Saturday, March 22, 2008

snapshot



Hard to believe it's time to get my 2nd quarter newsletter, aptly named "snapshot," out to my clients. Where did the first 3 months go? If you're not on this very exclusive list of recipients and would like to be in the know with all things photographic (and then some), please email your name and I'll get my little rag out to you ASAP. There are some fun photography specials you simply can't miss and I'm even giving away a complimentary creative session...but there's a catch!

And, being the generous business person that I am, I've reduced my print prices on my Point & Shoot collection (like Catnap and Botanical you see above) that are perfect for all gift-givers. You can order one print or the entire collection on my proofing website: www.beckyjphotography.photoreflect.com

I probably should start working on 3rd quarter while I'm at it.

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

It's Show Time!

Oh boy, more fun with my Mac (plus iPhoto and Quicktime)...grab a tub of buttered popcorn, a bag of M&M's and a cold one...it's show time! Just click on the > below:




By the way, you can order a slide show just like this one (only better) on DVD of your own creative session images, set to music. Call me - we'll talk.

Monday, March 17, 2008

In the photo booth

I love my new Mac. My old G5 died last year just three weeks after the warranty expired (insert swear words here). I was extremely ticked off when it happened - it was smack dab in the middle of my holiday rush when I live and breath processing digital photo files. Well, I swallowed my pride and used Mike's PC to get me through the crisis, then bought myself an early Christmas present.

Anyway, I love my new Mac. I've used some recent downtime to play with a few of the cool gadgets that are loaded on this thing and one of my favorite new toys is Photo Booth. You open that baby up and you can't stop taking goofy pictures of yourself (there's a little camera built into the top of the monitor). I know, I have way too much free time on my hands. First the M&M character, now this.

I love my new Mac.

If I could be an M&M

If I could be an M&M, what would I look like? Well, here ya' go...I came across this website where you can capture your own personality or create an alter-ego in candy. For those who know me, this pretty much says it all, right down to the skinny legs and the tiara (the Society will know what I'm talkin' about).

Crazy as it sounds, you can also buy stuff for your M&M character like tattoos and other accessories, or make a movie starring "yourself."

Check out Planet M's site and have a little decadent fun of your own:
www.becomeanmm.com

Saturday, March 15, 2008

In memory of Kenya


I just learned that this beautiful dog named Kenya that I had the privilege of photographing last year was put to rest by her long-time companion, and I wanted to share her regal, 16 year-old face with whoever happens upon this.

I am so glad I got to meet her.

Point & Shoot Collection now available





I get asked all the time about what kind of equipment I use, which camera is the best, which lenses should someone buy to get this kind of picture or that kind of result. And, to most people, my response is, "save your money and get really good with your point & shoot camera first. Then, if you're ready to spend lots of your hard-earned cash on the latest camera and a different lens for every situation, I'll be really happy to help advance your own photography career."

To prove my point (why do I always have to be right?), I set about taking a million shots with my own old but trusty Canon PowerShot A95 while on vacation in Hawaii last December. I actually enjoyed the experience more than if I had lugged all my equipment around and had to work at conjuring up f-stops and focal length and setting up my tripod - remember, I was a photographer on vacation...ya' know, a few Mai Tai's at sunset on a sailing ship makes it hard to "focus" on all those things.

Anyway, the results are now a "collection" of images that I have posted for sale on my proofing website (www.beckyjphotography.photoreflect.com). Hop on there and see what you think...pretty good for an old P&S camera and a brain on relaxation mode. (I must confess, when I returned home - by the way, it was 30 degrees when we landed back in Columbus - I used my editing software filters and had some fun with black & white conversion. I sure hope you read my previous post about how Photoshop can be your friend.)

Now, this last pitch is for those of you in need of a really unique gift...be sure to order several of each image in the collection - the print prices have been reduced in honor of trusty old point & shoots everywhere.

Mahalo

Monday, March 10, 2008

Alrighty then...

that was kinda fun for the first few hours of non-stop snow but really, folks, 20 inches of the white stuff was a little much. I think we Midwesterners are ready for the birds to start chirping again and the forsythia bushes to start blooming. I know I am!



So, to prod Mother Nature along, I'm announcing "Pics in the Park," my fantastic Spring special to be held on Saturday, May 17th, where I'll be roaming the grounds with my camera at Inniswood Gardens Metro Park in Westerville with YOU and a loved one or two or three. This place is so amazing (all year round) with backdrop after beautiful backdrop of trees, rocks, walkways, gardens, and cubbyholes, perfect for me to capture you in the outdoor light that flatters everyone!

I'll get an early start at 9am and shoot right up through 6pm. That means I can offer seven, one-hour sessions that day so be sure to call (614.582.6352) or send an email to reserve your spot. (FYI...two sessions are already spoken for and those two groups will each receive a complimentary 8x10 from their session - the next two groups who confirm an appointment will each receive 8 complimentary wallets from their session!)

The $50 session fee is non-refundable and must be received one week prior to the event. Please add $25 per person if more than four people will be in your group. And, please mark the following Saturday, the 24th on your calendar as a rain date in case of inclement weather on the 17th.


Saturday, March 8, 2008

The Blizzard of '08

OMgosh...when I posted about getting out in the snow yesterday with your camera, I had no idea we would now be under a Level 2 snow emergency (or smack dab in the middle of "the Blizzard of '08" as the paranoid weather guys are now calling it)! Mike has shoveled the drive 3 times today and it's only mid-afternoon. I have to admit those wild and crazy guys got it right this time.

So, PLEASE, forget all about putting on your long johns, coat, hat, gloves, scarf, and boots - just stay in your jammies, grab your camera, and find a view out your nearest window. I spotted some great angles from my den and family room (who in the world left the deck furniture out all winter?). And, since I'm happily snug as a bug in my home office with my computer, I've already had some fun with Photoshop and the images I snapped this morning.

Hope you enjoy my take on a "blizzard."






Friday, March 7, 2008

Love-Hate Relationship

Snow - you either love it or you hate it. Right now I'm teetering on the edge. I love to get outside with my camera when the snow casts its beautiful spell on my little piece of the world. I'm not so crazy about the finger-numbing cold and what it does to my precious Canon, my $400 lenses, and all those batteries rolling around in my camera case. If you're in the same love-hate relationship, keep these things in mind when the snow starts falling.

Get pumped up and enjoy winter with all its challenges. You chose "love" in this relationship or you wouldn't be suiting up and heading out the door right now. But be smart, too - check out some locations ahead of the storm that you know will reveal tree branches laden with powder, fields of all-white winter grasses, serene trails, and flowing water (turned to ice sculptures) . And, if possible, take along a companion - you never know what conditions or situations you might encounter.

Protect yourself by dressing comfortably warm in layers, with a brimless hat and a coat with a hood, if possible. Wear a thin pair of gloves or cut off the finger tips so you can use your camera controls.
Those little hand-warmers that hunters use when outdoors for long periods of time work great in-between shots and are lightweight enough to keep handy in your coat pockets.

Keep your camera as warm as possible as most problems occur due to cold batteries. If you can, always use alkaline batteries and
take along as many extras as you feel you might need based on the temperature. Also, try to keep your camera inside your coat but if it's snowing, cover it with a zip-lock bag. Cut an opening for the camera lens and viewfinder. If needed, wrap a rubber band around the bag and camera to hold the bag in place. Do not blow the snow off the camera lens as the condensation from your breath might freeze on the lens - brush all snow off instead. When you are done for the day, place the camera into a small plastic bag to protect it from condensation when it is brought inside.

OK, I'm heading out myself right after I finish this cup of hot chocolate - really. Just a couple more gulps and I'll be ready to go. Really.

Dress for Success

I belong to the Hilliard Business Women's Association (HBWA) and we are sponsoring a "suit drive" for a very worthy organization called Dress for Success. During the month of March, I will collect your gently-used (laundered-ironed-or-dry-cleaned-and-on-hangers stuff, please) professional business attire and interview-appropriate accessories and shoes to be given to disadvantaged women who are in transition. Please call me (614.582.6352) to make sure someone will be home to receive your items and I'll make sure they get to DFS. Or you can donate your items directly - check out their website at www.dressforsuccess.org - but please mention me and the HBWA so we can measure the success of our event.

We all thank you for your support and your desire to make a difference in someone's life.

Monday, March 3, 2008

When asked "what kind of photography do you do?"

...the truth of the matter is, I do what matters to you. Like capturing:
  • A freckled four-year-old with big, blue (or green or brown or hazel) eyes.
  • Your best friend in her 3rd trimester - way beyond "baby bump" at this point.
  • A reunion with college roommates - on second thought, pictures could be dangerous. I'll leave that "matter" up to you.
  • An entire family, all 11 of them, together in the same place - hopefully not all dressed the same but amazingly all together in the same place.
  • Your holiday photo on a creatively-designed card (wait 'til you see my designer friend's stuff we're working on!)
  • A sweet little pea in a polka-dot dress, kissing her cousin on the cheek.
  • Your teen's first prom date, dress, and limo - brings back memories, huh?
  • Your parents’ 50th - party on!
  • Your own “29th" (yeah, right!).
  • An upcoming baby shower…and a month later, those 10 tiny fingers and 10 tiny toes - speechless.
I "do" all kinds of photography but I'm better at "doing" what matters.

Sunday, March 2, 2008

Pulling the O.H. plug!

After receiving just a handful of RSVP's for my Open House on Saturday I've decided to pull the plug! Yeah, it's a bummer but if I look on the bright side, I can spend my party budget on a spa treatment, instead...just me, those funny slippers, and a chocolate mud bath. Did I mention the Egyptian cotton robe?
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