Senior Portraits in Snow, Horse and Rider Portraits in Snow & Family and Kids in Snow

Gray and dreary outdoors here in the Dayton area. I cannot wait for Spring and the blossoms and new green foliage.

Right now in the Dayton area, there is not much snow. However the first weeks of February can be unpredictable and we could have what West Virginia is digging out of any time in the next several weeks (first three weeks of February, that is). As it is now, we have nothing but gray and it does not make for beautiful outdoor portraits.

BUT, if the snow flies again consider professional on-location outdoor portraits

If we do get a big dose of snow in the coming weeks, I just want you to know that I am available to take Senior Portraits in Snow. I’ve recently posted some snow portraits with horses along with some tips on how to get great snow pictures and portraits. Lots of white snow is NOT a time when you can just trust you camera to make the right decisions. If you want to take your own pictures in the snow, review my previous posts to get some good ideas, but it you want professional on-location snow portraits of your high school senior or your children (special family time portraits of mom and dad with the kids), don’t hesitate to give me a call when the weather man starts talking heavy snow. If you have a wooly horse that you want portraits with in the snow, I can do those too. If it works out, you will have extra special portraits, completely unique and fun to share. Call me at 937-478-6222 (Peter DeMott). IF the snow comes and IF someone takes me up on this offer, I will share some extra special and completely unique family portraits, senior portraits, or horse and rider portraits here on my blog.

If you missed my earlier posts with tips on getting good snow pictures and portraits with your digital camera, here they are:

http://www.photosbypdemott.com/2010/01/snow-snow-snow-taking-better-pictures-in-snow/

http://www.photosbypdemott.com/2010/01/taking-better-winter-snow-portraits-follow-up/

This post is on my web site and blog here: http://www.photosbypdemott.com . It will also appear on my personal facebook page where you are welcome to friend me: Peter DeMott . It will be on my Twitter account: pdemottphoto . And last it will show up on my facebook fan page: Peter DeMott Photography . You are welcome to share these posts and links with your friends in snowy areas, become a fan or friend or follow my web site by subscribing on the top right of my home page. Thanks, Peter DeMott

JAYS Photography in Columbus, Ohio with Jay and Kelly Brown

From time to time I will be posting examples of other photographers who I have connected with in one way or another. Some from association meetings, some from connections through the internet. Recently I blogged about Allison Ballinger of Cross B Photography in Stephenville, Texas. What I have noticed is that some have a zeal for God that overflows into their work. I am completely impressed with Allsion’s ABOUT page which unapologetically shares her commitment to Jesus Christ and how it influences her life and photography.

Today I want to introduce you the Jay and Kelly Brown of J.A.Y.S. Photography in Columbus, Ohio. They are wedding photographers in Columbus. When you go to their front page, then enter, go to there ABOUT page and see how their relationship with Jesus Christ colors their lives and attitudes about life. They are passionate about photography and about people. I know from my conversations with Kelly that she is very devoted to her clients and getting the best possible images from their special day.

I wanted you to get a small taste of the talent of this pair. After looking as these few images, please go explore their flash web site and their blog to get to know them better.

They include an engagement portrait session in their wedding packages. Kelly tells me that this is an important opportunity for her and Jay to get to know their clients so that they have a good working relationship on the wedding day.

Kelly also does senior portraits, children and family photography in the Columbus area. Jay and Kelly focus on wedding photography and do weddings in Columbus and will also do destination weddings.

This post appears on my web site and blog, Peter DeMott Photography.com. It also appears on my personal facebook page and my business fan page on facebook. There are several ways to follow me or this blog. You can friend me on facebook. You can subscribe to my web site using the subscribe box at the top right of my home page. You can follow me on Twitter, pdemottphoto. I enjoy sharing about photographers and photography and will continue to bring you hopefully interesting post that will help you get to know me better, be inspired, and learn more about photography.

A portrait of my wife and me

Since Patty frequently helps me with my portrait sessions, I thought I would introduce her to you. The portrait of me with my camera was taken by another equine photographer based in Columbus (Jenay at Mane Photo does mainly STOCK photography for the equine industry – Thanks Jenay)

Patty is a 5th grade school teacher at Miamisburg City Schools. In the summer she participates in quite a few Endurance rides (AERC and UMECRA) and also Competitive trail rides (CTRs). At these events she rides a horse for either 25 or 50 miles in one day. Some day she wants to participate in a one day 100 mile event, but that is something that you gradually prepare the horse for and the rider must be in training as well.

Don’t you think I have a lovely assistant?  :-)

To visit my web site go to: http://www.photosbypdemott.com This post will also appear on my personal facebook page. If you would like to be a fan on my facebook fan page go to Peter DeMott Photography.

Becoming a photographer, being a photographer, learning about photography

Recently I received an email update from F-Stop Beyond: THE EXPERIENCE. I have been subscribing to his email newsletter for several years. This one captured my interest in that it had an offering. For $29 he would send me a pdf about blogging for my business AND a audio file about pricing professional services (it is a mp-3 of a coaching session about pricing). In addition for a short time anyone who purchased this small package, the entire amount would be sent to Haiti Relief. I am listening to the audio file right now as I create this post.

I like to provide my photographer friends with resources from time to time in this blog.

Today I am listing a couple of podcasts that I receive through iTunes. I listen to these when I am driving places or when I am mucking out stalls or working out in the gym. They offer inspiration and knowledge.

If you do not have an ipod, the smaller units are very inexpensive and many of the more current phones include M-p3 players in them that can be synced to the iTunes podcasts that you subscribe to. THESE ARE ALL FREE PODCASTS! If you don’t want to be able to listen as you go, you can also listen directly from your computer, no problem.

Here is short list:

One of Ron Dawson’s web sites: F-Stop Beyound.TV

On iTunes look up these podcasts (Open iTunes and search under podcasts, then click on the subscribe button):

F-Stop Beyond: THE EXPERIENCE

F-Stop Beyond / Shows 1-99

Rangefinder Radio

Pictage Podcast

I also listen to podcasts about internet marketing, and some general photography podcasts.

So check them out and enjoy.

This post is posted on my website and blog. It will be in my notes on facebook and on my wall at Peter DeMott Photography of facebook.

Marketing photography web site for my photographer friends

I just found this and found it very interesting and informative. I wish it had an email subscription option though.

http://skipsphotonetwork.com/

Muddy Horses in Ohio and Senior portraits and equine portraits in Spring

Not too many portraits to be made of horses once the snow melts in Ohio winters. Melting snow turns to MUD.

But, now is the time for kids and moms to be looking at the work of various photographers and considering who they want for their senior portraits or not just seniors, but horse owners of all ages who want to capture their relationship with their horse as a beautiful canvas print, you can be looking and considering too.

As you look through my website (you can click on the menu item that says “horse and rider portraits”) you can consider if you want to have your relationship between your and your horse in an art canvas to enjoy for many years to come.

While you are considering, please consider subscribing to this web site (see top right of the home page), or becoming a fan of my facebook page, or a friend of me on facebook. You can also follow me on Twitter. All of these will give you opportunity to see examples from senior portrait sessions, local horse show, endurance rides and horse and rider portraits as I shoot them this spring and summer.

Allison Ballinger of Cross B Photography in Stephenville Texas

I really enjoy my photographer friends all over the country and the world, but I have to say that Allison is quite an inspiration both in her testimony and in her photography. Just today she sent me this link which tells of her predicament and how the client handled the situation.

A Story Worth Sharing….and a new outlook for the year 2010

As you look through her web site and blog you will see incredible talent and lovely portraits of seniors, engaged couples, horses and their owners, families and more. And everything that she does she says is an expression of thanksgiving for what God had done in here life

About Allison Ballinger

Allison is a gifted photographer with a heart of gold. Her ability to communicate with her words in this blog also touches my heart. May the Lord continue to bless you with clients that will give you opportunity to bless them with the “opportunity to provide you with top quality images and designs to promote your horses and have priceless memories of your family to last a lifetime.”

I can only encourage families, seniors, and horse breeders and owners to take full advantage of the talent that you have their in Texas with Allison Ballinger of Cross B Photography.

Taking better portraits and pictures with your digital camera

Recently I’ve had a couple people email me to ask how to improve their photography. Even though I’ve been taking pictures since I was about twelve, I have found that the speed of learning has increased significantly since going digital. My personal goal is to continue to improve with every shoot or every session that I do for the rest of my life. For someone who loves photography, that is an easy goal.

I’ve always appreciated other photographers who were willing to help me to get to the next level in my work. So in this post I am going to make some suggestions for those who are new to photography or those wanting to grow in their knowledge of photography. I’m going to list some basic suggestions that followed can bring you growth and learning.

The first thing is to have a teachable mindset. These days things are changing pretty fast. It is very easy to reach a point where you think you know enough and you just stop being willing and open to learning. It means not being embarrassed to ask questions. It means being eager to continue to learn no matter how much experience you think you have. My goal is to be a lifelong learner. My associates at Professional Photographers Of SW Ohio will testify that I am always asking questions and open to learning and sharing.

Where can you practice your teachable mindset. Here are some of the things that I do.
- Subscribe to free podcasts on iTunes about photography (try several and stick with the ones you enjoy most)
- Join some free photography internet forums or even pay forums where you can get constructive criticism ( I am a member of EPnet)
- Buy photography books AND/OR pick them up free from the public library
- READ you camera manual and try out each feature to see what it does until you feel comfortable using all the dials and buttons on your camera
- Join a local photography club or professional organization (if you are a professional)
- Go on a photography weekend training seminar or participate in your club’s field trips or call someone you meet to do a shoot together

Take lots of pictures. I don’t mean to take a bunch of the same pictures from the same place, but rather if you find something that you would like to photograph, that you really explore your subject and take lots of pictures from various angles, various distances, and from various places. I was discussing this with a new photographer that asked me for some guidance. I asked her if she moved her feet when she took some pictures. It is common for a newer photographer to plant their feet and start shooting. When you take lots of pictures of a subject you have interest in, explore your subject and unplant your feet. One great thing about digital is that you can take lots of pictures from lots of angles using lots of different settings and it doesn’t cost you a thing.

Learn to LOOK at what you are seeing in your viewfinder. One of the easiest ways to improve your images is to eliminate clutter in your backgrounds and foregrounds. If there are piles of junk or trash cans in the background, that distracts you from your main subject. Sometimes it means that you will have to unplant your feet and move around some. Maybe it means that you will have to try some different angles to shoot from. In some cases you just have to pick up before you start shooting.

Learn to SEE THE LIGHT. This is something that comes with some time, but it comes faster if you work at it. Here is how you work on it. As you look at a scene that you want to photograph, look at where the light is coming from. Are there bright spots? Are there areas where there is not much light? Find out what soft light means and what harsh light means and learn how each affects your pictures and portraits. I’ve been having my wife, Patty, assist me with my location portrait sessions. I have a 52″ silver reflector so that I can shoot with light coming from various directions and still have her reflect some light onto my subjects for a more pleasing portrait. Sometimes I have taken the reflector and showed her by having her concentrate on my subject’s face while I adjust the angle of the reflector. I will say… see that even when the difference is very subtle and suddenly, as she concentrates on the subject she will say, “Oh, wow, I do see the difference now.”

NOW IT IS MY TURN to learn from you. I was just listening to a podcast about how you can learn from your clients by asking them to complete a simple sentence. For a bank, you would ask your customers to complete this sentence, “If I were a banker I would……….you fill in this part……..” Well, I’m wanting to learn what my portrait customers and prospective customers want, so if you have gotten this far, please finish this sentence as if you were me. “If I was a professional portrait photographer, I would_____(complete the sentence)_________________.”

This post is on my web site where you can click on the comment after this post. It will also appear on my personal facebook notes page and it will be on my facebook fan page wall where you can “comment” or “Like” it.  You can comment in any of these three places and I will get to see your response. I also want to know if you want me to continue with these how-to-photography posts?

Taking better winter & snow portraits (follow up)

A couple days ago as the big snow was about to arrive here in the Dayton area, I posted about how to take better snow pictures.

Having lots of white snow in your picture fools you camera’s meter and computer

Snow is white and bright and it will trick your camera into thinking that it needs to cut down the amount of light coming into the camera. You see cameras are calibrated to average the scene at 18% gray (actually it is much more complex than that, but you just want white snow, right?). When you are shooting snow and most of the scene is white, your camera is programed to make the scene 18% gray or there abouts. So your camera without a little help from you will severely underexpose your snow pictures. Your white snow will become gray murky snow because not only is it under exposed severely, but because it is underexposed there will be an increase in digital noise (that looks like little specks of various colors sprinkled about the picture).

What is the solution?

How can I make my camera take pictures so the snow turns out white like I see it?

What needs to happen to make good snow pictures? Most modern digital cameras have a control called “exposure compensation”. If it is in your menu, it will show a marker that can be moved to +1, +2, or +3 to add more light or -1, -2, or -3 to reduce light reaching your sensor or reduce the exposure. With snow, you want to increase the exposure by +1 or +1.5 or even +2. This is counterintuitive because the snow may seem very bright to your eyes (it is not what you expect without much thought). But, you don’t want gray snow right? So do it. Now take a picture with lots of snow in it and take a look at the histogram on the back of your camera. The white portion of the scene will show mostly on the right. If the histogram graph shows mostly in the middle, your snow will be gray. If most of the data is to the left your picture will be very underexposed, very dark or almost black.

When the snow comes enjoy it with your family and share your snow pictures with white snow on facebook

The snow came and I noticed a bunch of dark snow pictures on Facebook and other places. I am sure there are many folks out there, frustrated that their portraits and snow pictures did not turn out very good.

This morning we woke up and saw that there was hoarfrost all over the trees. It was very cold and yet the air had some humidity in it. The humidity frosted onto the branches of the trees as if it had snowed. It’s very pretty. My wife Patty said, “lets go take some pictures of the hoarfrost and the horses. The following portraits are the result of using the exposure compensation adjustment (on my camera there is quick access to the exposure compensation). I tried 2+, but that was a tad too much. When I looked at the image on the back on my camera my over exposure blinkers were showing. I moved it down to 1.5+ and in some cases 1+ and the images turned out great.

Additonal portraits from this morning’s session can be found here: SNOW PORTRAITS

This post will appear on my facebook and my facebook business page. It is also on my web site here. You are welcome to follow my by friending me on facebook, becoming a fan or signing up for email delivery from the front page of my web site.

Surviving as a professional photographer in a down economy

As a professional photographer, I always want to be growing in two ways.

First is to always be improving my photography. In light of that there are several things that I do. I participate in monthly training through PPSO (Professional Photographers of SW Ohio). I am a member of PPO (Professional Photographers of Ohio) and I go to the annual convention in the spring. At the convention I participate in every seminar that I can get my hands on. I also have a subscription to PhotoVision which is a collection of video presentations for professional photographers (Also a bi-montlhly DVD mailed to my home). Communication with other photographers through Facebook and photography forums, email and the telephone is important and I also have several Podcasts that I regularly listen to. Through these involvements I am always sharpening the product and the experience that I provide to my clients.

One thing that I just discovered, I think I saw it on a Twitter Tweet from another photographer, is the Jeff Smith books blog. This particular blog has an email subscription option (something that I always do – I don’t have to login, go searching for a web site or blog, it just shows up in my email box) so I signed up. He just published yet another book for professional photographers, this one on Senior Portraits. Yesterday I went on Amazon and purchased that book and another.

But this brings me to the other way that I think that I and other professional photographers must keep growing. That is to understand your market and current trends that effect your business. Each of the sources that I mentioned regarding improving my photography above also provide education about marketing and advertising professional photography.

Jeff Smith books blog had this post today. In it he was talking about not just surviving, but learning to do well in our current economic climate. It involved changing things up a bit on his senior portrait marketing and packages to eliminate some of the guilt and fear that people are experiencing about spending money. Here is a portion of what he said:

As business people we have to be smarter in this economy. While excessive spending is currently out of fashion, spending on memorable moments with the ones we love is viewed by Americans as perfectly fine. With our seniors, we are marketing more for the mother being included in the session and making it a “lady’s day out” experience. If it’s as much (or so the senior would think) about mom as it is the senior, the seniors doesn’t feel guilty when moms wants to buy the largest package, a wall portrait or additional wallets.

In this changing economy, many seniors that used to expect senior portraits at a premium studio as just a part of their senior year and now having to ask for senior portraits as gifts for birthdays or Christmas. The good new is when a senior is willing to give up a birthday gift for senior portraits the guilt of spending more is lessened. Again this just means as a business we change our marketing strategies to thrive in this economy as well as the next, because when it comes the economy nothing lasts forever!

Just as it is important to always be willing to learn new things with regard to the quality of your imagery, it is important to be willing to learn new ways to package and market your photography to meet the needs and wants of your clients. If you are a photographer friend, I would encourage you to go and sign-up for Jeff Smith’s blog and continue your learning (and being willing to learn) each day.

This blog post appears on my web site: Peter DeMott Photography. It will also appear on Twitter and Facebook on my personal page and my business page. You can follow me using the subscription option or by friending or becoming a fan on Facebook.

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