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 Technology changes quickly and computer media becomes corrupted or out of date as well.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.

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.

Exploring senior portraits around the country – What does senior portrait mean in your part of the country?

I’ve been using Google Alerts to find posts about “senior portraits”. As I follow the links that show up, it has been interesting to see what senior portrait means to different people and to different parts of the country.

Here in my part of the country a senior portrait is a portrait session for senior high school students that says something about them and that they can share with their friends and family in celebration of their graduation from high school. The seniors use their wallet sized prints to send out with their invitations to graduation parties for their friends and relatives. Parents also love to have images that they can put on display in their homes so that people who visit can see their son or daughter who may now be in college or in the military.

I followed one link for senior portraits in Texas and it was talking about “cap and gown portraits” of every senior in Texas. I don’t see very many cap and gown portraits in this part of the country, but perhaps it is important in Texas. I don’t know…. if you are from Texas, please tell me what you think senior portraits are.

A photographer that I follow in Canada, while doing a seminar in the states ran across some senior portraits that photographer were talking about. After several discussions about the senior portraits they were doing in the USA, he began to introduce the same concept in his community. Now senior portraits a so much more than a yearbook portrait or a cap and gown portrait in his community because he was inspired and took the concept where it had never been seen.

If you Google senior portraits images you will see thumbnails mostly of high school senior portraits, some relaxed and natural, others rather extreme, and still others that are studio head and shoulder portraits. But, then you will also see senior (as in older adults) images of another kind. These are the stock images of elderly individuals relating to one another for advertising retirement communities and such.

I see that people from all over the country visit my web site looking for creative senior portraits and pictures. I enjoy working with students in outdoor lifestyle sessions. I’ve enjoyed working with students that have a horse or dog that is important to them. I’ve also enjoyed just helping students just relax and be themselves in relaxed outdoor settings to capture natural, fun expressions that are who they are.

So, this post is a QUESTION? for you to answer with a comment. If you are a parent of a senior high school student and are considering what kind of portraits you want, tell me what you are looking for in a comment to this blog post. Even if you are not in the market for senior high school portraits, what would you want if you could be a teen ager again? What kind of senior portraits would you like to have. If you are a photographer, what kind of senior portraits do you enjoy creating sessions for for your clients?

Join this discussion, make a comment.

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.

PPSO June all day workshop by Ken Kneringer PPA Master Photographer

JUNE 7th, 9am to 9pm at Cox Aboretum and Gardens in Dayton Ohio

This is for all my photographer friends in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. We have an all day workshop planned with Master Photographer Ken Kneringer at Cox Aboretum and Gardens meeting center here in Dayton, Ohio. The ALL DAY seminar is only $99 for non-PPSO members ($110 at the door) and I have heard not only that Ken is an outstanding Senior Portrait photographer, but that he is an outstanding teacher.

I am attaching the flyer here, but when this posts to facebook it may be too small to read or use. If you want me to email the pdf to your directly, just send me an email and I will send it right out to you ( peter@photosbypdemott.com ). I saw Ken a couple of years ago and his one hour presentation was packed with information. I cannot wait to see what I have in store to learn from an all day HANDS ON seminar including: the formula that has made him one of Indianapolis’s most sought after senior photographers, lighting and tools to create images that today’s seniors are after, and his photoshop post processing and retouching tips.

I’m sure you will come away with great senior picture ideas for girls and boys, ways to make senior portrait sessions fun and exciting for senior students, and many unique senior portrait ideas that sell.

Lunch AND Dinner are included in the price. You cannot beat that. Come and join me with many other professional photographers as we learn together how to grow our businesses with senior portraits and how to give our senior portrait clients the pictures and poses they want.

You will enjoy this Photography workshop in Dayton Ohio. Along with learning the business of senior portrait photography from one of the best, you will learn senior picture poses, senior portrait lighting, outdoor portrait poses and lighting, and you will have the chance to network with photographers from all over the region.

Hope to see your there. P.S Please click on the share buttons below to get this out to your photographer friends too.

Peter DeMott Photography • 937-478-6222 • peter@photosbypdemott.com • Member PPSO and PPO

Outdoor senior portrait with Fairmont student Tom Musselman

After two days of solid rain I was not sure what the weather would bring for my senior portrait session scheduled at Cox Arboritum. As it turned out the weather was fine. In fact, really I would have preferred a little more cloud cover to even out the light a little better.

As we talked, I found out that Tom had worked at a reptile wholesale breeder in the Xenia area in the summer. There were green pythons valued at about $4,000 and then there were thousands of more common reptiles that make popular pets. It sounded like an amazing opperation. My son Jordan has some kind of python or boa constrictor or something.

Tom’s mom wanted some nice portraits outdoors with Tom in a suit. Tom is a relaxed comfort kind of guy and part of the deal with his mom was that after he took some suit portraits he could add his baseball cap and then transition into the clothes he likes. I think it worked out great.

Tom is not sure where he is headed after graduation.

If you have a special interest and want your portraits at a unique location, that’s what I am all about. I do quite a few equine portraits with students because of my specialty in that area, but I also did a session with a young lady at her grandpa’s farm with her dads hotrod as the background.

To get new ideas you are welcome to visit my web site and sign up for a subscription by email to my posts (see sign up box at the top right of my home page here http://www.photosbypdemott.com ) I also have buttons there for facebook and twitter. My phone number is (937) 478-6222 and I provide location lifestyle photography in and around the Dayton area.

JAYS Photography in Columbus, Ohio with Jay and Kelly Brown

From time to time I will be posting examples of other photographers who I have connected with in one way or another. Some from association meetings, some from connections through the internet. Recently I blogged about Allison Ballinger of Cross B Photography in Stephenville, Texas. What I have noticed is that some have a zeal for God that overflows into their work. I am completely impressed with Allsion’s ABOUT page which unapologetically shares her commitment to Jesus Christ and how it influences her life and photography.

Today I want to introduce you the Jay and Kelly Brown of J.A.Y.S. Photography in Columbus, Ohio. They are wedding photographers in Columbus. When you go to their front page, then enter, go to there ABOUT page and see how their relationship with Jesus Christ colors their lives and attitudes about life. They are passionate about photography and about people. I know from my conversations with Kelly that she is very devoted to her clients and getting the best possible images from their special day.

I wanted you to get a small taste of the talent of this pair. After looking as these few images, please go explore their flash web site and their blog to get to know them better.

They include an engagement portrait session in their wedding packages. Kelly tells me that this is an important opportunity for her and Jay to get to know their clients so that they have a good working relationship on the wedding day.

Kelly also does senior portraits, children and family photography in the Columbus area. Jay and Kelly focus on wedding photography and do weddings in Columbus and will also do destination weddings.

This post appears on my web site and blog, Peter DeMott Photography.com. It also appears on my personal facebook page and my business fan page on facebook. There are several ways to follow me or this blog. You can friend me on facebook. You can subscribe to my web site using the subscribe box at the top right of my home page. You can follow me on Twitter, pdemottphoto. I enjoy sharing about photographers and photography and will continue to bring you hopefully interesting post that will help you get to know me better, be inspired, and learn more about photography.

Becoming a photographer, being a photographer, learning about photography

Recently I received an email update from F-Stop Beyond: THE EXPERIENCE. I have been subscribing to his email newsletter for several years. This one captured my interest in that it had an offering. For $29 he would send me a pdf about blogging for my business AND a audio file about pricing professional services (it is a mp-3 of a coaching session about pricing). In addition for a short time anyone who purchased this small package, the entire amount would be sent to Haiti Relief. I am listening to the audio file right now as I create this post.

I like to provide my photographer friends with resources from time to time in this blog.

Today I am listing a couple of podcasts that I receive through iTunes. I listen to these when I am driving places or when I am mucking out stalls or working out in the gym. They offer inspiration and knowledge.

If you do not have an ipod, the smaller units are very inexpensive and many of the more current phones include M-p3 players in them that can be synced to the iTunes podcasts that you subscribe to. THESE ARE ALL FREE PODCASTS! If you don’t want to be able to listen as you go, you can also listen directly from your computer, no problem.

Here is short list:

One of Ron Dawson’s web sites: F-Stop Beyound.TV

On iTunes look up these podcasts (Open iTunes and search under podcasts, then click on the subscribe button):

F-Stop Beyond: THE EXPERIENCE

F-Stop Beyond / Shows 1-99

Rangefinder Radio

Pictage Podcast

I also listen to podcasts about internet marketing, and some general photography podcasts.

So check them out and enjoy.

This post is posted on my website and blog. It will be in my notes on facebook and on my wall at Peter DeMott Photography of facebook.

Marketing photography web site for my photographer friends

I just found this and found it very interesting and informative. I wish it had an email subscription option though.

http://skipsphotonetwork.com/

Allison Ballinger of Cross B Photography in Stephenville Texas

I really enjoy my photographer friends all over the country and the world, but I have to say that Allison is quite an inspiration both in her testimony and in her photography. Just today she sent me this link which tells of her predicament and how the client handled the situation.

A Story Worth Sharing….and a new outlook for the year 2010

As you look through her web site and blog you will see incredible talent and lovely portraits of seniors, engaged couples, horses and their owners, families and more. And everything that she does she says is an expression of thanksgiving for what God had done in here life

About Allison Ballinger

Allison is a gifted photographer with a heart of gold. Her ability to communicate with her words in this blog also touches my heart. May the Lord continue to bless you with clients that will give you opportunity to bless them with the “opportunity to provide you with top quality images and designs to promote your horses and have priceless memories of your family to last a lifetime.”

I can only encourage families, seniors, and horse breeders and owners to take full advantage of the talent that you have their in Texas with Allison Ballinger of Cross B Photography.

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