Making this year Christmas Message

It’s been some time since my last blog, but I have been fighting an illness, and now I am back. I thought I would end 2023 with how I made this year's Christmas message from my wife Lisa and me.

Iphone picture at Bronner’s in Frankenmuth,MI

It all starts with an idea. As I wandered the store, I liked this ornament of the two snow people. This may be this year's message. Out came my iPhone, and I took a few pictures. Next, I went into Photoshop to start the magic. First, I needed to cut it out; next was to pick a background that would work for this image. This is again done in Photoshop. Once I had the two, I had time to make a composite. After making the composite, I made some minor cleanups and color changes. Finally, I added the text. After all, it was a ready product, or at least I thought. :)

I started looking at it, and I thought, why not an animation? Once again, Adobe is to the rescue. I went into After Effect and thought I would add some animation of snow. I don’t know about you, but I think it makes it much more alive.

Now you know how I did it and what my mind thinks. Just think, it all started with an idea and a picture from the iPhone. Here is a quick look at the steps I did.

Merry Christmas, and I hope you have a great New Year. Stay tuned for 2024, for Paul J Zeinert Photography will be changing. It will be a different business model for 2024. (Stay tuned)

Frankenmuth, Michigan

Lisa and I had a great time in #frankenmuthmichigan. We had lunch at a place called Tiffany's. While waiting, I could not help seeing the reflection thru a mirror, the lamps, and the ceiling. So you got it; out came the iPhone and time to show it.

Tiffany’s

Frankenmuth, Michigan

It's been two years since Lisa and I have been able to go to this German-like city in Michigan. Frankenmuth, Michigan, which is about 2 hours north of Toledo. You feel the Christmas spirit almost immediately when you get into the city. The looks and sound of Christmas. Our day started by going to the Frankenmuth Brewery for lunch. Next was time to go shopping. No, not me. I have a camera and looking for pictures to take and visit with some of the people. Speaking of people, it's lovely to talk to so many friendly people. After walking all day. Time to get ready for dinner. We went to The Station 100. A European-style menu. It was so lovely to feel that I was in Europe again for a short time. The owner was so friendly, and it was so relaxing.

Downtown Frankenmuth, Michigan

After dinner, it was time for another walk, and how could you walk by the Frankenmuth Fudge Factory and purchase any. Yep, you guessed it. Had to. I never saw so many choices when it came to fudge. Like Sugar cookie. (By the way, it was good)

The Frankenmuth Fudge Factory.

With our continued evening walk, it was time to have a nightcap, and with that, it was time to talk with others again, and we spoke with a young couple from the Toledo area. What a great day. The next day was what I had been waiting for. It's been 2 years, but it never disappoints me, and that is Zehnders. I love the looks of the indoor of this restaurant. It looks like something from Hallmark.

Zehnders in Frankenmuth,Michigan.

The food is family-style and likes the Thanksgiving feast, but it's chicken. The hardest part is after eating, and all good things must end and time to leave. But before leaving, we need to make one more stop. Yep, time for Bonner's, the largest Christmas wonderland. You want something for Christmas; this place has it. For us, it's been a tradition for us to get Christmas balls for our Grand Daughters.

The Christmas spirit is in us what a small little city can do to people. For me, this is what I remember when I was young. Friendly people and we once again could talk again. Food out of this world and what the Holidays are all about.

Headshots in the Medical Community

For about 4 years, I have had the honor to do headshots for the local medical community—the chance to meet the new medical personnel.

My setup is simple. I like to use two lights and gray background. Why gray? It, if needed, the gray. In post-processing, can be changed color that may require suite better. With this setup, I can shoot anywhere. When I mean, anywhere I mean it. During covid, we did it outside in the rain under a front entrance. I have done like the pictures above in a hallway. I have done it at people's homes. All I need is a space.

The reward is so fantastic for a photographer. To see your pictures in magazines, pamphlets, and yes, on the billboards. I think my wife gets sick of it when I say. Hey, that is one of my pictures. For me, I say I did the job that I was hired for.

Thank you to those who trust in me, and I look forward to more.

Bed and Breakfast in Michigan

Love summertime. I finally get the time to enjoy what I like: water and boats and more. Any time Lisa and I get, we head to Michigan to be on Lake Michigan. As we say, it’s our Florida in the summer. For the past few years, we have been staying at Bed and Breakfast and enjoy them. The hosts are so friendly, and you get a sense of relaxation in a home environment. This year was no different. Lisa and I headed to Saugatuck, MI. This year we stayed at the Sherwood Forest. While we have not stayed at a lot of Bed and Breakfast, this one had a theme in every room. I think ours need no explanation.

Ok, for those who did not get it, here is another clue.

Ok, it’s the Africa Room. Yes, everything is coming from South Africa. You see, our host was from South Africa. Our hosts were so friendly and a pleasure to talk with. We talked about South Africa and the journey to America. Back to our room, it was super large with many memory enables of South Africa. We had a large porch that looked upon the forest.

In comparison, we saw no Elephants, Lions, or Monkeys. We did see deer. Ok, what about the breakfast part?

The breakfast was great. The food was fantastic and well prepared. (South Africa style) I have traveled many parts of the world, and for the first time, we stayed at a place with no TV. What no TV? How do you survive? Then asked about TV, they said this time to talk. Well, that is what we did. What about the internet. We did have internet, but this area is very poor when it comes to the internet. (Verizon) The biggest thing was a lovely relaxing weekend on the Lake and with lots of boats.