I was very excited to get this mornings Northwest Herald newspaper because the business sections featured Wancket Studios on the cover. I like seeing my studio and my work through the eyes of Lawerence Synett ( The newspaper reporter).
Here is the link to the online version- "Wancket Studios focuses on portraits"
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Categorized In: northwest herald
Inspired and named from Audrey’s passion for the “Old Master Painters” of Vermeer, Rembrandt, John Singer Sargeant and others. This art form combines the realism of our photographic portrait with the added depth of fine painting. Audrey takes us beyond the limits of the camera to an art piece rich with hand painted details.
These exquisite portraits are appropriate for the finest homes.
close ups with detail
Categorized In: paintings by audrey wancket
It is that time of year when the eggs have been laid and we await our adorable baby chicks arrival. They are due on March 21st so we are scheduling sessions March 22nd ~ 29th. We have only 16 appointments available. These adorable portraits are perfect for both boys and girls individually or together. Part of the session is done with the baby chicks and part without as well. Bring several outfits. Spring dressy as well as casual work great. Speaking of outfits, my favorite children’s boutique (Amazing Gracie’s in Barrington) is offering 20% off one item. Here is the postcard:
To schedule your session or get more information call us at the studio
847-587-3350
We love our “glass” or bling as some might call it. We just had the North Central District Print competition. See the map below-my district is the one in red. This is the first segment of PPA's International Photographic Competition (IPC*)
I chose four images (for me that would be portraits) to enter in this competition. They are judged by a panel of PPA Affiliated Jurors. If an image scores 80 or above it receives a seal and an automatic National merit when submitted to the next level of print competition.
I was excited to win the awards… Here is an explanation of them
Canon 2013 Par Excellence Award Awarded to the “best of the best” image-maker at PPA District Competitions. Par Excellence “being an example of the very best kind and highest quality”. Not only do we get a beautiful crystal award-But this top prize includes Canon’s newest Professional camera and lens. ( I won this one last year as well)
The winner in the Best Color Printed Image category also wins the LexJet Sunset Award. LexJet is on of the biggest and best supporters of professional photographers around the country. The prize included a $250 gift certificate for their beautiful paper and canvases. ( I also won this one last year)
The Kodak Gallery Award-Kodak presents the Gallery Awards as a way to honor and promote the importance and value of excellence in professional photography. An elegant engraved crystal trophy is presented for the winning District image, along with a specially designed lapel pin.
We know you would like to see the winning images- and we would love to show you-just not on the internet as there is still one more competition in July. If you stop by the studio, we are happy to show you…
Audrey
Categorized In: wancket studio awards
Simple tips to make your IPhone and camera phone images better.If you have a camera phone (3/4’s of the world does and 99.999% of my clients and their children do too) you have a fun little camera with you all the time. Some of you are taking artsy, adorable, fun pictures and some of you could use a few tips…
1-Resolution-Set it high
Most camera phones have the ability to set your picture resolution. Your choices are usually listed as low- medium- high or small-medium-large. Choose the highest or largest setting or you will lose quality and detail in your images. You cannot always see this difference when you view your pictures on you phone but you will see them on a computer.
2-Practice, practice, practice
If you want to be able to take better pictures, you need to practice. If you only take out your camera phone in a spontaneous moment, chances are you won’t get the best image. Why? You might not remember how to turn your flash on quick enough or how to hold the phone still enough to “not” get a blur…
3-Stay away from the zoom function
Camera phones do not really zoom and you can get a better result if you crop the image later. When you zoom the camera phone, the camera picks up any movement or shake of your hands, which blurs the image.
So- if you can, move in closer to your subject by using your feet instead of your zoom function. If that is not possible, then crop the image after it is taken.
4-Reduce the chance of blur
Low light causes the camera to photograph with a slow shutter speed. This causes blur. If the light is really low-you might try turning your flash on-This helps the camera photograph faster though it does change the look of the photograph.
Camera movement is the other big cause of blurry images. Holding your phone closer to your body and using two hands will help to stabilize the camera for the shot. People tend to hold the phone all the way out from their body that naturally makes you less still.
5-Change your point of view
Camera phones tend to be held at eyelevel of the one taking the photo. That is just natural. Some images are greatly improved when taken from a low or higher angle. That is where it is fun to experiment. Try walking around the subject and taking some images from different heights and angles.
6-Save and backup you photos.
Go through your photos on a regular basis. Keep the good ones, back up your files and then delete the ones that are not the best. That way when you want to show one you can get right to it instead of scrolling through 50 of the same thing.
7-Have fun!
I too love my IPhone. There are so many times that I want a memory of something or a quick snapshot. I use mine all the time. I have been photographing flowers lately with my phone just for fun!
Categorized In: client insights
The Art of Framing
As with all forms of wall art, a frame choice can make or break it. I think most everyone has come across this at some point and are therefore aware of how important properly framing a piece of art can be. It is important but it shouldn’t be overwhelming either. With sticking to a few rules of thumb you can be sure to make a good frame choice.
The first thing most people will tell me about while framing their custom portrait is what style of décor they have in their home. However, while home décor is a factor it should be the piece of artwork itself that determines the style of frame. My philosophy on framing is simply that when you add artwork to your home you are basically adding a completely new room to your home and you should decorate this room according to its style. More simply speaking, if the frame you choose doesn’t compliment the artwork then it’s not going to be flattering regardless of where you put it in your home. So, don’t be afraid to put a formal frame on a portrait if have a very casual home. It will complement the portrait and allow you custom artwork to make a statement on your walls. The reverse of this is also true.
When framing a portrait, which is what we mostly do at the studio, there is a general guideline. This guideline has existed for a long time and is based on the pleasing qualities of proportions. The rule of thumb for portrait framing is that the width of the frame should be equal or similar to the width of the face in the portrait. This guideline is a little trickier when working with a family portrait but the same principles of proportion still apply.
There is one other suggestion I have and this refers to groupings. I want to preface this by saying that this is a personal preference. Every once in a while a client will ask me what we think about groupings and my answer to this depends on what kind of a grouping they are suggesting and it also depends on the images being used for the grouping. In my opinion, grouping should be concise and have a purpose or a clearly defined theme. I prefer groupings that are a little larger in size, meaning the size of individual images, and smaller in overall number. I like groupings of five and three. The odd numbers are a little more visually interesting. I prefer groupings to be organized in this way because I think it makes more of a statement on the wall and also because whenever I come across a wall that has a number of very small images on it, I find myself skimming over the images and not really looking at any of them.
We have a hundreds of beautiful frames to choose from at the studio and I am more than happy to answer any questions you may have on the subject.
Kate
Categorized In: framing
Every year, usually on Thanksgiving, we take the "Wancket Family" holiday card portrait. some years it is the whole family and others just our kids. This year we did not have everyone home with any time to take the portrait on Thanksgiving. I felt like the cobbler whos children have no shoes and worried this would be the first time in 28 years that we did not have a holiday card. On the 16th, my son Harrison and his Fiance arrived home at 8:30 pm. I made them change and had a fifteen minute session... For most of the session they goofed off. I litterally had 10 images to choose from. But all is well and we had our greeting...
Happy Holidays!
Audrey
Categorized In: happy holidays!
