Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Engaging & Musical




Comrades, 

I have come to the conclusion that we live in a world full of people who are hell-bent on making us worry about whether or not a new day will come. Nothing seems positive anymore when we speak of the future, everyone lives in a bubble of fear, and we have a two-party system that can't seem to get along if their lives depended on it. However, I do not plan to subscribe (At Least Not Today) to that jargon instead I bring you what is right, what is happy, and what breaths optimism into the depths of confusion even amongst the mice. Wanna guess what that might be? Freedom! That's right, and I am not talking about freedom from oppression or any ridiculous news station buzzword. I am talking about the freedom of living in the moment! Take my two partners in crime above, do they look like they are worried about the negative energy that swarms around yet can't seem to penetrate their shell of laughter? It is because in this world of "doom & gloom" we still have those who are free from worry and live life as if today would be their last as cliche as that may sound. Without delay I would like to introduce you to Scott &Kirsten......For what we are planning next year for their wedding I am going to need a crew of 5 just to serve as "roadies". Ok, maybe not 5 but let me clue you in to the fact that for the first time in 5 years of shooting weddings, I will be creating an orchestrated story, frame by frame carefully scripted between a sea of able minds. Each will be a continuation of the last with less worry for "candid" and more concentration on the use of _________(Concealed) & _______(Concealed Again) to bring out personalities that could only be owned by these two. Will I share what we are planning in detail? Nah, just wait until sometime after August 4th of next year but given the volumes of input all three of us are putting into the pot, this one is sure to exceed that "different" I am always searching for. 


Had the opportunity to do new promo pictures for local talent MacKayla Hunter last week. Though we still have one mini-session left to go, so far I am very pleased with the results and really and I mean really, love shooting for bands and musicians alike. At the age of 15 she is writing her own music and has joined the few and the proud who are self-taught on the guitar. Wanna meet the coolest support group in the world? Look no further than MacKayla's Dad Duke, who has to rank as one of the nicest people I have worked with in this business. The greatest thing about shooting local artists is that for just a brief moment I get a small sense of what it is like to shoot pictures for performers who like me, live and die by their creations. If you haven't had the chance, check out MacKayla on Facebook and who knows, years later you may just be able to stake claim to being one of the earliest supporters of this amazing talent.

10 Things I Think

1. Every residence in the U.S. should be issued BB Guns just so they can shoot their cats out of the Xmas tree!

2. No matter how cold the winter, a spring time lie just ahead.

3. The Saints are headed back to the big game!

4. BSU for all their efforts can never take down the BCS

5. Seems as though Photography is not the novelty it was a year ago.

6. On that note, if you are starting out and are struggling only one thing can help. PRACTICE!!!!

7. Justis Photography is stronger than ever yet selective still

8. I love "Grey Goose"

9. Apple is about to take over the world!

10. I can never value enough the relationships I have formed through pictures. That has been the grandest payment of all!

The Goose For All My Friends,

Lance


Sunday, November 14, 2010

A Thief in the Night


Comrades,

I come to you with not so great news. After promising to make myself more available via the blog I simply had to step away to deal with a setback. Making a long story short, somewhere late into the night on November 2, a group of less than stellar people managed to break into my garage and steal what amounts to my recreational implements. Additionally, they managed to walk out with my MacBook Pro which was stationed on my workbench. Some of you might ask why in the hell did I have a Mac inside my garage and I will tell you that part of my garage has been converted into a "Man Cave" of sorts where I keep many of the tools that I use for making pictures. Locked inside a rather large Pelican Case was just about every lens & amd camera body I own but lucky for me they were too stupid to look inside or they would have gotten somewhere between$15K-$20K worth of Nikon gear. Guess that won't be left there ever again.....Insurance is paying for about 90% of the loss but the true loss is what we all value the most, that being, TIME! I have never had to fill out so much paperwork in my life and that explains my lack of activity. Topping it off, the bastards managed to take my vehicle as well and for 5 days it was held hostage like an American in Iran in a place other than my residence. The story doesn't end there but instead of typing the long end of the tale, I will let you read how this all ended.


Here is the link, happy reading :)

http://www.ktvb.com/news/crime/Boise-man-spots-stolen-car-on-street-106904313.html

Been taking a picture or two just for fun but have for the most part hunkered down to prepare for next year's class of wedding clients. You may have noticed some of the pricing changes on the Justis Photo website but it's worth noting that framed canvass prints (11 x 14) are the standard in each package now and rest assured, you will love them! They are offered Ala Carte on everything I do just so you know. Another new change for 2011 is the introduction of Smug Mug as the source for galleries and ordering prints. With that comes a more dynamic mix of offerings and flat out a better gallery experience for each client.


Just finished an engagement shoot today so keep tabs on the Justis Photo Facebook page for a sneak peek coming soon. Until we write & read together again.....

Car Alarms For All My Friends,

Lance

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Football Season and a Few Pics


My Fellow Citizens, 

Been shooting some new material for both the 2011 wedding season and the Justis Photo website. Finding that the Fall is flat out my favorite time to shoot with the colors and the feel of the air that seems to breath new legs under this old body. First up was a very dear friend and former bride (Chelsea Oyler) who gave me just a few moments of her time to snap off a dramatically lit shot of a woman perched high above the hills. I felt the fitness theme lent itself well to the shot and that was fine with Chel given she was training for a marathon at the time. I love shots with a desert theme and love bright off cameras lights even more! A great friend this lady is and a righteous Justis thanks is in order!



Dustin and Michelle met up with me at a little place situated behind the Boise Foothills where privacy and the calm are as abundant as the air we breathe. One cool day for shooting it was except for the massive birthday party we stumbled into hoping to use it as a backdrop for the final shots. This mother whom I don't know had rented out just about every party toy known to man. She even had some company bring out one of those giant inflatable balls (you know the kind you can climb inside of) that the kids were going crazy in. I admit, I was tempted to sweet talk my way into getting a picture using that contraption but Mom was having none of it. What can ya do? 

Starting now I am no longer with printroom for gallery hosting. SmugMug has sucked me in and so far I really like the layout of the galleries. This means that you get a much nicer gallery for 2011 and I get a bed of comfort knowing things will be run in an orderly fashion. Check out the link at http://justisphoto.smugmug.com/
From there you can order prints or simply enjoy the various slideshows put together with any, you guessed it, music. I think everyone knows how Mr. Foster feels about that :)


Smugs For All My Friends,

Lance

Friday, September 24, 2010

Long Winded




Comrades,

Every so often, I find myself with a little more time to spend doing engagement pictures particularly, once the rush of weddings has subsided. A couple of weekends ago I met up with Brain & Jen to help them complete the front end of their wedding pics. Since they are getting hitched at an all inclusive place down in Arizona, my three dollar tail won’t be making the trip with em. However, I was still shown a slither of opportunity to work with them when it came to getting those engagements done. After being told we were not allowed to stand on the larger fixtures perched on the steps of the Capitol Building (Rent-A-Cop), we slipped into some alleys, parking garages, and finally Julia Davis Park. With our hunger for dinner kicking us square in the teeth, we packed it up, went our separate ways and headed for kitchens all over the town. Thanks guys and wish I was coming with ya….If you read this, tell your photographer I will be watching him (kidding of course).


Nate Fowler is a subject that has begun to show up in more than just a few portfolios’ of mine. To know this man is to know a guy focused on climbing a mountain with every ounce of energy he can muster all the while singing his latest mix of music. I had the pleasure to shoot his wedding, one of his EP covers, and now I am assuming his newest release. There have only been maybe a small handful of people over the years that I have shot more than twice whereas this was my third and hopefully not last shelling by way of the shutter with Nathan. When you have shot the same person a number of times, I notice that it takes little time to find your rhythm. If you're wondering why it is because we know what each expects from the other the minute we arrive on location. Even better is while Nathan is jabbing away at his producer, I am noticing that I am hitting homers one after the other with each picture snapped. Perhaps it is my bias and desire to shoot bands for a living that has me charged or could just be that Nathan defines everything that photographers desire when it comes to automatic chemistry. Life is a fun ride and our passions generate buzz, hope, vision, and for me thankfulness to be able to do what I do.

My Best Impression of Socrates


My Bud Sam Marvin

My good buddy Sam from LMP Sports trekked up the trails that lead to the base of Mount Cramer just outside of Stanley, Idaho. If you live around here and want to see what the reds, ambers, and greens look like for real, this time of year it is the place for you! Though our legs were about dead after 5 hours of hiking, the pictures we were lucky enough to get will last lifetimes! When it’s worth it, it’s worth it!

Best Movies Seen So Far This Year:
1. Crazy Heart
2.Restepo
2. Shutter Island
3. Book of Eli
Now if I can just find time to see Wall Street 2 life will be grand!

Movie Tickets For All My Friends,

Lance

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

The Bird has Landed







Comrades,


Don’t you just hate it when people you rely on give you a bunch of excuses for not doing something? Well, I am going to allow myself to fall on the sword for levying a ton of excuses for being tardy on this blog. To save us both the grief, I am just going to list them accordingly and you can decide my fate.

1. Massive Home Repairs
2. Photo Shoots
3. Editing (LOTS OF THIS)
4. Slipping off to New Orleans for work related reasons (I admit, some of it was leisure)
5. Long Boarding
6. And many other things not blog related

When you live 50% of your life in front of a screen it is difficult to justify those extra few minutes writing away while hoping to God somebody reads the goods thus making you feel bigger than you really are. Even more, I have now joined the zillions who make up the attention deficit generation of Facebookers. That thing can keep you on for hours and this doesn't include the usage you dive into when you own an IPhone. Nonetheless, sometimes it is nice to have your own space designed the way you want it without the character restrictions thus, the blog is the island I should visit more often.

Did my photo thing for Nathan & Morgan’s wedding which started at the Depot, stopped off at Capital City Church just to say "I do", and then finished things up at The Stonehouse. Hot and muggy day no doubt but was a surefire process of shoot & move. Sometimes wedding schedules just go that way so it pays to be Johnny on the Spot. The “Wedding Gods” were gracious enough to ensure two of my former clients who were in attendance which brings me to my next point. It is truly awesome when surrounded by guests for whom you do not know, a familiar and kind pair of faces greet you while you work. Thanks Ty & Chel for the visit and the help loading my gear at the end of the night. Drinks on me.......



Jon & Melissa made the trek from the confines of Arizona and celebrated their day with perhaps the largest wedding party I have had to tackle to date. Earlier in the year I shot a wedding in Seattle with what I thought were the craziest groomsmen ever only to have that standard toppled by John’s crew. Always a good thing when people can simply cut loose and enjoy a fleeting moment and even better when there are pictures to freeze those moments in time. This wedding also marked the first time I gained access to the bell tower at the Boise Train Depot. If you are a shooter and haven’t shot up there, it is quite the treat if your creative gumption is in high gear. Many thanks to my crew from the “Cactus” state and may the comic relief shared with me that day, be shared with many more in the years that follow.

For those of you who have emailed me and asked for a particular image you have seen say, on Facebook, I am about to make your lives much easier. Here soon I will have a gallery built just for you so that you can get that image, pay for it, and have it shipped right to your door. In times past this was not as much of an issue for me but due to the increase in requests, I am going to make the whole process easy. Even better, the cost doesn’t change but you will still have to email me if you want a canvass or other “specialty" items. Stay tuned, I plan to get this thing up in October. Lastly, I have incorporated canvass prints into 2011 wedding packages along with some other options that may change just a touch more before the end of the year so bear with me, the goal is to maximize the offering to the soul on the other side of my lens :)

Satellite T.V. For All My Friends,

Lance

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Vagabond Longboarder



Comrades,

Lately I have been a collection of business and pleasure so much so that I am starting to get confused between the two. With destination weddings coming in for 2010 it has afforded me the follow things: Cruddy hotel rooms that looked great online, super cool locations, and a baseball game or two. That is what can be so cool about shooting weddings is that you just never know where you may end up. Made the trip out to Seattle at the end of July for Sean “Seam” (his nickname) & Kiersten’s big day. You may know Kiersten as the lovely and vibrant news reporter for Channel 2 here in Boise. Well, she used to be anyway given she now resides in Laramie, WY. where Mr. Seam took on an executive position in the sports world. If you are ever in Seattle check out Gasworks Park the place is something to see. There is a totally unobstructed view of the city with more hills to climb than one could imagine. It marked the first wedding I ever shot on a boat which was tight but very cool in the same sense.


I have gotten away from doing those pictures that are for me and by me. I vowed to ensure at certain points this year I would make that happen! To do so, I coordinated a couple of volunteers to basically give me but a slice of their time while letting my photographic desires dictate the end result. The first of perhaps three this year finally happened and though I have never carried my gear very deep into water, I figured it was time to take a chance. The end result, perhaps my favorite portrait I have done to date! Hopefully the folks at Nikon see it that way as well because ultimately, that is where I hope it ends up! Thanks Chelsie for doing what you do for your bud Lance.




Last but not least, I saw some of the craziest lightning ever last night and probably could have gotten some pics to die for but chickened out. For some reason, lighting sends me into a frantic tailspin so hanging out in the open with a camera and a tripod just isn’t my idea of fun. As a result, I was able to snap off one shot and run for the house! Know when you look at the picture of bolts driving down from the sky, a scared kid was on the other end!


Rubber Suits For All My Friends,

Lance


































I




























Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Some Light Reading



Comrades,
Well my friends, it has been a tad too infrequent a visit for me to the good old blog spot. Much has transpired since the last time I came to you. Between three weddings and trying like a maniac to balance my family life mixed in with some bang bang fireworks it has battered but not beaten this soon to be 36 year old guy. Let us get right into the three weddings before we get into anything else. First stop on the tour was McCall where I had the pleasure of working with Jake & Kassy. What is it with me and lawyers? I have shot more weddings for lawyers in the last three years than most people have in their entire careers! I digress, hanging out at Shore Lodge I yet again visited the gorgeous waters with my subjects known for making amazing picture. Funny thing is, it marked the first the first time the caterer gave me flack for trying to steal a piece of chicken at a wedding. To make a long story short…….Wait, you don’t need to hear that crap, all you need to know is that I am convinced little miss server had plans of her own for the food that was supposed to keep my blood sugar from hitting the ground like a bull rider with no arms! So to offset this nutrient greed, I went over to the lodge and had em make me a burger. Little did I know that I was about to get hit up for $15 just for a beef patty on bread! No wonder the world goes hungry in some parts! Seriously, I had a blast and realize more and more just how much I enjoy doing what I do with the people who entrust me to make their day memorable. Jake & Kassy are amazing people with the looks, smarts, and edge to go the distance in this world. I hope that my commitment to their day stands the test of time as well.

Part 2July 4th was not your typical shin-dig by any stretch I am here to tell you. What was supposed to be a small neighborhood get together turned into something resembling “Daddy Daycare” vs. the Pyromaniacs! Funny how kids will crawl from all parts of the world just to get their paws on your firework supply and I am certain at one point in the night I was randomly pointing bottle rockets at those pre-school agitators! Just kidding…..I was more than glad to share the wealth and to make things complete, my son & the crew he runs with spent the better part of two weeks designing a launcher that rivaled NASA. We managed to shoot mortars across the night sky without getting anyone killed so I venture to say it was a success.

Part 3 (Sorry, No Pics)

Had the chance to spend some time in Redfish with Andy & Sabrina has they had a small ceremony with the Sawtooth Mountains as a backdrop. Talk about awesome! Met some really amazing people and spent the better part of the after party camped out on the patio of the resort drink in hand of course. The sun is so direct up in the mountains my face looked like an apple by day’s end! I always love the type of weddings that end up in a bar long after the formalities are complete. It is there that you see people letting their hair down and taking you in as if they sent you an invitation as a guest. It symbolizes one more block in the wall towards this thing a good wedding photographer invests heavily in that being, relationships with people!

Part 4The grand finale or the hot tamale you can take your pick I found myself spending some time with the ever so adventurous Mark & Emily. This gig marked the first time I participated in a “trash the dress” session and that in itself was both different and a blast. I didn’t want to do the typical dump something on the bride instead, I felt a need to create a scene of confusion mixed colors further emphasizing the beauty of the moment. For all that fancy romance novel talk I just spewed at you let me share what I used. SMOKE BOMBS! Yes, I had her in the cliché water shot but to add some depth I figured red & blue smoke would give the viewer a dybamic caught somewhere between the cover of a romance novel and a Vietnam Flashback. As for the wedding, let’s just say I just keep getting so damn lucky to run with people who represent everything that is right in this world. Somehow I know I have not seen the last of these two and my hats off to Emily for being daring enough to push our pictures to edge and beyond.

I always like to thank those who have pushed, encouraged, and helped me as I continue to pursue the ever changing world of photography. I can always tell who the “real players” are for it is not their gross revenues that speak highest nor is it their talent. It is an understanding that in some way all of us must pass the torch of knowledge on to those who come behind us so that something as healthy and worthwhile like pictures lives on forever. To that end I say thank you to the likes of Scott Evans & Greg Sims for their ability to strip out the ego & secrecy that has become so pervasive in the industry.

Selling Novels in your Hood,

Lance

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Lessons with a new wedding to show


Comrades In Love,


Ever felt that ping in the back of your head telling you that your brain machine has had just about enough of the rat race? In other words, the pounding headache from having too much to do and deadlines to meet! My friends all say I am a loof when it comes to that but my argument has always been that it is part of my charm (Smiling). To give you an example, I was shuffling through the Denver airport the other day browsing my Facebook on my IPhone. I placed the phone back in my pocket and proceeded to my gate. Upon hearing my boarding call, I begin to think I have entered the aircraft sans IPhone. Searching my pockets like a confused child I let the anxiety of the moment get the best of me not even realizing that I had brushed my hand across the phone sitting right there in my cargo pocket! Not once, not twice, but THREE TIMES!!! Argghhh….Like a child I am but there is a lesson to all of this. Your wedding day can be much like the scenario I just painted for you (Yes it was a true story) & my offer is to tell you to relax and go with it regardless of how things go down. I know, you’re probably cursing me for throwing rocks in a glass house but at least you don’t have to see me in a dress! You on the other hand, will see yourself in that dress and the view is much nicer when you let the good, the bad, and the somewhere in the middle parts of your day flow for what they are, beautiful in their own way.

Had an awesome time shooting Mellissa & Noah’s gig 2 weeks ago. I would have posted earlier but vacations and the IPhone took up all of my time. Let me say that the lighting on their day was fantastic and I was on a role! Thank you guys it was fun, it was hot, and it was sultry! Until we meet again I say……………..
Sweatbands For All My Friends,

Lance

Saturday, May 22, 2010

Depot Wedding


Comrades of the World,

I am always amazed at the spectacle a wedding brings. For all the pictures I take, weddings bar none bring out an elegance that is raw yet polished in emotion. May 10th did not disappoint and Micha & Carissa proved awesome! It marked the first wedding I have shot at the Depot and also marked the first picture I have ever shot in a men’s bathroom. You can laugh all you want but the layout of the bathroom was ripe for a comical picture of the boys. Many thanks to both families and the catering was by far the best I have seen in the years I have been shooting weddings. Just flat out awesome!

Urinals For All My Friends,

Lance

Thursday, May 13, 2010

(Correction) Desert Storm







Comrades,

I think that I have figured out why I am not as frequent in my writings. Blame none other than Facebook! Between keeping tabs on that and the constant barrage of info found there, blogging seems secondary anymore. Not that I don't like writing the blog just sayin that when compared to the high speed exchanges on Facebook I am reduced to a lesser degree of dialogue when it comes to blogging. Most people simply read it and move on where as with Facebook you can almost always count some sort of exchange whether it be positive or negative. Maybe the blog is the "Minor Leagues" for Justis Photo and a place for me to warm up the thoughts? Hmmm, maybe not.....




Shot some pictures of Melissa out in the desert recently and aside from the fact we had 40 mph winds that seemed relentless, I pulled out perhaps some of my best work to date. Proud? That would be an understatement to describe the degree of imagery the two of us handed to ourselves on this warm yest blustery spring day. I spend weeks doing nothing but thinking of new places with new faces always trying to capture a different mood that others are either unwilling or incapable of pulling off. Was it worth lugging light stands up what seemed like Rainer like peaks? Absolutely and the pictures show it. Like I have always said, when you quit pushing yourself it is time to push yourself right out the door. This is the one profession that I have found that you can discover the true proximity of ideas and if harnessed, the ordinary becomes super natural! Having to clean sand out of my gear for a week sorta sucked but something tells me I will be enjoying these pictures for years to come.
More to come soon from last weekends wedding so stay tuned.....Drinks are on me :)
Camels For All My Friends,
Lance





Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Courtney Time




Comrades,

What a slamming start to the busiest time of the year for me. Individual sessions seem to be back in vogue and I welcome the challenge. I have been waiting for the opportunity to do a session on the sand dunes just past Mountain Home and come May 2nd that is where I will be. Of course, I will post some pics for ya and let’s hope for a pink sunset…..
Man somebody forgot to tell me that the more equipment you own, the more luggage you have to carry around! Perhaps it is time for me to shed some of the weight because it has become maddening. I figure I am going to need the road crew from Metallica to help me lug all this stuff around. The thing is, I bore easily and need new tools at my disposal so that I am better able to try new things. I will admit that some things have worked better than others. Perhaps I will just have a photographer garage sale of sorts this fall. The one thing you won’t see me giving up is the 30x40 light panels from Interfit. If you’re a shooter try em! I promise you that light will never look the same again and they are quite simple to set up however I encourage you to buy a sandbag or two (They catch more wind than a sailboat!). Enough of my rambling, let us begin the 2010 wedding season and I hope to see your shining faces in the warm sun.

Sun Tans For All My Friends,

Foster




Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Jeff & keri all the way from L.A.


Comrades,
Had the pleasure of shooting my first wedding of 2010 on March 7th and as always, I had a blast. Just to be "Anti-Establishment" I will refrain from telling you the days events in chronological order that somehow get the words "Emotion", "Love", & "Feelings" jumbled into the paragraph so that you think I was in this zen state of being with my subjects. That would be fake and one way to placate the memory of my subjects to the point of sounding like a Hallmark card that you always forget to take off the fridge. I digress, Jeff & Kari flew up from L.A. to have a ceremony right here in good ole Idaho. With a glaring sun ready to do battle with me I found myself spending the first 2 hours getting a feel for my subjects. Sometimes it is just like that in photography, you spend a bit of time earning trust for it is not everyday somebody takes 400 plus pictures of one set of people. I almost love the challenge that it presents because being the competitive guy I am, when I have conquered that obstacle whether real or perceived, I get a sense of satisfaction not found in anything else I do.
Given that no two weddings are alike, I am always pleased when a couple isn't as worried about the status quo and I can say that Jeff & Keri were all over that. Even better, I am always blown away when two people are making this huge commitment to one another and yet they come off without a worry in the world. Without a doubt, these two fit that description. The funny thing is, I was probably more the worried than them it was my first gig for 2010. Funny how you have to get your "Sea Legs" after not shooting a wedding for 6 months and yet, I have always found my first wedding of a given year to be the one I remember the most. Of course all that matters are that 1. I am satisfied with the pictures 2. The subjects are satisfied with the pictures. Ok maybe not satisfied but ecstatic! The whole experience was yet one more gateway to another time created by the 3 of us that I can only hope they reflect on down the road. Wedding photography is that one thing where we are allowed to cross the lines of business and friends and with that said I am very happy to have been a small part of a new friendship if only seen through the memories of what we created .
Flying Over Your Mother's House,
Lance

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Micha & Carrissa




Comrades,


Excellent engagement session capped by sunny skies and a gentle breeze. Always felt like engagements were the time to work out the kinks and find what fits a subject best for their wedding day. This of course, is like the pre-season for weddings and already I feel like I am in mid-season form. I am ready, are you?

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Lawyers in Love



Comrades,
I have always loved the time of year when you know that everything cold is nothing more than a blip in the rearview mirror. We are now as close to springtime as it is to us and I find myself anxious to be outside. Jake & Kassy met me at one of my new locations that I hadn’t tried and based on what we turned out, I will be using that location again. Photographers always keep some locations to themselves not sharing them with anyone. This is because new locations get copied once it is discovered that they produce cool pictures. You’re always nervous when choosing a new location because you are not sure if it will lend itself well to your subjects. Not sure why I feel that way except to say that you are going into an unproven zone and will be working on the fly. New locations are notorious for having snakes, hornets, Pumas etc…. Just joking actually…..Back to Jake & Kassy, two lawyers must equal two soul mates. It was a pleasure working with them and I look forward to what the summer may bring when we meet again.
For those of you that don’t know Justis Photography has a fan page on Facebook and I would love to have you on board. I promise there is no flood of useless advertisements and polls that will come to your inbox from participating. It simply helps my own marketing campaigns become the viral tornado they need to be and that is a good thing given I am not a big fan of placement marketing. If you feel the need to say “Hey, I am a fan of Justis Photography and I want the whole world to know about it”, then get your tail over to Facebook and join the Justis Task Force.
First Weddings for All My Friends,

Lance


Sunday, February 21, 2010

Dropping In and Flying the Coop


Comrades,


Back from the 6 feet of hiding I have been indulged in, I have come to hit you wide open with a blog worthy of more than one thought. Throwing my own hat into the fray for 2010, it really shaping up to be a year filled with excitement! Many new brides and grooms and the way things are going, it appears a personal record for Justis Photo is just over the horizon. Been meeting all sorts of new people via Facebook and given the fact many of them are fellow photographers it enables me to see some seriously amazing work from all over the country. I often read posts on photography forums by seasoned pros who are flat out angry with the new generation of photographers. I can never tell if they have a legitimate beef or if they are just pissed off at the newer shooters infusion of skills into this fishbowl we call “The Industry”. Nevertheless I have almost become a voice for these first and second year shooters simply because too many photographers are self-righteous and flat out snotty. I have known a few that have even left brides in tears on their wedding day! Man I hope acting that way is not the benchmark of success.
I relive the glory of my hometown team the New Orleans Saints winning the big game every time I watch fellow photog Julia Bailey’s French Quarter party video. Amazing work it is and it just goes to show that when citizens, armed with a camera are very capable of bringing you the story the same as your local news reporter. Of course with citizen reporters you seldom get the bias or the smokescreen our “professional” media outlets cram down our throats. Speaking of New Orleans, I foresee a trip that way in the not too distant future but first, I must conquer San Antonio with my fellow conquistadors in June.
I had more to post but after reading it decided it was better left unsaid. Let’s just say that our church lady in Meridian who currently resides in Haiti was in my sights. I will add that if you are the reading type, you will find that Motley Crue’s book entitled “The Dirt” is a well written, well spoken, and a flat out open door to the world of over indulged rockers. More to come soon comrades so stay tuned…….

Lance

Friday, February 5, 2010

New Website



Comrades,


Though it has been a long time coming Justis Photography has a new look and feel. The website is much more condensed and to the point so I hope you find it as refreshing as I do. My excitement is hard to contain over the advancements made and I want to send a special thank you to Jenna and Katie at the “WhiteSpace” in Boise for their hard work in making it happen. Oops I almost forgot Wyatt who developed and refined much of the sites layout. Excellent work guys and I thank you for the new home for Justis Photo.

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

New Website Coming Soon many thanks to "The WhiteSpace"




Comrades,

Gearing up for a new website is more work than I ever could have dreamed. I find that spending time in front of the computer editing the text and placing the pictures grows old in a hurry! Are you tired of hearing me complain enough? Well the good news is that Justis Photo as you know it on the web is changing for the better in the near future. Easier navigation, simple design, etc. will be the rule not the exception. I am really excited about the portfolio galleries that are so in your face it is almost impossible to miss them. In the past you had to click a link to get them to open whereas in some cases, clients may have missed them altogether. No more I say!
Attended the local wedding shows and met some really great people and potential future clients. I really love meeting and speaking with the masses especially when we are talking pictures and what goes into making them. The wedding season can’t get here fast enough and this year looks to be a vagabond year of sorts. With gigs that require some travel I am going to earn my miles while lugging tons of gear in the process.
When I hear people say that this country is doomed and that people will never spend money again I cringe not with fear but with disgust. Why must we think so negative? Thinking and knowing are two different things and I am here to tell ya that I know we will ALL make it one person at a time. Training ourselves to choose not to think all is lost is only the first step but a vital one. Yes change is inevitable for all industries but from that change we find our own innovations and create new paths. I know this from my own personal story (I won’t bore you with it) but KNOWING from firsthand experience we will all still smile, still laugh, and still cry regardless of our financial dispositions. So if you want to jump into the reality boat I say come aboard you are all welcome. Money is material and to be human is life lifting. Now tell me which one of those inspires you more?
Been taking some pics on random occasions and like every winter, the weird just keep getting weirder in terms of pics. I will admit, I am running out of places to get pics and I need to stretch my boundaries a tad. Until then, keep your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel……..
The New Orleans Saints should be Super Bowl bound the next time I write or at least they better be. Hail the city of New Orleans and the fortitude of a tragic yet entertaining franchise woven in the fabric of the population it depends on.
Fleur De Lis For All My Friends,
Lance

P.S.
I learned this week that photographers are in fact better picture takers than writers. Lordy some of the blogs I read were laced in scribble that a 2 year old could make sound more eloquent. Did we forget to teach people that “i” is capitalized when refereeing to one’s self in a sentence?