Dreamy new look for your photo session, new cards and more

I am just back from almost a week in New Orleans.  It's one of my favorite places to go and visit in the United States..  So much visual stimulation, culture, architecture, good food and for this visit, a bunch of photographer's to inspire, educate, motivate and encourage. I did the makeup for one of the model sessions which was a lot of fun.  I also went to the Imaging USA Trade show and found a few things  One is a new line of greeting cards that are just beautiful.  Exceptional, unique designs, good service for my clients and vellum paper too.  Great for newborns, holidays and graduation announcements.

I also bought a toy for me to create some artsy images for kids, pets and boudoir that gives a fun and flirty look to the images.   I will include a gift print valued at $75 from your session when we use this creamy lens in January. Maybe for your Valentine's Day Session or a great Father's Day Gift. I have a few spots open with delivery of your little black book in time to make you happy. I am including Makeup, Hair Styling and a Leather Folio with 4 images for $400.00 for Valentine's Day. A Savings - over $100 off. I touch up all my images so you always look your best when you've been Flash Frozen Call me at 818.888.2280 to book. Session must be booked by January 31st to take advantage of this special price. As I value my client's privacy, your images are never published without your permission. Thanks, Crissy for loving your photographs and the privilege of letting me show you off to the world!

A Day in the Life

Well, Really - thank you to Bonnie Keith of Video Magic.

And Vanessa Bell Calloway, And Sharon Schlesinger. And Amy Kerbecks,  and Coleen Kirnan, and Maria Glaze and Karen Snyder of Cosmetically Organized and Erin Kleptar of Claudio Marino Salon.   And especially to Susan G. Komen for the Cure Los Angeles Affiliate.  So far we've raised almost $4,000 for the Cure.  $125 buys a Mammogram for someone who can't afford one.

She waved her lenses in my session with the Photography for the Cure Project Photography for the Cure-Benefitting Susan G. Komen For the Cure-Los Angeles Affiliate Flash Frozen Phtography is Focusing for the Cure Making of a Diary for the Journey Video Produced by Bonnie Keith-VideoMagic Productions

Flattering is an F Word.

This week I did two sessions for headshots where the client had gone to someone else for photographs and was unhappy with the result so it made me think about why these clients came to me for new images. It's not the first time that I've been asked to create a photo for someone that had photos done before by someone else.

We all see ourselves in the mirror differently but we also have a view of how we want to be perceived.  We all have a personal brand even if it's not for business.  Think about describing yourself in one or two words. My two words for you might be different than your two words.

My view of you may be different than you see your self.  And while I might get all the technical aspects perfect and have a fair amount of creativity, you could be having an off day, you could be nervous, you could have some stress - and it all shows in your face. We all have micro expressions that slightly change with each click of the shutter. It's my job to minimize a flaw you don't like so it's something to go over before we click the shutter.  It's my job to make you comfortable to get those best looks on your face. It's my job to use the right lighting and posing so you look FABULOUS.

One quote I gave yesterday was for a company that did holdiay portraits for their employees and what stood out in our conversation was that the photographer did not look beyond taking the photographs.  He did not see a hair out of place or a crooked piece of jewelery on the subjects;   We have to look beyond just a face smiling when we take a photograph.  The subject may or may not need to smile, but, there are many elements to getting the perfect image beyond that.  We have to take the whole picture.

The woman who recently lost weight but had a sagging chin doesn't want that to show; Lighting and Posing are really important;  The beautiful woman who wants a glamour shot, doesn't want to see dark circles under her eyes so you must master lighting to hide that and have the right equipment to do it so she will be happy.  Twist a neck wrong in posing and you get some massive rolls on the neck even on the thinnest person.  A boudoir photograph to be perfect must have all the elements in place and must leave much to the imagination to work well.

It's a big deal to get dressed, get your hair perfect and your make up just right to come in for a session.  It's a big deal to me to flatter you so you love your photographs.  My years of knowledge of seeing you just right is something that makes me different.  I want to flatter my clients.  It was music to my ears yesterday when the subject I photographed proofed her images on line yesterday.She called in her co-workers to see what we had done and there was one "WOW" after another. I love to hear those WOW's and if I don't then I want to work with you so that they're all I hear - before we shoot.  Planning a portrait ahead is just as important as the after when we finish the image.

Just because you have a camera that will take good photograph doesn't mean it will convey the message you want delivered with your photo. The knowledge of how to use a camera is just as critical.  It must convey you and your brand and speak for you.  So today's F Word is Flatter.   Because you deserve a lot of flattery so that you are fabulous always.

Butterflies and Fairy Princesses!

We're halfway through our photography sessions for the Susan G. Komen Photography for The Cure raising money for the Los Angeles Affiliate.

First, I have to say that my team of Sharon Schlesinger who is helping style the survivors and helping me coordinate anything and everything has been so wonderful.  Sharon is one of those spirits that always has a smile on her face and has such a great way with people you just find her enthusiasm infectious.  Karen Snyder ( www.cosmeticallyorganized.com ) has been using her magic tools to make everyone model ready and Erin Kleptar at Claudio Marino Salon has been curling, crimping and bobby pinning hair so that everyone can be on the cover of the latest Fashion Magazine.  Such talent! I also want to thank Grace Frakes and Mary Ballesteros of Millennium Hair Studio who have offered to also fill in anywhere I need them to on Hair and Makeup for these sessions.

We would be remiss if we didn't mention David Meister (www.DavidMeister.com) who is dressing a few tonight's Emmy presenters and attendees, as well as our own celebrities of the sessions.

I am so excited to help dress the Butterflies and Fairy Princesses in my studio.  There is no question a big dose of Magic happening in the studio.  We are all having the most indescribable time. It takes me back to playing dress up as a little girl and putting on my Mom's best evening dresses and high heels many sizes too big.  It feels just like a few of my best friends have come over to play.  We are only missing the Tea Set for our party but in reality we aren't missing the tea.  I cue the music on the iPod and a shriek from the makeup chair yells out from the front "Hey that's me singing background" and we have an impromptu dance party and concert so we play it over and over again. Happy and fun moments like this abound.

I can't wait to share the images with you all where these women have eyes that are all lit up with anticipation and excitement while I am adjusting the lights. I love the first look they get in the mirror of themselves and the thrill of choosing some jewelery to wear and deciding if walking in 6 inch heels more than two feet will work.  The confidence and hope and emotion of just the experience is beyond anything I could have hoped for. And the look on their faces when I show them the back of the camera how beautiful they are. I wish the camera could look in their generous hearts and show that side of their beauty too.

We all have stories to tell about our lives and the journeys we are taking.  The stories are forming.  I have to go back to editing images.  I am having a warm fuzzy time at the computer just writing to tell you the progress.  We have ten more sessions to go this week. I can't wait to see what transpires and what fun we create in the process of raising a few dollars for Photography for The Cure.  They say laughter is the best medicine but it also takes money to find The Cure.  If you have some spare change towards the goal, we'd be even more grateful.  I am also looking for a sponsor to buy the models a keepsake copy of the book we are making. All the proceeds are going to Susan G. Komen Los Angeles. I think we're on track toward our $25,000 goal. The goal of making some women Queen for A Day has been surpassed and we are only half way there.

Susan G. Komen Datebook

I am so thrilled.

For about 5 years I have wanted to do a photography project that would benefit women. All women. We are all affected by Breast Cancer. We don't know who, what or when it strikes. We do our Monthly Breast Exams. We have our regular mammograms. We support the women who are impacted. Really - I cannot believe in my circle of friends how many of them have been brave and are strong.

We also have hope. And we can encourage those who are on the journey of recovery. We can celebrate them. And love them and pamper them.

I love to do things in a BIG way. What was going to be a 12 page calendar is going to be a datebook filled with love, encouragement, hope and beauty. I remember chatting with Sharon Schlesinger of Boku Mangos a few years ago sharing my dream about doing something like this. Sharon, if you don't know her is one of the women in this world that doesn't sit on the sidelines of life. She is a mover and shaker and makes things happen. With style and grace. My friend Sharon Schlesinger is one of those women, who like me has a big woven web of women who have hands to lend to reach out.

So we have been putting pieces together and it's started. Invitations have been sent to potential participants. We are asking to have sponsorships of $250 for each session. And it will benefit Susan G. Komen for The Cure Los Angeles Affiliate. All of it! That excites and delights me. As of this writing we've raised over $2200 towards our goal and we are just starting. And when the book publishes all of the net proceeds will be donated too.

Right now I am working with survivors who have come forward to participate. And be pampered. Erin Kleptar of Claudio Marino Salon has set time aside to do the hair. So has Grace Frakes and Laura at Millennium Hair Studio agreed to step up and help with Hair and Makeup. And Karen Snyder of Cosmetically Organized. David Meister is going to work with us on wardrobe as is Sharon helping style these models. I love the term she's using that they will be Queen for a Day. Really - they'll be Queen for a year or more.

So for updates - follow my blog here. Become a fan of Flash Frozen Photography on Facebook. ( and a friend of Kathy Rappaport. Follow my twitter posts at www.twitter.com/flashfrozenfoto. And donate or sponsor someone's session. We all need your help to pay it forward.

Wow. We won Flash Frozen Photography is Favorite Photographer

Every year the Los Angeles Daily News take a poll and people get to vote for their favorite businesses in the Los Angeles Area.

This is something I have followed for a long time. Being in business, and networking so much, I am sure i will know many if the award winners.I want to congratulate them. We all work hard. All the nominees deserve some recognition.

I am honored to win. I am glad they let us enter and they let you know.

Watch the Daily News for the write up On August 25th. There will actually be a photograph of me in the publication ..and a story. Can't wait to share it with you too. You can't have my plaque though. And pffft. They didn't spell photography with an F.

Fun and Feline and Fonzie

Unlike my photographer friends, I usually take an idea and talk about what I am thinking about. I don't talk much about my subjects - I want everyone I photograph to think they're on equal footing most of the time.

Well this little guy, Fonzie, belongs to one of my favorite friends, Carol who took a photography class with me 11 years ago. She takes all the credit for getting me in this fun business. She has also commissioned me to make a story book about Fonzie.

Enjoy him. They don't stay small long. I cannot get over how at 9 weeks he mugged for me - where every I put him he just purred away. I already love love love him

Oh the whole gallery is here: http://www.flashfrozenphotography.com/Portraits/Woof-Woof-and-Meow/Fonzie/17856362_hC6qPL#1378127081_9gJWDfx

Complete Service

While we are on the topic of service (see my last post!) my goal is to be more than creator of my client's images. In creating that special image, there is more to the photograph than meets the eyes.

Photography is telling the story with light of a person, place or thing. There is the technical ability to use the camera, there is the portraitist's ability to envision the finished pieces and the collaboration of the subject to the photographer.

We have an idea or message or story to tell with the images. The final use will be very dependent on the style we create with our portrait. If we are using the image for a business portrait, it's doubtful we would take an attorney to the beach or put him on a horse or bicycle. A few years ago I did a beach session for a family and the boys were in white shirts and black pants. It said "Sunday going to Church" but not to play in the sand or the water. A wardrobe and style consultation is a very important part of the sessions I do. You can't do a boudoir session without lingerie and not all lingerie works. I just was inspired by a session of a family all in tans/beiges and the setting was in a building all in the same color family as the clothing but the pieces were matched so to speak. They blended. When we do a photograph we are making a statement about who we are and about what we are like. We don't all want to dress in a Gap Ad or Land's End Catalog. Imagine my delight when a client called and sent me a very old photograph and asked if we could flavor her session that way. We were going to render the image as a black and white and a wedding dress I had purchased years ago fit the 1930's style of full skirt just right. It was even the client's size.

You cannot create a whole scene without all the parts.

Yesterday I did an order appointment. I asked about framing and now it's up to me to find that frame that goes with the existing frames and my photograph too. It's exciting to me to really finish my images from thought process to how the clients will view them forever. If they're not finished, I'd hate to see them in a drawer or elsewhere not viewed often. They need to be in books, in frames or in some form on the wall too.

Food for thought

We went to dinner with my husband's long time client and former neighbors. Frank has known them many years - I think at least 35. We always have a great time with Bob and Carol.

We have very interesting discussions about service and good business much of the time we socialize with them and Bob always makes me think. One thing we have in common is that we like good service where ever we do business. I just changed doctors and so did Bob. One reason for me is that my physician is too busy now to call with test results. He won't even call you if they're out of the range of normal. You must do it yourself if you want the results. Bob said his doctor's assistant was too busy to make an appointment with him at his visit. I had the same experience. I had an appointment for a physical and my doctor did some of it and told me to come back because he was too busy to do it. And he ran over an hour late the appointment before that. I left and made another appointment. I don't think that my time is any less valuable than his is. An hour wait is too long to be sitting in a little windowless room. For no reason.

We both like to travel and have found service lacking lately on a few cruise ships and less honesty from one cruise line about some water levels a river cruise causing us to be bussed instead of sailing down the river. We were sure we were told a white lie on boarding.

As someone who has worked in small boutique environments since her first job, not one excuse is acceptable to me when it comes to being busy. The whole existence of having any business is to make the customer want to come back for 2nds or more or if you are not offering a repeat experience, then at least the best possible service.

I always want to make a client feel I've gone above and beyond. That I am truthful. I want my clients leaving my studio shaking their heads and thinking they've had a fantastic experience that bears telling their friends and repeating as often as possible. I promise to never leave you unattended in a cold windowless room in a paper examination gown for an hour.

Beauty and Culture!

One of the great advantages to living in a fantastic city like "The Greater Los Angeles Metropolitan region" is that we have so much diversity in our art, experience and culture. We have such a broad mix of ethnicity in our region (Los Angeles is a City but also really a huge region - as big as some states and even bigger than some European nations). We have many cultures since we are a melting pot. Los Angeles has for more than a century been considered one of the best areas in which to live in the world for our weather/climate and life experiences. We've been glamorized to the world because we are after all the authentic Hollywood - home to Film and Film Stars. We have a huge fashion presence with many manufacturers of clothing. We have Rodeo Drive and Beverly Hills too. We have a great deal of music and theater. And Museums - Los Angeles County Muesum of Art, Two Getty Museums, MOCA, with which to immerse ourselves in Art - Modern, History, Painting, Sculpture, the art of the automobile at the Peterson Museum, we have a great Science Museum, We have a Natural History Museum, We have the La Brea Tar Pits too.

We have also been gifted with a newcomer to the museum collection we have called The Annenberg Center for Photography.

As a photographer who specializes in Glamour and photography of Women AND someone who grew up around the fashion industry, their current exhibit called Beauty and Culture to me was life changing. I have always loved the iconic images of Marilyn Monroe, Elisabeth Taylor and Audrey Hepburn. This exhibit has 175 of the world's most influential photographs of beauty and fashion and those who have made their life a part of that culture and and shaped societal definition of what we find beautiful in the female form. Go see it, share it and let me know what you think. There is a documentary film that explores our viewpoints about beauty and glamor. Let me know if you see beauty in a new way.

What people are saying about me

Some of you know that I won a cruise in a silent auction from Round Meadow School's auction last year. So we are just back from a Viking River Cruise on the Rhine River through Germany, France, Switzerland and finally the Netherlands. Soon I will have some amazing photos of Castles, Old Buildings, Flowers and Europe. The scenery is fantastic and we had perfect weather for a cruise.

Through the auction, I met Jen Levinson who runs one of the best blogs out there for Los Angeles/San Fernando Valley Moms. Anything about being a Mom, Parent or medical can go through her blog and her Jen's List. Amazing how networking works in so many forms. Nannys, Garage Sales, Medical resources and teaching/parenting/entertainment - all Mom connecting. Amazing! (http://jenslist.com/)

And in chatting about the cruise and the auction I proposed that Jen do a session with me. We ended up in my studio with some pampering for her by Karen Snyder of www.cosmeticallyorganized.com and I had Erin Goldstein at Claudio Marino do Jen's hair.

So...this is what Jen had to say:
http://levinsonfamily.blogspot.com/2011/05/most-amazing-gift-to-give-your-hubby.html

Thank you, Jen. I hope you will take a photo of Mike on Father's Day looking at your book.

Photos don't lie

Sometimes in life we go in circles.

This week the circle for me was that a dozen of my school friends got together for brunch on Easter Sunday. Just girls. What a warm fuzzy day it was. 12 women genuinely excited to see one another, meet each other and catch up.

What was important to all of us? The photos. Snapshots, Scrap books, Class Yearbooks. Sharon made name tags for all of us with maiden names. And yes, photos from our year books.

Sometimes our memories so many years later play tricks on us because I will swear that Robin looks the same as she did in Kindergarten. And Marcie looks the same as she did in Junior High when we were hall monitors. Felicia hasn't changed one bit since High School. And Sharon D. is as lovable and bubbly as ever. Clearly she looks the same as she did when we double dated on Grad Night.

I swear I can look at those photos and see - they're all the same people. Photographs don't lie.

Sad....

Today my assistant told me about a wedding she attended this past weekend. I don't know the bride but we did connect via facebook and I did get to see her photographs. As all brides are happy and glowing and the ceremony was beautiful, her dress was fantastic and it looked like the photographs I saw were technically good.

What I didn't see is that they weren't complete. No one would know that if you weren't there. What I heard were that some key images were just not taken - at all. The photographer was a friend of the couple. But he wasn't skilled at weddings. There was not list of must have images. There were ceremony moments not captured. There were no photographs of the bride and her children.

I heard the bride was disappointed. For that, I am very sad. A wedding isn't something to take lightly. A special event is a fluid event. You can be a great photographer and miss out on some images if you don't know what to look for. I've spent many days studying what to shoot. How to anticipate the emotion of the day and capture it forever.

I hope the guests might have those missing images on their cameras. I hope they all came out. You roll the dice in a situation when you have friends that take good photos. You gamble that they won't miss what's important. That they have good working cameras and they know how to capture the light just right and that the photographer has the ability and equipment to make light when they need it.

I also hope they will live happily ever after. After all there is left is the love of the day and the memories. The photos must tell the rest of the story. They are all there is when the memories fail and for the grandchildren to see what it was like back then.

Fund Raising for Japan: Art, Sake, Sushi and Friends: Thank You

Yesterday we had the fundraiser at the Ensele Gallery to raise money for the relief effort in Japan. I want to thank Jubbie Sukharom at Asaka Sushi for coming to provide the sake for sake tasting and several other restaurants the donated sushi for our well attended event. Not only did we have a good time raising money but, as artists, we love to show our work and passion with the world.

We each donated a piece of our artistic efforts and the proceeds were donated to the Red Cross to benefit the people of Japan.

Kathleen Sterling of the Warner Center News published an article about the Event,

Thanks to Jessica Nagy at the Calabasas Patch for her video article at www.calabasas.patch.com

Special thanks to Barbara Hollander and Selene Kepila for their vision and inspiration

And for Sunshine Magazine's Blog about the event;

Thank you all for participating and helping us get the word out.

The Cookie Cutter and Recipe - and Portraits

One of my favorite things to do is to cook. Last night I had a small dinner party with a few friends and made a lasagna. Made a simple sauce, and then layered Ricotta , Mozzarella, Cheese, Ground Lamb sauteed in Garlic and Onion, a layer of baby spinach, a layer of sauteed cubed eggplant, more cheese and finally filled my pan which is extra deep. We had some lovely local California wine from Laraneta and Shai Vineyards too. Simple to make but takes time to create.

I love setting the stage for a dinner with my best dishes and glassware, flowers and even cloth napkins. If I am going to put out the effort then doing it halfway isn't what I want to do.

Photographing portraits is the same but takes more effort because it's a joint project. I have a brain full of ideas about setting the stage - if it's the studio or a location like the park or beach. I try not to keep any two sessions exactly the same because my clients are all different. Constantly I change out my studio furniture, backgrounds and lighting and accessories. I want to make a unique portrait that doesn't make every session the same.

Clients need to cooperate too, getting their hair done, making sure their nails are clean/polished, make up impeccable. And perfectly accessories clothes that a pressed or matching. I love the family I just finished where I did not know the mom was a stylist. Everyone had coordinating colors in the clothes and her efforts paid off without looking like the white or black tops with all jeans or khaki pants. Style of clothing can make or break your photographs.

If you are going to invest in something you will have in your home for the rest of your life, then let me help you plan the perfect portrait. One that will be uniquely yours. Tasteful and styled to be fantastic.

Grateful

I am just back from Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii. We went for a wedding of our friend's son and new bride. We arrived as the news that Japan was hit with the historic Earthquake and that there was a Tsunami Warning for most of the Pacific Ocean. By the time we got to our hotel, The Sheraton on Kona, they were planning to close the hotel and we should go to the parking lot of a nearby shopping center.

Our friends took us to the Bride's parents, where we had everything we needed. Over 30 of us stayed and watched the unfathomable. The Tsunami came in three waves to the Kona Coast (West Coast of Hawaii). There is a huge amount of devastation there. The Pier and many homes and businesses were ruined. Jobs will be lost but no one was hurt - businesses were closed, streets were full of sand and silt.

I am so grateful that most of the wedding festivities went off as planned. We adapted. We slept on the floor and missed a shower and clean clothes. We had facilities. We needed nothing.

The people of Japan need everything. I did a series of floral photography while in Kona the few free hours I had. I will have those finished in a few days. 20% of the proceeds from those will be given to Rotary International to give to Japan toward recovery. And the Ensele Gallery will have a special event on March 31st and I will donate one of the images so that proceeds will be earmarked to the Red Cross for Japan Relief.

It's the best way I know to show my gratitude.

Ensele ART March 3 2011.mov

Here is a little taste of the Gallery Show at Ensele Gallery. The gallery room for Kathy Rappaport/Flash Frozen Photography is the first minute. My exhibit will be there through the first week of April. Please let me know if you would like to visit. There will be a small gathering of friends at the gallery and I would welcome having my friends there again.

Here!

Today is the day for Art and Wine at the Ensele Gallery. My images are hung - I am overjoyed at seeing them framed and matted. I can't wait to share them with my friends - old and new!

Everytime I create a print, I am reminded just how much goes into making that print. Seeing them online is always exciting, seeing them printed takes it up a notch or two. But seeing them really finished - matted and framed...well, if you cook, you can relate because you can taste something as it's in the pot and know it's going to be great, but, when you serve it on your best china at a beautifully adorned table with candles and a linen napkin at your best restaurant, it's a whole different meal. Art is like fine dining.

Eating a hamburger out of a cardboard box is delicious but eating a steak at Ruths Chris, Mastros, Arnie Morton's or Grill on the Alley is a whole other experience.

Please come and dine with me. Actually Feast with me. Your senses of Photography and Fine Art will be overjoyed.

Updates: Gallery Show at Ensele Gallery, Voting, and Susan G Komen - Happy Valentine's Day

We are so excited that we will have our work featured at the Night of Art and Wine at the Ensele Gallery on March 3rd. We will have a small collection of images from wine regions on display: Images from California, Italy, France and Spain. I am currently finishing and framing the photographs for the show. We will also have some on display at Nicola's Kitchen in Woodland Hills - next to the Studio.

We are still in the top of the list of Children's Photographer's for the Hot List. We could still use more votes!

On March 6th, I will be the official photographer of the Susan G. Komen Walk for the Cure at Dodger Stadium and I have been commissioned to photograph the Survivors and the Survivor Ceremony. Just a wonderful opportunity to celebrate life and bravery. Those who know me will be surprised that I will be there at 6 am to capture this special day in Los Angeles. 15,000 people will be walking to raise money to combat Breast Cancer.

And just for fun, I did Valentine's Day Cards for Starla and thought I would share the card with you

Business of Business - For Photographers - WPPI Group Mentoring and Coaching Session

Well, I was asked. Many people in the Photography and Small Business community on the West Coast know me as the go to person for QuickBooks coaching and training. I've set up 100's of company books of all kinds and trained many business owners on how to run a business from the Financial and Tax viewpoint and yet as an artist and photographer myself, I completely understand the struggle many artists face and they fight with the business side of business.

Unofficially and now officially, I am the expert on Business and QuickBooks for the Digital Wedding Forum, I have taught Super Monday for PPA on QuickBooks for Photographers and I talked to the Professional Photographers of Los Angeles County (PPLAC) and SmugMug Pro User Groups on how to be a Business Person and a Photographer!

For those of you going to WPPI in Las Vegas, I will be there and since I was asked to do this, I will be offering a limited number of spaces to do a a group mentoring and coaching session all about the Business of Photography. The F in FStop will be stop putting aside the business of your finances. We will talk about bookkeeping, taxes, profit, pricing, contracts, employees, and managing it all so you have time left for you.

The fee is $125 and space is limited. Please email me at kathy@kathyrappaport.com or call me at the studio at 818-888-2280 if you want to have me save you a spot. You must RSVP and prepay for the session by 2/17 at 5pm PST. I don't promise it will be fun - but you will have a great experience and walk away with real information without fluff. There will be lots of food for thought. I am not doing back of the room selling. I don't have anything to sell but 40 years of financial, banking and photography experience as an educator and entrepreneur. I can talk for days but two hours is about as much as most photographers are comfortable with. Besides, I am sure there is a party about to happen in Las Vegas, and I don't want to take you away from the real reason you go to WPPI.

Photographer

I had a conversation today about what really defines who is a photographer. Just because you have a camera and charge for your services doesn't make you a professional photographer. There is much more to that!

First, you need the right skills. We study new methods and we know how to angle you to show you at your best. We won't just line everyone up like bowling pins. We can make an arrangement of people like a bouquet of flowers. We can make you look twenty years younger with just the right lighting and without photoshop! You just do not set the camera to take automatic exposures. Sure you might get some photos that are acceptable but a professional gets the majority of them right as far as exposure and composition right in the camera. We know how to compose a technically correct image. Not too dark or light which over exposes. We can get white to be white and still have the detail in a wedding dress. We can pick up the camera and use our equipment of which we have multiple cameras, lenses, batteries and memory/film with us all the time to make sure we don't miss a shot. We can adjust our cameras to blur backgrounds or get things very sharp. And we not only have duplicates of everything, we have the right equipment for the job from lenses, lights, umbrellas and modifiers. if we don't own them we rent them or borrow them. We like perfection in our art. Wedding shooters know just when the sun will set to be able to capture that ultra blue sky and vivid color. If the sun isn't cooperating we know how to make and shape the light ourselves. Then we have multiple copies of every photo we take in multiple locations so we can't tell you we lost your photos. We have a list of great places to take you to capture the perfect image. We know what paperwork - permits and insurance we need for the places we're going to take you. And we have insurance in case something fails us: Cameras break, get wet or get stolen. Light stands fall or people fall over a wire, stand or the wind picks up an umbrella and sends it flying.

A professional photographer has figured out appropriate prices. If we charge too little, we can't buy the next round of technology from cameras, lights or software. We have taxes to pay and insurance and for the car to get us to the location. We might have studio rent and if we have a studio we have props and backgrounds and display items.

There is much to being a professional. Even a conscience effort to have ethics and be business people in the true sense of the word. We know how to make those images last 100 years and speak your message, capture a moment in time and make it forever. We guarantee our results. We won't just hand you a disk of photos to sit and wonder what you want to do with them while they sit in the bottom drawer of your nightstand or desk. What we did will last for generations - Forever. We're not going to make you guess. We want you to enjoy our work. Always.

Vote for Us

There are two photographer categories in the Los Angeles Hot List and we are in the running for Best Children's Photographer! Please Vote for US!

Of course we do more than Children's Photography, but, we are are Kids at Heart!
You can see what we do at www.flashfrozenphotography.com

The unknown

One of the fun things for me about being self employed is the variety of things we do on a regular basis. We get to do them our way. We have some basic life rules and maybe we have methodology to achieving an end result. Just like following a recipe: We can change things up and see what happens.

I love that there is change.I can design a session, work with people and experiment to get a changed result. Maybe it's shifting lights in the studio or coming up with a new concept for a boudoir session. Sometimes it's just doing things a new way.

Yesterday, I spoke to the Canoga Park - West Hills Chamber of Commerce's breakfast. I am the chairman of the upcoming Photography Contest for the Day in the Life of Canoga Park. The former town called Owensmouth is going to be 100 years old next year. Last week I went to a Woodland Hills Tarzana Chamber breakfast. There were two of them and a board of directors meeting too. The night owl that I am said I'd never go to breakfast. That was a mantra of mine. When I changed that behavior, my business changed too.

So what changes will you make in your set way of doing things that would make a difference in your world? I can tell you that doing that one thing of getting up and out daily early has been a great sense of joy. Take a risk and try something new and different. Be happy about it.

Babies

Today 9 day old Gabriel came to the studio for his first portrait session. I had some ideas of what I wanted to accomplish today with him. My plan was a bare naked baby butt all posed. Babies however can have their own ideas of what is more fun to do than be stripped naked and have bright light shined on you. I was hoping for a very sleepy baby, but we had wet baby, dirty baby, cranky baby, hungry boy and mostly wide awake baby. The thing is, they rule. Just like parents don't get to sleep, photographers don't always get their way either. But unlike a new parent, hopefully we have the skills to create a beautiful image no matter what the baby decides. I was so excited by the session today, I had to share with you how it goes sometimes. I will have the photos posted in a few days...I can't wait to process them.

What Story will you tell next December 31st?

What a wonderful holiday. As usual it went by quickly and we had a great time surrounded by family. My last holiday photography session was a three generation family that left me feeling all fuzzy inside - you could feel the love and their spirit of fun was just right. They came dressed for casual portraits and as planned switched into perfect Christmas Celebration with their matching red and white candy cane striped pajamas with their names embroidered on the front of each shirt! I added my own elf hat and reindeer ears to the party. So that set the stage for my holiday weekend.

And, well, now that's all past and the trash is full of gift wrap, this is the last week of the year. So much to do and prepare and plan for the new year! I've been very involved in the community. Those people who know me know that I am a do-er and not a watcher. I don't sit still for long.

In a couple weeks, I will be celebrating with the Woodland Hills Tarzana Chamber of Commerce, since I was named Ambassdor of the Year for 2010. They are having their annual gala to celebrate the installation of the new board, of which I am also being installed. Not to mention that I am chairing the Canoga Park-West Hills 100 year celebration's Photography Contest. There will be some fun and celebrations there too.

A great end to the old year and a fun way to start the new one. My list of things to do is big...and fun...I hope you'll all follow in the conga line while we dance and have a great time. We have a brand new year to write a story to tell for next year end. What will the story say your year was about>?

To your health

I have to admit that I have taken good health for granted. I do go regularly to the dentist and the eye doctor and the internist. For the most part, I eat well and I exercise some. I could do a better job of all of it. My big goal is to whip myself into better shape, lose a few pounds and eat more vegetables. That's my new year resolution - if I have one.

One thing though that is equally important is to cherish my clients and make a place for them in my business world that creates a loving and safe environment. I use green cleaning products, keep the place clean. I wash all the things that newborns touch between each use. I try to keep nuts out of the studio and of course it's smoke free. If I have a cold, I promise that I will either cancel or check in with you, my client to see what is acceptable to you.

A very disturbing conversation I've had with other photographers about communicable diseases. Mostly Whooping Cough (Pertussis) after I spoke to my doctor. I know a few people that don't want to be vaccinated. My doctor knows I photograph children and he let me know that I am due for a DPT shot. He then told me about the statistics of how many are affected and let me know it's avoidable. New babies are not eligible for vaccination so they are at high risk. I do know a few adults who contracted it recently as well and they didn't know for a long time. 10 plus babies have died in California. That's way too many. Do the research and look up the facts. My brother had whooping cough when he was about 4 or 5 and I will never forget that hacking/whooping sound and my mother holding him in the bathroom with the shower running on all hot to make a steam room so he would be able to breathe.

So here's to your health. Here's to your children's and babie's health. I hope you will have the vaccine if you need it to keep the children safe.

Color

Well, I can't believe I haven't posted for a while. I was packed and ready to go on a cruise from Sydney Australia to Auckland New Zealand when the cruise line sent out an email telling us they overbooked and made an offer to us (and others) to go somewhere else another time so we got a refund and a nice credit to go again some other time anywhere.

I was disappointed to not go but it made a hole in the calendar, we were packed and our desks clear and camera lenses clean! We heading up the 101 to Carmel, Monterey then to Mendocino via San Francisco and then to Napa Valley. In Fall. We had incredible weather in Monterey. And beautiful light. We had rain and partially cloudy weather (even hail! and ice!) in Mendocino and more of that with rainbows in Napa Valley.

You can explore the trip on my website. Lots of color images and I will be publishing a book from that trip. http://www.flashfrozenphotography.com/Travel/Monterey-Mendocino-Napa/
There are so many images that I just love. California is beautiful. We are so lucky to live within hours of such magnificent beauty - the coast, the mountains, the water. Redwood Trees and cliffs over the ocean.

But driving down the street and looking out at my backyard today, I couldn't help but notice the blazing red leaves on our Crepe Myrtle Trees. It's December and we are getting Fall Color. Just like the trees in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont get in September.

We photographers love light and color. Sometimes we like life in Black and White and Sepia. But for me, I will take the colors of the season. Life is joyful and full...in Color. I hope you enjoy the colors of the holidays. Happy Chaunakah. Enjoy the season of color and gratitude too.

Inspiration and more

As a photographer, I think it's important to keep up to date with style. I was at the local chain bookstore today, which is HUGE, and was looking at the variety of magazines which is a good place to stay on top of style in so many forms. There is nothing worse than having a photographer style a set of portraits where everyone is wearing the same outfit - 10 times.

Some of the glamour rags, give you ideas for Fashion and Form and Function so you can see what is expensive, outlandish in many cases and pure fantasy for most. But really Fun to Fotograph. (I am in an F Mood if you can't tell - Fashion, Fun and Frivolous). Some keep me up with the latest in what is happening trendwise for the younger people I want to photograph. It helps me talk to them about their world. That makes it comfortable for them to talk to me and to get good images about them too.

Some of the photography magazines will show you a style of a variety of photographs of whatever you can think of pointing a lens at but mostly it's a huge ad for the camera and suppliers to the photographic market. Some education and trend of what is happening in the photograpy world. Frivolity to buy more stuff because it's the latest. Especially when it doesn't improve and image you're making.

Bridal magazines tell you what the trends are for fashion and all the wedding details of how to make your unique wedding and furnish your new lifestyle.  There are my stylistic choices to make when planning a wedding. Some is new and some is old.

There are so many genres of magazines. They all influence us from Tattoo Magazines, to Parenting, Cooking, Sports, Cars and Crafts. By influencing how we live, act and play, we become who we are to some degree.  But for me, it's many of the photographs that inspire me. The fashion shoot gives me new ideas as to wardrobe, make up and even posing my next client. How to light them or set the stage (outside or in studio). Men's magazines show me what the author thinks is sexy.

So much to look at and so much to see the photos in the magazines to see the latest trends. I want to capture them so there is a really story to tell - behind each character. There is a style behind each photograph we take.  Defining the style can be hard. You need to plan it with your photographer so they can make the best pictures of you.

In Search of...Love and Light and Life

Ha! You probably thing that's a cliche that I am look for Love and Light.

No - it's not.  Photography is all about light. Can't take photographs in the dark because the camera won't focus. That doesn't mean it's a bad photo either.

I am looking for good light and lots of love. I am looking for Soul - that is the real subject of my images. Peoples love, emotions, and their souls. Happy, sometimes contemplative on the edge of thought.

I am looking to capture - as I did on Saturday - a baby's first steps.
The First Kiss
The Festive Moments at a party
The transitions ..B'nai Mitzvot, Weddings, High School Seniors, Singles looking for dates
The Joy...kids running barefoot in the grass or the sand
Celebration of pregnancy, or newborns or milestones - like birthdays - First, 13th, 16th or 99th.
The weight that isn't there anymore. The sparkle in his eyes when he sees you.

I want to celebrate my subjects from the ordinary to the extraordinary.

The Ordinary is OK  - it's the days you remember..a look, a touch, a place you favor. Or THAT couch, That dress.  If you can see it you will be able to close your eyes and smell it..the scent of your newborn, her perfume, the scent of the pot on the stove cooking your favorite meal.

I am looking for those moments of life.  Don't you want to have them Flash Frozen.Photographed?

Connecting

It's amazing when you find people in your life who have similar ideals and you connect with them. Friendships are like waves at the beach. They have a cycle.  In my world I have looked for opportunities to connect others for many purposes. I love searching to create synergy. Facebook and Linkedin are great for helping people find one another to have that connection

I had a client who came into the studio for dating headshots and she dressed for business.  I took her over to Boku Mangos and she got the perfect casual first date outfit.  Sharon Schlesinger of Boku had a Date Night where she opens the doors to people to create some connections too. I ended up booking her daughter Pam's family session from that - which will be in about a week. I am so excited. Sharon and I have partnered with other merchants in The French Quarter to get some connections going. Together, we held a Date Night and invited all our connections, The Woodland Hills Tarzana Chamber and the tenants of our building.  Thanks to Nicola's Kitchen, they sent over all the food we could use. We ended up continuing our visiting at Push Lounge.  We are going to work on creating a calendar and we are going to raise some money for charity with my photography and her connections. Lots of good ideas, connections and even business. 

So what is the point of my message today? Connecting with other people is critical to working with a photographer.  Being personable and making people comfortable is critical to making a good photograph of a person. Pets, Children and Adults all feel when you connect.  Part of networking is connecting with people in your environment ahead of time to have a comfort level with creating good images. if we come  together for a cause, it helps create the ingredients to a good photograph. For businesses, in general making connections and friends is all about good  business - for every one who participates.  Oh, and because of our efforts we got three new members of the Woodland HIlls-Tarzana Chamber too!

Ta Da...Flash Frozen Photography! In Person Almost LIVE

What makes a good picture?

When I was a kid and we took the roll of film to Rexall Drugs ( On La Cienega and Beverly Blvd -across from Kiddyland or what's now the Beverly Center)  to be "finished" it took about a week. 

We'd anxiously open the envelope and look at the photographs that came back. Then we'd make a pile of bad photographs and the keepers.  The keepers were worth putting in the scrapbook. The others went into the envelope with the negatives never to be looked at again but they cost money and we didn't want to waste them so we kept them. They were blurred because the camera moved, or were dark because they were taken when there wasn't enough sun out or because people blinked.

So fast forward to the digital era. We have cellphones and digicams - also known as point and shoot cameras and we have professional gear and movie/video cameras too. You can hardly go anywhere without someone whipping out their iPhone or Blackberry to take a photo. A wedding, a business meeting, a restaurant. I am guilty of using my Palm Centro.  And then there is facebook. We mobile upload those photos. We post photos of the oddest things aside from the kids and pets and whatever tickles our funny bones.I have Rye Bread from the Deli and feet from the parking lot at Pink's Hot Dogs on my cell phone gallery.

So what prompted me to blog is that on facebook I see the Good Shot post again. It was a portrait. Supposedly taken by a professional photographer. It has no technical merit. The colors were pix-elated and over sharpened and it didn't resemble a portrait. It was out of focus. The subject was not even recognizable.

I am going to go through some of my photographs and show you some of the outtakes with some of the keepers. There is a time for photography that is fun and yet has some technical correctness. I was to see everyone raise the bar for what to keep and when to hit DELETE. We're inundated with stuff we don't want to dispose of. But we really should but we can't.

So we have to agree that: 

A Good photograph has some ability to use a camera.
They don't all need photoshop.
They don't need too much photoshop - less is more sometimes.
They don't have to be taken in sunshine with your face toward the sun so you squint.
They do need to have focus which is not necessaribly the blurry background from "shooting wide open" with your lens.
All children between 3 and 8 automatically show their teeth like a dog who you are taking their toys away from them.
People in the photos are recognizable and clear
They photographs tell some kind of story to them about the subject (they DO have a subject)
Just because you have a camera does not mean you do not have a reason to photograph something..

That's what I am thinking about. So lets take the journey together to show some befores and afters. One day the Jpg might go the way of the 8 track tape. And what's not printed will be in the envelopes never to be retireved or viewed again.

Beautiful. Feminine. More

I just had Lisa Keating in my studio. Lisa's website is EncinoMom.Com and she is an extraordinary woman. It was great having her in my studio because it really gave me a chance to get to know her. She is so multi-talented but what impressed me most is her inner beauty. She recently started a new venture with her husband, Warren and in between our session and when I started processing she entered a contest to be affiliated with Oprah.  Her show is called "Why are You Here!?!" and just watching the taping made me think about why I am here.

Lisa is friends with Dolly Thicke of Dolly Couture and she wanted to be photographed in Dolly's dresses and we made it happen at Flash Frozen Photography.  The session was fun and playful but we also found some great synergy business wise.

I hope you will come back to my website and visit Lisa's choices in a few weeks (We had almost 80 photos from her session to choose from!) but also that you will visit http://www.encinomom.com/ - pretty soon Lisa will not only have my photos on her site, but, her production company is going to work with me to make a video about why I am here....

In keeping with The F Words: All things Feminine - sort of

The latest news from Flash Frozen Photography is all things with F words: FUN! Feminine, Family, Father's Day (gone for this year), Feline and Fido, Formal, Flirty and Functional. What is next is the FOURTH of July and Fireworks! More FFFF Fun

First for the Fun! We've been doing Corporate Headshot Days and lots of our friends have been coming to have fun. We're meeting other people in the community and networking while we're in the studio. Lots of business and getting familiar (F-Word!) with each other. Very Functional for your Website and Facebook and Linkedin too. While we are doing that Karen Snyder of Cosmetically Organized and Laura Jimenez of Millennium have been helping every one look FABULOUS!  We're going to have another headshot day so call the studio, get on the list and get yourself Flash Frozen for Business!  We're even working on a fun Flash Frozen Day for Finding your Forever Friends and Future Family (Dating Headshots).  If you are looking for a reFFeral I bet I know some one that can help you because of all that business that got done in my studio. I really love making connections.  That is my FRIEND and all around give back to the world person Linda Mallut of http://www.mybunnyandme.com/ She is busy hopping around with her bunnies donating FUNDS to see that people get well and FIGHT the cause of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

The next F Word is FRAME! That is part of the F family FINISH~!  We want you to leave the studio and have FINISHED Portraits and that means ready to hang in just the right spot in your Family Home or at the office too. So if you mention the blog with your session and print order, we will give you 25% off our in stock frames.  I ordered a selection of custom frames in Silver, Black, White and Walnut that are perfect for the collection of family portraits to go up the stairs, down the hall and on the wall in the Family room.

Tomorrow I am really excited that I will again be Photographing  the Twinkle Toes Dance recital at Main Street Dance being held at the Madrid Theater on Sherman Way. I love those little dancers. They do it with their full heart for their families. I hope they will have the chance to remember the FUN and treasure the memories FOREVER.

The other F word that I have to share today is FOUNDATIONS! Yes, that is what they used to call the Bra and Panty Department in the very old days. I am working with Barbara Cohen who is styling women for Dress for Success to help them get work! Dress for Success helps women Feel good and get employment by helping them dress the part. So I am asking my Friends to go to their Favorite store (Fredericks of Hollywood could work!) but really maybe not quite that Feminine and pick up a Bra and some ladies unmentionables (Panties) and donate them to the cause. The Girls will really thank you. Your favorite Big Box Stores, or Target or TJ Maxx, Kohls or Ross all come to mind to me for a good source.  Call me if you have any questions.  Diane Fonteboa of Two Tomatoes in Sherman Oaks has signed on to be a drop off spot too!  Thanks, Diane for stepping up to help.

It's different now

Last night I attended the Professional Photographers of Los Angeles County meeting. PPLAC is a networking and educational group affiliate of Professional Photographers of America. I am a member of both groups.

As photographers we spend time learning from each other, we often take workshops to learn and practice new techniques like I did last weekend.  We get to change what we do, we get inspired and our vision changes. Last night's speaker was Ken Sklute who is a world class photographer and he showed us what he is doing and his techniques for several genres of photography.  I won two things last night - some gels to color my oncamera flash because I know that CTO means Color Temperature Orange! and the other was some software for moving bushes and flowers into photos that is fun.

In a few weeks I will be speaking to the members of the group here in my studio. I will be teaching the Business of Business for Photographers. Another dynamic of photography is that many artisits are not business people. I am also teaching that same topic out to the Smugmug User's Group in Riverside. I presented the same topic to the SmugMug users group in Los Angeles in October. I get so enthusiastic about the business side of life.

When you hear another photographer it's always a good thing to practice those techniques so that you know them and you can vary the look of your images.

All this ongoing learning and playing with gear, toys, technique and such is different as a professional. My geeky friend, Will, was going to come and play in studio with me but our missions are different now. When I play I want to have something concrete I can work with. I want to raise the bar.  Will just wants to play and see what happens.  I want to create so that I can have a new tool in the bag that I can use for my business.

Maybe it's why I haven't even looked at the images I took on my cruise last week. It's critical to keep my skills up. I created some great images from my travels. But the purpose is different now.  I love what I do enough to take it on vacation but my play is much more wanting a new end result. More than just sitting on a hard drive.  I want to make art for other people now. Not just for me. I might have to work on some of those vacation photos soon to see how varied my own skills have changed too - not just how I think about my photography. It's all different now.

Learning and Sharing

For the last three days, I have been in a workshop with Mark Robert Halper learning his system called The Exceptional Portrait.  Mark is a wonderful Fine Art Photographer who like me is very passionate about the craft of Photography. I had the pleasure of learning from Mark last year in is class called The Order Appointment.

There were 12 photographers in our workshop today, and I have to say it was a process to think differently in the approach to making a wonderful portrait.  There are many schools of thought on how to take a photograph.  I hear all the time about snapping one off. A portrait is not snapping one off. That would be a snap shot. Part of Mark's approach is to make you stretch to see things to the nth degree. Really see it. Live with it, add to it.

Learning to tell a story of a person is much more. Composing a real portrait consists of all the components being just right: Lighting, Clothing, Sense of Place, Expression of the Subjects, Placement - of each component. Even having the right mindset of everyone in the vicinity of where the portrait will be created.

On the flip side of learning is a sharing of ideas with others in the workshop. I was paired with other photographers each of the three days and it's amazing what just talking out loud with other photographers can spur in the creative juices. What equipment to use from lights to lenses.  One of the images I created was with studio strobes which are the big flashes we use. One was magnificent natural light from a window with sunshine and clouds. And one was with the little LED Flashlight I carry in my purse. I was waiting to have the right image to use that as my main light. It needed just the right portrait to use it on for drama.

I feel so good about this week's sessions. There are new tools in the camera case. New ideas to experiment with. And create. Really create.Simply but with flair. An F Word - Flash Frozen Photography is an F Word too. Fun, Faboulas and Fine Art....

Sprucing it Up a Bit

This is the area just behind my desk. I am visual (duh!) and love to spread out to see things which means papers, photos and any other paraphernalia like to go on the credenza behind me or depending on the work I do, it gets spread out in the shooting room too.  I was much more orderly when all I did was accounting. But that is another topic.

A while ago, my neighbor in The French Quarter, John Saffell of Nicola's Kitchen had a little marketing push from me and before you know it he got hooked into having a mixer for the Woodland Hills-Tarzana Chamber in the courtyard right in front of my studio.  So collectively we decided a bit of sprucing up the place was in order.  We replaced a few trees in front of our offices and I put in an installation of my photography in his window. I'll blog about the window next time-and the family portrait of them, currently in MY window that once was their holiday card a few months ago - now framed BIG.

One of the things I did a while ago was order some "Expressions" from my friend, Torreh Pearl.  Torreh and I were both members of the National Association of Women Business Owners and she was on the Board of Directors when I was President.  Anyway, Torreh's business is http://pleaseuseyourwords.blogspot.com/

I bought a few of them, but this one conveys my message to all who enter. And I put a custom "expression" on my windows too that gives me some more sign visibility.

Anyway, I just love how the words "A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words" looks behind my chair. It's not a very subtle message.  Thank you Torreh for telling me about Uppercase Living and coming to hang these with me. Not only have you helped spruce up the place, I am really glad to have you in my circle of friends ad sprucing up my life a bit.

Legacy

The last two weeks I have been photographing the dance classes and students at Twinkle Toes Dance at the Main Street Performing Arts Center in Canoga Park.  I had so much fun connecting with the children learning to express themselves through dance and music. The teachers were so dedicated and amazing and I want to thank Karen Hayes, the Director for her support and encouragement.

I am not a "school" photographer but I am a portrait artist. It's foreign to me to line people up and take a photograph. Working with people in their environments is a great expression of the art that tells a story of the person. In the dance studio, I set up a fun little background with a pink poof of tulle I called a "cloud" and I got to be 5 - 6 or 7 and got the girls to give me real smiles most of the time.  I also took photographs of the mostly girls, just listening or dancing or waiting for a change of shoes to their tap shoes from ballet shoes. I can hear Miss Jill say "It''s Tap Time, Dancers!" as I write this.

I was reminded how ingrained behaviors are when a camera is pointed our way to make an expression we've been told to make. How many times those 3 year olds saw me pointing their way and they automatically said "cheese" without prompting. And I often countered with my own comments designed to get real smiles. I sat so they could copy me and they were posed. My feathers and tickle fairies (tools of the trade) were the bribes I used.

In any case, we all have stories of our lives that need to be told and recorded for our histories. Some of these little ones will fondly remember what they were like at that age and remember the songs that were played as they shuffled those tap shoes across the wood floor and were leaping across the room in tutus. Parents and Grandparents can hold that 5 year old in their hand and refresh their minds when they are old and frail and senile and clinging to the times their children were toddlers. Just from that piece of paper created by a moment and a camera.

We have momentous times in life that are traditional for photography - transitions and celebrations and certain ages. But don't forget that the everyday life needs to be recorded and the stories told. The photos might recall a scent, a time past that will be sentimental. A parent will fondly recall a look and action and expression of emotion of the two year old that will sustain them when they are being cared for by their own child.

And while digital photography is the current medium to capture that photograph, we don't know if it will cause images to disappear like the cassette tape did so we must print it and archive it. Because it's not the piece of paper. It's much more. It's our Legacy and we must preserve that on paper to keep it in our hearts.

What I Heard at the Wedding and Portrait Photographer's Platform Class

Wedding and Portrait Photographer's International Conference is held each year in Las Vegas and the last two years it was at the MGM Grand Hotel. A beautiful property.  I've gone now for four years and it's a great source of networking, education and shopping,  And inspiration!

One of the great treasures in the world of Photography is David A. Williams from Australia.  There are a number of people I have met at the shows but David gave a platform class with a room holding about 1000 people and there were tears and sniffles at various points in the class. 

David told us of a project he did when his Mother was diagnosed with a form of Dementia.  His father was also a photographer and he made an album of photos from the important parts of his life and he talked about  photographers and what our purpose is. David did a personal project - something we are encouraged to do with our own photography to expand our visions.

His Cycles and Echos presentation keeps bringing me back to my childhood. His images were stunning. Unlike some of my images that were not well preserved or were poorly developed. I grew up with the notion that good photography was expensive.  David showed me what I knew that it's priceless. He taught us that if we look hard we can see that a mother will take in the scent of her children. You can see than in his own history.

The only images I have from my own parents wedding were the proofs and one that my mother left for me of her childhood immediate family. My parents divorced. My aunt had one image of my parents together. I found one of my Mom and Dad when my Dad was in the Army in Korea taken just before he shipped out. I cherish the copies of the photographs taken at my grandfather's Bar Mitzvah at the Breed Street Shul in Los Angeles in 1913 - all of the family in one photograph - including the family dog. And the 1923 snapshot of my grandparents with my Aunt on the beach at Santa Monica.  The original Muscle Beach. Grandma was standing on Papa's Shoulders and Aunt Sophie was about 6 months old. What was life like then? They wore the bathing suits that look like tank tops and shorts to the knees.

In older blog posts, I have the photograph of me at age 5 with my mothers Buick. I remember the dress, the car and the street.  My sister has the 16 x 20 framed photograph of the three siblings in a vignette as was the style at the time, framed that my Mother adored. Every year or so the photographer came to the house. Sometimes there were albums, but this one was on the wall for 30 years in my childhood homes. When I see that photograph, I think of all the places I remember it hanging. I remember all the personal history that went along with that image. That's pretty powerful for a piece of paper.

David taught me there is far more to a photograph. Look deep at the images you cherish. It's not the piece of paper. It's about the history of the person and their history and their family history. And all those memories. You can feel your past. The mind is amazing. You can remember the scent of your mother and her perfume and the cooking smells that permeated your house. And all that is important in your life and your person.

I cannot believe that I have been given a gift that allows me to create that for someone else. I cannot believe that someone came thousands of miles to show me and teach me that.  Thank you, David for your gift to me. I want to pass that on to the next generations too.

5 Days - and 360 to go!

Just like a car needs gas, creativity needs inspiration.  I need to fill up and top off to make my photography be the best it can be.  When I hold  my camera, I want each image to be better than the last one.  When I do a session, I want the last image to be the very best.

This morning I am packing back up to head for home from Las Vegas and the Wedding and Portrait Photographer's International Show at the MGM Grand.  There were 14,000 photographers that attended this annual event, 300 vendors from Labs, Album Companies, Lighting and Grip and Gear and Software suppliers. You can buy Props, Backgrounds, Clothing just for studios and even lingerie for the Boudoir Studio. There are workshops and books to buy.  I bought a  light system to use for a mobile studio, a camera strap, a book and some software that is an upgrade to some that I already have.  I go with a budget in mind and I came in below what I planned to spend.

I went to two "Master" Classes that were Boudoir classes with very different styles of photography and one on Children's Photography that wasn't much about photography but on communication with people. I went to  a few Platform classes with as many at 1000 in the room. One was quite emotional and I will blog about it in my next post.

Those of you that know me well know that I am a pretty good networker and I did that well. I walked the very long distance several times a day and in the 15 minute walk made some wonderful connections. I sat in classes and in restaurants and walked the tradeshow connecting with other photographers and vendors. I invited others, now friends, to dine with me and I even arranged a get together for a photographer community that I am a member of.

The real treasures that I am bringing home are some new friendships and relationships with my fellow photographers. I really can't wait to see what this next year fosters. I think some great things are on the horizon. And I have had enough for this year but I am eager to return again next year.

Never say Never

For many years I would say that I never go to network at breakfast meetings. I am so totally a night owl. I love the quiet of evening at midnight when life is still, my husband is sleeping and the dogs are snoring and waiting for me to join the pack and give them a good night Milk Bone.

Earlier this year, I decided that I was missing something being an active member of the Woodland Hills Tarzana Chamber of Commerce and as of January I decided to ditch that word NEVER. Seize the Day is more like it. So much energy that I didn't know I had and some real connections to make at that hour. I even ventured out beyond that.

This coming week I when I am at Wedding and Portrait Photographer's International Conference and Trade show, I will be in class by 8 am on several days. I will be eager to learn and keep an open mind. You just know something good will happen. Because I will never say never - ever again!

The Power of Many

I am very excited that next week I will be networking with 1000's of my competitors. In Las Vegas will be the largest Portrait and Wedding Photography trade show and conference.  No where else have I seen in business people willing to help people achieve and support than I do in the world as Photographers seem to do. We teach each other about technique, software and business.

Business has always been exciting for me as an entrepreneur. I have networked in my careers as a Banker, Bookkeeper and Tax Professional and now as a Photographer. I have won a number of awards for connecting people. It is interesting to me in that world to make connections for others. Be it one person sharing with their colleague or a client looking for a Party/Event planner,  makeup artist, hairstylist, florist, a venue or invitation person.  I have always loved connecting people and creating a fit. Very much like a matchmaker. Just like dating sometimes there are people who fit and once in a while they don't.

The power of connecting people is amazing. Not only in a financial sense do people get rewards for connecting but sometimes we have people we know that make a difference for others.  It feels good when you hear about someone that has a need and it gets filled because you fit two people together. A photographer I know is training for a triathlon which will raise money for charity. She asked for sponsors and when I saw the charity, I connected her with another friend who is on the board of that charity. Maybe it will be something bigger for both of them.  You just don't know.

I want to urge you to find a need that someone has - be it for business or friendship. Seize an opportunity for someone else. Zig Ziglar said you can have everything in life you want if you help enough people get what they want.  I wish you the power of many connections.

The right tools for the right job

This is the season where Brides are booking weddings and business people are updating their marketing materials, websites, and families are thinking about portraits for spring, graduation and Valentine's Day.

Something to consider when you are hiring a photographer is that they have the right tools to do the job you are hiring them to do for you!  A Camera, a Lens and a Business Card are the tools you might start with but there is so much more to being a photographer.

Someone I know contracted with a photographer to do some headshots and contacted me yesterday because the photographer gave them a special price. The problem is that the photographer doesn't have the right place or the rights to shoot the headshots - or the equipment since they don't have a studio, studio lights or backdrops to do those headshots.  So that special price really isn't special if the client is looking to obtain the right tools from another photographer to create what they've been contracted for.  A true professional photographer knows their limitations and won't accept a job that they don't have the right tools, equipment or even the rights to use the property.

Location and Property rights are very important.  If you are contracting with your photographer to shoot at the beach or at a major theme park or national park, or even the local mall, office building or shopping center, the photographer needs permission to do commercial work on the property. They either need the permission of the property owner, lessee or they need a location permit from the park, beach, municipality.

If you are having an event at a major venue - like a hotel or location, your photographer should have liability insurance. Even if they are doing a family portrait. What if the light stand fell on your child?

If you are getting married or having an event, you would want to ask about lighting - not only in the sanctuary or hotel ballroom because the lighting the photographer can use can greatly affect the final photos. A professional and experienced photographer will have more than just an on-camera flash. They will also bring some strobes to add to the light so that you get great photos.  If the photographer is limited to where they can photograph as is common in many ceremonies due to religious requirements, then they need to have a "long lens" of 200 or 300 millimeters to be able to get some closeups far away and they need lenses capable to open up to let in the light from the room without flash in many cases.

A really critical tool that a photographer should have is the ability to communicate with their clients. They should offer to educate you on what you are buying. You may only commission a photographer periodically so one of those tools in the camera bag should be honesty about their ability, their equipment and a lot more than a business card, one lens and camera. 

Shooting with the end in mind!

When you are working with a photographer there are several things to think about and to ask questions about.

The first thing you want to think about is why you are shooting. If it's for a portrait or a commercial shoot or a wedding you will want to discuss the location - the studio, a park, the beach - there's make up, wardrobe, timing, the purpose and what you want at the end of the shoot. Just like a script gets written, so does your photo session have a plan. It's not only my job to create the ambiance, but also all the details and then plan the lighting that's right and then photograph for a final result that you will adore. Let's not forget the fun experience too. I love all the planning and getting to know you and make it perfect.

Well, you might be thinking that you want a portrait to give your sweetheart for Valentine's Day. Or maybe you want to have some photos of the kids because they are at an age where everything they do is cute. Or you need headshots for dating or for business. At that point it's time to consult and plan the session so you get the final photos that you are dreaming about.

If we are doing a Naughty but Nice Boudoir session, we want to arrange for hair and makeup. Wardrobe is important. I might say bring two or three or more outfits. Bring colors that go with the room you want to put the photos in. Don't wear red if your primary color at home is green. If your house is very French Country you won't want to necessarily dress in shorts and do a beach session.  Every session has a style. So do you. We want to reflect who you are in the session. I am not putting you in feathers and lace if it's not you. You might need pearls. Plaids and stripes and prints can be tricky or they might be ideal to tell your story.

Then there is what you are going to do with the photos. I've already shopped for you. My job is not only to make you look good but to make you look your best where ever you will be - on a website, in an album or on the wall or desk. Your photo reflects a message about you. Maybe there will be an album for your family to cherish for years. Or the sign in board for the wedding from your engagement. Or you photo will be on the wall for his eyes only in a little  black book.  Do you like Sepia tones or Black and White? A Mix or just color. We have signature products and finishes to your photos. There are collections of products or just the one you want. This applies to a day of your life, a wedding, your pets, your children and multigenerational family or even your newborn.

Let's plan what's perfect for you. Let's create something that you and your loved ones will remember always and forever.

Let's dig deep....

On a Photographer's web forum I am involved with, another photographer asked what we do to give back to the world.  Currently, I am running a promotion and donating session fees to Rotary International to be earmarked to the Haitian Earthquake Relief.

Of course that made me think about going back into the world and giving.  There are so many ways to give - money, recycling your belongings, giving a hand to a friend - maybe by supporting a goal they have or or promoting a business of someone you know and have done business with or someone in your circle of influence. We can run, walk, bicycle or even now do a Shrinkathon. We might participate via a Synagogue, Church or directly with a charity and we can have some fun doing it too. Literally, we  can give blood via the Red Cross too.

One of my favorite stories of giving was about my great grandmother, Sosha Bella. My great grandparents owned a bakery in Los Angeles and my great grandmother would give the bread away when people came in that couldn't buy it. She was in charge of the front to the bakery with the girls. The boys were the bakers with my great grandfather, Hymie.  In any case, they gave away all kinds of baked goods to the people who couldn't afford to buy.  In my earlier years of my bookkeeping business, I always had one new business that I worked with at a reduced fee to help them get a foothold on business and sometimes I did things for free. I felt good helping a man fish instead of giving him one - although I have done that too many times.

In my photography world this last year, I have continually volunteered for http://www.bigsunday.org/ - for about 5 years now:
I have photographed at Temple Beth Havarim when the kids made flowers to give to the senior center
I have photographed several times at the Agoura Animal Shelter and even found a home for a Cairn Terrier named Robby who was there in the process.
I photographed at Rescate - which includes the West Valley Food Pantry
I photographed at the Ventura County Animal Shelter for an adoptathon - over 200 dogs and cats got new homes. This last year it was at the West Valley Sheriff's Station and we had 10 different organizations benefiting among them Operation Gratitude, the Girl Scouts and mostly the West Valley Food Pantry.

I am on the list for http://www.momentbymoment.org/  - an outreach of photographers to photograph sick and terminal children as needed

I photographed the Walk of Lights for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in Woodland Hills

I had a friend photograph for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention in Orange County and I am participating in the Shrinkathon - the kickoff will be at my studio this next week.

I photograph for the several Chambers of Commerce - mostly the Woodland Hills Tarzana Chamber of Commerce but also the Canoga Park West Hills Chamber. I photographed for the Valley Cultural Center and I donated photography to Cabrillo Music Theater. I supported the LAPD and the Topanga Station by photographing the Topanga Booster's annual fundraising event.

I am a part of www.imagesforacure.org and donated session fees to the cause for Breast Cancer Research as well as to the Breast Cancer Fund.

We are big believers in giving in my house.  Clean out your closets and give to Haven Hills.org or National Council of Jewish Women or Salvation Army. Clean the Pantry and give to Sova or West Valley Food Pantry - both supported by LA Regional Foodbank.

Let's dig deep and share the abundance we've been given. It's the best thing you can do to feel good from the inside out. And teach your children and grandchildren to do the same. It's very worthwhile. Show them by example.

Energy!

Well this month is starting off the year with a BANG! I think that we are all ready to see a turnaround in the economy and people in my community are excited about all kinds of things. It almost is like we've all bought new underwear and it feels good from the inside out and we are all smiling. I love that feeling.

So while I bought some film and it's waiting for me to take it out for a personal project and some fun, I am also using the new year to start some other things FRESH. I've cleaned out closets and clothes at home and I am doing some of that at the studio. I've been coaching a few other photographers on how to run a business and crunch numbers and I've even revised a part of my own business plan as I helped them work on their plan too.

A new year is always a good place to start with new things. We get the same results when we do the same old things. Just like a fresh piece of paper we can write on, we can do that with our mind and our plans too.  My plan calls for me to actually go to a few breakfast meetings this year. I am not an early morning riser, Like most people, I want to do what I want to do and love routine. But what happens when we do something different - we get different results.  If I never went to breakfast, I'd have had the same old routine day. If I never bought the film, I wouldn't have the fun of my photo project waiting for me.

The net is that today, I had a bunch of prospects, renewed some relationships and I worked on supporting others in their businesses too. My change of pace left me full of vigor and energy.  I feel GREAT today doing something I am loathe to do. I took care of me, my business and I am full of energy and enthusiasm.

Do one thing different today and feel the energy and positive mental place from it. Go ahead. You will feel like a million bucks. And that is contagious. Other people will want to have some of that too. Be willing to try something you haven't tried for a while and see how refreshed you are. Let me know how it works for you.

Old Things are New again

I bought my 1st digital camera about 2001 - that means I have been a digital photographer 9 years and my film cameras are older than that. At first, I didn't know much about using software so it was a point and shoot camera. 1 Mega-pixels. And I used film - actually Slide film to do any important photography.

Yesterday, we bought a new backup camera for my portrait studio and a fine art printer for my travel and fine art photography. When we left Samy's Camera, I rang up my purchases up in the camera department and I'd meant to buy film. And today I had to go back because they sold me the wrong ink cartridges. They were really nice exchanging the ink package at no charge because it was their fault for selling me the wrong stuff and what I was supposed to buy was $50 more! Yay, Samy's!

I think of my photography equipment as my "toys" and so my toy chest has most of what I want. We photographers always have "GAS" - Gear Acquisition Syndrome because it's a constant thing that there are newer and the latest and greatest. It's very expensive to get too caught up in continually buying new stuff without a budget and a plan.

But the $12.00 best purchase I bought is the two rolls of film I got. I am going to work on a series of black and white images and a roll of color too. I'll have to be patient. It's going to take a few days to see if I got the shots I wanted. I am looking forward to dusting off the old cameras and using my newer lens on the old camera bodies And the old feeling of anticipation while I wait for the film to come back from the lab.  In the meantime, I will play with the new printer..

What am I really buying when I book a photographer?

Recently I had a conversation about pricing of photography. I was asked the cost of a 4x6 print and what my my price for them would be for the guests at the wedding.

I don't sell 4x6 prints for work I do in my studio. I do sell them for events. When you see the local big box store selling them for less than a quarter, you might wonder why my cost of the paper is so much more. When you go to the drug store with the memory from your camera, they are usually what we classify as snapshots from a family gathering or vacation.  We almost never print what comes out of the cellphones because frankly, they are just disposable photos much of the time and are for entertainment more than anything.

Back to pricing -  that print isn't what you are really paying for when you hire me for your event or session. You are engaging me to create a result but you are paying for what had lead up to that piece of paper. No, you are not paying for the photography class I took in High School or the film. You are paying for the services and equipment that lead up to the resulting art capturing a moment of time and place.

 It takes so much more to make a good image than just a shutter click. Go look at the photos on your cell phone. I take those quick photos of the meal I was served or the flower in a funny spot or the dog butt or the guy at the mini mart. But for your events or sessions, I am not using my Palm Centro or a Blackberry.

First a photographer needs to have the right equipment. A camera, some lights, some lenses - for me Professional grade that offer low light ability. For a wedding those items in my bag cost more than my first house did.

I've spent years getting to know just when to click the shutter and with what settings to isolate the person from the background. It's second nature. I carry two or three cameras, 3 to 8 lenses and lights sometimes 4-5 flashes and things (we call them modifiers) to make light go where I want it to be and look soft and flattering.  Then there is software too.  I delivered some prints today. I used six different software programs to deliver those prints: Photoshop, Camera RAW, Lightroom, Filters and plug ins. Some specialized portrait software and backup software. I have a computer or three, and monitors to go with. And a bunch of backup drives. A website that was custom designed and hosted. Oh - and I have insurance. It covers me if you fell over my light-stands or camera bags( another expense) or if I lost all those compact flash cards because I didn't follow the procedure to attach them permanently to me. I pay for taxes too - on all that I buy to furnish the office. I have phones and rent to pay too. A car that needs gas and telephones that hopefully ring. I need to know the latest fashion and photography styles to take that portrait. I might need a class to follow the trends too.

I strive for quality. My lab doesn't charge me a quarter. They have people who look at the print to see that what I did will excel. It doesn't just pop out the side of a printer and go into an envelope. They apply a finish to each and every print that keeps it archival so it will last you twenty generations. I might have it mounted or laminated or textured depending on the image. I spent a great deal of time deciding which papers and textures and labs would suit my style of photography and make the images stand out and be cherished.

So much more goes into the finished print that it's not paper. Not to mention the sprinkle of love and piece of my heart that go into creating each photograph. 

I keep reviewing all my components that make up the prices i offer. The time I spend continually raising the bar, perfecting the look and creating an image to be proud of. I hope that I have answered your question about the real cost and price. I teach photographers and entrepreneurs to be business professionals including making sure that count their time and knowledge and equipment and overhead into their product. All of the knowledge, peripheral expenses and my experience is a part of the price which comes to more than nineteen cents. I am sure you will agree.