Photo Finalist!!!

Got this email today :)

Hi Justine

Congratulations! You have placed as a finalist in this month's BetterPhoto
Contest! Over 14900 photos were entered into the competition; it is an honor
to have your image selected among the top 799 finalist photos

See the photo HERE


...

A Bit of Me - Southern Alberta Photographer

I LOVE fashion! I love how people express themselves through clothing. I love how it makes you feel when you find that perfect outfit. I love watching all the fashion shows from Fashion Television to What Not to Wear. I tried the whole fashion designer thing, but I have absolutely NO patience for the sewing machine. I have books filled with ideas, but you can not get me to sit at that machine. Photography has been the output for my passion of fashion. I would love to pursue my dream of being an editorial fashion photographer. Coming (and living) from a small town it is really hard to get in to the fashion industry. I am lucky enough to have some friends and family who have great style (and a family member who actually finished college with Fashion and Design). It is my goal this year to do more fashion-inspired photo sessions. If it’s something you love, do and do again! Never give up on what you love. I need to take those words to mean something for myself. I seem to talk more than I do and it’s something I need to stop doing to myself. Working full-time and doing photography part-time, life gets pretty jumbled. I need to push myself to work a little harder to reach my goals. This year will be different and I'm getting pretty excited about it! J

Steve & Melissa {Summer Love} Lethbridge Wedding Photographer

A Bit From Today ~ Southern Alberta Photographer

Thought I'd share some of my random photos of the day. Enjoy!

Jay & Danielle {July 9, 2011} Southern Alberta Wedding Photographer

 

Brooklynne {Graduation} Southern Alberta Portrait Photographer

 

*

Travelling Beauty ~ Southern Alberta Portrait Photographer

I've had this photo session floating around in my mind for awhile now and finally let it out today! Brooklynne and myself packed up a bunch of props and headed over to my granny's farm to set up. Here is the result:
{More to come!}

Tip of the Month {Q&A}

There is much opinion these days about what products are offered by each individual photographer. The biggest opinion these days is printing vs. CD. Since as long as I can remember, photos from professional photographers were only offered in prints. This allowed secure copyright to the photographer. The newest thing happening with photography now (and HUGE request from clients) is receiving the disc with the photos from the session. Many photographers that I have talked to, struggle with how they wish to present the disc. With social networking becoming a huge part of our every day lives and how we communicate and share with each other, the more opportunity us photographers have to advertize. On top of that though, is more opportunity that we photographers seem to have issues with stolen images. There have been a few unfortunate events via Facebook in where this has happened to some photographers that I know. The question we face is: how much to I want to keep as copyright for myself, and how much do I want to give of the copyright to my client? It is completely up to the opinion of the individual photographer. I know some photographers who put a copyright on all their photos received on the disc, and some who don’t put any copyright on the disc to be released.

For me, I don’t sell prints unless the client is interested in purchasing prints. Photos are now shared with family and friends via some social network rather than hung up on the walls or shared in albums. My clients so far have been fabulous in giving me credit for my photography that I don’t feel the need to put copyright on every photo.  The only thing that I am concerned about is how my art is transferred to the many different printing companies around. High quality prints are very important to the way your art is presented. I suggest to my clients to seek out the best local printing facility or to order their prints through me. It is their choice in the end. I have sold a few large prints for wall display decoration, and I think it’s great! The most important photos I believe need to be displayed as a reminder of your wonderful life at that time.

My suggestion to you is to read other photographers opinions as well, and then decide for yourself how you wish to run your business. Here are some links I have found from other photographers opinions about the subject:

http://www.digital-photography-school.com/shoot-burn-vs-printing

http://www.viennaglennblog.com/2011/05/disc-of-images-vs.html

Gavin ~ Southern Alberta Family Photographer

I got to photograph this little cutie pie yesterday down at Taber Park. He was such a happy little camper running around and playing. It was pretty much me chasing him around and snapping photos, but he was really good about it! Every time we told him to do something, he would do it, and then give a little smirk to the camera, or to his mom. So sweet!

New Logo!

I know, it's changing again. I know, I'm really fickle when it comes to stuff like this! I keep finding new funky fonts and I want to use all of them! (Maybe I should stop searching)! Anyhew, here it is: