Final Review: Help Us Polish the New AzarÉl Brochure

Hello friends! We’re excited to announce that we’re updating the Frequently Asked Questions section in our brochure with new information and current photographs. We’d love your help to make sure we’ve covered everything. When you first met us, what questions did you have about our photography? Is there anything that could be clarified or a new question you have for us? We want this to be a true introduction! The rest of our brochure will mostly stay the same. Thanks so much for your help—please share your thoughts on Facebook or text them to me at 717-844-9949.

About the Business

Do you have a store?

We do not have a brick-and-mortar store, but wall décor is available for purchase at AzarElGreetings.com. A small number of greeting cards and photo blocks are available online. The best way to purchase them is by visiting us at art and craft shows.

Where is home for you?

We live about 20 miles north of Lancaster PA near Adamstown on a wooded lot. The “stars” of our backyard photos are the birds and critters we all know and love.

The Method Behind the Magic

What kind of camera do you use?

The magic begins with the right tools. I’m currently using a Nikon D500 with a 16-80mm lens. By positioning the camera only 3 to 6 feet away from the birds, I can capture their personalities up close. A high-speed Sony XQD card records in RAW format. A RAW file gives me complete control to make precise edits to brightness, color, and detail without losing any quality.

My photos make it look like I’m out in drastic weather, from blizzards and downpours to sweltering heat. Truth be told, while the camera is outside, I’m the one with literally the best seat in the house. A thirteen-foot remote shutter release is attached to the camera. It stretches across the deck, under a window, to me in my glider rocker with a cup of coffee! All my photography is fueled by caffeine. Please don’t hold my creature comforts against me!

Where do you get your ideas?

The initial spark often comes from a vintage object or pretty flowers. The truth is, my process rarely starts with a grand plan. Many times it begins with something simple—a cool vintage object I’ve picked up, a beautiful flower in full bloom, or something I’ve stumbled upon in my own backyard. The real magic happens when these seemingly random bits and pieces start to come together to tell a story. It’s my mission at AzarÉl Greetings to create unique and heartwarming images.

In “A Fairy Tale Takes Flight” a chickadee perched on the fanned pages of a book. Watch the creation of this scene unfold in the blog, “A Fairy Story Takes Flight: How Did You Do That?: https://azarelgreetings.com/a-fairy-story-takes-flight-how-did-you-do-that/

Where is the photography done?

Most of the photography is done where the birds and critters are fed. Brian, my husband, built a feeding platform that rides our deck railing. Within this limited two-by-three-foot space, I bring little scenes to life. The birds and critters enjoy playing Hide-and-Go-Seek with “secret snacks”. The birds come for food; AzarÉl gets photos…and “every-birdy’s happy”!

What is your creative process?

My photo process kicks off around 6 a.m., as I begin creating the scene. This preparatory work alone takes about an hour and a half. The actual shoot lasts two to three hours. You never know who is going to show up or what they’re going to do!

My photography is completely hands-on. I don’t use motion sensors or AI, nor do I use still frames from video. To capture the birds and critters interacting with the scene, we occasionally use a separate camcorder. You can view some of these videos on our YouTube Channel, AzarElGreetings3555. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMKIDybqM_GEckfUacnplDQ/videos.

How do you process your photos?

My goal is to create images that feel alive. Increasing the vibrance makes the colors sing. 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. Nope. No. Never. The birds really landed just the way you see! Sometimes food is removed from a photo if it looks messy or distracting. I search for quotes online that enhance the photo and also speak directly to the viewer. Photoshop has a wide array of fonts that allows me to craft the words into an artistic element that enhances the entire image. Did you ever notice how AzarÉl images flow seamlessly around the sides of the canvas? There are no “mirrored edges” that are common with other photographers. My overall aim in processing is to remain faithful to what the bird was doing and enhance the photo in other ways to make it stand out.

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

From the hundreds of photos I take, only a handful are published. I aim for a sharp subject against a soft, blurry background. 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 to a handful of shots, my favorite way to choose the best one is by polling my friends on Facebook. Getting feedback from others is an amazing way to get a fresh perspective quickly—it’s incredible what a second, third, or even fourth pair of eyes can spot that mine completely miss. Be sure to follow AzarÉl Greetings on Facebook!

Products & Services

Who prints your fine art giclées?

My husband, Brian, enjoys printing and stretching canvases. It’s quite exciting to control every aspect of printing! We print on archival canvas that is scuff-resistant and water-repellant (though not completely waterproof). Our five-foot printer (“Myrtle”) prints at 300 ppi, using pigment-based inks that resists fading even in sun-splashed areas. To watch Brian’s meticulous work, visit our blog: How We Craft Our Canvas Prints. https://azarelgreetings.com/azarel-greetings-how-we-craft-our-canvas-prints/

Do you print photographs for other people?

Those services are better provided by other on-line companies. We only print our own photography.

Would you personalize an AzarÉl canvas giclée with a quote I love?

I’d love to do this for you! A description of the process and an extensive list of quotes are available in our weekly blog “Make it Yours!”  https://azarelgreetings.com/make-it-yours-adding-quotes-to-azarel-greetings-photography/ . Other sayings are considered on a case-by-case basis. There are no extra design fees. Please allow two to three weeks for production. This is a truly special, custom gift for a loved one.

The AzarÉl Story

What is the story behind the name AzarÉl?

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”.

How do you pronounce AzarÉl?

A simple phonetic spelling is ah-zar-EL. “Gazelle” is a near-rhyme.