oh.. i would LOVE to bid... but the session will only take place on the WPPI 2010 (Las Vegas)? and i can't.. too soon for a canadian :) bouhouhouh! but i stay tuned for your workshop.. and thanks for what you're doing!

awesome cause, awesome auction! We bid on and "won" the Sloans! We're super excited (we bid on you too, but no dice)

Whoa! Even at the "proof" stage -- those already look so stylized. Did you have to work with Fotofafa a while in order to pin-down this distinct proof look? Or would someone who began working with them today be able to expect a similar outcome? They just look reallllly good for only being proofs -- I am astounded! Other examples from other companies just don't look so artistic at this stage, so I never trusted outsourcing. But THIS might change my mind!

Anda, Thats the best part about Fotofafa, they can cater to your specific needs (if you like your images warm or cool, contrasty or not), they can save those preferrences and make your images look how you want them to look. You should check them out!

very nice! thanks for sharing :)

:) This might just make spending more time with the kid possible. Thank you.

Amelia, kudos to you for being honest and open about how you run your business, but also for allowing us all to give ourselves a break. I have always sat there and thought to myself, "How do the Lyons DO this time and time again? Have all of those shoots and have every image look so fabulously processed?" I am really considering outsourcing and I feel like this is the answer (I did contact Kenny before!!!). Thank you so much for being so gracious with your workflow!!!

Must say, I've never thought of outsourcing. These look fab!

You had mentioned Fotofafa in an earlier post and I checked them out... I'm sold. Hook, line and sinker. Thanks for the great tip!

Thank you for sharing your talent and "secrets" to your fellow photographers.

Thanks so much for sharing this! The proofs looks awesome...

That's what I have been wanting to see. Before and afters!!! Yes!

NICE!! I've tried out another company before and was really unimpressed, so I kinda gave up hope on outsourcing post processing. But not anymore!! Thanks for sharing!

Thanks for this post! This might just save my life!

Thats awesome! My question is, how many images are you giving out to non-wedding shoots. Like the ones featured in this post. Because it almost doesnt seem worth while is you are giving out on like 30 photos or so.

Thank you for sharing. I've also had mixed experiences and I've been hesitant to give up control again... as much as I want to, I haven't been able to trust as much as I should. I really am inspired to give these guys a shot. Looks like they do a wonderful job.

Hey Millie, I actually deliver 120-150 per portrait session and 700-900 per wedding. I normally shoot 500-700 per portrait session and 3,000-ish per wedding. I use Fotofafa for both portrait sessions and wedding because it saves me so much time! It is definitely worth it!

Kat, I understand about giving up the control. This is definitely difficult for an artist to do, but for proofing, I feel it is a necessary thing to outsource. The upside of this is that you WILL have more time to spend elsewhere (with your family, or focus that extra time in marketing and getting your name out there, etc). I am so glad that I learned how to give up some control. And rest assured that Fotofafa will listen to your specifics and do their best to apply those preferences to all of the images you send in. Hope this helps!

Great blog, really like the pictures!

Great tip for outsourcing. I think it's finally getting to the point where it's cost effective, with a high quality.

Beautiful images (as always), but I don't think I could relinquish that much control... though maybe I should.

does that mean that you only process the photos that you blog ? isn't that a problem , if clients expect to get from you the look that they see on the blog ?

Hili, I'm always 100% honest and upfront with my clients. The images they get to see online are only "proofs"....contrast added, color corrected, white balance perfected, this is why it is called a "proof". Then I let them know that anything that goes to print (whether it be images in a wedding album, or a large print) will go through the "artistic edit" so it will look like a work of art when it's in their hands. I simply explain that not all 700-900 images from a wedding will ever go to print, so it is pointless to artistically edit all 700-900 images (the same goes for a portrait session), then after I explain this they understand the reason why the proofed images look slightly different than the ones that they see on our blog. I haven't had a complaint yet from any one of my clients because took time to educate them on the process. Hope this helps.

I actually recognized a couple of your images from their website while inquiring in the past and thought if Amelia uses them, they must be grand. Thanks for the share!

Thanks girl for blogging about this! Huge help...one day when I get busy enough with our portrait sessions I'm totally going in this direction. OUTSOURCE...OUTSOURCE...OUTSOURCE!!! I'd like to have my life back...please!

thank you for the info it's really helpful!

hi amelia, thanks for the long answer. i was wondering about that. : )

thanks for showing these! your work is amazing, even raw!

Thanks so much for sharing - great job

Thank you, thank you for this review!! I am currently MISERABLE with my endless late, late hours, and watching my family suffer from seeing so little of me. As a full time stay at home mom and homeschooler and trying to balance work at the same time, this is EXACTLY what I need. I always thought, "No way! No one can touch my images!" I am sooo edit picky. But Fotofafa looks very trustworthy, which I never thought I'd say about any outsource. Thanks so much for this. You (and them) have been the answer to all of my problems right now --- literally :)

Okay, I'm sure I'm not the only one that thinks this looks too good to be true?!?!?! WOW...........this seriously may be the key to a new life (I mean A life) for me!!!

Love the lighting, Amelia. LOVE the LIGHTING. Everyone should wear hats for shoots. Wouldn't that be great? That would be great. I'm gonna start this thing. Hats, people, wear 'em.

I love the windmills in the background... and the mall was such a great find! Beautiful portraits!

Man you guys rocked this session i LOVE it esp the windmill shots your stuff has always been a daily favorite of mines...

I freaking love Justin's shot! I have a slight obsession with windswept hair! and love your favorite too.

Love all of these images! You are so TALENTED!

woweeee! I love this session! My fav is the one with Mike up close in the abandoned mall lot and Lindsey out of focus in the background...beautiful composition! All of these are great! bravo!

can you shoot me and my wife and my baby please?! k.... thanks!

Oh My. These are so Fresh! Love them and how you incorporated their style into a truly fun landscape~

Wow. Amelia. Justin. These are insane. Thank you so much for your beautiful work. We LOVE LOVE LOVE all of them!!!!! You are incredible.

wow what an amazing set of images....i love the one with the windmills in the background, her hair blowing in the breeze...epic! great job :)

Gorgeous!

Wow. These are beautiful! The colors are just so soft and yummy. I love her headpiece, and her shoes:)

I love what you have done with the light here, especially how you played up all the details surrounding this adorable couple. Beautiful!

Amazing shoot, I love the feeling of these images. Lindsey has great style too!

sigh... you make it look so easy. what a fun and beautiful couple. soooo impressed you trekked to the windmills---i've dreamt about it but lacked the gumption, but not miss amelia lyon and co., so awesome.

LOVE EM! Especially out by the windmills!!! And I love the hair pieces!!!

Awesome stuff Amelia & Justin!! Fabulous shoot. LOVE LOVE LOVE the pink hair piece, love the color pop it gives to the photos!!

I love her headbands and outfits. The photos in the parking garage are so great. Wow, the dramatic lighting is amazing.

loooove the last couple shots. great shoot!

Oh my goodness.. i NEED you guys to have another workshop so I can come learn how you do your lighting. It is freaking amazing!!

This is SO AWESOME....I think I just died. Those desert shots! Beautiful work!

Oh- Love!! What a great couple in a great location! Love those shots with windmills... so great and inspiring. :)

love the windmill shot. Also amazing to follow justin's updates from Haiti, our prayers are with him and those affected.

love love love!

these are really pretty

Gorgeous. My faves are the windmill shots. Nice work!

Wow, these are FANTASTIC!!!!!

I love the windmills in the background! Did you do a family portrait shoot there before?

you guys are still the best.

I LOVE IT! it's crazy that everything you do is perfect. I love the shot Justin took with the little wisps of hair flying in the wind. plus your off camera flash is spectacular. nice.

I love this engagement session! It is very creative and passionate. Fantastic images!

Thanks for the recommendation! Will definitely check them out.

What a great shoot and good looking couple! I love the lighting!

I adore your work. I never comment but man your stuff is cool! I hope my stuff is that cool someday. I think the windmills brought the comment in me out :) i just did a blog post and my last picture was of the windmills on the way home from CA. I've always thought it would be a wonderful place for a photoshoot... thought confirmed, by you! always a pleasure to check out your stuff. thanks. jill

WOW!!!! SWWWEEEEETTTT!!!!!! these r GREAT!!!! no.6 is to die for......... "A MOMENT IN TIME"

The light in these photos are stunning and the last few are amazing. Also, I want her SHOES. beautiful.

The desert and windmills was oh so totally worth the trip! Wowsers. These are amazing.

Thanks for the pics and the recipes. My favourite pic is the side portrait of Lindsey with the off-lighting. Regards, Carl from T.O.

Very romantic photos, love the tonal quality!

we should help them .now they are in trouble.cheapsexyshoes

Pretty images!! And great info with the Totally Rad actions. Have fun at their wedding. Must be awesome!

Thanks fr sharing your recipes! Sure is interesting to get an insight on how you further cook up your images :)

Yin/Yang and Pro-Retouch doesn't seems to do anything this is my fav http://www.amelialyon.net/assets_c/2010/02/wsblog_010-thumb-678x452-7343.jpg i just love that skin tone, amazing

Wow.. wonderful shots! Love your photographic style :)

OMG! The first pic is stunning!!! Thanks for the recipe!!! The photos are beautiful. :)

I LOVE using Totally Rad actions - its FUN

what a gorgeous couple. these are absolutely breathtaking. i love her style.

These are great! Thanks for sharing the recipes!

Wow, these are fantastic. You are seriously a master of the super wide angle. I can't explain how much I love the pool party action. Great work as usual!

Amazing session! I love her first outfit!

CT Daniel, You should visit the www.gettotallyrad.com site, it has tutorials on how to use the yin/yang and pro-retouch actions. You can just play these actions, you have to paint with the paint brush with the foreground in white. Hope this helps.

Thanks for the tips! These photographs are amazing with or without actions ;)

these are stunning!! so fun and playful...and so romantic and beautiful!

Amelia! These are wonderful! Even better than I could have ever hoped for. We are THRILLED that we have you as a photographer and can't wait for you to shoot the big day!

OMG they are the cutest couple ever! I love the pictures!!!! and the actions!

Thanks for sharing!

You have no idea how much we all appreciate your recipes! Thanks from one photog to the next!

Love the Balboa park images - my hometown! Great usage of what the place has to offer. You are awesome! :)

amelia...i love your work and I think what justin is doing is incredible. not sue if you check these comments but, if you do and have time to respond i would love to know what you use to get the blurry edges? like in the photo with the arches?

Aimee, I DEFINITELY always check my comments;). The "blurry" edges you are talking about comes from a lens called the Tilt Shift. It's a 45mm 2.8. Hope this helps!

very nice! i like the emotion in your images! very nice use of the actions.. i like how the way you process them the color shift is not too strong just wondering, did you add the blur in the last photo in the post process?

wow, thanks @amelialyon, it works

Raymondip, any blur that you see was created in camera using certain lenses or shooting technique, I never add blur in post process. Hope this answers your question.

YAY! Thanks for the tips. I can't wait to attend your workshop in Vegas!!!

gorgeous! amelia, you never disappoint. are you surviving without your hubby? i know how that goes! :)

thanks Amelia! just did that EXACT color reciped for the last e-sesh:) totalllllly digging that BW too!

Great recipes! :)

Well Amelia, I know nothing about photography, but you are FANTASTIC. The images are gorgeous, as is the couple. Mike's parens live in San Diego. Maybe next time we visit, we could meet up. I'd love to chat in person. Thanks for all the support! Hang in there.

her outfit is perfect! these shots are so romantic and wonderful :)

Yey! THANKS Amelia for posting your recipes. Absolutely gorgeeeeeeeeeeeeeeous shots. xo

Thanks for sharing Amelia, that is awesome! what a great location,

Your favorite shot of the day is awesome. thanks for sharing the formula.

Thanks Amelia for your comment on my blog! I tried to "trackback" this post but apparently blogger doesn't make that too easy. I had fun trying your black and white recipe on these photos (http://lhcwords.blogspot.com/2010/02/engagement-selena-and-pate.html) ~ it was fun getting to experience someone else's process and I learned some things from it ~ like using ying/yang before other actions. Thanks again!

you guys are still the best.

These shots are so incredibly fabulous... and so is this couple!!!

i love how you guys always play with shadows. Amazing stuff.

you were rocking some awesome flare!!! love the session! as usual :)

That is really amazing. Was Great Reading about that. Hope He will Be Save. Amelia you really have a great husband.

Wow Amelia! I would have never known he spoke Haitian creole, thank you for sharing! I'll be praying for his safe return. I know he will definitely make an impact! Hugs!

we are so blessed to have people like you and justin. huge hearts like yours' are few to find. so thank you so much from the bottom of my heart. will keep justin and your family in my thoughts for a successful trip and a safe one back too.

I follow you both on Twitter, and I think it's amazing Justin is able to go for 3 weeks! I've been to Port Au Prince on medical missions the past three years, and will be going back (Lord willing) in March for a fourth trip. We support Roberta Edwards, an amazing American woman that runs a foster home for 30 kids and a nutrition program that feeds around 100 kids 2 meals a day. (More info at www.estes.tn.org.) Haiti and her people hold a very special place in my heart, and I'm so excited for the good Justin will do when he is there. I'll be praying for your family!

Its really noble of Justin to drop everything to volunteer in Haiti. Sure is a reminder that one person can make a difference. Here's wishing him and the rest of the group a safe mission.

What an amazing effort he is making along with all those other people! He is truly a missionary of god and will be able to help so many people while there. It fills my heart with joy to hear this story and I know him, the others helping and your family will be blessed for all your efforts! Thanks for sharing and keep us updated!!

Whoa, cool! That is so awesome that he has the opportunity to go back and serve!!! Can't wait to hear about his trip. I love how God works everything together so perfectly.

WONDERFUL. Amazing in every way. We'll add Justin to our prayers. What an inspiration you are Justin!

I have tears running down my cheeks. this is so near to my heart. My husband is currently at the Embassy in Haiti trying to bring home the son we have been in the process to adopt for over two years. I wish your husband the best as he goes to help. Please keep us updated. I have always told my man that if I could photograph like anyone I would choose it to be like you. Your photos are inspiring.

What a great way to be involved and to help others. It always gives me goosebumps when I see so many people helping so many others. It's great that you guys can give back in this way. Also, Wyclef? That's awesome!

This is so amazing! You guys are amazing!

If you guys need ANYTHING at all while Justin is passing through Orlando please let us know. We live close to the airport and would love to help if you guys need it.

That is so awesome. I've followed your blog for a while and I really think that is so great that Justin is going to go serve his second family. I hope he will be safe and your little family will cope well with him gone.

That is absolutely amazing and wonderful. :)

What an amazing, kind and generous thing Justin is doing! I really admire the people who are there in Haiti giving up their time and resources helping!

Thank you for this story. I have felt bad about the situation in Haiti, but nothing has touched my heart like a missionary returning to his home of 2 years. (I am at BYU and had a class with your cousin. He shared your blog with me, and I follow you on Google Reader. Congrats on your success!)

What beautiful photos. So glad your husband is able to go and help, especially since he speakes Kreyol.

Okay, your blog is officially under my "Favorites". I mostly was interested in your wedding photography, but this is awesome. Thank you for the inspiration. Kirsten www.photography-kirsten.blogspot.com

Amelia! I know and love the Trinnaman's who run ForEveryCHild and one of my firends mothers left today with Utah Hospital Task Force. What a beautiful work Justin is doing! Best wishes. Our prayers are with you!!

utterly amazing. thank you for sharing this story. your husband is truly awesome. i will keep you all in my thoughts.

Go Justin! This is so awesome! We'll be praying for his safe return. We can't wait to see all the good he's going to do for all those people in need.

What A BEAUTIFUL and AMAZING story Amelia. Your husband's kind heart is beyond words...and so is your support!

Amelia. I have an urgent request. Is Justin in Haiti yet? My husband is at the Embassy with sick children and pregnant women all sleeping on floor waiting to be signed out. Ambassador Joseph is not doing it for reasons noone knows. All paperwork is ready and complete. CNN said they would do story but need photos. None of their phones will send photos out today..service is sketchy. Do you think Justin could help? ernest.debra@gmail.com @debraparker

This is awesome. I have followed your blog for a while and am also a fan of The Mammoth Men. My prayers are with Justin and your family. God Bless

Debra, Just sent you an email!!!! Let's see if we can do something to help out!

WOW!

Amazing! Blessings upon these efforts!!

Amelia, thank you for sharing this! I think it's wonderful and selfless what Justin is doing and both him and your family will be in my thoughts.

This is really wonderful! Will be praying for Justin ~ it's so great to hear he has the opportunity to do this and the ability to really be of help!

What an awesome thing you are BOTH doing! Prayers to your family and the task force!

i'm so happy you guys have the means to send justin to help! i have not been able to get the people of haiti off my mind and just feel so helpless as to what i can do. we even donated about 20 pairs of shoes to the "soles for souls" at sports chalet today. good for justin and good for you- having no husband is a definite sacrifice.

What a fabulous family you guys are. Thanks for sharing the photos. There is a huge Haitian population here in Boston, and our LDS stake has one of the few branches outside of Haiti. We've been feeling really close to all that has gone on. Every member of the branch has lost at least one family member. Will be thinking of and praying for all of you.

Amelia, THANK YOU!!! for posting beautiful, happy joyful photos of the people in Haiti, it is so awesome to see what was such a happy although very poor place. This really helps show their hearts, why Justin fell in love with them and why he feels so strongly about serving them again. And THANK YOU for being so supportive of him and letting him go. We love you dearly.

really amazing!

This is so rad. I look up to you guys for a lot of reasons, but this truly shows the quality of people you are and emulates your finest qualities. Thank you for making a difference on so many different levels.

thank you thank you! these pictures show a different side to haiti than we are used to seeing - how nice to see all the smiling faces, joy & laughter. & thank you for your efforts now. my thoughts will be with you & your family.

That's awesome that he is able to go down and help! I was in Haiti in 2008 and have been wanting to return ever since I heard about the earthquake. I'm excited that Justin is actually able to go and be of some real help in this critical time!

such a beautiful and wonderful thing justin is doing. i pray for a safe and successful trip as well. :) much love to all.

That is so incredible! Here's wishing a safe and successful journey! My thoughts are with you!

I know it's been a trying year for both of you but you and Justin are awesome...keep staying strong for you and the family. Regards, Carl from T.O.

What special images. It makes me happy to see ow so many people are helping in this situation in Haiti.

I love you guys!! I'm proud you're my friends and seeing how much you bless others! :)

I am enjoying following his adventure on FB! You must be so very proud of him!

This warms my heart to no end! I am headed to Haiti on Monday to see my family and help out in the local community of where I grew up in Delmas, Port au Prince. It is a wreck and I'm seeking to prepare my heart to be broken. Thank-you for posting this! I didn't know he was fluent in Creole! It's always so shocking for me to see someone from a different country speak our language. It really shows that someone cares, when they bother to master our language like that. Amazing! Thank-you for your heart to help my very dear people, and supporting your husband as he goes out. May God bless you guys! =)

So great to hear it from another perspective. What gorgeous pictures and beautiful experiences you must have had. I'm so glad your husband went down with mine. I'm sure they were so happy to see each other! I'll have to check his facebook updates too!

incredibly sensitive. incredibly giving. incredibly appreciated. all 4 of you.

Amelia, you and Justin are amazing and in my prayers. Please let us know if there is anything we else we can do. xoxo!!

this makes me love you guys even more.

You are both such amazing, giving, loving people. The world seriously needs more people like you. I know we'll be thinking of Justin. He's going to be able to do so much good out there!

That is so awesome! I LOVE Wyclef! We took our kids to a concert called groovin on the grounds at LSU and Wyclef is who we went to see. We stayed out there SOOOOO late. Finally he was on. I had my son at the front with me.... He was maybe 7 almost 8 at the time and he was bouncing his hand and wyclef grabbed him up and brought him on stage with him! He held wyclefs hand and was doing some hand raising bouncing thing... Wyclef said this kid has rythym. It was so awesome! What your husband is doing is amazing!! I am a little jealous too. We have a missions heart and know someday we will be doing that alot more in our life.

Wow...its encouraging, touching, and at the same time challenging to read how your husband is really putting LOVE into action. So selfless as well. I will truely remember your husband in my prayers and Haiti as well. You guys are both amazing and its truely a blessing to see how you and your family are being used to touch the lives of others. God Bless You Guys!~* =)

you and your family are so supremely blessed. glad to read that your husband is using ALL of his abilities to help God's people. what a blessing! what a great testimony! thanks for sharing. i heard wyclef jean on npr the other day talking about haiti. can't believe justin knew him so well! all in God's providence.

Wow, I'm so impressed and proud of you guys! I look forward to seeing photos and hearing how things went. I just discovered your blog and LOVE your work! Every single photo is a piece of art! Great job!

wow. Justin is amazing. talk about making a difference!

What a giving heart. I will pray for his safe return Amelia! xo

These are all such wonderful joyous photos! My prayers are with all those who are struggling to get things back to "normal" once again. God Bless you both!

you guys are still the best.

Justin we love that you are out there helping our brothers and sisters in Haiti. As a returned missionary I appreciate how much you love the Haitian people and want to help. Stay safe and we'll see you soon.

After reading your blog, I thought your articles is great! I liked your articles and Photographs. Your blog is very useful to me. Here you are provideing such a greatful information. Thanks for sharing.......

I'm glad you have such a generous spirit, Justin! Amelia - I hope your family finds comfort in Justin's caring nature when you're missing him as he works to help others. And you're generous for sharing him :)