bigdayfoto

Joe Gould

Dr. John Dornan

Dr. John Dornan

Here is something we love to do…….some commissioned work involving bad ass bikers (well at least they owe a bike).  In this case all are Harley Davidson’s.  As the better weather draws near we are hoping more bike owners will take an interest in what we have to offer.  Each shoot is unique and revolves around the character(s) who ride the bike.  If you or anyone you know has a bike and might like a shot like these, please get in touch with bdf – we would be glad to discuss the possibilities.

Have you checked out all our posts yet?  If you have, you know that Beaver was in Las Vegas a couple of weeks ago for the WPPI conference and Trade Show.  Well it just so happens that I was there too!  The conference this year had well over 12,000 wedding and portrait photographers in attendance.  Not to mention all the tag alongs like my hubby!  This was my first WPPI and I was jazzed to go. 

The photography industry is an amazing industry.  What struck me most was the accessibility of the icons of our industry.  I emailed Bambi Cantrell to tell her what a great and inspiring seminar she put on.  She replied within three hours.  No, it wasn’t some form letter reply.  Based on what I wrote and her reply, I knew it was direct.  I got to walk up to, talk with and have my picture taken with Jerry Ghionis.  I stood by the Canon booth at the Trade Show and listened to Joe Buissink and watched as he spoke to the crowd and looked directly at each and every person.  One of my favourite parts was the Canon sponsored mock wedding where we got to watch Denis Reggie(who is famous for photographing many celebrities but his images of John Kennedy Jr. and Caroline Bessette Kennedy stick out most in my mind), Bambi, Joe, Jerry and Yervant Zanazanian all photograph the wedding.  They talked about how they approach a shot. What they are looking for.  What they would do in the situation.  There were two huge screens to show it all as there were about 5000 of us in attendance. It was inspiring!   

Since it was my first trip to the conference I didn’t know what to expect.  I opted for a full registration that made available a choice of 3 sessions to attend each day as well as free admission to the trade show.  As I already mentioned, I went to listen to Bambi.  I also attended sessions put on by Jerry Ghionis, Bruce Dorn, Mark Garber, Tamara Lackey and David Ziser.  Next year I plan to take in a few of the Master Classes which are an additional fee but I’m guessing worth every penny!  I was so taken back by the willingness to share information. I “grew up” in the corporate world.  I attended university, received an honours degree in business with an accounting major and I received my accounting designation quickly after graduating.  The corporate world is competitive.  No one will share their secrets for success.  They would like to use you to step on to get ahead.  I wasn’t much like that. I started with a great boss who’s philosophy was that if his people looked good, he looked good.  So he did everything to help the people that worked for him.  He never took credit for work that was not his.  Recognition always went where it belonged.  I like to think that I took that with me as I made my way up the corporate ladder.  So now to be in this new field where that culture is so prevalent, it is amazing.  The speakers shared everything.  The tools they use.  Their set ups.  The best way to pose your subjects.  Some of the sessions I took notes.  Others I just sat back and drank in what they were saying.  It was all very inspiring and motivating and makes me anxious for the wedding season to get back in high gear so that I can apply all that I have learned.  bdf is making big plans and is looking to offer bdf brides even more than before.  So be sure to stay tuned to see all that we are doing this year.  This blog is just a first step in connecting with clients and vendors as well. 

I would be remiss if I skipped over other parts of the Vegas trip.  We were only there a short time but we had a great time.  The conference was held at the MGM Grand Conference Center.  We never had to leave the MGM complex if we didn’t want to.  We saw the Cirque de Soleil show Ka at the MGM Theatre.  We ate at MGM Restaurants – Nobhill was my favourite but Fiamma and Emeril’s was also divine!  The Signature hotel is also part of the MGM complex and it was a great hotel.  All suites so we had a little more room to kick back in.  All in all, it was a great trip and I’m looking forward to returning next year and doing it all over again!

And because every post should have a picture, here is a quick snap out of my Canon G9 point and shoot of me and the amazingly talented Jerry Ghionis.

The above image was awarded Excellence…………and will hang in the Salon Show.

Each year the PPOC – Atlantic hold a convention/print show competition.  There are about 20 different categories that you can enter images for judging.  Portrait weddings commercial to name a few and free style as was the image above.  Although called a print show they are slowly moving away from the judging of actual prints – allowing digital images (as was this one).  Images are judged according to the category entered and must meet or exceed certain ideals of composition etc.  A panel of peers (5) from across Canada judge each image as it’s displayed.  An image is awarded unaccepted/accepted/merit or excellence as the panel of judges determine.  All images receiving accepted and above are “allowed to hang in the salon (or show).  Judging this year appeared much tighter than other years I have witnessed.  Many images (perhaps as many as 50%) failed to make the show.  I can count on one hand how many images received Excellence .  It’s a great feeling…….thanks to all that helped me on this!

For detailed instruction on how it’s done check out pal Ryan’s blog at http://shuttercreative.ca/blog

Congrats to other Saint John area photographers John Beesley, Walt Malone and Cindi-Lee Campbell & Evy McIntyre for their successes today!

http://www.ppocatlantic.com/