{Photographer Spotlight}
Sweet Sailing!
Image crafted by Jennifer Jayne Photography
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Adorable image by Shellie Benson Photography.
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Beautiful capture by Fonda Photography
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Go LIKE them on Facebook!
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{Photographer Debi Henry}
Beautiful capture of God's Handiwork!
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Valentine's Day...
I adore Valentine's Day shoots.
These photos have got to be my all time favorites.
Loved to lighting that day -
loved the way the kids had fun with it all.
Hoping to be organized next year and do something really fantastic!
Captured by ME...
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My thoughts today on the
Wonderful World of Photography...
When I was a kid I was fascinated with taking and
developing photographs.
developing photographs.
I wanted to know how the camera worked and how
they were processed.
they were processed.
I adored taking photos with my Grandmothers
Kodak Instamatic with the square flash bulbs mounted on top.
I knew that film was costly and so was developing and that a camera was NOT a toy.
Kodak Instamatic with the square flash bulbs mounted on top.
I knew that film was costly and so was developing and that a camera was NOT a toy.
I was careful to set up my shots and tried to shoot at
just the right time to get that perfect shot.
just the right time to get that perfect shot.
In high school I took Photography classes and learned how to develop in the dark room.
My boyfriend even set up a dark room in his closet and we had hours of fun taking and developing black and white photos.
I soon went to work at a Photography Studio where the photographer worked with a Hasselblad Medium Format Camera like this one:
I soon went to work at a Photography Studio where the photographer worked with a Hasselblad Medium Format Camera like this one:
His business specialized in Children, Family and
Senior in studio Portraiture.
Senior in studio Portraiture.
I worked with him for a couple of years before a stroke forced him to close his very busy and very successful Studio.
I continued enjoying photography most of my young adult life. I shot tons of photos with my 35mm Canon Cameras and eventually switched to digital photography when
digital cameras were introduced.
digital cameras were introduced.
I shot weddings, childbirth, babies and kids in my in home studio, seniors, birthday parties you name it.
Eventually in 2007 I opened a little Studio in a
Retail Store that I co-owned.
Retail Store that I co-owned.
I loved every aspect of capturing people especially kids.
Since then, life has happened and we have moved several times.
The store/studio closed and I have continued working on-location using natural light.
Part of me would love my own Studio -
even if in my own backyard.
even if in my own backyard.
But recently the industry of Photography as a business has lost some of it's charm for me.
It seems now that people are popping up everywhere as "Professional Photographers".
What the heck does that even mean? Is it that you go out and get an affordable Camera at a Big Box Retailer, shoot some photos, edit them {or not} in photoshop, make an inexpensive website and whaaa-la! you are now a "professional photographer"??
"Professional Photography" is now the number one "in-home" business in the United States.
It now far surpasses in-home daycare!
I am not being a "hater" here, don't get me wrong.
I just think that for ME what once
I just think that for ME what once
was an amazing creative outlet that I worked hard
at to perfect as MY profession has lost
at to perfect as MY profession has lost
some of it's mystique.
Now you have online classes, Pinterest, mass postings of work on Facebook and the like. You can "create" thoughtful setups and go to a lot of work only to have your ideas copied and plastered on the internet the following week only to see that someone has claimed your ideas as their own.
I know in the grand scheme of things it really does not matter. I get that. Copy is the greatest form of flattery. I draw inspiration from others but I really do not like "copying". There is just so much of that now in this field that I think I am getting a bit soured.
Will I still shoot? Of course I will. Do I think I will open a
Studio here in the Midwest and do photography as
my full-time profession? Probably not right now.
Studio here in the Midwest and do photography as
my full-time profession? Probably not right now.
With the rapid rate of new Professional Photographers "popping" up each day who are willing to shoot 150 pics and hand them over to people on a disc for next to nothing - I think it is hard for people to discern the difference between someone who simply "shoots" photos and someone who has worked
years at their "art" and profession.
years at their "art" and profession.
People do not know that I spend more time in Post Processing editing their photos, fixing blemishes, adding textures, taking out distractions in the background, swapping heads, removing that chocolate from the child's face and the drool, snot, boogies, fly away hair, blotchy skin - you name it...
then I do actually shooting the photos.
then I do actually shooting the photos.
I have color calibrated my monitor to the labs that I choose
to work with. Prints that I make are on quality photo paper with finishes not offered at Wal-Mart or Costco.
to work with. Prints that I make are on quality photo paper with finishes not offered at Wal-Mart or Costco.
People always want me to hand over images on disc.
For what? So they can just keep them?
I back up and archive all the images I take.
I back up and archive all the images I take.
I will always have your memories...I got your back.
Do they want their images on disc to go print them at a mass-retailer who does not color correct?
Do I want my images printed on walls looking shoddy and ruddy? No. But people do not understand that what they are paying for is the quality. I want only the best for my efforts.
But, as long as we have people going to Costco buying a Canon for $800, shooting some pics and handing them over on disc for $100 we won't be able to make people understand all the hard work some of us have gone through for many years to be where we are.
Don't get me wrong.
I have a great customer base who appreciate my hard work.
I have a great customer base who appreciate my hard work.
I am able to now pick and choose who I will work for.
I have been burned and have had "those customers"
who I will not shoot for again.
I guess I am choosing to just be
I have been burned and have had "those customers"
who I will not shoot for again.
I guess I am choosing to just be
a "Boutique Photographer"
at this point in my life.
I have other ventures I can pursue and I will continue to shoot for MY pleasure and for the pleasure of those who can appreciate all my years of hard work and dedication.
at this point in my life.
I have other ventures I can pursue and I will continue to shoot for MY pleasure and for the pleasure of those who can appreciate all my years of hard work and dedication.
I am always learning...I am a work in progress.
I am happy to share what I know to help others better their craft.
I have found very few photographers who will return the favor which I think is a sad comment on this profession.
I have reached out to many photographers over the years who have always been very reluctant to share their "secrets".
Not me.
If I am blessed to know something who I am to be
a "hoarder of knowledge"?
I feel if I am this way - then I will become stagnant.
I want to GROW and to learn -
so why not help others along the way?
I have reached out to many photographers over the years who have always been very reluctant to share their "secrets".
Not me.
If I am blessed to know something who I am to be
a "hoarder of knowledge"?
I feel if I am this way - then I will become stagnant.
I want to GROW and to learn -
so why not help others along the way?
Just my humble opinion...
So - there you have it. My take
on the world of Photography today...
on the world of Photography today...
XOXO
Janean
Janean
Photographer of
I do not claim to be better than anyone,
I am not the best but I have a passion and love to make people smile!
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