Bring on 2009

Fellow Mates,

We are into yet another year and for some us, things have not been all that prosperous. Regardless, a new year brings upon us a new shade of light and peering into that light one has hope and optimism. Feeling inspired yet? You should because even though many of us have lost money on top of jobs, we still live in a land just waiting for us to come up with something new and different thus, we can wear a different hat everyday if we want. This is what I love about pictures! The way they are taken from the way they are integrated into business has possibilities that span infinity. Though I am critical of my own work at times, I have taken measure in the differences in my work over the last 12 months. You see, if you are serious about photography you need only to see yourself as a tree that knows no end to its ability to grow. So if you’re looking for something new and exciting to learn for 2009 pick up a camera, you might be surprised at how you view the world.

Things are shaping up well for this wedding season as I am starting to see lots of new bridal clients inquire to my availability. It is both flattering and exciting to have someone consider placing that kind of trust in a person. After posting a need for brides who wanted to push the envelope in 2008, I found that disappointment was a non-factor given that we pulled off some things that still have me smiling. Now I need to step it up and push even harder for 2009 so the question is, are you ready?

Lastly I want to wish everyone an awesome start to the New Year and know that had we been together on December 31st I would have gladly made you my famous drink, “The Frozen Grapefruit”. Trust me when I say I have a corner on the cocktail market.

P.S. Enjoy the pic, it was taken in HDR (High Dynamic Range) right on the lake I live on. I have been trying to make this HDR thing work ala Greg Sims and now I think I have figured it out.

Resolutions for all My Friends,


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

Time to sell a camera

Just in time for XMAS I have a D80 body complete with the battery grip ($150 Value), about 3 gigs of memory, a camera bag, and of course the orginal packaging to include the battery and charger. This lovely item from Nikon is for sale for a mere $600. I use D300's exclusively and this was at one point my little walk around camera only it is sitting not walking around with me much anymore. Email me at Foster688@msn.com if you are interested.

Lance

Turkey Leg Thankfulness

Fellow Pilgrims,

As we draw within a few days of Thanksgiving I am left to ponder the spoils of a successful year in 2008. As a photographer, I tend to take for granted some of the gadgets and gizmos made by smart engineers that allow me to do what I do. You prob know where I am going with this and that is, I am thankful for bright minds. Because I am a Nikon shooter, I tend to favor their goods the most but that is not the entire scope of what is available for you up and coming shooters. Canon is hands down an amazing maker of cameras and gadgets as well. Therefore, when you hear your friends saying that they are not sure which is best tell em that Foster said you can’t go wrong either way and to just be thankful for what is out there. Speaking of pictures, I took a little field trip up the side of Bogus Basin yesterday and had myself some fun with the fog and scenery. Enjoy the pics and for those of you who have commissioned me to take your pictures this year know that I am grateful and flattered by your actions. It takes a whole bunch of study and mistakes to master the style I employ and that would not have been possible without you, the customer and friend.

Thank you :)

Turkey Legs and Beer for all My Friends,

Lance

Your T-Day To Do List

Drink a cold one

Watch some football

Play tackle football with the neighbors cat

Spike the punch Grandma makes

Get the garage ready for the in-laws

Marketing Jabber

Ahhh the sounds of my fingers striking the keyboard yet again for all of my loyal readers. Countdown to 2009 is underway and I am left to ponder where all of that time we called 2008 went? Needless to say, for those of you coming on board as brides for 2009 know that I not only look forward to working with you, but want to submit to you some new items that are coming with the packages. Raised prints are awesome and are included my in my options for 2009. What are they you ask? Imagine having a picture that hangs on your wall that is raised above that same wall by about 1 ½ inches. The print is simply placed on a raised hard like board material and ready for immediate hanging! What’s best is that they are light weight, have no glass to worry about breaking, and they come in a multitude of sizes and I mean even the big sizes. So stroke your ego cause you have earned it and hang one your favorite wedding pictures up on that wall of yours for the world to see. Given the dimensions of the product, it will provide what ordinary framed prints cannot, something elegant yet edgy! The other items that are coming standard for this year are coffee table books. Now I will not lay satisfied while some outside company designs a lame cover rather, using my awesome skills in layout I will design covers for you that give your books the uniqueness and look that is not standard among the rest of the industry. Of course you can still order the traditional flush mount albums but I have noticed that these items have taken a dive in terms of popularity. Well, if you change your mind remember that the ones I offer provide you with pages that you can actually pull out and rearrange thus the sequence of your book.

I was sitting around the house the other day thinking about this year’s election and something humbling dawned upon me. Our parents had it tough, and when I say tough I mean tough. I say this because they had no internet & no e-commerce instead settling for the mundane task of using paper and pens for everything. Ok this sounds a tad elementary but have you ever stopped and thought about how easy it is to reach out to the world these days? My Dad probably thought the next world war would be fought with pens and paper they used them so much! My point is, we as a country have no excuse for not researching the things that are most important to us most notably, the people that lead the charge! Having said that, I hope each one of you got out there and did your thing at the ballot box and no matter whom you voted for, know that if you voted you did right in my eyes. Feeling patriotic enough yet? Good cause we are planning a march for Lance Foster show is your favorite photographer in the Treasure Valley! Its Friday and I am sold on myself…..

Lastly, meet Jamie….What an exciting and gorgeous subject! I am flattered to have been chosen to capture her Senior Pictures and look forward to working with her again!

Commodities of interest
1. $2.50 at the pump….Happy again…Imagine if sleep were charged by the gallon or some other crazy unit of measure. It would be worth far more than $2.50 to most of us.

Annoyance that one just has to pick at
2. Too many photo blogs saying the same thing or outright copying others.

Exciting Vision
3. More brides who opt to have their pictures taken in their dresses days before the actual wedding date.

American Flags for All My Friends,

Lance

All Of Me To You

Dear Cell Mates,

Last weekend marked one of my final weddings of the year. Charles and Ali were married at St. John’s Cathedral here in Boise and what a gorgeous church it is! I want to personally say thank you to the both of them for the opportunity and that they are awesome to work with.

Given the state of the economy I have had several conversations about the pricing structure several photographers use and if it will remain viable during these times. I say and I stress this with the utmost importance that each and every photographer needs to stay true to themselves as much as they can. In the Boise market most of us are charging way below what most markets are already charging so in turn, the prices I have seen are pretty darn good not to mention Boise has access to some excellent photographers. So let’s break this down a little more shall we?

Let’s say you book me taking package #2 at $1450
I am with you for about 6.5 hours
Post production and consultations come out to another 7 hours
Subtract Cost of Goods Sold in the Package to about $140
Your total cost per hour is $97

That is a steal no doubt and if you look at similar packages I am willing to bet the hourly rate comes out about the same. In the end, you get great stuff for one excellent rate. This doesn’t even factor the fact that most photographers provide you the digital negatives for free ($600) value or the cost of insurance, fuel, professional memberships, equipment, etc. . Just some numbers for you to ponder the next time you look at photography from a pricing standpoint.

I have loved every minute with every subject I have worked with in 2008 & I really am grateful for the chance to raise the bar with all of you on board. For my newlyweds, I want to wish all of you the best as you embark on your journey with your new partners. Thank you Tiffany Quillici for putting my stuff on billboards all over town what a flattering feeling for sure.

Random Things

Most of this economic stuff is driven by fear. There won’t be breadlines anytime soon but if there is, I will be the one bringing beer and pizza.

The New Orleans Saints are beginning to drive me insane!

Change is coming America, brace yourself!

Scott Evans (Atlanta Based Photographer) is bar none the example of doing things your own way & the right way that all photographers should aspire to.

I encourage the world to keep buying the things they want, just make sure you use cash every chance you get. Your standard of living goes as the state of the community business environment goes so don’t let the fear of the year ruin your desires.


Last but not least, Happy Birthday to my man in the sand Devon Justis. Ten years of joy you have brought all of us buddy. Love you with all I got! Enjoy your presents just make sure the helmet is on at all times when skateboarding! That is a direct order from your Dad.


Saints Victory Parties for All My Friends,


Lance

Frozen River

Mates,

Wanna see one hell of a movie? Go see "Frozen River" at the flicks. I especially think all single moms should see this movie. Trust me, it will have you locked in! What was even cooler was that on the showing I went to, the stars of the movie (Melissa Leo & Misty Upham) were on hand to take questions after the film ended. Talk about a surreal experience.....These are not your run of the mill actors either, currently Melissa Leo is filming a movie in my hometown of New Orleans with none other than James Gandolfini (The Soprano's). Now that I am spoiled I will expect Clooney and every other big star to be on hand after every movie I attend. Lastly, Edwards sucks! The real place for movies bar none is the Flicks! Where else can you enjoy a beer and see true acting unspoiled by Hollywood theatrics?

Ok so brace yourself Boise the cold weather is here but for now, enjoy this vintage picture of your favorite dork from his Army days.


Snow for All My Friends,

Lance

P.S. I have read a million blogs via the net and some just absolutely leave me dumbfounded....The things we write about huh? Ok I will include myself in that category but regardless........Lastly, why do some people put music on their websites? Do any of us listen to it? Does it matter? That one always makes me curious cause I have heard many say that is a big turn off.