We’ve been friends with Kaylene since forever and were thrilled when she asked us to help promote her new endeavor of being a tattoo model! This is a recent session shot at Lujan Motorcycles!

Thanks Kaylene!

-DeAnna Dimmitt and Rick Meiers

Dry Heat Photography

Genevieve and Justin were married on December 19th at Hotel Albuquerque followed by a reception at Zinc Wine Bar & Bistro. This is their wedding book!

To Genevieve and Justin, thank you so much for making us a part of your Special Day!

-DeAnna Dimmitt and Rick Meiers

Dry Heat Photography

Hilary Smith backed up by Glen Kostur and Milo Jaralillo

Wishing everyone great success in every endeavor,

-dD

Please visit the PiYo page for full details.

If you attended the JLA Holiday Ole and are looking to see the images, they can be found here, or click the picture.

Thanks!!!

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

http://www.pictage.com/844264

While attending a gathering of local wedding vendors earlier today I was quite literally shocked beyond words when another professional in my field decided to speak up and encourage all of us to “lower the bar” because (in their words) “this generation of brides does not care about quality”.  Following on the heels of that was “it’s better to have inferior work up (like on your website) than no work at all”.   Honestly, I nearly choked on my lunch and I could see others sitting around me also glowering in disapproval.   

It is my opinion that perpetuating the notion that brides don’t care about quality is very literally the kiss of death to the wedding industry as a whole.  My studio, Dry Heat Photography, is from the school of thought that says “come big or stay home”.  I know for a fact, beyond any shadow of a doubt, that brides and grooms, in all budgets,  most certainly care about quality!  I know something else to be true as well; people respond to the way you treat them, you get what you give.  If I approached my clients with an “I know you don’t really care about this” attitude, I would certainly bet that they would respond in kind by doing exactly what I expected – not caring.  Well folks, let me tell you Rick, Angela, Kristina and I all care very passionately about what we do.  Our goal is to be the best.  What does it mean to be the best?  To us it means to do everything that is necessary to facilitate the best possible experience for our clients and, of course, to create the fantastic, once in a life time, photographs that people come to us for.  I have no doubt, because they tell me directly, that our clients care about quality.

The wedding industry is very specialized and highly competitive.  There are many talented people who earn their living by pursuing their passion, (working their butts off) and giving 100% to the special couples we all care so much about.  There is no room in this field for the disenchanted.

-DeAnna Dimmitt

Dry Heat Photography

Thanks a ton you two for a great afternoon in Old Town.  I am looking forward to the wedding.

-Rick MeiersThis is my favorite shot from the session.

There is a lot a wrought iron in Old Town, this happens to be an old door we found. 

The well that Atsuko and Conrad are sitting in front of used to be the city water supply for Albuquerque.  Personally, I’m glad my water comes to me from a faucet and happy to not have to gather it myself. 

This is such a special little spot in Old Town, it is so peaceful and quite in here.