The name of Elma Flores' business in Wimberley is The ART of Photography, and it's the truth. The work she does before, during, and after taking pictures is magically artistic.
When customers write testimonials on Elma's web sites, the most common word used is "amazing." When you see the photographs, you will agree.
Look at the photo of two young sisters portrayed as fairies in an enchanted garden, opening a magical box to release Tinkerbell. Their smiles are precious, their faces memorably showcasing their distinct personalities.
This didn't just happen. Elma puts children at ease in a way to make all parents jealous. Perhaps it's her delicate manner. Perhaps it's the realistic stuffed puppies and kittens that can't be missed. Perhaps it's husband Fred who makes Tinkerbell fly all around. Perhaps it's the aquarium in the lobby with its own Nemo swimming around in it. Perhaps it's the playful props and settings Elma uses. Perhaps it's the work she puts in on her computer after the photo is taken, to bring everything to life in an unforgettable way.
Perhaps it's her way of engaging the children in all aspects of what is happening so they feel a part of this creation instead of being treated as an object told to sit still on a stool while some stranger aims a camera at them the way portraits usually happen.
"I always allow a lot of time for the kids," Elma explains. She even takes time to do their hair and make-up, and help them choose a costume. "I talk with them and make them feel comfortable. We want it to be a special experience for them. We want them to enjoy themselves and experience something special."
Yes, Elma is amazing.
"Fred was more the photographer than I was when we met," she says of her husband. "I'd help him and one day I picked up a camera and took a picture of my son. I showed the picture to people and they asked where I got the portrait taken. Then a photographer in Austin told me I needed to go to the Photographers Guild of Austin meeting. So I did."
"Soon she was better than many of them," Fred says proudly. "And I cannot do what she does in the photo effects."
Elma is an artist. She says she never had skill with a paintbrush or a pencil despite a deep desire to create, but when she picked up a camera she finally found her artistic medium.
It's not just photography. It's creative, artistic portraits of fairies, mermaids, dragon slayers, or pirates. It's a mystical quinceanera. It's the magic of Christmas.
Those effects are what make Elma's work exceptional. With Fred's help—he creates flitting fairies with the help of a laser pointer—she is able to get the children to believe something special is happening. After she snaps the shutter on the camera, she will add in all the magical effects, accentuating the attitudes she has captured.
"It just came to me," Elma says.
"She's not a professional with Photoshop but she figured out what she needed to do," Fred says.
Elma explains that she does what is pleasing to the eye, carefully looking over all the details.
But her biggest selling point is that regardless of all the special effects she puts into a portrait to make it exciting and unique, the focal point of each photo is the face.
"I try to capture every little expression and their eyes," Elma says. "I wanted something different. I wanted to capture a memory that displays their personalities. I make it timeless so it's something parents will hold on to forever."
She does more than these magical photographs of young children. She does stunning portraits of high school students and of adults. She takes business photos. But Elma says she plans on focusing more on the magical children's portraits in the future.
"I put my all into every picture I take," Elma says. "I need to know I did my best."
She is now passing all her knowledge on to her own children. Sons Jonathan, Eric and daughter Mandy have all helped out at the studio. And soon Jonathan will open his own artistic photography studio in Harlingen.
"It's fun," Elma says with a broad smile that she can't ever seem to rid of. "I enjoy children. They're creative, smart, and fun."
For More Information
• 13501 Ranch Road 12, Suite 104, Wimberley TX 78676, 512-921-8447, elmaflores.com, enchantedfairytaleportraits.com and elma.ws. Elma, The ART of Photography is on Facebook. Elma also has booth 156 at Wimberley Market Days (the first Saturday March-December).
