Some Favorites from Kaylee’s session! Kaylee just graduated from 8th grade and is now starting Freshman year of high school. What a great way to celebrate who you are right now with a Graduates Session! Dressy, trendy, sporty.. it’s all good!
Melissa’s choices from her headshot session. We got some great looks and I think she’s going to do very well with these. Melissa has a great personality and was just a joy to work with!
I’ve been doing a pretty regular post on my facebook page called ‘today’s beautiful face’ and I thought I would try it through the blog!
Jonet is a gorgeous girl – a beautiful dancer and actress. We had a great session…..I can definitely see her doing beauty work in the future!
Thoughts continued from the previous blogpost : ) (If you haven’t read it, you really should….)
So, this month, I’ve delivered to clients: prints, albums, storyboards, metal wall portraits and canvases…..
This month, I’ve also received calls from other photographers’ (and I’m using this term very liberally based on the conversations I’ve had with the people who have called) clients regarding ‘fixing’ images, correcting files, etc…
Let’s talk about this….
When you hire a professional photographer, you should also be getting a professional product. Many semi-pro photographers are what we call ‘shoot and burn’ photographers – they shoot what you want and give you a disk. Can this work? Maybe. If it’s done right. Unfortunately, sometimes, it doesn’t seem particularly well thought out for a number of reasons….
When we shoot, the goal is always to get the image correct ‘in camera’ – color/exposure etc. but, sometimes, images need to be ‘refined’ a little – better color, better contrast/saturation etc etc etc…. (that would be the first step of finishing the images). But, again, sometimes, that step is missing and I’ll hear ‘the color is so off on my wedding images, can’t you fix it?’ Even handling over or under exposure can be tricky for the lay person.
Also, supposing you’re handed a disk of images – what are you going to do with them? Can you handle the storage on your computer? do you have an editing program? have you calibrated your monitor so that what you see on screen will be what you get from the lab? Do you know how to crop? Convert to black and white? Retouch? Now, not only are you overwhelmed, but what do you think you will do with those images? are you going to make a wall portrait? an album? or are they going to go on the computer and sit there? That’s when you get the call ‘Can you fix this back ground? Do you design albums? I don’t know what to do with these files….’
And, the sad part? Is that I can’t. I explain that they need to go back to their photographer and have them fix it and make the situation right. It’s really upsetting when they say that they can’t or that they had a ‘falling out’ with their photographer.
I just read an article where the author wrote about ‘product-less portraits’ and ‘album-less brides’ and, I have to admit, I think it’s sad. I think it’s a great feeling to hand to a client a box filled with family portraits or a big box with a canvas waiting inside to be hung on the wall and to walk into a client’s home where my images hang on their walls is always a joy.
It’s worth it to go to a reputable photographer (and, honestly, there are a lot of us out there). Photographers who not only love what they do but care that you get the right product, the right size portrait for your wall, the most beautifully designed albums. Portraits that don’t have a hair out of place or a blemish or dark circle in sight. Portraits that flatter your face and body shape, that make you feel beautiful and cherished.
Stay tuned for part 3, where does the money go and aren’t all photographers gazillioneres?
There have been lots of articles written lately about why you should go to a professional photographer and I thought I would throw my two cents in and try to shed some light on the topic.
Images of what we love are cherished forever. Let’s think about it, when the house is burning – other than live things, what’s the first thing grabbed? photos. When a loved one passes, what do we cherish? photos. When we have big occasions in our lives? photos. It’s how we document that we were here, that we lived, we loved, we did things.
Now, I understand that there are many times when a snapshot or a candid is all that is called for, not every moment in life calls for a full shoot : ) but there are times when a professionally captured image will be worth so much more in the long run. Not just the biggies like a wedding or a newborn but celebrating anniversaries, family reunions, graduations, proms, dancers, athletes….. the list can go on and on but I would say in a nutshell, those things that you value should be what you have the most images of, those times in life that will not be repeated, those goals that have been achieved only through many hours and a lot of effort.
The first point I’d like to make is that we all know that you can take a file and get an 8×10 at a big chain store for $3 … yes, I know… I also know that those prints can be blocked up, muddy, the color can be off and any number of things – they are not usually the best representation of the image…. (Honestly? go to www.mpix.com – great quality fast turnaround, cheap prints – at least I’ll know that you’re getting a higher quality print for your work!)
So, what are you paying for when 8×10′s are $65 and up? You’re paying for the image. The knowledge, the skill, the time of the photographer. The quality of the image you’re getting. The beauty that comes from an image that is well thought out as far as composition, lighting, angles, creativity and the comfort of the shoot itself. That’s on the front end too, on the back end, there’s retouching and creative processing – beautiful color, skin tones, invisable retouching that is you on your best day, no stray hairs, no cuts, no blemishes…. a beautifully crafted and finished product.
So, I guess that’s part 1… and I think it’s worth thinking about….
I absolutely love working with drama clubs and theater groups. One of my longstanding gigs is working with the Shelton High School Drama Club. Under the direction of Gary and Fran Scarpa, the SHS Drama Club is one of the most progressive, solid, and impressively run drama clubs in the state. I’ve been shooting for them for about 6 years now and each year is just a pleasure in both working with the production and working with the students involved.
This years production is Bye Bye Birdie and it is fun! The songs are so catchy you’ll be singing ‘Put on a Happy Face’ through til morning. If you’re not familiar with the story, it’s a popular 1960 musical about ‘rebel’ rock ’n’ roll vs. small-town America wholesomeness.
Eric Dann is absolutely charming as Albert Peterson – light on his feet with a beautiful singing voice to match. Carly Hodosi is amazing as Rose and the down to earth quality she brings to her character pairs wonderfully with Dann. As the ‘teens’ in the cast, Jessica Birch (as Kim) and Alessandro Maione (as Conrad) are new and welcome additions to the SHS drama family. Jessica captures the innocence of Kim, while Alessandro really channels his inner Elvis to create a Conrad that’s both teen idol, and spoiled star.
There are so many great actors to watch in this production. Stavros Koumbaros and Kelsey Sullivan are fantastic as the parents – I laughed out loud many times! and Lily Feroce is the perfect doting (and guilt trip giving) mom. Be on the look out too for Joey Wilbur as Hugo, who steals the scenes as the faithful boyfriend.
Bye Bye Birdie opens Thursday night at 8 at Shelton High School. Tickets are $17. $10 for students on Thursday night and can be purchased at www.showtix4u.com
Treat yourself to something special and attend this production, you’ll put on a happy face and support your local arts programs : )
I consider myself blessed to be a part of this great group!
See you there!
Hey All!
My post today is something more business oriented, so if you or someone you know might be interested, please send them this blog….
As a small business, and especially with times being what they are, I think it’s essential to figure out how to give more to your clients as well as trying to promote more for yourself and your business.
If you own your own local business (Monroe, Trumbull, Shelton) and would like to get together to talk about marketing in this area and how we can help eachother, I would love to chat! Whether it’s just about our towns and clientele to cross-promotional ideas, I have open ears!
Are you a realtor looking to supplement your gift to homebuyers after the closing? Do you own a boutique clothing store, how about a special gift for your clients with purchase?
Let’s talk! During this strange economy, let’s network, brainstorm and help eachother out!
My business number is 203.922.0191 – fee free to call, I’m hoping to hear from you!
faeries and princesses
Is this just fantasy?
Ahh… Bohemian Rhapsody… gotta love it!
So, I thought I’d write a little about fantasy images. In my opinion, there are at least three mindsets to photography. The first is to capture life as it is – documentaries, photo journalism, day in the life – ‘real’ images as they are experienced – Henri Cartier Bresson’s ‘decisive moment’. The second is the more ‘idealized’ portrait – perfect clothes, no stray hairs, no blemishes, no undereye circles, no bulges – anything from the retouched child’s portrait to fashion magazines – these images (in varying degrees) show us how we want to look or how we might look in our own minds. Fantasy images, on the other hand, is one way for artists to create something different from what they see, to lead the viewer on a different path from the norm. My fantasy images are actually very tame compared with some of the really great work out there -mainly just enhancing rather than ‘recreating’. I also tend more towards hair and makeup adding to the image (and if I can get the cool clothes, then even better) and still keeping it in the ‘portrait’ arena rather than creating a new ‘world’ so to speak….In this post, I’m sharing some faerie images but in ‘the seasons’ that was a creative/fantasy shoot only using hair and makeup (very little post work)
For me, these pieces are purely driven by my mood and feeling, from what the model wears to the approach of the final image. Whereas I would love to offer these to clients as a ‘commissioned’ art piece, unless I had carte blanche to create as I see it, it would be difficult, I think, to fit my vision to something someone else sees… My biggest fear is that I would see you as a yellow daisy and you would see you as a pink rose….As it stands, these sessions are so much fun simply because there’s no pressure and I get to play (and who doesn’t like to play dress up?)
So, until I figure out how to make that work, fantasy images will remain a ‘creative’ – a time where I can work with a face (and a person) that I find inspiring and still gives me the freedom to go in the direction I want to go……
There’s a Rodger’s and Hammerstein lyric that goes ‘do I love you because you’re beautiful? or are you beautiful because I love you?’
Gorgeous song, gorgeous lyrics… worth a listen to if you want to search it out on youtube.
I think that even though some of us do come in better looking packages than others, I’d like to think that true beauty is from the heart and soul. Some people become more beautiful to us as we get to know them, as the guards come down, as relaxation and the real ‘you’ comes out. Some people (let’s be honest here) get less attractive the more you talk to them – unfortunate, but true, I’m afraid….
When I’m working with clients, my goal is to see where their beauty lays. It could shine naturally. Sometimes, it shows when talking about different subjects – doesn’t matter what that subject is, only that it’s something they love and enjoy. Sometimes, it shows when they can visualize when they’re happiest, strongest, most confident – and then, though I don’t know the source of the beauty, I can sense that they do and that shines….
I get asked a lot how I get these expressions, how I get the eyes so strong… how do I capture what that person is really like….
well, I think it’s because for that brief moment of time….whether is 5 minutes or 2 hours…. they let me in. They let me see them for who they are and, ultimately, that leads to the best sessions and the best shots.
Do I love you because your beautiful? or are you beautiful because I love you? I don’t know… but, you’re beautiful when you’re in front of my camera : )
Many times (and I’m including myself in this group!), family portraits are when we have younger children – say 5 and under… Yes, they’re cute and I think we intend on them staying that age forever because that’s when many families stop doing the family portrait. The next extreme is when it’s an extended family, multi-generational and the kids are grown.
I’m going to suggest, right now, that you do that family portrait again – now…when they’re teens… before college, before weddings but after teething, potty training, tantrums and having to have cheerios on hand for distractions…
Your children are amazing at this age. They’re coming into their own as people. They’re growing up. I know, I know.. they’re soooo busy at this age – sports, drama, dance, confirmation, driving, school.. etc etc etc… but, in the grand scheme of things, is a couple of hours too much to create an image to capture them now?
Keep it simple – black tops, jeans, bare feet or whatever works for you and keep it stress free… your teen son decided to dye his hair purple? that’s fine.. that’s who he is ‘now’.. just like when he was two and only wanted to have a transformer in the picture…it’s not forever.. five years down the road it will be completely different again. Don’t stress over how you look either. Too many parents don’t get into the picture because of a few extra pounds or a receding hairline, seriously? This is family. They love you. Just like you love your kids for who they are right now, they love you just as much and have no idea what your ‘college’ body looked like…
These years are going to fly by! Don’t let the teen years become just a blur….
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