For five years now all of my neighbors are young couples all with small children. They all know Im a professional photographer, and all have been scared to ask what I charge, even when I have offered to shoot them and their families for free, they would say thanks, maybe another time. Then after one of them went to the Shopping Mall photo studio and got her photos taken, my phone rang and I was asked to shoot one of these families. Now all of a sudden after they see my work, my phone is ringing. Thank goodness the mall studios are what they are, cheap looking and un-trained.

I have found out, it only takes one couple to give the shout out and now I am getting all sorts of calls. Here are a few images from last month.

  Just some enagement photos taken a month ago I thought you all would like to see. I made up a couple of album’s, one for me and the other for the Country Inn that this wedding is to take place at.

 Getting used to a Canon Camera again took me a few minutes after shooting with the Nikon D2X for the past year and a half the Canon is so much lighter in my hands. Here are a few engagement shots from our 35mph windy and cold day here in Northern California.

Camera: Canon 5D, Lens: Canon 70-200mm F4.0 L  Shot in Manual mode no flash

Effects in Photoshop: Kuboto Actions “Lord of the Rings” effect

I love ebay. You can find everything you want on it. I sold all of my photography gear in just three days online with them and had in 10 days and less all of my new equipment. Just for the fun of it this morning I typed in wedding, thats all , just the one word. They have everything you would want or need! But buyers beware!!! If you haven’t already shopped for wedding gifts, supplies, dresses, veil’s etc. you can really pay WAY TO MUCH ONLINE!

I think what happens is that people think its discounted on Ebay and whatever the price is , its going to be cheaper than the stores. NOT! I have seen folks paying way over retail for cameras and all sorts of stuff because they get caught up in the bidding process and have no idea what the stuff they are buying actually sells for.

So do your homework first then surf and get those bargains!

 New lenses: 28-135mm 3.5 USM IS, 24-105mm 4.0 USM L IS, 17-40mm 4.o L, 15mm L 2.8, 30mm 1.4 USM, 70-200mm F4 USM L

The new Canon 5D SLR camera I just purchased is an amazing tech break through for photographers such as myself who like to shoot indoors without a flash. You can hand hold this camera like in this image of my 9 year old, Fergie (maltese) at 30th of a second at f2.8 15mm Fisheye lens ISO 800 with just the light of a small bedroom office and it looks wonderful!

I can’t wait to shoot my weddings coming up this year indoors without all the fuss and blinding flash going off all the time. The photos will have a warmer feeling as though you are right there as it happened without the artificial look of flash. Candlelight tables in rooms will look like daylight and we will be able to see more in the foreground as well.

If you’re a full time professional, you need this camera! It is the only Digital Camera in the world with a Full Frame Micro Chip and at 12.8 mega pixels we are talking sharp, big and beautiful results. My clients will notice a big difference in 2007 with all of our new gear.

Tiana and Jeremy Mustin, married at last on December 30, 2006!

I can’t believe how fast time fly’s as I get older and watch my couples personalities change right before my eyes. During the engagement, there is the hugging, kissing and hand holding of a couple in love, acting always as engaged couples do. On the wedding day the groom becomes the dashing James Bond type, his whole personality changes with his tuxedo on and his buddies are around him, its the big day, and its a day unlike any he will ever remember, he’s getting married!

The Bride to be becomes like Cinderella and has a special glow that God has given her. She has been dreaming about this day for most of her life and it all seems so surreal, but it’s really happening. The tears, laughter and all of the emotions are there. Then Daddy see’s his little girl is in her wedding gown, she’s all grown up, and the tears  start, tears of happiness and also tears of excitement in both of there eyes. Yes, sometimes me too. So…I’m a big softie! Here are some of the photos from their Christmas Wedding.

To upgrade or not to upgrade? That is the question.

I upgraded baby, and I am soooo Happy I did!

The new Canon 5D Full Frame sensor camera is amazing! I shot a few images around the house today. Here are just a couple of my little girls Polly and Fergee. This was shot with the 5D and Canon 70-200mm F4 L lens hand held at 30th F4 with the ISO set at 3200! You can hardly see any grain or pixelation! Amazing!!! All the lighting was just a overhead light in my home office. The full frame chip allows so much more natural light and the color, well lets just say this is the best I have ever seen in the 15 years I have been shooting with digital, its like film, if not better. So for almost thirty years as a photographer, when someone asks me what camera should I buy, what’s the best out there…if you have the money, hands down, buy a Canon you wont be disappointed.

Every two years I take a good long look at all the new Digital Camera’s and new gear that is offered to us as professional photographers. Wanting to always offer my clients and myself the very best in color, sharpness and quality I’ve decided to switch back to Canon Professional Camera’s and lenses. The new camera’s I just purchased are the ONLY digital cameras that offer a “Full Frame Sensor” the Canon 5D. With the full size sensor and the 12.3mp file size clients will now enjoy seeing more of their images and also the newer electronics of these cameras allow for better color too!

This is the 4th time in eight years that I’ve sold and repurchased new gear. Its expensive each time, but as a professional I want to deliver the best that I can with the newest technology for all of my clients, from corporate to weddings.