#shippert

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What’s the difference between ‘shooting for outline’ and telling a story? Take a look and see what differences do you notice between these two images, and how they make you feel.

The one on the left is shot for outline on a white sweep, making it ideal for our crazy skilled retoucher to cut out the image to be layered onto a background of the client’s choice. (You didn’t think those cute puppy food models sat perfectly in a grassy field, did you?) You’ll notice that even though the focus and lighting are right it’s somewhat emotionally neutral, even flat. There is not much story here, and sometimes that’s exactly what you want. Let the client take the outline and place it into whatever their narrative dictates, allowing a lot of flexibility.

Then, sometimes the client asks you to help tell the story. An organic dog food company might request an earthy image that conveys trust, hope, and health. This can be created with a simple addition of warm elements like a wooden door, softer lighting, and a change in the depth of field. Now your heart is melting, right?

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This is for Neva. Her recent 97th birthday celebration included telling stories of the old days, pulling out the atlas and reliving travels with the love of her life. The years drop out of her voice - she lights up as she recounts adventures far more clear in her mind than what happened yesterday.

She is in her porch-sitting years, reflecting on the long life she’s had. She’s wistful and grateful at the same time, and we wanted her tribute image to show that in the light and shadows, almost like the sun setting on all she holds dear while still warmly embracing it.

She is melancholy yet formidable, stylish and hospitable. This image tells her story: fine china, Italian stationery, the softest French silk ribbon, her favorite flowers, and a key to the past with her initial on it. These tokens of her life find their foundation on an old barn door, just as this farm girl built a good life with humble beginnings on a Nebraska farm. It’s a humbling and rewarding task to build an image that could begin to convey such a life, such a strong spirit.

On her birthday, a large bouquet of sunflowers arrived. She snorted with derisive glee - “I hate sunflowers! Who is that from?” She guessed, and sure enough, they are from the man that manages her still-thriving farm so many states away, a man who knows that Neva spent her childhood hacking down “those awful weeds” with a machete. This woman has a crackling sense of humor in the midst of what might seem from the outside to be a shrinking life. The shadows may be lengthening, but the richness and history (and love) remain.

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Today is National Cheesecake Day!  To commemorate the one day a year we allow ourselves to throw dietary caution to the wind, we present to you Shippert's favorite slice:  The Original.  

That's right folks, the predecessor of all present and future slices.  The modern minimalist that needs nothing extra to make its mark.  This slice of heaven says it all: "I am cheesecake."  

Yes, Cheesecake Factory's Original Cheesecake, you are.  And we are proud to be a part of your timeless heritage.  

So do yourself a solid and go to The Cheesecake Factory to pick one up.  Sharing is not recommended.