My Photography Gear and other related stuff….

Posted on April 18, 2012 by stacy

I often get e-mails with questions from other photographers, so I’ve posted some of the more frequently asked questions here:

What Equipment do you shoot with. What Equipment would you recommend to a photographer just starting out.

What’s MOST important?? The glass (lens). Invest MORE in your lenses than in your camera body. It is a good idea to get a zoom lens that goes down to f/2.8. Always get your equipment from a reputable dealer. I use B & H photo. Learn from my mistakes! – DON’T buy from ebay or used….UNLESS you KNOW the person you are buying from and trust them.

Here is a list of my equipment ;

Camera Bodies

Lenses

70-200mm 2.8 VR (I shoot with this lens about 60-70% of the time.)
50mm 1.4 (great lens for portraits and shallow depth of field)
85mm 1.8 (used mostly for details, outdoor portraits)
17-50mm 2.8 (larger group shots, back up wide angle)
18-200mm 3.5 VR (versatile as all get out for outdoors or in studio)
16-85mm 3.5 VR (only used in studio where I control lighting)
10.5mm fisheye (just for fun!)

Miscellaneous

Nikon SB900 Speedlights
Lowell i-light video light (used for ring shots and soft portrait light at night)
LOTS of Camera Batteries
LOTS of Lexar cf Cards
Pocket Wizards
Several Alien Bees Flash Units and Paul C Buff Soft Boxes
Vagabond Mini Lithium Portable Power (LOVE!)
Sekonic Light Meter (not sure how ANY photography enthusiast could live without one)
Manfrotto Tripod

What actions do you use to post process your images. I use Lightroom to organize and catalog my images and Photoshop CS5 for most editing. I mostly use a combination of the Florabella actions - Totally Rad Actions and OnOne Software, along with other actions I’ve created. I never really do the same exact thing to an image, and I usually never use an action to its full strength.

Do you offer mentoring sessions? At this time, we do offer one on one personal mentoring sessions where we discuss all aspects of running a photography business, including photography and editing skills, Half day and full day sessions include a sample photo shoot with a couple and all shoots include notes and sample business forms. Please contact us for more information on pricing and what is included in a half or full day session.

Selling Digital Images….YES, I Caved! {Columbus, Ohio Photographer}

Posted on April 11, 2012 by stacy

There has been a lot of controversy over the past few years among professional photographers as to whether to sell digital image files or prints. A digital photo isn’t just a bunch of pixels. It’s the photographers creation, vision and art. We plan it, We capture it, and edit it, until it looks exactly the way we want it. We would be reluctant to show an unfinished proof to a customer, just as a chef would be loathe to serve a half-cooked meal to a diner.

I have stood firmly on my stance to NOT sell the digital files for many reasons that may not be as obvious to my clients. So here are a few;

1. Printing. Where will my clients get prints made? A good lab, or a horrible cheap one? A good home printer, or an even more horrible cheap one? There is a HUGE difference in printers and labs. Walgreens is NOT the place to have your images printed.

2. Size. Will they choose a print size that’s appropriate to the file size and quality? If you try to print an 16×20 out of a 4×6, you will loose tons of resolution and the print will look pixelated and blurry.

3. Cropping. If your chosen print size requires cropping (eg 8×10) will they honor your composition? Will they even bother to check the cropping before pressing “print”? If you print an 8×10 out of a file sized at a 4×6, someones head is GOING to get cut off!

4. Sharpening. Will the sharpening you applied to the file be appropriate to their chosen print method and size? Again, this can make an image look fuzzy or too pixelated.

5. Uncle Joe. This is the worst one. It mightn’t be Uncle Joe, of course, it might be cousin Joe, or buddy Joe, or Aunt Josephine. Somebody with an uncalibrated screen, a dodgy copy of Photoshop, and an enthusiasm to “fix” your images for your customer before they print them. Be very afraid of Uncle Joe.

6. Will your grandchildren be upset with you? Please refer to an earlier blog here.

Any of the above factors could result in your photo hanging on your customer’s wall looking ghastly. When that happens, the photographer may lose referrals due to the poor quality of the print.

Is it all worth it? I’m not sure. BUT, my clients are begging for it! So I have thought long and hard as to HOW to make this beneficial for both my clients and myself.

As a trial for the remainder of 2012, here is what I can up with for Family & Children sessions (high school seniors excluded)

10 Images on disc $450
20 images on disc $650
ALL images on disc $750
individual image $ 90
Images are mid res with copyright release to print up to 11×14
My preference is that you print through MPix.com -NOT a pro lab, but better quality than WalMart.

Not Your Grandmother’s Wall Portraits {Interior Design Photographer}

Posted on April 4, 2012 by stacy

Too many of us think that displaying portraits on our walls will make our home “look like Grandma’s house”. Honestly, this is NOT TRUE! There are a few tricks to prevent that “look”. The number one trick or rule is….8×10 is NOT a wall portrait. If you hang one or many 8×10′s on a wall in an unorganized and unfashionable way…then you risk having your home look “old fashioned”. Secondly, choose portraits that are artsy and in a similar color palate to each other. I can help design a display for your home! It is not a well known fact that prior to becoming a professional photographer, I graduated from Interior Design School…A little BONUS you get with me! Please let me know PRIOR to your session that you are interested in this option so we can plan your shoot accordingly. We also have a program that can take a photo of your existing wall space and digitally display your portraits in various arrangements and sizes until you are happy with the look! Contact me today and I will be happy to discuss your ideas, wants and needs! You’d be surprised what amazing artwork photographs of your loved ones can make in your home! It NEVER goes out of style. It’s the best kind of artwork… artwork that MATTERS.

The above is a canvas wall collage I just finished in my home. Yes, I live in Ohio…But a girl can make believe, right?

My studio manager, Brandi, ordered this display before she came to work with me.

Client.