From the Artist

Where do you get your ideas?

My process rarely starts with a grand plan.  Many times, it begins with something simple — a cool vintage object I’ve picked up or a beautiful flower. The real magic happens when these seemingly random bits and pieces start to come together to tell a unique and heartwarming story.

What kind of camera do you use?

I’m currently using a Nikon D500 with a 16-80mm lens.  The camera is only 3 to 6 feet away from the wildlife.  A high-speed Sony XQD card records in RAW format.  A thirteen-foot cable release allows me to maintain a respectful distance from the wildlife.

My photography is completely hands-on.  I don’t use motion sensors or AI; nor do I use still frames from video.  Sometimes we use a separate camcorder so we can show you the birds and critters interacting with the scene.  You can see these videos on our AzarEl Greetings YouTube channel.

Where is the photography done?

Most of the photography is done where the wildlife is fed.  Brian built a feeding platform on our deck railing.  Within this limited two-by-three-foot space, I bring little scenes to life.  Secret snacks are hidden in the scene.  The birds and critters enjoy playing Hide-and-Go-Seek.

What is your creative process?

My photo process kicks off around 6am.  Creating a scene takes about 90 minutes.  The session can last several hours, capturing hundreds of photographs.

How do you process your photos?

My overall aim in processing is to remain faithful to what the bird was doing and enhance the photo in other ways.  It’s all part of a process I’ve refined using Lightroom, Photoshop, and Topaz.

People sometimes wonder if I’ve cloned the birds and critters into the photo.  No, the birds really landed just the way you see!  Sometimes food is removed from a photo.

With so many photos, how do you find the perfect one?

I aim for a sharp subject against a soft, blurry back-ground.  The most magical photos are always the ones that capture the birds and critters interacting with the scene in a surprising way.  After I’ve narrowed a photo session down from several hundred to a handful of shots, my favorite way to choose the best one is by polling on Facebook.

What does AzarÉl mean?

AzarÉl is a Hebrew name in the Bible that means “the Lord is my helper”.  This name became precious to me during a challenging time in my life.  Hebrews 13:6 says, “… so that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper.”

Wondering how to say it?  A simple phonetic spelling is ah-zar-El.  “Gazelle” is a near-rhyme.

Are the birds and critters pets?

All our backyard personalities are wild.  They have grown used to me; the shutter sound is tolerated.  They’re not posing and are always on the move.

Some are recognizable by unique markings, like Stumpy the squirrel with his raggedy tail.

Who prints your fine art giclées?

Brian enjoys printing and stretching canvases.  We print on archival canvas that is scuff-resistant and water-repellent.

One five-foot printer (“Myrtle”) prints at 300 ppi, using fade-resistant, pigment-based inks.  To watch Brian’s meticulous work, visit our blog post “How we Craft Our Canvas Prints.”

Could I personalize an AzarÉl canvas giclée with a quote I love?

Yes.  A description of the process and an extensive list of quotes are available in our blog post “Make It Yours.”  There are no extra design fees.

Do you have a store?

We do not have a brick-and-mortar store, but wall décor is available for purchase at AzarElGreetings.com.

While there is a small selection of cards and photo blocks in our web store, the best way to purchase greetings cards and photo blocks is at art and craft shows.  See our annual schedule here.

Where is home for you?

Twenty miles north of Lancaster, PA, near Adamstown.