Weekly Photography Tips

Happy Thanksgiving!...

2009-11-26T05:56:00.001-05:00

It's 5am and I am sitting here thinking about what it is I am thankful for. I won't bore you with the list, but as blessings go I feel like a wealthy man. I hope that today (and always) you are surrounded by those you love, that you feel blessed, and you carry hope in your heart. There are those who are struggling and I hope even more for you... that people reach out to support and comfort you, that your burdens become lighter, and I pray that in the days to come you can worry less and love...

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Mark December 12th on your calendar...

2009-11-23T15:59:00.002-05:00

I came across this today and wanted to share it before I headed out on my trip tomorrow. Help Portrait has come up with a great idea for folks who own a camera. 1. Find someone in need. 2. Take their portrait. 3. Print their portrait. 4. And deliver their portrait. From their website: "The brainchild of celebrity photographer Jeremy Cowart, Help-Portrait is a movement of photographers, coming together in every major city, to use their photography skills to give back to the community. On...

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I am leaving on a jet plane...

2009-11-21T15:17:00.003-05:00

Actually... I'm leaving in a minivan. In the wee hours of November 24th we (me and my gaggle of girls) are heading off to North Carolina for Thanksgiving / family reunion celebration and as if that wasn't enough we leave from there and head to Disney for a week with my mom and stepdad. I don't share this with you just because I'm squealing like an excited little girl, but also so you'll know that for the next 2 weeks posting on Weekly Photo Tips will be more fluff than substance (mostly...

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More on the LiteDome xs...

2009-11-19T17:12:00.003-05:00

Yesterday I posted a review on the LiteDome xs (watch the YouTube video here) and I wanted to share some images from a recent shoot where the only light source was a LiteDome xs. All three of the images were taken using a single Nikon SB-800 in a LiteDome xs (hand held), and a 4' x 4' white reflector. That's it. It's very lightweight and portable which made moving from shooting location to shooting location quick and easy. Click on any image to view larger (and in a new window).

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Review of the LiteDome xs by Photoflex ...

2009-11-18T20:04:00.009-05:00

Recently I reviewed theDavid Honl DVD "Light" and in it he uses the LiteDome xs from Photoflex extensively and since it hit my doorstep, so do I. This is a great little softbox, I use it on a light stand in the studio, I use it hand held outdoors or on location, in fact rarely do I shoot and not use the LiteDome xs. The quality of the materials and the construction is outstanding. So is the price, it has a "suggested" retail price of $79.95 but you can get it for less (Adorama has it for $75...

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Review of David Honl's DVD "LIGHT"...

2009-11-16T06:24:00.009-05:00

For $39 you will get two DVD's that contain one hour and fifteen minutes of instruction covering nine different portrait shoots and wraps up with a talk about the equipment David Honl uses. In "Light" David Honl will walk you through each shoot using from one to three small strobes (he uses Nikon SB-800 & 900's) to shoot portraits both indoors and out. He will show you how to overcome existing light and rebuild it with the light you want and where you want it. The equipment is minimal -...

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Between now and January 1st 2010...

2009-11-14T08:33:00.003-05:00

I have a three prong attack for this blog between now and January 1st: 1. If you are a pro photographer (translation = if you make money with your camera either full or part time) I want to make you more successful next year. It's actually something I am going to do for myself and hope you will come along for the ride. It's a jump start on my new years resolution. In 2009 I have worked too inefficiently and left way too much money on the table either because of poor implementation or worse,...

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More Lightroom 3 beta resources...

2009-11-13T10:41:00.003-05:00

I recently posted about the Lightroom 3 public beta program and I wanted to add some more information and newly released resources. The public beta will be lasting until April 30th 2010, giving us a full six months to really give it a thorough workout. Here are some resources that will give you details, insight, and training so you can truly explore and use Lightroom 3 to its fullest. 1. Here is the link where you can get Lightroom 3. 2. Terry White has forgotten more than I will ever know...

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Great deal on 8 GB memory cards...

2009-11-12T07:29:00.003-05:00

Adorama has SanDisk 8 GB Extreme III memory cards on sale. You can get a 3 pack of Compact Flash Memory Cards for $69 and/or a 3 pack of SDHC cards for $129. To sweeten the deal even more shipping on either set of memory cards is free. Here are the details: The 3 pack of SanDisk 8 GB Extreme III Compact Flash Memory Cards is $149.95, has an $80 rebate, making the final price $69.95 (yup, that's just $23 per card). A 3 pack of SanDisk 8 GB Extreme III Secure Digital High Capacity (SDHC)...

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It's Veterans day...

2009-11-11T06:54:00.007-05:00

And it saddens me that too few towns have parades... too many people have to go to work... and the sacrifices made by so many men and women are slipping into obscurity. But not here. The first has to do with a post I did a few weeks back about the documentary film "The Way We Get By" which is about the tireless troop greeters in Bangor Maine. Well PBS is airing it today and I encourage you to watch it, you can learn more about "The Way We Get By" here and can check your local schedule...

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Wanna shoot with Chase Jarvis?...

2009-11-10T05:56:00.002-05:00

Seriously, do you? This past May I reviewed the "Strobist Favorites Gallery" cards from Trade Secrets Cards. At the time I had two thoughts (which is essentially max capacity for my head), I really liked the cards (I can actually see them on my desk as I write this) and I wondered how they would follow-up on these gems. No need to wonder anymore, yesterday they announced the release of their second set (in what I hope is a long line of cards) "Chase Jarvis: The Portrait Sessions Vol....

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Something new in rechargeable batteries...

2009-11-09T13:29:00.004-05:00

It was after watching the "Strobist Lighting Seminar" DVD's that I made the jump to rechargeable batteries for my flashes. Why, because only an idiot would listen to advice from David Hobby and then ignore it. If I had to pick one thing I have not liked since making the move to rechargeables (and there only is one thing) it would be the fact they they drain rather quickly (and completely) when doing nothing other than sitting in your bag. Since reading a couple of reviews this past week I am...

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Today is a big day...

2009-11-07T07:55:00.002-05:00

It is my wife's birthday today, one of those "milestone" birthdays. Won't say which one because that would not be considered "good manners", but I can say that she was 49 yesterday. ;) In our house birthdays are considered sacred, if it's "your day", about the only thing you do for yourself is bathe. And by no means is it drudgery, it's fun for everyone, even those who are doing the serving - I think because you get to act like the person you wish you were everyday. Despite the fact that...

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Ladies and gentlemen... Kirk Voclain...

2009-11-06T06:51:00.011-05:00

When it comes to senior photography (or any other field of photography) there are some photographers who are at the top of the food chain, Kirk Voclain is sitting at the big table. There are several ways to measure success, not the least of which is your average sales per session, for Kirk it is just over $2,000 per senior. Now if he were based in Hollywood $2,000 would not be all that impressive but he's not, his studio is in Houma Louisiana, a town of just over 30,000 people (it is neither...

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Learning from others...

2009-11-05T06:36:00.007-05:00

If you are interested in senior portraiture, either improving what you are already doing or adding it as an option in your studio, chances are pretty good that there is another photographer out their that you can learn from. Laura Daniels is one such person. Her website, Senior17, is crisp, clean, and extremely easy to navigate. It contains great senior portraits, instructional information / FAQ's for her seniors on hair, clothing, and makeup that serves two purposes - it will keep her from...

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Man am I tired...

2009-11-04T07:57:00.002-05:00

It is very unusual for me not to post for consecutive days... and I missed you guys! ;) A friend of mine has a small internet company and late Sunday night his mail server crashed so I spent 36 hours (from late Sunday night to Tuesday morning) building a new server, restoring backups, blah, blah, blah. Bet you didn't know in my previous life I was a geek (pocket protector and all). Of course the process was regularly interrupted with phone calls from ill mannered people with self important...

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2009-10-30T05:53:00.006-04:00

The newly released "Learn & Explore" iPhone/Touch app from Nikon gives you access to information that was previously only available on the Nikon USA website. You can read an article on getting the most from travel photography while you’re on vacation, adjusting depth of field or selecting the right shutter speed when taking photos at a sporting event, or advice on the right aperture for indoor photography. Photography information at your fingertips and on the go. In addition to articles...

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Senior portrait resources from RangeFinder...

2009-10-29T08:13:00.005-04:00

Get ready for some serious reading. Below is a list of articles from nationally recognized photographers that specialize in senior portraiture Each article is a printable PDF and when selected will open in a new window. Kurt Brewer - Kurt Brewer Has a Way With Seniors Dan Brouillette - From Science to Senior Portraits Beth Forester - Tattoo Your Seniors Beth Forester - What's the Buzz all About? Chris Nelson - Location, Location, Location—Redefined! Cabel Noteboom - Back to Nature John...

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Back in the saddle...

2009-10-28T07:25:00.002-04:00

I was hoping to post more while at the "Studio Success, from K to V" seminar held in beautiful Sugarbush Vermont, but days were long and the information was abundant (over filling my head). You can expect several posts about the seminar, the things I learned, and the goodies I brought home from it in the near future. Tomorrow I will get back to the topic of senior portraits. See ya then.

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Give Lightroom 3 a free try...

2009-10-26T08:02:00.003-04:00

Adobe has announced the public beta of Photoshop Lightroom 3. You can check out several videos on what's new here, NAPP has already put together a Lightroom 3 Learning Center, and check out what Terry White has to say in his "first look". Well, it's off to day one of my workshop in Vermont, I'll post a run down of the days activities this evening. I hope you have a great day.

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Something you will want to watch...

2009-10-23T06:53:00.004-04:00

I'm interrupting our series on senior photography to share this 3 minute movie with you. As usual, subscribers will need to return to the blog to view this as videos are not pushed through. Turn on your speakers and hit play...

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Senior Portrait Artists DVD Review...

2009-10-22T07:57:00.005-04:00

I was fortunate enough to get a copy of the 3 DVD set from the Senior Portrait Artists 2009 convention and it has transformed my thinking (and practice) about senior portraiture. There is no doubt moving forward my senior business will be done differently (and better). Translation = more bookings + more print sales = more revenue. The added bonus is that many of the marketing ideas and practices will improve my overall photography business. "SPA at the Rock 2009" is three DVD's packed with 4...

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Reader question on Senior Portraits...

2009-10-20T09:10:00.019-04:00

A reader asked for details regarding the images I used in yesterdays post. So let me give you some general rules I use for all of my senior shoots. Keep in mind there are two types of senior shots, the image they will use for their yearbook, and the image that the parents will hang on the wall of their house, the latter being a much more "staged" artistic photograph. So the details I am about to share are for the those that are intended for the yearbook. 1. I have never had a senior as...

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Senior Photography...

2009-10-19T08:31:00.005-04:00

This week we are going to focus on senior photography, I will share some of my work from this "senior season" but more importantly I will share with you some really informative and useful resources that are specific to shooting seniors, but can be applied to any type of photography. These images are of Andrew, the first set are your "standard" senior shots, in the second set the sun had almost completely set and I asked Andrew if he felt like "having some fun", we broke out the flashes,...

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One week from today...

2009-10-18T08:17:00.004-04:00

Next week on this very day I will be hitting the road for Warren Vermont to attend the workshop "Studio Success, from K to V". It is 2 (full) days of Kevin Kubota and Vicki & Jed Taufer teaching, branding, positioning, creating a buzz for your studio, photography techniques for weddings and portraits, live photo shoots: portraits with Vicki, Weddings with Kevin, selling without selling, and promotions that really work. I have long been a fan of Kevin Kubota and just saw the Taufers at...

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