http://loriosterberg.hubpages.com/hub/10-Reasons-Professional-Photographers-Charge-What-They-Do

He probably would have yelled about how it was bleeping bleep bleep bleep, but I liked it.

Recipe:  http://www.food.com/recipe/kittencals-creamy-parmesan-risotto-142232

(I used green onions instead of onions and veg broth instead of chicken)

But anything in the name of art…

Enjoy this drenched leaf with a drop of water about to plummet to the forest floor.

I’m just learning how to drive a manual transmission car, and driving in the rain today will be a big test of my new ability (or lack thereof). This is only my second week not driving an automatic, so wish me luck!

Welcome to the World, Ainsley!

Featuring Duffy Kane, Devolver, and Strum The Fox

Photos after the jump…

visit www.mdsmile.com to find out more about this event.

So what is a mini session?

It’s a condensed version of our regular session. You receive the same care and attention however the cost is less, and you receive the gift from our studio of a desk-sized photo of yourself or your child as a way of saying “thanks for supporting Operation Smile!”

There is a minimum donation of $24 per portrait taken, and we can only do one person per portrait. The portrait is a traditional head shot.

The entire session takes no more than 15 minutes to complete start to finish, and for every 10 sessions, you are giving the gift of a life-changing operation for a child who needs one.

We will also make the photos from the mini-session available online in our client proofing website area, and you can order additional copies or sizes, if you wish.

If you have any questions, please contact us!

Blair and I have to be the best at everything we do. Not good, not better – the BEST. It’s who we are. We can’t help it.

But healthy competition is good.

Competition sparks creativity. Competition makes us better ourselves.

Competition forces us to be the best we can be (if you want to succeed). I LOVE competition! I couldn’t imagine being married to anyone else and one of the reasons is our (healthy) competition.

There is a reason that monopolies are bad. They prevent competition and everyone knows competition fuels innovation and improvement.

Competition pushes you. It fuels your passion. How good would the Olympics be if everyone was at the same level of ability?

When Blair and I shoot somewhere, when we photograph, when we are at an event, when we are sharing photos with each other – We are in constant competition with each other. And it doesn’t just happen with photography, but for all intents and purposes of this article, this applies to photography.

We *almost* forget about the other photographers out there. About the millions of photos we’ve already seen. We try to escape the doldrums, we try to innovate.

We try to be the one we both agree “got the best shot of the day”.

We constantly want to grow, to be better, to improve. Competition fuels that. Competition promises growth. Competition provides learning opportunities. It forces us to be more creative, to take chances, to try new things. Together, we have a shared goal, even if it’s to beat each other at being good at something.

On this planet, competition is natural. Everything vies to win. When someone reaches the top of their game (Lance Armstrong, Apolo Ohno, Tiger Woods…ok ok in sports only), there will always be competition waiting, struggling, reaching to try to take them out. I use sports because it’s the most primal competition we have today. Our sports stars MUST keep improving or else they will plateau and eventually stagnate and someone else will take their place at the top.

Why? Because it’s how we evolve, how we move on to bigger and better things. How the fittest survive.

And it’s perfectly OK!

Competition makes us the best we can be. It keeps us fresh. We will never stop getting better, never stop competing with each other. With ourselves.

…And that’s a good thing.

(FYI Blair thinks he can write better blog posts than I can – Bring it!!!)

the finish line - Baltimore's St Patrick's Day race 2012

Lively and fun (just like them), their wedding colors are hot pink and neon green, which just happen to be my personal favorite color combination ever.

Here’s a little sneak preview from their engagement session on April 9, 2012.

We are conveniently open nights and weekends so we can work around your busy schedule.

Find out more about our sessions, pricing, and book online here.

“You’ll always miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.”

–Wayne Gretzky

I’m not from this area originally, but I’ve lived in the DC area since 1997.  I’ve lived in Howard County Maryland since 2006 or so, and Maryland since 2002-ish.

I mention my residential history as relevant because I’ve been lost while driving somewhere at least 3 times in the last two weeks.

Why have I been lost?  Because I’ve been trying new things, taking new routes, pushing the limits of my knowledge of the area.  I’ve been going places I’ve been a hundred times before but in new ways.

I have seen several new neighborhoods I didn’t even know existed, and seen neighborhoods I knew existed but haven’t been through in years.

It takes a little longer when you get lost, and sometimes you have to turn around and go backwards to get there.  But it is extremely important to get lost once in a while.

You might ask yourself:  why is she writing about this on a photography blog?

Because it’s important to try new things in life as much as in photography (life imitates art, after all! or is it the other way around?).

It is vitally important to experiment.  To play.  To see things in new ways.  To get lost once in a while.  To take a chance. To take risks.

When we photograph, we aren’t just trying to get traditional shots with expected results, we also want to — at some point in every session or every day — try something new.  We should be experimenting and pushing the limits because when it works, it really works.  Sure, it might not work, but we have to still try.  Fear of failure or disappointment only holds us back.

To paraphrase The Great One (see quote above), you might miss most of the time when you experiment, but you’ll never succeed if you don’t try.

When we try new things in photography, sometimes they don’t work, but we must acknowledge and accept that it’s always worth trying.  Even if we fail, we still learn and grow from the experience.

And sometimes we end up with fantastic, unbelievably good results.

It is important to get lost once in a while - both in life and photography

Whether we’re documenting a wedding or a performance or a rite of passage, being in the midst of chaos and excitement and action really drives us.

Sunday March 25, 2012 we were invited to shoot Duffy Kane and the Freedom Train at the Maryland Theatre in Hagerstown, MD playing with Devon Allman’s Honeytribe and the Lisa Lim Band. A blues-travaganza, indeed!

These are both Blair’s shots and my shots mixed together. My shots are, of course, better =) Just kidding!! Hey – I get to write the blog posts = I get to give the compliments!

These are just the first of our photos – we will keep adding more as we finish editing and sorting.

Thanks to the bands, organizers, theatre people, and everyone who came out for this show.

We love shooting shows, so if you are promoting, performing, or organizing a live event in the DC/Baltimore/Maryland area, please contact us for photography.

For a much bigger version of this slideshow, CLICK HERE to open it fullscreen

Read the Herald-Mail Article about the show

What do we do? How do we handle situations where a piece of gear breaks or fails when we have a shoot or event?

Our example situation – the inspiration for this blog post

This week, the strap on one of our best cameras has this little clip with a locking mechanism, and the locking mechanism failed, and the camera detached from the strap and fell, hitting the pavement.

It still seemed to work, still turned on and took photos (amazing, actually, that it survived!), but the fall created a dent and one of the dials stopped turning because of it. An important dial. As if there is an unimportant dial on one of these cameras! And who knows what else inside was broken or damaged? We have to send it in to Nikon for repairs, which takes between 3 and 5 weeks. And we have an engagement shoot and live onstage music shoot this weekend.

How we handle it

First, we cry (Just kidding!). No, really, it is a little upsetting, but luckily we have laid plans and have things ready for just this type of scenario.

Blair and I are very paranoid about our gear. The thought of losing or breaking camera gear frankly makes gives us nightmares and makes us want to pile everything into a big room filled with packing peanuts.

The way we handle a situation like this is with backups! And backups for our backups. And more sources for getting backups. I’ll explain:

It starts with the smallest things

One of the small but noticeable differences between “true professional” cameras and “pro-sumer” (an amalgam of “professional” and “consumer”) is with memory cards. Our primary cameras have two memory cards that can be written to simultaneously. If one card fails or breaks, the other in theory still has the photos. Only the very best, highest end cameras have this feature.

If you are looking to hire a photographer for an important event such as a wedding, make sure their cameras have backup memory cards built-in! If they are using lesser equipment, it won’t be able to handle the rigors of wedding photography, the low light situations of weddings, and will be more likely to have mechanical failures. There’s a reason the price of professional gear is so much higher than that of consumer gear. They are built differently, built better, and have features imperative to wedding and event photographers.

Moving on, we have multiple batteries for each camera, and that is quite a collection when you consider that we have to maintain a different battery type/size for each camera. Anyone who has ever used a re-chargeable battery knows that they eventually don’t work as well over time or stop working completely. It’s important to have multiple batteries for each camera on hand and we do this.

For lenses, we have several duplicate lenses and similar lenses in each size categories. Many of our lenses have overlapping specs. So, for example, we always keep two zooms, two wide-angle, and two standard size lenses. The “standard size” might be a 35mm and 50mm lens pair, as they are very similar lengths. The zooms are both twin/identical 70-200mm length lenses. With two people shooting a wedding or event, we have to make sure we have enough lenses for each of us to be able to carry multiple lenses and some sizes of lens are so classic and ubiquitous that we prefer not to only have to share one.

We bring 4 cameras to every event (2 each for Blair and I). So, if something were to happen at a wedding or event to one of our cameras, we would still have 3 more that are perfectly capable of shooting. We often carry two cameras each, so it would likely not even require us to run to the gear bag and we would probably not even miss a shot. In these situations, it’s important to have the backup gear on hand because we can’t wait for a backup to ship and we can’t drive somewhere to rent a replacement.

The price of security

It does cost us money to rent hardware and maintain multiple on-hand backups, but the peace of mind is priceless.

Wondering why good wedding and event photography costs a little more than hiring your uncle Bob or the $300 dvd guy from the classifieds? Gear and backups comprise one of the reasons. Having backups and resources to obtain backups for the backups. (Skill, craft, time, knowledge, and style are other reasons…)

So what happens when our backups fail or we put a backup into service temporarily? We have multiple sources of rental equipment. Yes, there are entire companies that specialize in renting professional camera bodies and lenses. In addition to our backups, we have access to no less than 3 photo gear rental companies (some online, some local) that we can use when our primary or backup lenses or cameras fail.

If all else fails (no pun intended), if we really needed to, we would just buy a replacement lens or camera.

Final thoughts

We have not only contractual but also personal obligations to our clients. We do whatever we need to do to ensure our clients receive the highest level of service from us. We strive to maintain the earned trust we receive from you. Short of a major catastrophe such as a bomb being dropped on our entire stash of gear, we really don’t want to have to cancel on our clients because of failure or breakage. Sure, acts of God happen from time to time, but we make every effort to ensure we can enact a “disaster recovery” plan.

If you are considering hiring a photographer, make sure they have backup equipment! And backups for their backups.

Damaged D3S

We are hosting a fundraiser to benefit Operation Smile on April 21, 2012.

Join us at our photography studio in Historic Ellicott City and Celebrate the Most Important Smiles in Your Life!
Please visit us Saturday April 21, 2012 to support this wonderful charity.

Time and space is limited – Reservations are recommended!

Use the form below to reserve your spot now.

For a minimum donation of $24 per person, participants receive the gift of a portrait mini-session and a desk-size portrait.

100% of each donation will go to support Operation Smile, which provides free surgeries to repair cleft lip, cleft palate and other facial deformities for children around the world.

Because the medical and support staff of Operation Smile volunteer their services, it costs as little as $240 to perform a simple cleft lip surgery.

For every 10 sessions that our studio photographs during the Celebration of Smiles promotion, a precious child will receive the life-changing gift of surgery. Bookings for sittings held prior to 4/21 will also be accepted.

You can of course make a donation to Operation Smile without being photographed or sitting for a session.

Your desk print will be available for pickup at the studio on May 5, 2012 or it can be mailed to you if you are unable to visit us on on 5/5.

15 minutes and $24 can change a child’s life!

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150616913348507&set=a.10150616910253507.395471.7936578506&type=1&theater

Photo by: April Wright
Photo Taken: May 22, 2011
Pictured: Orla Rose and Anonymous

This photo was taken at the Graffiti Warehouse in Baltimore, MD

For Jacob’s photos, I used two separate and very different processes. I only used one or the other in each photo – not both.

The first was a a rich, high contrast process to give a photo a more “urban” feel. This can be seen in the brick images. The high contrast makes him “pop” and makes the leather and brick look edgier.

The other processing I used was a slightly lower contrast “film” processing, which gives the white backdrop photos a more classic yet still modern feel. The plainness of the white background doesn’t really require a high contrast to make him stand out, so I opted for a softer, more natural look.

The beauty of shooting digital is the flexibility to alter the look and feel of a photograph, sometimes in more than one way.

When we design and work out the overall look and feel for a shoot, from start to finish we take many things into consideration.

Some of the things we consider include:

Our knowledge of the person – who they are and what they are looking for

 

The last bullet point is almost certainly the most important. For portrait sessions, it is very important that we know what each client is looking for so that we can give them, well, what they are looking for.

Before a shoot, we send every client a pamphlet of ideas of how to select clothing and props (if desired) and we are always available to bounce ideas off of via email. We also sit down before a shoot to summarize and confirm the concept with our clients so that we have a solid foundation for the shoot and for photo processing.

I think this shoot was a marked success, and a worthy maiden voyage of the studio!

These are a few of my favorites – Share your thoughts below or post to our Facebook page

 

When was the last time you had a really great photo of yourself? Elusion Photos provides studio portraiture in Ellicott City MD as well as event / wedding photojournalism to clients all around the Baltimore Maryland area.

]]> http://elusionphotos.com/2012/baltimore-portrait-photographers-in-studio-portraits-jacob/feed/ 0 http://elusionphotos.com/2012/best-of-2011-contest-proposal-reflected/ http://elusionphotos.com/2012/best-of-2011-contest-proposal-reflected/#comments Wed, 29 Feb 2012 16:39:48 +0000 Elusion http://elusionphotos.com/?p=2443

Best Shot of 2011 Contest Entry

Photo by: April Wright

Photo Taken: May 22, 2011

Flickr version: http://www.flickr.com/photos/aprilwright/5747993575/in/set-72157626657430201

Pictured: Orla Rose and Anonymous

UPDATE 3/12/2012 – Please see “Photo Contest Status – Minor Win and Hoping for a Big Win!”

]]> http://elusionphotos.com/2012/best-of-2011-contest-proposal-reflected/feed/ 0 http://elusionphotos.com/2012/what-if-it-rains-on-your-wedding-day/ http://elusionphotos.com/2012/what-if-it-rains-on-your-wedding-day/#comments Tue, 28 Feb 2012 16:35:23 +0000 Elusion http://elusionphotos.com/?p=2435 Rain doesn’t have to ruin your wedding day, in many ways it can may the day more fun. We have an expectation that the weather will be fine on our wedding day particularly if our wedding day is in mid summer.

Rain on a wedding day is not that bad

Guest Post By Mark John Anderson

Rain doesn’t have to ruin your wedding day, in many ways it can may the day more fun.

We have an expectation that the weather will be fine on our wedding day particularly if our wedding day is in mid summer. In many cultures rain on your wedding day is in fact a lucky omen. The Italians have a saying “Sposa bagnata, sposa fortunata” which means that a wet bride is a lucky bride. Although most brides and grooms would prefer to stay dry rain is also a good luck in Germany, Sweden and France as rain is associated with a bountiful harvest, and thus, fertility. In fact the rainier your wedding is the more children you will produce!

Not all cultures consider rain to be a good omen. The saying “Happy is the bride whom the sun shines on” can be guaranteed in parts of Spain if the bride’s mother’s chickens can lay a dozen freshly laid eggs and delivered by the bride to the nuns of the convent of St. Clare. Another way to guarantee good weather if you’re catholic is to hang a rosary outdoors on the morning of the wedding. Feeding your cat in the morning will also make the rain go away.

From a photographers point of view rain can really add to the fun, you’ll get some great shots of the guests scurrying around under umbrellas, and you and your new husband can add to the intimacy of the photography by cuddling up together under an umbrella. When you’re getting the wet weather plan in place try and order colourful umbrellas as it will really lift the photographs. The wedding party under a row of red blue or green umbrellas looks much more fun than they will under a row black umbrellas.

Before the ceremony it’s a good idea to think of an alternative choice of footwear to avoid squelching up the aisle in soaking wet Jimmy Choos. If your dress gets a little dirty a bit of judicious Photoshop work will clean it up for the photographs.

So if you’re getting married in France and the weatherman says it will rain don’t worry, they have a saying “Mariage pluvieux, mariage heureux” which means that you will have a happy marriage as a result of a wet wedding. Although I don’t fancy getting wet at a wedding I do know that I’ll get some fantastic photographs if it is.

For More information on Wedding Photography go to http://www.weddingphotographerslondon.uk.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_John_Anderson

]]> http://elusionphotos.com/2012/what-if-it-rains-on-your-wedding-day/feed/ 0 http://elusionphotos.com/2012/katsucon-16-convention-in-washington-dc-2012-national-harbor-gaylord-hotel-and-conference-center/ http://elusionphotos.com/2012/katsucon-16-convention-in-washington-dc-2012-national-harbor-gaylord-hotel-and-conference-center/#comments Tue, 21 Feb 2012 05:15:31 +0000 Elusion http://elusionphotos.com/2012/new_-katsucon-18-convention-in-washington-dc-2012-national-harbor-gaylord-hotel-and-conference-center/ Photos from the Katsucon 18 2012 convention at the National Harbor in Washington DC

Katsucon is billed as a “fan convention for multicultural enthusiasts and entertainment”, and for those unfamiliar with it, it’s kind of an anime/manga/cartoon/comic book/costume/culture/other stuff convention and big ol’ party.  We only were able to go for one day, but it was great fun, spectacular people watching, and we met some really nice people, too.

Both Blair and I do a LOT of photography at the Maryland Renaissance Festival in Crownsville, MD during the Fall months, so this is totally our kind of thing… Cosplayers make very interesting photo subjects!

For us as professional photographers, it’s exhilarating and refreshing to have so many amazingly dressed people willing to pose, strut, and show off in front of the camera. People can be camera shy, but people in costumes they worked hard on for months or years are very willing muses. And we are happy to oblige and we hope you enjoy these photos.

It was the first time for both of us to visit this conference center, and wow — it was a really amazing space. The atrium was just a huge and exciting mixing bowl of activity. Every where you looked, there was something or someone new and exciting and interesting to look at – Quite an experience and a feast for the senses.

The weather was perfect (warm as hell in February, wth?), and besides the 60-120 minute wait for the restaurant, who could complain?

Everyone was so friendly and just having a great time, and it was an honor and pleasure to be able to photograph so many awesome, amazing costumes and fantastically creative and beautiful people.

Thanks for letting us take your photos – it was really fun. If you see yourself in one of these photos, feel free to contact us and we’ll send you a copy.

 

If you’re interested in coming to our photography studio in Ellicott City, MD (just West of Baltimore, less than an hour from DC) for some unique professional portraits, contact us!

If you’re looking for photos of your band or event or wedding or event, we do that too.

We are creative, perfectionist, affordable photography geeks at your service.

 

You can see a larger slideshow here and individual photos below the sideshow.

 

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