Mojica Photography

The Mojica Photography Bolg has moved :)

2010-01-21T13:12:00.000-08:00

You can now find us at Mojicaphotography.com/blog. Come and visit us!

2009-10-30T15:55:00.000-07:00

They don't make cameras like they used to--literally! Digital photography can be both a blessing and a curse. While amenities such as printing images on a printer instead of a dark room and Photoshop instead of an airbrush can cut down on costs for prints and photo restoration or manipulation, the quality of a true black and white picture has all but faded away like antiquity--until now. Digital Silver Imaging has brought back one of the keystones of traditional photography, the silver gelatin print! Silver gelatin is superior in every way to run-of-the-mill digital prints. It is the material that is warranted when you have a true piece of art. Like Durer making wood-cuts of his creations, DSI uses a medium that stands the test of time. Too many beautiful images are spoiled by sunlight and exposure to humidity. The problem is, if you have a beautiful picture, you want to display so it can be enjoyed. When you chose DSI for your black and white prints, you get the best of both worlds: the longevity of silver gelatin and the definition, clarity, and emotion of black and white. We recommend Digital Silver Imaging prints for your most cherished images. You may have save your wedding cake in the freezer or store your wedding dress in the closet, but your wedding pictures should be out in the open. DSI prints let you keep your pictures out in the open without having to worry or fuss over having reprints or restorations done. And the clarity of silver gelatin is unparalleled!

New kid with the Blocks

2009-10-21T20:16:00.000-07:00

Lola and Matt Block were such beautiful new parents! They were completely happy to show off their newborn, Liren. She literally is the new kid on the block with the Blocks! ... and a cute one at that. Their newborn photography session went so well. For new parents, it is common that newborns cry, get hungry, and wet whatever they are on during a photography session and in this case, I think Liren did so well in cooperating in taking wonderful posed and photojournalistic pictures.

Digital Silver Imaging

2009-10-01T19:31:00.001-07:00

Longevity and texture. Everyone has seen washed out black and white images of early historic figures in museums and/or old pictures in grandma's attic. Many of these pictures depict history captured in the click of a shutter. The arrival of a new family member, or an interesting panorama or skyline that has faded away with time were once something that could only be captured with skill and practice. Sadly, most (if not all) of these original old pictures have gradually faded due to light exposure and time.

Thankfully, Digital Silver Imaging has come up with a unique way to create black & white images that give prints longevity. "DSI uses a light source, exposing a silver gelatin layer within the paper to produce a true continuous tone from shadows to highlight." (DSI)

This is the elegance Mojica Photography aims to provide. We are going to include these finishes as options in all packages with prints.

This technique has been mastered by Eric Luden who has worked closely with black & white printing since the 1980's. We look forward to introducing these prints into your homes as your memories may last longer.

It's a girl! The Rabers...

2009-09-20T18:50:00.000-07:00

Iliana and Lloyd are such a cute couple! With shoes in hand (literally) they wanted to announce that they are happily expecting a baby girl in the next few months. I love how they have been patiently looking forward to having a child and are soon to have their first.

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Butterfly Bio-Villa at Pendelton's Country Market

2009-09-12T09:23:00.000-07:00

Recently a group of friends, my son, and I went to Pendleton's Country Market to see the Butterfly Bio-Vila. We had a small tour (perfect length for the kids to stay entertained) and a tractor-pulled hayride to the Bio-Villa. The tractor ride passed a right-turn only maze for the kids to play in afterwards and an area where kids can climb up towers, tires, and tricycles and have fun in the country sun. The main attraction were the butterflies. I loved seeing all the kids getting so excited about the butterflies and seeing butterflies actually coming out of their chrysalis and dry their wings! All the little kids ran up and down the little-brick road looking at the caterpillars on the parsley and butterflies fluttering around occasionally landing on one of us and on nearby plants.

Something that really was fun to me was tagging the butterflies after playing around and after most of the crowd had left. They brought out some butterflies and placed a small sticker on their wing, and placed them on our heads and hands to let them warm up and fly away. The sticker has a number and can be tracked via internet! We can track them by visiting Monarch Watch. They told me that these butterflies should be in the system by Jan... I guess it will be fun to see where our butterflies end up! Of the three butterflies we tagged, I only got one tag code which was MLS 911. Let's see how far she gets (she was female)!

Showing us the caterpillar's antennae

Some kids (and parents) went into the no-left turn maze.

Butterfly coming out of its Chrysalis

The children loved going on a small bike ride

Some children took their pics in front of the caterpillar grow chart

Pushing along with a toy dump truck

"There's a butterfly on your head!"

Couples, Couples, Couples!

2009-09-07T17:29:00.000-07:00

I love to meet couples and gain a new friendship! They see the best of their future spouse and highlight it so much. I feel that their love for each other bleeds on to me as I end up telling my husband I love him in a new learned way!

Family Fun with the Sorensens!

2009-09-07T17:13:00.000-07:00

The Sorensen Kids were such beauties! They clearly expressed their personalities in front of the camera and told a tale with every step! Children always seem to bring out a fun side to photography--mainly because they are so unpredictable and have their own agenda!

Wedding and Family Photography 40% off!

2009-08-25T19:36:00.002-07:00

Since the KC Bridal Fair in the Westin Crown Center, I had fun giving brides 40% discounts on my work until September 30th 2009. So now I am offering the same promotion for everyone who visits my website/blog and emails me about the discount. I am also extending my services to families and all other services! We are confident that you will LOVE our work and enjoy your memories throughout your lives!

Congratulations Samantha S. from Leavenworth, KS for winning the Giveaway we held at the KC Bridal Fair!

2009-08-25T11:49:00.000-07:00

As I mentioned in the previous blog entry, we held giveaway for a free 1 hr engagement session in Lawrence. All this signing up and talking to many of you brides-to-be made this so fun that we want to hold another giveaway! All you need to do to sign up is post a comment to this blog below or on the previous blog!

You must sign up before Sept 30th because we will draw our winner on October 1st!

Free engagement session ! Enter here!

2009-08-19T09:56:00.000-07:00

Getting married? First of all, CONGRATULATIONS!

If you are getting married and still need some pointers on getting ready, and would like to enter in some fun hourly drawings and get ideas on planning your big day, come by and visit the KC Bridal fair!

Mojica Photography will also give away a free engagement session after the event for those who sign up in our booth.

This Bridal fair has given me an idea to also give everyone a chance to win a free one hour engagement session especially for those who cannot make it to the bridal fair! Just drop a comment here on this blog entry by Sept 30th and I send all of you the name of the winner. On October 1st. [Date Extended]

Good luck!

NOTE: Because this has been so fun, we want to extend this drawing to Sept 30th! Then we will select our winner on October 1st!

Newborn Photography

2009-07-12T08:16:00.000-07:00

I am so grateful for Darren Rowse of Digital Photography School for publishing my article on newborn photography. 3 Quick Newborn Photography Tips
I am also especially thankful for all the helpful comments and suggestions given in response to the article. The Digital Photography School has taught me so much by reading suggestions others have given, and writing articles seem as a great way to open additional topics of interest.

To read my article click on the title here: 3 Quick Newborn Photography Tips

Topeka Photography, Lawrence Photography, Kansas City Photography - Where to shoot? How to choose?

2009-07-09T15:52:00.000-07:00

Generally most people travel to the photographer for portraits--regardless if they are in studio or on location portraits. And then there are cases (such as in wedding photography) that having them travel 45 minutes for a photo shoot for engagement pictures may not sound too enticing. As a photographer, I tend to look at my surroundings and think where would be a good place to take pictures. I like to be familiar with Topeka, Lawrence, and the KC Metro area because if I need to go to an engagement session in Kansas City, for example, I may know where we can go by knowing the style the bride and groom would like to create. Taking a notebook with me when we go to places is something I like to do. I usually look around and look at everything! I sometimes jot down the streets, city (whether I am in Topeka, Lawrence, Kansas City, KS or Kansas City, MO!)

I also note why I like the spot. Does it have tall flowers? Does it have a pond or a lake? Does it have a grungy feel to it? What colors does the general background have? If I am really quick in noticing I can also choose wether the location may look best in the A.M or the P.M. by noticing where the lighting angle the area may have.

Having too many locations may be overwhelming, however it is great to have a variety at least one of each "category" in each city. This way each shoot may have that unique feeling to it and at the same time I would not need to choose which hay field would be best for this couple. I also like to tie the locations together. You if the couple would want the variety of styles, try to find the grungy old building closest to the lake to save time, gas, and lighting.

Another thing that may be a good idea is have a point-and-shoot camera with you and snap a pic and at least match the location to the image number so you could then get the rest of the details down later! Another way to record your locations is by leaving a memo on your phone. Most cells have voice recordings and can save a few seconds at a time. Just remember to transcribe your memos for future reference.

Really, the sky is the limit; and regardless if your focus is wedding photography or family portraits, having a list of locations has its pros. Besides, if you are just sitting in the passenger seat it doesn't hurt much to jot it down!

KC Bridal Fair 09- August 22nd 2009

2009-06-30T19:12:00.000-07:00

Photo by KC Bridal Fair

We are so excited to participate in the upcoming KC Bridal Fair 2009 in The Westin Crown Center in Kansas City, MO!
In this bridal fair we will give couples 40% off the package they choose for their wedding. To get this discount just drop by our booth on August 22nd, 2009 and reserve your wedding event. In order to reserve a date for your Event, you must pay 30% of the total amount of your event (discount applied.)
Check out our website for date availability on our website at mojicaphotography.com/appointments.html
We hope to see you come by our booth on August 22nd!

Now why would you need to go to a bridal fair?
Well besides the fact that I will be giving out a 40% discount on all my photography services, here are some deals the KC Bridal Fair 2009 is offering!

GRAND PRIZE - $5,000 VISA GIFTCARD
RUNNER UP PRIZE - HANDMADE WEDDING GOWN DESIGNED BY LORENDA GRAY
HOURLY DRAWINGS VALUED AT A MINIMUM OF $100 EACH

TASTE TESTINGS - FUN - PRIZES - SHOPPING --- Yum!

The KC bridal Fair will also host a variety of wedding-related professionals who will give you great ideas and help you plan well for your wedding day. This will be a great time to get to know who you want to work with and who will be able to serve you in your wedding in the ways you want to be served! Here are a list of the participating vendors as it appears on the KC Bridal Fair website.

American Laser Centers
Balloon Garden
BeautiControl
Bridal Extraordinaire
Bridal Solutions & Tailor
Caricatures By the Fine Tooners
Celebrity China
Custom Bridal Wear by Lorenda Gray
Envelopes by Ann
In The Mix Productions
KC Photobooth, LLC
Mary Kay Cosmetics
Mojica Photography
Moore Travel
Olathe Chiropractic
Paper Mill Designs
Perfect Postage
Premier Entertainment
Ribbon
Scott E. Thomas & Daughter Photography
Sherrie's Cake Magic
Sir Knight Formal Wear
The Westin Crown Center
Weddings of Endless Possibilities

Another note I would like to emphasize is that if you pre-register online you will get $4 knocked off the door price per ticket.
Click here to pre-register online!
See you at the bridal fair!

For more info on the bridal fair and how to register you can visit their site and register online at the KC Bridal Fair website.

Acting Natural in Front of the Camera.

2009-06-19T12:52:00.001-07:00

Has your mind ever gone blank whenever you look at a long test you are about to take (even though you know you know your stuff?) If not- you're a genius! For the rest of us, the anxiety of test-taking (and life-living) is totally common. I know my mind goes blank when I get in front of the camera (in spite of the countless hours I spent in front of the mirror in my teenage years.) I like my "models" to feel comfortable in front of the camera. So, as a photographer, I need to think how can they have their personalities shine through more naturally.

Fortunately, in photography, both the photographer and the models, we can use "cheat-sheets" to push this anxiety away. I brought sample pictures and showed Maranda and Adam what I am thinking. As I prepared this list, I thought that this was just helping me remember the poses I thought they'd look cute (great) in. But soon I realized that by having this list, they knew exactly what they wanted and came up with other great poses. It helped pictures seem candid. For Maranda and Adam these helped them feel more comfortable in front of the camera (at least it seemed that way!) By the end of the shoot they looked like pro models!

So, what do I do when I am in front of the camera? How do I try to act natural in front of a camera? As I mentioned before, I practiced my smile for hours in front of the mirror as a teenager. I always thought my oldest sister (Leia)'s smile was beautiful so I tried so hard to smile like her. Since I do not have a picture of my sister on hand, I do suggest you look at the look you want to achieve, and practice it for yourself! Yo may want to take a few magazines or pictures that you really like and show them to your photographer to give them ideas!

Wedding at Mead Park, Topeka, Kansas