steph barcenas photography

The fourteenth of February

steph — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 22:48:06 +0000

This day comes and goes every year without a second glance from me. Just another day on the calendar. After dreading this year’s day of love, for so many reasons, I wanted to just come home, eat chocolate, drink some wine and disappear into some creative goodness. Especially after a very frustrating day at work.

But I was reminded today by a very good friend that God has a plan. And while that plan is not quite so clear he is quietly preparing me for someone who deserves both me but my two amazing kids. She said “It’s a waiting game. Enjoy your beautiful family and be proud of how they turned out because that is all you. Think of it as a day to remind you that God wants to give you the best.”

Powerful words and so true.

So this day, the fourteenth of February will have new meaning to me. It’s no longer a day that just plain sucks. But it’s just another day to be happy and content with what I do have. I am blessed beyond words with what I have been given and with what I have yet to receive. Instead of disappearing into the evening I enjoyed my blessings. Conversation and laughter over cherry limeades and cheesy valentine gifts. These two are my only true Valentine’s. They make life better and I am honored that I get to be a part of theirs.

winter leaves

steph — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 06:04:32 +0000

Leaves are beautiful at anytime of the year. I was thinking of how fun and interesting it would be to follow a leaf from spring to winter. From the moment it starts to flourish, then basking in the glory of the summer months, gracefully turning older than falling. The day we had our first snowfall (it lasted two seconds) I went for a little walk around my favorite spots. Macro in hand I was hunched over half of the time taking photos of dead leaves. People walking by must of thought I was crazy. But this is what I got.

And it goes on…

steph — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 05:41:18 +0000

A little over three months worth of photos. From November up until today. I turned another year older, made a promise to myself, learned to let go and be fearless, tried a new art form and most importantly became inspired again. There were no New Year’s resolutions made this time around. Life is more fun when you just live in every moment.

and 3 months later……

steph — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 22:02:35 +0000

Well it’s been three whole months since I have posted anything. What the hell?

Honestly I was un-inspired. And busy with life. Keeping up with this and that and all that comes with this and that. My camera was the last thing I wanted to get out. Even the beautiful colors of the fall didn’t make me want to run and grab the ol D300.

Yes it was bad. Really bad.

Over the course of 3 months, life changed, yet again. And slowly my camera has reappeared. Perhaps the new year will bring some new and fresh changes to this hobby of mine. We shall wait and see.

the post of processing

steph — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 14:14:05 +0000

The post processing of any shoot is my favorite part of the process. I have been able to streamline my work flow so that it takes less time to edit a portrait shoot. Weddings, well that is another story. With most of my clients I do very little editing, mostly brighten the eyes, get rid of a few blemishes if any and in general make the photo “pop”. In fact I could probably just give them the SOOC (straight out of the camera) shot and they would be happy. But I wouldn’t be. What fun is just giving them that shot? A few days ago I took some photos of my daughter. The sun was setting, light was perfect and honestly probably didn’t need to edit these. But I did. Because I love to edit. And I may be addicted. There may be a self help book, if so pass it along.

I wanted to show the following before and afters to give you an idea of what I do after your shoot.

The straight out of the camera image is great. To the casual observer it might seem like nothing needs to be done. If you notice on the edit version I have taken away a few strands of hair off her face, brightened her eyes and used a filter to make the colors pop.

Here is the edited version done in Photoshop. Because I am a geek and have an iPhone, well I just had to do another edit with a new app I found. Pixlromatic is responsible for the edit on your right. Of course I don’t edit my client’s photos on my phone but it shows you how amazing some apps are. Also you don’t have to have an iPhone to get this program. It’s available for a download on your computer! Now if I can just convince my daughter to have red hair……..

I love the edit in Photoshop on this one but LOVE the dreamy quality of the Pixlromatic edit. What is your favorite Photoshop action to use when editing?

introducing Harper…….

steph — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 17:35:18 +0000

Holding sweet newborns is one of the perks of what I am able to do. It’s easy to forget how small, cuddly and comforting it is to have a sleeping baby in your arms. I feel incredibly lucky to do this. And to give new parents beautiful images of their babies with all the wrinkles, tiny toes and that rare grin. They grow up way too fast.

Introducing Harper……….

a thought or two

steph — Sat, 09 Jul 2011 04:39:11 +0000

girls day

steph — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 07:06:45 +0000

My two nieces are visiting from Colorado for the summer. 13 almost 14 and 14 almost 15. It’s been fun. Add Aubs, almost 11 into the mix and Holy hell! A house full of giggles, boy talk and everything else you can imagine. So what happens? A photo shoot of course!

June love

steph — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 17:09:12 +0000

Below is June. And a little itty bitty part of July. But mostly June. A wedding, an airplane ride, school ended,summer offcially hit the calendar, a little camping, some beach bbq and all the beautiful things in between.

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eric and kristen say i do {portland | salem oregon wedding photography}

steph — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 18:20:38 +0000

May 14th. A beautiful Saturday evening in Southern California. Not hot and not too cold. Actually perfect. Especially since when I had left Portland it was raining. A little fun fact about where they were married….I was a maid of honor for my best friends wedding back in 96 at the same place. I would of never thought I would be back as a photographer.

Congratulations Eric and Kristen. Your wedding was absolutely beautiful! Thank you for allowing me to be apart of your day.