Business Day Thursday: Are You Behind The Eight Ball – Part 2

Good Morning Everybody,

Last week I began a discussion about  photo studios being behind the “eight ball” for this upcoming holiday season [link]. Can you believe that Christmas is only six weeks away! One thing I've learned over my many years in business is that I absolutely hated the holiday rush for my photography studio. 

The Agony Of The Holiday Rush

I can remember taking some time off with family and friends to attend the Nutcracker Ballet here in Cincinnati, Ohio years ago. As I sat there all I could do was stress out about all the work I still had to finish back at the studio. The holiday rush had turned everything into a blur for me.  Neither my heart nor my soul was into the evening performance and when I returned to the studio later that night, I remember working till about 2:00 a.m. – NOT FUN!

After that experience many years ago I promised myself that I would never do that again. The first thing we instituted at my studio was to stop making holiday delivery promises that we knew we could not reasonably keep. Just to give you an example, back in the day wedding album companies were taking 8 to 12 weeks to complete and ship their albums to photo studios. Thankfully that is not the case today.

Finally, Making Promises We Could Keep

So, how did we get out from behind the “eight ball” back in those days? We simply never promised an album for holiday delivery if the client was making their final selections in October, that’s right – October.  If I was making a presentation to a client in October, we would only promise the extra prints but never the album.

I know to many of you reading this that timeline may seem outrageous but as I said, several years ago the norm for the album companies to deliver albums was a much longer turnaround than we have today. By the way, that's one thing I love about Zookbinders, my favorite bookbinder for over 15 years now. Talking to my good friend Mark Zucker, the owner of the company, he has told me that in a pinch, Zookbinders could turn an album around in about a week. That was unheard of years ago. Zookbinders delivers the best handmade, leather bound books in the business. I was amazed when he told me this.

When I needed an extended collection of albums in a very short amount of time, Zookbinders went above and beyond the call of duty for me. It just points out what we can expect from a company that offers great service.

Where Are You With Your Holiday Season Production Plans!

Anyway, this brings us to the topic of today's discussion. The most important thing you can do for your business and your sanity is to get your postproduction planning in place right now. Since we've been home from our many weeks of travel we've already had a production meeting, looked at what our commitments were for the holiday season, and came up with this year's best plan to get everything delivered seven days before the Christmas Eve deadline.

What that means for myself, LaDawn, and our staff is that the holidays will be something that we can enjoy with our family and friends as well. At David A. Ziser Photography you will never find us with our backs against the wall at four o'clock in the afternoon on Christmas Eve trying to get the last order out the door!

Never Again!

Again, maybe it's just the bad taste I got in my mouth so many years ago when I made a personal delivery to a client of their album at seven o'clock in the evening on Christmas Eve. They never even offered so much as a “thank you” for my extra effort and quickly left for their evening out.

But at the same time I was missing Christmas with my family – I was “ticked off”.  You should never be “ticked off” during the holiday season so, once again, don't put yourself in that situation. Evaluate what you have to deliver between now and Christmas, promise yourself that you will get your album orders all to the album company early, and plan to get all the other production elements of your orders completed and to the lab ahead of schedule. It may require you to spend a few overtime hours to get everything completed now but the payoff, time with your family this holiday season,  is well worth the early effort.

Plan, Produce, and Deliver – NOW!

The bottom line is this  Plan, Produce,  Deliver – with the promise to yourself that all your deliveries be completed  and delivered at least one week before the Christmas Eve deadline. I promise you that once you experience the relief of the holiday rush you'll never go back to the old ways of doing things. And, BTW, you’ll have a very, merry holiday season.  Best of luck everybody!

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Hey gang, that's it for me today. I'm back to work on my PhotoPro Expo 2012 convention.  So how about I see everybody tomorrow  for a short, easy post as we move into this upcoming weekend.

Have a great rest of the day and I'll see you then.

– David

"Summer Day Smiles"

"Summer Day Smiles"
© David A. Ziser

Here is another image of the same young lady I featured in yesterday’s post.  I need to say that theses girls are not professional models.  In fact my Napa shoot was the first time for all of our models to do any kind of modeling at all.  I think that fact brings a certain amount of authenticity to the images.  It’s not the model making the image, it’s the photographer.

I actually posted another photograph of Megan in this very same location the week of my Napa workshop.  That image was made with just the naturally occurring light and is just beautiful – here is the link to that image.

This time around I wanted to use my off-camera flash to build the contrasts and dimension into the portrait.  I had my assistant move around the subject till just the far side of the nose disappeared from view form the light holder’s position.  It’s important that your light holder can still see the subject’s opposite cheek.  When that is the case and the light is in the correct position, your lighting will be perfect as it is in this image.

Compositionally I just had Megan lean against the column and return an easy smile to the camera.  When shooting with columns as your background, be sure all columns overlap each other to give you a solid background of gradient shades.  You’ll always get a great image like we did in this case here.

Camera specs: canon 7D fitted with 18-200mm IS lens at 178mm, F5.6 @ 100 second, ISO 200.  Enjoy!  -David

Thoughts On Passion & The One That Got Away: Oh No It Didn’t! It’s One Pretty Photograph!

Good Afternoon Everybody,

LaDawn and I saw a great play last evening at our local Playhouse in the Park theater. At the end of the 90 minute play I was the first one out of my seat with a standing ovation. The play was entitled “Red”. It was a story about a Russian immigrant artist named Mark Rothko (1903-1970)[link].

The play opens with its main actor exuding the passion of the artist. We both sat in the grip of that passion for the full 90 minute play. The only other actor played the part of Rothko's assistant. You could see as the play developed that  passion eventually was rubbing off on his young assistant too.

Your Passion Will Make A Difference In Your Photography

What struck me about the play was that every artist, including photographers need to exhibit passion to take their work to the next level. Rothko went from an unknown artist to one of the most renowned artist of his time, with his work selling in the multimillion dollar range these days.

The other thing that struck me was the fact that Rothko was from the generation of artists who were beginning to fall out of favor with the art lovers of the times. A new breed of artists including the likes of Jackson Pollock and Andy Warhol were making their way onto the stage in the art world. Their work was considered fresh, different, more alive, then the generation before them.

What struck me about this aspect of the play was a similarity to wedding photographers today. Sure, we can look back at the wedding master's of the last several years and figure that they may be “old dogs not willing to learn new tricks”. We may feel that the gauntlet should be passed forward to the new generation of wedding photographers gaining prominence in today's field of wedding photography.

For me, the point made last evening was that all artists, regardless of the generation from which they come, must exhibit a sense of passion about their art to make their work their best. It's not about changing styles, and those styles going out of fashion. It's about the photographer himself or herself making a difference to the profession because of the passion they bring to their profession.

I challenge each and every one of you reading this post today to bring your own passion to your art and your craft. Because it is only by bringing your passion that WILL make a difference in this wonderful profession of ours. The big difference between good photography and not so good photography is more importantly about photography that is executed with passion versus photography executed with little or no passion.

Be a passionate photographer – ALWAYS!

The One That Got Away: Oh No It Didn’t! It’s One Pretty Photograph!

Okay, I know I started today's post out on the serious side but I really do think that these comments are important. That said why don’t we get on with today's post.

In the past, I've reserved this column to the photographs that were really, really good but just missed the mark by a hare’s breath. As I was looking through the student images from my Napa workshop a few weeks ago, there were a few images that I thought hit the mark perfectly. The image below is one of those images.

I had nothing to do with setting up this image in any way. It was one of the images submitted for our image review by one of the class members.  Let me tell you why I think the photographer really nailed it with this photograph.

1. First of all the subject’s placement is perfect within the frame.  If we lay our nodal points on this image, you can see that her face is perfectly positioned within nodal point #2.

2. I love how the photographer positioned the rest of her body too.

Notice how her left leg is kicked out just slightly. For me, the lines of her body, pretty much follow the lines of the foliage and flowers in the background.  Notice too how the purple flowers also seem to kick out to the right much like her left foot is in the foreground.

3. I also like how the purple flowers seen to surround our subject. The position of the subject against that background I thought, created a very nice portrait setting.

4. I also think that the lighting is pretty much nailed in this image. The light seems to be coming from camera left and it is throwing the perfect loop lighting pattern on our subject’s face.

This could be a perfect portrait for, say a high school senior or any other young adult. I didn't get a chance to see the maker’s other images but I'm sure if he/she explored the expressions by ranging our subject’s expressions from serious, as we see here, to a full smile, I think this young lady would be very pleased with the results.

Now let's take a look at the next image.  I'm assuming it was made by the same maker as our first image. What I do like about this image is the fact that it points out what I believe we all should keep in mind when photographing on location, particularly high school seniors.

Let's talk about the use of props when we’re out photographing our subjects. The point I want to make is this.  I think it's a good idea to bring additional props along for the shoot.

The case in point is seen in this photograph here.  It's the same beautiful young lady in the same beautiful setting but what's the difference between this image in the previous image?  The differences in the prop.  And that prop is the scarf she's holding around her neck.

Notice that the scarf is in the same color palette as a purple flowers behind her.  That being the said, incorporating the scarf into the scene was used to make an even stronger and more beautiful portrait of our beautiful young lady.

I think this image makes that point quite effectively.  As I said, it may not be the best photograph but it still catches my eye enough because of how the scarf’s colors repeat the colors of our lovely background.

So keep this in mind.  When heading outdoors for your next shoot, be sure to take a few additional props along with you.  That may include scarves, hats, anything that can repeat and enhance the other elements of your location.

Since I've been photographing less brides and grooms lately and more of the kinds of portraits that you see in today's posts, it strikes me that the props ARE important to my photographic sessions.  I think these props can really enhance the outcome of our sessions and I am continually thinking how I can add props to my future portraits.

If you've got any ideas along those lines,I would certainly like to hear about them.Why not add your suggestions to the comment section below and share them with the rest of our DigitalProTalk readers.

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Hey gang, that's it for me today. I'm still playing catch-up around here and still have quite a ways to go.  The top project I'm working on is our Photo Pro Expo 2012 convention. I've mentioned it a few times here at DigitalProTalk.com but now we are less than three months away and I've really got to kick things into high gear.

You can save yourself $100 by using PROMO CODE PPEDAZ12 and bring the cost of the four day event down to only $179!  All the info can be found right here.

I've also mentioned that it's going to be one of the top conventions of 2012 – 15 World Class Speakers, 4 Full Days, 1 Fantastic opportunity!  I really hope that you will help me make it a great success by making your travel arrangements into the greater Cincinnati area next February and plan to be part of one of the most exciting photographic events of the year.

On that note gang, I've got to get moving.  Lots of work to do and to little time.  Have a great day and I'll see you again tomorrow for another episode of Business Day Thursday.

Thanks everybody, see you then, David

"Beautiful Lines"

"Beautiful Lines"
© David A. Ziser

This is one of my favorite images from my Napa workshop two weeks ago.  We were working the grounds of Beringer’s Winery and  there were some fabulous locations in which to work.  This location, at first glance, looked like nothing more than the regular walkway to get to another part of the winery.  But, looking through the lens, the location came alive with these striking compositional elements. 

Look at how I positioned our model so that all the railings would lead the viewer right to her. The tighter crop works best in this instance.  To see more of her legs and the sidewalk would have detracted from the contemporary composition.

Lighting was easy – my Quantum flash through my Zumbrella – coming in from camera left at 1/4 power created the nice dimensional lighting on her face.  Be sure to watch the Rembrandt Lighting tutorial that follows.

I like the color pallet of this image too.  The dark, monochromatic tones of this location work perfectly with the black dress the model is wearing. The location, lines, lighting, and dark tones all combine to make a beautiful portrait of this beautiful young lady.

Camera specs: canon 7D fitted with 18-200mm IS lens at 178mm, F5.6 @ 1/120 second, ISO 200.  Enjoy!  -David

Technique Tuesday: Rembrandt Lives – Part One. Making Your Clients Look Good!

Good Afternoon Everybody,

This post almost got the best of me today. After being gone for more than 3 weeks and with my week long Master Class before that, I’ve got a lot of catching up to do around my studio. I always like to get a head start my Technique Tuesday's because if I don't, they just seemed to drag out all day long like just this one is.

Rembrandt Lives – Part One. Making Your Clients Look Good!

Anyway, I finally got it organized today. I decided to revisit a Technique Tuesday's from a few years ago. With all my lectures and workshops, I've been spending a lot of time on how to make people look good in front of the camera. I think back to the Renaissance artists whose patrons were the kings and queens and the dukes and duchesses of the day. We all know that if those artists didn't make their patrons look their best on their canvasses that heads would roll…literally.

I think we, as photographers, need to make our clients look like royalty in front of our cameras as well. That's why in today's post I want to revisit a tutorial I did a number of years ago entitled “Rembrandt Lives – Part 1.  I think it took me as long to re-cut this tutorial as it would have to do a brand new one but I believe it’s an important post and also one of my most popular.

In this tutorial I'll cover the classic views of the face – the views of the face that the artists were careful to paint back in the Renaissance days when they needed to make their patrons look their absolute best.

Everyone wants to look good in front of the camera and, as photographers, it's our job to do just that. With the onslaught of run-and-gun wedding photography I think we've slowly lost sight of that goal.

Sure, people still want to capture the fun and spontaneity of the wedding day.  That’s our job too. I'm not disagreeing that these moments of celebration also need to be captured.  But, what I am suggesting is that for those few photographs, the best photographs of the bride and groom, the photographs that the moms and the dads want of their children on their wedding day, the photographs that the grandparents are looking forward to seeing should be the best and most flattering images that we can create for our clients.

Why not hit the PLAY button below and enjoy a short presentation on how to make your clients look great in front of the camera.

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Hey gang, that's it for me today. It's already late in the afternoon and I still have a pile of things on my plate. How about I see everybody again tomorrow for another episode of "The One That Got Away".

Have a great rest of the day and I'll see you then.
Adios,  -David

"Clearing Storm"

"Clearing Storm"
© David A. Ziser

This image was captured last Saturday morning while in Sedona Arizona.  We awaken to the fallen storm over the mountains in the distance.  I grabbed some early morning photographs and decided to grab a cup of coffee.

Upon returning to our balcony view, the morning sun had begun to break through the clouds and splash it’s light on the snow covered mountains.  It was amazing to me how much the scene had changed in just a few minutes.  I grabbed the camera again and made this image.  It’s probably my favorite.

I remembered seeing an Ansell Adams image by the same name that he had captured in Yosemite National Park.  I thought, why not give my image the same name. 

The remembrance of Ansell’s image also gave me the idea to work this image as a B&W image and over to ACR and Photoshop I went.  Within a few minutes, I had the image I wanted – sorry Ansell, no darkroom for me on this one ;~)

Camera specs: canon 7D fitted with 18-200mm IS lens at 50mm, F10 @ 1/320 second, ISO 200.  Enjoy!  -David

Quick Hit Monday: $50 From B&H; Animoto BIG Promo; Help-Portrait 2011; & Are Your Sure You Want To Be A Wedding Photographer?

Good Afternoon Everybody,

I hope everyone had a great weekend. We wrapped our business in Sedona on Friday and had a nice relaxing day off on Saturday. We got quite a nice weather surprise Saturday morning as we awoke. It turns out that they broadcasted snow coming in Friday night so we awoke Saturday morning it was a beautiful sight from our balcony to see the snowcapped mountains in the distance – very unusual for that time of year. 

With it getting this close to the holidays, a little snow certainly puts you in the mood to pull out Christmas decorations ;~)

We made it back home safe and sound late last evening, just in time to order pizza and watched the Steelers/Ravens game on Sunday night football. After our three-week odyssey it was certainly good to get back home. I thought we would be coming home to rain and snow but we've got great weather around here for the next few days to – another nice weather surprise.

There's still a lot on my plate for these next few weeks but no more travels until the end of the month. LaDawn and I are looking forward to being home for a few weeks, getting ready for the holiday season. Wow, can you believe we’re that close to Christmas already!

I been collecting several things for our Quick Hit Monday post today and when I think I’m good to go, more things keep popping in my inbox. I've got lots of announcements and news flashes for you today so let’s get right to it.

“Make Your Lighting Exciting” Book Update & Chance To Win $50 B&H Gift Card:

Hey gang, I want to thank all of you for the many suggestions I’ve received about my upcoming lighting book.  Yes, I got the “go ahead” from Kelby Media to write my second book [link].

I did a little crowd sourcing and ask all of you to contribute your ideas/suggestions for the book as well. I also promised a $50 B&H gift card to the idea I liked the best. We have 28 great ideas posted so far! I’d like to keep this contest running for the next couple of weeks since we had such a great response on it so far. Check out my original post right here and post your suggestions in the comment section following that post.  You just may win the $50 B&H gift card.

Animoto Pro November Promo – 15 Months For The Price Of 12!

Hey gang, with all of our travels I haven't had a chance to tell you about Animoto's new November promotion. REMEMBER THIS CODE – DAVIDNOV.

I've been a big fan of Animoto going back to its early beta-test days. I think it's simply one of the best ways to promote your business if you are a photographer.  It’s also a great way to sizzle your client experience.

Animoto Pro is the tool top photographers have embraced to generate more visibility for their studios, bring new clients through the door, and increase sales. Turning your photography and video clips into custom HD videos in just minutes, Animoto Pro lets you spend more time doing what you love - shooting amazing photos.

They’ve got a great offer for my DigitalProTalk readers. Get 15 months for the price of 12 when you purchase one year of Animoto Pro by November 10! Just CLICK HERE use the secret code DAVIDNOV and you’re receive the best deal ever on Animoto Pro.

Just a quick footnote  – remember, my daughter Elizabeth works at Animoto and we want to keep her on the payroll ;~)

HELP–PORTRAIT Needs Your Help! 10 DEC 2011

I just received an e-mail from Jeremy Cowart, who if you don't know, began the Help-Portrait Project a few years ago. Last year LaDawn and I, along with Kent and Sarah Smith, participated in the project.  We set up in the poorest section of the barrio area of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico and spent an afternoon photographing families who had never had a photograph taken. Here is a link to our story in Mexico last year.

It was an extremely rewarding experience and we plan to do it again this December. I’m asking all of our DigitalProTalk.com readers to help spread the word and participate in this year's Help –Portrait Project. It's scheduled for December 10, 2011.  And, again, I really want to encourage each of our readers took for explore the possibility of setting up your own Help-Portrait Project in your own city or community. DETAILS HERE!

Are Your Sure You Want To Be A wedding Photographer?

Uhmmm, Let Me Think About That #1

If you haven't seen this story on the Internet yet, you have to check it out [link]. It's one of those crazy stories that pops up every once in a while that really makes you wonder why anyone would want to be a wedding photographer.

This story is about an ex-groom who separated from his wife in 2008 with the divorce being completed 2 years ago. He wants to sue the wedding photographer who took their wedding photographs in, get this, 2003 because the photographer missed the bouquet toss and the final dance. How much does the ex-groom want from the photographer – $52,000! 

Oh, by the way, nobody even knows where the bride is at this point – she’s left the country!

Check out all the crazy details right here – you just won't believe it.

And even more CRAZY STORIES about CRAZY WEDDING LAWSUITWS right here – unbelievable but true!

Uhmmm, Let Me Think About That #2

Wedding photography sure has changed over the last four or five years. Now it looks like it's changing again – robotic wedding photographers! This was a very interesting video [link] that was posted by Microsoft's robotics division.

Skip through the first two thirds of it to actually see the robot in action. Yes, it's a robot that shoots party photographs – i.e. wedding reception candids. Heck, maybe we can even have the robot deliver the DVD on the spot. Or maybe we won't even have to show up to shoot the event. Ahhhh, the future of wedding photography :~)

But If You Really Do Want To Be A Wedding Photographer

Read this super informative piece on the subject entitled, “Getting Started as a Wedding Photographer'” [link].

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Hey gang, that’s it for me today.  It’s my first day back in the office and I’ve got to get back to  my real job. 

See ya’ tomorrow for another episode of Technique Tuesday.

Till then, David