Lone Pine Photography

Choosing Civility

lonepinephotography — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 04:44:10 +0000

I read a book with the same title as this blog, and I keep thinking back to it. I just can’t shake the truths revealed to me in this book, and would encourage all of you to read it. It’s an easy read, and would likely take those of you reading this blog no more than a day or so to read, and it will be worth your time to do so. The following are some of my perspectives I feel compelled to share with you having read that book…

People are judged according to their manners and mannerisms, whether they like it or not. When you are around people who may make you feel uncomfortable because you are shunned, talked down to, or just treated with disdain, you form opinions about this person, and they are automatically labeled a bitch or an asshole, or whatever it is that you use to refer to people who you feel mistreated by. Going forward, you will have reservations about interacting with the person that makes you feel that way. If you come across a string of people who have some similarity or another, you will begin to make assumptions when you come across another person with that similarity in the future. At this point you are prejudiced, and this has nothing to do with race, socio-economic “airs,” or feelings of superiority. It has to do with experience, and if you aren’t learning from your experiences, then you really are a moron.

The premise of what I want to share is that we all have a responsibility in our interactions with others to do so in a civil manner. There are repercussions to unladylike and ungentlemanly conduct, and they affect not only you, but everyone else of your ilk, whether it be family, profession, religion, race, nationality, hometown, or even education level. By representing yourself in a less than good light or treating people in a bad way, assumptions can be correctly made about you, but not necessarily those like you that come later…

What is correct or civil behavior? I believe it is treating people the way they want to be treated. It is not demeaning yourself to be able to interact with them, it is treating others with respect. It is having manners, being congenial, and when you are in a situation requiring interaction, making a connection. Saying thank you, acknowledging someone’s presence, listening to someone speak instead of thinking about what you want to say next, looking them in the eye during conversation, and respecting other people’s opinions are a few of the common ways people express civility.

In some social groups, and regions of the country even, civility is seen as a weakness. Because you respect other people’s opinions, and don’t care whether they are changed to your way of thinking, you are seen as person without conviction. Consider Jehovah’s Witnesses, PETA followers, Environmentalists, NYC business people, or Obama Haters. This goes to the other extreme as well, and that list is by no means exhaustive…

Some people choose to opt out and determine that they are not conformists and therefore are not subject to the rules of civility that the rest of us are. These people are typically shunned by society, and actually leave wide trails of negativity in their wakes. Some people determine that they are above the rules and because they are now a CEO, or renowned music producer, or a rock star, that they no longer have to consider other people in their interactions with them. These people destroy egos and careers, and other people are their apologists because they are deemed to have some gift or talent that is rare enough that they feel other people should have to endure their tantrums. Jack Welch of GE, Simon Cowell of American Idol, and Whitney Houston are great examples of this behavior. Everyone recognizes their talent, but they are all almost universally hated.

I choose civility. This doesn’t mean that I always do the right thing, because I don’t. This doesn’t mean that I always return your calls in a timely fashion, because I don’t. I do recognize your value as a person, and that is why I interact with you, return emails, return calls eventually, and acknowledge you. When I talk to you, I want to listen and not just tell you things. I want to tell you happy birthday before your birthday. I want you to be encouraged by your interactions with me. Otherwise, there really is no point in interacting.

Because I am a photographer, I guess I need to share some images…

To see more of my work, please feel free to visit my website- Savannah Wedding Photographer

Savannah Danse Theatre has some amazing ballet productions, and if you get the opportunity, I strongly recommend you take the opportunity to have your soul uplifted by one of their performances.

She does an excellent job as an ambassador for Savannah regarding tourism and everything, but I'm really not impressed with her restaurant or the food. I grew up in Louisiana, and I know what good cooking is and just feel like I do a better job in my own kitchen.

I know images are supposed to be representative of the subject, but I just enjoy the art aspect of a drink even if I rarely drink myself...

This is a VERY heavily processed image, but for weddings this is a very nice facility to shoot at. Close to the beach and a TON of picturesque settings within walking distance from the front door.

Behind the scenes…

lonepinephotography — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 01:11:12 +0000

Professional photographer. Very nice photography gear. But I bet I spend ten hours doing things without a camera in my hand for every hour I spend with one.

Client inquiries. One of last year’s brides wants to do a spring shoot of her and the hubbs. Answering telemarketing calls. Returning email. Answer another telemarketing call. Angry Birds, angry birds. Buckle back down. Managing website. Checking keywords. Call from a print lab about permission to print, granted. Follow up, send out a contract. Send out another contract. Answer more emails. And there goes another day without even picking up the camera or even looking at photography gear…

To view my work, feel free to check out my website: Savannah Wedding Photographer

Amber and I got together to get some more shots in unconventional places in her wedding gown. One of my fav brides without a doubt.

The Lone Pine Photography Bride | Savannah wedding photographer

lonepinephotography — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 03:36:37 +0000

The engagement (and wedding booking) season is upon us. I’m getting multiple inquiries every day, some through referrals, some through google searches, and some through past marketing. It’s definitely a part of the business I enjoy. The brides are all so excited with the wedding process, and enthusiasm is the word of the day.

Typically, the email I get is just a quick note with the date and an inquiry for the rates. I understand that money matters. No matter your financial situation and wedding budget, money always matters. But my typical brides aren’t looking for the price first. They want to get to know me a little bit. They want to discuss the photography process. They want to make sure I will fit in with their guests and not be a holy terror on their wedding day. They’ve already looked at my images and love my work. More likely than not, they’ve become a fan on Facebook already, and view my interactions with my clients and fans. But the biggest difference is that they value photography. The recognize the difference between what I can do and what their Uncle Bob or best friend’s mom can do with the brand new camera they just got for Christmas. A Lone Pine Photography bride can see the quality, not only in the exposures during the wedding and portraiture, but they equally value the images of the reception. They want excellence, and they’re willing to pay for it.

My brides are not millionaires with money to burn to light their fireplaces, but they value photography. They don’t want trendy or overdone images. The typically spend more than 10% of their wedding budget on photography, sometimes closer to 20%. They want images that will not be out of style in 5 years, or even 20 years. They like clear, sharp images, classically rendered. They know the wedding is about the vows they speak to each other in front of their guests and God, and is not about pomp, circumstance, or a chance to spoil themselves. They pay careful attention to what they are spending, and they almost always have a professional planner. They know that trusting a professional to plan their day and vet their vendors is always less expensive than trusting their instincts or going with their gut. They have a schedule for planning and an itinerary for their day, and they stick to it, or within 10 minutes. As a result, they always have very nice weddings. They are rarely disappointed. And they are always willing to share their experiences with others afterwards.

You have to love something at least a little bit to accurately capture it. I’m that way with my brides and grooms and their weddings. My brides and grooms never begrudge me the time for their engagement shoots. I always say one to two hours, and always end up spending 2-3 hours, but they have fun, I have fun, and the bonds necessary to capture and celebrate their wedding day is made. I feel my bride’s tears and my groom’s tenderness, and that connection is there long after their wedding day, and it is welcomed. While I’m not a baby photographer, I’m the only one my brides would trust to forever capture the image of their bundle of joy so soon from the hospital.

My brides welcome the relationship. I’m not some guy they had to hire for their wedding day. I’m a friend they made well before their wedding day, that gave them everything I had during, and after, their wedding day. So I really don’t mind when someone chooses to book someone else. I encourage my brides to meet as many photographers as they can. If they are a Lone Pine Photography bride, they’ll choose me because I’m unlike anyone else in my market.

Image by Kelly McCann. During the wedding day, and especially during the formals, I allow my brides to review the image to make sure they like the way everything looks before moving on to the next setup or group.

Feel free to view more of my work here- Savannah Wedding Photographer.

The last Boudoir shoot… (Artistic nudity)

lonepinephotography — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 19:45:26 +0000

When I got into photography, I was initially shooting pretty scenes, still lifes, and things that intrigued me. I never had any idea I would end up taking pictures of people for people. I thought family photographers were nerds and weddings photographers were grandfathers with nothing better to do with their recently retired lives. But boudoir was always cool, and I embraced it.

I remember walking into one of my uncle’s apartments when I was maybe 9 or 10 years old and seeing a very large print of his very long term girlfriend on the wall above his couch. She was barely wearing a thread, but it wasn’t pornographic. It was art. And she looked more beautiful than she ever did in “real life”. I guess that was when I realized that photography could be art. And maybe when I began to be interested in it. So five years ago, when I picked photography back up, one of the first things I did was some nudes of a girlfriend. She was beautiful, and that made it easier, but the work was crap. Really. I hated it and it did no justice at all to either her or the genre.

So when I eventually made the jump to people photography, boudoir was very close behind, as a compliment to what I was doing with weddings. As much as I enjoyed the emotion and excitement of weddings, I enjoyed the artistry of boudoir. I was blessed with very patient clients that were willing to let me explore my vision for using their bodies as art. What I found through boudoir photography was that it was making the rest of my photography better. Understanding the posing and how to flatter any figure came in pretty handy with fully clothed subjects as well.

But I’ve discovered over the last 6 months or so that my “type” of boudoir photography isn’t what is in demand. I’ve always steered well clear of anything that my grandmother in heaven would have frowned upon, and that’s been my yard stick for acceptable and unacceptable, and I was unbending in this. So I’m gonna let others have this market, and I’m no longer advertising myself as a boudoir photographer.

In parting though, I’d like to share a few images from my last shoot on New Year’s Eve. I hope you enjoy…

Black and white is a great medium for boudoir. Especially using shadows.

: A bottom is a bottom is a bottom. Use hands to add a little something extra. Plus it gives the image so much more energy.

: Boudoir photography should always consider the use of negative space. It makes an “okay” image a “great” image.

: I have yet to meet a woman that was happy with everything about her figure. This subject was very sensitive about cellulite on the back of her legs, and no matter what she did in the gym and fitness classes, she just couldn’t get rid of it. Here it is, no touch ups, no airbrushing, just altering the pose to highlight what is really and exemplary figure.

: Very similar image to the last, but carries a whole different attitude through editing and perspective of the camera. Much racier and more alluring.

: This is more pinup than boudoir in attitude, because there is no modesty or self conscious when a woman is alone in her dressing room. But I still wanted to do the shot and the client was amenable, so why not?

: Shallow depth of field is a great tool that can be used to hide complexions or cellulite, though it wasn’t necessary for this subject, I just felt it contributed to the abstract nature of the composition. I’ve always loved the abstract, and using the human figure to create abstract images is as good as it gets. In my humble opinion of course.

: Again, more abstract work. Can you imagine a 20×30 print of you in this image above your bed? Beautiful. Images should also be tinted to match any color scheme.

: Hands, hands, and more hands. Hands are often overlooked, but what a lot of photographers shooting boudoir fail to understand is that hands are incredibly useful in creating allure and generating the effect desired in the eventual recipient of the clients investment in time and money.

: I would have shot this image a hair higher if I were able to do it all over again, but the contrast between the spiked heel and the client’s skin just accentuates the appeal for the eventual recipient of the fruits of this shoot.

The best advice I can give photographers looking to shoot boudoir is to shoot for albums. Images for spreads and inserts are more abstract than images for framing typically, and it gives the client so much more to choose from when reviewing their images for the final selection meeting. Once you get the client set up for your primary, take a minute and look at what else appeals to you on the macro level and capture that too. You won’t be disappointed.

Thank you for reading a little about the way I see things. To view more of my work or contact me about an assignment for you, please contact me on my website- Savannah Wedding and Family Photographer.

Redirecting and making changes | Savannah Wedding Photographer

lonepinephotography — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 01:52:36 +0000

For the last two years, I’ve been doing wedding photography and supplementing that with Boudoir photography. Boudoir photography is much slower paced, and I can pose and set up lights to my heart’s content. The subjects were always pretty willing allow more time as necessary until I felt like I got the shot, and it was good.

The problem comes in where things seem to be trending. I just don’t wanna shoot anything that could be considered pornography, and it seems the clients wishes are trending towards that. When I first got into shooting boudoir, I always said it would be something that my grandmother wouldn’t be mortified by if she were alive. So I’m walking away from boudoir photography and focusing more on weddings and venturing into family photography.

Family photography was always something that I only did for past wedding clients and friends, and I just referred the people that approached me for family shoots to friends that I have in the photography business that specialize in that genre. This year as I was doing my Christmas sessions, I noticed that the families didn’t mind getting the lights set up and allowing me more time so that the perfectionist in me was satisfied with the shoot, and that started my transition I guess.

So now I’m doing family work as well. Here’s to a 2011 filled with weddings and family sessions! :)

To see my wedding work, please visit my website: Savannah Wedding Photography

Surprise Engagement Proposal | Savannah Wedding Photographer

lonepinephotography — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 05:39:13 +0000

I first got into shooting weddings as a favor to a friend. She needed a photographer, and waited too long to find someone who’s work she liked. I was shooting fine art photography at the time and doing the art circuit. I said yes, and thought I could do it as a wedding gift.

I prepped, bought some new lenses, and the big day arrived. As I’m moving around doing my best to capture everything, the bride began to cry during her vows. Then the groom got emotional, then her parents, and his parents. I fell in love with wedding photography at that moment.

I’d been divorced for 3 years at that point. To say I was bitter or jaded would have been an understatement. I was writing a LOT of blogs for men, mostly in humor, preaching the validity of respecting the man card, and it all fell away in an instant as the tears rolled down their cheeks. True love really does exist, and just because I didn’t have the happily ever after, shouldn’t take anything away from it for other people. So I’ve been living vicariously through my couples and celebrating their weddings with my photography.

It’s been a long trip from bitter curmudgeon to hopeless romantic with a camera, but I love it. Something I’ve wanted to do for a while was the surprise engagement shoot, and I finally got to do one this week. My heart smiled as big as my face ever has, and I can tell you that I was pretty relieved when she said Yes! Congratulations, Sean! I have a wonderful feeling that you and Jackie will have a very happy life together!

We got together under the premise that we were having a big family shoot with individual breakouts for the nuclear families and couples.

Jackie's brother and long term girlfriend Emily agreed to stand in to get the lights set up...

Sean's brother Scott and Courtney go next...

Now for the real shoot….

After doing some standard stuff with them, Sean declared he wanted to do some more stuff...

Sean was pretty nervous!

And even though Jackie had never met me before this day and was completely unprepared for an engagement shoot, Sean and I were able to talk her into it…

Their younger brothers played baseball at Augusta State together, and that's where they first met.

The whole Strickland Family.

Sean is a coach at a local high school, and Jackie teaches in Orlando, long distance relationship!

: Sean was able to ask Jackie’s father for his blessing to marry her before he passed away earlier this year.

: Making time to see each other over the last two years has been a challenge, and they’re never far from each other, no matter the setting.

: They definitely make the most of their time together!

: He’s very close with his family, who all live in Savannah.

: They’re all very happy for Sean and Jackie!

Sean, I had a great time being a part of your proposal to Jackie, and it warmed my heart to see you both together. Thanks for allowing me to document it, and I enjoyed seeing you guys again this morning to share the results of your shoot!

For more examples of my work, please visit my website.

Savannah Wedding Photographer

Wedding photography or NASCAR?

lonepinephotography — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 02:08:30 +0000

I don’t know why this bothers me so much, but it does. To spend hours thinking of a concept for a bridal portrait or wedding day portrait, set up strobes, capture the image, then to spend all that time in photoshop adjusting lights, darks, contrasts, sharpening, and then to placard it up like a Nascar vehicle just seems like a travesty to me.

I do sometimes put my name on images, but they are of food, or products, or on cars, never people images, much less images someone has paid me to be there and capture. A while back I started quite a row on my facebook fanpage when I mentioned this and photographers came out of the woodwork expressing distaste for the loss of marketing exposure and the possibility that those images could be stolen by the client or other photographers for use in portfolios. Personally, I would rather other photographers steal my work to pass off as their own than demean something that has a smear of my soul in it by making it look like a sponsorship…

Click to view slideshow.

Those images may not win the Pulitzer Prize for photography, but I spent time on them. I determined they were best shot from right where I was standing and from the height and angle I used. Then I edited them afterwards to make them look they way they do, and I don’t want to take anything away from them.

But then I’m not sponsored by anyone, and refuse to wear clothes with huge logos or name brands across the chest. When I get a car, the first thing I do is remove the dealer plate across the back. I’m not being paid to advertise for someone else, and I have to assume other people feel the same way. Even when I put images on social media, like Facebook, I don’t logo. Hell, I’m touched when people use my images for their profile pictures, they shouldn’t have to unwillingly advertise for me as well.

See more of my work: Savannah Wedding Photographers

A Davenport House Wedding- Becky and Rob -Savannah, GA Wedding Photography

lonepinephotography — Sun, 02 May 2010 17:25:02 +0000

Becky and Rob, with their families in tow, came to our fair hostess city all the way from Cleveland, Ohio. They were such a gorgeous couple and had radiating smiles, especially from Rob once he had the ring on Becky’s finger!

I’m careful when capturing images to make sure I don’t cause any problems for the guy with his friends, and when I asked him about some of the setups for their portraiture, he said his mancard was safe and was game for all of it.

To Becky and Rob (Yoko and John Lennon), I say congratulations and thank you for allowing me to be a part of your special day!

Such a beautiful couple!

Thanks to Re-Defining Events for organizing and Rev. Brian Foskey for officiating!

Mike and Maureen- Engagement session

lonepinephotography — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 04:29:36 +0000

I am sooo excited about this couple for a number of reasons, but the biggest is that they both love being in front of the camera!

We met at Vics on the River where they were having adult beverages to loosen up a little, so we got a few shots at the beautiful bridge out front and then took off to explore!

Yes, Maureen is the mischievous one, while Mike is the VERY sweet guy.

I love engagement shoots! In addition to bonding with Maureen and Mike, I was also able to get a very good idea of what their personalities are like apart from the stress of their coming wedding day just a month away!

I love it when a good guy wins, and Mike has definitely won Maureen!

New print pricing

lonepinephotography — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 12:40:07 +0000

I have to change my print pricing to reflect the amount of time I spend on things to get perfect. Spending 45 minutes on a print, to make $5 on it is for the birds. So I’ve raised it, check it out here- Pricing. Loose print pricing direct from my website remains the same as always, but the handtouched prints ordered directly from me have been increased.

The vast majority of the time, people are purchasing a disk with release, or it is included in their package, so I’m not holding anything hostage here, but the days of spending all Sunday on a $200 print order are over.

Luke