When you view your proofs you’ll also see two composite pictures that I have created especially for you. What’s a composite picture? It’s where I will combine two or more images into one photo. I’ll create a 10×20 and a 11×14 for you. Both are standard frame sizes. I can surprise you or you can suggest themes and ideas. These are optional ala carte photos you can purchase. Below are a sampling  of composites.

Note: Cutout images like below are on request and have an additional charge

He and three fellow IBMers were playing with Amanda Blumenherst.  She a 23 year old rookie who recently graduated from Duke University.  Very lovely young lady with a lot of potential.

During a pro tournament you’re not allowed to do any kind of photography unless you have a media tag.  And then you can’t shoot while they are in the back part of their swing.  But, a pro-am is different.  I was right up there with them.I followed Bruce for about 6 holes, before I hitched a ride back to the club house with a golf channel camera man from Austin Tx.

There I just wondered around taking shots of the pros practicing at the driving range or putting green.  Everyone was very nice.  They all seemed so relaxed despite the fact they were preparing for a big tournament starting the next day.

I also have a new video program Proshow Gold.  I decided to try out the animation effects it has.  Check out my video of Pro-Am highlights below.

Have a parent call me on Monday June 7th to book your Senior Portrait Consultation and you will receive $20 of Ala Carte Items FREE with the purchase of a Deluxe package. $10 of Ala Carte Items FREE with the purchase of a Simplicity package. You can reach me by calling 309-452-9262.

Though I’ve known Natalie’s family for several years I’ve learned a lot about her since our photo shoot.

While most of us are forced to take piano lessons as a child, Natalie, at the age of 7, was begging her parents to give her piano lessons. 15 years later she has completed 2 years at the Manhattan School of Music.  And this Fall she will continue her education at Wheaton College Conservatory of Music.

She has also been involved with several pageants in Illinois.  She is currently Miss Capital City and will be competing for the Miss Illinois 2010 title this June.  Being quite involved in these pageants she knows that the job requires her to be outwardly focused on serving her community.  And that’s where the Chinese comes in.

This week up through Saturday, May 1st you can go to Panda Express at Eastland Mall and 20% of your order will go to The Children’s Miracle Network, raising money to fund hospital’s for children.

All you have to do is print out the coupon below and present it with your order. Or click here to print out a whole sheet of coupons to share with family, friends and co-workers: panda-express coupons

She and I are also trying to “cook up” an event this Saturday at the food court from 11-1.  We’re still waiting on permission from the mall office.  It’s a secret for now but I’ll give you a clue, it involves young girls, crowns and photos.  Stay tuned to see if we get the go ahead from the mall.

If you can’t get to the Panda Express this week please consider contributing to The Children’s Miracle Network on Natalies behalf at her website.

http://www.missamerica4kids.org/m.aspx?i=24788EEA3B471B

Thanks from me and Natalie for your generous support.

(Oh by the way, if you have a Palm Pre don’t expect it to take great indoor pictures in very low light even with the flash–see photo at left.  Photoshop it you say? — This IS the photoshopped version. LOL)

Learned a lot but I won’t bore you with the details. Just hoping I can create even better pics for you all in the future.

The top photo is my first attempt with a fun technique we learned on Friday.  Below is the before and after.  If you’re into photoshop yourself, you will find the how-to video for this technique at this webpage  http://www.scottkelby.com/blog/2010/archives/869 It’s fun to play with but my pics are not even close to the creator of the technique; Calvin Hollywood. Practice Practice Practice.  I learned a lot more practical things too.  Just not as fun to show off.

Look up the definition of the word “proof” and you’ll see it’s used in a variety of ways.  How about a mathematical proof?  Or when something is child-proof or water-proof?  What about proof in a court of law which shows that something is true?  In photography, a proof is a sample image intended to be used for the purpose of selecting a final image.

So, what do we need to know about proofs that will help us with our selection of a photographer? I think we need the answers to the following questions:

What form will the proofs take?

There are two basic forms; digital and printed.  The printed ones might be as large as a 4×6 or as small as a stamps printed on a proof sheet.  The larger ones will often have the logo printed on it or a watermark across the image.  Digital proofs are either shown only online or on a CD.  Often they will have a watermark on them as well.  I’ve also seen them given on CD’s that  after a certain amount of time they self-destruct just like in Mission Impossible.   Well, not exactly, these just stop working.

So what are the advantages and disadvantages?  Printed ones are easy to carry around with you.  You’ll want to take them to school to get everyone’s opinion.  Mom will want to take them to work.  They’re just very portable. But, if they are too small you might have difficultly really telling what they will look like when they are blown up and hanging over the fireplace.  The watermark may be distracting.

Are the digital ones any better?   Well, yes and no.  They aren’t very portable which can be frustrating.  But generally they aren’t very, very small.  Online images are easier to share with relatives far away.  One big problem with digital is that they are seen with transmitted light and prints are seen with reflective light (light that reflects off the ink).  Because of this prints will never perfectly match the brilliant colors you see on the monitor.  It’s just not physically possible.  A good photographer can make them close but never exactly the same.  Also the images will look different on different monitors.  If your photographer calibrates their monitor the images seen on their monitor will look the closest to the prints.   But they can look very different when you get home.

Do I get to keep the proofs?

You’ll also want to know if you get to keep the proofs.  Sometimes you do and sometimes you don’t.  Some photographers will let you buy all the whole set of proofs at a discounted rate.  Others might give them to you if your order exceeds a certain amount.  Still others will include them as part of the package.   Personally, I let you keep the proofs. The catch is that my logo is on them.  I see free advertising coming my way whenever you show them to your friends.

Getting to keep the proofs will add value to your final order. So this should be considered when comparing the “out the door” price with another photographer.  Another advantage of getting to keep the proofs is that it reduces some of the pressure to buy more photos than you planned on in your budget.

How close are the proofs to the final image?

This is a big question that you need to ask.  Some photographers don’t do any editing of their proofs.  Some do some basic corrections.  Others go all out and what you see is what you get.  The disadvantage of the first two options is that some people have difficulty imagining what the final image is going to look like.  The disadvantage of the final option is that doing final editing of ALL your proofs takes time and that can add costs to the final price.

The thing I think you need to remember is to ask them if they completely finish off the proofs or will the ones you choose be edited further.  If the answer is that they will be edited further, ask them if they can show you a sample of a proof and its final image.  That way you’ll have an idea of what to expect.

What is a “Rep” you ask?  Rep is short for Representative. Reps are a Win/Win marketing technique. Photographers find students who will tell their friends about their services in exchange for reduced prices.   Sometimes the sitting fee is reduced or free.  And usually you earn some sort of credit for every friend who books a shoot with your photographer. Some photographers will ask around looking for referrals of students who will make good representatives of their studio.  Others actually hold tryouts or interviews that you can sign up for.

Now, you probably want to know if you could become a Rep?  So, first, stop and think,  “Will I be a good rep?”  I don’t think you have to be “popular” or “one of the beautiful people” to be a successful representative.  But, you do need to be friendly and likeable.  You need to be able to comfortably hand out cards and discuss the merits of the photographer you are representing.  You might even have to talk to people you don’t know very well.  If you think you’re this person here’s your next step….

Check out websites of photographers in your area.  There’s a good chance you’ll find their information regarding reps right there.  If not you can always call them and ask.  You could send them an email, but I think you’ll get a better response if you call.  It shows that you are comfortable approaching someone and talking to them.   To get you started here’s a link to the information regarding  Reflections Etc “Share the Fun” rep program. The good news is that at Reflections Etc “everyone” can be a rep.

It’s the same with photographers. If you were very familiar with each photographer’s work in your town, in a line up, you’d probably be able to tell who took which picture. There are broad areas of popular style.  Some are discussed below.  Just like teens, photographers will have their own style within these broad areas. You will want to study the work of photographers you are considering and decide if you like their style.

Traditional

Recognize that hairstyle?
Yep that’s me again. Traditional photography involves more formal, posed images. They are often shot in a studio under lights with a simple background such as the one of my son below.

Outside shots can also be considered traditional if they appear
more posed than natural.

Casual

This style is informal. Though the images may be posed they give the appearance of not being posed. (or at least they try not to)

Model Like

A popular style is to create the look of a magazine model. Often you will be able to pay to have a hairstyle and make-up artist to help you prepare for this type of image.

Urban

Though this may seem more like a setting rather than a style, the available architecture in an urban area seems to create a unique look that can not be achieved in a studio or park like setting.

Creative

This is a very broad style that is difficult to put into words. But I think that you’ll recognize it when you see it.

Journalistic

Journalistic photos tell a story. They are often not posed. While one image can tell quite a story, this style often involves a series of photos. Props can be added to help tell the story.

Black & White

There are some photographers who create ONLY Black and White photos.  Many will create some images as Black and White because of the mood they are trying to convey in that particular image.  Some people love Black and White.  Some don’t like it at all.