Where's Wendy: March 2010

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Friends

Toady's post is not so much about photography as it is about friendship... current friends, old friends, and friends from the past that you haven't heard from in years!

There's a very cool quote that goes something like this...

"A friend is one who believes in you when you have ceased to believe in yourself." ~author unknown~

This little quote has proven itself to be so true for me in the past couple of weeks!

Thanks to technology and websites like Facebook, Myspace, Yahoo, and Classmates, it's become easier to make new friends and find old ones. Better yet, it makes it easier for them to find you too! If you cant find them today or tomorrow... keep searching, they are bound to turn up... sometimes when you least expect it!

Reconnecting with old friends is like looking at a photo album in your mind... so many memories to share, so many things to catch up on. I have connected with quite a few friends from High School, and I cant even begin to explain the emotions that run through me when I'm talking to them. While catching up we are making more memorable moments... moments to hold in our hearts, and moments to share with family and new friends! There's nothing quite like explaining to your child what you and your friends did growing up!

I make a lot of images that are kept on digital media, or printed on fine paper and framed for hanging... but none of them can compare to the images I have captured in my mind and in my heart of wonderful childhood friends and the moments we've shared. If you've lost touch with old friends... find them! If you haven't lost touch with them... then hold them near and dear, and grow happily old together!

Thank you friend for believing in me!

Friday, March 26, 2010

Family Beach Portraits

Living so close to Clearwater Beach I get a lot of calls for family and group portraits on the beach. Sometimes I do groups of 30 or more. Organizing a group that size can be pretty grooling, not to mention getting everyone to look in the right direction at the moment you snap the shutter. My motto... if almost everyone is looking... go ahead, and make sure you snap several more, eventually everyone will realize "oh, she's taking the photo now!" When you get large groups together especially if they haven't seen each other in awhile they like to talk and catch up.

I like to have everyone seated, and create a nice triangle effect (taller subject(s) in the center and bring them down on the sides and in front). Children are probably the hardest ones to get to look at you... they love the sand and the water, and frankly, if their on the beach they think it's time to play, not sit still! I always tell them they can play after I take a picture of the whole group as long as it's OK with Mom and or Dad. Makes for great individual shots... parents love pictures of their little ones playing along the shore! Usually after a few group shots my clients like individual family pictures done. So they break into smaller groups... and we sometimes move from the dunes to the waters edge. Take advantage of that... I guarantee it will boost your sales!

I schedule my beach portraits in the evening hours when the sun is setting and the sunlight is beautiful and golden. Early morning is a great time too... but I'm just not a morning kinda person. :) Another good time is when the sky is overcast or cloudy... dramatic skies can give some phenomenal depth to your images!

I usually suggest clothing when I meet with my clients, and let them know if there is someone important (grandparents, boss, VIP) that they want to stand out in the photograph, they should put them in a different color than everyone else. For instance if everyone is wearing white shirts or dresses, put the person or people to stand out in red or black, etc. or better yet... put everyone else in a darker color and the person to stand out in white. Nothing should be too flowery or bold shapes, as with any portrait. Long sleeves are good when you're trying to slenderize someone. Bare feet is always a good look whether you are on the beach or not. There are several clothing tips for portraits, and I try to give them some basic ideas so everyone will look their best and be comfortable at the same time.

So take advantage of the beach if you have one close... if not... try a beautiful park! Outdoor setting ideas are endless! Enjoy!

Love, Laughs, and Photographs,

Wendy

All images captured with the Olympus E500, on Lexar digital media.

Images printed by Black River Imaging.

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Calling all Pregnant Women and Newborns!

This month Spellbound Images is looking for Pregnant women and infants under 12 weeks old for placement in our in-house photo books and portfolio's. Images will be used for promotions and may end up in some beautiful community displays.

Compensation will be a portrait package worth $90.00 consisting of 2-8x10's, 2-5x7's, and 8-wallets!

If you are 6 months pregnant of more, or have an infant 12 weeks or younger, please give us a call at 727.331.6343 to schedule your session and take advantage of this great opportunity!

Saving without Scrimping!

Lets face it... in this economy we've all had to cut corners. Since I don't want to scrimp on equipment, or quality of prints, this is one small way I will be saving a few bucks a month. Since my hosting company does not offer a blog with my other products I've decided to go with the Google blog... and why wouldn't I? After all Google is where most of my customers come from!!

I have also checked out another printing company in the past couple of months. I gotta tell ya... the new company has great quality, gives incentives for photographers to use their services, and comparably some of their services are less than our old printing company. I ordered and received a very nice in house photo book that is absolutely beautiful from this new company! Something that will be on hand for customers to view, feel, smell... whatever they like, to convince them that they will receive quality pieces from Spellbound Images.

By revamping things a bit I'm able to invest a little more on some great equipment, like my new flash units, batteries and chargers (so I'm never without power or light)! I'm also looking into a variety of backdrops, and a few lenses.

I also invest in learning and inspiration. There are some great webinars out there by several of the pro's who offer valuable information! Information that I have and will be incorporating into my own work!

So... if you follow my blog... please move on over to my "Where's Wendy" blog, and continue to hang out! I promise I will be posting more often!

Love, Laughs and Photographs,
Wendy