MY CURRENT PROJECT: Finished draft design of Liebman album. Mraz photos sent. Working on Bowles-Siegel Wedding. Next is Hanna Wedding & Bessey Family Photos.
SONG STUCK IN MY HEAD: Highwayman by Willie Nelson
CRAVING: concord grapes
NEEDED A MOMENT: another water spill... :)
BEST MOMENT: A smooth work day & congord grapes
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Blog - Personal or Business?
I think the biggest struggle for me and having a blog is whether I should keep it personal or business. I don't think mixing both can be good, yet, that's my life. I'm not even sure if I'm trying too hard one way or another. My personality is my business, but can it be taken the wrong way because I am too honest & open?
I thought about having my blog only focused on the weddings, like all the other blogs out there for photographer sites, but I'm not feeling it. As pretty or cool as they are I can't bring myself to doing it. I know I am different than others when it comes to photography so maybe I should different in my blog too. I love every wedding I capture but for some reason writing about them afterwards doesn't come easy for me. That's why I express every wedding with the photos I take. I have yet to see another website like mine that displays every wedding they've covered, besides logging in to where customers buy prints. I'm not bashing, I'm just saying, everyone expresses themselves differently. To me, the photos are what tell the story. If a single photo is worth a thousand words than why am I writing for it?
If you've noticed, besides my FAQ's and blog, there isn't a whole heck of a lot of text on my website. It's all about the white space, or shall I say, grey space! :)
Well anyway, back to work for me. Thanks for the recent comments.
MY CURRENT PROJECT: Sweet wedding photos complete, finishing their album. Working on Mraz photos.
SONG STUCK IN MY HEAD: My made up song to Chipper using his name. lol... hey - I'm alone all day, gotta sing to someone!
CRAVING: coffee
NEEDED A MOMENT: still searching for a schedule that fits me
BEST MOMENT: sipping coffee
I thought about having my blog only focused on the weddings, like all the other blogs out there for photographer sites, but I'm not feeling it. As pretty or cool as they are I can't bring myself to doing it. I know I am different than others when it comes to photography so maybe I should different in my blog too. I love every wedding I capture but for some reason writing about them afterwards doesn't come easy for me. That's why I express every wedding with the photos I take. I have yet to see another website like mine that displays every wedding they've covered, besides logging in to where customers buy prints. I'm not bashing, I'm just saying, everyone expresses themselves differently. To me, the photos are what tell the story. If a single photo is worth a thousand words than why am I writing for it?
If you've noticed, besides my FAQ's and blog, there isn't a whole heck of a lot of text on my website. It's all about the white space, or shall I say, grey space! :)
Well anyway, back to work for me. Thanks for the recent comments.
MY CURRENT PROJECT: Sweet wedding photos complete, finishing their album. Working on Mraz photos.
SONG STUCK IN MY HEAD: My made up song to Chipper using his name. lol... hey - I'm alone all day, gotta sing to someone!
CRAVING: coffee
NEEDED A MOMENT: still searching for a schedule that fits me
BEST MOMENT: sipping coffee
Monday, September 15, 2008
Explaining the process
I am in no way complaining for my success, just explaining the process. And although I love the impression I give off that things magically happen, the truth is there is no magic, just determination, hard work and adobe photoshop.
Please keep in mind that I go through every single photo, which can range from 1,000-1,200 or more, depending on the wedding. I want to be sure all are good and cropped, and color corrected if needed. Included are blemish touch ups on most photos, the artsy ones, sepia and black/white conversions. To maintain the quality in my work, this takes time. I have yet to process 13 weddings, 3 family photo sessions and more to come. I quickly totaled a photo count in my computer files and the result is to process more than 20,000 photos!
If I have time in between (which I haven't much lately) I like to make website updates outside of regular maintenance updates, which can take about 5-8 hours per wedding after re-sizing careful chosen processed photos at web size quality.
Oh & I have a personal life to squeeze in there too... ;)
So again, thanks for your patience.
Please keep in mind that I go through every single photo, which can range from 1,000-1,200 or more, depending on the wedding. I want to be sure all are good and cropped, and color corrected if needed. Included are blemish touch ups on most photos, the artsy ones, sepia and black/white conversions. To maintain the quality in my work, this takes time. I have yet to process 13 weddings, 3 family photo sessions and more to come. I quickly totaled a photo count in my computer files and the result is to process more than 20,000 photos!
If I have time in between (which I haven't much lately) I like to make website updates outside of regular maintenance updates, which can take about 5-8 hours per wedding after re-sizing careful chosen processed photos at web size quality.
Oh & I have a personal life to squeeze in there too... ;)
So again, thanks for your patience.
Reminder
As stated on the contract, it is an 8-10 week turn-around time for all event photos and we do them in the order. We apologize for this short wait and thanks for your patience during this busy season.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Orange sky
Even though it rained on Saturday, we still managed to get some amazing photos! The rain slowed for a moment and then an orange colored sky came out. As much as it looks like a fake background, it is not, it is the Hall of Springs in Saratoga Springs! It is the second photo below.
All three weddings were amazing this past weekend. From the uniqueness of the Ryzuk's to the excitement of the Ordon's to the intimate setting of the Wheeler's. They were all awesome!
Enjoy a photo from each wedding!
All three weddings were amazing this past weekend. From the uniqueness of the Ryzuk's to the excitement of the Ordon's to the intimate setting of the Wheeler's. They were all awesome!
Enjoy a photo from each wedding!
Just a reminder that it is an 8-10 week turn-around time for all wedding photos to be complete. I promise I am working as fast as I can to finish up all the weddings during this busy season. The website is a separate priority and I would rather go through the actual photos and get those done before updating the website. I am also fitting in time in between for processing other photo sessions as well. Thanks for your patience!
MY CURRENT PROJECT: Wade wedding sent. Finishing Sweet wedding.
SONG STUCK IN MY HEAD: A Life Less Ordinary by Carbon Leaf
CRAVING: cottage cheese & chips
NEEDED A MOMENT: Couldn't find an old written down idea
BEST MOMENT: Seeing my husband this morning after not seeing him all weekend :)
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Little Lauryn
Yesterday was a photoshoot with an old friend of mine, Kathy and her daughter, whom I met for the first time! It was neat to see her after all this time and little Lauryn was a hoot!
Here are three of my favorites, check my website www.outoftheordinary.biz/children.html to see more.
Bulk email
Just any FYI, sometimes random emails end up going into my bulk or spam email folder automatically. If you don't hear from me within two days, but sure to check back with me and maybe change the subject line. Either Jim or I check email every day and we also try to check the bulk email folder but there is a lot of spam that comes in and sometimes they are still missed.
MY CURRENT PROJECT: Finishing Wade wedding, next is finishing Sweet wedding.
SONG STUCK IN MY HEAD: Chipper singing
CRAVING: to get things done
NEEDED A MOMENT: not letting my passion become "just a job"
BEST MOMENT: realizing that my job is my passion
MY CURRENT PROJECT: Finishing Wade wedding, next is finishing Sweet wedding.
SONG STUCK IN MY HEAD: Chipper singing
CRAVING: to get things done
NEEDED A MOMENT: not letting my passion become "just a job"
BEST MOMENT: realizing that my job is my passion
Contract addition & policy changes
Effective immediately and added to all contracts:
"It is the sole responsibility of those who sign to have written requests of any specific photographs desired before the event. Out of the Ordinary will not be held liable for any missed group photos and will do their best in getting all photos of wedding party, family and guest willing to participate and be photographed with or without the bride and groom unless agreed upon or requested otherwise."
As I have reviewed and agreed upon in person or verbally for quite some time, this will now be added to all contracts. And adhered to immediately. I do my very best at every wedding and take over 1,000 photos but somehow I have managed to miss a couple here and there. I do go to every table and try to organize groups for photos or at least get couple photos of all of those willing. Please keep in mind that not all guests are willing for photos and I do not pressure anyone that does not want a photo taken, whether it be jokingly towards me or serious, because it can be hard to tell apart. I want to remind everyone that I do not always know every family member or family tree, nor their situations, or those wanted to be photographed in any particular order and/or which persons to be photographed with or by whom. This is why I let the bride and groom know before I leave the event to make sure all is covered. One of the reasons I am hired is that I do candid creative photos capturing an event as it happens, candids are mostly requested. Weddings are considered an event and less of a studio set up scenario. As I always say in every meeting or sign up, if you want certain photos, please request in writing before the event or note on the contract.
Long story short, you hired me, grab me at your event and ask for a photo. Simple as that. It is my responsibility to take the photo and that it turns out good, it is ultimately your responsibility gather the less obvious opportunities for me to capture.
Lastly if someone else is paying other than the bride & groom, such as parents, and they have special request, make sure this is covered before or during the event coverage. And although a list is sometimes just as hard for me to go by, it's better to have an idea than not knowing at all.
On a personal level I never had God parents and all of my grandparents have been deceased ever since I could remember. So I am less sensitive to these and although I always make sure to ask if there are grandparents, sometimes the formals are rushed by either an event coordinator or DJ and it can easily be missed. Just come up to me and directly tell me: "we will need to get the photos of grandparents (or any others) during reception."
Thanks.
"It is the sole responsibility of those who sign to have written requests of any specific photographs desired before the event. Out of the Ordinary will not be held liable for any missed group photos and will do their best in getting all photos of wedding party, family and guest willing to participate and be photographed with or without the bride and groom unless agreed upon or requested otherwise."
As I have reviewed and agreed upon in person or verbally for quite some time, this will now be added to all contracts. And adhered to immediately. I do my very best at every wedding and take over 1,000 photos but somehow I have managed to miss a couple here and there. I do go to every table and try to organize groups for photos or at least get couple photos of all of those willing. Please keep in mind that not all guests are willing for photos and I do not pressure anyone that does not want a photo taken, whether it be jokingly towards me or serious, because it can be hard to tell apart. I want to remind everyone that I do not always know every family member or family tree, nor their situations, or those wanted to be photographed in any particular order and/or which persons to be photographed with or by whom. This is why I let the bride and groom know before I leave the event to make sure all is covered. One of the reasons I am hired is that I do candid creative photos capturing an event as it happens, candids are mostly requested. Weddings are considered an event and less of a studio set up scenario. As I always say in every meeting or sign up, if you want certain photos, please request in writing before the event or note on the contract.
Long story short, you hired me, grab me at your event and ask for a photo. Simple as that. It is my responsibility to take the photo and that it turns out good, it is ultimately your responsibility gather the less obvious opportunities for me to capture.
Lastly if someone else is paying other than the bride & groom, such as parents, and they have special request, make sure this is covered before or during the event coverage. And although a list is sometimes just as hard for me to go by, it's better to have an idea than not knowing at all.
On a personal level I never had God parents and all of my grandparents have been deceased ever since I could remember. So I am less sensitive to these and although I always make sure to ask if there are grandparents, sometimes the formals are rushed by either an event coordinator or DJ and it can easily be missed. Just come up to me and directly tell me: "we will need to get the photos of grandparents (or any others) during reception."
Thanks.
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