trunfio

Bryan Peterson is fantastic. He taught me the basics of shooting in the early 90s with his "Understanding Exposure" first

edition. Plus he makes superb images, especially of France.

Actually, in a situation like William's swimming, if you want to get all three girls in focus, you want to stop down as much

as you can. If you are shooting a static image (line of scrimmage football with everyone in place not moving) then you can

stop down so that your shutter is 1/125 or something. I always shoot football at ISO 1600, I know you didn't ask... but just

thought I'd throw it out there. if you don't shoot RAW or your camera isn't the latest generation low noise camera, then 800.

Catherine, I only quickly perused (and only your blog). I loved your images. They show such a variety of approaches. I

also really liked your blog layout. The way you integrated images, etc. was quite nice. I want to learn how to do a

slideshow like you did for your Tenerife Vacation. But my blog software provided by my ISP, Movable Type, isn't as robust

as WordPress. Thanks, I'll bookmark your site. Oh, your blog site loads quite slow (just thought you might want to know

that).

This is really personal preference based on what image you want to project. But #1 reminds me of a New England tuxedo

rental giant's logo. #2 doesn't speak photography to me. #3 the font is to chunky. #4 looks like a hotel logo. For weddings,

which is what you indicate you do, #4 or 6 are really classy. I like #4 best because the logo looks abstract and the focus

on the word "creation" is nice. I'll tag this one and check back to see what you decide... good luck.

I've discovered exactly what Alan says, networking. Also, one thing you might want to consider: begin keeping a good

mailing list (e-mail and snail mail) of all your clients. I send out a monthly e-mail newsletter with current client-only pricing

for special shoot themes. I also offer a large reduction on shoot fees for client referrals. Also shoot for local papers, be

active in schools and offer services for fundraisers, etc. There's no end to what you can do to get your name known.

I just thought of this: how to approach your questions depend on what your goals are. We don't know your goals. If you

are doing this as a "side thing" then it doesn't matter. If you are doing this a major effort and you are depending on the

income for this business, then it does matter. But we don't know which camp you are in.

You must know that different people do different things. So, you ask a question which will have many answers. But, you

should know this already because this should have been part of your business plan and pricing. You say you have pricing

all set and have thought through all these things. But your questions clearly indicate you haven't. Your point about "being

patient" is not consistent with running a business. This is a passive role you have indicated. There are many ways to get

your name out and be active about it.

I spent over 1000$ on a postcard mailing last year to targeted addresses for child and family portraits (people earning a

certain amount, having children, etc). It was an awesome color and glossy and heavy oversized postcard. Bought the

electronic list from InfoUSA. Put it through the direct mailer. Rate of return: 1 client at around $400. About .1% return

(same order of magnitude quoted by Tana). Of course, your mileage may vary.

Noah: it depends on what you are going for in the final product. I gave up editing on my MacBook. Just couldn't work for

me. Even when I took it on trips and assignments, I felt like I was punting. The viewing angle is atrocious. So you really

have to park your head and set the tilt of the screen where it gives the most contrast and not move anything. It's a real

pain. Yes, an iMac is significantly better as long as you avoid the glare. Work in a darkish room. The problem is that the 20" screens

are poor, so you have to move up to a 24". An alternative is to plug an Apple Cinema Display (which I have and love, but expensive) or

another LCD. I trust the people here can give some good recommendations for one that's a good value. Unfortunately I don't know of ones

beyond what I have.

Welcome to your business. But, honestly, I hate to break it to you, but all of this should have been thought about before

you opened your business. What's the point of having the "doors to our business" open for two months and not having a

pricing or marketing plan (i.e., a business plan) in place? If you are doing this as a sole income or major income thing,

you really need to rethink this. If you are doing it as a side thing, then I guess it doesn't much matter. Have you

checked out Dan Heller at www.danheller.com ? Most all your questions can be answered.

A suggestion on your website: you can punch it up quite a bit by being more picky about which images you show. I

would suggest you narrow down greatly and remove images with different kids with the exact same backdrop, etc. Also

there are only pictures on the website, plus a contact. So people coming to your site won't know anything about you:

your approach, philosophy, on-location/in-studio, what services you offer, etc.

If the difference you split wasn't great, you potentially have done harm to your business. New photography businesses are

all about finding AND KEEPING clients. You make everything happy for the client then you potentially keep booking (if, of

course, you have services which match their future needs). I have found it's much easier to keep a client, then to add a

new one.

The Tamron 90mm Macro is f/5.6 at 1:1. Of course this really isn't that limiting, because you are always trying to stop

down anyways.

For mice: I have periodic troubles with wireless. On the other hand, the weight of the wireless (because it has a battery)

gives some more precision.