MECLABS Op Summit in Denver Colorado

Jul
06
2012
by Jessy | 1 Comment

June 11-14 of 2012 MECLABS hosted the 2012 Optimization Summit in Denver Colorado.  I have the wonderful opportunity of working for MECLABS as the Senior Technical Manager at the Headquarters in Jacksonville FL.

MECLABS is such a supporting organization that they requested I be one of our staff members to attend the Op Summit this year.  I was to have 1 bonus session of “Crossing the Technology Divide: How to diagnose and troubleshoot your IT/Marketing Relationship” on Wednesday in the afternoon.  I arrived in Denver Monday morning and worked through Thursday afternoon at the summit.  Of course I provided some IT support with any internet issues and other items.

My two priorities while at the summit were of course my session but then, photography!  How often do companies with multiple locations and near 150 employees notice their employees hobbies enough to give them opportunity to apply them in the work place?!??

This was not the first time they have requested my photography skills, but the first time that I was taken to such a large and important even to be the on sight primary photographer.  We have another staff member who is responsible for video, but not the photography.  I feel so honored to work for such a company.

Check with your own company if you are currently employed, see if they have any events that they may consider….

 

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Google + Photographers Conference – Sergey Brin and Project Glass

Jul
04
2012
by Jessy | 0 Comments

The Google+ Photographers Conference was full of surprises and great speakers from start to finish.  While sitting in a session with Scott Kelby I do not believe any of us knew what was coming when he said we had a surprise speaker in 20 minutes.  Everyone session wrapped up a little early and everyone headed to the main auditorium.

Everyone was surprised when Google came out talking about Project Glass and all the great things they had been doing with it.  There was even some pictures shared of the audience themselves and a photowalk that happened using the glass itself hours before.  The announcement and updated information was a pleasant presentation and great information.

Then the moment hit, Sergey Brin himself walked onto stage.  I am not one that usually gets wrapped up in the “I met the CEO of X” but everyone was amazed.  The G+ marketing team themselves was so amazed and please that Sergey took the time out of his day to address the crowd that formed together using a product from Google themselves.  ( Many of us have been on twitter, facebook, and Flicker, but face it, we have not formed the community of photographers we have now on any other platform)

 

Sergey gave a great speech and answered several questions about Project Glass and many other items going on with Google.  From the outsider perspective, it was nice to see someone in his position so excited about the company he is with, the potential that still remains, and the users they are serving.

Sergey was wearing the glasses himself and took a few images during the presentation.

I hear the glass prototype is now for sale….there are some amazing things they can do, but they will only get better and cheaper.  What else would you expect from a company that keeps pushing the limits.

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Google + Photographers Conference

Jul
02
2012
by Jessy | 1 Comment

The Google+ Photography Conference in San Fransisco is now over, I do hope they are already planning for next year.  The conference itself was not expensive, the travel from Florida and the hotel is what cost the money.

The conference itself was amazing!  I learned a great many things about different media and different ideas and ways to get involved.  Jeremy Cowart had his keynote with a G+ hangout and Moose Peterson was making jokes as always.  The media show that Jeremy gave us of the drawing to video was really quite impressive!

 

Then of course we had Lindsay Adler doing a full session on Fashion photography!  Lindsay had models on stage with her, the lighting set up, her camera, assistants, and everything was tethered to display on the big screen above her.  To instantly see and better understand what she was explaining really was the polishing factor.  Many of the things she talked about are on her blog but to see them in action gave a whole new meaning to the many things I have read.  It’s hard to find people that will just let you point lights at them in different ways all day to understand what she is really describing.

No matter your level of photographer from armature to pro, I think it brings a whole new perspective to your life when you get to watch someone else work and really understand their process to use any tips and tricks they have yourself.  There’s many things each of us do to make our lives easier that we don’t even think of when teaching another person.

I firmly believe Peter Hurley stole the show!  He came out throwing t-shirts and hats…he was jumping around and super excited.  He walked through his issues when doing head shots and some of the things he does to assist his clients.  He was very clear that each person has to find what works for them.  I thought that insight was great as many people tell you what to do, they do not take into account that what I may be comfortable with, you are not.  I was so involved and riveted through his presentation I did not get any images, glad it was posted to YouTube! Peter Hurleys Presentation

 

The last night was an epic keynote with Trey Ratcliff.  Trey was interviewed by Scott Kelby and the interview responses did get a little dark and concerning.  This is the way with Trey, he looks so deeply into the meaning of the technology and future.  It is always amazing to listen to him speak his thoughts as it gives you another perspective that you never had.  Trey is such an open and honest person it’s amazing he has become as well known as he has.  Many people that are honest to the level he is are often much more hated than Trey, it’s fantastic the following that he has created just by being him.
Each and every presenter did an amazing job and was so personable.  Between sessions you could find them walking around and many would come right up and speak to you if you didn’t go to them first.  Though there were many people around everything was friendly and looking to meet everyone else there.  I have never been at a conference where people offered to let you use their camera that was worth thousands, or lenses, etc.  It was such an open and sharing environment that was created that way by the work from Kelby Media group but reinforced by the speakers themselves, then even those attending.

If there is another one next year, I hope you go, I’ll be there.

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Orpheum in Kansas and Buddy Guy Concert

May
09
2012
by Jessy | 2 Comments

This past weekend I went back to Wichita Kansas to a Buddy Guy Concert.    Buddy was great and had many humorous stories to share with us as well as a great couple songs where his son came out to play!  His son was fantastic as well!

The Orpheum in Kansas is quite an amazing place.  The building is so old and run down.  They are working hard to restore the entire theater and are doing a great job.  The details around the entire theater are so dramatic!  The seats are old theater seats that need some work but they will get there.  This is a shot from the corner of the mezzanine looking over the crowd below.

 

All the old lighting displays had orange light bulbs placed in them that gave the main theater this glowing red color that was fantastic.

As you can see there was so much detail in the windows, ceiling and even the front the of mezzanine were dramatic and great additions.  I did walk down to the front to look back and see the entire theater and was amazed at the look.

Check out the site for the Orpheum linked above and if you see something interesting and have a chance to to attend don’t think twice.  This is a great venue and has fantastic acoustics.

Check out the pics and let me know what you think.

 

Another shot from the mezzanine looking down the right side and to the stage

 

 

 

The front/corner outside with the marquee displaying the announcement of the Buddy Guy show.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Side shot from the mezzanine showing the red color and railing for safety.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is from the front looking up under the marquee at the lights and patters.

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Use What you Have

Apr
29
2012
by Jessy | 0 Comments

Today on G+ is SacredSunday.  There are many themes for each day of the week and I try to contribute when I can because it’s great to get the feedback on images and to continue learning.  I didn’t have much to contribute today but I remembered the great ideas so many others always have.  Many times the images are created with the smoke from incense, flowers and vases around the house, etc.  They always have such great ideas and I have never been able to really put things together like this, so today was my day!

I tried to think of what I had around my studio that would work for this theme and how to mix and match to make a great photo and something that would work.

I have this great little bistro set I purchased a while back that has some words and sayings painted on the top of the table and stools that say “Everything grows with love”, and “a dream is a wish the heart makes”.  I thought this was very inspirational and would work….so now how do I make it even more perfect for a sacred sunday…something that will make it pop.  Thinking I remembered my necklace that I always wear, people tend to think it’s a cross.  It’s actually a cut out from a spoon and is a dragonfly but the wings do make it look like a cross.  I took it off and put it on the bistro set to see if it would work.  I was quit impressed with what I had put together!

With the cross from the necklace the wonderful inspiration from the set it was perfect!  I moved the necklace around between the words, on the stool, on the table, etc.  I took about 50 images using my NikonD7000 and my Nikkor 105MM macro lens.  Using this lens gave great clarity to the images but was so tight on the subject that I found myself standing on the bistro set to get some distance.

I think the images turn out rather well.  This just goes to show that with anything you have on or around you current location you can make great images and things that will not only inspire others, but yourself as well.  If you have tried this before, post some links so that others can be inspired by your story.  If you have not tried this, then go out and try it today, don’t wait for something great, make something great!

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Google+ Photographers Conference – Registered!

Apr
27
2012
by Jessy | 0 Comments

Scott Kelby and the Kelby Media Group are amazing!  They have managed to put together a Photographers Conference in San Francisco centered around all those great people on G+ and the features available on the platform.  The Google+ Photographer’s Conference  is being held at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, in San Francisco on May 22-23.  The conference starts off at 3pm the day before with various photo walks around town.

The schedule offers live shoots with Lindsay Adler, Scott Kelby, and Erik Valind!  There are even some options for blind photo critiques, and One-on-One Portfolio reviews!  To have any of the pros that are showing up to teach actually complete a review and provide feedback on your portfolio, that’s just an amazing opportunity!  I look forward to attending Scott Kelbys Photowalk and talking to Trey Ratcliff about some HDR techniques.

Check out the Schedule and even review the list of speakers to review and help you decide what classes you want to attend.  This should be an amazing opportunity for all of us to meet those that inspire us and to learn from them!

Once you review everything check the calendar.  If you register before April 30th you get a discount on the price of the conference!  As soon as you have registered head back over to G+ and Comment on this post of the Google+ Photographers Conference G+ Page so that you can be included in the circle and get to know some people before getting to the conference.

I will be joining the Golden Gate Park Photowalk and look forward to seeing you all there.  I can’t wait to meet everyone and start learning from them!

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Two Artistic Photo Canvas Prints!

Apr
26
2012
by Jessy | 2 Comments

The other day I purchased two canvas prints from APC (Artistic Photo Canvas).  The digital proofs were fast and perfect.  Even after receiving proofs I’m usually still very pessimistic, but these turned out great!.

Once I put the photos up on the wall in the studio I took a quick shot of each of them just to show you.  These each are black and white photos with the thin gallery wrap and black edges.

 

 

The photos really came out great in the prints and I’m so excited about them.  I had never used APC before but had received several recommendations so I thought I would try.

Only a few days after verifying the proofs via email the prints arrived in the mail.  They came in one box together and were expertly packaged and shipped.

If you have some photos you want printed on canvas I would recommend you try them.  The quality is fantastic and the customer service was great!  These are definitely priced for you to decorate your own home with or even purchase for sales in your showroom or for clients.

Good luck and  happy printing!

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Baby Showers

Apr
21
2012
by Jessy | 1 Comment

It is the season for babies and baby showers again.  Yes, there’s  a season when more children seem to be born than others.  A while back I was hired to photograph a baby shower.  Since I love to get to observe people and photograph I of course welcomed this idea with open arms.  I was told this would be a real baby shower where men are welcome to smoke cigars and there will be no games.  I was not sure what that meant but was happy to go experience this and learn all about it.

When I arrived there were not many people there yet (thank god because I got lost, yes my GPS failed me!).  I took this opportunity to wander around and get the shots of the decorations as people seem to love those shots as well.  This family had put a lot of work into the decorations and making everything just dreamy!  There was a huge set up out in the perfectly manicured back yard, round tables with chairs, table cloths, and each had a center piece similar to the image here.  There was coffee, drinks, cigars, etc.  Everything had chalk boards with the painted pens used to label what was available at each location.  Not only did it look fantastic but I was also jealous of the hand writing (little things right?).

The sun started to go down and more people began to arrive.  The men tended to gather outback around the fire pit and smoke their cigars, it was really more of a cocktail party than a baby shower.  About 30 people arrived and all mingled and congratulated the happy couple on their new addition to the family.  The little boy is going to be very loved by this family, they were all so very happy and excited for his arrival!  I have never been invited to an event where everyone was so welcoming and glad to have someone there to do something for them.

 

The family also owns a few restaurants and had their waiters cater the event for them.  The food set up was gorgeous as well as delicious.  No, I did not eat the food, but just the smell going through the house was enough to fill you up.  You could smell the different flavors and even imagine the taste of each thing you smelt.  It was really quite an amazing and eloquent event.

The images were rather difficult to get with decent white balance due to the yellow painted walls, candles, and the fact that was dark outside.  With no way to set up lights and no real natural light to work with I was challenged during the processing to get the right white balance back into the images but it was worth the time.  The family was overjoyed with the images I provided and the way in which they were provided.  I of course provided a DVD with print files and web files so they can easily Facebook and also easily print.  I light scribed the event and date onto the disk and purchased a case with an image of the happy couple and date on the front.

I had taken my Domke camera bag with my extra lenses, batteries, and memory cards.  This I tucked back in a hallway out of the way but with easy access to get to and switch lenses.  I had several with me but seemed to only use my 105MM and randomly used my kit lens due to the small space.  This worked out rather well for me though I would love a 50MM prime, but someday I’ll give in and buy one.

Being my first baby shower photography shoot with my D7000 I think I did well and produced photos that the family appreciates as well as providing them in a way that will be a great keepsake.  Just remember to think about the way in which the images are provided after the event as that is the way that you will be remembered.

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Tea Party Event at the Jacksonville Landing

Apr
20
2012
by Jessy | 0 Comments

Last weekend I made it down to the Jacksonville Landing.  There was a Tea Party event and I thought it might be a good place to work on photographing people and who knows, maybe I would get some good shots.

 

 

There were definitely a lot of people people their in all their patriotic gear.  Their was a few people dressed up for re-enactments, or maybe just for the event.  I got a shot of them talking and it looks so odd with the new sunglasses.

There were several people running for office around with tables and providing giveaways.  Some had shirts, stickers, hats, flags, etc.  I was really quite amazed at how much stuff there were giving away to people just for walking by, even if you didn’t seem interested in what they were talking about.

 

 

 

There was Jim Klauder who is running for congress.  I had to take a shot of him holding his informative brochure because I thought the front was great. It actually looks like a government check and across the front it says “insufficient funds”.  I always heard that there wouldn’t be social security anymore when I am finally old enough to collect, but I thought this was a neat idea to draw your attention and make someone stop and think.

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Work on Good Friday

Apr
06
2012
by Jessy | 0 Comments

I’m still new to the photography world so I was thrilled when I was asked to do company portraits for Oyova!  I spent a little time this afternoon taking pics of the guys standing in front of a white wall.  Several months back I had done the images for the President so I was excited that he thought enough of it to have me come and do the rest of his team.

They are a great set of guys and seemed to have a little fun giving me profile shots, and randomly making faces. I used my best/only portrait lens, my 105MM to take the pics.  Due to the focal length I had to be a ways away.  I can’t wait till Adorama has a 50MM back in stock for me to order.  A fixed lens of that length will be perfect and not require me to be so far away.  I’ll be able to make the experience a more comfortable one as well.

I got the images all converted over (color, black and white), updated, and resized.  They are back out my door and the team seems happy with them!  Hopefully this will lead to more opportunities in the future!

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