Quite often, wanna be photographers ask me the age old question. “Should I fill the frame or leave room for the body?” Personally, I think it all depends on what your end vision is. I love to fill the frame when it comes to children. Because as a parent, I love to look at my children’s faces close up (even though they are grown now). One of the biggest mistakes I see on a lot of Facebook photos is children’s photos that are so far away. No need to show the entire body or the entire chair the child is sitting on. Go close for impact!

Also, keep a strong eye on your background. Remember, that less is more. Now that fall is approaching, there will be wonderful strong colors everywhere. Place people in front of ONE single color rather than several different trees screaming fall. The eye will fall first on the colors of the background and not on the face.

Here are some examples of filling the frame along with a clean background.

Payton’s red hair just pops with this green background.

Using the grass as a background brings out Cameron’s red dress and her amazing fun expression

Do you ever wonder why a dog chases his tail? I just always assume that when a dog does this, there is no reasonable explanation, other then he is trying to release a little stress. I sort of equate that to being in business for yourself. Everyone needs a little stress relief once in a while.

There are days and even sometimes weeks, that I have to question why I choose to be in business. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love what I do. But it’s all the “other stuff” that drives me nuts. The paperwork, the computers, the networking, the bookkeeping, the “this” and the “that” that all of us who own businesses face daily.

Recently, while trying to keep my head screwed on and pointed in the right direction, I had three clients in a ten day period that had two different names. You know, the kind that keeps their maiden name daily, but uses their family name in emails. One of these clients had three names to go by. Her maiden name, her new married name and the child’s name by the first dad. So, when the client calls to ask a question relating to their session, we are like the dog chasing his tail.

When my daughter married a few years ago, she opted to use her maiden name since it was shorter than her married name. “Fine”, I said, as long as you keep your emails and everything the same as well.

So, ladies, I’m just throwing it out there about keeping it consistent. You are driving all of us insane with your name(s). If you call me and use a different name, there might be some dead air on the other end of the phone. I don’t recognize your voice and although I am trying really hard, cannot remember all of your previous, current and married names.
Thanks!

For many of us, this weekend wraps up a hot steamy summer that most of us want to forget. Temps hitting the high 90′s and even over 100 many times. But the end of summer brings huge memories back for me as a parent. The rush to get school supplies, clothing, hair cuts, shoes and in general, getting back on schedule.

As a photographer, I try to emphasize how important day to day photographs are. Photographs of life is what I call them. Every year on the first day of school, naturally, the kids were excited and I was the crazed parent who would never let them leave without the “first day of school” photo. This continued even until college years when one would leave to go back to school, I would make the other pose with him/her. Perhaps it was therapy for me. Or just closure to them getting one step to becoming adults and moving on.

First day of school photos are huge. Not to just take them, but to print them as well. No, please don’t use your camera phone for goodness sake. Do the real deal. Your kids may moan and groan, but it is truly a wonderful memory for years and years.

On a side note, my father would come over to the house the day before school started, when the kids where so wound up and I was trying to keep excitement on the down low. He would sing this awful song…. something like “School days, school days, dear old golden rule days….” You know the rest I’m sure. He sang it to my brother’s and I when we were small and now he was torturing my kids with the same song. In retrospect, now that he is gone, I wish I had a picture of the kids face as he sat in front of them singing the gosh awful song!

I am such a believer that first day of school pictures are so important that for a few years, I donated my time to go to my child’s elementary school and take each kid’s picture on the first day. On back to school night, parents were given my photos of their kids. Yes, if the first day of school wasn’t crazy enough, I would take between 400 and 500 pictures MYSELF of each child in ONE DAY!

I am posting a picture that is not my kids. These are two children taken many years ago, ages 7 and 5 the day before the first day. (If I post a picture of my kids, they would shoot me!)

So, get the camera out. Take it straight away to be printed. Watch life grow.

When I was a kid back in the day (soon after they invented flush toilets!) (just kidding of course), my mother would kick us out the front door as early as possible in the summer. Extreme heat was always a given. We had the hose, the sprinkler, a neighbor’s pool if we were lucky and a community pool if my mom felt we deserved an afternoon of wetness. She had to go with us since under the age of ten required a parent. We weren’t lucky enough to have air conditioning, so naturally, no one in our house was willing to stay inside for the afternoon. Working outside in the heat wasn’t talked about much since most folks didn’t have air conditioning. I actually remember when cars didn’t come with air conditioners! (ok, laugh now.) Kids played hard and slept well.

Being a portrait photographer requires working in weather of all kinds. It is way to easier to complain then to step to the plate and get a great portrait. I have to be honest with you and say that yes, indeed, I have cancelled outdoor shoots if the temp hits 100. A hundred degrees is my limit.

A few weeks ago, I met with one of my clients to photograph her son Max. Getting to the site early, the blazing heat hit me in the face as I opened the car door at 8:15 a.m. In my head, I am trying to think positive even though within minutes I am drenched. My client arrives and also is taken aback by the extreme morning heat. The only person who isn’t fazed by the heat is little Max. With a playground directly in front of him, he makes his way to his favorite spots. What I ended up with is a series of amazing photographs of a 2 year old who didn’t know 90 degrees from 70 degrees. All he saw was playground ahead and let the fun begin.

Sometimes you can’t let summer get in the way of a great face. Don’t cancel life.

Being a portrait photographer for quite some time now, I find myself occasionally looking at other photographer’s web sites for something other than portraits. I get inspired and motivated to take my camera out once in a while and have some fun. Sometimes one gets into a funk and has to shake the cob webs off. While having lunch one day with a photographer friend who readily admitted his burn out, he asked me the question…. “Is there anything left to photograph?”

A question like that took me by surprise. In this ever changing world of photography, I am always trying to keep ahead of the game. Have you ever heard of the expression, “ If you don’t change, you die”. There is always someone younger, someone with more motivation than I to get out there in the one hundred degree heat or get up at the crack of dawn every day for a week to get the perfect shot. Personally, for me, I attend many seminars on keeping it fresh with new ideas, new lighting techniques and in general keeping one foot OFF the banana peel.

To answer my friend, I say the obvious “Yes” to his question. There is plenty out there, you just have to look. You have to be prepared. Some things may be very obvious to photograph, but then other scenes may require challenging circumstances’. You may need to go back and get that shot when the sun is setting on the other side. You may need to take a long exposure. And yes, you may need to go back several times if you feel the photograph is worth taking.

Yes, there are beautiful sunsets, yes there are laughing children and yes there are photographs that document who we are. They may not win awards. In fact, no one may ever see your work but you. But, you must never give up. When your vision gets cloudy, you must find a way to get back on track. Spend an evening looking up whatever kind of photography you like doing. Check out tips and ideas. Take a seminar on a Saturday to get you excited again. Or even better, find a photographer whose work you admire. Call them or email them. Ask them if you could take them out for a coffee and pick their brain. If they say “no”, that’s okay, move on.

“I’d rather regret the things that I have done than the things that I have not done.” – Lucille Ball

4 Days Old! Hold on world… Here comes baby Shea!
I just had to post this spanking brand new addition to planet Earth. Shea Walker.

Shea was the perfect gentleman until we brought him closer to the warm sunny window. I guess he is not so happy about being “out” of mom’s dark tummy just yet! Mom Mariah gave him a loving squeeze and as you can see for yourself, all was well in seconds.

When you grab that high school diploma and run out the stadium, your thoughts are of course not of your friends, but the party that is brewing. Keeping in touch with friends is supposed to be a given, but for most of us, we lose all contact with our buds. In my case, I reconnected with a high school friend Kathy Davis Carter at my 10 year high school reunion and luckily kept in touch with her over the years. In need of great accountant, I was again lucky to find her husband Ed to straighten out my ugly math. He has continued to come to my rescue for the past 3 decades.

A few short months ago, Kathy called and we got together to discuss her daughter’s wedding plans. I was thrilled to be asked to photographer her daughter Beth’s wedding to Jeff! Beth and Jeff have the most amazing relationship that would make any couple jealous. Her infectious laughter lights up the entire room. I am sure that Jeff’s life with Beth will be filled everyday with at least one great laugh…!

Below is just a sampling of this beautiful couple. Although the weather was perfect, the bride was stunning and the groom handsome as the day is long, there was a bit of a snag when Beth’s grand mom fell under the weather and decided it was best to stay home. With a lull after the initial portrait session, we headed over to Grandmom & Grandpops home to give her a bouquet of flowers that was especially for her. Check out her surprised look as she sees Beth. Grandpop is still wearing his wedding tie and is just as surprised to see an appearance from the bride and groom and their wedding day. What a way to make these elderly folks feel extra special.

When it comes to professional headshots, I think some people would rather try on bathing suits in front of their spouse. What they feel is a painful ordeal can actually be a positive experience. Trust me on this one! With the burst of social media, the demand for quality headshots has increased ten fold. Between Facebook, Linkedin, websites, business cards, brochures, the professional headshot is an item that almost every needs. Your appearance on the web is crucial in the business world.
With this blog post, I hope to give you some pointers that aid you in your decision to get a professional headshot done and what to look for. I’ve been doing “professional” headshots for many years and to say it bluntly, this isn’t my first rodeo. I have also seen people who want a “professional” headshot and look for the cheapest photographer out there resulting in an inexperienced photographer who knows nothing about headshots.
There are two types of “headshots”. The first is the “business” type of headshot. This photo is to be used in all your marketing pieces and social media. The second is an “actor/commercial” headshot. This photo is to be used if you are trying to land commercials or acting gigs. For now, I will blog about the first one…. “business” headshots.
Lets start at the beginning and break this down:
1. Lighting….. It’s all about good light.
Since there are no two people alike, then no two people should have the same lighting. A person with a longer face should be light different with a person with a rounder face. Those with a few extra pounds will appreciate the fact that certain light makes them look a wee bit thinner. Just by knowing where to place the lights, the photographer can make certain body parts a little more flattering. Only photographers who have taken the time to study how the light falls on the face can essentially make the best image.
2. Clothing choices…. What you think looks good versus what really looks good.
At my studio, all of my clients bring several changes. Most folks have never had a professional portrait taken. Therefore, they are clueless as to what they think will photograph well. Guys are told to bring three jackets, ties and shirts. Ladies are asked to bring several change outs. (I’ve had folks bring pretty much their whole closet!) You should change your outfits several times. You will be surprised when you see the images just how different a color change can be.
3. Re-touching…. Is it included?
At my studio, re-touching is included. You may want to check that out before hiring anyone. Absolutely everyone needs some re-touching. The extent of your retouching is based solely on the condition of your skin. We go in and reduce lines, whiten teeth about 25%, soften skin, remove fly away hair and if need be, remove lint from clothing.
4. Copyright…. what is it?
A professional photographer owns every image they shoot. Just like an artist, he/she would not just give away their completed canvas. So therefore, you want to personally “own” your image. This way, you can use it any way you please. Otherwise, you would have to go back to the photographer and ask permission to re-use the image. A professional photographer will relinquish the rights to your headshot so that you can freely use it on various things.
5. Posing…. feeling uncomfortable is natural.
Your body language says it all. Your photographer should assist you in finding a sweet spot on a posing chair that you feel good. There is a major difference with posing a man and a woman. Your should take direction from the photographer but eventually end up in a position that is flattering and yet still says business. Also, your headshot does not have to be taken inside with a background. If you are the artsy type, perhaps you would like some less formal and outside! As long as the light is good, there is no problem with changing the norm of a business headshot.
6. Choosing your image….. Who’s opinion do you get?
Usually, after your portrait session with the photographer, they will post the images online. Sure, you will show these images to family members, spouses, and friends. Each having their own opinion, you end up lost in space for the final decision. Need not worry. As a professional photographer, I will suggest images that I think you look your best. Other photographers should do the same. The decision is ultimately yours though.
7. Color correction….. A huge issue
Your final image is re-touched and color corrected. What that means is that the image that you get should be close if not spot on to your actual skin color. I have seen so many headshots on web sites that the folks hair looks purple, the face is way to red or in general, way too pale. Now remember that if you are looking at your image on your 3 year old computer monitor, it may not look right. My studio completely color corrects your image as per our lab specifications. My computer monitors are color corrected by color correction devices designed for monitors.
8. Final image presentation…. Different sizes for different uses.
Your image should come in various sizes. Most folks don’t know how to downsize an image for web use or Facebook use. Final images are broken down into various sizes to help you out. For example…. Web use, print use and uncropped in the event if you want something slight bigger than head and shoulders and also big enough to use on a billboard!
9 Price…. The real truth.
What you are paying for is the following:
A professional photographer to analyze your body type and photograph you based on precision lighting.
Several outfit changes.
Professional re-touching
Online viewing
Your image broken down into several formats for you to use.
Full copyright usage
Clearly a few hours of work.

Tips that say this photographer may not be spot on:
Using on-camera flash for inside photographs. That is, using a flash on the camera. Not professional lights.
Not assisting the subject in posing to find the sweet spot that the client feels good.
Doing the absolute reverse and fine tuning the pose so much you feel like a robot.
The studio lights are attached to the ceiling and the photographer can’t move them (sometimes found in box stores or malls)
No re-touching done.
Client gets ALL the images. Sounds good, but they are not re-touched and why would you want images of yourself not re-touched?
Headshot parties. Sore subject among photographers. Okay if you are doing this to put your photo out there in a non-business format…. i.e. dating or just a non-business Facebook. However, how can you expect to look professional when other ladies are standing there critiquing your pose? Not to mention the possibility of the addition of wine.

Here are some before and after photographs from my studio. Yes, re-touching was done. But nothing earth shattering. Just making the image “pop” and decreasing a few essential lines. People should still recognize you when you walk into a room as the person behind the Linkedin image!

We smoothed her face just a bit and pushed down her white collar a hair.

A skin care specialist, this client loved the outside.

Clearly, you can see how a man is posed differently than a woman. A woman’s shoulder toward’s the camera should be lower.

Hope this helps in your decision to choose a photographer. Send questions if you have them!
Donna

The word “thank you” goes a long way. Most parents have to give a nudge to their kids after receiving something. Children rarely say it on their own. Recently I did a photo session for an 11 year old girl named Zara Scott. She was recently signed by Brillant Talent Agency in NY and California for television commercial work. My studio does a fair amount of aspiring actors both in big pants, little pants, big skirts and little skirts. Of course, parents always say thank you when leaving. But once in a while you get a kid that just is genuinely thankful. That kid this month is Zara. After our portrait session was done, she had changed clothing several times, this young lady came over to me, touched my hand and said those priceless words on her own… “thank you”. Great job Mom and Dad. You have raised her well.

From what I heard, she has already been signed to do a commercial which will air in August. With a personality like this, it is hard not to believe that this spark will go anywhere but up. Go Zara! I am your biggest fan!

“A man loves his sweetheart the most, his wife the best, but his mother the longest.”
Mother’s Day is approaching rapidly. What would your mom or the mother of your children desire. A tulip, robe, a phone call, a lunch? How about making a memory not only for her, but for you?
Mom is always the one behind the camera. The last one to sit down at the dinner table. The last one to get ready because she is busy getting everyone else ready. She is the one that ran you to soccer. Picked you up from school and took you shopping for school projects. The one that sat next to you during your high fever. The one that peeked in at you at night and starred at you for a few extra seconds as she watched you sleep.
What does mom really want… She just wants everyone to be happy. How about making her happy… Just this once.
Booking Mother’s Day portrait sessions now. Or, better yet, give her a gift certificate just FOR her. She’s waiting.