Our World Is But A Perception

For those who have known me a while, you know that I am fascinated by how our eyes and brains perceive the world. What we "see" isn't always what is there.

The moon is a great example. I tell this often, so bear with me. The moon seems very large when it rises over the horizon early in the evening. Later at night, the moon seems to be quite a bit smaller. The moon has a circular orbit about the earth, so the size difference isn't a result of distance from us. Instead, it has more to do with the distance from the horizon. We see the moon as being larger when there is something to compare. When the moon is high in the sky, it "looks" smaller because we can't compare. You see what isn't there.

In that vein, here is a very interesting paragraph for you to read.

fi yuo cna raed tihs, yuo hvae a sgtrane mnid too. Cna yuo raed tihs? Olny 55 plepoe out of 100 can.
i cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan
mnid, aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde
Uinervtisy, it dseno't mtaetr in waht oerdr the ltteres in a wrod are, the olny iproamtnt tihng is taht the
frsit and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The
rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it whotuit a pboerlm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mni d
deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a
wlohe. Azanmig huh? yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt!

It is amazing! Of course, this is also why it is so hard to proof read your own work. You see what you want...not what is tehre. ;-)

PS
The best part is that spell check only identified one misspelled word!

Storytelling

I wanted to announce the new newsletter, Storytelling. It will be a monthly email to keep everyone up to date with news and monthly promotions at the studio. There will also be blog only specials, so check often. Storytelling will be archived on the web and can be accessed through the link to the left.

The inaugural issue contains a reminder about the Wall Portrait Upgrade Special and the new shooting space I have rented downtown. I've even included a recent image of Stephanie and David from the space.

Lastly, I would love to find out what you would like included in Storytelling, so email me with your suggestions.

One of My Favorite Things

There are two things I love to include in my images...Lens Flare and Motion Blur. These concepts are hard to incorporate well, so they have become a bit of an obsession. Oddly enough, the Lens Flare is usually carefully composed; the Motion Blur is usually accidental. So, I am very excited when it works. Here are two recent examples taken in the client's bathroom. It was a really amazing location full of natural light. I love it when people think outside the box.

The first is a closeup of Gavin running past me. The second is a little less obvious, but his legs blurred as he swung towards me. Best of all, his face is sharp. There are many where it isn't.

Something Cute

Here is my favorite image from Banks' session this week. Simple and beautiful!

Quote of the Year!

Knowledge is a process of piling up facts; wisdom lies in their simplification.
— Martin H. Fischer

This sums up my goals for 2008. Running a small business requires me to wear many hats. Some I am keenly qualified to wear. Many others don't fit. I've outsourced many parts of my business, but I'm always looking for ways to allow me to do what I LOVE. I do not LOVE running a business. I LOVE photographing and interacting with my clients. The relationships I have built with many of you are the reward for all the hard work.

We should all find ways to simplify the "busi-ness" that occupies our time. Then we would have time to do what we LOVE with those we LOVE.

Speak No Evil, Hear No Evil, See No Evil

I think we are out of order, but I couldn't resist. This image of my niece and nephews grew from my nephew, Mat, trying to point out his ears. I only need a spark of an idea.

I've Been Busy!

Sorry for the sparse posts of late. I've been a busy, busy guy. I started the year by attending Imaging USA (the national Professional Photographers of America convention) in Tampa. Fortunately, I was not alone. There was quite a large group of photographers from Middle Georgia. Here is the picture Johnny Mullis took of us at dinner at the Columbia Restaurant. Included are the group from Delaney Holliman Photography (Delaney, Kerri, and Jenny), Impressive Images (Jim and Linda Barber), Forever Young Photography (Danielle Bodony), K H Mason Photography (Heather Mason), and Stephanie Lynn Photography (Stephanie Gober).
It was nice to be surrounded by friends, and we had a great time! I hope there will be more of these moments. Besides having fun with friends, I did get some new ideas for 2008. Keep checking to see what is in store.



Then I had to get ready for the Macon's Wedding Ring Bridal Show. I try to do something different each time I'm involved in a bridal show. This time I went with a more contemporary approach. I had a bench where weary brides could sit and enjoy flipping through a few sample albums. I think the respite was well appreciated.

It was an amazing show. There were 125 brides in attendance (More than ever before by far). One lucky bride even won a weekend getaway to the Ritz-Carlton in Atlanta. Thank you to everyone who came by the booth. I hope to see many of you in the very near future. Unfortunately, I forgot to take a picture of my own booth to show. Bad photographer!

Now, I am working on preparing for my Digital Photography Class. This will be the first time I've done a one day class. I want to inform without overloading. So much to share in such a short time. There are only 3 spaces left, so please don't wait to register.

I'll try to be better this year about posting regularly. Have a great day!

Macon's Wedding Ring Show

I wanted to remind everyone of Macon's Wedding Ring Bridal Show on January 20th. Twice a year the best wedding professionals in Middle Georgia come together for a great show. It is an amazing opportunity to see all we have to offer. Caterers, videographers, and wedding planners are but a few of the vendors who will be present. This time we will be at the Blacksmith Shop. If you are looking for a unique venue for your reception, you would be hard pressed to do better than the Blacksmith shop.

Click on the title of this post to link to more information.

Best of all, I'll be offering a great special to brides at the show. You'll have to come by the booth to find out, but it will be a $250 value! I love free stuff.

I look forward to seeing you all there.

Special New Year!

First...

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!

Second, to say thank you to everyone who have been such an integral part of my success, I want to announce the Wall Portrait Upgrade New Year Special.

It is very simple. For every 11x14 or larger portrait you order, you will receive the next larger size print at no additional charge. So, for example, you will receive a 24x30 print for the price of a 20x24 print. The Upgrade is valid on orders placed by February 28th, 2008.

Best of all, this offer is valid on new sessions as well. Don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.

This year, lets all accentuate the positive.

The Week Between

I normally don't work much between Christmas and New Years. This year isn't much different. A few random appointments, but not much else. So, in honor of the lazy days and less-than-ideal weather, I have found the perfect quote. Enjoy!

"No day is so bad it can't be fixed with a nap." -Carrie Snow

Last Minute Gifts From iNWARD STUDIO

With less than a week to go until Christmas, I have a couple of offers for the last minute shoppers out there.

First, for one week only, I will be offering gift certificates for 25% off face value. (Yes, you can buy them for yourself.) Simply, a $100 gift certificate will only cost $75. Not only do gift certificates make for great presents, but these will stretch your Christmas budget. Don't forget the new moms, brides, or camera buffs in your life. Why camera buffs?

Well, I'll be offering my "Digital Photography for Soccer Moms (and Dads)" on February 2nd. If someone you know is getting a new camera for Christmas or just wants to learn how to use the camera they already own, this would be a great gift. The class will last from 9am to 4pm and will include lunch. We will cover from capture to output. The day will start with a safari and end with finished prints of our work. This class has been very popular in the past, so please don't miss out. The class will be limited to 10 students. The fee is $150 per person.

So, if you are paying attention, you could combine the two offers for substantial savings.

AND, it would be wise to stock up on gift certificates for the new year. There will be a new special promotion to kick off the new year that you won't want to miss.

A Weekend of New Trends

Last weekend, I had the pleasure of partaking in a few new trends in wedding photography.

Friday, I spent the evening with Stephanie trashing her wedding dress. I know the blood just rushed out of the faces of moms and brides all over, but I like to think of it as "no concern for the dress." I don't actively try to trash the dress. I just don't want to worry about getting it dusty, dirty, muddy, etc. It was a great time that resulted in some really beautiful images. Dirt roads and warehouses make for the best locations. Best of all, it was her idea.




Saturday, Ashly, Eric, and I spent the morning photographing a "morning after session." The idea comes from destination wedding photographers who might not meet their clients until the wedding day. Therefore, there is no chance for an engagement session. The morning after session is simply an engagement session the morning after the wedding. Of course, they typically take place on a beach at a far flung location with the couple in the wedding attire. We didn't have a beach, but for anyone interested, I'm always up for a road trip. It was a great opportunity capture fun images without a time constraint. Ashley and Eric were great.




I hope these images inspire others to do the same. It was great fun.

Happy Thanksgiving

A little belated, but heart-felt none-the-less. As usual, Thanksgiving weekend is a busy time. Besides the turkey and dressing at home, it is a time filled with family portraits. It is sometimes the one time each year that families are complete. AND, as has been the case, it was cold this weekend. There is something about hanging onto a metal camera in barely above freezing weather that gets me in the holiday mood. Feeling in your finger tips is highly overrated.

I hope everyone survived Black Friday. I'm so glad I don't work retail anymore.

Geek Giving

I am a self admitted geek. I'm also really into words. I'm not much of a writer, but I love vocabulary. AND, with the glut of Thanksgiving coming, I have found a great way to give back. Freerice.com will donate 10 grains of rice for every correct answer you give. Simple choose the correct meaning of each word and help feed the hungry. Everything is paid for by the advertisements at the bottom of the screen. Best of all, Apple is an advertiser. I got to 600 grains before I stopped. There seems to be no limit. So, get playing/giving and leave your best score in the comments.

Simple Pleasures, Part 5

If anyone knows a good French teacher, I'm interested. Learning French in a vacuum is really hard.

1. Deep fried turkey!
2. Pumpkin pie covered in Cool Whip. This is one of those guilty pleasures. Whip cream is better, but fat free Cool Whip is pretty amazing.
3. A table so deep in food that you can't have everything on one plate.
4. Post lunch naps. My grandfather would wake at 4:30 or 5 in the morning. He would then have a nap at 10am. Then lunch. Then another nap at 1pm. Oddly enough, he got a lot accomplished. I think retirement must be great!
5. Crocs. I know it seems off topic, but mine are orange, so they're seasonal. If you don't have a pair, get them.

Endangered Species

I recently learned that I'm an endangered species. Researches at the Oxford Hair Foundation believe that redheads will be extinct by 2100. Apparently, a mutation of a gene causes red hair. Unfortunately, the gene is recessive, and it is diluted by the dominant brown hair gene. I think I should make t-shirts emblazoned with "Save the Redheads!" I'm not sure how to save the redheads, but awareness is the first step.

Have We Talked About TV?

I'm a little obsessed with TV. I used to think it was a personality flaw. BUT, occasionally, a show comes a long to make the mindless hours worth while. I think "Pushing Dasies" is just that kind of show. It has a quirky premise, amazing art direction, and compelling characters.

Ned learned at an early age he was "blessed" with the gift of bringing people and animals back to life. But, if he touches them again, they die. If he doesn't "kill" them again within 60 seconds, someone or something nearby dies. By a strange turn of events, he brings his childhood sweetheart back to life. He can never touch her again, but he wants to.

While the story is interesting, the "look" of the show is very distinctive. It resemble a child's story book. The colors are vivid, and the setting looks a little unreal. It adds to the fanciful nature of the show. It is a real treat to see something so unique on network TV.

While some of the actors are familiar (Chi McBride, Swoosie Kurtz, and Kristin Chenoweth) many are unknowns. The characters each have exaggerated personalities. The reclusive aunts, the d-gooder sweetheart, the jilted admirer, the money hungry partner, and conflicted "hero" are all parts of this odd ensemble. The whole is greater than the sum of the parts.

Don't miss it!
ABC, Wednesdays at 8pm.

Something Old is New Again

I recently decided to resurrect an old way of creating images but with the same instant gratification that digital offers. I bought a large, professional polaroid camera. I've pulled it out at a few sessions and have been thrilled with the results. It is great to see your image on the back of your digital camera, but it is even more exciting to have a print. I've decided to make these one-of-a-kind images available to my clients. Below is an example from the wedding in St Simons. It is the 1940 Cadillac that transported the couple to their reception. Each 3x4 inch original print will be framed with white mats and a simple black frame. Let me know if you are interested in one of these prints at your session.

Long Live the Flare

Last weekend, Joy and I had the pleasure of photographing Erin and Mark's wedding in St Simons. It was a beautiful day and a fabulous couple. We captured some amazing images, but here are two of my favorites. I'm a sucker for lens flare.




PS
I got to wear flip flops to the wedding! I love island weddings!

A Capitol Idea

Four short days, but an amazing trip none-the-less. Our short trip to DC was quite eye-opening. We sampled amazing food at Les Halles (the Washington branch of Tony Bourdain's old haunt) and Mitsitam Café at the National Museum of the Native American (museum restaurants aren't known for their great food, but Mitsitam is the exception). We were moved by the riveting exhibits at the Holocaust Memorial. We viewed the DC skyline from the top of the Washington Monument surrounded by school children. I even made a rubbing of Lt. Neal Clinton Ward's name on the Vietnam Memorial.

If you haven't been recently, plan a trip. I think it is a lot like Disney World. You appreciate different things as an adult, but it is just as magical.

Here are a few of my pictures from DC, including Jeca and me in business class (the perks of being a successful photographer).