I have a few few short rules in life.  Mostly though, they have to do with doing the right thing, following the rules, being honest and being kind to people.  It sort of my "Golden Rule".  I love photography and donate my time endlessly to organizations.  For me, it's not what you end up money wise, but how one has helped along the way.  I always laugh and think that when my time comes, and I am standing at the front of the pearly gates in heaven, I will have a list when asked what have I personally given back.  Honestly, though, I love to donate my services to organizations to raise needy dollars for things I believe in.  Usually in exchange, the client will get my services for  free and a portrait in return.  In 2009 so far, I have donated my services for close to 210 portrait sessions.  Yes, that number is correct.  I do fundraisers for schools that why the number is that high. 
When the fundraiser is completed and the clients have ordered their portraits, almost most of the time, a wonderful thankyou is followed by the clients.  They are so grateful and appreciative that it warms my heart. But of late, I have noticed a pretty good percentage of those who feel that they are "owed' more than the average folk.  These are the people who tend to want an extra appointment to view, to change things around in a package, to sit for an hour and a half deciding and then leave and want to come back at a later time, to want massive retouching and in general, step over the line.  At this time, I have to step back and and take a huge breath and remember the pearly gate thing. 
But what I really want to say is this these people who think they deserve more is this:  "We are at war.  Our sons and daughter's are dying for us so that we can live comfortably here.  Just before you came in, I had a mom who was crying because she could not afford her house anymore because of the massive strain her handicapped daughter has put  their finances.  So, I'm sorry you are upset that I photographed some of the photos in a vertical format instead of horizontal, or that we cropped the photo in the proof a little tight.  But in the overall picture, is it worth screaming at us for something so trivial?"
Thats right, I said "overall picture".  So, when life gets you down, you have to step outside and look at what God has given you and realize that yes, indeed there are some out there who want more than others and not to let it get to you. 
Right now though, on this Sunday morning, my plan is to take a giant breath, refill my coffee, and enjoy a few minutes of fall. 

Every few weeks I get asked the same question.  "What camera are you using?"  This same question has been coming my way for close to thirty years now.  Each time, I give the answer the person who asks the questions says something like... "Uh huh."  Here's the secret folks......... THERE IS NO SECRET!  Do they ask football players what kind of football they use?  Do they ask plastic surgeons what type of knife they use?  By buying the same football, does that make you a better athlete?  Yes, it is years and years of training, education and more education.  But there is something else.   A very good photographer (Darton Drake) that I draw inspiration from says this:  "Its not whats in your hand that makes the image, but whats in your heart and soul!"

You have to love what you do.  Heart and soul.

With every portrait session, we always ask for feedback from our clients.  Criticism is always hard, but in the long run, it makes you better in so many ways. 
Here is a recent note from a long time client.  I posted her Holy Communion image last month and received this testimonial.  Thanks Sandy!  Love you guys! 

                                                                                                                       June 19, 2009

I can’t say enough about Donna Lere.  Our family first discovered her about 5 years ago.  We were searching for a photographer to record a moment in time for our children.  We wanted the images to be timeless and unique.  My husband saw Donna’s work at an exhibit in Newtown and knew he had found the right person for this task.

 

Our first set of pictures has that timeless feel and we never get tired of looking at them.  Just recently we went back to Donna to capture the importance of our daughter’s first Holy Communion.  We didn’t want the typical posed looking shots commonly seen.  Donna once again exceeded our expectations.  The photos we have of our daughter really reflect the reverence and beauty of this special occasion. 

 

Donna is a true artist.  She not only captures the essence of the person she is shooting, but her eye for detail, lighting, setting, and mood is evident in every image she creates.  She has a way of putting you at ease and bringing out the best in her subjects.  I know we will continue to rely on Donna to record all of the important moments in our lives.

 

Sandy McGuigan

Newtown, PA

Beautiful Tara!

Hi Friends!
Crazy September so far and it looks like it is not going to get any calmer!  As always, we expect it and plan for it. 
Today is "Market Day" in Newtown.  A time where stores have sidewalk sales, vendors set up booths and in general, fun, fun, fun!
If you are Jewish, I am sorry that this day was planned on your holiday.  The Market Day committee sent out a sincere apology not thinking when they pinned the date a year ago.  So, don't email me and rant!  I do respect your hurt feelings and I am sure that the committee has heard an earful.
On to more fun stuff!   Anyone who drops the studio today will get a complimentary 4 x 6 fun photograph.  Of course you have to be with a parent or perhaps 18!  No, this is not a portrait, just a fun picture!
So, stop on in!  From 10:00 to 2:00!

Look!  They look like party animals don't they!

I know the last post was about my kids, but I thought I would post again about one word:  Commitment.    Indeed my kids are my pride and joy.  When my son was a little boy we were at the Willow Grove air show just spending a hot June day walking around.  We walked past a few vendor tables and then came upon the Air Force table.  My son stopped, looked at the uniformed soldier and moved on.  The same thing happened with the Navy table and then the Army table.  The last table was the Marine table.  A very well built Marine was standing there with nothing on the table but a bumper sticker.  Next to the table was a stand where you could do a pull up.  My son paused, looked at this Marine and stared right into this guy's eyes.  The Marine said to him, "Son, if you can do 5 pull ups, I will give you a t-shirt."  My ten year old took the challenge and completed it.   It was then, that I knew there was no going back.

Being in the military is such a commitment not only by the individual, but by the people that surround him or her.  Granted, it is not easy on the associated loved ones, but it is the least we can do for what they give up.  This weekend, my husband and I will drive to North Carolina to see my son again.  Yes, I was there last month.  And yes, it is a long drive.  Could I come up with other excuses not to go?  Sure.  If you are not involved with someone in the military, you don't understand what they give up for us.  So, is it an inconvenience?  Yes.  But I would drive to the end of the earth for him no matter how tired I am. 

Jason had a short leave before leaving for North Carolina in May.  At that time, he tried to re-connect with friends and family.  My daughter and I l were lucky enough to spend a few days with him in the beginning of the summer up at our cabin.  Wanting to squeeze every last minute with him, I closed the studio for a few days and we spent a few days just "hanging". 
Here is a photo I took of both Ashley and Jason while fishing on a quiet lake the night before the rest of the family came. 
Will my butt hurt from the 9 hour ride.  You betcha!  Will my legs hurt from sitting that long?  Yep!  But it is all worth it to see his smile.  Will I cry as I drive away?  Without a doubt.
Commitment:  Thank you Jason.  I understand even though some do not.

Okay weather Gods, enough with the 90 plus heat!

 Last week we spent the entire week at the Middletown Grange Fair.  As in last year, we set up a booth and met some truly fun folks.  Not kidding anyone here, it was really really hot!  Everyday it was over 90 degrees outside.  I can't even think what it was inside one of those large tents.  Definitely a humid week for sure!

Other people and photographers ask me why would we do this event for 5 days.  Well first of all, as many of you know, on a scale from one to ten, (ten being alot), I advertise about a "1". The business that I do get is primarily word of mouth.  Past customers refer me. I am thankful for that!  Believe me, it takes years and years of priming the pump to finally get the water to come out if you might say!  For years I did newspaper ads, one day fairs and shows, magazine ads, postcard mailings, newsletter mailings, etc.  Except for our online newsletter, all of that has pretty much ceased.  We get a great response from our online letters and our clients seem to love it!

So, crazy as it sounded, two years ago I said "Hmmmm....... lets do this whole week event!"  Some family members and staff looked at me and just nodded and others were enthusiastic.  I love meeting new people and showing them my style of photography. Plus, it gives me a chance to do something different other than shoot, paperwork and more paperwork.

There are all types of photographers out there with many styles to their work.  There were two of them at the fair this year.  All three of us had a different style.  Just like a great pair of pants, you have to find the one that fits you!

So, here are a few photographs I took with my point and shoot Canon G9.  These were taken the very last day after spending 5 full days from ten in the morning until eleven at night meeting and greeting hundreds of people.  I didn't crop them so they are what they are.  You can see we hang prints from the ceiling.  Pretty cool!  The booth next to me was selling Halloween stuff and the other side of me was an investment dude who was never there.
I kid you not when I say there was about five to ten thousand people a day there and many of those stopped by to say hello and/or inquire!


Hanging prints.
A different angle.


My daughter Ashley!  Without her help and bathroom relief, I would have never made it!  Thanks Ashley!

I saw a great bumper sticker yesterday and I had to post it.  "Are you what you wanted to be?"  How great is that statement?  Makes you think about all the times someone asked you as a kid "What are you going to be when you grow up?"  Well.... are you happy with  your path?