It's not too often that I get a Saturday free. So, when I found out that one of my favorite peeps was coming to town, I put my pedal to the medal! BRAVO's Jeff Lewis, known for his show "Flipping Out" and his new show, "Interior Therapy" was in Warminster at a Home Show on Saturday. He first spent about an hour just answering questions and then do a 'Meet & Greet'.

My partner in these adventures is always my daughter Ashley. She and I have sort of similar tastes in shows and stupid humor. If you breeze down to some of the older posts, you can see we have in the past seen Martha Stewart at a Williams and Sonoma store, Bethany Frankel from Real Housewives of NY and now with her own show. We saw her at the Franklin Mills booze store since she was promoting her "Skinny Girl" margarita line.

I have to say that Jeff Lewis was so far the nicest, most friendliest and honest one so far. He took the time to shake everyone's hand and allow a photo. For most folks in the spot light, these meet and greets are truly exhausting. They really don't want to be there and most of the time it shows. I remember years ago while on an assignment, I had to photograph baseball legend Pete Rose as he signed autographs. They escorted him in and he quickly sat down. The store people informed the crowd that he would only sign the picture that they would sell for $5. Nothing else. One little ten year old brought his bat. Pete said "Absolutely NO!" on the autograph.

The pictures below are from a simple point and shoot camera I keep with me. I wasn't going to bring my big gun cameras simply because I just hate lugging them around. The pictures aren't that great, but the company I was with was.
My daughter and I always have an amazing time together.

Jeffrey Lewis yacking.

Ashley with Jeff

Notice how close I am to him then Ashley. He is so thin!

Color here, color everywhere!

Happy Spring Friends!
Without a doubt, I have totally put the blog on the back burner. My fault peeps. Good news prevails however. I have started writing an online photo blog for PhillyBurbs.com. In my quest to be the most famous photographer on the face of the planet, I have taken yet another project on. In reality, I do like to write and help other aspiring photographers. So, about a year ago, I ran into my old boss Pat Walker, editor of all three newspapers... Courier Times, Burlington County Times and the Intelligencer. Of course the conversation turned to photography! I had always felt that there was a need in the area other than local camera clubs where photo enthusiastic folks could get info about different topics relating to photography. Naturally, like two ladies who hadn't connected in quite a long time, the conversation turned over several times on many different subjects catching up with all the news at the paper. It wasn't until I saw her again a few weeks ago that we finally decided to give this a run. So, here is the link:
Philly Burbs Donna Lere Blog
Who knows where this will be a hit or a miss, but so far, I have had tremendous feedback. Feel free to comment on the blog or here if you like. I am always looking for burning subjects that keep you up at night relating to photography.

In the mean time, as you know, we have had an early spring. Frankly, I can't be happier. We are two weeks ahead with outdoor portrait sessions starting earlier and I am in seventh heaven. Everyone is in a great mood! The colors of spring are everywhere! Here is a photo I took at a local garden center. Of course I had to buy some plants to spruce up the yard!

Is it possible for one dog to drive a person insane? What was I thinking last February when I thought about giving up my oh so calm life with two yappy Chihuahuas and include a hunting dog? 46 pounds of pure energy. Every day, my husband takes the bike out and she (Patches) pulls him non stop for 4 miles around the neighborhood. Husband is well known now in the area. Folks have even pulled up beside him while traveling super fast on his bike and asked him if he would run their dog!

So, lets break this down:
2 sofas or part of a sofa... gone
2 screen doors... bent in half
1 window screen... how she got that high amazes me
2 carpets..... mud, mud, mud
1 pair of progressive prescription glasses ($700),... taken off the kitchen table
4 pairs of reading glasses.... taken off the end table
1 entire backyard.. hunts back and forth without a break
40 daffodil bulbs planted and removed within one hour of planting
3 bottles of shampoo.. taken out of the tub
1 camera battery... taken off my desk
2 bars of soap.. taken out of the tub after bath
2 run in's with porcupines resulting in trips to the vet ($$$$)
Countless shoes, socks, and other apparel.

She loves to hunt (which is a good thing I guess) but never things of anything else. Yesterday, with the warm weather, I noticed a huge amount of tweety birds singing away. Last night, Patches "pointed" a spot in the fence without out moving a muscle for 9 minutes. I know that bird was scared to death to move.

So, today, seeing the temp rise to a balmy 68, my husband and I took her for a run at a nearby park. Needless to say, she was pissed to see those tweety birds back again. After all, she had chased them all away in the fall.

For me, I know that when you become complacent in life, it is definitely time to shake it up a bit. I told husband that the next time I come up with an idea like this one to throw the hair dryer in the tub while I am in it!

Who doesn't love dog breath?

After running solid for 45 minutes.

I truly believe that good work speaks for itself.

Having said that, I ask clients to give me feedback about my work. Would they recommend me? Just like Sally Field says.... "They like me!" I always love to hear good feedback and positive recommendations. Here are a few that stand out! I have made great friendships with these folks as a result of working together.

“Donna suggested a professional head shot for my profile and I am so glad I went with her suggestion. Being in the skin care and makeup field, she captured the look she set out to do. I couldn't comprehend it until we went over every picture one by one. Donna spent time with me, making me laugh, making me feel comfortable, etc. I am used to making people look good, she turned the table with me and made me look great.

I highly recommend Donna for all your photography needs. She is experienced, patient, funny and takes so much time with you. Thank you Donna for making me look good on my profile and all the time you spent with me.
Much success.
Cindy Martell”
--------

“I heartily endorse the work of Donna Lere Photographer. I first approached Donna to take my professional head shot about 4 years ago, hiring her literally from the phone book. After a brief conversation, I knew Donna was the photographer I needed. She creatively suggested unique spaces and shots that makes this real estate propfessional look her best. As a result of my marketing and Donna's great work, my face is all over the county. Professional, creative, appropriately priced - call Donna Lere for great results.” Anne Costello, Realtor
--------

“I have worked with Donna for several years with our Council Rock Education Foundation fundraiser, "Family Portrait Day." Donna provided great advice in helping our organization have a successful fundraising event, and she kept the lines of communication open throughout the planning stages and after the event. Donna made sure that our Portrait Day events were a positive experience for our families. She brought only the most professional staff to assist her. She and her staff kept an upbeat attitude throughout the long and busy day. We received lots of feedback from families about how well-run the events were. And, most importantly, Donna produces quality, beautiful photographs for her clients that are treasured memories to share with family and friends.” Maryann Molishus

Thanks!!!

Recently, I heard this quote, "Bigger does not mean better. But better is how you get bigger." It reminded me of the #Costa #Concordia accident. Companies buy other companies. Cruise lines absorb other cruise lines. Owners of Concordia (Carnival Cruise Line) shares dropped a whopping 21% since the accident... Ouch! To think that one man, one captain, can bring down a company so big.
The reason I bring this up is that for years, many contracts pass right by my studio because they feel that my studio is not "big enough". Really now! I believed when the Council Rock Education Foundation hired my studio to present the Family Portrait Day to the entire Council Rock School staff and students was a huge thumbs up for us to show that we can and DID do this awesome fundraiser without one single glitch! Happy families everyone resulted!
As a business owner I believe in the basic core principals that not only will garner new business, but keep repeat business coming back.
1. Treat people with respect and courtesy.
2. Be honest and realistic with dates
3. Give them a fair price for the work that you do.
4. Never sacrifice quality.
5. Be on top of your business at all times.
So, is big business better? Not necessarily. But better business is!

As a professional photographer, all my work goes to a pro lab. But for the personal stuff, you know.... the pictures of the dog, the vacation pictures, the goofy holiday pictures..... well, I can't remember when I printed them last! A few months ago, my brother and I sat down at my mother's home and went over pictures dating back to the early 30's! While she sat with us, she gave us her version of each picture, the location and of course, and who died and when! Hours went by as I covered hundreds of old pictures of my folks, their folks, their vacations down Wildwood in the 50's. Along with good laughs, I enjoyed looking at the fashions and cars of the era. Seeing my mom and dad at a time in life that was free of aches and pains with youth in their right hand pocket was comforting.
It seems that everyone I run into always says something like... "I have all my pictures stored on my computer." Sadly, my personal stuff is on mine. (But with tons of backups!)
It makes me wonder why I stopped printing the fun, personal stuff. I think that is because gratification is given the minute I turned to digital. When it was film, I couldn't wait to pick the stuff up and take a sneak peak of it before I made it to the checkout!
I do however have hoards of pictures of the kids growing up, holidays of past and hair do's that were once on America's Most Wanted. I am happy that I did follow through on that part. It's just within the last few years. I believe I am not alone and this is why companies like Kodak are suffering.
Back in the day of no computers, getting your picture taken was a huge deal. Folks would go to a studio and spent quite a pretty penny to record their memories. Thankfully today, some still realize the importance.
One of my resolutions this year is to start printing those everyday photos that we take for granted. A digital photo album isn't the same as holding a print in your hand. For it is the times that you sit around the table and have a good laugh, a warm remembrance of a memory and a story of how it used to be told by your mom that makes it all worth while.

131 Years.
Thats how long the Kodak company stayed alive. Is it dead yet? No. But as I write this blog, the Kodak shares were trading at .48 cents a share. The highest I believe was $95 per share back in the sixties.
Little known fact is that the Kodak company invented the first digital camera. I guess they are kicking themselves in the foot right now. Because their shares have dropped below a dollar, they are in danger of being taken off the stock market ticket. Sad.

I can't remember the last time I bought film. I can however, close my eyes and remember the smell of roll of film as I took it out of the canister. The feel of a negative. Years ago, when I worked for the newspaper, I remember opening up the film cabinet to find hundreds or rolls of film in several different "ASA"s. (Or Iso's for some who use that term.) On a typical assignment (like a local basketball game), I would shoot about 3 rolls. For an Eagles game, I would shoot upwards to 20 rolls. (Remember that we never stayed a whole game because we had to get back to process!)

I started out in my career shooting black and white film. Tri-X or T-Max. Then the newspapers went color! So, it was 400 speed film. 1600 film was an option but the grain was just sooooo horrible.

There was Kodak paper, Kodak film and Kodak cameras. Slowly Fuji film made it's way along side Kodak.
I remember the day at the newspaper that we got our first Kodak digital camera. My photo boss was so happy that we were going to save big bucks on film by using digital. Don't quote me on this, but I think this camera was short of $30 grand! Ouch! It was something like a 1 megapixel! We all gave it a try, but honestly, it was so awkward and slow that you missed 90 percent of your shots. When I photographed the Phillies and was using a film camera, I could actually get an entire slide into third base, the beginning of the tag all the way until the player stood up. With the digital camera in use, I could get one shot off of the player beginning the slide. The camera had to buffer so the next time it clicked off a shot, the player was actually standing up dusting off his pants! It was like ten seconds from one shot to the next! Needless to say, all of us hated using this albatross. Who knew what would be in store for us just a few years down the pike?
I don't think KODAK knew either. Do the kids today even know what film is? Funny though, at many camera classes, they still teach film developing.... which means that you have to shoot film!

About twenty years ago, I made a huge investment in medium format equipment. Lets just say it was around the $25 thousand dollar range. I couldn't afford to buy the best (Hasselblad) so I purchased Bronica equipment. They pro formed well for me and I sold the entire lot about 8 years ago for $400! Recently I saw a creative use of one of those high priced Hasselblads that were not in use anymore. The photographer couldn't bare to let it go so it sits in his fish tank as a fish house!

So KODAK, I have to say it was nice knowing you. I am not fond of digital, but my grandmother always used to say... "Be careful what you wish for!"

I came across this great photo of President Obama taken by White House Press Photographer Pete Souza shopping at Pet Smart for his dog.  Imagine working extra hard during the holiday season dealing with tons of last minute shoppers and who walks in to your store?  Why, it is the President of the United States with his dog looking for dog bones for Christmas!  Most of us have camera phones, but wouldn't you just kick yourself if you didn't even have that? 
I pretty much carry with me a small Canon camera in my purse.  Yes, I am "packing".  You never know when a great photo opp will occur.  Will the president of the free world ever pop into my studio or pull in next to me while I am pumping gas?  Hmmm... doubt it.  (If he does, I hope I have fresh lipstick on!)  In any case, I think I will be ready for that instant moment when you want a "better" picture than just a cell phone picture. 

Here's the picture.  Look at the Pet Smart employee helping the president.  I am sure he will never forget that day at work.  Does it get any better in life that a visit from the President?

Christmas shopping? Me.. fight the crowds on a weekend? Faaaaa get about it! So, I hit the internet!

I saw this magazine advertised on Amazon. I am always checking out the magazine specials that occur every once in a while. My husband gets annoyed at the amount of mail that gets delivered to the house. My mail man "Joe" waves and we chit chat once in a while. He did suggest a few years ago that I get a bigger box for all the mail. I did and now we are cool. But I noticed lately that I am the only house he actually drives too! The other house in the neighborhood, he walks too. Hmmmmmm.......

So, I came across this magazine... "Garden and Guns". Stopped me dead in my tracks. The pie looks pretty darn good. But the "Gun" part has me puzzled. Since my husband is a hunter, I could in fact justify this magazine somehow. Who thinks of these titles?

Anyway, if you have ever read or even seen this magazine, let me know. There is no sale on this one. I guess it is a special audience!

Every year I photograph a few events that involve Santa. About 70% of the kids are on board with sitting on the big guys lap. There are those however, that feel otherwise. I kinda feel sorry for the little ones. If your child is scared, why force them to sit with Santa? Is it worth a picture?
We tell our kids not to go to strangers with the exception of one... Santa! So naturally, they are confused! I just hope that when they grow up, they don't remember that I was the one who captured fear in their eyes when they were children. Just remember, I am doing my job! It wasn't my decision to make you sit there! LOL!
So, Santa, if you are listening, I understand your situation. I hope you remember what I wanted for Christmas! It has to do with time and oh.... a vacation near a beach!