What A Beautiful Day...

I recently had the great honor of videoing my brother's wedding to a wonderful woman.  I think the results were decent.  I wish Nate and Erin many years of happiness and love.  Congratulations!

Believe In Yourself! You Can Make it Happen!

Whatever your aspirations, the first thing you need to do to take that first step is to believe that you can do it.  This was one of the hardest things for me to overcome as a photographer.  I always saw many of my images as "mediocre" or "average" in their composure, in their balance and in their overall story telling.

Then, one day, things changed.  I decided that I was not average.  I was not just a hobbyist.  I started telling myself that my images could be great if I put the effort into it.  So, that's what I did.  I started researching new techniques and new ideas.  I started following other photographers and watching their work.   

The next thing I did was put these new ideas to work.  I started to take the time to compose each shot with care.  I was taking the additional effort to triple-check settings.  I was beginning to step out of my comfort zone.   

Wouldn't you know that the extra effort paid off.  I started seeing images that wowed me as well as others.  I saw a dramatic change in my abilities and in my thinking.  I was now the photographer I was striving to become!

However, I always need to keep one thing in check: I can ALWAYS improve.  This sense of humility keeps me honest band keeps me constantly learning new ways to take images.  New poses, new compositions, new styles are out there to learn.  Am I a better photographer?  YES I am!!!  But, to think that I am the best at what I do would be conceited and I would contest ABSOLUTELY ANYONE who says that about themselves.  there is always someone out there who knows a little more that you in certain areas.

The moral of this story is to believe in yourself.  Whether you get the highest of praises or the harshest ofcriticizems, believe in yourself.  Don't let anyone steer you away from your passion.  Give it your all and you will become better that you could ever imagine! 

What's Your Story?

Every photo that is taken, every image captured is part of a story.  It is a snapshot in time that allows us to relive that moment.  So why is it that we tend to not take pictures as often as we should?  

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but today we tend to be so worried about how we look in pictures that we forget the true meaning, the true purpose of a photograph: to document a moment in time.  Today, we are so worried about vanity.  What we don't realize is that it means so much more.  What we see as a "bad hair day," others will see as "a friend I loved" or "my mother and I."  These are the true meaning behind pictures. 

I'll be honest.  I don't like getting my picture taken.  Mainly because I see all of my flaws.  I see how overweight I am or how my face seems fuller or how by blemishes seem to stand out.  But, for someone like my children, my wife or my friends, I hope they would see something more.  Someon who cared and someone who soothed in times of need.  Someone who brought a moment of joy into their lives.

over the next few weeks, I will be doing something I dread: the self portrait.  I urge you to do the same.  Now I am not talking about a "selfie" with a cell phone either?  I am talking an honest and true picture of you.  It could be a formal or silly shot, but it needs to represent you.  Now this task is not for your own gratification, but for the ones who are important in your lives.  Do it for the ones who mean the world to you.

Take the moment and consider what your picture means.  Let it describe who you are.  Let it show what your legacy is.  Let everyone know your answer to the question, "What's your story?" 

This is Probably the Biggest Myth in Photography

There is one comment that I always seem to hear from people who are not professional photographers:  "I can't take good pictures because I don't have a good camera."  Well, I'm here to tell you why this comment is not entirely true.

I will say that camera technology has come a long way from the days of film. Every 6-months to a year, camera manufacturers seem to come out with bigger, better, more expensive cameras that have higher megapixel rating or faster shutter speeds.  They strive to stay ahead of the competition in what they can offer consumers.  But do you really need a 36-Megapixel camera with a super-telephoto lens to take good shot.  The Answer is most definitely NO!!!

Believe it or not, cameras have very little to do with the quality of a photograph.  Sure, more megapixels will yield a more detailed image.  However, what many people don't realize is that it is the composition that is the most important to an image.  Being able to convey the story in a scene or give it a sense of "flow" makes a huge difference in an image.  iPhone or DSLR, anyone can take great picture by setting up the shot.

One movie that had an awesome example of this concept was "Dead Poet's Society" with Robin Williams.  In one scene, he has all of his students in his class take turns standing on top of his desk and looking out at the classroom giving them a different perspective.  We become so accustomed to what we see every day from "our vantage point" that we forget that there are so many other ways to look at something.  You can get lower, get higher or even get a different angle on something and you will start to see the beauty of the object and begin to explore the "roads less travelled" when looking at something.

The next time you are taking pictures, take a moment and mentally set up your shot.  For instance, if you are taking pictures of the kids, don't just stand them in a line and have them face you.  Instead, have them stand back to back or lay on the floor and take the picture looking up at them.  Maybe you are at the beach or the playground, get some pictures of them AT THEIR LEVEL so you are not looking down on them, but you instantly become their equal for the shot. 

The thing to take away here is that EVERYONE can take great photographs.  Just remember to think before you shoot and to practice, practice, practice!  Set up your shot, get a different angle and enjoy taking the picture.  Trust me, you will be pleasantly surprised with the results.

New Technology Aquired

Picked up an Eye-Fi card today. What is it you may ask?  Well, it gives the photographer the ability to wirelessly transmit a JPEG copy of the image to an iPhone or iPad to be immediately previewed by myself or a client. I'm looking forward to playing with this on future shoots!

About Me

I have always seen the world with a curious eye.  Ever since I got my first camera, I wanted to be able to bring people to the places I have been and see the beauty that is around them.

in 2004, I decided to try and grow my passion for photography.  I would take pictures of sunsets, light houses and so on, but felt they could have been better.  So, over the years, I studied on how to compose images, different lighting techniques, and post production techniques.  I have photographed weddings, seniors, children and families while still keeping my love for nature and world that people tend to take for granted in mind.

Today, I still have the philosophy of trying to keep learning.  I keep looking for new avenues to explore, but Artistic Photography has taken a strong focus in my camera.  It my be the simple, it may be the complex, but to find the beauty in everything and everyone that I shoot is at the center of each of my images.

I hope you enjoy what you see.  See you in the pictures!

Chris

What a sky!

The sky looked great the other night after a day full of storms!

Hello everyone and welcome to my blog!

I will be working on keeping you up to date on some of my latest endeavors as well as different photography news that may be of interest to you.  Speaking of new endeavors, I have two project lined up for the summer into fall:

Project #1:  Vintage Photo Shoot
This is something I have always wanted to play with.  Taking pictures that are reminiscent of the 1940-1950's era.  I am talking the classy ladies:  the hair, the lipstick, the dresses...everything that screams that era.  I am still ironing out the details, but this will be happening soon so lookout!  If you might be interesting in being a model for the shoot, let me know!

Project #2:  Classic Cars
What is more beautiful than a polished car on a remote section of road?  I have a few people who have cars, but if you or someone you know is part of a classic car club, get in touch with me.

Keep checking back for some of my latest work and contact me if you want to set up a photo session.

-Chris