Where have I been

As you can tell, I am terrible at blogging.  I want to get better at it, but I can't promise anything.

Things have really changed in the past three years.  Yes, I still do portrait photography, but not as much as I use to.  My focus is on Business Portraits, Real Estate Photography and Wedding Photography.

I also have several booth rentals.  Almost everyone knows about the trend at weddings to have a photo booth.  Well, besides the photo booth, we also have the SloMo Video Booth.  It is a combination of the video, but then we can make a photo strip from the video session.  It is so fun to watch the responses from the guests when they watch the replay of their video.

After 18 years shooting professionally and over 30 years doing photography, I have finally landed my dream job.  I am working with the International Peace Garden in publishing the first book ever done on the garden.  It is a pictorial that showcases the many gardens and memorials found there.  This international treasure is so overlooked.  I never knew the scope of what all there was at the garden.  Frankly, I never really new what it was.  A family friend would mention it, but in reference of taking her son to the International Music Camp that is located there.

Below are some of the images that will be found in the book and other products I produced for them.

The coffee table book is supposed to be done in July to coincide with the dedication of the new sculpture "Promise of Peace" that was done by my dad, Arthur Norby.

Check out my web page about the book, which can be pre-ordered.  http://mfphotos.net/product/the-promise-of-peace/

What I have been doing since 2011....

Where has the time gone?  I just looked at my blog and saw that it has been over a year since I posted anything.  So what have I been doing?

In the summer of 2011 we put an addition on the back of our house that included a new studio for me.  A project that was to take 3 weeks, took almost 6 months.  I was the one who had to deal with the contractors and everything else that is involved in building.

As we were nearing the end of the initial construction, I had someone who was interested in my studio space, so more had to be done and November 1st, 2012, I moved my studio back to the house.

Although it had been nice having the studio out of the house (for 9+ yrs it had been in my front living room.), it is nice being back home and having a dedicated studio at home with a private entrance.

One thing I have noticed, is that a lot of people like outdoor portraits.  Even though I have a studio, I can still do outdoors.  We can go to the park, downtown or your place if that is what you want.

PHOTO BOOTH - I had had several inquiries about whether I had a photo booth, for wedding receptions in 2011.  I didn't, but in August of 2011 I took a look into what was involved and decided that since I already had a lot of the equipment need, why not.  So the first booth was built by Oct. of 2011.  I eventually added a 2nd and 3rd.

What is a Photo Booth? Ours is an enclosed booth that allows the guests to go in, with or without props and have a series of 3-4 images taken.  They are then printed out on a 2x6 photo strip.  The guests receive one as a party favor and another copy is put in a Memory Book where the guests can write a greeting to the bride and groom.

Photo Booths can be used for other events besides wedding receptions.  We have done a few fundraisers, post proms, birthdays or corporate events.

Photo Booths are one of the hottest trends for wedding receptions and a new trend that is just hitting the area is Flip Books.

A Flip Book is a 7 second video clip that is then converted into a series of images, stapled together to create a  book, and when you "Flip" the pages, you see the motion.

The photo booth and flip book are all about having fun and creating lasting memories.

2011 and 2012 have been fun years for me.  I am looking forward to 2013 and seeing what is in-store for me.  I hope that I can get more things posted on this blog and Facebook in 2013 so you can see what I am up to.

If you have been a client of mine in the past, I hope to see you again in the future.

If we have never met, I hope we can meet sometime in the future and that I can create some memories for you to share.

HOW TO CHOOSE A PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER

So, you need a photographer.  You look in the phone book or on-line and there so many to choose from.  How do you know who to go with?

Here are some things to look for:

-  What kind of photography do you need? - Some photographers specialize in certain area's of portraiture. If they don't normally photograph weddings, then you should find one who does and enjoys taking them.  This can make a huge difference in the quality and style that they do.

-  Do they have a website - a professional photographer today will. 
   This is a way for them to show you their work and tell you a little
   about themselves.  Some will also have a Facebook page, but won't
   use this in place of a website.

-  Do you want indoor studio or outdoor portraits?  Maybe you
    want more casual portraits (photo-journalism) at your home.
      - Indoor studio portraits should be photographed on a
         professional background, not a sheet.  You can usually
         tell when it is a bed sheet vs. a quality background.

        The advantage of a studio portrait is that it eliminates
        any distractions in the background.  The focus is on clients.
        You also don't have to worry about the weather and wind.

      - Outdoor portraits can be a little more trickier.  One of the
        biggest obstacle's is lighting.  The clients shouldn't be facing
        the sun and squinting.  There shouldn't be sun splatter running
        across their faces and their faces should have good skin tone.
        Also, the grass & trees should be a shade of green, not white
        or a light washed out yellow.  It may not be a dark green, but
        you should be able to see color in the grass & trees.

      - Photo-Journalism/Casually Posed - Lighting here is just as
        important, whether it is at your home, backyard or a park.
        You want to make sure that it doesn't look like a "snap
        shot".  With bad lighting and poor color, that is what it will
        look like.
       
-  Skin tone and exposure are extremely important in a good
        professional portrait, whether indoor or outdoor.

       Skin tone is not blue, washed out or grayish.  A professional
       studio will work to get the proper exposure when the image is
       taken & will color correct their images to give them the proper
       color.  This is one of the biggest difference you will see between
       a professional and a hobbyist, who likes to take pictures.

-  Do they offer retouching?  Some studio's have a separate fee for
        retouching and other's include it.  Portraits should be retouched.
        Retouching removes blemishes, dark circles under the eyes,
        stray hairs and some will whiten teeth.

-  Price, You will see that prices for professional portraits is all
        over the place.  There are many reasons for the fluctuation. 
        Experience & education are two key factors.  There are
        many photographers who have been in business for years.
        Some have gone to school & some have gotten their training
        from working for another studio.  They have learned the proper
        techniques in acquiring good, guality images.  These
        photographers are also the ones who have been doing
        this full-time and have over head expenses.

        Then there are the ones who are looking to make a little extra
        money and don't have over head costs of advertising/marketing,
        utilities and all the other costs associated with running any type
        of business.  So they keep their prices lower.

        In both categories, there are good and not so good
        photographers.  You will see a lot who say they have
        a "good" or "professional" camera.  Unfortunately it
        isn't the camera that makes you a good photographer.
        It is knowing how to use it, as well as proper lighting
        & how to put the finishing touches on the final portrait.

- Referrals/Recommendations - Ask your family & friends who
they know and have used.  If they have used someone, ask to
see their portrait that was taken.  Then ask them if they were
happy with the results.  Just because they used a particular
photographer, doesn't mean they were happy with the finished
portrait or their experience with them.

Most portraits are a once in a lifetime experience....your Senior
Portraits & Wedding Portraits.  Others you will have the
opportunity over the years to capture.  Some more frequently
than others.  Therefore, you want to make sure that you are
choosing a photographer who can give you a professional
portrait that you can look back on with pride.  Knowing that
it is the best that can be.

Radio FM Bridal Show

Great day at the Bridal Show today at the Ramada.  Had several people stop by the photo booth to get information and try it out.  Even those who say they don't like having their picture taken said that the photo booth is fun!

Check out the images on my facebook page:  http://www.facebook.com/MemoriesForeverPhoto

If you are looking to add some fun and entertainment to your wedding reception, add a photo booth.  I had several people who have seen them at a friends wedding reception say how much fun they are.  They are almost giddy when they talk about it.

First Permanent Photograph

In 1983 I graduated from a 2 year course in photography.  We learned everything, from beginning to end about photography, as well as its origin.  At the time, many of us students thought it was "dumb" to learn this...why did we need to know this?

A few years later, I was traveling Pennsylvania as a photographer at JCPenneys stores throughout the state.  To pass time I would go to antique stores and it was then that I started collecting old images and cameras.  I was fun to see the different clothing and styles from the early days.  I even purchased a book about the history of photography (not as dry reading as the text books.)

So why am I telling you this?  Because I thought that it would be interesting to share a little bit of history, so you can see how far photography has come.

Here is the very first permanent image taken:

The first permanent photograph (later accidentally destroyed) was an image produced in 1822 by the French inventor Joseph Nicéphore Niépce. His photographs were produced on a polished pewter plate covered with a petroleum derivative called bitumen of Judea. View from the Window at Le Gras (La cour du domaine du Gras) was the first successful permanent photograph, created by Nicéphore Niépce in 1826 at Saint-Loup-de-Varennes. Niépce captured the photo with a camera obscura focused onto a sheet of 20 × 25 cm oil-treated bitumen. As a result of the 8-hour exposure, sunlight illuminates the buildings on both sides (information obtained from: http://www.alebady.com/2010/05/most-ancient-historical-photographs/ )

What was your first camera?  Brownie?  Polaroid?  110?  126?  35mm/SLR?  Digital Camera?

MEMORIES PHOTO BOOTH FEATURED IN FARGO FORUM

I was interviewed last week by Forum reporter Marino Eccher about the photo booth.  Attached is the article that appeared in the paper today. http://www.inforum.com/event/article/id/300083/

PHOTO BOOTH FOR HOLDAY PARTIES & WEDDINGS

We are booking for 2010 Holiday Parties & 2011 Weddings.

 

Why have a Photo booth?

Entertainment for everyone young & old

Photo strips make great paryty favors - Unlimited Prints, Your guests can go in as many times as they want.

Passes time

Keeps guests at your event

Draws a crowd

 

Booth is big enough that larger groups can go in. 

     Not limited to 2-4 at a time. 

We can customize the strip for your event.

 

Call and book the booth for your event today.  701-297-7594