Saratoga Springs NY April wedding

Okay, so I have been slacking in my duties to keep my blog posts current and up to date.  When your working by yourself sometime these things are left as the last thing to do.  Here are some photographs I thought told a bit of a story about this couple.  Great time, great venue, great couple, and great weather. Looking forward to creating some more beautiful memories this year.

Even my Grand Kids are not safe from the camera monster

This was perfect...my granddaughter was in pony tails, boots and a cute little outfit.  She made a perfect target for my Nikon D-700 and SB-900 flash..  I told her all the crying in the world wouldn't stop the camera monster so she should just enjoy and pose. 

Of course she is a bit of a ham and required not one bribe nor promise of candy.  Once the mini session was over (15 minutes) she wanted to go through her mini session and select her better shots....... One hour later....this is what we came up with...

So here's my take on photographing children. Create photographs that are about personality not  artificial surroundings (they are more comfortable).  Never pressure them to smile, sit, or pose.  Don't obstruct them..let them run, bribes go a long way as long as I don't have to pay for them.  Encourage them to have fun....so many times parents want to control their kids...and that's when things go from bad to worse...let them go....instead of a one hour shoot it may be 2 hours and if the photographer is not willing to stay the extra time then you need to commission someone else to capture your children.
I am not saying that if a photographer has completed his/her session and has captured your child....but if your child has a melt down for the first 45 minutes then they should be willing to stay to accomplish what they were hired to do. 

Profit Media Group Buffalo, New York

January 14th I had the pleasure of documenting the open house/dedication of Profit Media Group's new office at the Key Center located in Downtown Buffalo, NY.  I have know Stefan for a number of years throughout my television career which started at Ch.7.  Since I've known him I have been inspired by everything he has accomplished and his willingness to help others.  He and his brother Dr. Dan Alexander have that winning combination that will make Profit Media Group a successful business venture.  Dealing in media relations, crisis media for companies, and politics, they will become the area's premier go to media relations team in WNY.  Here are a couple of photographs of the nights events.

                                          Profit Media Group

                                          Conference Room

                                          Profit Media Group

                                          Blessing the office

                                          Partners; Dr. Daniel Alexander and Stefan Mychajliw               

Family

I received this link to another photographers blog site, in it was this letter.  It has caused me to re-post it to my blog so that we may all learn a little something about our priorities in life.

A letter on my door step. portraits are more than paper.

Posted by jeaninethurston on January 2, 2012

There will be no portrait photos in this post. This letter wasn’t mailed – it was at my doorstep when I got home a couple months ago. I read it, I cried, and read it again – probably a hundred times by now. It wasn’t easy to read – and honestly, as much as it validates what I do for a living – I wasn’t sure I was going to share it either – Until today, when a past client said that my print prices were too expensive. If you choose to read through the letter, you will know why I’ve finally chosen to share it.
July 2nd, 2011
Jeanine -
Today I am writing for a couple of reasons. I have some quiet time at the moment and need to get a couple of things off my mind. I will leave this for my husband to deliver to you when he is ready.
You photographed my wedding, you photographed my first pregnancy and my first baby. I contacted you awhile back to photograph my 2nd child and family. After getting prices and realizing I would want all of the pictures as we love your work – I decided against spending $500+ – which is what I normally spend for portraits and prints with you.. Please know it is not because I don’t value your amazing eye, or how much we love the experience.
That week that I decided to NOT do a session with you, this is how I spent some money.
On Sunday I called and cancelled our session. Monday I went out and got my hair cut ($39+tip), and colored ($65), Thursday I had my nails done ($24), my family went out to dinner at a somewhat expensive restaurant for no particular reason costing us $79 + tip. This was just 4 days since canceling our session, already totaling over $200 for un necessary things. My nails only lasted about 2 weeks, my hair is gone, and seven weeks passed when I got the phone call from our doctor. It was not something I expected and the cancer has spread very quickly. I will be leaving my husband, my 6 year old girl and my now 2 year old – not by choice. It is very hard for me to talk about it which is why I need to write you.
I watch your Facebook page and your posts about the value of a photo and if I could give back all of those things that I purchased this few weeks after I cancelled my session with you, knowing what I know now, and have that session, well… I would do it in a heartbeat.
Now my time is done and there are no more chances for me. The next time someone cancels a session – my wish is that you forward this letter to them. Time is fragile, it is gone before you know you had it. If you charged $200 for one print it wouldn’t be enough for what it is actually worth. I cringe to think that my priorities were a manicure over a memory to pass onto my babies and husband.
My love and thanks for what you have given us from past photos. I am so sorry that I did not see it as more than paper until now.
Karen L.

Week Before Christmas

It's a week before Christmas and all through the house...ahhh you know the rest of the story?  Funny how this time of year brings out the best and worst in people.  Today I let an "older" lady enter the flow of traffic, the young guy behind me I guess didn't think that was the right thing to do...so he air-mailed me a bird....While the "older" lady waved to me without taking her eyes off the road.

Tim Hortons drive through today, girl asks me what kind of pictures I took?  I asked what type of photographs she was looking for (I realize it's not nice to answer with a question, just couldn't help myself) I asked??  "Cheap Ones" she replied...just like the store can give me.....

First "the store" provides a picture not a photograph,  and your lucky if you like one of the 5 that came out.  Then your provided with the prints you were promised, then the up sale begins...  By the time your done you have invested about $200-$250.00 for pictures.....Cheap?  No!  Rip off?  Pretty damn close.

There is a difference between me (and other photographers) and your local 5 minute studio.  If you think there is no difference between a Ford Focus and a Ford Taurus...your wrong!  Cheap is not always better...I'm better and I'm not cheap nor are my fellow photographers.

Luke Moretti: Where Did The Years Go?

Luke Moretti: Where Did The Years Go?

Mr and Mrs Joyce

Ahhhh. let me tell you about this handsome couple.  I had the pleasure of meeting them both and when I say it was a pleasure that's what I mean.  Great couple/Great family and we went to a great place for their photos (I was like a kid at Christmas).  It gave me great pleasure in creating some of their first images as Mr and Mrs. Joyce.