Time to time, folks say.... "You have the perfect job!" Or, "I would love to be a photographer, how fun would that be!"  Just last week, three folks said almost similar things to me.  Of course, they wanted to pick my brain about how they could be a photographer.  Naturally, being in the "business" of photography is way different than just taking photos for fun. 
I am posting this picture of Hillary Clinton because for one, she was listed as FORBES top ten successful business women.  A title like this does come easy, especially for a women.  She is definitely one of the women I admire.  Living in her husbands shadow for many years, she emerged as a politically strong women who with just a short time in the senate, ran for president of the United States.  Although her battle was not won, she was offered the prestigious job of Secretary of State. 
I found this entry on a blog called Duck Tape Marketing.  I can't say enough about how I approve of what the author John Jantsch wrote.  So, when people ask me about what how I made it so far in the photography business, I will ask them to refer to the list below that John wrote.  Thanks John for stating the obvious.

• Others aren’t willing to keep writing
• Others aren’t willing to keep learning
• Others aren’t willing to look foolish
• Others aren’t willing to think bigger
• Others aren’t willing to give more
• Others aren’t willing to get up earlier
• Others aren’t willing to ask for help
• Others aren’t willing to test and track
• Others aren’t willing to invest in their energy
• Others aren’t willing to embrace change
• Others aren’t willing to learn from mistakes
• Others aren’t willing to build relationships
• Others aren’t willing to say no to things
• Others aren’t willing to use technology
• Others aren’t willing to practice
• Others aren’t willing to make purpose

Others aren’t willing to do the things you do – and that’s how you win
 

Some people just "know". "The round pegs in a square hole" as Steve Jobs said. "They are cray enough to change the world... and they do."

This video is in Steve's voice. When in doubt of your vision, then play this video. I do...

CLICK THIS LINK BELOW.
Steve Jobs in his own voice.

This past summer I photographed Jackie Bandish of the Bandish Group for an August article in FORBES Magazine that was done on her about her successful business as a professional recruiter in the life sciences and medical industry.  This was my second time photographing Jackie and her staff.  Two years previously, I did professional headshots for her and her staff at her office location.  Seeing the buzz going on at this office, one could only foresee the success of her company. 
As a professional photographer, it is always gratifying to see your byline under a published print.  Even back in the days when I was a staff photographer for a newspaper, opening the paper to see your work front and center with a name credit was always a thrill.  FORBES not only gave me a byline, but a link to my website!  Thank you FORBES!
Within the past 4 months, I photographed 3 authors who are in the final stages of publishing their books!  Funny, they were all ladies!  (Luck be the lady!) 
Dream big ladies..... It does come true!

Today is the first day of fall. Honestly, I am not doing the happy dance. The summer is over and I kinda feel that mother nature was pretty mad at us this year and threw some weird weather at us. If it wasn't 110 degrees for a week, then cool, then another 102 degrees followed by a drought. Only... to be given a dessert of deluge of rain resulting in flood. Whew!

Outside portrait sessions were cancelled, rescheduled, and then rescheduled again and again. Just when the drought ended, the floods came. The mud was not far behind. So, I am remaining positive that this fall will be so great. I am not looking in the Farmer's Almanac. When the snow arrives, I will look at this picture I took below and know that every year, God gives it another try. So, God, if you are listening.... Could you give us a little "normal" weather for a spell? Oh, and if you wouldn't mind getting rid of the skill-ions (not really a word is it?) of mosquitos that have banded together to follow me? Thank you.

See you in seven months!
Donna

For ten years, I had a very spacious studio along the banks of the Delaware River in Washington Crossing, PA. The upside is that I was surrounded by the river and a wonderful park. The downside is that every time it rained hard, I had to evacuate. Moving in and moving out at maybe once a year gets old very quickly! I knew the writing was on the wall and out the door to higher ground I went several years ago.

So, when the rains came this time around, I couldn't help think of all those folks who once again lost their life's possessions because of mother nature. I had a client last year who bought a beautiful house along the Delaware. I asked him if it had previously flooded. He said yes, "twice, but the chances of it flooding again are next to nothing." He was willing to take a chance. So this morning, 24 hours after the rain has stopped, I tried to drive by his house, but the road was blocked off because of flooding. So, yes, lightening can strike twice (or more) in the same place.

Yardley, PA 4 miles from my old studio.

Yardley, PA

River Road & Collage Ave., Yardley, PA

I doubt this car will ever work. Yardley, PA

Yardley, PA. Restaurant in distance raised their place after the last flood. River in background.

Yardley, PA

Washington Crossing, PA. One of my old shooting grounds. A few hundred yards from my old studio. You can see the water line from a few hours earlier.

Washington Crossing, PA Bridge. The last two storms in 2005 and 2006, twigs were getting stuck on the bottom of the bridge. The pilings that hold the bridge up are about 45 feet in height. In the summer, you can walk across the river in dry seasons.

Husband buys 1/2 price Hibiscus last year around this time. Me, being the plant person, has never had any luck with these things. I thought for sure this puppy would never make it though the winter.

So, spring 2011 comes.....
It looks like nothing is happening. A stick is sticking out of the ground. I want to pull it out. Husband says... "OH NO!"
June comes.... nothing
End of June... a few leaves.
July..... Up about 3 feet with lots of leaves
End of July.. Buds forming
Today! Wham! There she blows! A beautiful bloom. (Oh, by the way, the one's at the garden center have been blooming since spring!)

I walked outside this morning with coffee and Chihuahuas and don't ya know this beautiful flower was winking at me. I was in awe! Just when the rest of the garden looks ugly because of the drought, this thing looks amazing!

So, I grabbed the camera and had to record it. Husband had to go somewhere for the weekend and will be back this afternoon. I will have to eat my words about this plant. But I think it was worth it don't ya think?

Photo District News recently reported the average price for a wedding in 2010 (excluding the honeymoon).  (19,000 couples surveyed)  Here is the lowdown of some of the more popular areas:

New York City (Manhattan) $70,730
Long Island, NY $51,811
Southern New Jersey, $36,694
Philadelphia, $36,294
Chicago, $35,389
San Francisco, $31,173
Baltimore, MD, $30,073
Houston, TX $29,129
Pittsburgh, PA $28,408
Utah, $13,214

Having a daughter that recently married, I know exactly the numbers and the breakdown of where the dollars go.  With over 500 weddings under my belt, I've known the numbers for quite some time.  Obviously, there are areas in the country that demand more.    But as a photographer, it still amazes me that folks will put more emphasis on show rather than something that lasts..... their photography.    I get a fair amount of calls each month from brides seeking price info.  Naturally, I ask them if they have seen my work.  Why wouldn't I ask that?  Some say yes, and some say no.  Then I ask them where there venue will be held.  Out of the gate, I can spot a price shopper and surprisingly, some reply with higher end venues.  But yet, their first words are, "Oh, we are paying for the photography ourselves!"  Spend $20,000 on a beautiful reception venue, $2,000 on a dress, $3,500 for flowers, $1,200 on chair covers... and then want all the bells and whistles of a professional photographer for next to nothing. 

 
Here is what almost all brides fail to realize:  The average wedding photographer has over 30 hours involved in one wedding.  This photographer will arrive at your wedding with over $20,000 in photography equipment and carries a hefty insurance policy to boot.  We won't even mention years of training and lighting courses, college education and studio overhead. 

Lastly, as you know there are always other photographers out there who will do "the job" for  a lot less.  You have to ask yourself.... "Why is this person so much cheaper?"    There is always a cheaper dress out there, but will it fit you as well?  Will you look good in it as well as you would in the more tailored dress?

And the very last question you should ask yourself when seeking a photographer is, are you hiring a person with digital equipment, or are you hiring someone with a creative eye, knowledge of light and the ability to take images of your day that will take your breath away?  There is no "re-do" on wedding pictures.  Choose wisely.
 

Naturally, everyone loves to have some memories of summertime at the beach.  Grab the beach chairs, the blanket, the umbrella, cooler, towels, sunscreen, drinks, lunch, fill up the car, hat, bathing suit..... Yikes, I'm exhausted already from packing!  Oh yea, at the last minute you throw in the camera.  Shoved between a towel and a magazine, your most expensive trip possession is just waiting to get used or dropped in the sand.
Here are a couple pointers to assist you in getting some terrific beach pix and taking care of that camera!
1.  If you have a second camera that is not your "good" camera, I would take that one.  If it all possible, leave the really good camera home.  More cameras fail from sand in them.  But if you have to, proceed with caution.
2.  Try to take your pictures as soon as you get there and not in the middle of the day when everyone is squinting! 
3.  If you walk to the water's edge to take a photo, try to get the subject in an area where there is no one else standing, sitting or even bending over.  Nothing like having a great photo of junior when there is a huge lady bending over right next to Johnny.

 
4.  Your batteries and sensor will fry in beach heat.  So, don't bring your huge black camera bag, but rather maybe a hard bound cooler with a lighter color.  I carry my mini camera in a really tiny lunch cooler that has a zip lock on the top for one of those ice-ee things.  Therefore, the camera never gets wet and stays cool!
5.  Watch were the sun is.  Don't shoot directly into the sun.  Your camera sensor will over expose the image.
6.  Don't ever feel weird about asking someone else to take a photo of YOU and your family.  Do it a few times during the day with different people.  I found that as the photographer in the family, you are most likely never to be in any photos!
7.  Don't ever think for a moment that people are not watching where you put your camera.  Don't leave it unattended. 
8.  Try different angles.... For example... sit down and shoot from ground level.  Come in very close to a face.

9.  Don't try to be a photojournalist and drag your camera in the water up to your waist.  Most of the time, you will get your camera wet... and bye bye camera.
10.  Remember that you are not a photographer, but a person with a camera.  Be respectful of other people and their space. 

And lastly, as a professional photographer,  I love to take families down to the Jersey beach for the evening under the sunset.  There are snap shots and there are portraits.  Just like the saying... "Great leaders inspire."  Well, I believe "Great photos tell a story.". 
Enjoy!

Okay, so he is a boy! I can't possibly go to a client's house without my bag of hats! This little guy named Matthew is only 4 days old! Thankfully, the Harris family let me take some wonderful photos of the new guy in town the way I love to... which is well..... different you might say! I saw this great green basket in Teresa's living room it was perfect for my idea! I loved it! Matthew slept the entire time! YES! Just a tad over 6 pounds, he fit right in!

I could photograph babies every day until God calls me!

Embrace change. We all know that each day is different. Blink and you will miss something. Who would have thought that VCR tapes would go out and DVD's would be in? Who knew that one day some of us would be driving electric cars? And who knew that every Tom, Dick and Harriet would feel that because they own a digital camera they are now photographers?
Why hire a professional photographer... (me for instance?). It's not just "pressing the button." It is years of studying light, body types, expression, photoshop, studio lighting, re-touching and oh, and making you look great! So, I am dropping in some "before" shots and then some "after" photos for you to compare.
By all means, everyone should take pictures as often as possible. However, when you want something great, my phone number is 215.968.5220. See the difference.

The first few pix are of a wonderful girl named Hanna. I photographed her in late April and wanted to give her more of a model look. Believe it or not, she is only 14 years old!

THIS IS STRAIGHT OUT OF THE CAMERA.... nothing done to it.

AFTER STUDIO WORK.

STRAIGHT OUT OF CAMERA, nothing done to it.

AFTER STUDIO WORK.

No Harry Potter work here. Just knowledge.

STRAIGHT OUT OF CAMERA, nothing done to it.

AFTER STUDIO WORK. I applied a warming filter to give it more of a vintage look. This was shot here in my studio using a 4 x 4 soft box with a white background and a few reflectors. His name is Max and he will be one year old in three weeks!

Questions? Send the studio an email @ lerephoto@gmail.com

Talk soon!