Archives : 2010 : July

Kevin Kubota’s 20th Digital Photography Bootcamp Training (cue balloons!)

by: Wendy Roe

I sit here giggling in my seat from excitement and a littl’ bit o’ nerves as I write this post.  I’ve been invited to speak at Kevin Kubota’s 20^th Bootcamp and take part in a small portion along with the big boys: Doug Gordon, Craig Strong, and Bend’s own Ben Edwards with special appearances by Dane Sanders, Bill Sorenson, and Jules & Joy Bianchi.  Whew, now you see why?!

If you haven’t heard of or participated in the Kubota Image Tools Bootcamp, Byron and HIGHLY recommend it.  Byron went through it two years ago and it sent our workflow and focus into hyperdrive, saving us buckets of time/energy into our overall workflow, business direction and success.

As many of you know, I’ve spent the last 10 years in the world of Web/Internet marketing and just recently switched full time into wedding photography with my husband.  These two passions – web marketing and wedding photography are bound to collide.  My hope is to help photographers decode the world of web, including: SEO, design trends, links, paid advertising, blending traditional and web advertising, focused and trackable social media marketing, analytics and more!

Blah, you say!  Spending time with your brain’s other half isn’t always easy as artists but my goal in this session is educate and help photographers avoid common pitfalls.  There are many super common mistakes that photographers make with their websites and between a speaking session and one-on-one website reviews with Kevin and Clare, we’re bound to set you forth in a way that will shift your thoughts about the web.

HURRY, HURRY, these always fill up fast:
Full Kubota Bootcamp Details and Registration – November 7-13th, 2010
SummitUp Pre-Workshop Sessions – Novemeber 6-7th, 2010

“Kevin’s a real inspiration as he gives 100% of his enthusiasm and wealth of knowledge to everyone attending.  His Bootcamp workshops should be mandatory on every pro photogs checklist.”

- Byron Roe, 2008 bootcamper

To Baby, From Shelly Phillips: Maternity Photography Bend Oregon

Dear Baby,

Wow, you’re almost here and we are so excited to finally meet you.  Your dad and I have been waiting for you for 9 long months and pretty soon we’ll get to see you, touch you, and gaze into your beautiful eyes.  I’m especially looking forward to holding you in my arms and nuzzling your sweet smelling head.  Let’s spend hours together just cuddling, nursing, sleeping, and enjoying life together.

I can’t wait to be your mama.  I’ve been preparing for motherhood since I was a young girl and I feel so ready to welcome you into my life.  I’ve studied everything I could about how to be a good parent, how to help you learn and grow, and how to be the best example I can be for you.  I’ve even practiced by taking care of lots of other babies and kids, but really it was all for you.  Taking care of you and teaching you how to take good care of yourself sounds like the most fun and rewarding thing I could possibly do in my life.  Thanks for helping me fulfill my life’s purpose.

Just wait ‘till you meet your dad.  He’s fantastic.  I just know he’s going to be such a wonderful daddy to you.  When I was choosing a husband I decided to choose the man with the biggest, most beautiful heart I could find.  And that’s your dad.  He cares so deeply, and shares himself so openly.  I love his honesty and the way he has trouble keeping a secret, even when it’s a fun surprise.  I completely trust him to take exquisite care of all of our hearts, which is really the most important task of all.  And on top of all that, he’s hilarious!  With your daddy in our lives, we are sure to have lots and lots of laughter and fun.

My friends keep telling me that you’re “one lucky baby” and I agree.  I’ve always thought of myself as one of the luckiest people I know.  And I’m so happy to pass on my good fortune to you.  In fact, there’s no one else I’d rather bless with endless good luck and the ability to appreciate and enjoy it.

One of my deepest hopes is that we can always communicate openly with each other, that no matter what’s happening, you know you can always come to us, share whatever’s on your heart and we’ll always love you no matter what.  There may be times when we don’t like each other very much, but even then, please know, that we love you dearly, deeply, and without conditions.  And even in times when you think you don’t, we’ll remember that you love us too.  Because that’s how it is in our family, we practice unconditional love and acceptance no matter what the circumstances.

So, welcome to life on Earth, and welcome to your family.  May you be surrounded by love, inspired to learn and grow, and always know that you are deeply cherished.

Love,

Mom

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Shelly and Kevin,

We sure cut it down to the wire but I hope you find these images to be a late lasting memory of pregnancy!  You’re SO beautiful!  Thanks for trusting us and for being adventurous even at 2 weeks to your due date!  It’s been an honor to document your journey from engagement, to wedding, to baby   Lots of love to you both and congratulations on your new addition.  I hope everyone found the tissues because I sure was grabbing them reading your powerful love letter!

All the best,

B + W

This is a classic shot – nothing that’s totally unique but totally special.

I LOVE this giggle, Shelly…it’s like Kevin was tickling you!

One of our total favs from the day, has all the right unique elements with magical smiles from you both and still shows your belly. – YUM!

A fun daddy shot

Who knew you could be so sexy at 8.5 months?!!  Grarrrw. Love it – Wendy

This feels lonely yet a totally surreal with you and the baby.

Beautiful soft focus on the hay and grasses – like a hidden moment.

Love the connection between a single, growing organism with the grass in front and a single, growing organism with the baby in the back.

Love these belly portraits – WOW!  Color pop is lovely.

One of my favorite portraits, love the lighting on your face and belly.

At the end of the session, Wendy spent a little time alone with Shelly for these more intimate shots.  We fell in love with this one and are thankful Shelly and Kevin let us post this beauty.  Capturing the body at this stage in life in true form.  Shelly, you’re GORGEOUS!

Is a website ever really FINISHED? – Web Marketing For Wedding Photographers

I have gotten this question over and over and I think we all need to be let off the hook! Let’s just come together, hug, and tell your fellow photog that it’s going to be okay because…websites are never ‘finished.’

Whew, okay, now that we’ve had the release, let’s talk about the correct mental perspective on building and evolving a website and/or blog. There’s just one thing in life that’s constant – change – and there’s always technology driving that fast.

Technology and various applications to enhance your marketing/your website/your blog is moving rapidly and we must, as photogs, embrace it. GREAAAAT, now “how do I do that again?”

Website evolution should always stem from these foundational concepts:

1. How do I build traffic and links to my site?
2. How do I build my target specific branding?
3. How do I measure and learn from the results?

As new technology comes to play, you must always answer these three little questions. If new technology doesn’t help you build traffic, links or your brand and there’s no results, then MOVE ON!

As marketers, it’s all about testing ideas, seeing what works and adapting. That is why websites are never ‘FINISHED.’ Getting comfortable with continually utilizing these concepts is the difference between compounding success and stagnation.

*** I’d love to gather your questions and comments in the comment section below.  Don’t hesitate to throw them out there as there’s no stupid question!  I’d like to do some FAQs posts down the line, so post away.

To Christoffer, From Mandy: Engagement Photography San Francisco, CA

Christoffer,

As a little girl I used to stare up at the moon and wonder if somewhere in the world the boy I was going to marry might be looking at it at the same time. I never dreamed that the answer would be no because it was daytime where he was playing, laughing and growing in to the man I love today.

While I can’t wait to walk down the aisle toward you and share our wedding day with the people we love, I most look forward to sharing a life with you and discovering the man, the husband, and the father that you have yet to grow in to.

Jeg elsker dig,

Din lille skat

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Mandy + Christoffer,

Since we hadn’t met face to face, we didn’t know what to expect but we have to say…thank you!  It was awesome to hit the ground running and the flow was easy throughout the shoot; that all elusive ‘click’ was an easy fit with you two.  I’m so glad you were both able to getting in some special smooch time prior to Christoffer’s trip back to Denmark   Sadly, the afternoon fog rolled in but it didn’t stop all the beautiful cityscape of San Francisco, CA to come alive.  Our goal was to shoot some city texture, get some great moments and have a different take on some of the icons of the city.  We can’t wait to meet up again for your wedding!

All the best,

B + W

We started the day at Swensen’s, a special spot for them….pssst, it was their first date

Mandy just had to do this pose!  She does this at every special occasion in her life and promises to do it again in her wedding dress!

I love the way the blue POPs here!  Grawrrr…these two had no problem sharing kisses with the camera.

Love this hidden moment and the color, iron and cracks of the buildings.

One of our favs from the session, the light reflection, red stairs and Mandy a beauty.

Again, one of our favs…sure those looking from the bus were smiling.  ahhhh, love.

Couldn’t help but snap a shot here; Christoffer grabbed the Financial Times and they said this is pretty close to normal for them

A different view from a famous San Francisco icon – Ghirardelli Chocolate Factory

Mandy’s eyes are striking and we couldn’t help but get some close ups…

…and Christoffer’s weren’t far behind!

One of the favs from the day…just love the serenity of this shot

Another famous icon, we happy talked the driver to give us a few minutes.  They had 100 people waiting and watching

Facebook Social Plugins Are Little Gems – Web Marketing for Wedding Photographers

Social Media, and for wedding photographers, especially Facebook (FB) can accelerate marketing like wildfire. We’ve heard this before, so here’s a few FB gems to learn more about and setup to light the match.

If you haven’t already checked out this page, here’s an overview of the plugins FB offers:
http://developers.facebook.com/docs/reference/plugins/like

Now that I’ve scared everyone with techie jargon and CODE (yikes!), let me point you to two of my favorite plugins:

Facebook Like Button
The FB Like Button is relatively new and handy addition to your blog. With a minor code addition, it connects your blog posts to the viewers profile and notifies their network that they like your post – and the beauty is there’s a handy link to your blog post and SITE!

FB Like Button on Blog Example:

Results of ‘Like’ On Facebook Profile Example:

Facebook Like Box
The FB Like Box is also a great credit builder to have on your website to show new visitors that land on your site first that you have a FB page and have a network of past clients and friends that actively participate in your brand. You can customize this to show your feed or just link to your page and show your fan base. Cross linking your social profiles with your site is an easy, quick way to stoke the fire.

Website FB Like Box Example:

If you’re comfortable with light HTML, these may be easily added to your site and blog, otherwise, speak with your web developer for the best way to add these gems!

{Meredith + Joe} Wedding; The Blacksmith Restaurant Bend, Oregon

From day one, Meredith and Joe have been easy-going, relaxed and just plain happy.  As a prelude, the engagement session was filled with laughs (and towards the end even a few cocktails), so when we geared up for the wedding, we knew it was going to be one big party.  Holding true to their philosophy for ‘great drinks, great food and great people’, Meredith and Joe chose The Blacksmith Restaurant in Bend, Oregon as their special place.  The staff was AMAZING and made it an easy process.  The wedding was simple, crowded by the best of family and friends and the toasts had everyone practically rolling with laughter and joy.

We have to say that Meredith and Joe have been one our forefront supporters from day one of hiring us and we are SO grateful.  They even had a separate table, with name tags, for us at the wedding and a full course meal – a special touch which was over the top.  Thank you, thank you for letting us share this experience with you both and jumping on suggestions for fun places to shoot!  The night topper was when Meredith jumped on the backlit bar.

You two are amazing and we are so happy as you start your new journey together.  CHEERS!

Best,

B + W

Soon after their ‘first look’ at 10 Below at The Oxford Hotel

Mere, has anyone told you that you have the most FANTASTIC legs!  So, jealous – Wendy

A unique angle getting ready to head down for the ‘first look.’

Oh, how Wendy loves detail shots   They had these super cool matches…

Mere and Joe surrounded by MoH and Best Man and brother, Nick.

The ceremony…

As their closest friends and family look on set through the reflection of the wine glasses, Mere and Joe say their vows.

With only a few drops of sweat and tears, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Davis!

As a special treat, their steaks were ‘flambeed.’  Did I spell that right?  Oh, that’s hot!

Joyous toasts with story after story of these two…so fun.

A little fun after the ceremony, grawrrr.

Mere’s Cinderella moment, as her prince charming puts on her blue slipper.

To: Mere and Joe; From: The Blacksmith Staff!  Congrats!  Disclaimer:  This is only meant as a joke and the staff are NOT actually drinking their liquor

High class ambiance.

Forever more their anniversary will be shared with Joe’s birthday – double the celebration!  The whole gang sang for Joe and the staff entertained him with a GIANT cookie.

On a whim, the bride decides to chill out on top of the beautifully lit bar.  Mere is one of those fearless types we love.