In one day, and out the next!   So many trends seem to follow that path.  Traditionally a Headshot, was a very formal, posed image often using a solid blue or gray background.  Some corporations may still require that.   Many however, especially private business owners, are opening their eyes to the more current trend.  Non-traditional Headshots.   Onlocation sessions, and Custom Photography are making their mark in this area.  And people in business are showing just as much interest in this style as clients looking for family portraits.   So what is a non-traditional Headshot?   Well, it’s still a headshot – which means it’s generally a portraits of your face, down to about your waist.  One of the biggest differences is the background.   These sessions are often shot outdoors, or using an area of the actual business -  ie., office/sitting area/library.   A second main difference is the posing.   What do you want your image to say about you?  Confidence?  Trust?  Down to earth?  Posing can be as formal or informal as you’d like.   Depending on your career, your pose can say a lot about you and your business!  The one piece that should probably remain true to the traditional headshot is your clothing choice.  Business attire or business casual is recommended.  You don’t want your images to look like a family picture.

As you or your company consider updating professional Headshots – consider going the non-traditional route!    Your image will surely make an impression, and grab people’s attention!

 
“LET YOUR YEARBOOK PICTURE BE A YEARBOOK PICTURE —– LET YOUR SENIOR PORTRAITS BE YOU”
–
GENINE GULLICKSON PHOTOGRAPHY
www.geninegullickson.net  518.248.0834

A few weeks ago, I was honored to photograph this family.  We had talked a few times about getting something scheduled – but it just never happened.
The original intention was to capture grandparents with their grandchildren and children.  And if you take a look at these – you see 2 of those three categories
covered.  About a month earlier the grandfather passed away suddenly.  Now I know this family personally – and one of the things that crossed my mind
shortly after was….”we never did those pictures”.   In talking with his daughter, the same thought had run through her mind as well.  It’s so hard to loose
members of our family.  And people often tell you – your memories will help you through – they’ll provide some comfort in the time to come.  Granted our brains
are wonderful tools for that – but they can’t produce a physical image that you can hold in your hands.  There’s something very powerful about holding a portrait in
your own two hands – or staring into it with your eyes as you remember the person who is no longer with you.  Portraits have a wonderful magic
to them – they freeze those moments in time – and are often capable of bringing you right back to the scene you are looking at.  Sometimes to the
point that we can really feel the emotion that was occurring or hear the voices and conversation exactly at that point.   That is invaluable.

So back to the question…. Do you have a current family portrait?  What are you waiting for?  This is the time – you will love your images forever – and they
will immortalize your family — don’t wait….  you’ll be grateful you have them.

–
GENINE GULLICKSON PHOTOGRAPHY
www.geninegullickson.net  518.248.0834

More and more you hear people as well as families talking about Custom Photography.  And probably more often than not, they as well as others don’t really understand what that means!  What’s so different?  And why does it cost so much more? Both great questions, which have excellent answers!

Over the years I have been asked - “If a 5×7 only costs around $1.00 to print; Why do you charge $35?” My answer… “You’re not paying me for the piece of photo paper. You’re paying me for the image.”

This really is only the tip of the iceberg!   So let’s back up to what Custom Photography is.

Custom Photography – or a Custom Portrait Session is a unique experience tailored to you and your family.   Generally clients and I speak multiple times prior to a session.  We’ll discuss their families, what type of setting they are considering, the collections offered, as well as specialty products.  It’s during these very first contacts that the 1:1 experience begins, and the relationship is started.

Some photographers have studios; others shoot onlocation or a combination of the two.  I shoot solely on location which means I travel either to my clients’ homes, or a location – even locations where they would like to have their portraits done.  Obviously this isn’t a mall styled appointment!

Your wants ride in the front seat of the trip from start to finish.

During a Standard Session with me, I spend approximately 2 hours shooting.  Hundreds of images are taken to create a superb gallery.  Now here’s where the time really begins to tick.  All photographers cull down these images to cream of the crop.  Each image is given individual attention – adjusting colors, exposures, skin softening, blemish removing, under eye circles — and the list goes on! Easily 4-6 hours of time can be spent for this process!

Done?  Not yet!   Images still need to be…

• Backed up
• Resized and watermarked
• Sample layouts created
• Loaded into the gallery
• Preview images loaded to Blog along with a text post
• Preview images loaded to Facebook

Now we’re getting a bit closer. J

Depending on the Photographer or Studio, an in person or online ordering appointment needs to be scheduled.  I use the online style – but personally consult with my clients as they review their images.   Again, personalized is the key word.  It’s not uncommon for me to spend an hour or more on the phone with a client discussing images and the best collection for them.  Once the decisions have been made, the order then needs to be filled.  Another list of to-do’s for the photographer!

• Images need to be uploaded to the professional lab or labs being used
• Products ordered
• Invoices produced and sent
• Cross checking of all ordered products received
• Repackaging and shipping to client
• Follow up call/emails to clients

It’s time to switch gears.   What does your photographer need to make all of this possible?

The obvious answer – a camera to start.  Professional cameras, professional lenses (yes we need many) flash/lighting systems, a computer system, professional editing software etc.  Thousands upon thousands of dollars are invested.  A single lens can run around $2000!

Hypothetically, anyone could go out and purchase these items.  Having and Knowing – two totally different things!   Just because someone has the tools – doesn’t mean they have the skills.

Custom Photography is a unique experience.  One that requires clients as well as photographers to commit to the experience and process.

I truly love what I do – love the personalized experience, and connection I make with people.  And of course love that I get to showcase part of their lives in stunning portraits.

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=358896805763&ref=mf
–
GENINE GULLICKSON PHOTOGRAPHY
www.geninegullickson.net 518.248.0834

I can not say enough great things about this event!  I knew when I brought Tony my pieces, that the space looked like it would be great for a display.

Walking in Friday night, and seeing how beautifully he
arranged the pieces – beyond what I thought he could do in that space!  I took a quick glance around, smiled from ear to ear of course and found where my photographs were hanging…don’t think
it’s really possible to express how that felt. This was the first time I’d “shown” my work in a gallery event.  I loved the way they looked!!!  I truly enjoyed watching people walk through, and of course noticed when they stopped to look at my photos.  I had the opportunity to speak with so many people, heard wonderful compliments on my work, and met other very talented people!  My Body Lines series was so well received.  AGH!  Again, words can’t really express how that makes me feel.  Those specific images, were ones I really wanted to take – a vision I had, and really want to further develop- so to have people comment again and again about their originality, and beauty…nothing better!   Family, and many of my friends made the effort to come support me.   Thank you again to all of you.

At 9 pm – the event concluded – and I took my work down.  It will be tucked away for a very short time, as it’s next home will be Professor Java’s on Wolf Rd. in Albany.  I will be hanging them March 7th, and they will be on display for about a month.  There will be 3 additional pieces. If you missed 3rd Friday – stop in for a cup of coffee and take a peek!   I can’t wait to see them up again!
–
GENINE GULLICKSON PHOTOGRAPHY
www.geninegullickson.net  518.248.0834

What an incredible session this was!  First of all this couple was adorable – fun, lighthearted – and so easy to work with.  They love Saratoga – so it was the perfect place to meet up for their Engagement Portrait Session.   We started in Congress Park located in Saratoga Springs, NY.   He actually popped the question there last month!    It’s really a beautiful park any time of year.  We took a stroll up Broadway – snapped a few more, and then headed over to Yaddo Gardens – which is also in Saratoga just off exit 14 of the Northway.  I’ve shot sessions in Congress Park before, and have taken photos in Yaddo – but never had a portrait session scheduled there.   Never imagined that it would be so incredible with the fresh covering of glistening snow!  Opened my eyes to the beauty of Winter portraits…   I’ve only just begun to edit these – but could not resist posting a few.  The striking contrast with the snow and blacks of the metal gate….so striking.   Enjoy your sneak peek S and R!!!

No surprise that I love photographing HS Juniors/Seniors – especially when they want to incorporate their hobbies or sport interests! She’s been playing lax for a long time – and from what I hear…. is quite good! It’s always impressive to me to see students in the many “looks” of them. Granted her hair isn’t pulled up, and she’ wearing makeup in her Lax shots – but I have a soft spot for athlete’s!!!

I personally started playing sports at the age of 7. Softball was the thing until I got into Junior High. I ended up sticking with Softball and quickly feel in love with Field Hockey. Although I found Softball easier – that’s not where my passion was. I played Field Hockey through 3 years of College. I always found myself cracking up when people would say… “You don’t look like a Field Hockey chick….” and honestly I think I looked quite different on the field than I did off! Game Face on – watch out!

 It was a bit chilly this day – so you can really appreciate her willingness to fully suit up and endure the cold to get the shots we wanted!!! If you can’t quite figure it out, the photo with her eye, is through the netting of her stick. She loved it, as well as her mom when I showed it to them in camera. I was thrilled that the edginess was appreciated. By incorporated sports, or other hobbies/interests – students really walk away with a great collection of images that really celebrate who they are in their last year of High School.

Just in time for this weekend, Holiday photo tips to save the day

PHOTO TIPS:

1.  Flash:  Not the easiest thing to work with – but sometimes just necessary!  If you’re at a gathering during the day…try to turn your flash off.  Set the ISO, which is basically the camera “film” speed, at least at 400.  Take a look around the room, and try to find natural light by the windows.  You’ll get beautiful soft filtered light, that makes for gorgeous photos!  At night, or in dark spaces, you will have to use a flash.  Keep in mind that your camera’s flash only really works up to about 6 ft. away.  So stay close!  Also, if you have an attached flash system – see if you have the capability to adjust the position.  On “shoe flashes” you should have a release button to adjust the angle and direction the flash is set up in.  If possible, extend the flash straight up, then slightly tip it to point behind you!  Ideal position would be if the flash is firing where the wall and ceiling meet directly behind you.  If you can’t tip it back, then position it straight up and down, bouncing off the ceiling!

2.  Composition:

A. The biggest mistake that people make taking photographs is being too far away!  Often I tell clients that the background isn’t all that important – especially when you’re in a house!   What you’re photographing are the people, not the bookshelf!  LOL   When you look through your viewfinder – take specific notice of how much background is in your frame.  Before you click your shutter – take a step, or a few steps closer to your subjects!  Don’t be worried about if the top of someone’s head is slightly cropped, you’ll be focusing on their faces and expressions!

B. Probably the second No-No people don’t realize is NOT TO CENTER THEIR PHOTOS!    Think of your viewfinder as a Tic-Tac-Toe grid.  You do not want the focal point of your photo to land in the center. It’s visually boring!  Where you do want to focus the attention is the corner points of that center square.  Those land 1/3 of the way into the frame.  So maybe start by centering the photo – then shift yourself so the person’s eyes are landing at either the top Left or top Right point of that center square.  Basically just shift a bit left, right, up or down…you’ll be much happier with the results!

3.  Candid Shots:

Looking for real smiles, and emotions?  Resist the urge to say “Say Cheese and Look at the Camera!”  When you see family or friends laughing and enjoying each others company – sneak over and fire off a few frames!  If they are looking at you, try to crack a joke, or remind them of a funny story that gets the giggles going again!

Wishing you a Wonderful Holiday Season – and Happy Photo taking!