So I asked Trinity’s mom Nikki could she bring her daughter out to my shooting local for a few test images with my very, very, very old Canon FD lense. I had a last minute cancellation which really irked me, but hey, I figured since the sun was super bright and movng rapidly west that I would challenge my skills with my favorite slow focusing non-auto lense. About 30 minutes later they arrived and Trinity was super thrilled to take pictures…. well, for the first three images-then she dashed everywhere except where I needed her. I was like OMG! She was running towards, away and around me. I’m busy fumbling with the lens to capture her wherever I could. The worst part, but most fun was when she dashed from the shaded areas that I wanted into the direct sunlight that I didn’t want. Finally, I gave in-I was forced to exchange lenses. I went from the 70-210 to my trusted old school Canon FD 28mm. That, at least, allowed me to keep up with all this dashing. Enjoyed her as usual.
So after many texts, Facebook and phone discussions, Jarrick decides that he wants to build his model portfolio with Jazzyshots Photography. Initially we were to have an outside session downtown Augusta, GA but, upon meeting at our shooting location we were stunned that suddenly it begun to rain. I suggested that we return to the studio and do an inside session; he agreed.
Upon arrival to the studio-one of our assistance met us and assisted Jarrick and his escorts with his gear. We invited his escorts to sit-in on the session-versus sitting in the waiting area. I was hoping that they could remove some of Jarrick’s noticeable nervousness.
While Jarrick was in the dressing area preparing for his shoot we begun to test lights and scenarios to achieve a hi-key and lo-key result for the looks that he was wanting to achieve.
Upon his departure from the dressing area I immediately took charge of the session by telling him what he needed to do in order to achieve the results he was looking for. I basically took his hand and walked him through the first half of the session until I noticed he was grooving into his mission on his own to deliver some stellar images.
I continued to emphasize that I was looking to deliver to him a minimum of ten essential and dominating images for his portfolio and that I was not expecting to shoot more than 50 frames; although this was not true-I was attempting to motivate him to grace the shooting stage with the confidence that I seen in his online images.
The first outfit took about 20 minutes before I was pleased enough with the captured images to stop snapping. Jarrick proceeded to change outfits, I begun processing the images and my assistant begun setting the stage for a hi-key shoot.
Before the next shoot I invited him into my office to preview his images. This gave me the chance to discuss his strong and weak points and allow him to see how well he was doing. We then proceeded to the shooting area and I could tell he was full of glow and confidence.
The second outfit shooting took only seven minutes before we were totally thrilled with the images we had snapped. Jarrick conveyed poise, style and more confidence and the results were evident.
Jazzyshots are hoping to work with Jarrick again in the near future and we wish him well with his model career.
Spring is almost upon us-and it’s time to start preparing for the warm sunshine, and it’s time to start documenting the growth your family has had over the winter.
I am offering a month of mini-sessions to ease you back into the photo taking mode. Mini sessions does not take the place of my regular sessions which usually last from one hour to 1.5 hours, but are just that a mini-session where we can capture you and your family/friend in a casual and relaxed manner. Do not get it
misunderstood-you can have this mini-session in your formal wear also-whatever suits you. The session will be an outside session under the beauty of God’s Natural Lights and Clouds.
Spring Portrait Mini Session Special:
- 20 minute portrait session
- Up to 4 people
- Outside session at our studio or your area choice
- Private online viewing and ordering gallery
- Complimentary CD of thumbnail images
- $25 Print ordering credits
…………all for only $75
Available Dates:
March 26 (Friday) 7:40, 8:15, 9:00, 9:30
March 27 (Saturday)7:40, 8:15, 9:00, 9:30, 3:00, 3:40, 4:15
March 28 (Sunday)7:40, 8:15, 9:00, 9:30, 3:00, 3:40, 4:15
April 9 (Friday)7:40, 8:15, 9:00, 9:30
April 10 (Saturday)7:40, 8:15, 9:00, 9:30, 3:00, 3:40, 4:15
Curious about what can be captured in 20 minutes please view our previous mini sessions in this blog.
Reservations can be made HERE. A non-refundable $50 Session fee applies. Appointment adjustments allowed if necessary.
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Since the lowering of prices, automatic functions and special effects of consumer digital cameras it seems as if everyone is a “wedding photographer.” Sad thing about this is that many are not really wedding photographers at all or at the minimum a portrait photographer, but people who like taking pictures with their new automatic camera and wanting to make some cash on the side. Unfortunately, if the bridal couple chooses this photographer with price being the only factor-their chances of being greatly disappointed have largely increased.
Just recently I was looking at the television show “Judge Mathis. “ A new bride was complaining about the quality and detail of her wedding images. Her complaints were valid as they were images equal to what my daughter would do with her cell phone camera without any knowledge of focus, composition or balance. The complainant almost had a winning case until Judge Mathis asked, ‘ how much did you pay for your wedding photographer?” $300 was her answer. Judge Mathis told her she got exactly what she paid for and dismissed the case.
When choosing your wedding photographer you must consider more than price. When clients interview me, I love to hear their every concern and enjoy addressing their questions. All of 
my prospects review my wedding packages first for pricing and what comes with each package to find one that fits their budget. Then they ask me about my availability, how many assistants do I use and what are the terms of my contract. I generally feel happy when we can begin to discuss their wedding in detail, it gives me a chance to express some ideas and hopefully gain their confidence to handle one of their most important days.
While some side-job photographers (I use to be one 15 years ago) might do an excellent job with your wedding, you need to take the time to ask some pointed questions to find the right photographer for your big day. I suggest the following questions as starters: 1.What is your shooting style, 2. Do you shoot color or B/W, 3. Can I have some input on your shooting style, 4. Can we meet any assistants who may accompany you, 5. How many weddings have you worked as the primary and assistant photographer, 6. Will our wedding be crowded with some of your other activities that day, 7.What equipment will you bring with you, 8. Will anyone or any equipment be intrusive during the ceremony, 9. Can we purchase all the images that was not included in our package, 10. What are the usage rights for the images, 11. Do you shoot outside of your normal geography, this is very important especially if the photograhers near your wedding ceremony does not meet your wants. Personally, I shoot 60% of my ceremonies outside of Augusta, Georgia if that is where they need us to be.
In the end, before you even interview your first photographer you should have a general idea of how you want your final product(s) to look, because 10,20 or 30 years after the wedding, these final products will be the most treasured items of your life, outside of the wedding rings.
I have always believed that we wedding photographers should be more than the “photographer.” In many, many cases we need to be prepared to be flexible and mobile for emergency wedding situations. What is a wedding emergency? Disoriented or nervous children walking down the aisle, mis-fitting outfits that you may notice before anyone else, the carpet runner buckling up setting up an embarrassing moment for someone, maybe even us, the photographer, if we’re not paying attention.
I remember one large wedding I was hired to do several years ago in Savannah, GA. The bride was in tears because the groom was about an hour late and her make-up was beginning to run a little!! Top that off, the pastor was becoming irritated. I sent my lady assistant to go get our make-up kit (yes, I carry a make-up kit) and be prepared to touch her up once her face is dry and she was sparkling again.
Finally, the groom arrived and he and several associates were rushing into the dressing area along with the tuxedos for the 12 groomsmen. Now, here we go; none of the tux were fitted correctly! None! OMG, the panic, mayhem and phone conversation the groom was having with the tuxedo renter. Those words I will not reveal here. I informed my 2nd assistant to inform the bride and pastor that the groom has arrived and he’ll be ready soon. Where was the wedding coordinator? M.I.A. when the panic started an hour earlier.
I sent one of my assistants to the suburban for the sewing kit (yes, we always carry a sewing kit). I had all of the groomsmen to swap outfits that would closely match another groomsman. We then began to rip seams, nip and tuck wherever possible. I had pretty much decided that few wedding images would have any images below the ankle photographed. We would work the 2/3 zone with most images a groomsman was photographed in. Why? Although we managed to get everyone fitted, not all pants were of the proper length. In addition, the bride’s make-up was re-applied by her sister using our kit.
The wedding was a bridal success and the reception was full of laughs about the pre-wedding panics. The entire wedding party showed Jazzyshots Photographer’s much love for our part in helping out. We sold many great images, soft cover books and single images to the wedding party members and others that attended. That would not have been possible if the wedding had ended in a tragedy. Today the family and party members continue to send friends and family in our direction for their special events.
I have more than a dozen of these stories I can write about, but I’ll save it for my “Wedding Photographer’s Novel” I dream of publishing one. Maybe, this blog could serve as the starting point for that book (LOL). But, seriously, as a wedding photographer, you have to be ready to assist where you can as long as it does not cause you to miss those all important “must’ images. Why should you keep your eyes open for opportunities for failure? So you can notify the right person and if all else fails, make it right yourself. Can you imagine trying to sell images, beyond the orignal agreed sets to newlyweds of panicked, miserable or sad faces? Although, not our fault as photographers, the chances are good that we cannot call this another successful wedding because the images are not loved and no new referrals are being sent our way, all because we failed to be “More Than Just The Wedding Photographer.”
The Big Picture
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Had a great model session recently with one of my favorites, Thereza Santelics and a newby to Jazzyshots; Melanie Agcaoili. We decided to make a full venture of this session by doing outside portraits, studio fashion and urban wear. This session required two photography assistants, a stylist and makeover artist.
The session was close to three hours, which included three dress changes and three makeovers, a lot of giggling and goofing off and some great ideas being developed by all of us. I made several lighting changes to reflect what I was envisioning. The session worked with only two studio backgrounds; white and black, and a few studio props. Changing the lighting around became somewhat of a challenge, as I had to continuously light check. A few times I also pushed the ISO and caused some yellow hues to blend from a general top light into some of the images, ugh. that was not noticed until their last dress change; ugh!! I did compensate accordingly during the next set, the previous 40 or 50 images, photoshop became king again (LOL).
In the end, we had a great Jazzyshots Photography model session. I cannot believe that after nearly 3.5 hours of shooting and changing that Theresa was not ready to wrap it up; LOL. I guess that’s why she is one of best; always ready and motivated.
Thereza and melanie; Jazzyshots AngelsThereza of Jazzyshots Photography
The 2011 Christmas season has come to a close and I had a great time capturing some very nice people in some very nice Christmas portraits. We photographed a few daycare facilities, although some of those beautiful children did not want to be bothered with us, LOL, we eventually convinced them that we could wait until they were ready and we had some wonderful times. In the studio we had a bulk of wonderful customers to book holiday portrait sessions and I decided to share a some of my favorites. These are not necessary my favorites because of the image content. Some are favorites because it brings back some fun memories of our sessions for various reasons. One in particular was little Siniya, who without any coaching or nudging just took over her session and was giving me instructions! It was hilarious, cute and fun and we captured her at her best. This holiday season turned out to be a very good one for business and meeting a bunch of great new people who I hope will be returning happy customers.
My first blog post is about the world’s easiest model; my uncle Willie. I was looking for a subject that defined strength, loyalty and no-non-sense. I was looking for a look of distnguishment, intelligence and strength. I doing something around the house and ran by one of the images we had taken together and “BAM” I knew my subject. So, I called him up and said ‘Hey Unk! I need you to be my model for my exercise session. what’s up?” he, replied, “hell yeah, no problem nephew; what you want me to wear?” I asked him to keep it simple and nothing fancy, I want the real him and he was glad to hear that because he didn’t want to try to get fancy, LOL. We had a great session in the urban streets of Augusta, GA and completed the session in less than an hour including set-up and break down. He was almost flawless because he was a natural. The more he jived talked and laughed the better the images became. We had a great time, I got some great images and I hope we can do it again in 2012. Thanks uncle Willie.
