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

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

Happy Thanksgiving

Pilgrims,

So I come to you hoping that all enjoyed their Thanksgiving activities. It is that one time of year where we are allowed to give in and accept an over indulgence of sorts. Aside from football, beer, and accidentally cooking the cat instead of the turkey (kidding), I proceeded to do what I do best, take a few shots. What I have always found is that on Thanksgiving you are surrounded by more people and animals than even the chaos of Christmas! Having said that, the six shootin Nikon was in full effect! I hope that all of you broke out the camera on T-Day and blasted a few flash blinding shots of your annoying siblings or Mom and Dad smooching in the kitchen for those are the ones you are most likely to reflect on some many years down the road. If you are on my Facebook page, post some of these images because like you I enjoy viewing them almost as much as I love taking them. Happy holidays my friends the fun has only just begun. Now we get to listen to a month of super saver deals on XMAS buying but I guess that beats the doldrums of silence.

Thinner Waistlines for All My Friends,

Lance

Time for some R&R

Comrades,

As I sit here in bed enjoying a little downtime I have just finally begun to realize I have completed perhaps the longest jaunt of photo edits in my history of taking pictures. Wow 2009 came on like a flood and has left me battle tested and ready for more. Equipment issues are dancing in my head and though I love the products Nikon offers, I have come to realize that anything less than a full frame sensor just won’t cut it anymore. For those of you who understand photography you know exactly what I mean when I say that full frame is the only frame thus, looking into my crystal ball I see D700’s in my future. Besides, it is thought that at some point digital full frame sensors will be the only option so why not start now?

I read an interesting article today about the trend of recent folks who have been laid off picking up the camera and calling themselves a “Professional” photographer and how it is hurting the industry. I have harped on this topic before and will again offer two thirds of my two cents.

It is a free country
At least their not getting stoned
Natural talent is what it is, NATURAL so if you lack it, you and the client will know soon enough.
Flaws in technique will be exposed early and often. (I am not above having days like this yet I still blame my equipment)
We all started somewhere though we sometimes act like we were born with a client list that rivals Mike Colon.
The “Smalls” vs. the “Bigs” is just another way of placing elitist labels on something that is here for all to enjoy.
Negative energy used excessively will ultimately end up fueling your own tank if you spend too much time staying angry at these newbie’s so lighten up already.
Somebody has to take the blame for failing studios across the country right?
If you aren’t careful, you may miss out on a free bottle of Sky Vodka from cool clients like Curtis and Amanda so relax and have some fun. (Cheers to my Colozzi crew)
I am laughing as I write this cause tomorrow I may go hypocrite on ya and join the fray of hecklers against those who dare try to discover what a million others already have. Look in the mirror already, owning a D3 doesn’t make you unique just spoiled with a larger bank account. (BIG SMILE).

Many warm and special thanks to Curtis & Amanda for an awesome go even though the weather just about killed us.
Never before have I received a tie from one of my grooms.

To my bud Nathan and his new wife Megan for the forgiveness offered after I had them trek thorough a mound of mud and disgusting filth just to get a shot near an otherwise boring pond.

To my grand finale of Tyler and Jamie who were the recipients of some extended coverage because I just wasn’t ready to accept the 2009 season as a done deal.

Lastly, I want to thank all of you I worked with to include vendors and families alike it is super cool to make new friends in the name of fun and work!

Sky Vodka for all my friends,

Lance

Words on the Fly

Comrades,

Seems like it has been forever since I posted a blog so it is now safe to say forever is no longer. It has been busy in my world and I am ready to wrap up a successful 2009 campaign. While I could sit and write about thankfulness to the brides I have worked with, I will choose instead to bask in the comfort of knowing that while 2009 turned out to be quite the project, it also turned out to be a year that defined my recognition of my own style. Many people who take pictures for a living can go on for years calling themselves “photojournalistic” or “traditional” in style but I bet if you really cornered them on the subject their answers would all sound the same and not very deep in content. So, since it has become some sort of industry standard to define your own style I spent 2009 giving that concept its due from time to time. What brought it to the forefront was an article I read in this month’s Professional Photographer magazine that brought me back to the very question I have yet to answer. No I am not looking for insight or pity to help me discover the “new me” or ask for you to rate every picture I post so that I can define my style based on biased opinions rather, I will do what the industry says I should do and place the magic label right on my own forehead using my own insight and collective thought (You can insert your own if you really want to). Have I dragged this out long enough? In case you really cared here is the long awaited punch line.
I am one who works and in doing so, one who loves his work. The true style that best serves not only myself but the clients of both past and present is nothing short of DRIVEN. That is right I said the word DRIVEN. My style is one that drives itself on the hunger for knowledge, attained perfection, the desire to please, and competency through time tested experience. You know why this means more in a word than “photojournalistic” or “Traditional”? Because it came from me and only me without the coating of a buzzword developed by God knows who. It also means that nothing is off limits and that no matter what; adaption to any situation both good and bad is all I have ever cared about when it comes to photography (Just ask people how bitchy I get when my lights won’t do what I want). So before you ask me what style I employ take note that being driven means having everything you want in a person who is perfecting anything they hope to succeed at in life. Once you quit learning and trying new things is the day you have met your professional end. Give it a day, the novelty of “Driven” is sure to make its way to the industry seminars and lackluster blogs of others too lazy to work in the very field they tell others they are passionate about.

From My Yard to Yours,

Lance

Catching Up

Friends of Fall,

It has been one wedding after another and yet still, I find myself hungry for more. From covering my pal’s Shane and Stacy’s wedding on the first weekend of September to getting up the next day to cover Will & Laeitia’s event I would say life is moving fast. I love it when I get into a groove while finding myself dealing with schedules that are behind and the dreaded faulty equipment. Yes, even the best equipment fails from time to time but somehow I keep beating Murphy to a pulp and it has me more than fired up! The consequence of this madness is the eternal time spent in front of a computer doing edits and designing books. That my friends are what you are really paying for when you hire a photographer. Enjoy the pics from the various parades of couples who make my camera eye light up! It is in the moments of completion when I know I have gotten exactly what I set out to get that I feel the satisfaction of the portfolio. Nobody has any idea how hard photographers are on their work (At least they should be if they care) and when we are happy it equates to the client being happy. Thank you Brian, Megan. Shane, Stacy, Will, Laeitia, Jessie, and Stephanie for the fun and the time well spent. With all the debate over healthcare I will not waste your time with my two cents, five cents, or fifty cents. Instead, I will simply draw an imaginary space for you the reader to place what you think is the right course for the country. Seems everyone has a solution so I just wanted to give that “Think Tank” it’s due.

Place your ideas here__________________________________________________

Good Health To All My Friends,

Lance

Jim & Danielle

Comrades of Fall,

Wow what a roller coaster ride it has been of late. Lots of shooting and trying like crazy to keep up in life has made me weary yet excited. Somewhere in all of this madness I have been working with some new vendors who I anticipate, will provide me with some super cool products for 2010. My feeling is, why keep everything the same? So on that note, next years packages will contain something new and different but where I find a balance of cost versus viability is where I am lost in debate. Oh well, guess I have some more time to figure that one out but stay tuned and check the “Wedding Prices” page soon for updates.

Spent the better part of my day on August 29th working with Danielle and Jim and really felt good about the portfolio we put together. If you haven’t spent any time inside of the Modern Hotel I highly advise you to check it out. Strange place for sure but in the same sense, very cool. I felt like I was trapped in this Post-Modernistic world thus the name Modern Hotel huh? Many thanks to Jim & Danielle I enjoyed the time and creating your pictures. Anyways, sorry I have been a tad absent but my focus has been on the design on wedding books and shooting the images that make up those books. More stuff coming soon.

Cool Weather & Football For All My Friends,

Lance

Carson & Sidney

Comrades,

Just wanted to say thank you to Sidney & Carson for a great ceremony and for keeping it simple in the burning sun. Your wedding represents the first of two weddings I shot in 2009 for the Strong family. Much appreciation goes out to the both of you.

Seattle Space Needles for Carson & Sidney,

Lance

Desert Storm

Comrades,

Some cool shots of Nevada/Arizona. It must have been 130 degrees in Red Rock Park!
Much love to my “Baby D” and “Devon J” for making this a great summer and our trip memorable. More pics on that coming soon as well.

I have one question that has been on my mind for quite awhile now and it is this. As a photographer, would you like it if somebody were using your work on their website for commercial purposes? If I were a betting man I would say that it would piss you off something fierce. Now, what if you were a musician and photographer websites were using your copyrighted music for commercial purposes? Does the same rule apply in the world of art? If so, I conclude by asking why some of our local “Photographers” use an artist’s song to accentuate their galleries while paying no regard to the copyright of said artist? There are those lacking in discretion and yet when their own stuff is stolen they are the first to wine about it. Maybe there are those who will simply never be able to progress themselves by virtue of their own talents instead opting to ride on the coattails of those who possess talent that their thieves only dream of.

Sunscreen for All My Friends,

Lance

Nick and a girl I love to call Brandi Nacho

Comrades,

I am sitting here on break during a PhotoShop class I decided to indulge myself with. Funny how those who know PhotoShop well, teach it too damn fast to pick up on anything new. It is as if the program came installed with a shot of Red Bull or something. Just finished posting a wedding from June 20th that was nothing short of amazing and a total blast! I would have to say I have been lucky in the fun department this year. Nick and Brandi got married somewhere behind Lake Lowell at Nick's parents house and lordy, I loved every square inch of the place. I was thrown just about every cool location in the book and because of it our pictures rocked! You often hear photographers say that they are able to "capture" the story or whatever but on this day there was little need to capture anything for it simply surrendered iteself to us! In other words, because the ENTIRE crew was game for just about anything nothing came as too difficult.....As a matter of fact, I would say it almost felt as though we were simply having fun with a camera and that is when one knows that they have it made! Mucho thanks to the both Brandi & Nicks parents who were both funny and welcoming to my presence. Last but not least, many thank you's to Brandi (Nacho) & her new hubby Nick........This year's wedding couples have been nothing short of kick ass and these two are yet another example of why my fire is burning high these days.

Old Barnes For All My Friends,

Lance

Loren & Angela Tough it Out

Comrades,

I am sitting here in Rexburg, Idaho lying around enjoying the confines of a dumpy hotel while working on pics and contemplating just how in the world I plan to move into a new house and not lose my mind. To escape the thoughts of life’s transitions I bring to you a couple that endured what ALL wedding couples fear and that is, RAIN. After all the planning and coordinating brides and grooms alike commit themselves to they are sometimes forced to make serious changes when the sky opens up and this wedding was no exception. Did I say that it also makes it somewhat difficult for the photographer too? I have read on various forums hosted by other photographers on how when it rains a “real” photographer can tough it out. I am stumped by these statements simply because I know that I can’t give my Nikon’s a rare motivational speech that makes them water proof nor have I EVER come across a wedding portfolio that was shot in the rain all day without serious equipment problems. I realize trash bags can be fitted to protect your gear but that in itself limits one’s ability to maximize their talents. On the day of Loren and Angela’s wedding we planned on meeting at the Rose Garden due in large part because it has a gazebo that provides shelter in the event of a downfall. Lucky for us we started while we had a shred of sunlight but ominous clouds hung around like a bad relative does when they overextend their stay. Funny thing is, I think I was more worried about it than Loren and Angela and that was just the breath of optimism I needed to get er done, well almost done. We shot throughout the day and luckily the torrential showers waited to fall until evening. The downer is that we never got to do our shots when the sun was setting so being ever thankful for their flexibility, we decided to re-create that part at a later date. Ahhhh, flexibility is better than a brand new set of snow tires! If the two of you read this know that I thank you from the bottom of my heart and look forward to the final chapter of our shoot. As for everyone else, if you want a photographer with equipment that can withstand rain for a good 3 hour period I suggest you call the Discovery Channel.

Umbrellas for All My Friends,

Lance

P.S.

Loads of new wedding galleries are soon to be posted so stay tuned.....

Demirelli On Fire

Comrades,

Let me introduce you to Emmett Demirelli. An aspiring soccer player he is notorious for being as ferocious as a badger on the pitch (Soccer Field). We had the chance to do some quick shots for his senior portfolio before he departs for Oregon State and we made it all happen because of three simple things. 1. We were quick and to the point 2. Although we did a few traditional shots, we avoided trying to make Emmett into something he isn’t 3. We were both willing and spared ourselves the senseless chatter I am often guilty of. I will honestly say that for a quick 30 minute session these are some of the coolest and most fitting shots I have pulled off to date. No need to make you think we were all touchy feely, like typical guys it was all about getting down to business and so we could head home just in time for dinner. Oh and in case your wondering where the light is coming just use your imagination cause that is what true photography is all about.

Hats off to photographers who don't mooch equipment,

Lance

Dan & Bea

Comrades of Spring,

Well last Saturday I had the opportunity to shoot a wedding for Dan & Bea and from the friendliness of the weather to the flow of the day I could not have been happier with how it turned out. I am still shaking off the cobwebs from just getting into this years wedding season but all in all, I was feeling up to snuff. For once in my life I was actually up early enough to have the days first shoot all set up and ready over on 9th Street and the guys did a fabulous job playing the role. Using multiple speed lights and some wireless trippers, I was able to give them the look of a born-again rock star waiting to take the world by storm. Of course, all the planning in the world doesn’t eliminate Mr. Murphy! Just as we started one of the cables that fed the lights failed thus delayed my flow. But, despite the setback we made it work sans crappy cable! There is nothing I hate more than having to make my subjects wait on me to replace or repair faulty equipment but with electronics, comes malfunctions!

Bea looked fabulous and was a great little traffic cop while I bustled people in and out for some bridal pictures. I just love it when brides help me get the herd together because after all, I really don’t know any of the people invited thus they often are reluctant to play ball when it comes picture time. I have mounds of pictures to work through but hope to have their wedding portfolio posted in the next couple weeks. Mucho thanks to both Dan and Bea’s families for the fun and the nice dinner at the end of the night.

Wedding Food for all My Friends,

Lance

Engaged

Comrades,

Been hanging out with some cool couples of late getting them all ready for the big day with the pictures that will end up in the invitations. Will and Laetitia were last week’s victims of my neurotic ways and we blasted through a quick set under a warm sky. Later in the week came Nate & Megan and using downtown as a backdrop, we made some music over the course of an hour. I always find myself wondering how many different ways can two people embrace? Whatever that number is I am sure it is greatly reduced once a couple knows they have a camera pointed at them. Engagements while important are not the top of the mountain for any couple who works with me. Rather, they are the chance for me to gauge what works and what doesn’t in terms of pictures so that come wedding day, all stars are aligned. Besides, there is nothing cooler than glitz and showmanship a wedding offers any photographer willing to lose themselves in a Zen state of creativity.

May 4th marks the commercial shoot for Roaring Springs and the new slide that is set to open for this season. I love working with them for two reasons. One, it is a free for all type photo shoot and I often see the results of the shoot on billboards all over town. I will be setting up some serious lighting action for these shots provided all goes as planned. Now let’s see if I can keep myself from getting electrocuted in the process.

Cupids for all my friends,

Lance

Delayed but Delivered

Comrades,

Sorry it has taken me so long to post a couple of pics from the last two engagement sessions. What is a man to do when he is on vacation, work? Well, I guess they were right when they said there is “No sleep for the weary” but still, enjoying some time off is vital to ones sanity given that wedding season is about to push me in the stamina department. The first session was with Jenna and Tyler and I soon learned that shade is still at a premium around here. We must have had a good 12 o’clock fireball sitting right over us making the shoot difficult at times. Unfortunately, the trees are still feeling their way in terms of sprouting a leaf or two thus, shade was nill. Despite my admissions for making false assumptions about the timing of nature’s shade coverings, we made some great images together and ended up with a nice set.

The following day it was off to McCall to meet up with Stacy and Darrin for a session in downtown McCall, Idaho. Like the previous day, the sun was giving us fits but we had plenty of places to hide from the unflattering glare via the downtown structures. Counting my lucky stars for the science of physics as it pertains to light and objects, I had a great time getting some rockstar shots of these two love birds. The good news is that come summer when I head back for their wedding, I will have them an entire day thus will be able to take advantage of the lighting conditions as they calm down during the evening hours of the summer months and to be honest, I enjoy that aspect of every wedding. To me it is a natural insurance policy of sorts.

All this talk of harsh sunlight has left me wondering how I have for the most part been able to avoid it up until last weekend. Lets just say that taking nature for granted is sure to come back to bite you in your favorite lens! Research, research, and more research of not only the surroundings one plans to shoot in, but also the study of overcoming such conditions is the only way we can make music in less than desirable conditions. This means we don’t settle if at all possible nor does it mean we lay out in the wide open and admit defeat. Light modifiers are everywhere we only need to look and evaluate. I was emailed a link from a pal last week that demonstrated what not to do in the harsh light that is our sun. Without going into to details, I will only say that I am super glad I am not the one who was forced to deliver the pictures that I saw and can only imagine how and why these shots I speak of were even attempted.

More stuff to come soon including some wild shots that my son took in Vale, Oregon over Easter not to mention some wild landscape shots I enjoyed taking using a 10mm lens that makes the clouds look pretty damn ominous let me tell ya :)

Easter Cold Ones for all My Friends,

Lance

A Campaign For All

Citizens,

Sometimes one must put the perspective of business aside for things that affect the very fabric of life. Saturday marked an important public awareness campaign that I had the chance to help out with while making some new friends. After being referred by a friend, I met the group organizer, Duane Quintana at one of my favorite spots to do a photo shoot that was simple in setup yet forceful in its message. Getting the point across required no more than a little bit of duct tape and some off-camera lighting on my part. The models who volunteered their time were total troopers as we spent the better part of an hour working on our craft while the slight chill that left us shivering did it’s best to drown our spirits. In case you are wondering, the duct tape represents our refusal as a society to openly discuss the issue of HIV and given that Idaho is such a rural state that point rings louder than war. I want to thank everyone who participated and for Duane’s commitment to driving home the issue to those who simply have failed to pay closer attention to a cause that needs to be at the doorstep of every American. Talk to your kids, your friends, and anybody else who will listen because unfortunately this problem is as pervasive as the air we breathe.

Awareness For All My Friends,

Lance

Red Skies At Night

Comrades,

As the weather finally starts to turn warmer some of the wicked things we can do with a camera become a little more enjoyable. For some reason, my thing of late has been to “Paint with Light” which requires a shutter release device, a great light source, and a clear night sky. For me it represents the calm before the storm simply because as we inch ever so close to these warmer temperatures, wedding season falls right on my head. So last week I did a series of shots using two locations around the Lucky Peak Area. It was a matter of tying a flashlight to a string and keeping the shutter open for about 55 seconds. Here is what I ended up with so enjoy. I am thinking that if the opportunity presents itself, maybe I will post a bride and groom under a night sky like this. Any takers?

Night Lights For All My Friends,

Lance

Where have all the Saints gone?

Economic Comrades,

I will be the first to admit that I am fascinated by the demographics of photography along with some of the politics and cockiness that seem to nip at the industry’s heels. Thus, I have been doing quite a bit of reading lately about people who have lost their jobs and have since turned to the camera in order to keep the wolves away. You may find yourself asking who these people are and are they making me upset because they have invaded my self-proclaimed market. More on that in a second…….Photographers across the land are every bit as exposed to the “crisis” as any other business while for some it is an important second line of work. Given that fact, the part-timers can afford to withstand the slow times while the full timers are squirming in their pants. Now I regress…..Those who find themselves out of work are finding recourse in shooting weddings and perhaps for some, they will end up discovering their full-time calling. What this means to you the bride, the family longing for a fall time portrait, and the senior is that you now have more choices to choose from than ever before and the numbers are only going to incrase. While some choices are better than others (Let the buyer beware), when choosing a photographer among the sea of seals who carry a camera consider the following before making a choice.

How deep is the photographer’s portfolio? Does it look like they have shot more than just the occasional gig?

Though you are not expected to know cameras find out what type of gear and how much they own. This is indicative of someone who is serious about doing a great job and values the many options available in equipment.

Can they walk the walk when they meet with you the first time? In other words, are they able to fluently speak about the organization of the pictures and the technical details of what you desire in a photograph?

Most photographers who keep at least one foot in the door are keenly aware of the pro’s and con’s of certain venues/locations thus they should be able to discuss the limitations and strengths of certain locales. This is important because you want a photographer who has experienced shooting at more than a few locations thus, they are better prepared to overcome some of the limitations certain places exhibit.

If they spill the beans and tell you they only need one camera, one lens, and one flash you should simply run like hell.

Gifted and capable people don’t have to have the business smarts of Donald Trumph so long as they deliver what they say while knowing what they are doing. Don’t let technology and it’s ability to make so many of our portfolio’s appear identical stump you rather, pay close attention to the cues that stir chemistry, integrity, and technical know how and you should be ok. Some will charge less while some will charge more but that aspect should really be at the bottom of your list even in an economy as crappy as ours.

I have had some deep discussions regarding topics like this and have made some enemies along the way (I have had my Cheerios pissed in twice!) but given that I am a humanoid I think it is somewhat cool that new blood has entered the rat race. I find that it forces me to rise above it all and also provides me the chance to share some of the things I have learned with others. All too often I hear photographers say they don’t share any of their “trade secrets” with newbies. That just sucks I mean really, does the pilot who knows a plane inside and out withhold their knowledge from the next Joe? Hmm, if they did I am sure that many a plane would fall from the sky. Ok, pictures are not planes but given that the inches we need in life are all around us and that we are told to fight for those inches, shouldn’t we welcome those who are hungry to gain what we already have? In short, I love getting paid nicely for doing what I do but somewhere along the way many of us have forgotten the human aspect of it all and that transcends into the next paragraph.

Seems as though for every bailout going to a company who buys corporate jets after the fact, we see the common Joe given a pink slip with nowhere to go while your stocks hit the dirt faster than a bull rider with no arms. Ahhh yes, may the zeros of the sums show their faces while the rest of us try and comprehend what has just slapped us in the face. Tell you what, take five minutes of your time and write a letter about it all and then sit on it for a few days while deciding if you feel like a geek for actually sending that to an elected official. Done thinking about it? Ok, your image is still in check.

Sorry I have not posted much in the way of “Pics of the Week” but between shopping for houses, meeting with potential clients, and packing boxes my poor cameras have not gotten the attention that they deserve. I promise to have this madness under control soon and not only will I get some new pics up, I plan to also update the website. Now lets get some warmer skies so that I can stand to be out in open for more than five minutes at a time.

Bailed Out By The Eightball,

Lance

Things A Photographer Can Do While Cooking

My Fellow Santa Elves,


Sometimes photographers find picture ideas in the strangest of places. If you are new to shooting or even a "seasoned pro" as they say, finding new ideas is sometimes jut a kitchen sink away. I was cooking some grub the other night (not something I am good at) and found myself with an itch to snap something while I waited for the oven to finish doing it’s thing. I have this mirror that is shaped in a sorta convex way that I knew would be cool but finding something to place on top of the mirror eluded me. As it just so happens, I had some blank CD’s sitting on the cabinet and knowing that light refracts in mysterious ways from CD’s, I figured it would be worth trying to make something cool. Placing the mirror over the sink and the CD on top I was then all set to sink or swim (no pun of course). The first pic was nothing more than one of the discs being doused with water. I liked what I saw but some came off as “too easy”. So the next dilemma was to find a fluid that would seriously alter the landscape and or texture of the image. Ahhhh, nothing finer than good ole transmission fluid. I have had this bottle of fluid for at least 4 years just sitting in my utility closet and I am not about to try and give you the why behind that. So with one hand holding the fluid and the other hand holding a water bottle, I commenced a royal dousing of the CD. The rest is history. My point to all this really eludes me except to say that sometimes the coolest things to snap are sitting there right in front of us. We only have to let ourselves think beyond the subject and then simply add our given creative touch to the mix. This concept applies to people and everything else we shoot as well. So, even when you think an idea is “lame” or “stupid” know this, nobody has to see you fail (except for weddings) and if it comes out cool, you end up looking smarter than you really are. Ok, you are probably really smart! You can send my Christmas gift now if you like.


Creating Oil Spills in Kitchens,

Lance