Flash Frozen Photography- Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Thousand Oaks, CA

Valentine's Day

2012-02-11T22:48:00.000-08:00

First off, this week is Valentine's Day Week; I suggest you snuggle up with someone to love and be still and listen to your heart. The first person to love is ourselves. Without having a good sense of self it's hard to love another person. We have to be genuine and look inside ourselves to be strong to have a sense of who we are and why we are loveable.You know those flaws (an F Word!) we see magnified? Nope - they're not there. No your butt does not look big in that dress.Let me show you. Let's do a session and show off your assets. Regular people wanted. I promise to make them beautiful

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

2012-01-22T23:38:00.000-08:00

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 FrozenCall 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

2011-10-25T19:59:00.000-07:00

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.

2011-10-06T08:47:00.000-07:00

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!

2011-09-18T16:51:00.001-07:00

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

2011-08-28T14:40:00.000-07:00

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

2011-08-02T00:45:00.000-07:00

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

2011-07-11T00:07:00.000-07:00

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

2011-07-04T16:51:00.000-07:00

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

2011-06-27T00:32:00.000-07:00

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!

2011-06-10T21:51:00.000-07:00

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

2011-05-28T15:54:00.000-07:00

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

2011-04-26T22:55:00.000-07:00

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....

2011-04-13T18:31:00.000-07:00

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

2011-04-01T16:37:00.000-07:00

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

2011-03-27T17:14:00.000-07:00

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

2011-03-16T13:56:00.000-07:00

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

2011-03-06T14:28:00.000-08:00

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!

2011-03-03T10:29:00.000-08:00

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

2011-02-13T15:52:00.000-08:00

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

2011-01-27T23:42:00.000-08:00

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

2011-01-25T23:22:00.000-08:00

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

2011-01-24T23:49:00.000-08:00

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

2011-01-21T23:50:00.000-08:00

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

2011-01-07T00:37:00.000-08:00

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?

2010-12-27T23:23:00.000-08:00

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

2010-12-09T00:25:00.000-08:00

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

2010-12-06T23:40:00.000-08:00

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

2010-09-11T00:29:00.000-07:00

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

2010-08-19T00:23:00.000-07:00

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

2010-08-15T00:36:00.000-07:00

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

2010-08-09T00:52:00.000-07:00

What makes a good picture?

2010-07-13T23:19:00.000-07:00

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

2010-07-11T18:50:00.000-07:00

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

2010-06-27T00:04:00.000-07:00

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

2010-05-28T15:05:00.000-07:00

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

2010-05-23T22:21:00.000-07:00

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

2010-05-05T00:13:00.000-07:00

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

2010-04-15T23:13:00.000-07:00

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

2010-03-26T23:28:00.000-07:00

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!

2010-03-11T08:59:00.000-08:00

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

2010-03-03T21:22:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-26T20:14:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-21T10:05:00.000-08:00

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!

2010-01-18T22:51:00.000-08:00

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....

2010-01-14T14:27:00.000-08:00

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!

2010-01-06T23:17:00.000-08:00

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

2009-12-27T23:10:00.000-08:00

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?

2009-12-24T13:39:00.000-08:00

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.

Merry Hanukkah and Happy Christmas

2009-12-12T15:33:00.000-08:00

I am here in the studio and I am surrounded by presents. Not for me but created by me. It's pouring rain and the studio is filled with boxes of things being picked up this week for holiday giving. My shooting space is filled with remains of shipping cartons that need to go out to the recycle bin but it's raining too hard to go back there. I have boxes of holiday cards waiting to be picked up and they'll be mailed this week I am sure.

This time of year is special. For many families, holidays are special times where we get together and relish one another.

For some families, the days are hard because there are so many expectations of what this time of year means and people don't see eye to eye. My hope is that for those who have those feelings, that this year is a time to heal.

For those without a family, I would hope you will make one and adopt a family or a person to be your family even for just one day. If that is too much, go give a gift of your self by finding a project to make someone feel special. The real gift will not be something in a box or a bag but the gift will be in your heart.

Let's celebrate this season with gifts from the heart.

Thanks and Gratitude

2009-11-22T11:43:00.000-08:00

The last few weeks have been full of Flash Frozen Fun! I have been all over the West Valley and Conejo Valley with my camera. I've been gearing up for the final holiday rush and thinking about some new ideas for shooting so I have some fresh inspiration for planning some sessions in my idea book.

Today is Sunday - my favorite day to stay home "in my pj's" as I say and do some domestic things like cooking. My house smells of soup cooking on the stove - scent of fresh herbs and vegetables simmering. We have some classical music playing while my husband Frank is crunching some numbers and I am alternately surfing facebook ( www.facebook.com/laportraitphotographer - go ahead and "friend" me please!) and cooking and finishing some photos.

I did a studio session with Kevin's Cuties and the image went to the framer and came back framed in the wrong orientation - landscape instead of portrait. I love it so much, well, I am keeping it for me and the framer - who offered to fix it right away - got a 2nd sale from me so watch for a couple of adorable little ones in my window. The framer also promised to have it back to me almost the same day. It really pays to do things early because in life there are things that just happen. I love working with great vendors behind me who just take great care of me and my clients.

If you happen to be someone who does things last minute, I do have some beautiful custom frames I had made so that I can turn out a finished fine art photograph quickly and make a unique gift for you. I can set up a session for you by December 18th and still have a gift in time for Christmas. Of course, I can also do a gift certificate until December 23rd! A gift might be a boudoir "Naughty-But-Nice" session for Valentine's Day - which will be here before we know it.

Also, what I am excited about is that John and Kate Saffell of Nicola's Kitchen brought their family to one of my favorite spots and we did a family session. I am working on the images today and we will have a display of their family inside Nicola's Kitchen - right across from my studio. We're also working on a fine art display for their window across from my studio window. A bit of European flair for the window will add some Flash Frozen Fun in The French Quarter

Today, I am finishing photos from some Woodland Hills Tarzana Chamber, West Hills-Canoga Park Chamber, Calabasas Chamber and Encino Chamber of Commerce events; I photographed a luncheon on Thursday for the Woodland Hills Tarzana Chamber where the City Attorney, Carmen Trutanich spoke about fiscal responsibility for the City of Los Angeles and how the Billboard laws and Marijuana Dispensaries affect businesses and residents alike; And on Friday, I had the honor of photographing The Los Angeles Police Department (Yes, I shot the Police!) at the Topanga Boosters 1 Year Anniversary at the beautiful Warner Center Hilton Hotel. It was a fun and beautiful affair with a number of dignitaries who give so much to our community.

I am thankful and full of gratitude to live in a beautiful community, filled with people who care, great clients and a loving husband. This is the week to say Thank you and be grateful to all those who are a part of our world - our clients, family, friends and community. All these parts are the sum of a good life. Happy Thanksgiving!

Events are us! All over the place

2009-10-25T19:40:00.000-07:00

This has been a really crazy month since we got back from Washington DC!

I have been shooting quite a bit this month for the community. I am a big believer in giving back to our community. I photographed a bunch of ribbon cuttings for the Woodland Hills Tarzana Chamber of Commerce and their Wine Event and luncheon. One of the ribbon cutting events was for me - a Mix and Mingle with Champagne and Nibbles from my neighbor - Nicola's Kitchen. Since we were in the French Quarter - I thought we should not take ourselves too seriously and as they say in Nawlin's "Let the Good Times Roll" - so we had Mardi Gras Beads and Feather Boas to go with the Champagne and Smiles!

The Woodland Hills Chamber Connection Magazine is out and my image of our Congressman Brad Sherman made the cover with some of the ribbon cutting images from last month. I have been covering a few events for the West Valley News as a Photojournalist (and I have been writing too!) and last month's edition included images from the luncheon with Congressman Sherman and Councilman Dennis Zine. The next edition will have images from The Valley Cultural Center's Dancing with the Valley Stars Event held at the Warner Center Marriott - it was a really fun event with many of our community learning to dance and a competition was held. I was invited to take photos of the event and particularly the dance competition. Thank you, Ed Crowe (Publisher). You can visit the images for the Valley Cultural Center or any of the ribbon cuttings on my website www.flashfrozenphotography.com/events/

I also was the official press photographer for Light the Night - The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's annual fundraising event in Woodland Hills at Warner Park. I featured Linda Mallut's Ear-Resistible Bunnies Team (http://www.mybunnyandme.com/) because Linda's team raised $13,000 plus dollars for LLS and Linda inspired so many people to participate. The power of one small business is amazing!

Finally to bring people up to date, I donated a portrait session to be the Grand Prize at the Cabrillo Music Theatre's Casino Night event and I was there last night while Chief Executive Officer Carol W. Nussbaum invited me to make a display of my work in the main lobby so I thought it would be fun to show you a display of my images. It was really fun to meet so many people who were attending the performance of Guy's and Dolls at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza. Cabrillo Music Theater holds a special place in our hearts - we have been season subscribers since they built the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza and our Cairn Terrier, Daisy, was their Toto in their production of Wizard of Oz. Cabrillo is the resident musical theater company in the Conejo Valley and is a non-profit organization. The productions they put on are really top notch. If you haven't seen any of their musicals, I encourage you to go and tap your feet to the music and have a good time!

It's in the blood

2009-09-25T20:13:00.000-07:00

Well, we've arrived in Washington D.C to celebrate my husband's birthday. He hadn't been here since he was 7 or so and I thought it'd be a great surprise to bring him here. I love this city - vibrant and alive and filled with history. Being here, no matter your political affilliation just makes you proud to be here and be an American.

I have been here on business twice before and both times it was part of my duty as President of The Ventura County Chapter of The National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO). As President, I was invited to participate in discussions on Small Business issues with Pres. Bush's advisors at the SBA and we were invited to The White House. It was quite an honor. We were not allowed to bring cameras (sniff). The inside of the Executive Offices were amazing. And even though that was about 5 years ago, well, I will never forget the honor.

What is funny, is I kept telling Frank that our hotel was in the same neighborhood as where I stayed before. We walked to dinner yesterday and I couldn't find it but I was sure the drug store we stopped in for water and essentials was the same one as the one I was in before. I asked the concierge where that other hotel was and found out that it was the same hotel I am staying in. Just remodelled and rebranded. I picked it because the area was convenient. That was too funny. No wonder I was thinking how similar the structure was. I can't believe that. Deja Vu!

We dined at Old Ebbitt Grill - a tradtion for great food and drinks and people. Today we saw the National Mall, The Lincoln Memorial, The Vietnam Memorial Wall, The Korean War Memorial and of Course the Captial Building and White House - among many other things, like The Ruby Slippers, Julia Child's Kitchen, Ball Gowns of the First Ladies and Archie Bunker's Chair.

But here is the thing I wanted to tell you about: I left my cameras home. I have NEVER done that on purpose. But this time I did. Part of me is seeing things I want to snap - I did bring a small snapshot camera and I have taken tourist pix. But this trip is a gift to my husband. And I wanted to devote my time to him. This wasn't for me - this trip was his gift. And if I was looking for photographs, I wouldn't be present for him and his enjoyment. I did forget to buy him a Birthday Card. But I am giving him a gift he will not forget in all the travels we've done. I have never left my camera. I do have tomorrow to buy him a card (or I could give him the one that I bought at the American History Museum - Wizard of Oz Themed)

Happy Birthday Frankie.

The Race for The Cure

2009-09-19T21:58:00.000-07:00

Well, not really the race for the cure but my mind has been racing all day with ideas for all kinds of things. I guess I am on a bit of a roll.

I got an invitation from The John Wayne Cancer Center's Annual Membership Luncheon at the swanky Beverly Hills Hotel. I donated a session and framed image to them last year for the fund raising effort and I was very happy with the amount of money that was raised for my effort. So my thoughts were, well - that was only one session. Maybe there is a way I could donate a day for more sessions when someone had a link to http://www.imagesforacure.com/ - exactly what I was thinking.

So, while I have not finished with the John Wayne Cancer Center at UCLA's idea, I have decided to shoot all day on October 11th in my studio to donate 100% of my mini session fees for the day and donate to Breast Cancer Research Foundation. The mini portrait experience session fee will be $100 for 15 minutes of camera time. Better than that...we are going to have a lot of fun doing this and we are going to do something good towards finding a cure, Hopefully, the cure will be not only for Breast Cancer but all the various cancers out there.

Please come out and support me and my friends that day. We will have so much fun it won't be forgotten. Bring your kids, your spouses, your dogs (on leash) and your smiles!

Kinds of Photography! Headshots, Portraits, Commercial Use, Personal Use!

2009-09-12T22:32:00.000-07:00

True or False?

If you hire a photographer to a photograph your wedding, you order a disk of images and make prints for your bridesmaids and parents
If you come to the studio to make a portrait, you can use it for your website for your small business.
If you do headshots, you can print them up and frame them for your honey's desk
If we do a commercial shoot for your brochures, you can print images for your office and the one of you can be displayed at home.
If you buy a print from your photographer, you can scan it and make prints or put it on Face-book

No! The answer to all of these is generally no. In the days of film, you went to have photographs taken and the photographer kept the negatives and you got your prints from the photographer. They retained the Usage Rights. With Digital, it's more accessible, but, you still have to find out about "rights management". We take photos and find them all over the Internet or printed in a way that harms the photographer. The rights to use the image in a personal or business application are what you buy with a photography purchase. You need to find out how you can use the images. Some photographers will send you a bill for doing things with your images when you haven't paid for the specific use or sue you for violation of their copyright.

When you take photographs, the photographer generally retains the copyright to your images. Photography is creative work and photographers sell the USE of the images. Sometimes the answer is maybe. The result is that it's negotiable.

If you have a wedding, the photographer will retain copyright and give you the right to do prints. Sometimes the use is for all the images or sometimes it's restricted to the Bride and Groom - they can't put the images on a website that will print them. You need to find out what is the right thing to do. If you plan to print for everyone in your bridal party, you really need to find out what you have purchased from the photographer. If you print images for your bridal party, or your parents, well you might be stealing the photographer's product and you could be subject to a lawsuit with damages.

Headshots are generally commercial use. You use them for business, for actors, they show the person in various characters to get acting jobs. For business people, they might be used on a One Sheet, Bio, Resume or brochure or annual report. You haven't bought the right to print a portrait for your girlfriend. You need to ask the photographer what use you have purchased.

A commercial job is generally very cut and dry. You have photos taken for a specific business purpose. Or you buy a series you have agreed to general release for use.

In all cases, each photographer has a policy of how they handle the crossover between commercial and peronal use. Ask lots of questions because it is important to you and the photographer who created the images!

In my heart and mind

2009-09-07T21:49:00.000-07:00

I hate it when I take time off to play...and every where I look I see a photograph in my mind's eye. And I have no camera to record the scene or moment.

This weekend was Labor day. We had plans to visit with Dorene and Barry - our good friends, who have a little spot to spend weekends in Santa Barbara. So yesterday we went up to hang out, play bridge (we met them in a bridge class on a cruise and play cards with them and take lessons regularly!). We walked the art show, had lunch on State Street at Holdren's who has a great menu with lots of good choices, we relaxed and walked a few miles of Cabrillo Blvd. which lines the beachfront. I also made a trek to Samy's Camera and bought a few needed supplies and a few impulse purchases too (like a cinnamon color backdrop to go with leopard prints for my boudoir photography when black won't due!). We had tried to have an over night but our dog sitter couldn't stay the night so we came home, went to sleep and took care of the puppies and went back while our dog sitter came in to see and play during the day.

Anyway, I saw so many scenes all day for two days. People on bikes and rented Surreys, birds on the water and in the grass at the Ventura Harbor - with a sea lion and a seal in the harbor, kids and toddler's just being themselves. Joggers, Volleyball players, street performers, Pelicans, Egrets, A giant sea gull was standing on the roof of a huge Escalade - taking a ride; Kayaks, Parasailers, Brides on the Beach, Skateboarders. Fish and crabs - on the rocks near the beach. People holding hands, The water was beautiful and Sterns Wharf bathed in just the right light. Palm Trees in a good light and at an angle unique to my vision of them. Fences - worn and weathered. Lover's trapped in their own world. Dogs walking down the beach. Buildings with sun drenched facades and colorful embellishments. Water - reflecting birds, boats, and more. Much more.

Sometimes it's good to see and put the camera down. Next time I shoot this week, I should be full of inspiration. But I am sure I am going back to Santa Barbara very soon with my camera in hand and close to my heart. Just like the young girl who's lover is away, I felt a pang of longing and missing something today but in my knowledge of myself, I know that I will be reunited with my soul mate again later shooting kids, dogs, portraits, a wedding and even my album collection are on the calendar this week. Maybe you reading this will be the beneficiary of my passion.

The Doll and the Experience

2009-08-29T17:31:00.000-07:00

When I was small, it was a pretty regular thing for a photographer to come to the house and do children's portraits. We didn't use the same photographer every time, but they came, set up, we got dressed up in our party clothes and we smiled for the camera, usually on a tripod, we sat in a chair and that was it - we were re-arranged and told to kiss each other or some other silly thing that would make my mother buy all the photographs unless they were really bad. One series my brother and I were supposed to kiss and he pulled away - to four year old boys, 5 year old big sisters had cooties. I vividly remember these photography sessions as being fairly boring, especially when they were doing the individual pictures.

One of the photographers thought I needed a doll to hold. He went to my room and picked the biggest doll. I remember the brown and orange dress with the Peter Pan white collar typical of 1960 fashion and the full gathered skirt. The doll had curly orange red hair and was hard plastic. He put the doll in my arms and snapped a few and it was over.

Today, I have a shelf of framed images from several of these photo sessions. Most of the photos were in black and white, although you could have shot with color then. Frequently, the photography studio would paint over the photo in color - my mother had a 16x20 on the wall that was framed. My sister has that photograph. It was in the hall way with all the school photos on the wall.

Anyway, back to the doll. That doll was in good shape as far as little girl dollies go. I never liked that one so she didn't get played with often. Actually, my little sister was more often pushed down the street in the stroller and dressed up to play with than any of my dolls. I had a bunch of dolls but preferred to read a book or listen to music or ride my bike. When I see that photo, what I think of was that he picked the only doll I didn't like and never played with it. I hated that doll.

When I photograph kids, I think of those boring sessions. We didn't interact with the photographer. He told us what to do with Mom looking on and then dismissed us. A month later, they came back with proofs, Mom picked her choices and products and that was it.

When I photograph either children or adults, I want the session to be memorable. A real experience. I spend time getting to know the kids. We talk...sometimes they don't answer, but I engage them. We might need more than 20 seconds for that. Maybe half an hour. I have toys - maybe we blow bubbles! Or play ball, Or look at toy bugs. One session we went to the garden and the kids found real snails. That was their world. If I am at their house, I ask to see their toys and I have them tell me which one they like best. I don't want them to remember that 40 years ago that I went to their room and made them take a photograph with their least favorite thing. I want them to remember that I cared about them, made them feel happy and I hope they remember the session as a fun experience to re-live when they are my age.

My wish for all my children's, family and portrait sessions - they should always be a fun and happy experience. No ugly, orange haired dolls allowed.

Make Someone's Day today!

2009-08-23T23:01:00.000-07:00

We live in a very busy world. At least it seems that way. Often times, we have more on our plates than we realize. We have to remember to do good things and take good care of ourselves. Eat right, get rest, play hard, exercise, take care of our spiritual needs and have inner peace. We thank ourselves and feel good when we do that for us.

Something we often miss out on is being kind to others. We need to remind ourselves in our busy world to say "thank you for a job well done" or to tell those around us "You did a great job" or even "I am glad you are in my life". If a stranger is kind to us, show appreciation. Someone hold a door open for you or give up a seat for you? If the grocery clerk goes out of the way to help you find the obscure item you wanted, tell their manager - let them know. Send a letter or a card to someone you are thinking of. Have some knowledge that will help someone else out? Share it.

I got several nice comments about some photography work that I did that have stayed with me. I love comments on my website and on my blog. We love when we do good photography and our clients appreciate our efforts. We always want to make our clients look good. In turn, I am the one who got some appreciation and when we feel good we want to do more of the same - for other people.

The dog is a great example - their mission is generally to please other people. When you reward them with attention - a scratch on the ear or a pat on the back - they wag their tail, most of the time. People wag their tail too - in other ways.

Pay it forward! Go out of your way to make someone else feel good - tell them you like their tie, the dress or shoes or their smile. Let them know they are having a good hair day too. Leave little crumbs of goodness - smile at a stranger, hug someone you love and tell them. Do a kindness - give a dollar to a charity (or more if you have it!).

Make up and photography - just photoshop it! And Size does matter!

2009-08-12T21:35:00.000-07:00

I've done a series of business headshots lately. All different clients and all for different reasons. Whenever I have a pre session consultation, I always recommend - even for men - that a little makeup will make your photos that much better.

The basic headshots are generally used to market you - your business or your skills for getting work. Sometimes you want a headshot because you are looking for a new position, maybe you are an actor and you want to try for a new character so you need a new look; No matter what, you want to look your very best for your brochures, your one sheet, your website, your resume, your comp cards and business cards.

The camera, with the best photographers behind them, can hide and mask some flaws. The lights can be used to hide some imperfections and shadows can sculpt your face and your figure. Light highlights and shadows minimise. We can create some illusions in the studio.

Makeup is really a helpful tool and it needs to be applied with great skill. While you may be female and you've applied your "face" every day for 25 years, it doesn't mean that you will know how to apply it for a session under studio lights. Self applied makeup often looks washed out under studio light. A professional will skillfully layer concealers, color correction layers, blush layers and sculpt your best features. Even to look natural. And it all needs to be well blended. Think about how the Bride always has that beautiful glow about her - it's helped by good makeup!

For people of "a certain age", eyes are really important. We all have laugh lines, even in our 20's. And we all have a little to mask under our eyes. One of the big issues I see as a photographer is mascara that has 'travelled" to the space under your lower eyelids. It makes the under eyes appear to be gray and tired. And it's really not so easy to fix, pixel by pixel in Photoshop. It makes shadows on the side of the nose as well. A professional makeup artist knows how to keep mascara on your eyelashes - not on your eyelids, nose and elsewhere.

Lipstick misapplied bleeds into the area around the lips without lip liner. And careful layers make lips appear fuller or narrower. Kissable for those dating headshots. You want to avoid really shiny lip gloss. It reflects the light and makes white spots on your lips.

I really prefer to getting the images the best they can be when I click my shutter. As a portrait artist, we create some fantasy for our clients - it's expected. In Boudoir it's the only way - we are creating a vision. For business headshots, the images have to look NATURAL! I don't want to make my client's look too airbrushed - unless it's appropriate. For a business headshot, that's not the best way. Makeup - a little dab will do you.

I touch up every photo for the color that we want in the final product. I might soften some laugh lines. But for the most part, I want you to look like, well, a nice version of you so that you will say Wow - I really look good. But not so much that you look like someone else that isn't you! A basic headshot comes with some minor skin retouching: a few blemishes removed, eyes whitened, lines softened. If you choose to wear your mascara on your cheeks, I prefer to not have to photoshop it. Skin tones vary so much on one face that to make you appear NATURAL, it can take hours to fix problems like that to enhance your look and make the image perfect. Don't assume that a quick click of the mouse changes those imperfect smears. It can take hours to fix it for the most skilled to get it all matching. I'd hate to charge a client to fix something that we could get right to start with for a small amount.

And why does size matter? In a small photo, you have less detail - the photo is small and you will not see the pixel dots you might on a larger image. Check it out in the Internet. You will see imperfections in larger images that aren't visible in small ones. Size does matter. We will talk about image sizes in a new post soon.

Every time you change a hair style or color, gain or lose a little weight, you might need an update. That might be my next topic. Excuse me, I will be back I have to go touch up my lipstick.

Heart and Soul

2009-08-09T21:46:00.000-07:00

I am a big believer that if you are going to do anything, you should go full force and give everything you have into doing it. Half measures mean a half baked finish.

A few years ago I worked with a photographer and showed him how to use a software interface for his photography. His advice was that "Good Enough is good enough - you have to know when it is good enough". For me the answer is when I have put my heart and soul into it - I can feel that it will meet the standard I set. I am constantly learning new techniques and processing and shooting methods. It lets me continue to evolve and raise the bar.

On Friday night we went to the Hollywood Bowl and heard Lang Lang and Herbie Hancock. I sat right next to Morgan Freeman. I asked him if he tires of fans "bothering him" and he said "Never. If I did, I picked the wrong career". I want to be best I can be.

When Lang Lang played Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue, I watched his face. He played with all he had. He played piano with his soul. You could see the emotion in his face. I needed to see and hear nothing else. That was my takeaway from that concert. He gave his all.

What I really got is that when I photograph, I hope my expression is what his is. I feel my art from inside. I hope that I shoot my photos from my soul. I want my images to reflect that. Do everything with all you have and put all your heart and soul into it.

Beauty and the Buick

2009-08-05T22:46:00.000-07:00

My sister finally cleaned out some of the photos my mother took with her Kodak Brownie - my official first camera. I now have a big envelope of treasured snapshots from being a kid!

That camera required film that you unrolled and had two round spindles to roll the film when you turned the dial to rewind. When you unloaded or reloaded you risked getting light marks and over exposing the edges of the negative. We never bought color film for it - too expensive and not available. We didn't use it too often - just special occasions. I don't know what was special about this day - my hair was set with metal curlers when there was something going on. While the photo doesn't meet the standard of what I take and sell, it's from a group of my most prized possessions. I won't bore you with the whole envelope of images. But I will remind you to take those old photos out and cherish them now and then. After all, there was a lot of prep just for this snapshot. I bet there are not many people reading this that have ever slept with metal curlers in their hair (torture in the interest of being beautiful or as Mom said Beauty sometimes hurts ?!?).

Wishing you some great memories and beauty without discomfort!

More Photography Tips: Preparing for a photo session

2009-07-31T23:55:00.000-07:00

I've had a few calls this week for some basic "Corporate Headshots" - traditional head and shoulders, type work. Since people have different expectations of what they should do to get a final product, it's important for me to know a lot about the use of the image, how the subject sees themselves and how they want to see themselves.

A fun aspect of any kind of photography is playing "dress up". Clothing choices are important. If I am planning on a gray/blue background, the color has to fit. The color of the subject's eyes, hair and skin are impacted by the clothes you might wear. If you are an attorney you would definitely have different clothing choices than maybe a photographer or a physician or an advertising executive or even a realtor. You always want to avoid really big patterns or small patterns (houndstooth is nortorius for the moire pattern) that the camera will see funny and moire or be out of focus appearing in the final image. The purpose of the image should have the focus on you and your clothing should represent you, so even though you're into status, labels and logos and text on clothes are not good choices.

Then there is the issue of makeup. Some women are comfortable doing their own makeup. Makeup for a boudoir session is pretend to the nth degree and a very important part of the "character". But for our corporate headshot, well you want to appear put together - not too much and certainly not too little. A professional makeup artist will make the whole experience great - skin is perfectly dressed for the camera. Even men can benefit with at least some foundation and powder to hide the color tone we don't want to see.

I might ask about weight. I am a bit "fluffy" and yes, I have issues about it like most women who ask 'Do I look fat in this?" So we want to have you wear something that makes you feel your best that will make a statement in your image. I ask because I have a photographer's bag of tricks that I can use to adjust the image to make my subject appear thinner in parts both in the studio and at the computer.

Third - a headshot is generally "commercial" photography and not a portrait. It's used for a business purpose. One of my future blogs will focus on the difference in portraits and headshots - oersonal use vs. commercial use.

Whoo Hoo!

2009-07-27T22:06:00.001-07:00

Hey do you like my new Blog Look?

I updated my website and along with it my website designer, Dr. David of Wolfsnap.com updated my blog to match. You can interface my blog from my website and vice versa.

David, you are so cool! I love the new look of Flash Frozen Photography. Everything ties together just beautifully.

I couldn't ask for better!

Some Basic Photography Tips: Snapshots!

2009-07-25T23:53:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, at the Hollywood Bowl, I used my Palm Centro to take a few snaps of the Hollywood Bowl stage from my seat. I love how they take the shell and add a few colors and change it during the performances. I uploaded to Facebook (www.facebook.con/Laportraitphotographer) within minutes so you could see it almost live.

As a Professional Photographer, I've gotten very selective about what I like to post and the quality of my images. When I went on Facebook later from my desktop computer, I remembered why I rarely like to use my phone for photography. While it captures a quick moment, the quality isn't there. The image was fuzzy - what do you expect from an lens with little in the way of optics? The camera is held at a funny angle, distorting the angle of view and it's just all around not a very quality image.

There are several aspects of photography that are very important - mainly the lighting, the composition and the finishing of the image. With a Palm device, the lighting is a small flash and it blows out the image - the color is off and grainy. The composition can only be what you point at - and sometimes it has to be angled. And there is no finishing.

So when you select a camera to carry with you all the time, these are things to remember. When you use your cell for photography - you just won't get something worth more than a fleeting moment. Next I will chat about the next level of shooting.

It's almost weekend - fill yourself with the Arts!

2009-07-23T22:51:00.000-07:00

It's almost weekend. Tomorrow night I am going to the Hollywood Bowl - my favorite summer Los Angeles Experience. My husband bought season tickets for four seats many years ago and we've agreed that we'd never give them up. Often, I bring my camera once or twice a season, which for us is usually five concerts on Fridays. Sometimes, we will add an extra here or there and the 4Th of July. We are going to take my friend who gave me a gift of my first Photography Class at the Santa Fe Workshops in Santa Fe, New Mexico. A great place to learn and absorb photography. The teacher of that class, Sarah Meghan Lee encouraged me to become a professional photographer several years ago.

The second series of things we do as a season is go to the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plana's Cabrillo Music Theatre. We've subscribed to their three productions (now 4 or 5) since we moved to Westlake Village. In 2005, our Dog Daisy was chosen to be Toto in the award winning production of Wizard of Oz. We got to train Daisy and have Dorothy stay over our house to get used to working with dogs.

Why do I tell you about this: Art breeds art...All kinds of Art! Including Photography. As an artist, we thrive on our senses being filled. It gives us creativity to go and see and hear and delight on sounds and visuals of dance, songs we can sing in our hearts and minds and out loud too.

So fill your weekends with art of some kind or another. Keep singing a happy tune.

Update of the day...

2009-07-20T23:19:00.001-07:00

Lots of news besides the 107 temps that were recorded by my little Mini Cooper's thermometer today in Woodland Hills.

First, I had a great wedding at The Scarlett Belle Paddlewheel Boat last weekend in the Channel Islands Harbor in Oxnard. Jennifer and Jason got married. I also shot their engagement a few months ago. They are so cute together. You can really feel their love for one another. My favorite moment in the ceremony was during the ring exchange when he surprised her with a tattoo of her name right where the ring would be.

Second, I've been out and about networking and I am an official card carrying member of the Woodland Hills/Tarzana Chamber of Commerce. They have so many great ways to be involved in the community. If you see someone with a camera at one of the events, it very well could be ME!

On that note, I have a short talk I am giving for The Warner Center Business Professionals. I am talking about a topic close to the hearts of many photographers - Image. And it's not about me making them but about business people and what their images say about them. When we are out in the world we need to put our best faces forward in all we do. That includes when we're out social networking on FaceBook, Twitter and in person too. Not just for pictures, but our whole person is part of our image. When I create a photograph of you, well, it's only a small part of who you are that shows.

And to work on my own image, I have lost a few pounds working out to improve myself. Working out with my trainer, Chris Rudy feels just great. I'm in about my third month of serious workouts. I can really do some good crunches!

And for those of you who check in to my website, well, while I make me over, I am making over a bit of my website too. Stay Tuned!

So go out and show your best side to the world. We have a lot to give back.

Blogging and Tweeting and Shooting - Oh My!

2009-07-09T23:27:00.000-07:00

There are so many hats to wear as a photographer - sales and marketing, the business of photography, pricing things, shooting things, finishing things. Albums to make, prints to finish and order. Prepping for shooting, finding locations and visiting venues. Of course in all this - the customer comes first. Without being organized it would be easy to drop the ball!

So which ball is dropped first? Well for me it's usually my blog so I am not going to drop the ball today. I have a lot of exciting stuff going on.

A couple weeks ago, I shot Jennifer and Tommy's wedding at the beautiful Santa Anita Church. It was so sweet. He proposed and they wanted to get married the same week. Her parents put together a beautiful wedding in a month's time, and you'd never guess that! The reason for the rush was that her grandfather has been sick and Jenn did not dream of having a wedding if he couldn't be there. I had so much fun and I have fallen in love with her little nephew, Errico. All the kids wee so cute. But Errico wanted to add some of his own flowers to the cake. Congratulations, Jenn and Tommy!

I also did a shoot of a very special young lady, Jasmine. Jasmine is my husband's granddaughter and she's 7. We love spending time with her and there are usually a lot of other people around. No time for portraits. But, she came to spend the 4th with us and aside from going to the Hollywood Bowl, I planned to have a good time creating some portraits we could cherish. We took photos at the Hollywood Bowl, some in our home and some at one of my favorite shooting spots. This is one of my favorite from the Hollywood Bowl series. Besides being sweet and smart...those blue eyes are captivating!

And to top it all off, I have been invited to speak a few times for several photographer's groups. As a Certified QuickBooks advisor and business consultant (something I have done for 20 years) I am going to teach some workshops on the business and finances of being a photographer and running a business.

All my passions in one blog (well, not quite but a few). But stay tuned...there's more. But not today. I will have to be more chatty here. I better get some beauty rest. I have a wedding on Saturday - another Jennifer and her groom Jason. Stay tuned...I will be back to tell you more!

Give me some Love!

2009-06-10T17:24:00.000-07:00

I love visitors to my studio. I am so proud of how beautiful it is.

Tomorrow I am hosting a Launch Party for a networking and referral group that will meet here twice a month for resource sharing. The attendees will be mostly women who will be coming from Thousand Oaks to Simi Valley to Woodland Hills and Beyond. I am so excited that they will see my photography!

I did have a few visitors today who came to see my work and meet me and a client who picked up her engagement photos and who looked at the assorted albums I offer. She loved them and the studio's decor and ambience.

I love visitors to my website and blog. Yesterday I had a visitor to my website looking for a certain type of event photography - which I have done but not made prominent. Some photographers think you must have your website show only specific kinds of photography - for example if you do weddings then your website should be all about weddings and that is all you should do and display.

For me that would be like only eating Chicken every day. It's good. I like eating chicken in a variety of ways, but I love to eat all kinds of cuisine. The same thing goes with my photography. I love to make images of people, place and things. I think you can tell a story about all of the above. I don't think that if you are a really good photographer that shoots weddings and bar mitzvahs and portraits that you also cannot be creative shooting babies, maternity, boudoir photography and even products.

If you were to meet me and get to see my enthusiam and know that I have spent my adult life breathing all the facets of photography from Flash to Location Lighting to posing and creativity you would know that I work hard and happily making a banquet of images for peoples viewing pleasure! What I do is capture a time and a moment and emotions in people - be it at an event, a wedding, an engagement or in my studio - from birth to old age.

Show me the love....let me capture the expression and the moment for generations.

Flash Frozen Photography
Professional Portrait and Wedding Photography in Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Hollywoood, Woodland Hills, and Thousand Oaks, California

interesting

2009-06-08T23:31:00.000-07:00

I have been tweeting on Twitter and friending on Facebook; I chat here and there and have my Internet connected friends texting me. I get way more emails than I do phone calls these days. Because of the Internet my circle of friends has really expanded. Not just on the social sites, but, I have met many new people in person.

The most important of course is my husband that met me via the internet way before there was a match.com or jdate. I've spent time with my friend who lives in Holland but is Turkish both in Los Angeles and in Belgium and Amsterdam. I've run into people I know in Dover, England and in France and Italy..not to mention Hawaii. It's funny to have someone calling your name while you don't expect to know a soul.

So in the social scheme, I wondered how many people find me. It's always good to know who is reading your musings about photography from the photographer in Woodland Hills. So if you're reading this please take a moment and comment and say hi or follow me or friend me! I'd like that. Maybe we'd even get to meet in person sometime.

Until next time,

Kathy

Flash Frozen Photography
Professional Portrait and Wedding Photography in Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Hollywoood, Woodland Hills, and Thousand Oaks, California

Random Thoughts....

2009-05-06T21:23:00.000-07:00

I had such a good day today. First, the good news! I have had braces since December 2007 and they came off today! I was thinking about all the cute little children (I went on location to shoot at a preschool - 14 children from 6 months to age 5) I got to photograph last week. You can't tell a child from age 3 to 7 to smile because you get that fake kids smile. So if you see an adult walking around Woodland Hills this week like that - it's me and please say hi! Yes, I am smiling just like the grill of a 1950 something model Buick Grill!.

Something else that I thought fun was that I ordered a beautiful leather photo album of Ellie - she's on my website and I have been following it's shipping progress. It left Italy on Monday and it will be in Woodland Hills on Friday via Germany, France, and Philadelphia. Not going first class in the hold of a cargo plane, but fun to follow I think. I will have to take some photos of the album and post them here on my blog.

Second, if you are following me on Twitter(chatkat) Facebook(kathyrappaport), you will know that I was one of the official photographers for Big Sunday (www.bigSunday.org) I got to photograph over 400 people volunteering while they worked really hard to make the community a better place. Homebound Senior Citizens were gifted with flowers hand made in paper flower pots, letters were written for soldiers in Iraq delivered by Operation Gratitude, Brownies (as in Girl Scouts) and Rotarians (www.woodlandhillsRotary.org)sorted food to go to Rescate and dogs benefited by food/toy and blanket donations at the Agoura Animal Shelter. That was the really big feel good this week.

I hope you will feel good in the sea of all things happening. If you aren't call me and I will try to make you smile!

Gaffer's Tape

2009-04-25T23:12:00.000-07:00

Today I worked on framing some images. They say to measure twice and cut once. I had placed the photo in the mat but planned to affix the photo to the mat when I finished the frame. Yikes! I forgot to do that, finished the frame, put the wire and paper backing on it and when I turned it over, remembered that I had to take it apart to start over.

I am one of those anal people who checks and double checks but I wasn't mad at myself. I used it as a lesson for myself. I got to rearrange my workroom a bit; And I was really happy with the revision to the frame. I tried a new technique. It worked.

Not often we get to start a job all over. Some things you can't do over and other things you would not want to do over if you could. So just as with woodworking, we need to measure our words twice and say them just once. It's not like gaffer's tape. You can't do all things without leaving some residue behind.

Visitors at the window with lots of kisses

2009-04-17T22:45:00.000-07:00

Today I was working late at my desk doing some paperwork in the studio when I noticed more people looking in at the images in the window. How much fun it is to hear people comment when I am there and they don't see me.

I constantly rotate the images but the dog images seem to get a lot of attention. And the Bride in her pink dress. And a few Boudior images. One couple was looking at the bride in the window and I heard them say "Flash Frozen Photography - wonder what else they do?" - I opened the door, invited them in for a look and a chat. We changed business cards and I bet they'd be a lot of fun to work with.

Then 20 mintues go by and the image of Max the Shih-tsu got the attention of a 15 month old. When I saw that cute little happy face (his name was Bryce) I went to say "Hi" - He was so cute, newly walking and wobbly at that so I invited him and his Dad in to see other Doggies in the studio. He was throwing kisses at me. That tugged at my heart strings! How much fun to capture the backward bye-bye of a toddler and then kisses to boot.

An hour of that makes me feel so lucky to be sharing what I love and the rewards of a baby kiss are priceless. I hope we connect again. So much fun

How Small the World is Now

2009-04-16T22:40:00.000-07:00

Growing up in West Los Angeles, it seemed to me that everyone knew everyone. You walked down the street and we all knew one another. I lived in a neighborhood where there were houses and apartments and we all moved every few years within the neighborhood. Many of the kids I started school with in Kindergarten graduated high school with me. Then we grew up most of us moved. Lots of us are still in touch with each other which is really fun. Other than Family, there is a core group of women that I am in touch with who've known me since I am 4 or 5. We move in and out of periods of friendship and when we get together it's as if we never left. Some of us were Girl Scouts or Campfire Girls/Bluebirds together. A few of us are connected at facebook now and it's like we never moved away from the neighborhood. We chat - even in those one liners. Today, my friend from Junior High posted some photos of Junior High Graduation ...just like we never skipped all those years. All those smiling 14 year olds moving on to the next era of life.

How warm and fuzzy that feels. I love those old connections we have in life that make us feel like we never left the neighborhood. Just today, we lock the doors all the time and we have to go online to peer into the lives of people who are interwoven with common threads. In today's world we connect, not so much as yelling down the sidewalk, but by telephone - some and internet - a lot. I have newer friends that are like family I met in the neighborhood too. The new neighborhood is the internet. I've met a bunch of them in person. In my travels, and just like the kids that walked to school, we visit every day. I have photos of these people too. They are just as close as my keyboard or cellphone.

The world has become so so small. I chatted with my friend Cem yesterday from London. He was working there for the day and on his way home to Holland. Yes. We have one big neighborhood now. Oh - This is my Jr High Clique - I am the 2nd one from the left! Look at all of us with our cameras!

Can I have that too?

2009-04-13T00:17:00.000-07:00

I was chatting with another photographer today who was telling me about one of his clients. There was a customer service issue because his client hadn't paid for time he spent working on her photos. He wouldn't deliver the album to her. Stalemate!

It got me thinking that you can't go to the Gas Station, or a restaurant or the grocery store and leave without paying for your merchandise. You wouldn't go to a dress shop and ask for the belt for free because you bought the jeans they were displayed with. Attorneys in their business practice take advance paymement. Banks deduct their fees.

Because photography is fun there is an assumption that a photograph is free. No film means there is no cost to produce the product - right? Wrong!

There is first all the software that I learned and used to make that image. There are years of study I put in to learn the techniques to create the photo, balance the light, color correct, there are thousands upon thousands I have spent on equipment so I have the right lenses and cameras. My car costs me to get to the location and I have rent. My website lets you see those pictures away from my studio. I have insurance, telephones and taxes too. And my time is worth something too!

If I don't get paid, I can't pay my bills and that means someone else isn't getting paid to pay you to do your job either. It means that I can't use that new thingamajig that makes the fuzzy backgrounds, because it needs fixing or I can't take the workshop that will teach me the latest software to create those textures.

Please don't get mad. If you want to have those pictures some one pays to create them. Even if the cost is hidden. Sorry, I don't take the coupons in the Sunday Paper. And like the old days, you can't pay the doctor with the chickens in your back yard. I will trade you green for your headshot, your albums, your canvas and my experience. Please don't go to the gas station and ask them to comp you for a gallon or the bartender to buy you a Mojito. It doesn't work that way. I might give you a gift of a frame or an image or even a discount or free shoot another time. But don't put me in a place where will all lose later on.

Life is a process

2009-04-09T23:21:00.000-07:00

I am editing and creating an album - it's for a baby - Taylor Matthew, and it's mostly black and white with some color pages too. Mom and Dad are a dream to work with (shh...we are thinking about a little extra gift to give them for being such great clients to work with!)

Taylor was born in October and we did photos of his mom and dad when they were waiting for his arrival too. We didn't get to shoot him until he was about 2 months old and now we are finally starting his album. It's going to match the Expecting Him album. I can't believe it's take this long to get choices made. Then it will take about 6 weeks for the books to arrive after they are approved.

Why does it take so long? Life happens - Mom was adjusting to the new lifestyle of waking up at night, New Yea/end of year and going back to work, I went on vacation when they were ready and here we are! As long as there is momentum we are good to keep moving.

My ideal is to do a shoot, edit it within the week and be ready to select images for products - canvas, metal, albums, cards and much more the second week. I need my clients help to make that happen and cooperation from my great vendors.

I can't wait to get the books send out for delivery back. Opening the boxes is a like getting a gift. It's one of the best parts of the process.

The Easter Bunny Came to visit!

2009-04-03T16:56:00.000-07:00

I love being busy. Some of my friends wonder how I get it all done. I thrive on it. But I also need to remember to smell the roses and get out in nature too.

Yesterday was a great example. I worked at home - We had a plumber come to the house to put a Gas Shutoff Valve on the gas meter thanks to our fighterfighter neighbor who was doing that to his house. (a reminder that we all need to be prepared). And while I was there I was preparing images for printing, creating a promotion for some boudoir work and a gift certificate program for another portrait program, and a proposal to shoot a wedding this summer. The plumber was making noise outside and I went to see what he was doing when I spotted a baby rabbit on the lawn. It was the size of a mouse. His little ears were the size of my baby finger. He was having his breakfast of freshly watered lawn. My camera was next to my desk and off I scampered to take a few quick snapshots. When I came back, Baby Bugs was still there munching and he let me within a few feet for his photo opportunity before deciding that I was not to be trusted and ran off behind the air conditioning compressor. In between tasks, I went to see if he returned and he did. I changed lenses so that I could get a closeup and since it's Easter week, well I can truly show you that the Easter Bunny really came to my house.

Netwokring and learning and shopping and sharing!

2009-03-25T23:35:00.000-07:00

This week I had the pleasure of networking with my peers - a lot! I went to the PPC - Professional Photographer's of California conference in Pasadena. I met another photographer in my studio to chat and have coffee and get to know her.

The PPC Conference is a mini-shopping experience for photographers with many things to buy/learn and experience at the trade show. I modified my new camera so that when I look through the viewfinder I will know what size the image will fit when I print it - something I always wanted to do to my camera. I ordered some display items and I networked with some of my peers. Networking is always a good thing. Maybe I meet with a client and the style they want is different than mine, I have a list of people to refer to that I trust. Maybe I need a second shooter or need help testing a new idea or trying a new technique. I have always been willing to work with and share in my world. When I started my Business Management firm, I took many of my competitors to lunch and asked for candid comments. I learned a lot. And I still love the learning aspect of photography.

The big thrill was being able to show some of my work. One of the vendors there asked me to bring some of my prints - BIG. I did bring them. They were displayed for a while and then someone realized there was a legal glitch to showing my images so they were given back to me. I was able to share my work - a bride, a boudoir and maternity print - with many others and then to a few close photographer friends. It was a big thrill to me to see my images there.

What an honor. Not only for me to be there but to have my opinion listened to by others in my industry. How lucky we are to have each other and to share what we know. I love that!

Another great workshop in Santa Fe

2009-03-14T14:47:00.000-07:00

I am sitting here at the Albuquerque Sunport Airport waiting to come home after a week in Santa Fe. I love it here. I just attended my 5th workshop at the Santa Fe Workshops. This time I took a Lightroom and Photoshop Intensive workshop with Jerry Courvoisier - one of the well known experts in the Digital Labs. I really think that my photography will be bumped to another level from learning these tools. One of the great things about photography is that there is always something great to learn in the digital realm.

There were some special people up at the workshops as well - I mentioned above that there were workshops taken and only one of my prior instructors wasn't up there. I was honored to be asked to speak and show my work in Sarah Meghan Lee's class. I met new people in the world of commercial and fine art photography. We had a couple of shooting sessions to free us from being in a dark computer lab for 6 straight days. So I am excited by the photography that I had a chance to work on. As soon as I am home I will post a new gallery and share some of the fun with you!

Things I found

2009-03-05T23:26:00.000-08:00

When we were moving I cleaned out my desks. I still have to put it all away and it will take a few weeks since I am also going to the Santa Fe Workshops to take a class in using Photoshop next week.

One of the things I found were some treasured family heirlooms - photographs of my grandparents at Venice Beach - The original Muscle Beach - in the 1920's and my grandfather's 6 siblings in the mid 1950's. And my grandfather's Bar Mitzvah photos from 1913. I also found some snapshots of me with my own brother and sister from 1975 or so.

That got me thinking about what we treasure most. I thought about the people who have had calamities and the first thing they talk about trying to save are the old photographs, family albums and treasured memories.

So when was the last time you documented for your family those things that they will treasure generations from now? I'd love to help you create that special time in print when your husband, wife or child looked that special way at you. What about that dog that has idolized you all these years? Even if you are affected by our economic state, things will change and you might miss out. Don't wait until it's too late to capture the missing front tooth, the tail that wags and the glint in your spouses eye.

We moved!

2009-03-05T23:17:00.000-08:00

We moved offices. My studio has an office, but, I rarely used it. My husband's office and my former office were in the same building. We were going to carpet and paint and renew the lease. But if you've ever recarpeted and painted in a place you've lived in it's a lot of extra effort. So in discussion with the building manager about how we have no where to put our stuff (it's been 7 years of stuff collection which is a lot of paper clips hiding behind the desk) while the paint and carpet. He said the space next to the studio is available and his constructon crew was free - we could have a whole new space created just for us. So the whirlwind of building, painting, carpeting and -= yikes - moving has occurred.

So i am now officially working full time in my studio. I have a lot to do there to make it what I want it to be. Lots to rearrange and put away. Frank's office is all settled - I designed the space and put his things where they go and hung the pictures on the walls, although I have to decide what photographs to put up and print and frame. Which I am doing in the studio as well. Come by and say hi. I'd love to show you our new spots.

How much is that Doggie in the Window!

2009-02-23T21:26:00.000-08:00

A year ago this month I signed a lease on my photography studio. It's gone so fast I can't believe it. I've been using the studio to shoot and meet clients, but, the truth is, I haven't used the desk much. You see, I have had a hard time climbing out of my comfort zone. My desk has been in the same office with my husband, Frank and his accounting firm and my bookkeeping/business management practice. It's like an old shoe that fit and it's been comfortable for me: Familiar, known and reliable.

The plan has been that I would move all year. But today, well, I've been evicted. The lease is up and I was supposed to be in the studio a few months back. I have been working on making the studio PERFECT. Reality is that things evolve and are rarely perfect. Yesterday, I boxed up my stuff and put it in the studio. Today I worked on things and collected all my pens and pencils that went astray in their box that contains my belongings from my old comfortable desk.

Today, I worked on my usual work but I sorted papers and pencils. All of the "stuff" to be put away is in the back of the studio waiting for it's spot in the new home.

The office feels like home but needs a lot of fine tuning. I like everything to be neat and clean and it will take a while. But I know I was where I belong when the people stopped all day to look at my images in the window. It made my day when two women stopped to say "How much is that doggie in the window? and could I make one like it of her dog?" That dog isn't for sale, but, I am certainly home,sweet, home, Toto. And I am not even in Kansas. There is no place like home!

So much going on....

2009-01-31T00:36:00.001-08:00

Sorry I zoned out of the blog world for a bit. I've been crunching numbers which is something I've done since I am 15! (see my other world at www.quickbooksqueen.com).

Anyway, I am pretty excited I am shooting a proposal on the beach tomorrow. Today, I bought the latest and greatest of cameras for event and portrait photographers - at least until the next latest and greatest comes out. I know how to use it but it's new and until I test it I'd never use it for something that can't be repeated. I want to know each button and control item blindfolded. I can do that on my older and back up cameras. So my new toy will wait for me. Besides, it's not ready for prime time.

I think that there is enough going on in our lives that a new piece of gear could be just the ticket to a problem and I am conservative enough to hold out. It's not about flashing a new toy. It's about someone Else's moment.

My goal is to give each of my clients my very best. No matter what hat I am wearing - accounting or photographer. I hope to never let anyone down.

This is fun

2009-01-15T08:22:00.001-08:00

I am having so much fun...I have things up my sleeve.

We were going to paint and carpet (I love to decorate) our Accounting Office since I am transitioning to work in my studio full time. Well, the building manager came in to discuss our timetable with us...yes, we were going to do this mid-tax season .and if you've ever painted and carpeted a place you are living in you know that it's easier just to move...and he came up with another space for us...and even better...it's next door to the studio. That means when I grow my studio, I can just move the accounting office elsewhere because I can take over the space next door.

And yesterday, I met with the Banquet Manager for a chi-chi place where I've photographed and I am on the referral list there now.

I love when plans start coming together and things start happening...how cool is that?

It's all in the attitude

2009-01-13T23:34:00.000-08:00

Oh today I got my nails done and I was showing my manicurist, Dawn, my Facebook application on my Palm Centro. As much as a gear geek as I am, I hadn't realized that I could see my posted photos there as I can on my website. Something else fun to be excited about! So I explored some more on Facebook.

My Dentist's wife, Debbie came by to meet me today. I photographed her puppy, Max and her husband gave her a huge canvas. She came to see my studio. I got to show her my work and was happy she came to meet me. I was excited to hear they hung Max in the Living Room (well, Max's Gallery Wrap - not Max)

Someone said to me today, you get so excited about all these little things. Yes, I do and I run with it. Give me a lead to someone who wants a photo taken, yes - I am excited about it. Oh, today, I talked to a small ad agency who will be booking me to shoot headshots for some of their corporate clients! YAY! Book an airline ticket - yes, means I am going somewhere. A visit from a puppy, yes, puppies are happiness.

So today's motto is to think about all the happy things worth getting excited about. Be grateful. It's good and it will make you smile. Isn't that what you need for a great photo is a good smile? It comes from inside - it's all in the attitude!

Little things....so many of them

2009-01-08T22:17:00.000-08:00

My husband is a stickler for having a place for everything and everything in it's place. I am a neatnik too, but, I have my fingers in so many pies that sometimes there's just not time to do it all and be everywhere. He leaves me his little hints when there is too much clutter in his vision.

But this is a new year. Everything is clean. So much to do. In January, it's lots of business stuff to work on. I worked on my own bookkeeping today and did some file cleanup as well as worked on clients stuff too. When I got home I found a small pile of little things that had been moved to get my attention and I put them back in their appointed spots.

I was thinking about all the little tiny things that we use in photography. I have more kinds of cords and wires that make the cameras talk to the lights and the remotes and even the computers. There are filters and gels and caps and eyepieces and bungees and clips and clamps. There are frame corners and mounting squares. Brads and sawtooth hangers and clips. Oh and the points that hold the images in the wood frames. There are ends of poles and quick release plates and batteries - big and smaller. Screws, nuts and bolts. Contracts and papers and order forms and album spec sheets and 10 kinds of finishes to photos with 20 kinds of mountings. I have sheets of foam paper and glassine envelopes. And frames piled against a wall to get filled with beautiful images.

So much stuff. Can we make it simple? Where will it all go and how can I remember where it is! It doesn't matter. I have the answers because I have all the shelves, boxes, cabinets and files to hold it all.

And then the telephone rings and it's a bride with lots of questions. Suddenly, none of this is important. Until I need them to make her remember that special day this coming summer last forever in her heart.

Ushering in a New Year

2009-01-01T12:58:00.000-08:00

This New Year's Eve I took an engagement to shoot a Jersey Boy's tribute group called Walk Like A Man. What a fun show - you certainly felt that you were listening and enjoying The Four Seasons. More fun was the venue asked me to take some shots of a really beautiful setting. Adding to that were several alumni of my high school and the sister of one of my close grammar school friends. My husband, Frank got to join us where we had dinner and an old friend of his was there too. How much different than our usual quiet dinner in front of the fireplace! Frank guarded the gear while I was out and about enjoying the festivities. Even better I made some wonderful connections.

My goal this year is to spend more time shooting - one of my passions in life. I have a plan to do just that. I know that you just can't sit back and wait for life to happen - you have to go out and make it happen.

Here is to making everything you want happen in 2009 in the best of health. A year from now, I hope all your goals are accomplished.

Quality...it's in the details

2008-12-28T10:49:00.000-08:00

I was reviewing another photographer's work this week - many of us do that so that we become better photographers. It creates some camaraderie and develops creative abilities too.

Looking at photography to determine the quality of the work has many aspects. Lighting needs to reflect and highlight the subject. Eyes need to both be sharp and in focus and in a close up portrait even within the eye-socket. Skin should be smooth and flawless but not plastic looking. Of course these are basic rules and they are made to be broken too.

Then there is styling. Some photographers think that they just record the person or event as it appears. In a boudoir session my friend did, the subject had on an outdated fashion piece (pantyhose) that was not appropriate to the image - the toes and panty were showing. It detracted from the shots that were well lit. The background materials were all wrinkled and patterns clashed. Colors just didn't agree. The red lipstick and wine colored background in some of his portraits were off color.

When I was first learning about photography one of my teachers said everything in your image is your responsibility. In one of my early studio attempts, I learned that hairspray and loose hairs were mine to fix - the highlights will show them in every photo. Jewelery - clasps need to be in the back and earrings level, pendants must hang right where they're intended. Glasses - the bane of portrait photographers - must be angled just so or there will be a big light reflection in them masking the eyes. Clothes need to be straight - no wrinkles, patterns must be of certain sizes not to moire in the images. Makeup should match everything color wise and not be smeared. Too dark under eyes will end up looking like black eyes or age the subject.

All of this detail checking and much more make the final images pop. They make the subject the focus and they make you look good. Isn't that what you expect from your Professional Photographer? It's all the details that you don't see...but I look for in my images.

Whoo Hoo

2008-12-23T23:07:00.000-08:00

Today I feel like a little kid with a bunch of presents to open. The truth is we really don't do full on Christmas. My husband and I don't exchange presents.

But the gift I give each year is some friends drop in and we have a buffet of finger food. We drink a little and nibble the night away. The kids stay and we have a small gift exchange. Tonight, Jasmine, our granddaughter came to spend the night. She's going to help me set up. We will cook, arrange flowers and clean up. She's only 7 but oh so grown up. Her being here 3 feet away from where I am typing is my gift. I get to take some good photos of her too. All my favorite things to do in one day!

Happy Holidays.

Opportunities!

2008-12-23T13:18:00.000-08:00

Sometimes some one passes a word our way that sparks us into action. Maybe it's something for self improvement, like a comment about how we look (Oh my - did you gain weight?) or how we have behaved (I can't believe you said that!) . Hopefully we might change our actions and behaviors to avoid the comment again in the future.

Or sometimes you hear a story about someone that you can help somehow. Some one hungry or someone undergoing some medical care. Or this week in my Accounting Life (my other business), I heard about a promotion that virtually made accounting software free and I was able to share how to get it with a group of fellow photographers. My count is they saved collectively about $10,000 or even more since I won't hear exactly.

In life, we have these triggers that move us into action, regardless. What they really are are opportunities. They open doors for us and for others. We behave in new ways, or we take action to do something for someone. Maybe if we are in business we market more. Or we try to save money. Or maybe we realize our circumstances and blessings. They can be life changing or they can be little niceties.

Look for them. You just never know. Take action. Make things happen. I try to do that. Be passionate about all you do.

Giving Back

2008-12-14T20:36:00.000-08:00

This is the season we talk about "giving". There are lots of ways to give. We often think of the traditional presents. But there is pay it back, pay it forward and giving for fun and for free. There are gifts of one's self and there is selfless giving when you give of yourselves beyond the expected. There is giving without strings attached.

Just this week there was a newer photographer who wanted advice from one of my photo critique groups. I gave a lesson on composition and lighting and wasn't acknowledged but actually snapped at for my response. What was nice is that three other photographers were reading my lesson and thanked me for it. An unexpected gift of thanks.

I am a strong believer in giving back. In my other business I have always had one client that I worked with for a reduced fee to help them get their businesses going. I have always been involved in leadership in some way with any of the business organizations where I was given so much.

I have done a small amount of charitable photography work. Time and experience are always good gifts. There are a few things in that regard that I am doing this spring. Working today on setting up a photo booth with proceeds going to Rotary Clubs International. Working at the Agoura Animal Shelter taking photos of volunteers for Big Sunday; Shooting at Oak Park High Schools book drive.

So this holiday season I am making a food donation to a local food pantry so those who might not have a holiday will have one - in lieu of some gifts to people who can afford to buy their own. I hope others will do that too.

Some things are worth doing twice

2008-11-30T10:54:00.000-08:00

We're home. Yes, we were gone for a bit more than a week. We went with friends to visit France. They got a deal on an apartment in Paris for a week and we joined them. It was near Disney Paris and it required us to take a train into this magnificent city every day.

When you visit the World's Great Cities you often get a fictionalized view of the city because you don't get to really live there. You go see the sights and experience the best side of the place and then you leave.

From our view of Paris, we rode the RER Train into the city each day, toured, walked around in the rain, snow, sleet and hail. We saw the sights and then returned to the suburbs with the locals who carried their groceries, work bags and briefcases to and from home. We watched the locals, chat, read and sleep on the train. We met people from other parts of the world and chatted with them. In a local Marne-la-Vallee restaurant, we dined with a Westie Terrier and his owners with another couple who were local and were delighted to practice their English with us. A smile speaks volumes.

We had a kitchen and availed ourselves of the supermarket - much larger than any I have experienced here and buying unfamiliar products was a great way to understand new things in another language.

When language was a barrier, we smiled, pointed and tried to communicate. "Pardon" with a smile. Several times we saw other tourists trying to take photos of themselves and I happily offered to point their cameras so to get a decent snapshot of them at the landmark. The view from the Eiffel Tower on a sunny day is amazing. Seeing the real Mona Lisa smile was something too.

We saw 1000's of holiday shoppers doing their Christmas shopping. Just like at home. Although, the terrier in Galleries Lafayette with it's Burberry Coat was not a common site here, it was sure to make me smile.

So what was the best part of this? Seeing the world and knowing that while we have our differences, we are all one. We all mourned the tragedy of this week in Mumbai away. We missed Thanksgiving, but we had a nice luncheon of "Magret et Purple Potato Au Gratin et Cranberry" But being home, the cliche "There is no place like home, Toto" applies.

Thanksgiving is in our hearts - we're celebrating a few days late. The turkey is waiting. We have much to smile about.

A picture is worth....

2008-11-15T20:33:00.001-08:00

I am a self admitted news junkie. I read more than one newspaper. I listen on the radio - some times on the Internet too - in the car frequently when I am not listening to music which is anything from Classic Rock, to Disco (yes - I like it! I like it!) and Jazz to Broadway and Classical too sometimes. You can keep the Opera and House, Trance and Rap.

Anyway, I got off track with my thoughts. The world is on fire, or so it seems. As a photographer, I love the light created by fire. It makes the most wonderful images. By the same token, images on the news are scary as all get out when you see flames lapping at the edge of society. I heard some people who lost it all today from the shelters say that they have their memories and while they have no further photos of the important images like weddings and births, the images will be in their heads forever. The former Insurance Commissioner, John Garemendi, said people should take pictures of their homes and put them somewhere safe to prove their losses to the insurance adjusters.

As a photographer, my more recent images of the last 5 years are safe on the Internet (another use of the web! - see yesterday's blog entry!. I've safeguarded my clients images for certain but not those from my childhood. They're in a box or two or three. Ready to leave at a moment's notice. We're relatively safe from fire at the moment, not in a current fire area, but we've evacuated twice. And that's scary. But we are set should one decide to come this way. We've photographed the house and inventoried our possessions. It's all replaceable...almost.

Photos to me are my most prized possession. They aren't replaceable. They're priceless. If you've lost your home and your images in these fires, I can't replace them for you. But I will be honored to gift a new one to you to start a life of new memories for you and start your new collection all over again.

What has the Internet done for you lately?

2008-11-14T22:55:00.000-08:00

I was reading today about using social networking sites and how people are using the Internet. They aren't calling like they used to do. But they are sending text and alerts and between cellphones and the 'net they are communicating.

We just left our favorite restaurant and the hostess, who was almost done with her shift for the evening was texting someone. Phones are Internet capable - we can shop and chat and research. My phone - a Palm - has more applications than my first computer. I can write a book on it if I want, carry spreadsheets and photos on it. And I can email them - right away.

12 years ago we had "Bulletin Boards" - putting an image on there required you to go to Kinko's and get your picture scanned into a jpg, whatever that was. People were thinking about dating put up a photo and a short ad. That's was it. Now you can take your photo with a cell phone and post it instantly.

Why do I know that it was 12 years ago? I did that and met my husband, Frank. We didn't have photos and I almost didn't respond to his ad that said he was honest and sincere. Actually, I did pass his ad by but went back to respond. If he had a photo up, I wonder if I would be sitting here today. Since the time he announced his honesty and I took him up on his sincerity, I've come to be lost without connectivity via the net. Over the years, I've purchased many things including a car, made many friends, travelled both virtually and literally all because of this technology. Business is lost without the net - I paid bills today, chatted with customers and friends. I stopped in to view the web cam where there are puppies who are new were playing.

Oh, and via the net, I have a few communities of people who I have never met. I have friends from all over and I can chat daily. But just a bunch of words isn't all. We need photos too. We're visual. We still need face time. Is this the old front yard where we visited our neighbors on a walk to the grocery? I can grocery shop on the net even.

What incredible technology that lets us do all this.

Thinking about R E S P E C T

2008-11-11T22:56:00.000-08:00

I did a beautiful boudoir shoot in my studio on Sunday with Carina. I like to call these "Naughty but Nice". I love that 1930's/1940's glam look with the lighting of George Hurrell.

When we were talking about Carina's session she was worried about how the images would be used. I am pretty progressive in my thinking about what I will shoot but if they photo doesn't have class by my definition, I won't point my lens on it. No private parts that you wouldn't want your Mom to see.

I worked in my first jobs when a boss might pat your derriere inappropriately or make suggestive disrespectful comments. I actually worked in one bank where one of the other 21 year old women and I had an agreement that if the old letch walked into the break room when the other was there, we'd go and make sure they we weren't alone with him. Both of us had unwanted advances and comments made in a time when nothing could be done. Ick.

Romance is wonderful. Much of photography is about fantasy. Being the glamour girl, or naughty. I am all for that kind of fun. It can be very memorable. Things can be implied in a photo. But there is more than meets the eye in an image. What does it say about the subject? There are a lot of emotions to express depending on the photographer, the subject and intention of the shoot. For example, I was asked to do some sexy shots by a woman I've known for years. She has some edgy shots taken maybe 15 years ago. One of them depicted her in handcuffs in a very subservient position. That image has stayed with me as being disrespectful of her. I would not want to recreate that.

I want the work that I create to be genuinely loved. I want to make people feel good about themselves. I really believe that respecting my clients is important. But also my friends and my family. On paper, on the web and in person. I think that it crosses over from day to day. Show respect to people today.

Never take away their dignity. In all that you do.

My first print!

2008-11-07T16:30:00.000-08:00

Today we cleaned out our storage unit. In my accounting business, we store records for 5 years or more and we had filled up our space. When I moved last, I put a few boxes of memorabilia in there for some reason (well, we were moving!). So going through 150 boxes with the shredding guys and I opened one of the three boxes of stuff containing my childhood memories.

One has a doll my mother made me for getting classmates autographs at 6th grade (yes - that is when we graduated grammar school then). The menu from the restaurant where I honeymooned in Puerto Vallarta in 1979 was in there and then I found my mounted prints from my high school photography class. We were learning to shoot silhouettes in the sun. Black and White. I did the developing, printing and everything....what a treasure. I wonder whatever happened to Jeff - my subject with the lavender 1968 Chevrolet Impala convertible. There were others there too. I can't wait to have a rainy day to go through all the boxes.

What other treasures in life really mean something? Don't you have to look back to see how far you've really come in life?

Inspiration

2008-11-06T23:27:00.000-08:00

I am so excited about my studio. In all my years of shooting film - actually slide images mostly - I would take the roll of film to my lab and get back finished slides. Often, I'd pull the projector and look and then print selected images - usually smaller and then file them or put them in albums.

But digital and the computer world - and Photoshop - have changed that. Now we can take many more photos, eliminating the required lab for processing. It goes right to the computer and we can view from there. But the reality is that it's much more involved now for the photographer.

In the past, it was called Photo Finishing. The lab decided how much to expose the images and how correct for color and what sizes to use the enlarger to get the perspective.

But now, as photographers, we use computers to do much of this. We print in our studios so it's all instant. Up on the web. to see it and share it. Within minutes of pressing the shutter. We can upload right from cellphones too. And right from the camera the images aren't bad.

But the truth is, just like baking a cake, you can buy a mix and be happy with the resulting cake. But often times, to get it right, you need a professional photographer to do it. How many birthday cakes have you really baked?

I've studied so many facets of image making and art for so many years, how to light to make you look like yourself or to take the 10 pounds off that the camera puts on, or what lens to use to create that special effect. What shutter speed freezes the action and what aperture makes the background disappear? How do you analyse the light and have a glow around the bride?

I spent most my day yesterday photo finishing my images. I am creating wall pieces for my studio. Some of my images were just sitting there on the hard drive waiting to be really finished.
The light is right, the images lovely. And the delivery will be here later and my finished images will be here for posterity. I wonder what photo finishing will be like in 25 years. I will still be here, shooting babies and brides and families. I am sure my images will be there too. I know how to make that really happen. I can;t believe how much I really know about photography now. It's a full process and it take time to get it right. I will post images of the studio here as soon as the new prints arrive and go on the wall! Frames are ready for receiving the images.

A new day

2008-11-04T22:45:00.001-08:00

Yes - today is a new day. A new era in the US. Historical. Not just for the World but for each person in this world. Every day we make personal history. Even if it's just our own humdrum day of waking up, going to work or school, and coming home again. If we make it to age 90 we will have 32850 days to make personal history for ourselves.

We have momentous occasions - births of our children and granchildren, bar mitzvahs, confirmations, weddings - each creating a personal page in our own history books. None of us will see these occasions in the exact same way. As a photographer, I hope that times like these will be recorded for posterity and of course, I hope that I can be "the one" to help people remember these kinds of times.

Today is my own momentous day...I get to celebrate it with friends and family - old and new. We have lots of hope in the world today in difficult times. I hope this day of history has happiness for you in some small way and that you can share your wealth and joy with others who are without a smile.

To Blog or Not to Blog....

2008-11-02T12:56:00.000-08:00

Blogging is truly an art. So much to say and yet taking it from the brain to the fingers on the keyboard requires plenty of thinking...how do I interest my followers? What to talk about? The election? Not going there except to tell you that I have voted and may the best candidates win.

This week was a lot of fun for me. On Monday I was a Super Monday instructor for the Professional Photographer's of America teaching QuickBooks Accounting Software to photographers - a real blend of what I love to do - photography and yes, call me weird, accounting training. Teaching is always a two way street - I often come out the other side of a session knowing that I too have learned something new.

I've spent a glorious weekend doing nothing but thinking and taking things easy. My beach shoot was canceled because of heavy downpour. Three small wet children in the rain at the beach with a wet labrador retriever would not make a pretty image for above the fireplace. I listened to my French Lesson CD for my upcoming trip to Paris so that I can speak enough to order a good meal, find my location and have a good time creating some fine art and even drinking some fine champagne. Let's not forget the inspiration that I will have from visits to the Louvre, the Musee d'Orsay and just walking the sites and inhaling the culture of France.

I planned out some changes to my website, some shooting for this week (ooh la la - see? studied my French!) with a boudior (more French!) in my studio, the kids at the beach and some pets in between.

Sigh...and somewhere in this week I have to visit the DMV so their photographer (can you call them that?) can take a new portrait of me for my license. Maybe everyone will be at the polls on Tuesday. On Wednesday my license expires...can you all sing the Sheriff John's Birthday Song for me?

Welcome to my Flash Frozen World....

2008-05-16T15:02:00.000-07:00

I love to write.
I love to photograph.
I love many things: My work. My life. My husband. My dogs and friends.
I get to tell the world about it (and you if you're reading this).

Stay Tuned.
We are going to flash freeze Some time. Some People and Some Places.