Digital Files

The teacher in me is always fighting to come out some how.  Because of that, and perhaps my degree in Education, comes the desire to educate in all circumstances. Lately, I have felt the need to prepare a lesson, to anyone who will listen, about Professional Photography. There's so much about this new profession of mine that is unknown to the general population, and, sadly, to some of us photographers. What's been an eye-opening education for me in this past few months, has been the realization of the true differences in processing now that we shoot digitally as opposed to the days of film - time wise and price wise. So that will be the focus of my lesson today - the processing of digital files!
 
In this digital world of photography, the game has changed. Back in the days of film, we would shoot a roll, package it up and send it to the lab for printing.  The only cost we had, whether it be a fancy lab or a Wal-Mart photo lab, was the cost of the paper it was printed on. We didn't realize the work that the lab had to do to the negatives before an actual presentable picture could be printed.  I wasn't even aware that there WAS extra work for them. I realized that this was not the case once I started to learn more about the photography business. However, with digital photography, the main job of a photo lab IS to print. All of the work between the shoot and the printing is up to us, the Photography Studio. And even though as Professionals, we can take great images straight out of the camera, they still need to be uploaded, edited, processed, proofed, retouched, enhanced (sometimes) and THEN sent for printing.

With that workload in mind, think now of the costs. The same file that we take through all of these steps and then export to use for printing, will be used to print a wallet size, 4x6, 5x7 or 8x10 image (for anything bigger than 8x10, we go back to the original RAW image file, resize and retouch further and finish it differently). It's costing us the same in wages to process a 4x6 print as it is for an 8x10 print. The price of the paper that a 4x6 photo is printed on is only slightly less than the paper used for an 8x10 image. So, understanding this principle, that our cost, in time/wages, is virtually the same for both the 4x6 and 8x10, the price for the client, when we look at it fairly, should also be the same, right? It's very frustrating to us as professionals to have people devalue that process, but I think it's just a matter of not fully understanding the reality of the costs. In this past few months, I have had many 'Ah Ha' moments in this area, because I now have to pay someone to do this for me. Now that you (hopefully) have a better idea of this too, please pass it on!

Also, with this topic, I just want to leave you with a few examples of what an 'out of the camera' digital negative looks like, and what a Custom Professional Studio, like ours, can print as a final project. Here below is a wedding couple, caught in the moment, with spring snow flying. A beautiful picture of them as is, as you see in the first example here:



But here is the retouched/enhanced version of that same image, which graces the walls of our studio:



Here again is a wedding couple, walking toward the family store. Very nice capture, as is:



Then the enhanced, edited version with pop!


This last one is subtle. Beautiful couple here:


Everything a little better here. Skin is smoother, background fixed and a little bit of extra saturation in the color. Not enough to change it, just enough to give it the extra attention it deserves.



Every image that leaves our studio is touched, in some way, to make it better. Whether subtle or enhanced versions, we know our work and our clients are worth the extra treatment!
Thank you to those of you who made it through this whole post, and for letting me educate you, if only just a little! If you have any questions, please ask!

Until next time,

Crystal

Grad Rep 2010 - #2!

Here is my second Grad Rep for 2010.  She is one of a few Grads this year that I had the pleasure of teaching as a little girl - I was her Grade 1 teacher :)  Now, all beautiful and grown up, Daylyn was just as much a pleasure to work with now as she was back then.  Smiley, kind and soft spoken, she is the perfect person to represent my studio!  Thanks so much for signing on with me, Daylyn!  It's going to be a great year ahead!!

The End of Summer brings the Start to So Much!

I can't believe that summer is almost over here in Northern Alberta.  Today the weather was cloudy and cool and Fall-ish.  So much so that I needed not only a sweater, but thick socks and an afternoon coffee to take off the chill.  It's often cool in Cold Lake in mid August and then once school gets underway again, we get a second blast of warm summer-like weather.  That, mixed with the beautiful Fall colors is heavenly.

As I'm thinking of the summer holidays finishing off for the kids, I start to think of the beginning to so many things: school, sports/extra curricular activities for the kids, hockey for Doug and hopefully clogging for me. For the business we're heading into family pictures, finishing off the last 4 weddings of the year, losing Rebecca (my fabulous Office Manager) to have her baby in October and, this year, I'm gearing up to think of Grads too. It's very exciting to think of starting the Grad shoots early this year, so that they don't all pile up together in the spring/summer.  So if you're a Grad, please consider starting your pictures early - it really doesn't have to wait!  I've been working at my Grad Rep shoots (another first for me this year) and having a blast doing so!  I have finished 4 of the girls, have two guys tonight, and a few more after that booked for the coming weeks.  As I get them finished, I will highlight some of my favorites here for all to see!!  Today I'd like to introduce Sarah.  I finished processing her pictures first, because she had to go on holidays and I needed to know what her favorites were before she left.  Daylyn did her session at the same time, so she will be next (promise, Daylyn!). But for today, the beautiful miss Sarah!!  

As I always try to do, there's more on my Facebook page.
Happy Monday, everyone and until next time!

Crystal

Donna & Tyler - engagement session

This engagement shoot took place just outside of Elk Point on a family farm.  It's always exciting to go on a road trip, but even more so when you arrive and the shot possibilities are endless! I took along a new photographer friend for company and assistance and we had a blast. I was up for the challenge of an entirely new location so I thought I might also challenge myself more by using only natural light ( I left my flash in my bag to make sure I didn't cheat!). I'm thrilled with the results! It's the style of photography that I love, so I 'go natural' as much as possible, but have never done an entire shoot.. very good to see the possibilities! I've posted some of this sessions favorites to my Facebook page and I would post more than 5 here if 'blogger' would allow it (must find a way around that one...) These two were up for anything, so there are many, many that I love.  The wedding day should be even better.  Thanks, Donna & Tyler for being open for new things and for being so at ease in front of my lens.  Looking forward to the wedding!!

Caring is Key

I've been thinking a lot about who I am as  photographer lately and what I can possibly bring to the table that so many other talented photographers don't already.  And more and more I'm drawn back into the reality that in my heart, I truly, genuinely care about people.  I care about who people are and that they are treated with kindness and compassion. We have been pretty swamped this year with work and in dealing with many people, I have found that I'm not as readily available to do that.  Not for my clients, my friends nor my family.  I am the first to admit that I haven't been the best at taking the time to show the people in my life that they matter and that I care about them by way of my actions.  Like returning phone calls or emails promptly, posting pictures to my facebook/blog or website or taking the time I should to listen and just be with people.  Thank the Lord I have two very wonderful ladies working for me who help in that department, but they can only do so much.  The rest is up to me, after all I AM my business - my decisions, my talent, my personality, my actions.  So before I go any further, please accept my heart felt apology for not showing you that you are important, whether you are a client, friend or member of my family, because you ARE!  

And now, dear people - there is change in the air!  I have vowed to do what it takes to get back to what I love - showing people around me that I love and care about them.  From a business stand point, I am going to live by the custom, boutique-style photography that I offer, and up the anti.  I will pay more attention to detail in all aspects and show you why your investment in this studio is worth the money.  With change and a new focus, come reworking my pricing schedule and product offerings, which I know will not make all of you happy, but it's a necessary evil that I've avoided too long.  The new products and offerings excite me and I know it will be extremely good for us all, once we are through the hurdles of change.

Another thing that I've wanted to do for a long time is dedicate myself to giving back somehow. For the 6 years I've been in business, I have had my ears open to the options of charity and fundraisers and nothing has felt right.  That is, until I first heard about the Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Foundation.  It is an organization that sets up professional photographers with parents who have still born or dying babies, to gift them with photographic memories of the angels that came into their lives for such a short time.  It's an organization that tugged at my heart immediately, but I wasn't sure if it was something I could do.  And then, again and again I was presented with links to their website, or stories of photographers who volunteer, until finally I understood the push I was getting to join.  I recently applied to be one of their affiliated photographers and on Friday, found out I was accepted. I was both thrilled and terrified!  I know that I will most likely cry through every session and that it will effect me like nothing else could, but I also know that I can do this and that I must.  As a mother, I care about helping parents through such a heart breaking period in their lives, and as a photographer, I care about giving them the quality work they deserve.  

So with that, here we go!  Change is here and Caring is the key.  I'm getting back to the heart of why I started in this business and it feels sooo good!

Have an amazing day, everyone!

Until next time,

Crystal

Time to Open up a little..

It's always been something that I admire in others, especially other photographers. The ability to blog on a regular basis and open themselves up to the world. I love reading some blogs and don't often miss a day without checking for new posts. All of the advice I hear is to blog - blog more, blog regularly, blog about everything - that way it is easier to let clients know more about who we are as people as opposed to just being photographers. It's kind of like when we're kids and we see our favorite teacher in the grocery store and think, "Wow, they leave the school AND they shop for food, just like me!" It helps us all relate on a very real level.

It's definitely been on my mind to be more diligent about my blogging, but when I sit down, all of the doubts start creeping in: will there be anyone reading? what will I talk about? can I write? how much do I want to share? where do I start? So I've decided that because I really have so many things to say, that I will just start. Start and see what happens, you know? And if no one's out there reading just yet, no worries... they will catch up :)

Let's start with some basics.  I am 42 years young, a wife to a very wonderful husband, Doug, and mom to two great kids, Jonah who's 11 and Tagen who's 9 . We live with a sweet little black puppy named Leila, a mini-Rex indoor rabbit named Charlie and two outside cats - Jinx and Rex (we're thankfully on an acreage - a very good thing!!) We live a very nice life, here in Cold Lake, and except for the 6 months of winter and few shopping options, it is almost perfect.

Before I was a photographer, I was a teacher. I taught French Immersion Kindergarten and Grade 1, and loved it.  Especially the kids - loved, loved the kids!  Then once I had my babies, I had to make a decision to go back or to stay home with my own kids and figure something else out. With my love of photography and the help of those already in business, it was a no brainer - photographer was my new chosen profession! I will get more into the ins and outs of how this journey has been in later posts, I'm sure, but all in all, it was a very good decision!

Here are a few other things that, in getting to know me, you may like to know - like,  I am a Mac girl (and an apparent Mac preacher, when someone in the room is complaining about their PC that is!), I shoot Canon (my 50mm 1.4 lens is my newest friend), I love cookies and chocolate and coffee and Chinese Food and cherries ( 'c' things seems to be a theme here).  More importantly, my love and loyalty to my family, close friends and to my faith are strong and ever present, and I love to learn, to listen, to laugh and to grow in my spirit on a daily basis. 

And there you have it!  My first personal blog post!!  Unbelievable, isn't it?!  I will leave you with a picture of our family with Mickey, on our first trip to Disney.  

Good night, blog readers!  

Until next time,

Crystal