From where I sit

 by Abel

Happy New Year from Abel Riojas Photography!

 

(My boys and I ringing in the new year here in McAllen)

First let me say Happy New Year! We made it to 2020! 

To be honest it never really occurred to me that we were closing out yet another decade!  I never really thought it like that till someone pointed that out on instagram.  I never really look at time like that…I usually try and break everything down into small chunks.  Some people call them micro-decisions I just call it day to day operations, and of course before you know it hours turn into days, days turn into months…you get the picture.

I’d like to use this platform not to sell or talk about commercial / portrait photography…but to let people in on all the behind the scenes stuff that goes on.  I’m more active on instagram stories thanks to The Branding Professor so that’s been a big change for me.  But every now and then people ask me “what do I do all day?” and the answer is I’m usually in meetings or editing.  Every now and then I’m still doing website work here and there or even helping out new clients with part of their product / business branding practices.  Going back to the basics but a lot of new updated stuff that I’ve tried out in our photography business that can definitely help them get to the next level.

Anyways, here’s to a new decade and a whole lot of fun.

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 by Abel

Mobile Photography Studio

mcallen-commercial-portrait-photographerBefore

mcallen-commercial-portrait-photographer
After (What you see)

mcallen-commercial-portrait-photographer

Before and after photos. This morning we were over in Weslaco knocking out headshots from the customer’s break room. The nice thing for them is they didn’t have to leave and we were able to get the doctors in and out within 15 minutes.

The nice thing about taking portable gear is you’re able to transform ALMOST any location into a studio.  I’ve been able to set up in smaller conference rooms, break rooms and ONCE in a storage closet.  We just moved all the cleaning supplies away to make build the studio.

As always we arrived a bit early, this time in Weslaco’s Knapp Medical area and found a spot in the middle of a break room.  Luckily the staff was friendly and wasn’t too upset when they couldn’t get to coffee.  (No meltdowns happened and everyone was still smiling at the end).

In the end, we knocked out the photos and the team members saw and approved their photos.  We should have the end results with in 24 hours so they can go to print and update their website.

If you’d like to update your website or your look you can always reach out to us.  Shoot us a quick email and let us know what you’re looking to do and we’ll make sure you’re squared away.

 

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 by Abel

Mobile Commercial Photography Studio 

In this digital day and age do you still need a studio to take a good headshot?  I think it comes down to the photographer, everyone has a system and there’s no right or wrong way of doing it.  We’ve been blessed and had the opportunity to hit the road and visit with our clients where ever they’re based out of.  This time we spent a cool Thursday morning visiting an oncology clinic in Harlingen and pretty much taking over their break room.

When I started doing this, it would take me about 30-40 mins.  Flash forward a few years and a lot of mentorship we’ve been able to set up and shoot in about 15 mins.  Just to give you a quick run down on what we’re doing, I know there’s a few photographers out there that follow commercial setups and like #BTS stuff.

I’m using a Profoto B1 and B2 system with an Westcott Eyelighter 2 Reflective Panel to push light back in the talents face.  The background isn’t anything special its actually a HUGE collapsible 2-in-1 muslin background that fights me every time I try and use it. It reminds me of Charlie Brown’s kite eating tree as it’s the ONE thing that I never know if it’s going to cooperate with me.  Now don’t get me wrong,  I do have a back up system but I’m looking to set up as quickly and quietly as possible so you give a little, you take a little.

Finally we shoot a Sony A7III, we retired most of our Canon gear a few months ago.  It’s been a change leaving Canon after 20 some years, but they couldn’t keep up with Sony and we’re always looking for the best.

To quote Han Solo: “Not a bad bit of rescuing, huh? You know, sometimes I amaze even myself.”

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 by Abel

Polaroid Originals – Film Camera Returns

Talk about a blast from the past.  I went into to Best Buy in McAllen looking for some USB drives and I *had* to go to the camera section, (It’s what I do) and I found this guy right here.  My grandmother had one just like this one and she used it all the time!  It was a big deal taking family photos and just waiting just a bit to see how they looked.  It beat having to take the film roll down to fox photo or Walmart and playing the waiting game.

Anyways, it was big and made of 100% plastic from I see.  I took a bit of video, you can usually catch my adventures on Instagram Stories just look for #themcallenphotographer.

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 by Abel

It’s been eight years

I can’t believe it’s been eight years.

Last week I was minding my own business when Linked In sent me a message that a few people had sent DMs to wish me well and congrats for the eight years Abel Riojas Photography as been around.  At first I had to double check, there’s no way eight years have passed since I left the partnership.  But I remember setting up my Linked In account because of what Gary Vee had said and sure enough, it was right.  I’m not one of those people that lives in the past nor do I like to fire up the “remember when machine” but this has been a fun ride.  

It really has.

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 by Abel

McAllen Commercial Photographer – Food Photography

I don’t think I’m going to go to the gym today. I’m REALLY thinking I’m just going to head off to a local bakery and pick up a box of Pan De Polvo. #foodphotography. No real the struggle is real.  I know there’s a ton of social media videos showing how they make fake hamburgers and prep fake food.  There wasn’t anything fake about this shoot, not even the calories. 

McAllen Food Photography
As you may or may not know we spent most of last Thursday working with My Amigo Imports on their lifestyle photos.  A team gathered at Jesse’s home in Edinburg and we did a lot food prep and photos all taken on location.  We were able to highlight several of the items My Amigo Imports has for sale along with a TON OF FOOD.  I’m still human, so it wasn’t easy to leave the food alone…ESPECIALLY the sweets!  And if you know Jesse Deleon, he’s very generous and started feeding the team right way.
McAllen Food Photography
So long story short, I probably gained a few pounds but it was worth it.  I’ll showcase more of the photos and even provide a link or two where you can purchase some of the items for your home or office.
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 by Abel

Wedding Photography Workshop Photos

Wedding Photography Workshop

I love large light sources, especially natural light.  I’m still on vacation for a few more days but it’s been the first time that I actually had a chance to look though last week’s photos. 

Tonight I present another little gem from the #Austin photography workshop.  This time around I didn’t attend, I helped out in the background (helping move people around, a little bit of instruction here and there, and set up sets). What I liked about this one was the big window light that was just pouring in from the background in the old house. 

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 by Abel

Everyone starts somewhere – McAllen Fashion Photographer

McAllen Fashion Photographer

McAllen Fashion Photographer

Looking back on some of my work: The first time I attended Profoto workshop in downtown Austin about 5 or 6 years ago. I had never shot fashion photography and it was awesome! The amount of detail and prep that goes into any industry photoshoot is unreal.  Nothing is left to chance.

To that point I had done a lot of natural light photography in commercial work but never with strobes or a team. I’m always trying to learn something new and this one was one heck of any eye-opener. I can safely say this was the first time I had a chance to work with strobes and saw first hand how much they can impact someone’s work.

It’s funny how it all works out though, when I took the class I never thought I’d really use it.  Flash forward to 2019 and the world of Instagram and Instagram influencers, now I can use those skills.

 

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