Heather Photographer

Lindsay & Gene’s Wedding Photography at Le Maison Rouge at Paris on Ponce – Atlanta, GA

Heather Murphy — Thu, 17 May 2012 20:33:58 +0000

Lindsay & Gene are “Home Team!!!” I was lucky to be able to photograph their wedding day at a venue tucked away inside an Atlanta antiques store. The venue is French and red and luxurious and kitschy! I LOVED it! they are such a unique couple and so in love! Check it out:

Location: Le Maison Rouge (at Paris on Ponce) – Atlanta, GA

When: Afternoon-Evening Wedding, May 5

Haley’s Softball Pitching Photo Session – CRPA Twin Creeks Softball Complex – Canton, GA

Heather Murphy — Tue, 01 May 2012 15:16:52 +0000

Haley is an incredible pitcher and softball player. At only 10 years old, she is one talented player. I hope she goes far!

Location: CRPA Twin Creeks Softball Complex (Canton, GA)

When: Evening, April 30 – Springtime

Jenny & Rick’s Wedding Photography at Bullock Springs Manor – Dallas, GA

Heather Murphy — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 19:40:56 +0000

Jenny & Rick had a gorgeous wedding at Bullock Springs Manor in Dallas, Georgia. I was so lucky to have Jenny for a bride; she had an adventurous spirit when it came to the shots I’d take. She was an inspiration to me. Her family and friends were full of love and joy. Here is a small sampling of their day:

Location: Bullock Springs Manor (Dallas, GA)

When: Afternoon-Evening Wedding, April 21 – Springtime

International Corporation based in Atlanta gets new Headshots – Buckhead, GA

Heather Murphy — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 16:35:52 +0000

I brought my lights and background to an office building in the heart of Buckhead in Atlanta, GA. I set up in a large room and took 30 different headshots to achieve consistency on marketing materials and their website. Everyone on their “Key Contacts” page had a different headshot with different lighting and a different background. The page looks incredible now. There is now Feng Shui of that web page.

Location: Corporate Office (Buckhead, GA)

Jessica gets the kids together for a Portrait Photography Session at local Horse Farm – Canton, GA

Heather Murphy — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 14:19:24 +0000

When I woke up this Sunday morning, I had no idea what was in store for me! I thought I was going to a suburban home in Canton, GA and would find a nice place outside to take the portraits of 7 children and be on my way in 45 minutes. When I pulled up to the gate, my eyes were filled with visual gluttony. It was a horse farm with more land than the eye could see. The fields were filled with wonderful yellow flowers. As I drove down the long driveway, I knew I’d be there for much longer than anticipated. I didn’t even know where to begin. I had such a great time. You never know what the day will bring! Beautiful morning, beautiful children, beautiful scenery, AND beautiful photos!

Location: Private Horse Farm (Canton, GA)

When: 10AM, April 22 – Springtime

Heather Murphy’s Gallery Showing at The Pullman – Kirkwood, Atlanta

Heather Murphy — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 16:02:23 +0000

I just installed 6 pieces of art in Kirkwood’s newest restaurant/bar, The Pullman. The pieces will be displayed for 2 months and are available for sale. They are limited edition prints. Five of the serene pieces are on stretched canvas and 1 piece is on metal. If you get a chance to check out The Pullman, Chef Lo is sure to delight your taste buds. You won’t be disappointed!

Chelsea & BJ’s Engagement Portrait Photography at Lake Allatoona – Canton, GA

Heather Murphy — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 21:28:07 +0000

This is Chelsea & BJ. We met at Lake Allatoona. Midday isn’t the optimal time of day but I was able to make use of the sunlight in a magical contrasty way. There is nothing like a big expansive lake and trees for a backdrop. They were so much fun! Looking forward to their wedding in June at Primrose Cottage in Roswell, GA!

Location: Lake Allatoona (Canton, GA)

When: 2PM, April 14 – Springtime

Baby Emerson’s Spring Portrait Photography in Murphy Gardens & Murphy Studios – Canton, GA

Heather Murphy — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 15:49:37 +0000

This is sweet little 8 month old, Emerson. This is her 1st photo shoot. She can sit on her own now. Mom couldn’t decide if she wanted a more classic outdoor session or a fun costume session in studio…so she did both!

Location: Heather Murphy’s outdoor studio, “Murphy Gardens” and indoor studio, “Murphy Studios” (Canton, GA)

When: 10AM, April 7 – Springtime

What camera should I buy?

Heather Murphy — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 18:17:05 +0000

Short Answer:

The most your money can buy.

Long Answer:

Point & Click:

Canon PowerShot G1 X Digital Camera: ~$800

Entry Level SLR:

Canon EOS 60D Digital Camera SLR: ~$950 (body only)

Professional SLR:

Canon EOS 5D Mark II Digital Camera SLR: ~$2300 (body only)

Is that Point & Click too rich for your blood? Well, here would be my pick for an entry level Point & Click:

Point & Click:

Canon PowerShot ELPH 310 HS: ~$220

Point & Click:

Canon PowerShot SX230 HS Digital Camera: ~$275 (currently on sale for $225) - has a much better zoom and is slightly heavier

How is Heather different from other photographers?

Heather Murphy — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 16:58:10 +0000

Short Answer:

Not all photographers are created equal. Some are artists and others are camera-operators. Some are good at business & service while others completely lack those skills. Some know how to use light (the single most important aspect to photography) and others rely on luck. Some charge a premium and others are downright cheap! Being in this industry for so many years, I see “photographers” that cover each one of these types. It is important that you know that just because someone has a website and a nice portfolio doesn’t automatically indicate that they will serve your needs best.

Long Answer:

RE: Talent
I see things from fresh angles and classic angles. I understand lenses and their effect on your nose. I understand lighting; natural and artificial. I understand color, contrast and composition. I do believe I have “the eye” and posses true talent. I am consistently researching and learning as any true artist will do. I want to get better. I have envy of other photographers and that motivates me.

RE: The Knowledge of Light – the single most important aspect to photography
Look carefully at a photographer’s portfolio; do they understand light? You can tell… especially in portraits. Can you see the color of a person’s eyes? Does the picture quality look any different than a picture from your point-and-shoot camera? It should. There is a sea of for-profit photographers that don’t get it at all and rely on luck. I have more skill than that and I spend a great deal of time educating myself on this topic.
*A Word of Caution to Wedding Clients: If your wedding is at night or mostly indoors, will be conducted in low or dramatic light, if the walls are a far distance apart or the ceilings are extra high or a dark color, PLEASE find an experienced and talented photographer or you will be sorely disappointed in your pictures.

RE: People Skills
I am a director. I learned that in Film School. I put you in an imaginary place to get your face to show the right emotion. I turn my subjects into actors. We will strive to let go of any inhibitions. If it’s candid, I look through the lens and wait for a moment to happen. This becomes a memory, captured for eternity. This is my craft and I do it well. I am nice and not at all intimidating. If you have inner beauty, I will bring it to the surface for all to see. A lot of the photographers I’ve met have these qualities too. But I have met not-so-nice photographers too and I’m not sure why they chose this profession – They do better with landscapes.

RE: Equipment
My equipment is high end and cost a small fortune. There are for-profit photographers that shoot with low-end lenses. I don’t own a lens that cost less than $1000. Your pictures are only as good as your glass (lenses). I had a $300 lens and the images weren’t crisp. It really makes a difference. I use a full-frame camera. Why is that important? Lets just say it matters in small spaces or when using a long lens.

RE: Price
My session fees are comparable to high-end boutique photographers but my product & print prices are nearly complimentary and this puts me into the middle of what you might pay a boutique photographer as far as overall cost is concerned. Prints and products are part of my “service” rather than my money maker. In the last few years, I saw so many people take the digital files to be printed at Walmart in order to save money. I completely understand the reasoning behind this but they were doing such a disservice to themselves and their images. Consumer printer quality is terrible. I truly want you to get the best products out of your session, so print & product prices are marked up a mere 15%. An 8×10″ is $3. I make money from the session fee and the purchase of digital files. I feel that I charge a fair price for what I do. I charge what I could fathom paying for it. This job will never make me rich but it makes me happy.

RE: Business Skills
I have been in business long enough to be organized. I crave organization. I think it helps to set expectations. I have a process that is concrete. I am proud of the service I provide. Before you have a session with me, you will know exactly what is included, the cost, and what will be delivered to you. I provide a teaser, an ordering gallery and provide you with my product suggestions and my favorite images. Because my prints & products aren’t inflated in price, you can be confident in my sincerity with regards to image & product choice.

My Wishlist and Hope for the Future:
I wish I had a big commercial studio, a set designer, a healthy prop budget, and a stylist & makeup artist on staff.