This is a long overdue story time. I went on quite an extravagant adventure last June with my dad, our pilot friend Dave, and my good friend Sean. We flew in Dave’s private plane all the way from Erie, PA to Denver, CO and then we drove in a brand new fully loaded Suburban all the way to Durango, CO. While in Durango we explored around the town for a couple days, road the roundtrip famous train to Silverton, ate many-a-cheeseburgers at a place called Grassburger, and then went on a camping extravaganza. We went into the wilderness on horseback, set up camp with an outfitter, and soaked in a break from our digital modern lives. It was the job of Sean and I to capture the whole experience, from “port to port” as it were. The video will be at the bottom of this post for your viewing pleasure, he did a great job.
I have put off making a book of the trip for completely and inexcusably too long. I finally ordered it tonight! I used the service Blurb to make the layout and order the product. My main reason for recommending them over another option would be the integration in Lightroom making it so easy to create a book. I will update on what my thoughts are on the quality of the book when I receive it. In the meantime, I want to hear from YOU! Who would be interested in prints from my trip? I am considering a giveaway of sorts, but I would like to know if there is even interest in such a thing. Give me feedback, use the Contact tab here on my site and shoot me a message. Below are some examples of shots that could be candidates for a print giveaway.
One week ago, it was National Cereal Day and so I had a fun little idea to celebrate. I always favor more of a practical/ in-camera approach to effects, so when I wanted froot loops to be my backdrop for a self-portrait I decided to rig a little something up. I took 4 aluminum pans, cut the two edges off each one, mended them all together with packing tape, poured nearly a whole box of froot loops in, and laid my head in at that side where I had a cut out for my neck. I had an overhead rig made from a previous project, and some simple fluorescent umbrella lights set up for a nice even exposure. I did have an assistant to assure that the pan was covered by cereal the whole time, but I did all the shooting myself via the canon remote app that connects to my camera’s local wifi signal. Enjoy the BTS shots alongside the final shot, if you haven’t already seen them on my Twitter (side note: give that a follow if you want more BTS looks at my sessions and projects.)
Today is the four year wedding anniversary for my cousin and her husband. This is significant to my business because their wedding was the very first wedding that I photographed. Looking back on that wedding I’m thinking about what led up to them asking me to photograph their wedding and what opportunities have followed. When I first picked up a camera thinking of it as a tool that I could use to express something and share it with people I had no real desire to photograph people. I found moments in inanimate objects and landscapes with the occasional person appearing not so much as the main focus. So there was something my cousin saw in my style that she liked, even though I had very little experience photographing people and absolutely no experience shooting a wedding.
So this is when I made a Pinterest account and scoured it for photo ideas. I began trying to visualize how I would do certain shots that I liked and break down how I could direct people to do the poses. I’m not going to pretend even four years later that I did this perfectly or even very well at all, but preparation work is a large key especially for a first gig. I purchased my second DSLR, the Canon T2i, for this gig along with an off-brand auxiliary flash. I was still shooting with only a kit lens (Canon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6) needless to say I needed to make the very best out of my equipment.
My advice to anybody aspiring to “become a professional” would be to not focus on the “professional” part that is easy to zone in on; the money. As soon as you are only motivated by money, you stop growing as an artist and you can start missing out on opportunities. Don’t advertise “I’ll do your wedding for FREE” or even a price so low that it would be hard to pass up for the client that is on a tight budget. This will not only distort the value of photography for clients seeking photographers but will hinder your own growth as a business. The important thing to do is to go out and shoot. Use your siblings, children, friends, nieces/nephews, etc. and build a portfolio. Only use the very best of your images to advertise with and showcase on a website. You want 10’s everywhere even though nobody takes 10’s constantly. A small strong portfolio is way better than an extensive portfolio of mediocre photos. Another incredibly valuable opportunity would be an internship/apprenticeship for an already established photographer. You will not only grow a portfolio, but you will gain experience with how to deal with people both as models and in business.
As promised in the last post, I wanted to share a few shots from the session I did in Boston in collaboration with the British luxary childrenswear line Unruly Blue. Also I’d like to mention Young Soles because we used their shoes exclusively for this shoot, and I have to say, they were absolutely fabulous products! For this particular shoot we only focused in on a few select pieces and kept things simple with just two models. I was really into the concept of deep florals in the winter, I hope you enjoy these shots. Just a short post for this time around.
So I haven’t had a new post up here, and despite my ever growing hunch that my blog isn’t being read or has an incredibly small audience, I shall keep trying to be consistent with posts. I recently went to Boston, and made another video in the same style as the Tampa video. While I was there I did a little shoot for Unruly Blue which ended up being more for research and development of the line than for an actual lookbook, however I will post some of those shots in my next blog post, so stay tuned for that. I have been booking up some more weddings and even senior portraits for the spring time already. Please do not delay in inquiring, especially if you have a date in a very specific time frame that you are interested in reserving. Even just drop me a line through my Contact form and ask for my availability, I have dates worked up for April and May.
I hope you enjoy the video and you stay tuned for some of the images I captured on the shoot whilst in Boston.
Well, the time has come! It is Friday, January 8th and I have my announcement to make. It’s very cold now, and so I am doing a new session type for the winter. It’s a mini session, but only in the sense of quantity. A quicker session time and a more paired down selection of shots, which also translates to a lower PRICE.
The mini session includes:
-1 hour of shooting
-25+ high resolution digital images
-full processing including blemish touch up
-print release
All for 30% OFF of the original session price. This 30% would come off whatever type of session you select.
If you or anyone you know are interested in booking a mini-session this winter, use the “Contact” tab and drop me a line!
The ad with this post has a greatly organized quick overview of information, done in collaboration with designer Kendra Collier.
Well, I am back in northwest Pennsylvania, at least for a while. I will be doing a photoshoot for the children’s British luxury brand Unruly Blue in Boston over the February 5th weekend. I have done two other shoots for Unruly Blue (in Oxford, England and Plainfield, NJ) and I look forward to seeing the amazing line for AW16 that I will be working with. As I mentioned before, I do have other openings in my schedule for other sessions (i.e., senior portraits, family photos, etc) so hit up my contact tab if you or anyone you know in the Boston are would be interested. I will be in the area from February 5th-8th.
I have a semi-special feature for this entry, a video! It features the 24 hours spanning from my last evening in Florida to me leaving Pittsburgh to get home. I hope you enjoy and I will be back with another entry this Friday, so stay tuned!
I will be making an announcement about a new session I am offering on Friday January 8th. There will be very limited spots available because it will be a seasonal offer, so make sure to check in on the 8th for the full details.
Follow me on Twitter for your regular updates, such as when I make new blog posts. (twitter.com/jakeswanphotos)
I am still in Tampa, but I will be back in Erie again Monday the 4th. I am going to be in Boston from February 4th-8th, and will be definitely open to booking any sort of sessions that may present themselves, so let me know. I will definitely have more details to follow about that visit.
Below I have some photos from the session I did in Sarasota, FL at The Ringling. It was a beautiful day and the museum was a beautiful location to shoot.
I have arrived in Tampa, FL and will be doing a few sessions while I’m here. I have limited openings in my schedule, so let me know if you would like to book a session.
I will be shooting all over the Tampa Area. Like the title of this post suggests, I will now share some spots that I will be shooting.
1. Henry B. Plant Museum
This former Tampa Bay Hotel features amazing 1888 architecture, built by the railroad tycoon Henry B. Plant, it was considered the best hotel of the eight hotels he built along his rail line. I look forward to shooting in the victorian archways and incorporating the amazing brickwork into my portraits.
2. John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art
This is actually in Sarasota, however, I will be shooting here and it’s not far at all from Tampa. This more than 150,000 sq. ft. estate and museum includes some favorite features of mine, such as columns, courtyards, stone stairs, and english-inspired gardens.
3. Apollo Beach
There isn’t much to say by way of features for Apollo Beach. It has good Florida sand, like you would expect. Great sunsets which, though cliche, work for a traditional look in senior portraits. I am hoping for good clouds on the day I shoot at this location.
4. The Florida Aquarium
I’ve always been a big fan of the way aquarium light refracts. I also like the idea of the sea life acting as an ever-changing backdrop for the portraits.
To book a session use the “Contact” tab found here on my site and drop me a line.
I have been advertising on my Instagram (username: jakeswanphotos) that I am going to fight the forthcoming northeastern winter by heading to Tampa, FL for two weeks. I have sessions available from December 22nd- January 3rd. I have already booked three sessions and a fourth is pending, so if you or anyone you know in the Tampa area is looking to get some photos done in the coming weeks, let me know. I will be doing primarily senior portraits, family pictures, and couples. If you have another need (maybe modeling portfolio or commercial photos), let me know. You can use the “Contact” tab above or email me directly at jakeswanphotos@gmail.com.
My mission is to to attempt to continue blogging leading up to this trip, during, and after. I want to share promotions I am offering, my images, my process, behind the scenes, and other photography related writings all through this blog. So follow along and I hope you enjoy what you read.
