Monthly Archives: July 2010

Introducing Jenny and Noel

22 July 2010

Jenny and Noel had a fabulous wedding in Jamaica followed several weeks later by  a fabulous wedding reception at the Isleta Golf Course.  In the interim we shot this Engagement Session in Old Town on May 8th.

-DeAnna Dimmitt

Dry Heat Photography

Upcoming Event!

7 July 2010

Southwestern and Italian Landscapes: Recent works of Italian photographer Donatella Davanzo

Donatella Davanzo is an Italian anthropologist and photographer, who has travelled and studied widely in the Southwest.  This show presents just a glimpse of the many powerful and captivating images coming from her camera – her eye on life.  Her photographs show us some of the fascinating traditions, architecture, land and water spaces shared by Italy and the Southwest.

Donatella works as a photographer for her home city of Trieste.   She also studies and photographs Italian life, American scenes and her great love – Native American cultures of the Southwest.  In Italy she has captured views and stories about the ancient Venetian lace and glass crafts, fishing, water courses, the tango and clown-doctors, among other themes.  One summer she travelled and photographed Route 66 from Chicago to Los Angeles.  In her anthropological and photographic fieldwork she focuses on culture, the use of space, architecture, the relationship between communities and the land, acequias, and local landscapes.

Besides exhibitions in Italy and Europe, her photographic works have also been published in a number of essays, articles and artistic monographs.  She also prints her photographs on selected handmade Italian coloured and textured paper to enhance their characteristics – defining this technique as “pictorial photography.”

Introducing DeAnna and Brandon

5 July 2010

DeAnna and Brandon actually just married a couple weeks ago on June 18th at the Hotel Albuquerque.  We’ll get to those photos later but in keeping with the time line we’ll start with their Engagement Session.  Rick shot this session on March 25th at the UNM Duck Pond.

Enjoy!

Andrea – The Bridal Session

4 July 2010

Happy 4th of July everyone!  I got up early this morning to continue working on the blog and this morning’s entry is Andrea’s bridal session from May 18th.  I was very excited to shoot this session at the First Presbyterian Church here in Albuquerque.  Constructed in 1954, this is one of the few remaining churches to maintain that majestic look and feel that I remember from attending church as a kid.  It has the huge stained glass windows, the ornate alter, the red carpet; everything that is reminiscent of church architecture from that time period.  Sadly, there are not very many churches like this left in Albuquerque so I felt it was a rare opportunity to be able to use this place as my own personal photo studio for an afternoon.  What a treat!  In addition, Andrea possesses a classic beauty that, coupled with the location, really created a perfect storm of sorts.  I don’t always say as much because it would start to sound redundant but I’m pretty sure that Dry Heat Photography has the most beautiful brides.  Hands down, our clients are the best and I would like to thank all of you for giving us an opportunity to do this amazing job.  :-)

Incidentally, you’ve all met Andrea before in her Engagement Session with Caleb last summer at Elena Gallegos Open Space.

-DeAnna Dimmitt

Dry Heat Photography

The high price of low cost

3 July 2010

I think most people will recognize that title as the well known documentary film about Wal-Mart that provides an in-depth explanation of the trade-offs associated with Wal-Mart’s notoriously too good to be true low prices.  The list of indiscretions is so long I don’t even know where to start but for sure there are environmental violations, extremely poor employee relations and practically nothing in the store is made in the USA to name just a few.  So… the topic of this little essay is not Wal-Mart but it is about shedding some light on wedding photography that is priced significantly below the industry average.  I wish that this was not a topic that is constantly in need of addressing but alas I see the problem persisting.  For all you brides I’m sure you’ve run across more than one of these articles and you must think to yourselves “What’s the big deal?”

Let us address the question “What’s the big deal?”

In reality this is an exceedingly simple issue and it boils down to the old adage you get what you pay for.  The reason that highly experienced, talented and successful photographers don’t shoot weddings for next to nothing is not because they are greedy and full of themselves (as the competition would no doubt imply), the reason is because they know how to survive in the real world.  The truth of the  matter is that quality products are not inexpensive, experience cannot be faked, bills have to be paid and the time we spend working on any given wedding is far more than just the time spent photographing the event.   One of the reasons that so many photography studios do not achieve longevity is because they literally drive themselves out of business by simultaneously under pricing and over booking themselves.  The inevitable result of this is not being able to keep up with the work load (therefore producing an inferior product) AND not being able to pay their bills.  Nothing spells frustration like running to stand still.   These things together equal burnout and burnout is a short road to finding a different career.

Who gets the short end of the stick here?  Well, clients do of course.  I would assume everyone would agree that any amount of money that is not well spent is wasted.  Sure, it may seem like you’re saving a bundle by hiring someone with bargain basement pricing but what about the money you’re spending?  Where is it going, how will it benefit you?  If you are not pleased with the outcome, do you still feel good about the money you saved?

I want to keep this short but here’s just one analogy for you.  If you needed surgery would you hire the best surgeon or the cheapest surgeon and do you think there is probably a good reason for the discrepancy in price?  I’m not saying that wedding photography carries the same weight as open heart surgery but, like open heart surgery,  you still only get one chance to get it right.

That may come across as blunt but it really is that simple.  Don’t take my word for it, check your gut and see if it’s true.

-DeAnna Dimmitt

Dry Heat Photography

Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary needs your help!

3 July 2010

As most of our friends know, Rick and I have many furry friends at the Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary. For those of you who are not familiar, The Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary is located in Ramah, NM.  The mission of the sanctuary is as follows:

  1. To operate and manage a lifetime sanctuary for displaced, unwanted, and un-releasable captive-bred wolves, wolf-dogs, and other related species, utilizing such resources as may be available from local, city, state, and private entities or individuals;
  2. To educate the general public about wolves, wolf-dogs, and other related species and our environmental and ecological issues related to wildlife;
  3. To generate self-supporting, sustainable revenue resources to assist in the financial support of the sanctuary.

Wild Spirit is a non-profit organization that operates entirely off donations from people like you who recognize the value and importance of having such an organization.  To learn more about Wild Spirit and to make a donation please click here.

All donations go towards the care and upkeep of the many animals that call Wild Spirit their home.

Amy – The Bridal Session

2 July 2010

In an attempt to start getting caught up on the blog I wanted to post this cool bridal session from last fall.  November 24th to be exact.  You’ve all seen Amy before in her Engagement Session with Aaron and now here’s the bridal session in the Bosque.  Enjoy!

-DeAnna Dimmitt

Dry Heat Photography

Aubrie and Carl – The Wedding

1 July 2010

As promised, here is Carl and Aubrie’s wedding and the session in the snow!  Aubrie and Carl were married on New Year’s Eve at Faith Lutheran Church and our snowy mountain session is at Elena Gallegos Open Space.

To Aubrie and Carl, thank you so much for making us a part of your special day!

-DeAnna Dimmitt and Rick Meiers

Dry Heat Photography

Sandra’s School Of Dance

1 July 2010

If you are looking for the Sandra’s School Of Dance photos from both the May and June sessions please click here:

http://www.pictage.com/844264