Luke's 4th birthday party!

Here are just a few images from my nephew's fourth birthday party today at a park in Plano. He's quite the character, as were most of the rest of the people there ... me included! Shooting photographs of kids isn't all that hard. The key is letting them be kids, just as that's the best way to let 'em eat cupcakes. Kids are washable, after all!

I shot all of these with a 70-200 f/2.8 zoom lens, and I had a flash mounted on the camera to lift some of the highlights in the shade or balance the daytime sun elsewhere. The lens isn't cheap, but a good lens can make a difference more than a fancy camera. The digital SLR I used is a model released four years ago, but the older tech has held up very well.

Little Z

Raising the flag

The Keller Senior Activities Center and many of its patrons attended a dedication ceremony for a new flag pole and landscaped area at the center on Tuesday, May 26, 2009. It was an excellent time! Being the day after Memorial Day, an occasion to remember those who died protecting our freedom, it is just as important to recognize those who lived to tell about it. We have the freedom to disagree with various conflicts - including the wars we are fighting now - but we should never forget the people on the front lines. They are the ones who matter most.

Bloomin' flowers!

I love the diversity of flowers I found in one small area. They're blooming now along a hiking trail in Keller. As usual, I got a few shots of bees buzzing the blooms; I chose to show this one just because the bee is so big in comparison to the flower.

My arsenal

I've tried to pare down my camera equipment, but there are still a few lenses and accessories I'd love to have (list is below for those wanting to get my birthday shopping out of the way). For every job I've encountered, though, what's pictured has been more than adequate.

What I use most often
1. Two digital SLR camera bodies
2. Wide-angle lens: 17-40 f/4
3. Longer telephoto: 70-200 f/2.8
4. Low-light telephoto: 85 f/1.8
5. Detail shots: 100 f/2.8 macro
6. Two flash units (580 EX II and 420 EX)

Not pictured:
1. Camera bag (important for toting around everything, including a laptop)
2. Tripod (for group shots to lock in composition; add stability to slow-shutter shots)
3. Monopod (for portable stabilization)
4. Reflectors (these are collapsing panels to block or throw extra light where needed)
5. Reflector stand (usually used indoors, not often on location)

Now, before I go any further, let me emphasize that photographic equipment are the tools of the trade. Nice equipment, however, is no substitute for experience and study, as well as trial and error in the field. Photographers take photos using cameras. The most important equipment are astute eyes, anticipating where you need to be and when and that big spongy thing between your ears! My grandmother was an excellent photographer, and her entire kit included one 35 mm Olympus OM-1, a 50 f/1.4 lens, a 135 f/3.5 lens and a small accessory flash unit. You don't need much, but sometimes more can make things easier or extend your abilities.

What I'd like and why:
1. Circular polarizer, 77 mm (to cut glare on shiny objects, including chrome and water)
2. Canon 35 f/1.4 L lens (just because it's awesome, and for wedding use)
3. Canon 24-105 f/4 IS L lens (a great walkaround focal range and stunning lens)
4. Canon 24 mm tilt-shift lens (I'll get one if I ever get into architectural photography)
5. Canon 300 f/4 IS (for sports and wildlife, preferably with Canon 1.4x teleconverter)
6. A smaller camera bag for one camera, one or two lenses and a flash unit, when Gigantor is too big)
7. Another camera body, preferably something weather- and dust-sealed (why not?)
8. Portable lighting equipment, probably a softbox or two with stands for my flash (when what I've got isn't enough)
9. Ring-light flash (for macro work and shadowless portraits)
10. Adapter to use my grandmother's Olympus OM-mount lenses on my Canon EOS digital SLRs (the OM Zuiko lenses are fantastic)

Things I might get rid of in the meantime:
1. One of my camera bodies
2. Canon 50 f/1.8 that no longer autofocuses (it does, however, bounce)
3. Canon 100-300 f/3.5-4.5 (great for daytime sports, I just haven't used it)
4. A few odds and ends

I use Canon cameras because I have always liked the ergonomics and find them easy to use, as well as the fact that the lens collection is terrific. If you're looking for a new digital SLR, there are great offerings from Nikon, Pentax, Sony and Olympus. A benefit of going with Canon or Nikon is that they hold the lion's share of the market and as such there are tons of lenses and accessories designed just for them. If you are leaning toward Canon, let me know and I'll tell you more about the one I might be willing to sell!

Pitchman

Nolan Ryan, former All-Star Major League Baseball pitcher and now president of the Texas Rangers baseball team, spoke on Friday, May 15, 2009, at the Greater Keller Chamber of Commerce's monthly luncheon at Sky Creek Ranch Golf Club.

Ryan also is a pitchman for Olshan Foundation Repair and his own brand of beef.

My business philosophy

My mission statement posted on my main Web site states that I will provide:

Professionalism
Honesty
Obsessive attention to detail
Tremendous customer service
Overall client satisfaction
Stellar images

Get it? It spells out P-H-O-T-O-S. Yeah, I know. Please don't roll your eyes like that!

To flesh out my mission, I figured I would share my business philosophy on customer service.

The ultimate customer service is:
1. Knowing your craft/business well.
2. Delivering a stellar final product/service every time.
3. Knowing how to treat people.

If someone can't perform the first and second items, they are failing on the third. If they fail on the third, then the first two don't matter as much. Doing right by customers has to include all three simultaneously. For my photography business, that means I know what I'm doing with my camera and my techniques and I understand beforehand what my clients' expectations are. It means always delivering on my word, no excuses, no matter the time, place, weather, lighting or drama. It means treating everyone with honesty, respect and professionalism, all the time.

But even more than that, I want my business to be fun for me and my clients. Currently I do my work on location, which lends a more natural, spontaneous look to the images.

Children's portrait sessions resemble a play date more than a typical "picture-taking session." This is done by the child being allowed to be a kid, in their own environment or one that feels comfortable and fosters fun. They can bring along toys, or I can supply a few fun props to use in the images.

Family portrait sessions are more like a fun outing rather than a chore. It's about the relationships and interactions, being natural and letting loose. Capturing who the family members are and how they shape the family as a whole.

Engagement portrait sessions are like a date, a stroll in the park ... a fun, relaxing time!

Weddings are a different animal altogether. My confidence and organization during the day is more important than having fun, although I find the pressure invigorating and fun anyway. Attending a couple's special day is like a pep rally for romance. Go marriage! Yay!

I want to learn more about you! Please leave a comment here or fill out a contact form here. Let's have some fun!

Field Day!

Today was Field Day at my son's elementary school. He and the other kids appeared to have a real blast. I thought it was a mild bummer that during the balloon-pop relay, the adults would secretly pop the balloons if the kids were having difficulty. Not to mention that everybody got the same ribbon. Back in "the day," we actually competed – maybe not in kindergarten – but the first, second and third placers got the corresponding ribbons and everyone else got the "participant" awards.

Memory Stimulus Package

The technical definitions of the word "investment" center on putting up an amount of money in anticipation of a future return. But there are many other things we invest in, such as our families, our hobbies and our quality of life, that yields no direct financial return. Sometimes the benefits exceed mere money. There are also times when the value of those kinds of investments gain value unrelated to our wallets.

Photographs are mile markers on our life's journey, bookmarks of a certain time, gateways to the past and unique treasures for the future. In our digital age, we've got cameras in our cell phones, most of us have cameras of some sort and we're bombarded with images all the time. Sometimes we forget to take photographs on purpose, much less have professional photographs crafted. During a time like now, many of us are more concerned with our daily needs. But time doesn't stand still ... our kids continue to grow up ... our families are changing ... now more than ever we need to carve out special memories and images to celebrate now for later. To help ease the financial strain many of us are going through, I've developed a special offer.

For those in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, I am offering a Memory Stimulus Package* from now until June 27, 2009. The Package includes:

• A one-hour, on-location portrait session
• A password-protected online photo gallery for sharing photos with others, and ordering prints and special gift items
• A CD featuring three edited, low-resolution images from the session for e-mailing or posting to a social networking site
• Bonus Card good for one lab-quality print up to 16x20 when you refer a friend who is successfully booked for a full-price portrait session ($250)
• Cost: $100

Give me a call today, at 817-675-1143, e-mail me at todd@toddovermanphoto.com, or visit my main Web site, www.toddovermanphoto.com, and fill out the contact form. I hope to work with you soon! We can get through these tough times together! Invest in memories that will gain value tomorrow.

Because I believe in full disclosure:
*The Fine Print: Package designed to create children's or family portraits, but not high school senior or engagement portraits. For locations with a use or entry fee, the cost of the session will rise accordingly. Online gallery will be available for about three months after the session. Images on the CD will not be suitable for printing, and client agrees to only e-mail or post images with photographer's watermark visible. Client may choose the three images to be placed on CD. Bonus Card referral session must be booked by July 1, 2009, but may occur afterward. Portrait session fee is due at time of booking (cash, check, credit card via PayPal). Each session will be booked at a time convenient to the client and photographer. Once booked, a session fee may not be refunded, however the photographer will accommodate rescheduling one time per session. Contract required to allow photographer to use images in future promotions. Limited service area within DFW.

Antique boat show @ Eagle Mountain Lake

As you can tell from the first photo, there were also some kickin' cars there, too. J was really excited about a 1969 Shelby Cobra 'Stang, which proves that boys are wired to love muscle cars at an early age. We were there mostly to look at the antique boats. I inherited my grandfather's old boat, and while she's still not seaworthy, her restoration is a more tangible dream when seeing other similar craft in the water. There weren't any Gar Woods there, but the lovely craft in the second shot most closely resembles my boat's type: an open utility about 20 feet long.

Maybe we'll be making the rounds at local shows with our boat in tow someday!

Ladies celebrating Jesus and their sisterhood

I had the pleasure of photographing the annual women's spring luncheon at my church recently. Taking my cameras allowed me to serve without actually having to serve, which my brothers in Christ did, dutifully providing the ladies with plates of dessert or refilling their tea/coffee/water.

My favorite part was watching the varied ages mingle and enjoy each other. Most of the time, the teens hang out with their friends, the moms hang out with other moms, the grandmothers chill with the older gals. While that is natural and was evident as far as where they sat, it was a chance for them to all come together as equals. And they did.

The men of the church get together every month for a special breakfast fellowship. I haven't been able to go in sometime, but it's always a pep rally for the soul. They also embarked on a fishing trip recently; the rain dampened the angling opportunities but the Christian male bonding was still there. If you live in the Fort Worth area and are looking for a church, I encourage you to visit. Send me a message and I can give you any details you need!

These photos are just a sampling. If it's a wedding or an event like this, I often end up with a handful of photos of being taking photos. Little pocket digicams are just too convenient! Last year while photographing the Bone Marrow Transplant Foundation's annual conference, I was asked to use someone else's camera to photograph them. I guess the ultimate would have been to get a photo of me doing that!

Au naturale

I'm not really a nature photographer, but I play one on this blog. Just wish these little guys were paying clients. :-)

The key to getting photos of bugs is to think like a bug. So I stood around and sniffed the blooms on this bush for a few minutes. Thankfully, I was in the back yard and nobody was there to taunt me. Well, other than the bees and the mothy flutterby.

It's not easy being green

Spotted this little guy on one of the pedestrian bridges along the hiking trail not far from my part-time office. He was really small, not much longer than a foot. I had only my 85 mm lens; a shot like this would have benefited from my macro lens (if I'd dared to get closer to the wee beastie). I'm not a big fan of snakes, but this one looked friendly enough ... like a long, legless lizard. I found it strange that he kept his head up like that, but when you're small, you've gotta milk all you can out of your height.

Up and running!

Check out my main photo site, www.toddovermanphoto.com, to see the great work untame.net was able to make of my mess. I am grateful for the fine folks for their patience, expertise and generosity. If you need a comprehensive Web strategy and more, check 'em out. They are based in Tulsa but can work with you anywhere.

Of course, if you need a photographer, let me know! I will be announcing a special promotion to celebrate the new Internet digs, so stay tuned.