Photographing the times of our lives, families, friends, birthdays, gatherings…and more

On Saturday my wife and I went to Marshallville, Ohio to visit with her brother Mike and Sister-in-law Kathy. It was Kathy’s birthday and at the same time the Marshallville “history days” or some such celibration. Patty’s dad was there, her sister Pam, and Kathy’s parents were there too. There was a hot-rod show and I caught the last tractor pull of the afternoon. It was a good day.

The portraits below started with my asking to take a portrait of Mike and Kathy, then we decided to take a portrait of the girls, then the brothers and sisters, then the family. Then Kathy asked if I would take few pictures of her mom and dad too. Kathy’s mom and dad are very old and her mom is starting to have memory issues.

Patty’s dad had fought through cancer last year (he was at death’s door) at the same time in the same hospital her mom was critically ill.

I’m telling you all this just to encourage you to pull out your camera and volunteer to take some portraits when you are with your family and friends. Tomorrow the entire situation could be completely different. And it is not always the oldest person who we loose. These portraits took a few minutes, not like the hour or so I normally spend with my photography clients, but they too will last a lifetime and have great meaning for those who choose to keep them.

Don’t forget to have the portraits printed out. Computers change. Hard drives crash. Technology changes quickly and computer media becomes corrupted or out of date as well.

PORTRAIT TIPS: Use a wider f stop to make the background more blurry (f 2.8, f4, f5.6). Shoot with a longer lens (at least 85mm) for more pleasing portraits of people. Shoot in open shade, not in the bright sun. The light will be much more even and pictures will be much nicer without having people squint and without having dark shadows in their eye sockets. Try to have your subjects brighter than the background (keep the background in the shade too).  Last of all I always say, ” Now touch each other, it will make people think you like each other!” This always brings some natural smiles AND the portraits seem so much more intimate when the subject are touching.

Here are just a couple of the portraits I offered to make for a few minutes during the day we spent with Kathy and Mike to celebrate her birthday. This is Mike & Kathy.

This is Patty’s family. Left is her older sister Pam, then dad, then Patty and her brother Mike on the far right.

I took some candids of other things from the day, but I also put my camera in the trunk of my car (nearby) to socialize with everyone.

The power of a self hosted wordpress website/blog for photographers

This post is for my photographer friends.

This is also a follow up to a prior article on the same topic. In less than one year, I’ve gone from 300-500 visits per MONTH to about 300 visits per day to my self hosted wordpress website and blog (very important: this does not work like this if you go get a wordpress.com blog where “wordpress.com” is part of your URL).

As you can see, my URL does not say wordpress.com in it anywhere (www.photosbypdemott.com). That is because I have the entire wordpress program installed on my host and my website landing page is my URL, but this entire web site is a wordpress blog with blog posts and pages. It may not be as slick as some of the flash sites that are promoted in photography magazines, but those sites will never generate this level of activity unless they are heavily promoted. With wordpress each time that I post to my blog it creates more key words that appear in organic searches on Google and other search engines. Since it is a blog, Google also considers it timely information and crawls through the content quickly. When I post something, the next hour or day I have people who have visited my web site about that topic using organic searches (placing words in their google search box and clicking search). 70% of the traffic to this site is from organic searches as opposed to from links that I have placed on various free classified web listings for example.

By using a plugin called WordPress Stats I can see what words and phrases are used to arrive at my web site. When I see traffic that I want, I try to use those words in my next post. For example, as a photographer I want people interested in senior portrait sessions to visit my web site, but I have found that organic searches are many times “senior pictures” rather than “senior portraits”. Using this plugin gives me the tools to focus on the words that will give me the desired traffic to my site. I also mention cities and towns, schools and names of people to increase localized and desired traffic to my site.

Now, I am not that technical a guy. Of course when it comes to photogrpahy, I’m technical. I have a Canon 1D Mark II with a 70-200 IS USM f2.8 lens (and others) for photography. But, with regard to web sites I don’t know HTML or other languages. I don’t even know how to download wordpress and install in on my host. I let others that are very able in those areas do what they know how to do to get me started.

Larry at larry@e-3design.com is my host and web guy whenever I need some help. Larry can host, install, and design a wordpress website/blog for you or can get you started with an install and hosting if you can do the rest. If you want to start with a self hosted wordpress installation, Larry can get-r-done (but, please do not call him and waste his time. If you want him to do it for you, send him a note and tell him you are ready. He will go over his prices and you can do it or not, but don’t call him and use his valuable time with a bunch of questions so you can do it on your own. If you want to learn all that stuff unless you want to pay him, it is not fair to make Larry your teacher. There are also online tutorials about this stuff where you can learn, but personally I want to be a photographer rather than a web site designer).

Next time I will post a list of plugins that send my posts to Facebook and Twitter and provide all sorts of extra benefits.

If you found this interesting, please post a comment. I want to know if I am providing you with information that you find interesting and useful. You can send me a note at peter@photosbypdemott.com as well.

Lifestyle senior portraits in Kettering, Oakwood, Centerville, Beavercreek….and more

One thing about the internet is that you cannot tell exactly where your visitor traffic is coming from. I can see that people are interested in new ideas for their senior portrait sessions, but I cannot tell if those are students from California or New York. I can just hope that if those students are looking for senior portraits with their horse or how about a young lady who wants her senior portraits with her dad’s hotrod or senior portraits on the farm or with their best friend, then the students in my area are also interested in those things and are also visiting this web site.

So if you want a relaxed on-location senior portrait session and you live in Oakwood, Kettering, Centerville, Beavercreek, Washington Township, Springboro, Middletown, Fairborn, Miamisburg, Germantown, Huber Heights, Troy, Tipp City, or any of the many other towns and burgs surrounding the greater Dayton area, then I am hoping that you are stopping by my web site to see a different sort of senior portrait session.

My photography has an enduring quality and not too trendy. Trendy is fun, but it may not be you and trends tend to pass on by. If I can capture something special about you and your way of being and the things or people that are important to you, that can last a lifetime. I like my portraits to look nice hanging in the family homestead for many years not just while the trend is hot. I like my clients to invest in canvas wall portraits and professional quality photo books or various framed prints from their sessions.

That’s not to say that I would not be up for some urban/graffiti or other interesting stuff, but I want it to be about you, not because it is a trend. So give me a call and tell me about your ideas and lets work something out. Peter DeMott Photography at (937) 478-6222 in SW Ohio.

Senior portraits with horse and dog and even donkey

Friday night I had a great senior portrait session with Ceili (Kay-lee). She wanted some pictures with her horse and some pictures with her dog. As Ceili went to retrieve her horse, we discovered another rather entertaining pasture ornament. It was Cledus the mammoth jack donkey. I had my wife Patty as my assistant for the session. This is a picture of the mammoth jack donkey with my wife Patty. Ceili’s farm is sort of between Middletown Ohio and Oxford Ohio, but for equine portraits (including senior portraits with horses and other equestrian sport photography opportunities, I will travel up to several hours for a session including mid to northern Kentucky, mid to South East Indiana, and mid to South West Ohio)

Since I specialize in photographing horses, I have a little trick in my iphone. I have MP3 files of horses whinnying that I sometimes play to get horses’ ears up or to get their attention. When I played it for the donkey it got his attention, you could see the interest building, several big breaths of air and WOW that donkey can bray. We had to move away and cover our ears it was so loud. He was looking about trying to find where on earth those other horses were and he certainly knew how to make it known where he was.

Ceili was ready with Stormy Jazz and we found a good place where the corn and a barn provided some open shade and a good clean background. Ceili has a great smile.

We took various poses, but at one point I put my camera down to my side and Ceili took a breath and relaxed more. She also reached over and gave her horse a big hug. Fast reflexes and up the camera went and click, click, I got the shot. It seems that in almost every on-location session, there are several spontaneous moments. Keeping your eyes open and being ready for whatever comes your way can lead to some great portraits. Of course you have to know how to set up the poses too. When I do my portrait sessions, I am comfortable with my equipment, my assistant knows what I want from the lighting, so that allows me to focus on my subject (not just camera focus) and be looking for that natural smile and spontaneous moment.

Jean, Ceili’s mom also wanted some relaxed portraits without the horse.

Last we moved to the front yard and took some portraits of Ceili with Nemo. The family has several beautiful german shepherds.

Even though it was very hot, Ceili was able to make a couple changes of clothes and didn’t get too hot. Around here, it has been raining often even with the heat so everything has stayed green. If you want portraits with your horse, please don’t wait and call after everything dries up and turns brown. We may be lucky this summer and have green and pretty all season long. That will also make good for a very colorful fall. Please visit my web site if you want to have your portrait made with your horse at your farm or stable. http://www.photosbypdemott.com . You can also send me an email at peter@photosbypdemott.com or call me at 937-478-6222. For senior (highschool portraits) and for anyone else who loves their horse and wants some great images to remember them by, I come to your farm or stable and will travel some distance if needed (you’ll need to pay a bit more after 25 miles). Hope to hear from you soon.

Equine photographer means senior portraits with horse

This Friday evening at about 7pm (weather permitting) I will be taking portraits of Ceili and her horse to complete her senior portraits package. Earlier I did a session with her best friend with lovely outdoor farm settings.

Lately the heat and humidity have been terrible here in the Dayton area, but gladly we have had consistent rain from time to time so grass and foliage have stays nice and green, ideal for on location and outdoor portraits. Ceile and her mom LOVE, LOVE, LOVED the pictures from the first session.

If you have an interest in an evening session (when things have cooled down some), now is the time to schedule an appointment. For equine (horse) portraits, after evening feeding is a great time when things have cooled down and your horse is content. It also gives you time to clean and prepare and the light is great then as well. Peter DeMott 937-478-6222. Please don’t wait for the grass to burn out and become ugly brown before you call.

For children a photo session can be a play time

These are some portraits that I created Monday evening. Rather than take an energetic little girl and try to stifle her joy and excitement in play, I was able to let the parents encourage her to play and capture moments and natural expressions. My wife said, “Wow, look at those eyes!” After she ran around in this dress she went and pet our horse. Too cute!

If you would like a play session portrait session for your child, please give me a call and we can have a phone consultation to discuss your ideas to capture the true nature of your young one. The session can be here at our farm, at any near by park, or at your own home. Dayton, Oakwood, Centerville, Springboro, Fairborn, Huber Height, Vandalia, Englewood, where ever you are we can set up a time that works for you and for me.

Peter DeMott

937-478-6222

Megan models for the Senior Portrait photography workshop

I had a great time at the senior portrait workshop sponsored by PPSO here in the Dayton area. There were about 30-35 photographers from Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky here for a full day of learning. My son Evan and his friend Megan were two of the three models for the event.

Today, I thought I would just share a couple senior portraits of Megan. Although she was nervous at first, it was a really fun experience and she did a great job.

Many of the photographers talked about Megan’s beautiful eyes. Actually everything about here was lovely, but my gosh those eyes are something, wouldn’t you say. Creative pictures for girls involve softening whatever they do by bending in as many places as possible and shooting at an angle from the body rather than straight on.

Megan’s lovely smile was also a hit with all the photographers participating in the workshop.

This girls senior portrait has a secret garden sort of feel because of the leaves that I am peeking through to get the picture.

I got to meet several photographers that will be joining PPSO because of the great day they had with us learning to take better senior portraits. I enjoy friending other photographers as well as people who enjoy my style and are considering me for their senior portrait sessions. A phone consultation is the first step in scheduling your senior portrait photography session here in the Dayton and surrounding area. Peter DeMott 937-478-6222

This post will appear on my web site: http://www.photosbypdemott.com It will also appear on my facebook personal page and my facebook fan page along with a post on twitter. I am a portrait photographer in the Dayton, Ohio area specializing in on-location portraits of seniors, families and children. I also have a specialty in equine (horse) photography and will come to your farm or stable for your session. If you like my style I encourage you to follow me in any or all the above mentioned areas. If you are a photographer, I enjoy networking with other photographers both professional and amateur.

Creative senior picture ideas, all you have to do is ask

In my last post I listed several things that I would like to try with seniors in the area. I mentioned portraits with old tractors, old barns with old tools, and other farm scenes. I also asked for help expanding the list of creative senior portrait ideas.

Within hours Jean called me and said, “wait till you see where we want to do our session?” Jean is Ceili’s mom and the senior portrait session was already scheduled for Friday starting at 6pm. First we were going to photograph Ceili (by the way, pronounced Kay-Lee) with her paint horse, then we were going to take some soccer related pictures of her best friend Kim, then we were going to a historic farm to do some portraits, and then to Kim’s relative’s farm for some farm equipment shots.

It sounded great, but I was concerned about fitting it all in. Two sessions (best friends) a horse, a farm, another farm and farm equipment, and dogs too. When I arrived, I was a bit concerned because the horse that we were going to photograph with Ceili was still in the pasture and covered from head to toe in mud. We’ve been having heavy thunder storms almost daily. Lots of rain and lots of mud. After Jean went to get the horse she came back in and we regrouped. The horse was clean yesterday, but after the rains last night he was going to take some work to get cleaned up for photographs. Instead, we will do the horse with Ceili on another day.

Now Kim arrived. Kim and Ceili are best friends and they are both country farm girls. I learned more as the evening progressed. But, while Ceili changed her clothes, we went over to the Edgewood Highschool in Trenton to take some portraits of Kim in her soccer uniform. Here is a link the Edgewood High School Sports: http://www.edgewoodhs.org/sports_activities/index.php?category_id=3613

Senior portraits at a Local Historic Farm Location:

Next we were off to an historic farm nearby. The landscaping was beautiful and there were several great places for pictures. The tree lined drive was first. Since these two are best friends,  I asked them if they would hold ands or hang on each other and walk toward me from the end of the drive. “Sure, we can do that.” I said, do whatever you might do as friends. I showed them my son and his best friend on my iPhone. I had done a “best friends” session with Evan and Kyle and I had some of the pictures on my iPhone and so I showed them. It worked out great. Since I am used to working with animals and motion, I set the camera to deal with their motion and sent them down the drive. Okay, now come back toward me and hang on each other.

Best friend Senior Portraits: I’m so pleased that I was able to capture expressions of their relationship

Helping Senior Portrait subjects to strike a pleasing pose

Now for some individual images around the historic farm. With Ceili’s white dress, I thought that the beautiful white fence would look nice. I have portraits from other sessions on my photo galleries on my iPhone and there are some instructions that can help young ladies look their best. For people a good rule of thumb is, “if it bends, bend it.”  I showed Ceili a picture of a girl by a fence and said, “can you do that?” I said, “put your weight on the back leg and do that sassy look like this.” I jut my hip to one side and we laugh (I look ridiculous) and then she strikes a lovely pose.

Shade is a good thing for portraits and cloudy days are also helpful. But, at the same time just shade is rather boring, so my son Evan was my assistant for this session and was holding a 52″ silver reflector and directing some light onto my subject. I asked him to feather the light rather than blast her with beam of blinding light directly from the sun. I think it worked out great here.

The reflector also adds a small catch-light in her eyes.

Getting Senior Portraits with natural and comfortable smiles

Both moms and I joked with the girls to get them to relax with more natural smiles. However, I usually have to mention to moms not to be saying things like, “not that smile” or “not like that” as it just makes people tense up. Here the beautiful stone wall and a farm windmill in the background made a lovely setting. With all this landscaping and everything in bloom I set up a standing portrait also.

Creative Senior Portraits for girls that are proud to be farm girls: Portraits about who they are

Now it was time to head to Kim’s relative’s farm for an old barn and some farm equipment and Kim’s dogs too. I thought that Ceili’s mom and Kim’s mom had really come up with some creative ideas since these two are farm girls. They both know how to drive tractors, bail hay, and help around the farm because they just do it to be with each other and have something fun to do. So we arrived at another location and went exploring. The old barn had a great back door and when we opened the big sliding doors, there was a tractor waiting there for us. Even with the heat and humidity, Kim wanted to wear her FFA (Future Farmers of America) jacket for some of the senior pictures.

Here is the tractor we found when we opened the doors of the old barn. Kim’s uncle, I believe, walked over and told me about the barn which was there when he was a child. I was surprised when he said he was in his 70s because he looked more like 50 or 60 to me. He showed me where some of the original siding boards had been replace and where new ones were added. I thought that this barn was perfect for some rustic farm portraits using the side door and the sliding door with the tractor.

Senior Portraits showing the farm crops create a great personal signature for these two students

What else do you find on a farm. Crops of course. This next portrait shows Ceili in the knee high corn with round bails in the background (maybe those are the ones she helped with).

The girls were great in 90 degree heat and humidity at close to 100%. Of course I was drenched with sweat by the end of our time together. Evan, my son was grateful to get into the car and get the air conditioning running again. One thing about location lifestyle photography sessions is that you have to deal with whatever wether brings. This year that has been lots of rain and the flowers and grass are growing and green. A huge storm had passed over just minutes before I was to arrive at the home to meet up with everyone. I’m glad we did not reschedule, because I think this portraits and senior pictures turned out just great.

Hope to hear from more folks with additional creative ideas for lifestyle senior portrait sessions here in South West Ohio. Peter DeMott Photography, 937-478-6222 or peter@photosbypdemott.com

For more senior portraits from this session click on this link: http://pdemott.smugmug.com

   

Creative senior portrait session ideas I would like to try

Inspiration from my friend Selley Paulson

I just got delivery of a blog post by my friend Shelley Paulson of Shelley Paulson Photography. In the post she explained that she loves doing portrait sessions around old abandoned houses. Dilapidated and overgrown, they provide such opportunity to have creative and different portraits. Here is Shelley’s post about an abandoned Frank Lloyd Wright style home which had been abandoned for many years. The roof was caved in and it was overgrown.

http://blog.shelleypaulson.com/?p=3530

This session was with two sisters, but it got me thinking about some options that I would like to try for senior portraits here in the Dayton area. If you would like to try one of these options for your senior portrait session, I am offering a $50 discount off the creative/session fee to the first one who calls with a cool idea. Oh, and you have to have the location in mind. It has to be a place you know. How fun is that?

Here is my list:

• Dilapidated, abandoned barn

• Abandoned farm equipment

• New farm equipment of the HUGE variety

• Abandoned rusty OLD car

• Abandoned warehouse or factory of some kind

• A barn with lots of antique farm tools hanging around

Help me grow this list

If you have an idea you would like to pursue just call me to discuss it. Call Peter at 937-478-6222. If you have ideas to add to my list that’s fun too, feel free to add a comment here. You can also email me at peter@photosbypdemott.com After you look at these beautiful portraits done by my friend Shelley, get your creative juices going and join with me to make the list longer or to call me for your totally unique senior portrait session here in the Dayton area.

Senior portraits… black and white or color?

When I do senior portraits, sometimes people want to see what one or another portrait look like in black and white. I the particular case selected here, I have my own personal view of which I like best, but I wanted to see what other people thought. In order to vote you have to come to the original blog post on my web site. I don’t think it will allow you to vote from my notes page on facebook.

http://www.photosbypdemott.com/2010/05/senior-portraits-black-and-white-or-color/

So, which do you prefer? After looking at these two portraits you can vote below at the bottom just under the second portrait.

Next Page »