If Your Boat Is Sinking Get On This One.

Ron.... Wow! I can't believe the response I've been getting advertising my studio on Facebook. What a great way to connect to new and potentially new customers and with current fans of our studio. I started the Marion's Studio Fan page about 6 weeks ago, we now have almost 700 Fans. As a direct result from that page I have already photographed or have in my books over 50 sessions, we have booked 1 wedding and have wedding consultations with 3 others. I can't go to the store a ball game or walk down the street without someone telling me they love our fan page. Many of our older customers are commenting on our fresh new look we have. I'm loving it, and on top of all of that its FREE advertising. We will be starting our spring animal sessions this week so I posted an event on the fan page then posted a invitation to our fans, in just a few hours I had 20 confirmed guests to our event. what a great tool, if you're not using it your missing the boat. If your boat is sinking get on this one, it's a fun ride.

"Guest Post" from Tim and Bev Walden

[John]. . .Today I am honored to have a guest that I have respected and loved for many years. Tim and Bev have been one of the MOST influential couples in portraiture. They are the most giving and wonderful couple I know. Below is a post written by the Waldens specifically for our Dueling Brothers Blog. Thank you Tim and Bev.

I remember friends telling me about their teenage son. In order
to be unique, to stand out and to not conform he did the whole
mohawk with rainbow colored hair and all black leather attire to
separate himself. He truly wanted to be unique, problem was,
before the end of the school year, over half the students followed
suit in order to be unique themselves and, well as you guessed it,
none of them were unique as a result. In an odd sort of way, it
seems a lot of the portrait photographers have taken this
approach, especially with the "magic" of post capture processes,
actions and software, with simple cameras that shoot under all
kinds of lighting circumstances and allow for "freedom", in many
cases (not all), the simplicity of capturing the individual at
their best can be left behind . For me, it is all about portraits
with "depth", not depth in the focus and aperture sense but
capturing images that celebrate the heart and soul of that subject
that stands before me, and doing so in a simplified manner leaving
nothing for the viewer to enjoy other than that person, their
personality or the relationship they so treasure. It is about
that image moving the viewer emotionally today and again in ten
years without the images being dated by any current fads. I have
also found that, with the mass move into portraiture there is a
true separation of those image-makers that can capture that
classic piece, understanding lighting, body language and the art
of portraiture from those that can not. My assignment, with each
portrait, is to dig deep in the soul and bring the essence of that
person(s) to the surface. As someone who has done this for
several decades now, it is a trust my clients put in me that I do
not take lightly.
Please go to their website below. They are amazing and you will gain so much by their vast knowledge and expertise.
www.timandbevwalden.com

Strength, Security, and Sensitivity

I LOVE this picture. What an example of captured personalities. Each one expressing their true nature. You don't need to ask, only view, and the answers are there. The distance between the sister on the left is a balance for the image. Yet it is also a balance for their relationships. Although she is indipendent, you will notice that the little sister still values her support and affection. The oldest sister usually is the supporting role. And here is no exception. I could have photographed this group of sisters baking a cake in their kitchen, laughing and throwing flour at each other. And wow, wouldn't that fit todays genere' of Hip Photographers? But I don't see how that would show the girls personalities and relationships that are expressed so well here. The title of this post is "Strength, Security, and Sensitivity", which defines the sisters. Taken a little further, it also describes this image of the sisters as well. That, for me, solidifies my intentions. I want my portrature to define my clients image.
p.s. A little detail you may have missed. I had the girl on the far right place her hand exactly in this position to block the older sisters arm. As you may tell by this image, she could be conscientious. This positioning is more flattering overall. Details like this separate Prestigious Portraits from mediocre photography.