Archive for March, 2009
Being Rich!
Love this quote I got in my inbox today. Thought I would share…
There is a gigantic difference between earning a great deal of money and being rich.
―Marlene Dietrich
My daughter loves this guacamole snack I often make her and I. My son isn’t as daring, but he finally tried it the other day and liked it. I make it a bit less spicy for them but I will often mix this up for myself for lunch. I put it on toasted whole wheat bread.
The kids love to have nacho’s and I began making my own baked ones for them using tortillas. I simply use a pizza cutter to cut them into triangles. You can also coat them with butter and sprinkle them with cinnamon and a bit of organic sugar and bake. They are a much healthier version then store bought ones. Once cut into triangles, put them in the oven at 350 degrees until slightly brown on the edges.
Enjoy! I will try and share a few recipes my kids like as time goes on. Banana bread with no refined sugar or white flour. I promise it is good. And homemade granola bars.
feel free and share your own recipes here. Send to me and I can post them here. recipes, tips and tricks to get your kids to eat healthy. I’d say they are worth it!
And yes… this is still a photography blog… ha! Cooking and baking are simply something else I love to do.
I realized it is hard to read my instructions I wrote on the image.
So for the dip..
Take one (or two avacado’s) cut in half, spear the pit with a knife (be careful) and slip out. Scoop out the green flesh with a spoon and mash in a bowl using a fork… or a potato masher works well!
-Add 1 or 2 cloves of garlic
- juice from half a lemon or lime.
-add any veggies you may want in it… ie. onions, tomatoes, red/green peppers etc. and chop up finely.
- I add fresh cilantro and sometimes a bit of real mayonaise, but often I will skip the mayo and instead add a few drops of olive oil
-salt and pepper to taste. if you like zip and spicy, try a dash of cayenne or chili spice or whatever you like.
ENJOY it with your home baked tortilla chips.
Keep me…
found this short video on another photographers site. I adore this and it just speaks volume about our memories!
pass it on!
1 commentWhy Custom Photography?
I know people will often question “why custom photography” and why does it cost so much? I have been wanting to post my thoughts on why I believe custom photography is indeed worth the investment, but really can’t say it any better than this lady…. Marianne Drenthe’s. Her website is a wonderful guide with respect to custom photography. I have to thank another photographer Matt Nicolosi who posted the same article and link to Marianne’s site. I adore Matt’s work and gain much inspiration from visiting his blog.
Marianne writes a great article on “Why Custom Photography Cost’s More?”.
here is what she has to say and so much better then I could put it.
Digital technology is brilliant. The digital revolution has brought amazing flexibility and amazing amounts of control for the photographer, the hobbyist, the professional, the amateur. With flexibility comes a price though. Camera equipment is still considerably more expensive when you factor in its’ lifespan, the need for additional resources for processing those images, the time it takes to get a usable image and the effort that goes into all of this.
Even though you pay $1.99 for a print at your local drugstore and paying for film is pretty much a thing of the past (although you still pay for memory) you may be wondering why you may pay upwards of $40, 50, 70, 90 for a custom photography print. Some photographers hear this statement every once in awhile:
“How in the world can you charge $60 for an 8×10 if it costs me less than $2 to print at the local drug store?”
The answer is multifaceted and has a lot to do with the time, aforementioned equipment costs, artistic vision and reputation of the photographer, expertise and the usual costs of running a legitimate business.
TIME of the CUSTOM PHOTOGRAPHER:
Approaching it from a time standpoint, for instance let’s imagine if you will that you have hired a photographer who has work that you love and that is travelling an hour to your on location session. TIme break down:
- session prep time (30 mins - 1 hour, includes equipment and back up equipment checks + vehicle checks)
- one hour travel time TO session
- 15-30 minutes prep time at client’s home
- 90 minutes-2 hours with client photographing subject
- one hour travel time FROM session
- 30-45 minutes uploading time from digital cards from camera to computer
- 30-45 minutes time spent backing up the original images
- 2-5 hours editing time to present you with a diverse gallery of edited images
- 1 hour prep time getting ready for ordering
- 2-3 hours time with client for ordering images
- 1 hour sorting through and checking order
- 30 minutes-1 hour prep time for delivery
- 30 minutes-1 hour getting order shipped
- any additional phone time or time needed for add on ordering, shipment issues, quality issues
As you can see, average client time for a session ranges from just under 13 hours to 19 hours dependent on the photographer’s level of service. This is time dedicated only to your session. When the photographer charges $150-$300 for the photo shoot you are not just paying for the two hours of session time, you are paying the photographer for 12-19 hours complete time for your session.
COSTS of the CUSTOM PHOTOGRAPHER:
Regarding equipment costs, a good quality professional camera with a selection of good optical quality lenses and digital storage mediums and computer set up can run from $10,000-$30,000 costs dependent on the photographer. Even though you can purchase a really good quality digital SLR for about $2100 there are still other costs related to photography. A good lens for portrait photography can run up $900 to $2500. A dependable computer system with software loaded for business and creative usage can run $2500 to $8000 dependent on the photographer.
Then come lab costs for specialty products. A good photographer knows the lab is integral to their success. Photography labs dedicated to the professional photographer often cost more and offer a range of products that allows the custom photographer to continually offer new, innovative products for you, the discerning client.
Discussion other costs of running a photography business could take awhile so we’ll skip the intricate details. There is of course much more: including costs of running the business, taxes, studio rental/mortgage if the photographer has ownership of a dedicated studio, vehicular costs, costs of advertising/marketing, costs of sample pieces that the photographer will likely bring to your session, etc.
APPLES to ORANGES:
Often times clients will mention to their photographer that X studio in the mall/department store only charges $25 for an 8×10 or they may mention other things related to discount photography chains. The fact is those discount chains make their money on volume, not on customized 1:1 service. According to several articles at the time, did you know that in February 2007 a rather well known discount department store that started in Arkansas closed down 500 of their portrait studios across the nation? The reason is simple, you cannot make money on 99¢ “professional” prints if you do not sell enough of them. Interestingly enough - those same studios that offer the loss leader packages often charge much much more for their a la carte pricing (as high as $40-50 for an 8×10). The whole reason the big department stores began offering portrait studios in the first place was to get you, the savvy consumer, in through their door so that you could spend more money with them in other departments. Your “PORTRAITS” are considered the true “loss leader”.
Going to a chain studio, as a consumer, you don’t have the benefit of 1:1 attention for 2 hours at your home where your child is allowed to explore, play and be comfortable in their home environment, nor do you get the experience that many custom photographers are known for or the lovely captures of natural expressions. You simply get a bare bones, “SAY CHEESE” experience. Keep this in mind when selecting a photographer.
THIS IS SO BIG FOR ME… REPUTATION AND BEING AN EXPERT .
REPUTATION/EXPERTISE of the PHOTOGRAPHER:
Being in demand, being well known for quality work, having a good reputation often costs time on the photographer’s part. Their expertise comes at a cost, their time learning their craft and learning the intricacies of lighting and the commitment put forth on their end to create a persona about their business that oozes professionalism. A great number of photographers go a very long time from the time that they purchase their first good camera to making money at the business of photography. Many photographers, when first starting out, rush in thinking that the business will be easily profitable in no time, how expensive could it be to get a camera and use it to create their dream? They often neglect to factor in the cost of business, the cost of equipment, software, back ups, etc..
Being of sound reputation, a better professional photographer knows that they must always reinvest in their business to create the reputation of being top notch. To create good work good equipment, reliable equipment, back up equipment is a necessity. The photographer who desires to be known as better/best/unparalelled reputation-wise knows that the most important thing they can do for their business is reliability and dependability. This is how reputations get built. Good work often is a wonderful side product of building that good reputation.
I hope this (lengthy) article helps shed some light on WHY a custom photographer is a better choice for your family’s memories. The photographs that are produced as a result of the professionalism and dedication that your photographer has will be cherished for a lifetime (or more) and great thought and consideration should be placed into hiring who is right for your family’s most precious investment.
UPDATE ON SCHEDULE… May if filling but I still have spots left so be sure to call early. fyi….I will be away the last week of May. April still has openings. And June is quickly filling as well.
I also thought I would post a few more images of Mr. E.
My Son
In case some of you who visit here didn’t realize that I do have a son… I thought I would post an image of him. Yup, I actually have two children, not just a girl.
Admitedly, I am guilty of posting more images of my daughter, MJ who at age 6 is more willing to have her picture taken then her older, brother. Keagan, who is now in grade four, is not into having his photo taken. And when I do try and take it he struggles in how to act or smile naturally.
Being the son of a photographer, I would love for him to let me take his photo more often. and I already offered him something “special” if he let’s me take him out this spring for an actual real photography session. Imagine!
Here is a shot from last summer’s trip to Sand Spit in Prince Edward Island. This is a very natural shot of him because he didn’t know I was going to take his photo and he turned around just as I released the shutter.
Ahhhh… I love this shot. I could look at his amazing eyes and freckels all day. You can imagine how tough it is having such a handsome young man and not being able to capture him very often. *sigh* Three words to describe him… funny, smart and gentle, thoughtful… ok four words. But I have a million more I could have threw out there.
Hoping everyone had a great March break. I did a ton of skiing this past week and had a blast and will be returning calls this week and firming up some session dates for those of you who have inquired.
Update on availability. June is filling fast (very popular). So I still have some room there. July I am travelling two of the four weeks, so I will only have a few weeks for booking. May has some spots still and is a wonderful time to get out for a fun spring session.
Email me if you are wanting your name put down for a upcoming spring or summer session.
5 commentsMeet Mr. E
This sweet heart was sooo good. Mom emailed to ask if I could fit in a session with their newest member of the family. As she lives close by and it is my down time I was sure to say yes as I was dying to meet this little guy and was having baby withdrawals. He fixed that, and I got my baby fix. Holding, swaying, cuddling him. Yup, I’m good for a bit.
Mr. E loved the warm room, hair dryer noise and just being “shhhh and lulled to sleep”. He was a dream baby and cooperated with us so well.
Big Sis was at school and little sis was with her nanny the entire time playing in another room and was so good to let mom devote her time to Mr. E. He is certainly going to be doted on with two wonderful older sisters to watch over him.
Thanks Jocelyn. I am working away at the images and will get you the gallery soon.
Introducing Mr. E…. isn’t he beautiful!
and in mom’s hands. look at that smile.
and all cuddled up.
6 comments
