card, and shoot. I must warn you to not throw any pieces away. The first SLR camera I got, I threw away all the lens caps. Once the lens was on the camera, I thought I’d never need them again. As your taking these maiden shots, familiarize yourself with the buttons, dials, lights, and switches. This will help when you proceed to step #2.

2. Read the manual.

Now that you’ve knocked a little dust of the camea, it’s time to do some formal self-instruction. Your manual has answers to most of the technical questions that you may wonder about later. As you read, follow along on the camera to make sure you understand what controls the settings and how to change those settings. Want to know how to turn off the focus beep? Want to know how to shoot in rapid burst mode? Want to know how to delete the unwanted pictures? It’s all in the manual. Even if this isn’t your first digital camera, it never hurts to flip through the manual. The better you know your camera, the quicker you can make decisions about what settings to use when taking pictures. This translates to better pictures.

3. Create a filing system.

Just a few days ago, one of my high school buddies posted a picture of her husband’s receipts he’d collected throughout 2012 for his tax return. Literally, they were wadded up pieces of paper placed in one of four “storage bins”—three ball caps and an aluminum pan. This is not the approach you should take to storing and organizing your photos. I create very specific folders for the events I capture. For instance, the file path may look something like this: C:/mydocs/pictures/2012/New Year’s Eve. I file by each year and then by each specific event so I can find things easily. I also use a tagging sytem so that on a whim, I can collect images of a specific person without the hassle of navigating through each and every folder. You can add tags to photos simply by using either Windows Explorer or Windows Photo Gallery Picture Viewer. Though time consuming, it is very helpful in the long run.

4. Use all the shooting modes.

Without knowing what an fstop is or iso is, it’s really impossible to take a quality photograph in the manual mode. But, you can learn. When it’s play time with your camera, turn the dial off of automatic. Refer back to your manual to know what mode P or S or AV refers to. In these modes, play with the camera’s settings to see how they affect the image. However, when you’re documenting something important, remember to put the camera back in the mode you’re most comfortable with. If you learn to make all the decisions for the camera, your images will be tons better. You can even use this simulator to experiment!

5. Experiment.

Take multiple photos of one object. Each time you take a picture, change the iso. Start with 100, 200, 320, 400… work your way up to 3200. See how this setting affects your photo. Now, place your iso back to 100, and begin changing your fstop or aperature. Start with 2.8 (or your lowest setting), then work your way to up f4, f11, f20 and so on, stopping on each fstop to see how this changes your image. Do the same thing with the shutter speed. Experiments, such as this, will help you gain an understanding what the settings do. Eventually, you will be able to make calculated and deliberate settings to creatively enhance your images.

6. Take your camera everywhere!

Going to the grocery store? Take your camera. Taking the kids to the park? Take your camera. Car wash, road trip, hunting? Take your camera. Put your camera in your purse, or your glove box, and take it with you. Once you get to know your camera better, all that’s left to do is shoot. Document whatever happens. Don’t worry about taking too many pictures… it’s a digital age! You can delete what you don’t want to keep.

7. Post process.

Discover the art of post processing. It’s amazing what only straightening and cropping can do to improve your images. I Heart Faces hosts a weekly Fix it Friday where they supply an image for you to post process. Not only can you practice your skills, you can compare them to other photographers who are editing the exact same image. Some of them also detail each step taken to reach the end result. This is a GREAT place to learn!

Do you have any questions, comments or suggestions about this article? If so, please feel free to give feedback in the following ways:

You can comment right here.
Like me and leave me a message on Facebook.
Follow and mention me on Twitter.
Follow and tag me on Instagram.

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I started Ata-Girl Photography Co. in 2010 and I am a San Antonio based wedding photographer who is available for destination weddings. In addition to wedding photography, I also specialize in San Antonio senior portraits and senior portraits for high school seniors in the surrounding areas. I am a professional photographer who enjoys documenting the important milestones and captivating moments in people’s lives. I firmly believe that the unique set of circumstances I have faced in life has prepared me to take a personal and genuine interest in my photography clients. When I’m not photographing a wedding, family or high school senior, I enjoy watching my daughter play softball, hiking, cycling and listening to Elvis!

Jan

A Texas High School Senior & Early Graduation

By the time this posts, I believe the pretty girl I affectionately refer to as Breanus will be making last minute decisions regarding her trip to Australia! You know, things like: Do these boots match this scarf? How many moisturizers can I put in my carry on? How many pounds can I stuff in this suitcase? Will they actually weigh it? She won’t be finishing the second half of her senior year in high school; she’s already done that! She’ll soon be 8,000 miles away in the land down under! She’ll be living it up with two of her very good friends: TerrorLee and Gabs!

I’m not sure exactly what Breanna has planned during this month-long excursion on the other side of the world, but I do hope she has a safe trip and has lots of fun. Here’s a few shots from the second mini session of Breanna’s senior portraits in beautiful south Texas. You can see her first session here.

Click to see my complete senior portfolio.

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Jan

IHF: Best Face of 2012

I am pretty sure I haven’t entered a photo contest sponsored by I Heart Faces since 2011, but when I saw this week’s category, I knew I had to enter this one! This photo shoot was somewhat of a train wreck. I had two 10-15 minute mini sessions with seniors and I invited a fellow photog with me. When we got to the location, I realized I had left my memory cards in the reader at home. I had a backup but it was only a 64mb memory card and I don’t even know where it came from. With my D7000, I could have fit a total of about about 4 images on the card. Fred let me use his D700 without even flinching an eye and I wound up with this beauty!

Ata-Girl Photography Co. | I Heart Faces Photo Challenge Submission

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Jan

My Portrait Editing Process

As a photographer, I have two clearly defined obligations every time someone hires me to click my shutter button. #1-I have an obligation to implore every ounce of knowledge I have about photography and put it to go use making their portraits. #2-After the shutter button has been pressed, I then have to exercise everything I know about post processing to make those portraits look the absolute best that they can.

When images are straight out of the camera (SOOC), they are dull, flat and well… boring. I would never dream of turning over work to clients that is straight out of the camera. I have turned down paying jobs that have asked me to do this. I don’t ever want to give anyone reason to think that is a good representation of my work. Here’s an example. The image on the left is SOOC.

Ata-Girl Photography Co. | Editing Process

In the video below, you will see that I:

Smooth out bumpy clothing. Between poses, clothing has a tendency to become bunched up or bumpy and this is not flattering. An image can be made better simply by smoothing out this bumpy clothing. I use this same technique to make body parts appear slimmer and thinner, and believe it or not, I use it on thin people just the same as I do on curvier people.
Redness or discoloration. Men have a tendency to photograph very red in the face. If someone is a tad too red, I use Photoshop to eliminate the red hues in certain parts of the photograph. Color casts can also occur if you’re near a colored object—like a red car, or a yellow-bricked building.
Dark circles under eyes. Everyone, even toddlers, has dark circles under their eyes. I always take special care to eliminate or at least lighten these cirlces. This always makes my subjects appear younger, energized and refreshed.
Sharpening. Eyes are what gets my attention when I look at a photograph. So, I take special care to sharpen and brighten them up in all my closeups to better their chances at making a connection with the viewer. I sharpen all the women’s hair, eyebrows, teeth, jewelry, and other fine details in the photograph as well.

Watch the video to see me work!

You will not receive this sort of attention to detail from value photographers, like Sears and Wal-Mart. As far as hiring an independent photographer, your chances are 50/50 that your images will receive quality post processing. Buyer be warned! Not all post processing is quality post processing!

Each portrait image I take receives this special attention. I always remove any distracting elements from the background. It’s not shown in the video, but I also make adjustments to create contrast, vibrance and increase the depth of the photo. This removes all the flatness that the camera leaves behind. I generally spend five to ten minutes on each finalized photo from the portrait session. For reference, if your photo shoot lasts one hour, it will take me another three to four hours to post process the session—sometimes even longer. My aim is NOT to make an exact replica of a moment in time, but to create a piece of art that will hang on your wall.

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I started Ata-Girl Photography Co. in 2010 and I am one of the premier San Antonio wedding photographers who is available for local and destination weddings. In addition to wedding photography, I also specialize in high school seniors and family portraits in San Antonio and the surrounding areas. I am a professional photographer who enjoys documenting the important milestones and captivating moments in people’s lives. I firmly believe that the unique set of circumstances I have faced in life has prepared me to take a personal and genuine interest in my photography clients. When I’m not photographing a wedding, family or high school senior, I enjoy watching my daughter play softball, hiking, cycling and listening to Elvis!

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Hi, I’m Tammy.
I'm a San Antonio-based wedding photographer for outdoor-loving couples who value real moments.

I am a San Antonio-based wedding photographer and I am absolutely in love with capturing the kinds of weddings where there are more hugs than handshakes, the dance floor rumbles all night long, and chairs are pretty much rendered useless after dinner. Whiskey bottles are passed around, most of the wedding party has been best-best friends since kindergarten, Grams is likely to lose her shoes and your partner is much more emotional than you are. These kinds of weddings are my jam!

Since 2010, I have excelled in helping each of my couples plan for one of the very best days of their lives! I’d love to share my very personalized wedding experience, my super-human organizational abilities, and my U. S. Army combat skills (when needed) with you too.

I want your wedding day to be as perfect as you do! I am all in with my whole heart!