Breaking News: My photo appears on Wall Street Journal's website

by Sheba Wheeler/Council on Foundations

This week's earlier coverage of the Council on Foundation's annual conference in Denver continues to offer amazing exposure for my studio. Today, one of my photos I shot of of White House adviser Valerie Jarrett appeared on Wall Street Journals' website!

Jarrett, a long-time adviser to President Obama and manager of the White House Office of Public Engagement, was a keynote speaker who addressed about 1,500 members of the nation's philanthropic community. I turned in about five shots of Jarrett the council's public relations department. The shot the WSJ staff chose was my favorite. I don't know if any other images were actually published in the Journal. But I will check it out to see!

This Weekend: Shooting first senior portrait session of 2010

This morning, I and at least one of my photography buddies will be shooting the second portion of Paul's senior portrait session. Paul, a Montbello High School senior, chose to split up his 90 minute photo shoot with one portion in studio and the second on location. His in studio shoot was held in December, and he chose his yearbook photo from that initial set of images. Here is one of my favorites from that quickie session:



Paul has chosen to have his second photo session in an urban setting, so I suggested we meet in downtown Denver along the 16th Street Mall and take some shots there. Paul is just at home in suits as he is in jeans and t-shirt, so I can't wait to see what kind of cool images we can create together. Denver's Pedestrian Mall may seem like an overdone location, but I honestly believe the possibilities are endless depending on how my vision as well as the students mesh. I've asked Paul to bring several changes of clothing to reflect his moods. When he asked if he could bring a friend, I said, "Sure!" because I've often found that when a subject brings a close friend or family member, it places them almost immediately at ease. The shoot guests have a way of helping the subjects pose or give me some genuine laughs and smiles to be captured on camera.

Here are a few of my favorite shots from previous senior portrait sessions held in downtown Denver. Book your senior portrait session today by contacting me at 303-548-6112 or email me at photos@pictureyourworld.net

JORDAN



MIKE



NANO

Saturday Morning Cartoons

Here is my favorite "What the Duck" comic from this week. Rock on Aaron! "What the Duck" is an online comic strip created by Aaron Johnson. I just love how Aaron's wry sense of humor reflects the current state of the photography industry. But what really freaks me out sometimes when I read his strip is how much they reflect whatever situation I'm currently experiencing too...whether it's working with clients or desperately trying to stay on top of technology like Facebook or Twitter or a host of other things that all add up to being a professional photographer.

The genius of his strip is the way viewers can interact with Aaron and his comic character. Folks are welcome to link, post, copy/paste, or save the strips to their own sites, blogs, forums, newsletters, etc. Aaron also allows viewers to suggest titles for his individual strips, and post photos of their own plushy and stuffed W.T. Duck working or hanging out.

Get Connected: My wedding photos appearing on a website next month!

Bella Sera Event Center owner Elisabeth Montoya is poised to unveil the center's newly developed website on May 3 and will include a large collage of 12 of my best images from Patience and Jack's Wedding. The collage will showcase my logo, website link and contact number too, offering accessibility and convenience to clients who will be thankful that the Bella Sera is a one-stop shopping center, complete with preferred vendors including photographers and videographers.

Elisabeth sent me this sneak peak of the site that should be live the first week in May:



Tomorrow morning, I will be using YouSendIt to email Daniel Harrington of Alpha Bee Design based in Massachusetts a dozen photos which he will place and format on the webpage. The hardest part has been narrowing down the nearly 600 wedding shots to just a dozen of not only my personal best, but those shots that will resonate with potential wedding clients as well as those highlight event center features such as the grand staircase, the chandeliers in the ladies dressing room, the wedding altar and the reception hall. So far I've gotten them down to 17 but I have to have 12 ready for Dan.

BREAKING NEWS: My photo to appear in upcoming magazine editions!

An email I received today just blew me away: One of my photos has a chance to appear in upcoming editions of Digital Photo, Digital Photo Pro and Outdoor Photographer magazines!

Back in August 2007, I won the Digital Photo Academy Assignment for "The Allure of Water" with this image of a little girl running through a fountain at Northfield Stapleton:



My photo along with images from other monthly DPA assignment winners were featured in a traveling exhibition in 10 museums and art galleries where DPA classes are held around the country.

And I thought that was cool!

This new development is simply amazing!

The DPA recently secured plans with Werner Publishing to feature my image in upcoming editions of Digital Photo, Digital Photo Pro, and Outdoor Photographer magazines. Six previous assignment winners' photos will appear in the magazines beginning in June congratulating each DPA assignment winner, says DPA's Mike Zeiler. Not only will the displays advertise the great work DPA is doing but expose its students' works to a world-wide audience!

What's so amazing to me is that that photo was one of THE FIRST images I ever shot with my then Canon Rebel XTi in my first digital photography class taught by Efrain Cruz when he worked at the Denver Darkroom. Since then, Efrain started his own company called Illuminate Workshops. I can't even remember what the class assignment had been...shoot outdoors, or urban photography or some such other thing. But I do remember this little girl following me around the shopping center while I was fumbling with and trying to learn how to work my new camera. I told her that if she didn't stop following me, I was gonna shoot her! She and her friends didn't stop, so I shot them while they were getting soaked in the fountains. The image was definitely a foundation for the kind of captured moments I now look for as my professional photography career has progressed. You can even see my feeble attempts at trying to burn out distracting elements (I was taking my first Photoshop class at the time too!)

The exposure opportunities that DPA continues to make available for their students is just unbelievable. If you haven't become a part of this program yet, then do so now. It continues to grow by leaps and bounds, has secured some amazing sponsors, including Panasonic Lumix, has the best teachers available and is always finding ways to get more exposure for their students. For example, students can have their work be showcased on webinars and online classes hosted by instructors for an international wide audience. Our photos appear in online galleries. And the networking possibilities are endless. DPA is available in more than 20 US cities, so there is bound to be one close to you!

This will be the second time some of my photography has been featured in a magazine. This image appeared as a full page feature photo in the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation's magazine, BUGLE!

Get Inspired: Denver Post Photographer Wins Pulitzer

I am proud to announce that one of my colleagues, Denver Post Photographer Craig Walker, won the 2010 Feature Photography Pulitzer for "Ian Fisher: American Soldier." In May of 2007, Ian Fisher was a high school graduate looking for a new direction in life. He chose the military, where he could put his fighting instincts to work in defense of his country. Craig and reporters Kevin Simpson, Michael Riley and Bruce Finley tracked Fisher from high school graduation through basic training, assignment to Colorado’s Fort Carson and a year-long deployment in Iraq. The narratives and photos reveal how Fisher also had to win a battle with himself before he could defend his nation. Meanwhile, videos in the comprehensive online multimedia project of Fisher’s friends, relatives and military colleagues discuss his decision to join the Army and how his military career path has impacted them.

The Pulitzer couldn't have gone to a more deserving, hardworking photojournalist. Craig's accomplishments with his lens has spanned the years from chronicling the last 6 months of a one young woman's battle with cancer to risking his own life while shooting in Afghanistan. He has always been one of the most supportive photography staff members here at the Post encouraging me to continue with my own photography studies and even fighting for my ability to be able to shoot here at the Denver Post.

During his speech, I chuckled when I learned that Craig's favorite photo from his series on Ian Fisher was Ian's most disliked photo. Sounds familiar, huh, considering the fact that as a photographer, often my favorite shots are the ones the clients could care less about. It was very poignant to hear Craig talk about living through the emotional ups and downs along with Ian who gave unprecedented access to he and his family throughout his journey of becoming an American soldier. The Fishers were in attendance today when the Denver Post staff saluted them and Craig with a champagne toast and a party complete with a live band later that evening. Publisher Dean Singleton and Editor Greg Moore spoke about Craig's win as validation of all the sacrifices The Denver Post has overcome in the past year to stay alive in the aftermath of the closing of the Rocky Mountain News, including surviving layoffs, and cuts in salaries and benefits.

Instructor's Tip: Dramatic Coastal Shots

I hope you enjoy this week's "Instructor's Tip" by one of my favorite instructors, award winning nature photographer Russ Burden. To learn more about how Russ captured the above image, join him on one of his photo tours. Visit Russ Burden Photography to get more information.

Photo by Russ Burden


Two quick things:
1) There won’t be a Photo Tip of the Week next week as Russ will be in Monument Valley and The Slot Canyons of Arizona leading my photo tour. He'd love to have each of you join him on one so he can share his knowledge and enthusiasm with you.
2) Great News - if you’ve been following his weekly tips on Take Great Pictures, you noticed they weren’t being updated these past few months. Well that’s all changed and they’re back along with a new "Photoshop Tip of the Month." See below for all the details.

Dramatic Coastal Shots
Having lived on the east coast for many years, I developed a strong love for the ocean. While I was living there, I made many photo excursions to capture coastal light at both sunrise and sunset. Since moving to the Denver area, I now get my once a year ocean fix when I run my photo tour to Oregon and northern California in late May (one opening left - hint hint). The sunrises and sunsets of the landscape are gorgeous, but coastal photography goes far beyond capturing a fantastic seascape. The subject matter in any coastal area is endless. As a nature photographer I try to incorporate natural subjects into my images, but I’ve also shot my fair share of lobster traps, fishing villages, old salts working their boats, and many other subjects found in these areas.

As with most subject matter in photography, getting out early and staying out late to capture the sweet light of sunrise and sunset is key to getting the best images. The colors are richer, the tones are warmer, and the sidelight emphasizes the textures and patterns that grace these areas. Don’t overlook getting to each location at dawn and staying till dusk to capture the subtle colors at these times. If Mother Nature doesn’t provide you with a light show in the sky, try using colored filters to add some punch. Another filter you’ll find quite useful is a graduated neutral density to tame the contrast of the rising or setting sun if you include darker foreground areas in your composition.

Tides are important to coastal shots. Low tide means tide pools teeming with life and provide lots of subject matter. Low tide also means having rocks revealed that can be used as strong foregrounds. High tide may bring more dramatic wave action crashing on rocks or simply make for better subjects unto themselves. You’ll also want to be aware of the tide times for the sake of safety as you don’t want to get caught in an area from where you can’t escape if the tide comes in while you’re wrapped up in your photography.

Please help spread the word about my Nature Photo Tours so I’ll be able to continue sending The Tip Of The Week year after year. As I’ve re-designated 2010 to be The Year of the Photo Tour, I’d love to have you join me so I can share with you first hand all the great free tips I’ve sent out over the years. I look forward to seeing you on a tour.

Take a class with Russ or a fellow Digital Photo Academy instructor in your area, check out the Digital Photo Academy. I took Russ' intermediate and advanced courses last year, and he continues to be a strong source of knowledge and encouragement as I progress in my photography.

Check out Burden's "How To Tips" featured on Outdoor Photographer's website. The seven that are dated February 4th are his. Just underneath the articles, be sure to click on page 1 to see an additional 9.

Don't forget to check Take Great Pictures for Burden's most recent tips. On the home page, click on the "Photo Tips And Techniques" button in the left hand column. Additionally, check out his "Digital Tip of the Month" found by clicking on the Digital Photography button.

To learn more about this subject, join Burden on one of his photo tours.

Get the Goods: Attending a Kelby Training Seminar with Joe McNally

I just signed up for Scott Kelby's "Location Lighting Techniques for Photographers" seminar featuring Joe McNally! McNally is one of the world's top shooters, an internationally acclaimed American photographer, long-time photojournalist, and author of the ground-breaking smash best-selling book "The Moment it Clicks!" The jam-packed, day-long event will include off camera flash essentials, multiple flash, great portraits with multiple flash, and an introduction to using big lights on location. I have long been wanting to attend a seminar, workshop or class on location lighting, and I think this seminar is a steal for only $79 (with my NAPP membership discount). I and photographer buddy Tim Reid can't wait to attend. Tim and I are pairing up to complete some themed photo shoots that I will be sharing with readers soon. Check out some of Tim's work at his SmugMug site here. If you are in Denver when Kelby tour lands on April 28, look for me in the room.

Instructor's Tip: Patterns

I hope you enjoy this week's "Instructor's Tip" by one of my favorite instructors, award winning nature photographer Russ Burden. To learn more about how Russ captured the above image, join him on one of his photo tours. Visit Russ Burden Photography to get more information.


Photo by Russ Burden

PATTERNS
All too often, photographers develop a sense of tunnel vision determined by the destination to where they’re bound. Depending upon the location, the overall big picture gets locked into the mind and no thinking outside the box occurs. For example, a trip to an exotic foreign locale is planned. Visions of the sweeping countryside, people and their culture, big cities and the main tourist attractions become the focal points. With the preconceived notion and desire to come home with these images, ways of looking at other potential subjects are passed over.

Take for example a trip to Paris. High on any photographer’s list would be a great shot of the Eiffel Tower. Even amongst all the other structures of the Paris skyline, the Tower beckons to be photographed. Photographing it in its entirety is fine but often nets a cliched image. By isolating sections, juxtaposing other buildings against it or finding dramatic pieces within, different and maybe even better images can be made.

Interesting patterns are everywhere. From the sides of a building to the bark of a tree, patterns can be extracted from a multitude of subjects. Whenever like colors, shapes, lines or textures are repeated in specific intervals, the potential to make successful pattern photographs is there.

When searching out patterns, try to look for a composition where a single element breaks it up yet doesn’t interfere with its integrity. This creates a focal point for the eye while it simultaneously makes a stronger image. Try placing this element in an area one third in from the left, right, top or bottom of the frame. It will add intrigue and interest to the photograph.

Take a class with Russ or a fellow Digital Photo Academy instructor in your area, check out the Digital Photo Academy. I took Russ' intermediate and advanced courses last year, and he continues to be a strong source of knowledge and encouragement as I progress in my photography.

Check out Burden's "How To Tips" featured on Outdoor Photographer's website. The seven that are dated February 4th are his. Just underneath the articles, be sure to click on page 1 to see an additional 9.

Don't forget to check Take Great Pictures for Burden's most recent tips. On the home page, click on the "Photo Tips And Techniques" button in the left hand column. Additionally, check out his "Digital Tip of the Month" found by clicking on the Digital Photography button.

To learn more about this subject, join Burden on one of his photo tours.

Breaking News: Vote to win this month's free photo session!

One lucky studio fan can win this month's free two hour photo session! All it will take is one vote to be eligible! Cast a $1 vote for my entry in the North America's Cutest Family Photo Contest, email me your receipt after you vote at photos@pictureyourworld.net and get your name into the drawing for the free shoot.

It's that easy!

The more times you vote, the more chances you have to win the session. For example, if you donate $5 (or five votes), your name goes into the hat five times, making it five times more likely that I will pull you name and you will win!

You have until April 7 at midnight MST to cast your vote for The Ryan Family in the 2010 Sandy Puc International Charity Model Search benefitting Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Foundation.



This family portrait contest entry has been accepted into the 2010 Sandy Puc International Charity Model Search for North America's Cutest Family!

But a free photo session isn't the only thing you could win! You could win a new car and I could win an amazing new camera!

Only the family with the most votes from each city will make it into the final round of voting for North America's Cutest Family!

Grand Prize winners in the contest will win:

First Place: A 2010 Hyundai Accent (metallic silver), 4 door sedan, automatic transmission, with air conditioning and valued at $15,460.00. A new Canon camera, a $50 gift certificate to J Crew and a limited edition numbered and signed photo art print from a renowned photographer.

Second Place: A new Canon camera and a limited edition numbered and signed photo art print from a renowned photographer

Third Place: A new Canon camera and a limited edition numbered and signed photo art print from a renowned photographer.

So vote now!

To vote go to the website, and click on the gallery link. The first page will show the top 3 families, click on the link at the bottom of the page to enter the gallery.

From here, you and those you know can search for The Ryan family in Denver. Once you click in the image, there is a blue button that says "Vote." Click here to vote!

Each vote is a dollar, and all proceeds benefit Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep. Remember, send me email confirming your voting receipt and you will be entered into this month's drawing for a free two hour photo session!

Saturday Morning Cartoons

Here is my favorite "What the Duck" comic from this week. Rock on Aaron! "What the Duck" is an online comic strip created by Aaron Johnson. I just love how Aaron's wry sense of humor reflects the current state of the photography industry. But what really freaks me out sometimes when I read his strip is how much they reflect whatever situation I'm currently experiencing too...whether it's working with clients or desperately trying to stay on top of technology like Facebook or Twitter or a host of other things that all add up to being a professional photographer.

The genius of his strip is the way viewers can interact with Aaron and his comic character. Folks are welcome to link, post, copy/paste, or save the strips to their own sites, blogs, forums, newsletters, etc. Aaron also allows viewers to suggest titles for his individual strips, and post photos of their own plushy and stuffed W.T. Duck working or hanging out.

STILL NEED YOUR VOTES for North America's Cutest Family Contest

Thank you to all families who are participating in The 2010 International Charity Model Search! We appreciate your support of the Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Foundation.

Just a reminder ~ VOTING ENDS APRIL 8, 2010 at Midnight MDT!!
Remember, all proceeds from votes benefit NILMDTS. Help my studio, Picture Your World Photography, make it into the final round by voting for The Ryan Family for North America's Cutest Family!



This family portrait contest entry has been accepted into the 2010 Sandy Puc International Charity Model Search for North America's Cutest Family!

Here's the link to my client's entry.

Only the family with the most votes in each city will move into the final judging round. Here are the grand prizes:

First Place: A 2010 Hyundai Accent (metallic silver), 4 door sedan, automatic transmission, with air conditioning and valued at $15,460.00. A new Canon camera, a $50 gift certificate to J Crew and a limited edition numbered and signed photo art print from a renowned photographer.

Second Place: A new Canon camera and a limited edition numbered and signed photo art print from a renowned photographer

Third Place: A new Canon camera and a limited edition numbered and signed photo art print from a renowned photographer

Additionally, each city finalist will receive a photo art print by a renowned photographer.

To vote go to the website, and click on the gallery link. The first page will show the top 3 families, click on the link at the bottom of the page to enter the gallery.

From here, you and those you know can search for The Ryan Family in Denver. Once you click in the image, there is a blue button that says "Vote." Click here to vote!

Each vote is a dollar, and all proceeds benefit Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep. Please encourage your families and friends to vote for you!

Get Connected: Wedding vendor features my photos on their website!

I got a great call yesterday! Elisabeth Montoya, owner of the Bella Sera Event Center in Brighton, will feature several of my shots from Patience and Jack's wedding on its newly designed website! Three photographer assistants and I shot the couple's wedding at the center in January. I blogged about how fantastic the Bella Sera was, virtually overflowing with great shot opportunities to showcase a wedding and reception. The wedding was amazing and was very easy to shoot because of its wealth of unforgettable characters and special moments. From traditional African dances to adorable flower girls, this wedding had it all!









Elisabeth would like to feature a collage of her favorite images from the wedding on her site, which is in the process of being redeveloped. She chose 58 photos, including her personal favs as well as others she believed best represented the couples story and showcased the event center. Several of her favs are shown here in this blog post. It's not clear how many of those will appear on the website once her developer gets ahold of them, but my photos coupled with my business logo, links and contact information will be a great marketing tool to hopefully help me secure more weddings at Bella Sera.











Even though the center only has two preferred photography vendors, Elisabeth's referrals of other photographers she's worked well with is exactly the kind of reassurances taxed brides- and husbands-to-be rely on when they need help choosing vendors. Elisabeth's knows what photographic styles will fit with her clients' needs. Plus, her large photo album showcasing 12x12 prints of different photographers' work from various events held at the center helps get even more business for the vendors she partners with. Referrals continue to be my studio's best source of advertising and securing new clients. Elisabeth's willingness to help my studio as well as other wedding vendors' businesses grow is amazing and truly sincere. It's connections like these that help businesses thrive. Thank you Elisabeth for this wonderful opportunity for my studio and thank you Heather, Susan and Jamie for your fantastic work! Couldn't have done it with out you fabulous ladies!