Every year I look forward to our “regulars” that do Christmas Cards. I look even more forward to when those regulars are our friends. And even more so, I look forward to working with any family that is fun and creative.

Enter the Sobieck Family!

Last year’s shoot was one of my favorites, but I think this year topped it.I’m sure by now a lot of people have seen their card, but here are a few more of my favorites!!!

For those that don’t know them, Chuck & Allison are Chef’s…hence the overall concept we shot with their children.

It’s important to set goals, it gives us something to strive to achieve. Most people tend to think that only the highest of goals should be focused on but I disagree. Even the smallest goal deserves focus and attention.

Below is a list of photographic goals for 2012.

1. Shoot an engagement session inside of Baxter’s Coffee. The atmostphere is amazing, texture everywhere you turn, and overall just a cool concept.
2. Establish some sort of program to help local musicians receive quality photographs for their press kits. Music has been a passion of mine even longer than photography. In 2012 it’s ridiculous for small town musicians with bit time aspirations to settle for sub par images to accompany their work. I have an idea for a limited offering every year for local musicians.
3. Get more of my work framed and put into businesses. This is as much a selfish want as it is good business. Sure, having large prints up in a business is good for marketing, but I would also love to visit places and see my work on dislplay.
4. I want to shoot a destination wedding this year. I don’t necessarily mean Jamaica, but I’ll take it. The truth is a lot of people like to hire someone locally when they get married abroad or away from their area. More times than not, they don’t make the best choices.
5. In 2012 I need to set aside more time for personal work. I love weddings, portraiture, and everything I shoot. However, in order to keep my skills sharp I need to spend some time working on things that I’m not being paid for.

Of course I have more goals, but we’ll start there for the time being.

Set your goals wisely and strive to acheive them. Good luck and I wish all of you the a very productive, successful, and happy 2012.

I realize that over time I should learn my lesson. In some ways I have but in others I keep returning like an abused spouse that is convinced the abuser has changed.

New Wave Communications is the same cable company that decided to run a new line to my house OVER my sidewalk, leave it for a week, and only come properly run the cable after a barrage of phone calls. New Wave Communications is the same cable company who told me for 3 days that their service had nothing to do with our home alarm going off every 20 minutes for nearly 48 hours. After which they admitted they found a flaw in their system and it was causing continual drops in service. They assumed it did not effect our phone system because people had not been making complaints about it.

(Our alarm system is set to go off at the loss of phone lines immediately.)

New Wave Communications is the same cable company that for years operated with Moxi boxes that were no longer in production and could not keep operational boxes in homes. If yours went bad, good luck receiving a replacement. The priority was to put whatever boxes they had into new homes.

Even though we were subscribed to EVERY feature and channel they had, for over a year and a half we were promised we were on a waiting list for an additional Moxi DVR. However, after several calls trying to inquire on a time line I was informed that there was not a waiting list and no record of our multiple request for a box.

I understand the thinking. Why give my family a box that would only increase our monthly bill another $5-$10, especially when our monthly bill was over $200 anyway. They could take that same box and put it in a home that would generate an additional $100 plus a month. I don’t agree, I just understand the logic.  Of course, this is the same company pushing for the adoption of high definition content but only placing DVR’s in homes with a capacity of 10 hours of HD recording.

New Wave Communications is the same company that when finally replacing a damaged HD DVR in my home not only hooked it up through coax to a 65″ HD tv, but did not wait to make sure the signal came through properly.

To be honest, I could go on and on with even more…without addressing the issues that my parents have had, which are as numerous and in some cases even more ignorant.

So why give them money?

Well, we actually made the switch from cable to DirecTV this summer. We left the our internet and phones with New Wave Communications, but had grown tired of the lack of HD content, the lack of ability to record HD programming, and the overall experience. I will absolutely say that from a user experience and customer service experience that it was one of the smartest moves we’ve made.

Home telephone service just isn’t a major concern. I don’t know if the service is good or bad, but it’s fairly priced. The ONLY reason we have the telephone service is for our alarm system to tie in (along with multiple cellular backups). We almost always use cell phones for communications, which is the way the majority of the world goes.

The reasoning for staying with their cable internet is for the speed, because i can assure you it is not for the cost.  We truly get the 10mbps download at our house, unlike most who top out at around 7mbps. 3mbps was the best we could expect with DSL the last time I checked, but admittedly that was over a year ago and now warrants more research. New Wave Communications has also recently launched their 30mbps and 70mbps services, which is where this latest drama has begun.

Ever since the launch their WarpWave service I have wanted to upgrade. The time it takes in uploading the sheer number of image files from a wedding woud be greatly benefited. However, due to my work schedule and New Wave’s availability it’s been several months of trying. This is as much my fault as it is theirs.  Any time I do take vacation time or have scheduled sick time, I try and schedule but the time’s don’t match.

On the morning of the 24th I called in to pay our bill and while on the phone I inquired about scheduling the WarpWave upgrade for the following week since I would be home. The gentleman I spoke with said that my modem needed upgraded (which is something I knew already) but he would schedule the upgrade for the 31st between 3-5. During the conversation we were cutoff and our internet was lost.

Upon calling again I spoke with another person would apologized, confirmed the upgrade appointment, and proceeded to “fix” my internet.

We were once again cut off. This was when I realized that the cutoff’s were due to both our internet AND phone modem’s receiving hardware resets and called back on my cell phone.

This time I spoke to a tech who put me on hold for a considerable amount of time while he tracked down the problem. I am not complaining in the least about the waiting on hold. He needed information to fix the problem and in the end, he fixed it.  Turns out or service was upgraded on a modem that couldn’t use it and in turn gave us no internet.

What he ALSO did was to confirm our upgrade for the 31st from 3-5.

Now I’m finally getting to the issue I’m actually upset about.

The reason I approved the appointment on the 31st was because I knew it would be some time before I could be available on their schedule. Did we have extravagant New Year’s Eve plans? Not at the moment. We had already decided not to go to Chicago. However, upon scheduling  we were basically forced into a basic evening at home with the kids.

Fast forward a week to New Year’s Eve and I’m sitting on the couch waiting…and waiting…and waiting.

At 4:50 I decide to call and I’m informed that not only were they not coming but the work order was put in incorrectly and no one had actually been scheduled to come.

I was upset to say the least. I apologized the the customer service rep and began venting. I’ve worked tech support on the phone before and I knew it wasn’t her fault, but someone was going to hear me out. She said that she would call and try to get someone out to my home that night.

I then proceeded to call the “president’s promise” help line. Which is generally the only way to get things done with this company. I also took the the Twitterverse, where most customer service issues are discussed at this point.

An hour and a half later I received a call from “Brandon” who apologized profusely. He asked when I would be home next week and said he would come after regular hours to ensure that this was made up for. He apologized again and said the work order had been input incorrectly and did not schedule a truck to “roll” on the upgrade.

At this point I’m unhappy, but that’s not why I’m so upset.

This morning I receive a tweet from the @newwaveinsider account.

We left a voicemail on ur home phone on Thurs stating that we would not be able to come out on 12/31 bc our office would be closed.

This is the moment I become livid about this situation.

1. You didn’t decide on Thursday to close the Somerset office on New Year’s Eve. You didn’t. If the office was going to be closed, WHY would you schedule the appointment in the 1st place?

2. I have not received the voicemail. I will admit that I may have missed it. Someone could have accidentally deleted it. Many things could have happened. However, in no way is asking someone to sacrifice their night (let alone New Year’s Eve), canceling and leaving a message with NO confirmation they received it acceptable business.

3. Why in the world does EVERYONE seem to have a different story? Was it because the office was closed? Was it because the work order was put in incorrectly? What was it?

4. Is THIS how you handle customer service?

I make mistakes, that’s why I tend to give people the benefit of the doubt. I eat food that didn’t come as ordered, I let the agitated person at Wal-Mart go 1st because I know how hard the clerk has it, I try to not put the blame on the poor person who took my angry call when it’s not their fault in particular,etc.

I am that way because I understand. However, the most important customer is a current customer. That is not to say that a new customer isn’t important, but your existing customers are the people who have already given you money. They are the ones that will spread the word about your services. It’s a businesses goal to keep them happy.

I have made poor scheduling choices. I’ve scheduled shoots during some of the biggest sporting events of the year. If you are unaware I am a HUGE sports fan. My wife even allowed our wedding to be scheduled around the Colts bye week. I’ve accidentally scheduled photo shoots for times I had no intentions too. Upon realizing it at a later date, what did I do? I went and shot. I didn’t blow them off, I didn’t show up in a bad mood…what I did was deliver what I had promised.

While I’ve rarely cancelled or moved shoots, that too has happened. I have left voice mails with clients, emails, and text messages to that point. However, I don’t consider that official until I have a response from my client. I want to know that they understand that it’s happened, the reason, and we’ve set a new time for both of us. Generally that rescheduled time is less convenient too me, but my clients are priority.

Finally, when I make a big mistake I fall all over myself making it right. Early on we had a miscommunication with a couple. My wife had responded with an older pricing guide to an engaged couple and I was under the impression that they were under our current structure. This wasn’t realized until after the shoot, edit, and presentation. After a bit of discussion I figured out the issue and corrected it. On top of that I sent them a photo book. Why? Because even if the experience wasn’t perfect, I wanted them to see how important it was for me to make them happy. I lost A LOT of money on that shoot, but customers are THE reason we are in business and their satisfaction was a priority.

To me New Wave Communications failed in every aspect of customer service. They didn’t provide what they promised, they failed to communicate (communication is 2 way), and didn’t even bother to offer adjustments to help. I would’ve thought something to the effect of a discounted rate, 70 service for 30 price, etc…but nothing.

In the end, I will absolutely be looking into DSL service while crossing my fingers that my Wednesday service appointment with New Wave is for real.

However, I intend for my dissatisfaction to be heard. That should be obvious from this blog.

The cable service contracts in this area are awarded by the county government. It is my understanding that the contract renewal is coming up in the next year. I also know for a fact that here in Pulaski County that the only person in that small meeting that actually has New Wave Communications providing them services is the Deputy Judge Executive…or as I like to call her, Mom.

It’s HARD to keep secrets!

A couple weeks ago I got to have a top secret shoot with Charlie in Baxter’s on a Sunday when the store was closed. It’s like being let loose in Disney World AFTER they close the park. I’ve had to sit on these photographs ever since and today is the day that they’re allowed to break loose on the interwebs.

I’ve always wanted to shoot there (especially an engagement session) because there is so much texture and life in everything…of course, it doesn’t hurt that it feels a bit like a second home. :)

Here are just a few of my favorites.

I guess you could call this shoot with Brooklyn a before and after.

The last time I saw Brooklyn she wasn’t quite ready to meet everyone, but now she’s ready for the world.

Here’s a few of my favorites.

Something we have always fielded a tremendous amount of client interest for is our custom slideshows. This holiday season we are happy to introduce a new special for any of our previous clients, as well as anyone who would like to add a photoshoot before year’s end.

This Christmas we will be offering 8 custom Christmas slideshows.  Any previous photoshoot is eligible to have their photo gallery converted into a digital Christmas card that they may send out as they wish.

We are also offering a complimentary Web Based Digital Christmas Card to anyone who books a photoshoot that takes place between 11/15/11 and 12/23/11.

Below you will find 8 examples of our custom Digital Christmas Cards.

A Wonderland Of Snow

Click to order

Cosmic Tidings

Click to order

Wrapping Scraps

Click to order

Spirit Of December

Click to order

Pop-Up Pandemonium

Click to order

Pandora’s Gift Box

Click to order

Over Hot Cocoa

Click to order

Starry Night

Click to order

This is definitely one of those “Stuff I love” instead of a we…but keep in mind, so was Instagram and my wife told me for 2 weeks how it didn’t apply to our clients.

Now she can’t stop using it. :)

I am an information and entertainment junkie. I love movies, tv, sports talk radio, etc. Due to my job as both a web developer and a photographer I spend a LARGE amount of my time sitting in front of a computer editing code or photographs.

How do I pass the time? Well, I listen to a lot of music. However, sometimes I’m not totally in a music mood.

Enter the “podcast”.

For those who have never heard that word, or at least haven’t heard the definition, let me explain. A podcast is an audio or video recording that is generally FREE available online in a subscription fashion. Some are available daily, some weekly, and some even monthly.  The other amazing thing is that they don’t require a lot of overheard cost to produce, so there are A LOT of people producing their own. This means there is a ton of variations and niche podcasts out there. Do you like underwater basket weaving? Well, there’s probably a podcast out there for it.

I keep subscriptions to 40-50 podcasts at any given time. Of course I can’t listen too them all, but I like to have them available too me in case the mood strikes. If I’m editing, writing a blog, walking through Kroger, mowing the yard, or just killing time I will have one playing.  It’s disposable entertainment at it’s finest.

Here are a few short lists of what I listen too.

My must listens every week.

• Fantasy Focus Football : This is a fantasy football podcast that ESPN produces. It’s daily and hilarious, even if you’re not a huge fantasy football player.
• Nerdist : If you love the nerdier things in life, this is amazing. Chris Hardwick, yes the guy from Singled Out, has built an amazing network of podcasts and this is the flagship. Lots of discussion of Doctor Who, movies, tv, comics, and loads of pop culture. They consistently bring in the best guests, as well as the guests I didn’t know I would even want to hear from.
• Doug Loves Movies : I love Doug Benson. I thought he was hilarious on Last Comic Standing and was thrilled to find he had a podcast that strictly covers movies. Every week he brings on 3 guests (generally comedians) and they discuss movies and play the ridiculously addictive Leonard Maltin game…kind of like “name that tune” but with movies.
• How Did This Get Made? : This podcast was GENIUS in concept and hasn’t let me down. Have you ever watched a movie (or seen a preview to a terrible movie) and thought “How did this get made”? This podcast consistently asks that question. The 1st episode really set the tone with Cher’s Burlesque, but the episode that questions Sandra Bullock’s All About Steve is some of the funniest audio I’ve ever heard.
• Hollywood Babble-On : This one isn’t a family podcast by any stretch of the imagination.  Think of this weekly podcast as Entertainment Tonight, but done through the eyes of Kevin Smith. If you’re a Kevin Smith fan that 1. this is up your alley and 2. you probably already know it exists.
• Mohr Stories : This is a weekly by comedian/actor Jay Mohr. I’m amazed by how good this podcast is. I’ve always “liked” Jay Mohr, but after the stories of how he got the part of Bob Sugar in Jerry McGuire I’m hooked.
• Rowdy Racing : This is an extremely funny NASCAR podcast that covers daily news and gives lots of opinions. Not only is it a fun podcast, but it’s also created by some great people.
• Comedy Bang Bang : This is a podcast that’s part of the Ear Wolf network. (There are a lot of “networks” where podcasts kind of group together.) It appears to be a bunch of the top improv comedians getting together and having a conversation.  So far, I’m enjoying it tremendously.
• Jay & Silent Bob Get Old : I’m a huge Kevin Smith fan and subsequently, I’m a fan of all his podcasts. This podcast was started as a way to help Jason Mewes get over his problems with addiction. The 1st several episodes are powerful, simply chronicling his MANY years of drug abuse. The rest is pretty much just silly fun.

So now that I’ve rambled on about all these shows that I love listening too, where do you get them? Well, there’s many ways, but the easiest is through the iTunes Music Store. You should see a tab for podcasts and they are all available through search as well. Again, 99.9999999999999999999% of podcasts are free. If you’re stuck at a desk with headphones, can’t find anyone discussing the things you’re interested in, or just curious they are well worth a shot.

I love repeat clients…I love all my clients actually. Someone trusting us to capture these moments in time that will never come around again is a huge responsibility. Therefore it’s a tremendous honor when someone asks you to photograph them again.

The Peterson family have been very popular on our blog. Why not? A very sweet family with 2 extremely beautiful little girls that live to ham it up on camera.  Our shoots are always very informal and loose, which really works well with children.  If you allow them to be themselves in a scene or setting you’ve created, you will be amazed at how the images take care of themselves.

Below are a few of my favorites from the day.  Give them a look and let us all know what you think.

• Our 1st shoot with the Peterson’s
• Our 2nd shoot with the Peterson’s

This past Saturday we got to go ALL OUT! Do I sound excited? I was/am. We couldn’t have asked for any better circumstances for our Senior Portrait session with Kendra.

The first thing was that the weather was perfect and secondly she had booked us for a nice 3 hour session. The more time we have for a session, the better. It allows us to go after a lot of locations, outfit changes, or in this case get VERY technical.

Not only is Kendra a beautiful young lady, but she’s an athlete…a very good one at that. Things that are important to my seniors are important to me, so we had to really show her in those environments. Thanks to a lot of cooperation from her coaches, we had free reign over the softball field, basketball court, and locker rooms. Now if you give me all that access, an amazing subject, and time…well, you know I have to get out as many lights as I can squeeze in.

While I love the stuff we did at the field and on the court, the locker room shots are my favorites. They might be my favorites for this year.

With over 2 hours of sports shooting in the books, we sat out for Cave Hill Vineyards for a more traditional shoot. We were fighting a sunset, but had just enough time to really get another side of this 2012 senior captured in photographs.

Below you will find several of my favorites from our sports series we shot with Kendra and even further down the page you’ll find a few from the 2nd half of our shoot at the vineyard.

Keep an eye on our Facebook page for her slide shows.

A huge thank you to everyone at Pulaski County High School, Cave Hill Vineyards, and Robert Reed for being an amazing assistant on this shoot.

I want to start by simply saying that I am proud of Somerset, KY.  The Somerset I grew up in probably wouldn’t have gotten this event past the planning phase and if it did would never have gotten this support.

After hearing about the Zombie walk late in the the day, I thought I might run by and grab a few snapshots and really just check everything out.  I thought there might be a crowd, but never did I imagine the amount of people that showed up at the judicial center.  On top of that, A LOT of people put in a TON of effort on their costumes and makeup! From children, to high school kids, to parents, grandparents, and one zombie that had to be a great grandmother. Freddy & The Krueger’s were a perfect touch as the official band of the Zombie Walk as well.

I love the effort, I love the excitement, and I love that as best I can tell no one did anything stupid.

I hope this becomes an annual event and if it does, I’ve already got a plan on how to shoot some crazy photographs next year.   This also has me thinking that after seeing some of the zombie prosthetic work, I might need to do a zombie project.