New Website!

Finally after much blood, sweat and maybe a few tears, I have published the new website. Now before you get too critical, I am still testing it and working out a couple of bugs. Check it out at www.aprilwisephotography.com

June Weddings...

As I am wrapping up my June wedding editing, I realize how incredibly lucky I have been so far to have the opportunity to work with such great couples.

Here are a couple of images from recent weddings:

HILLARY AND BILLY

This wedding took place at the Villa de Buena Vista Bed and Breakfast, located on the Vista Creek Vineyards in Paso Robles. We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day, the weather was surprisingly mild for a summer day in Paso Robles.

The couple as requested a private online viewing, for that reason I will not included any images of their face in this blog.

CRISTINA AND RICARDO

This wedding took place at the St. John Neumann Catholic Church in Santa Maria. We were very excited because this was our first ceremony performed completely in Spanish. It was surprisingly easier than I thought.

The couple rented a really fun classic Plymouth, instead of the traditional limo. Josh and I both had a fun time taking photos of this get away car.

More to come from this 2008 wedding season...

Last Day

Today is my last full day in Groveland (Yosemite area). I just wanted to share some last minute photos with you before I go.


This is view of the Coffee Time coffee shop and Iron Door Saloon from across Main Street/Hwy 120. (I am actually sitting inside the window on the far right corner of the Coffee Time coffee shop as I type this.)

The inside of the Iron Door Saloon, the oldest Saloon in CA.

Well I guess I will see you back in reality...

Yes I know...I am a slacker

Ok so I haven't been the best blogger in the past month but hopefully this post will make up for my inactivity. I am currently on my first trip to Yosemite with my good friend Eric. Today he decided to do the Half Dome hike, which I am in no shape for, so I stayed back to catch up on "work." Yosemite has been fantastic. It can be hard to balance fun time with photo time, especially when you are with non-photographers but I have managed to capture some good images. Here are my favorites so far:

At Rainbow Pool

This is one of the lower falls near Rainbow Pool.

This was a curb on the hike down that I though had an interesting texture.

Graffiti covered metal bridge near Rainbow Pool.

An interesting metal post near Rainbow Pool

Yosemite National Park

My friend Eric riding into Yosemite...and yes I did ride his motorcycle on this trip.

A view of Half Doom from the Yosemite Falls trail. Eric is climbing this trail as I type this...I couldn't hang.

A view of Yosemite Valley from the Yosemite Falls trail.

Lower view of Yosemite Falls...if you can belive it, I did make it to the top.

A sign directing us to the Overlook Point at the top of the Yosemite Falls trail.

Table Top Mountain

Eric walking along the cow trail on top of Table Top Mountain.

Self Portrait with the view from Table Top Mountain.

This Morning in Groveland

Flowers in the morning light.

Thistle on the roadside.

An old sign post in Groveland.

Old building with "No Parking" sign.

My new favorite effect

When I say my new favorite, I don't mean this is new...it's just my favorite effect for now. It's called the soft focus effect. It's relatively simple, although I don't think I'll be doing it to every image in a wedding just yet ;) It basically involves duplicating the image layer and blurring it, then either making it an overlay or changing the opacity to 50% (below are examples of each technique.) Nice huh?

Here I am...

Well it's Tuesday morning, 11 am and I am still in my PJs. It's official, April Wise is now technically self-employed and working full-time from home.

So what do I do with this abundance of "free" time you might ask? So far, in the past week and a half, I have worked two weddings and managed to keep myself quite busy with catch up work. It's amazing how much admin work goes into a photography business...sheesh, I just want to make pretty pictures!

Anyways, this blog has been a project I've been trying to get off the ground for several months. So rejoice with me..."it's alive."