School Portrait
So this year when it came time for my son’s school pictures I figured why pay all that money when I could do them myself! Needless to say I am extremely happy with how the pictures came out:
But what I came to learn after taking these pictures and my second photography class is why these school pictures costs so much. If one uses the Cost of Doing Business Calculator it can be determined how much you would have to charge as a photographer a day just to cover basic expenses. Now the numbers already plugged in are based on a full-time studio running in studio space with taking pictures being the only income. So for photographers making their living (which I am slowly working towards) on just their pictures it can take a lot of money per job or day depending on how things are set up just to afford to take care of the basics and still make a living doing something one loves to do. So after taking that class I may consider forking over what really comes out to be a small amount in comparison to help a fellow photographer continue to grow their business. What are you thoughts on the cost of doing business as a photographer?
On the Go
I love taking pictures of my kids because they are very active and I seem to catch some great shots showing this. This past April before the weather finally warmed up for the summer we had an Indian Summer day where it was in the upper 70’s. We went to my sister’s to barbecue and let the kids play outside. The show below is my favorite of the whole day because it looks like she is in motion. You can see everything frozen in one quick moment in time.
I love and find it tiring that my little is always on the move and this pictures just seems to capture the essence of her, always on the go. Any ideas on how else to show movement in a still photo?
Interesting Lesson
So one of my assignments for was to take a group picture and then add myself to the shot using Photoshop. Now as many know there are so many things one can do with Photoshop that I am only beginning to learn and needless to say the assignment did not come out well.
As you can see the image is very grainy and the lighting in it is horrid. I was beginning to think there was something wrong with the camera but come to find out it is simply user error. The ISO was to high and the lighting (which in my apartment is atrocious and I haven’t bought studio lighting yet) was not adequate enough. Thankfully my instructor gave me another opportunity to re-shoot and try again. I think it was better the second time around.
What do you think?
Precious Moments
Want to know why I have a deep seated love for photography?
Photography gives me the ability to capture some of the most precious moments in the world. My son is very protective of his little sister and he does a wonderful job of taking care of her (and bossing her around which I’m sure will make for interesting moments when they are older). In the future, when they reach the age where they can’t stand to be around each other I will still have this small reminder of the love that lives deep inside of them. And even further in the future when they are long gone and on their own I can look back with a smile and think how cute they were “back then”. Do you have a “Precious Moment”? Tell us about it!
I Can’t Believe I Got That
So I’m still learning how to pose subjects for portraits. Adults and older children are easier, although I’m still working to get genuine smiles from the kids ( I know the key is to get them to laugh but what do four year-old’s find funny?) But what I am still finding to be a challenge are getting good photos of the younger kids. My daughter is the cutest kid I know (yea I’m biased but I still think it’s true, lol) and I love to get pictures of her especially if I can catch her laughing and smiling. I decided that I needed portrait pictures of my kids, so I set up to do a session with my littlest one first. The fun part was working with her, a bike and the backdrop! Luckily we had no major issues but it was definitely a chore because at two she just doesn’t sit still, throw a bike into the mix and she is really moving (I know terrible pun). So when I captured this picture I was absolutely amazed.
Holy crap she sat still! Yes it was only for a brief moment ,but in the end I got the shot and later as I’m flipping through the numerous pictures of her falling off the bike, hiding behind the handle bars, etc. I came across this photo and literally said out loud, “I can’t believe I got that!” Sometimes I even surprise myself! Have a shot you were shocked you got? Share it~
Danick Studios
Danick Studios Photography 
