The Christmas rush is over and my schedule has opened up a bit, and as in years past, I am offering my annual Sweetheart Special, but with a bit of a twist this year.   I am offering, to the first four clients to book a Traditional Session before Valentine's Day (for 1-4 people), a special deal of 75.00 off the regular price.  To get in on this special deal,  you will need to contact me with the form on this website, or in a message on FB (private or public).  The first four to book one of these sessions will get a 75.00 discount.  

But wait, there's more.  Everyone who contacts me, via this website or FB, about the Sweetheart Special, will be entered into a drawing to take 50.00 off the session of his or her choice.  And this means that if you book at the 75.00 off, you are also entered into the drawing, so you could get a whopping 125.00 off on a Traditional Session!

The drawing will take place the night before the first session is booked (I will let you know that date, I want to make it available to those who book early, as well as those who book for a session later.

The drawing will be made by either a grandkid or a random stranger passing by, and it will be documented!

So, if you were thinking of a photo session for your kid, kids, you and a kid, you and your spouse, your small family, etc.  Here is a chance to get a session done now, before I get more busy, at a discount of 75.00-125.00!

Why am I doing this?  Am I insane?  This is why.  January and February are slow periods.  There is a flurry of sessions from October until Christmas.  Then, things get quiet.  I go over my sessions, see how to improve them, see what upgrades that I need to do, and then, I am ready, with a new resolve, new ideas, new energy to dig in again.  I love to photograph your faces, your eyes, your smiles, and meet you and play with your kids.  And so, I discount in my slow months just to be able to keep on keeping on with the fun!

So, send me a message, tell me how many you want in the photo (1-4), and give me some dates when you can do it, and I will send you more info and get you officially booked at 75.00 off, and enter you into the drawing for an additional 50.00 off.  

You may prefer to just enter the drawing and hope to win, which is fine, but, unless you get a date set for a session before February 14th, and be among the first four to do so, you will not qualify for the 75.00 off.

All sessions must take place before 02-14-2013 in order to get this humongous discount, because after that, I am busy again!  There will, however be other special offers in the future, so, if you miss this one, stay in touch for the next one, likely to take place in the summer.

I hope to get to work with you soon!

Sometimes it all builds up (the work to do).  Sometimes I would rather go to the beach.  But, I knuckle down and then it starts to flow.  This image is from a recent family shoot.  It was a difficult one, because the family was traveling and so they were really, really late for the shoot, and I had already scheduled it to be for when the sun was getting low.  That made if difficult to get those beach shots, since the wind was whipping up as the sun was approaching the horizon.

But, we did our best and did some indoor images, as well.  

I always fall in love with those I photograph.  I find that everyone is beautiful.  Many do not realize this.  And I may overlook the beauty in some, until I photograph them!

We do these about four times a year, basically.  And this is what it is:  We have models: it may be two male or female models, or one of each, or it may be a maternity model, or a baby model, or some kids, or whatever. We have photographers: they will be experienced photographers, newbies, and everything in between.  We have gear: We have reflectors, we have scrims, we have light stands, we have umbrellas, we have softboxes, snoots, triggers, backdrops, you name it!

And there is one thing that we have in huge supply: an attitude of cooperative learning.  Oh, and fun.  In these sessions, we talk a lot about photography, we share ideas and tips, and we help each other get some shots at the session to add to our portfolios.

The world of photography is very competitive.  It got a lot more competitive with the advent of digital.  One might think that there might be some jostling to get a good angle on the models, and possibly someone ruining someone else's shot with a stray flash.  There is none of that.  Instead, everyone is helpful.  We help each other get a good shot.  Is that really so remarkable?

So, our last alliance, cooperative session was two days ago.  We had a model family.  A photogenic couple and their adorable baby boy.  I like this image not just because I got a good, clear image of his eyes, which is always my priority, but because of his expression.  He is on his dad's shoulders, and his expression is such a mixture.  He is elated to be up on his dad's shoulders.  He is having a good time.  But, at the same time, he is curious and maybe a little concerned.  Who are all these people and why are they so interested in me?  And what are those big boxy things that get really bright and disappear?

We had a newbie at the session who had a similar facial expression.  We synched up her camera to the lighting system that we had set up and had her go for it.  She was blown away at the first shot!  So much power!  She kept saying she was way out of her league, but what a heady experience for her to be able to feel what it is like for a lighting set up to give her all the light she needed to photograph the family!  Next time she will probably have some questions about how to create that herself.

We did some shooting outside with another one of the photographers, a more experienced one, but still young, with a lifetime of learning ahead of her, and we were holding reflectors, a small fill flash, and a diffuser for her so that she could get the family with backlighting from the sun.  She got some amazing images!  She had a team of assistances helping her to get outdoor light that was pretty close to perfect, and we all had a lot of fun making that happen.

Someone asked me not too long ago, why I spend as much time as I do sharing what I have learned with new photographers.  This is how I feel about that.

I started to photograph in the 50s with a Brownie camera and then whatever else I could get my hands on.  I studied fine arts (and psychology, which I feel also helps with photography!).  I began to be a paid photographer in 1973.  That is about 40 years ago.  It has been a long, and fun, and wonderful journey all of these years.  I have done photography on roller coasters, backstage, underneath things, in the water, up in private jets doing rolls and touch-and-goes.  I have photographed and interviewed celebrities, surf champions, and business tycoons.  I have photographed insects, birds, cookies, bison, the Alps, the Tetons, and babies while they are being born.

It has been a wonderful adventure.  

The way that I see it is this.  I am now in my mid-60s, how that happened, I have no idea.  I see that I won't be here in this earth life for that much longer.  While I hope to leave behind a legacy of images, I also feel compelled to pass along any encouragement or tips that I have learned along the way.

I am still learning.  I learn every day.  But, whatever I have learned, I wish to pass along to those who follow behind me.  And I also wish to encourage those who struggle and wonder.  If it is  your passion, do it.  Learn by doing.  Practice, practice, practice.  My film professors used to tell us to "burn the film."  Just keep shooting. And keep learning!