Where Is Photography Headed?

I ran up against this posting that began discussing how some long standing studios are going out of business. The post covered a lot of issues our industry faces. Hope you enjoy the reading. See the link below:

http://www.ardegalicia.info/portrait-studios/why-are-so-many-weddingportrait-studios-going-belly-up

MY HANDS, MY HANDS, WHERE DO I PUT MY HANDS??

If there’s one thing in this world that makes me exxxxtreeeeemely nervous – it’s going to the dentist!  When I get in the chair, my body goes rigid.  Often I can see that same nervousness when people come into the studio for a portrait. 

 The first point of order is to get people relaxed.  As they start to loosen up a bit the next issue to arise is: “What do you want me to do with my hands?”

 So if you have the same problem, problem with hands that is, put your trust in the photographer.  Let list a few quick comments about hands:

1. What may bother you about your hands, is likely just you being nervous or maybe you’re self conscious about your hands.  In a portrait from the waist up, any defects in the hands become nearly invisible.  Those big problems to you don’t show up in the final image.
2. A good photographer will have you position your hands to compliment the pose.
3. Your hand position may often be adjusted to allow clothing fabric to smoothen.  That’s right!  Sometimes hand/arm position can cause clothing fabric to pull, pucker, or crease.  This can cause problems in the composition.  So your hand/arm may be positioned to eliminate/reduce those fabric issues.
4. Hand placement may be used to compliment the pose, i.e. resting a chin on the closed hand.  Sometimes this works and sometimes it just doesn’t.  When it doesn’t, the photographer will change the pose and continue to shoot.

 The bottom line is your concern about where to put your hands is normally just your nervousness.  Don’t worry, you’ll relax.  You’ll begin to forget about your hands and start to have a good time.  Well that should happen if you’re working with a pro!  Let me know your thoughts.

Copyrights – What’s the deal?

The topic of copyrights and ownership of images is a widely discussed issue. I have looked for easy to understand discussions and have floundered with ways to express this issue to clients and others. Well someone has finally done the job some justice.

Please follow the following link to read how photog Lauren Fitzgerald easily explains this difficult to understand topic. Lauren, my hat’s off to you on a job well done!
http://www.laurenfitzgeraldphotography.com/?p=988

October Special

During the month of October any Premium Paper print order will be upgraded to Metallic Paper at no additional charge. Metallic Paper provides a dynamic appearance, deeper color depth and a look that is truly unique. If you prefer the traditional Premium Paper, please make sure you confirm your order should be on Premium Paper, not Metallic Paper. There is no discount applied to Premium Paper orders when the Metallic Paper special offer is declined!
See the studio web site for more info (http://www.athomasimage.com).

Copyrights, CD’S and Discount Printing – OH MY!

I’m always amazed at photographers that supply images on CD and don’t offer prints.  I assume if they’re somewhat like me, they offer wedding photography services to make money.  So why would a photographer in business to make money, leave money behind?  So you’re asking where did they leave money behind? 

 When the photographer turns over a CD so the Bride/Groom can make their own prints – the photographer gives up the income to be made from providing prints.  If the photographer wanted to make money shooting the wedding, why not make more money selling prints?  Is making money a sin or illegal?

 Let’s turn this around.  So you the Bride or Groom are getting married.  Granted, most engaged couples are “looking to keep costs to a minimum” – understandable.  I’m sure your boss at work is “looking to keep costs to a minimum”.  Give your boss a break, cut your hours and hey why not go a step further and cut your pay scale?  After all, your boss is “looking to keep costs to a minimum”.  Your work will still be the same quality for less money – right?  Why not allow your boss to make more money at your expense – you probably don’t need or want the money.

Now there may just be a real reason to turn over the printing process to the Bride/Groom.  Here are my thoughts:

1. The photographer only wants to make his daily rate, get out and not have more contact with the newly married couple.  Kind of leads you to ask – Why?
2. The photographer doesn’t want to be bothered fixing his/her exposure or photography mistakes.  Let the discount lab take the blame for shoddy prints.
3. Turn over the CD and run.  This way you the Bride/Groom won’t be able to deal with bad images.  Besides the Bride/Groom got a cut rate on the photographer.
4. It takes time to sort through hundreds and hundreds of image files, eliminate the “not-so-good” ones.  After all, if the photographer dropped their rate to get the job to start – why put more time into a low paying job?

 I know, at this point your thinking I’m pretty slanted on this.  A lot of photographers are very fussy about the work they produce.  When the product is delivered to the customer it carries their name.  A pro wants their name to mean quality.  That often means selecting suppliers like print labs that will support their quality demands. 

It takes time to sort through images, prepare the proofs, demonstrate special effects, prepare digital files for printing, pick up the final prints, handle any vendor problems, prepare the order for delivery and handle any and all customer service issues (read my post – You’ve got a CD with 1000 images, Now what?”).  That’s what it takes to be a pro and you the customer pay for that service.  Why because you deserve it – don’t you?

 I don’t mean to infer that budgets aren’t important.  If your wedding budget is small, than most photographers will work with the client to put a package together that meets your needs.  That might mean, shortening the day, cutting down the print sizes, reduce the number of prints or eliminate the wedding album.  There are ways to meet a budget and still get a quality product.  Remember, you get what you pay for.  There’s a difference between cheap and low cost.

 Those are my comments – what are yours?

What Does Your Social Networking Photo Say About You?

How cool, you’re on several social networks now.  Everyone knows what you’re thinking.  You’ve posted photos about your pet and your trip to the cottage.  Your list of “friends” keeps growing.  You’re really on your way. 

Hey you even managed to upload a photo of yourself shot with your friend’s cell phone.  Ok, Ok, so some alcohol was involved in the photo – but hey what difference does it make?  Your friends will like that photo over the one of you in a sport shirt, which has nice composition.

 Let’s explore this scenario; You’ve been working real hard at your job.  The raises have been steady.  Co-workers even come to you for your expertise.  Your supervisor often gives you the better jobs/assignments.  Everything seems to be on a roll.  Hey you’re even up for a promotion.

 Now let’s rewind this scenario a little.  Remember the night at the party your friend shot that profile picture?  You know the one where alcohol was involved.  That’s the same night you made a small pass at your best friend’s girl friend – just a little innocent thing – Right?  Well maybe your friend didn’t think it was so innocent.

 Now that you’re up for a promotion, a copy of that profile photo winds up in your Vice President’s email “in-box”.   Oh by the way the VP is a woman and she was in an abusive relationship with an alcoholic, but you don’t know that.  Now she’s looking at your profile picture and she makes the final decision regarding your promotion.  What do you think might be going through her head at this point?  What about that promotion?

 Which profile photo would you prefer your VP see?  The one with some thought about clothing and composition or the picture of you from your friend’s cell phone?  Even if you change the photo the damage is done.  Can you change that – probably not?  Oh to be a fly on the wall during that interview!

Top Ten Reason To NOT Have Your Portrait Done?

As a portrait photographer lots of excuses have been given to NOT have a portrait created. One of these MUST apply to you – right?

10. Someone might see your portrait and think you look great!
9. You might get too much attention!
8. It might be a fun thing to do!
7. You have too much hair!
6. Your skin is too nice looking!
5. The photographer will lie to you!
4. No one will believe it’s you in the picture!
3. You have a round face!
2. Your friends will never speak to you again!

And, the number one reason to NOT have your portrait done:
1. You will be the one and only person to break the camera!

You can view some A Thomas Image portrait samples by going to the studio web site.

What Makes One A Photographer?

Great photography is an art. It requires an understanding of composition, color, light and the tools to put it all together and create an image that captures the soul of the subject or evokes an emotion in the viewer. The art of photography requires an investment in tools that go beyond the camera. This means having locations, props and backdrops that put the emphasis on the subject.

Lighting must also accomplish the same end result. Light levels need to be measured and controlled emphasizing the subject. Natural lighting is truly the best. Natural lighting comes from one place – the Sun. But it becomes more difficult to control. If the sun is not where the photographer wants it, then it has to be “pushed” to the right location. It is helpful to use reflectors or reposition the subject to get the desired results. This holds true if the photographer is photographing a person, product, landscape, animals, or other subjects.

Modern technology has produced some great new easy to use cameras. Today everyone knows the word “pixels”. A photographer wants as many Mega-Pixels as they can afford. But quantity is only one part of the equation. The resolution quality of an image is controlled not only by the number of Mega-Pixels, but the size of the pixel on the sensor and the size of the sensor itself.

In addition to the camera technology, the photographer’s skill and an artistic approach still apply. The photographer has to control the light, environment and composition to achieve artistic results. When all this comes together the image should bring some response from the viewer.

Give me your thoughts!

You’ve got a CD with 1000 images, Now what?

Brides often say they want a CD of images from their wedding.  I often wonder – Why?  Sure you may wish to post them or email them to your friends or family.  Generally this request comes about because their friend told them to ask the photographer for the CD.

Do you really know what it takes to manage hundreds of images?  Think about how long it will take you to sort through 500 or more images, just to get 6 or 10 to send off.  Trust me you can spend hours pouring over all these images – that’s how long it takes me after shooting a wedding.

Then if you want to email them, you have to drop the resolution or it takes forever and a day to upload and download.  Dropping the resolution means you need image editing software, i.e. Photo Shop. Now you have even more work.

Do yourself a big favor – Order a wedding album with 15 to 20 beautifully done prints. Sit with your friends or family and a glass of wine.  Then pass the album around the table.

Ask the photographer what it takes to put your prints on a web site or make a CD of them for you to email to friends. Asking nicely may even get them at low or no cost.

Spend the time showing and enjoying your beautiful prints in an album. Don’t waste your time trying to figure out how to fit everyone around a laptop to see small “thumbnails”. Enjoy your images don’t create a headache!

Clothing, Make-up and Prop suggestions for Portrait Photography

 

Clothing, Make-up and Prop suggestions for Portrait Photography

Clients often ask questions about clothing when scheduling a sitting. Depending on the type of portrait or the intended use, recommendations vary.  Below is a list of suggestions for a wide range of portrait types.  As always, guidelines are simply that – guidelines!  Feel free to contact the studio with questions and comments.

Family portraits can be both formal and casual. The suggestions listed below will cover both types.

Formal – Male

A dark (Black, Charcoal, Navy Blue) jacket with complimenting or contrasting slacks.  Collared shirts with a tie to compliment the coat and slacks.  Ties can be considered optional.

Formal – Female

Dresses or Skirt & Blouse in conservative color pallets, Black, Navy Blue, Maroon pieces. Fabric texture or print should compliment the rest of the family. A bold and bright floral print might not fit well with dark solid clothing worn by the rest of the family.  Sleeve length should be something that makes you feel comfortable.  Scarves should match or compliment with the outfit.

Jewelry – Either complimentary to the outfit or suit your personal taste.

Casual – Male or Female (Think about having fun with the casual styles).  Pants can be Denim, Khaki or other solid colors with a comfortable collared or polo shirt.  Shirt colors can be light blue, denim, white or something on which all family members agree.

Slacks and shirts can be the same color for all family members or can be selected to separate males from females or sub-families of a larger family.  Clothing color or styles can be chosen to show a theme.

High School Seniors

• Make a fashion statement.
• Show sports or hobby interest.
• Props can also be used (Please advise the studio in advance for size and location considerations.)

Executive Portraits

Consider the purpose of the portrait, i.e. press release vs. framed in the Boardroom.  Clothing may also reflect the audience – formal vs. casual attire. Both may be done for multiple audiences or markets.  Props may also be considered to reflect market statements or professionalism.

Personal Portfolio

Multiple outfits are common and may be chosen to reflect the image end use or recipient: Professional, Family, Friend(s), Significant Other

Hair and Make-up

• Hair style(s) can be normal and/or not normal for you. This can accommodate the intent of the portrait.
• Have hair cut a couple of weeks in advance for a more natural look.
• Bring your personal hair and/or makeup products to the studio for touch ups or to change style.
• Contact the studio to discuss skin problems or blemishes before your sitting. Some of these issues can be handled through touch-up prior to printing.

Sunburn/tanning

Stay away from the sun prior to your sitting. Sunburn can accentuate facial features and can require significant touch up. Give the sunburn some time to fade a bit before your portrait sitting!

A nice tan can certainly enhance your appearance. Uneven tanning, especially on the face can require touch up to smoothen skin tones. If you have some significant variations in skin tones, consider bringing your make up with you.