Today I’m Celebrating the 44th Anniversary of My 21st Birthday! Last History Recap

Good Morning Everybody,

Today is a BIG day in my life – it’s one of those “milestone birthdays”.  I’ll give you a hint – I just received my Medicare Card in the mail.  Yep, I’m celebrating the 44th anniversary of my 21st birthday today;~) Now the good news is that I sure don’t feel that old and thankfully, many folks tell me I don’t look my age.  I guess that is some consolation ;~)  So, what does LaDawn get me for my birthday – A TANDEM SKYDIVING ADVENTURE!!! Uhmmm…. I wonder if there’s a new life insurance policy floating around here somewhere? OK, just kidding LaDawn ;~)

So for today’s post I thought I would recap the DAVID A. ZISER PHOTOGRAPHY history posts I’ve been running the last few weeks.  I promise this is my last post reminiscing about the good old days.  But, like I said earlier, I hope these posts offer some insights into my growth and success in this business to the new and aspiring photographers considering this profession as their own.

That said, let me lead off today’s post with a photograph that we just stumbled upon over the weekend.  It’s a class photo of my very first class I ever took.  That was way back in 1979, and my first instructor was the legendary Monte Zucker.  That was quite the class. Click on the image for a larger view. Pictured here is my good friend, John Miele who went on to become the youngest PPA President ever.  Also pictured are my Aussie buddies talented photographer Robert Piccoli and Michael Warshall, current owner of NuLab Professional Imaging in Australia.  Michael and I still stay in touch.

You’ll also see Monte with his wife, yes, his wife Sandy in the front row. David Bentley, still a good friend is pictured in the back row. Eva, standing next to Michael eventually went on to marry Mark Roberts, owner of Art Leather, the largest wedding album manufacturer at the time. And, I can’t forget Gerhard Bakker, a major influence for all photographers at the time.  I’ve linked up where I could so check out the links for the rest of the stories. If you know any of the other photographers in this image not mentioned please drop me a comment.

The Life and Times of DAVID A. ZISER PHOTOGRAPHY

OK gang, I promise this is the last look  back on the life and times of DAVID A. ZISER PHOTOGRAPHY.  Here is the recap of all the links I’ve been running the last few weeks all gathered in one place should you ever want to visit them again.  Enjoy!

The Brief History Of Ziser Photography & Many Thank You’s To All Who Helped Me Reach This Milestone. [link]

50 Years Later: Celebrating Life, Photography and Friendships!  [link]

50 Years Later: A Grand Celebration & A Peek Down Memory Lane   [link]

Why not take a peek back in time with me in my WayBack Machine and smile at the images from my humble beginnings:

The Violinist: [link] Taken 45 years ago at age 20.

Budding Photographer: [link]

WayBack Machine #2: [link] Images taken in 1978 – the beginning of my studio career, age 30.

Oldie But A Goodie Wedding Image: [link] Image probably around 1980.

WayBack Machine #3: [link]

Engagement Sessions ‘80’s Style: [link]

WayBack Machine #5: [link]

WayBack Machine #6: [link]

And finally my life philosophy of why I got started in photography and what this wonderful profession means to me.

A Visit By A Friend – ASP THESIS 1988

Part 1: Life Is Too Darn Short To NOT Do What You What To Do With Your Life!   [link]

Part 2: Seeing The Magic Happen For The First Time - Amazing! And Time For Commitment! [link]

Part 3: Sameness Kills Enthusiasm! [link]

Part 4: Developing Your Own Distinct Style [link]

Part 5: Questions Seeking Answers  [link]

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Hey gang, that’s it for me today.  And starting today, I’m only looking forward to see what's next over the distant mountain ridge – greater challenges, beautiful travels, new friends, new memories to try and remember ;~) and many more sunrises and sunsets.

Have a great one everybody.

See ya’ soon!

-David

50 Years Later: Celebrating Life, Photography and Friendships!

Good Morning Everybody,

What a grand celebration this past Saturday! It was wonderful to have so many of the people to whom I owe my success come by and celebrate my 50th year as a wedding photographer this past weekend. The guests attending spanned 40 years of my business career.  It was kind of a career reunion and a great time for all present to catch up, tell stories, and just enjoy a wonderful evening of good conversation, great food, and perfect weather.

Pictured in the photograph below from left to right: seated first is Marvin “Bucky” Armstrong, one of my original assistants/photographers who, along with his wife, assisted me throughout the late 70’s.  Next to Marvin is Tom Taylor, a good friend and occasional assistant/second shooter/Master Class facilitator whom I’ve known for 10 years.

Top left is my good buddy, Eric Cameron, a talented photographer who began working with me first back in 2006 assisting LaDawn with our Digital WakeUp Call Tour and then came on board to help on special assignments and as one of my Master Class Coaches.

Next is yours truly and next to me is Steve Bitter, my very first assistant.  Steve began helping out when he was 15 years old – I was dating his sister at the time.  Steve is also the assistant who probably has more stories to tell that anyone who has worked with me over the years – and there are some good stories to tell ;~)

Next to Steve is Bill Mowery, a great guy, great assistant, and talented photographer.  Bill assisted mostly during the middle years of my career.  He always kept a level head and kept the occasional wedding chaos is perspective for all of us on the job.  I may be wrong here but I believe it was Bill who nick-named the equipment/lighting bag the DEATH BAG because of its weight – about 90 pounds.NOBODY liked carrying the death bag ;~)

Next to Bill is my good buddy, Damien Tepe.  Damien was sort of the IT brains of the operation around here for a few years.  He helped get our Digital Resource Center [link] up and running and helped keep all the workstations/computers running smoothly too.  Damien could also be trusted to help out on a wedding gig or two as well.  His real job is taking him to Dallas, TX in a few weeks so it was good he and his wife Laura could come by on Saturday.

Not pictured are Johnny Miller, not the golfer, but a great friend and talented photographer.  John was one of two photographers (Don Moore was the other)  that help put Ziser Photography on the map back in the early eighties.  Also, not pictured is Ace#1 Assistant and great photographer, Nicholas Viltrakis, who unfortunately had to leave early. Wait, there he is on the far right in my iPhone pano shot. 

Nicholas has been my “go to” guy these last several years at Ziser Photography for the huge, challenging events we occasionally booked at the studio. 

Also not pictured is Don Moore.  Don and I have been the best of friends for over 30 years.  Don was one of the studio’s first photographers along with Johnny Miller and he was also my first studio manager.  By the mid to late eighties Don had left the studio to pursue his own commercial studio endeavors – Kamera Art. Don and I still find it difficult to get together as often as we would like due to both of our crazy schedules,  but still remain super close friends. 

Also missing are a few other indispensible assistants Michael Nealis, Marc Bridewell, and photographer, Angela Haines all of whom had previous commitments or long distance that kept them from being here.  We still told stories about them too ;~)_________________________________________________________________

In this next photo you see most of the Ziser girls – truly the team that kept the wheels on the wagon at the studio. From left to right standing we have Sharon Blades, the studio bookkeeper and the life of the party around here over the years.  Sharon’s spontaneous, off the wall, remarks would put anyone within earshot in stitches.

Next to Sharon is Susan Kliendinst, my studio manager about 8 years ago. Susan was actually hired by my staff at the time while I was out on the road lecturing back in 2005.  I came back into town and was introduced to my new studio manager.  I was reassured by my staff that all would be fine. Susan jumped into her responsibilities with both feet – some would argue she did not “jump” but was thrown in head first into the studio’s “baptism of fire”.  We had a great run while Susan was at the helm.

Next to me is Shelly Roehrig who come on board as studio manager around 1998.  I was just elected PTA President and she was on of the PTA team at the time. She was giving me the tour of our Market Day operation – a money saving, fund raising arm of many PTAs. Before she was finished showing me the ropes, she had talked me into buying most of that month’s featured items.  I immediately asked her to come to work for me.  She got a job offer from UPS on that same day which she refused.  The rest is history. 

Our kids were about the same age so our work day began after the school bus picked up our kids and ended pretty much at 3:30 p.m. when the school bus returned to drop them off.  I also loved the fact that “snow days” where automatic studio holidays. Hey, school was closed so we all headed to the park for some fun sled riding – good times, and many wonderful memories.

Next to Shelly is Karen Armstrong, again a long time friend, wife to Marvin above, and one of the early original team at Ziser Photography.  It was good to see Bucky and Karen again – we haven’t seen each other in over a dozen years.

Seated bottom right is Gayle Lehman, our fabulous album designer and photographic artist for many years. I remember when we were sinking in the “digital seas” like so many other photographers in the early days of digital cameras and Photoshop. Gayle, along with Susan, stepped up too the plate to get us transitioned in our brand new digital world.

Seated on the left is LaDawn, my beautiful wife.  LaDawn who has been the marketing coordinator and tour manager for Photographic Resources, the lecturing arm of our business since our first national lecture tour together – Digital WakeUp Call - in 2006. LaDawn has handled all the back room and behind the scenes activities for all our lecturing projects with a great smile and with utmost thorough efficiency.  We celebrate our 8th anniversary this Wednesday.  Cheers to my Sweetie!

Not pictured is one of the Ziser Photograph’s most important studio managers, Lona Kidwell.  I met and hired Lona when she was in her early twenties. She had that special confident quality about her that made her a perfect choice for the position. I’ve never ceased to admire her fabulous sales skills, tenacious spirit, and outstanding positive attitude.  Lona and Don met during the early studio years and have been happily married ever since.

Also missing is Rebecca Blaut.  Becky came on board as studio manager in the early 90’s and navigated the studio some of it’s difficult growing pains always putting the clients first and always getting the job done.  Becky now operates her own successful studio [link] here is Cincinnati, OH and was not able to attend because of family commitments.

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In this next photo below are pictured next to me are Jim Fauz, a long time friend, Master Class coach, and the person he says sold me my first SLR 35mm camera years ago (a Miranda Sensorex pictured above). Next to Jim are Wilma and Rob Kumler, owners of K&R PhotoDigital.  K&R, as we know them in the area, have been supplying camera and photo supplies throughout the Midwest since 1975.  Rob guided me through my first Hasselblad purchase in 1978 – talk about a traumatic experience – two 500CM cameras, 3 lenses, a few film backs – about $10,000! You definitely needed a pro bank account to be a pro photographer back in the day ;~)

Also missing from this photo are Linda and Dick Bass, owners of LinColor Labs, my lab of choice for all my processing back in the very early days of Ziser Photography.  Linda had the distinction of printing more award winning prints than any lab in Ohio and Kentucky during the eighties and nineties.  Linda and Dick eventually both competed themselves and were eventually honored their Master of Photography degrees from the Professional Photographers of America.  We really  missed them on Saturday.

There are others that were part of the team over these many years and my thanks and gratitude go out to them too.  It’s been a great run (so far) and I’m sure glad, grateful, and happy to have the support of so many good friends that have made DAVID A. ZISER PHOTOGRAPHY one of the premiere studios in the area.  Again, my thanks to everyone who helped make it happen. 

High Fives to each and everyone of you!

David

p.s. Check back tomorrow for a brief history In time about Ziser Photography

Quick Hit Monday: New Videos; QR Codes; Winning; and Photoshop Freebies – Lots!

Good Afternoon Everybody,

I thought I was going to get the post up a little earlier today but, as usual, things got away from me as I’m still following up on last week's convention, prepping for WPPI next week, and Photoshop World a few weeks after that. What do they say, "Staying busy keeps you young."  Don't believe it!!!  ;~)

Actually, it is quite fun and I love being part of it all. 
We're really looking forward to heading to Las Vegas on Saturday and catching up with so many friends that we expect to see at the show.  It's a huge crowd of photographers that attend the show - about 12,000 - with lots of great programs and a fabulous trade show. I sure hope to see some of you there.

Currently, I'm only scheduled for the Westcott booth on Monday at 1:00 and Wednesday at 3:00.  Most of the time we'll just be hanging around the show so if you spot me, come on up and say HI.

My New Kelby Training Videos Are "LIVE"

With all of my PhotoPro Expo duties these last few weeks, I forgot to tell you that my last two Kelby Training videos just went "LIVE".  I'm really happy with both of them. Hey, and if you were at PhotoPro Expo 2012, you got a FREE 1 Week Pass to Kelby Training, so check them out.

Here are the titles and descriptions:

Photographing Couples:  [link]

“David Ziser is back with all new creative techniques for finding the right clothing, locations, and poses to create stunning photos that capture the magic and romance. As David works, he talks through his process and his gear choices while sharing priceless tips on everything from camera settings to the most flattering poses.

You’re guaranteed to come away from this class with a brand new arsenal of professional secrets that will immediately improve how, when, and where you shoot your next wedding.” [link]

DAZNOTE:  The course description implies that it is a wedding course - it is NOT!  It is a course for learning how to shoot couples.  No brides or groom's were injured in any way on the shoot, mainly because we didn't photograph brides and grooms ;~)

Composition Made Easy: [link]

“Join David Ziser as he teaches you how to use an arsenal of on-location composition techniques. Go behind the scenes as David shoots a parking garage, private mansion, and corporate buildings and cityscapes. You’ll learn how to recognize and shoot a wide variety of visual elements to create spectacular, one-of-a-kind compositions. David also shares his personal tips and tricks for camera settings, lenses, and lighting gear that are guaranteed to boost your creative photography.”

DAZNOTE: I LOVED doing this video, even though we all got fried in the 100+ degree sun for two days.

OK, I'm Trying To Be Humble

Well, I really am trying, but I also forgot to tell you I was named top wedding photographer with my print entries at last week's PP Expo Print Competition!  I was surprised and thrilled!  It kind of takes you back when you're MC-ing the Awards Presentation and then you see you're name on the list as one of the award recipients - felt very nice as well as exciting.

On top of that, I won the LexJet Award, too.  That was for best image printed on LexJet media. Above is LaDawn and I with the “hardware”. Here are a few of my images below.  Hope you like them.

How In The World Do They Make Those Weird Looking QR Codes?

I was wondering the same thing Sunday when we received a few suggestions from some of our PPE2012 attendees suggesting that we needed to incorporate them into some of our convention signage.  So I did a little research and found the easiest solution possible.

Head over to this link RIGHT HERE, filling the URL for which you need a QR code and presto, there it is.  Save it out as a .PNG file - up the resolution to 300 DPI for printing and you are good to go.  It was way easy.  Scan the one above with your smart phone to see how it works. Now my head is spinning for new uses for QR Codes.  Got any ideas ???

Photoshop Freebies - Lots!
Hey gang, I don't want to keep you here all night but let me point you toward some good Photoshop Freebies before I get out of here today.

1. 25 Background Pattern For Designers – Really Nice!  - DAZ [link]

2. Download 35 Free & Handy Photoshop Texture Design – I’m A Texture geek – DAZ [link]

3. 500+ Photoshop Custom Shapes for Graphic and Web Designers: The Mother load – don’t miss this link - DAZ [link]

4. 40 Impressive Photoshop Tutorials Of 2012 – This will keep you busy for a week! – DAZ  [link]

5. 15 Sets of Free Fur Photoshop Brushes: Sooo… soft – DAZ [link]

6. 20 Refreshing Still Liquid Textures – Very Cool! DAZ [link]
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Hey gang, that’s it for me today.  Boy do I have a treat for you tomorrow . Watch for it a little later in the day.  I’m posting the second part of our worldwide webcast of our PhotoPro Expo 2012 Print Competition for you. 

We had approximately 400 watching online but I knew not everyone would be able to tune in during the “LIVE” webcast. Lot’s of good info in this 3 hour long webcast.  You’ll enjoy seeing and hearing how a juried print competition works, the elements and criteria the judges used and much more.  It’s a wonderful learning experience and I hope to see you in next year’s competition.

See ya’ tomorrow everybody,

-David

Food For Thought Friday: Are You A Good Student Or A Bad Student?

Good Morning Everybody,

Today marks our second to the last vacation day in the wonderful city of San Diego. Yesterday we hit the San Diego Zoo, but the topper of the day was seeing “Cyrano de Bergerac” at the Old Globe Theater at Balboa Park last night.

This has always been a favorite play of mine since I read it back in my early college days. Patrick Page as the lead was unbelievable.  Turns out Mr. Page has been in a number of Broadway productions as well – including Lion King and Sleeping Beauty.  He had the audience transfixed for 3 1/2 hours.  The play ending with a standing ovation – an exciting,fantastic theatrical experience for all.

Hey gang, just a few notes before we get to today’s post.  The Zumbrella special that’s been running for a few weeks ends Sunday at midnight – see the side bar on right. Thanks to everybody for the “Rave” reviews, by the way. Check out the Zumbrella in use at a real wedding in my “Love Lines” tutorial right here.

OK, everybody - time for today’s Food For Thought Friday – here we go. Lots of instructors teach lots of classes and lots of “students” attend lots of classes – myself included. If you have ever attended or plan to attend any workshops or seminars, I think today’s post is for you. ‘Nough said, please read on.

What Kind Of Student Are You? Are You A Good Student Or A Bad Student?

Over the number of years that I've been involved in this business, I've attended my fair share of one day, multiple day, and week long seminars and classes.

I have found them extremely beneficial and have always found much I could take home from my experience at these workshops. But, was I a good student at these workshops? The answer honestly, in the beginning, is that I was a terrible student.

Hit the “Read More…” link below for the rest of the story.

I can remember one instance where the instructor had spent all morning discussing a certain lighting technique. He then broke us into smaller groups and we headed off to the smaller studios within the facility to practice what he had patiently been trying to teach us.  I can remember being bored stiff until it was my turn to get behind the camera. I thought I could get in there, nail the "Ziser" shot and be finished.

Here is the point though. It wasn't the instructor's shot I was trying to make. I wanted to do my own thing completely ignoring what the instructor was trying to teach me and the other students in the class. I was putting my own ego in front of my education.

Have any of our DPT readers ever done that - maybe we have all been a bit guilty that kind of behavior a time or two in our careers.  Unfortunately, it makes for being a lousy student - I know from first hand experience.

I even remember one moment when the instructor came in to see how our group was progressing.  He caught me setting up some very strange pose, and asked me why I wasn't recreating what he had so patiently tried to teach.  I tried to explain away why I was doing something different from what he was teaching, but he made it clear to me that I was not learning what I had paid to come here to learn.  At that early age in my life I could really care less what he thought about what I was doing, I was caught up in doing my own thing - more "bad student" complex.

I remember another instance when I was studying with the then world famous wedding photographer, Rocky Gunn. In the early 80s, Rocky Gunn was considered to be the #1 top wedding photographer and top instructor in the country. I was lucky enough to be one of the class members in one of his last courses that he taught. Rocky passed away shortly after that class at the tender young age of 42.

Here's what happened the week, back in 1982, I spent with Rocky. I once again had brought a lot of my “ego” to the week long class. What that means is that I thought I knew it all. I was waiting for Rocky to get to the "meat" of the class.  I wanted to see some of the spectacular poses, I wasn't the least bit happy with what he was showing us so far - too much talking, not enough "showing." I had "tuned out" and was being a lousy student.

I started some rumbling through the class that I didn't think I was getting what I was paying for. So I NOT only had these feelings and was disgruntled, but felt entitled to infect the other members of the class. I was trying to spread my own dissatisfaction and gain some validation from my classmates.

Looking back at that week, I think about the monstrous disservice I must have been doing for other members in the class.  I was a negative force sucking the positive energy out of the class.  Here was one of the top photographers in the country and I was the guy trying to take the wind out of HIS sails - pretty selfish, I must say.  When looking back at that week,  I’m embarrassed and I can't believe I acted that way.

It even got to the point that Rocky announced that he had felt the negative vibes coming from a class member. Man, he nailed me.  He was planning to do a very romantic posing session with a couple during one of the evening sessions of the week. He made this announcement to the entire class that he had been feeling the negative vibes from a student or two in the class and he asked that they not show up. He was talking about ME!

Nevertheless I figured I had paid my money and was entitled to be at the evening session. At the same time I decided I better grow up a bit and take a more positive outlook on the class. Fortunately, my week with one of top wedding photographers in the world took a turn for the better.  I got my act in gear, checked my ego, and the week ended up with a ton of positive results including a lot of learning experiences.

In fact, everyone went out to dinner on Thursday to a local restaurant and I had the honor of sitting across the table from Rocky and we had a very friendly conversation during the rest of the evening. 

Because of my short time with him that evening and new found attitude, I gained a greater respect for the photographer he was and also for the type of teacher he was.  He had shown a lot of patience with someone like me and it paid off.

To this day I will say that Rocky Gunn has always been my favorite wedding photographer under which I have ever studied. Not just because of his patience but because of the outstanding wedding images he was able to create.

Thankfully over the years I've grown up and gotten a bit wiser. Now, whether it's a photography workshop, Photoshop or Lightroom workshop, or any other kind of seminar I might be involved in, I am generally always in the front row, notebook in hand, scribbling a ton of notes.  My ego checked at the door, I’m ready and eager to learn. I wish I had spent more time doing this in my early years of development.  Unfortunately, that might just have been part of the maturing process I needed and maybe we all need to work through.

So what kind of student are you? Do you come to a seminar or class willing to learn?  Is your mind opened to all the new possibilities the instructor is willing to give you? Do you approach the seminar with a totally positive attitude -  that in itself is beneficial for the entire class. If  the instructor says something  you don't necessarily agree with, do you let it slide knowing that maybe he/she has a different perspective than you do? Or do you continue to believe your way is the only way?

The best way to be a good student is to show up fully prepared, not necessarily to take better photographs, but to be fully prepared to learn, to be fully open to new ideas, to be fully prepared for a different perspective on how you might do things. The way to be a good student is to come to a class fully prepared to assimilate every word the instructor has to say and fully prepared to practice the lessons he/she is teaching.

Sure, we're all different, but I've found that most instructors out there are ready and willing to teach the full complement of students in their class. Each of us has to be fully willing to be receptive to the learning process in order to benefit from the teaching experience of our instructors.

I wish I had set my ego at the doorstep long ago before I had stepped into Rocky's class that week a long number of years ago. Without filtering his words, his images, his insights and perspectives, through my ego tinted glasses at the time, I might have gotten a lot more out of the class. I know I got my money's worth.  But as I look back, I think I could have gotten a lot more out of the class with a little less of David Ziser wanting to be David Ziser and a more little more of David Ziser wanting to study Rocky Gunn.

Food for thought--

Hey everybody, that's it from me on the fine sunny day in San Diego.  We head out on the red-eye tomorrow and then back to the real world on Monday.  That's a good thing too.  Can't wait to see my Cincy pixels buddies when we get home.  See ya' next week back in the great Midwest.  -David

Business Day Thursday: So What Are You Doing After The Holidays?

Good Morning Everybody,

Hope you are enjoying the weather in you part of the world – we received about 5 more inches of snow on top of the 4 inches we received on Sunday night.  I know that sounds like a dribble compared to our DPT readers in Milwaukee and all points north, but it’s still nice to see.  Yep, I am one of those lovers of snow, at least around the Christmas season.

It’s been busy getting the last of the Christmas orders out the door, but I think we are close to having every thing ready to go. It will be nice next week enjoying more of the holiday festivities than rushing around with client orders.  I know what you’re thinking, “How does Ziser get everything delivered one full week before Christmas?”  Readers of this blog know I covered that in a post right here back in September.

Anyway, we’ve got a little studio Christmas Party happening today, so let’s get right on with today’s post.

So What Are You Doing After The Holidays?

I know for us, we are doing not much of anything.  It’s the time when we straighten up, clean up, and re-organize the studio after the holiday rush. The staff is mostly off for the week enjoying the afterglow of the holidays with their families giving LaDawn and I a chance to enjoy a more relaxing week, too.

OK, that said, let’s say you are a portrait studio and aren’t “wedding shy” at the end of the year like us wedding guys.  What are you going to do?  I’m taking the queue from our friends, Kent and Sarah, at Kent Smith Photography.

As we were leaving Cabo last week, I ask Sarah what her after Christmas plans were.  I thought if you’re running a “Million Dollar” studio, that they may be taking a little time off too.  Not so, she told me.  When you’re running a “Million Dollar” studio, that amounts to nearly $20,000 worth weekly sales you need to generate! 

Hit the “Read More…” link below for the rest of the story.

Her remark put a whole new light on that week for me. She further explained that they had special “After Holiday” promotions lined up to keep the studio busy in that week between Christmas and New Year’s.

OK, for me and all of us at David A. Ziser Photography, we are still taking the week off.  But for those of you who are shooting portraits…

Here are 5 reasons why you should use that time productively.

1. Family members are usually home for the holidays over that time period.  What a great opportunity for them to schedule that family portrait that never seems to happen because so many family members are out of town.

2. The Christmas rush is over and scheduling your clients for their portrait is much easier after the holidays.

3. Your appointment calendar is probably a little lighter on appointments too, so it’s easier and more convenient for them to come in and review their image.

4.  This is a great time for them to use the portrait gift certificate  or “Portrait In A Box” they bought from your studio before the holidays. I blogged about that last year – give it a read right here.

5. And, most importantly, it adds to your bottom line which will help you through those dry months of Jan, Feb, and March.

OK, those are the reasons you should stay busy for that valuable week between Christmas and New Year’s. 

Here are 5 ways you can make that happen.

1.  Run a special “After Holiday” special on your Facebook Fan page.  The first 10 clients that book appointments receive half price session fees.

2. Do a big push on your “Portrait In A Box” promotion I mentioned above.  But, offer special pricing on those whom you will photograph before December 31.

3. When you send Holiday Cards to all your clients – that is assuming you do send cards. What do you mean you don’t send out holiday cards to your past, present, and future clients!  That’s a money losing proposition.  Anyway, in each of the holiday cards you send out to your clients, include a notice about your “After Christmas” promotion.  You just may catch a family or two I referenced in Reason #1 above.

4.  It goes without saying that you should do an email “blast to all your clients before the holidays promoting your “Portraits In A Box” and your “After Christmas” sessions.

5. Consider a “Two For One” “Portrait In A Box” promo, but the second one must be used by the end of the current year.

Hey gang, those are just a few of my quick ideas on how to fill up those “slack” days after Christmas.  Take a few minutes and do a little “self brainstorming”  and I’m sure have even more ideas to add to my list.

Me, I’m still taking the last week of the year off.  Like my father used to say, “Don’t do as I do, do as I say.”  Hey, all joking aside, if you want to fill those 7 days, I hope I’ve pointed you in a direction or two to do just that.

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Hey folks, that’s it for me today.  Time to dig out from our snowfall – “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas….”

Don’t forget to check back in tomorrow for another scintillating, thought provoking post at DigitalProTalk.

See ya’ then,  David

Environmental Portraits: Location, Lighting, and Composition - Bringing It All Together

Good Morning Everybody,

Wow!  Only four more days before the end of the year – and what a year it’s been, time has certainly flown by.  As I sit here today, we’ve already began planning for the new year and I’m really looking forward to how it’s shaping up.

I’m also looking forward to jumping on that plane Friday morning and heading to Florida.  That’s when the plans will get locked into place and I grab an opportunity to start my new book.  While in Florida, I get a chance to visit my children, Aaron and Elizabeth. Heck, there’s even talk of us trying to fit a visit to the mouse while we are in Orlando. 

Also on the agenda is a trip to Kelby Media world headquarters which is always fun.  We’ll probably shoot a Photoshop User TV episode or two. Matt K and I have some planning to do for another round of Kelby Training videos. So, lot’s coming attractions later down the pike, for 2011.

Hey gang, I’ve got a nice Technique Tuesday planned today so let’s get right to it.  Here we go…

Environmental Portraits:  Location, Lighting, and Composition - Bringing It All Together

If you follow this blog with any regularity, you know that David “Wedding Photographer” Ziser is my name and brides and grooms are my game ;~)  I’m been discussing how we capture those great bridal portraits in those fabulous locations, how to bring the lighting on the subject to make the bride and groom look amazing, and how to compose the image for it’s best visual impact.

Today, I want to take all those techniques and apply them to on-location portraiture.  What happens if you don’t have the best place in which to work – the background is not perfect, the lighting is lousy, etc – how do you still pull off a great shot? The answer, of course lies in how we handle the location, lighting, and composition. All the rules are the same – only the names have been changed. Boy, I think I’m starting to sound like Dragnet’s Joe Friday ;~)

Over the last several years I’ve been involved locally in a very special project called the “Most Inspiring Volunteers In The Arts” of Cincinnati, Ohio.  The project showcased those individuals who did the most on a volunteer basis to make the arts more accessible to everyone in the Greater Cincinnati area.  The project was co-sponsored by Inspire Magazine and David A. Ziser Photography.

The biggest part of my job was to photograph and capture great portraits of the 20+ volunteers.  I wanted these portraits to be special and felt they needed to  be made in the locations in which the volunteers were associated.  That meant we would be shooting at Music Hall, The Cincinnati Ballet and Cincinnati Opera offices… you get the idea.

Twenty volunteers, 20 locations, all spread throughout the city.  The challenge was to NOT tie up days of the studio’s time and resources to photograph all the individuals while still knowing we had to capture, produce and deliver outstanding images.  We allowed 60 minutes for each portrait session.  That time included showing up to meet the inspiring volunteer, visiting with them a bit, taking the portrait, and driving to the next location to only then repeat the process. 

Our goal was to complete all the photography in only two days.  That meant 10 portraits a day, one portrait every hour beginning at 9:00 a.m. and wrapping at 7:00 p.m. for two straight days. Lunch breaks, ha – we grabbed a McDonald’s en-route to the next stop.  It was a scheduling nightmare – both for the volunteers and the locations in which we needed to make the portraits.

To make a long story short, with very efficient shooting and lighting style, techniques and judicious use of the settings in which we worked, we captured a terrific set of images which the volunteers and the magazine loved.  Why not hit the PLAY button and let me walk you through a few sessions.

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Hey gang, that’s it for me today.  Next week look forward to Part 2 of the this post.  We got our Columbus, Ohio friends, Kent and Sarah Smith from Kent Smith Photography, stopping by in a few for a holiday visit so I’ve got to get moving.

How about I see you tomorrow for Quick Hit Monday on Wednesday.

Hope to see ya’ then,  David

Questions Seeking Answers: A Visit With A Friend - Part 5

Good Morning Everybody,

Sorry for the lengthy delay in getting this last section up.  I‘ve been working overtime on next year’s PhotoPro Expo and we just had to get a few things nailed down last week.  I’ll give you a few more details this week. That said, time to get moving with my last installment of “A Visit By A friend.”  Here we go… 

Questions Seeking Answers :  A Visit With A Friend - Part 5

“When making our photographs for our clients we are not just using the hardware tools of cameras, lenses, rolls of film, and filters. We must also use our compositional tools of light, color, detail, form, shape, depth, balance and perspective as well. We constantly need to be squeezing that thing we call our brain to get those creative juices flowing.

“By knowing that every time we are behind the camera we will be giving 110% helps keep our minds fresh, sharp, alive, and keeps our creativity fresh and exhilarating.

“Just as we exercise our bodies to keep them in shape, we need to exercise our mind to keep it operating at peak performance as well.”

He paused for a moment as if rolling this imaginary precious gem around in his hands and then he continued.

“Another facet, of the wedding jewel, often overlooked, and yet still one of the most important are the candids. Candids are some of the most important photographs we make on a wedding day. It is through the candids that the bride and groom can ‘visit’ with their families and friends and relive their wedding over and over again.

“Candids need to capture the fun and the excitement of the day for the clients. They need to be spontaneous and emotional, capturing the peak excitement when it happens. Maybe the groom gives grandma a big hug and kiss at the reception. This is a moment that grandma is going to remember weeks after the wedding. We need to capture that moment.

“Candids aren’t always happy. There can be tearful candids too. The bride and groom saying goodbye to mom and dad at the end of the evening, tears coming down their faces, tears of happiness, tears of joy - all of these things need to be included as part of our candid coverage. These candids are the memories!

“To me, all of these things together - the love, the romance, the anticipation, the excitement and the spontaneity are the essence of what we need to capture in our photography. It’s these tangibles and intangibles taken together that takes the uncut gem and transforms it into a beautiful jewel - the images that become the bride and groom’s wedding album.

“This same philosophy holds true with all types of photography. In portrait photography as well, I want to show feelings of the people involved.

“A photographer must always be searching for and using any design elements in his composition in order to create drama, excitement, and emotion in his photograph. The image has to grab the person looking at it, and not let them go. A photograph needs to capture feeling and emotion and give it back to the viewer.”

He paused again and we didn’t even look at each other. He put his elbows on his knees and his chin in his hands thinking. Then he began again. “We can never tell ourselves that we know it all, that there is nothing else to learn. There are a million hallways that we can walk down, and a million doorways that we can open. We must constantly strive to improve our photography, to make it better, to take it just a step further, and try to push the limit - all of us need to be pushing the boundaries out together.

“We constantly need to be sharing with our fellow professionals, giving them the insights that we have gained in our own professional experience and letting them continue to pass these new ideas with their own improvements on to others. There can be no secrets. There is no greater joy in the world than to give something to someone else, then have them give it back to you in their new and improved version. Then we can pass it on to another to have it change and improve again. This cycle can do nothing but improve our photography and our profession. That needs to be the goal of everyone.

“Our profession offers a very valuable place to grow both personally and professionally. Our profession gives us a wonderful opportunity to enjoy our lives and also be able to touch other peoples lives. It is a way for us to share ourselves with other people. That is exactly what we do when we give our personal photographic interpretation to a particular wedding, Bar Mitzvah, portrait or a commercial illustration, or whatever it happens to be. We are giving a part of ourselves to someone else for them to enjoy.

“As we give, we grow, and as we grow we can receive. What we receive allows us to grow even more and to give again. What a wonderful living cycle. It what makes this profession such a wonderful profession in which to live our lives.”

And I wondered as I left him enjoying his morning if he sees more than leaves when he looks at a tree, more than clouds in the sky, more than feathers on the birds in his backyard. I hope his life through his viewfinder constantly teaches him to look beyond the outlines to the essence within. I hope this photographer is doubly blessed. Once with a career that is exciting and vital and again with the special vision to see more in life than most people ever will. I know he will help them try.

Perhaps we will talk again.

“Questions, always questions - questions seeking answers. When these questions come from within, so must the answers. With honest answers, not excuses, comes commitment - commitment to oneself. I  hope I always keep asking questions and never stop seeking answers.”

David A. Ziser - 1988

Submitted for fulfillment of requirements for:

American Society of Photographers Fellowship Degree

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Hey gang, that’s it for me today.  Tomorrow I’ll post a directory of all the posts I’ve made over the last two weeks.  Thanks for letting me share with you my retrospective of Ziser Photography.  It’s been and continues to be a great ride!

See ya’ tomorrow,  David

Guest Blogger Wednesday: So Easy, Even A Caveman Can Do It

Good Morning Everybody,

Things are pretty much back to “vacation normal” after LaDawn’s motorcycle mishap on Monday and time is flying by way to fast down here in Mexico, but we are having a great time.  To ease my blogging responsibilities for this week, my Ace #1 Assistant, Nicholas Viltrakis offered to clone me today.  Thanks a bunch, Nicholas – very much appreciated by me and LaDawn.

Nicholas and his wife Terri recently took a little vacation to Mammoth Caves, one of the wonders of the world – it really is. Nicholas didn’t like the result he was getting with his on camera flash.  He decided to try a few on my on-camera flash techniques to see if he could get a better result.  But, why don’t I let him tell you the rest of the story.

Take it away, Nicholas…

So Easy, Even A Cave Man Can Do It

As many of you know I’ve been helping David for the last few years  and I think I’m finally beginning to pick up some of the “how-to” of practical lighting. Canon is not exactly throwing gear at me for endorsements, so in the mean time… I’ll have to do it with less. Which brings me to the point of this post; my vacation to Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky.

Terri, my beautiful wife, wanted to see Mammoth Cave for her birthday this year and how could I say no? I mean, any scenic place, I’m there with my backpack crammed with 30lb of gear and two light stands! Portraits anyone?

Guide: What do we know about caves? Anyone? You there in the back?

Tourist: Well they’re holes in the ground that are cold, wet, dirty, and DARK!

Which brings me to my next point; Portrait lighting in a cave just isn’t easy. Let’s face it most of us aren’t ever going to have someone book us for an event or portrait in a place as difficult as a cave, but the principles and techniques behind great portraits are the same in any situation!

Guide: Does anyone know what makes Mammoth Cave different from other caves?

Tourist: There are people waiting in line all day to be hurriedly herded through this particular cave?

As if that wasn’t bad enough let me remind you that all of these portraits of my lovely and patient, patient wife were taken with the time constraints of a crowded “Historic Cave tour” or “Diamond Caverns tour” the latter of which our guide, Brent, claimed to have lead 18 times in one day. (Not a lot of “Hang on Mr. Park Ranger, I just need 30 more min to get my lighting right” going on.)

What did we do? Well, I had the backpack of gear, but backpacks of any kind are prohibited on all Mammoth Cave tours. So I did what any photographer worth his salt does going to a concert or museum… I loaded my pockets down with lenses, a speed light, and a head-full of the teachings and spirit of David Ziser.

I have to explain to most people who ask me questions like “What’s the most valuable thing that David has taught you?” that, yes I have learned composition, lighting, and the math of the camera from David, but the most important thing I am beginning to realize is the attitude of “Make it happen!”

(Tell you the truth we just used David’s side bounce technique, like this, and set the color balance to tungsten because the rocks were orange, but the story above… THAT’s way cooler!)

Here’s the math: I call this the side bounce technique because I had one of my inexpensive wireless radio transmitter/receivers (I mentioned in a previous DPT post) with me too for added distance, but the technique is exactly the same. For the most part the setup was my Canon 580EXII pointed at the cave wall 1/2 or 1/1 power. Camera: Canon 40D at ISO 800, F3.5 (10-22mm), and 1/3 sec hand held! Yep, the flash is fast enough to freeze the subject and if the background was a little fuzzy it was ok. Heck, we were in a cave! I could even make cool effects like this:

The obvious lesson here is that, “Even a caveman can use David’s on camera lighting techniques.”

My Blog Post: Nicholas Viltrakis (Mammoth Cave)

 

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Hey Nicholas, once again, Thank you! -David

p.s. Don’t forget to check out Nicholas’ website right here and his weekly blog right here.  Thanks a bunch Nicholas!

Engagement Sessions 80's Style

On with the Ziser Way Back Machine - this week it's portraits - engagement portraits. Free engagement portraits for my clients were a way for me to practice my technique. I had free models - my brides and grooms - and even sold a picture or two. Hit the play button to see the images. Clicking on them will take you to Picasa where you can view each one at your leisure.

Here is the point - I gave it away for free to practice. What better way to improve your photography!! I had at my availability willing subjects who are excited with your photography and willing to give you their time to help you get better at what you do. The couple didn't know that was what they were doing, they just thought it was a free session of photography before their wedding. It was a match made in heaven. I leaned how to see the light - well, almost as your see in these images - but I was getting closer. These images were made as part of one of those sessions. I've included a few images from another session as well so you could get the feel for the style of my imagery at the time. Also notice the few wedding images in the mix. Read on to see how they figured in the collection.

Wait, it gets better!! Just as many photographers do today, I needed a way to get the word out about David A. Ziser Photography in those early years. So I made these portraits of the couple, added copies of their "growing up" photos to the grouping, sequenced everything into a nice order, dropped them into my Kodak Carousel slide trays, added current trendy music and presented a slide show of the images at the wedding reception. We called it our "Reflections" show. It was a very successful way to build my business as the slide show presentation was presented to hundreds of guests.

Wait, it still gets better!! Around 1983, Polaroid came out with it's instant slide film - that's right, slide film that processed in a few minutes. During the course of the wedding, I would shoot about 20 images throughout the wedding day taking images starting at the bride's home and finishing up with one or two Polaroid images at the reception. We would process those images at the reception, mount them into slide mounts, and drop them into the slide trays. The A/V program tape included cues for the added images, so the show included titling, the "growing up" images, my engagement portrait session, and some actual images from the wedding day.

We would set up the two projectors at the wedding reception, hook up the sound system. And at the appropriate time, I would give the bride and groom the best seat in the house, usually centered together on the dance floor, with their moms and dads. I would then, with the couples permission in advance, get a live mic from the band or DJ, and make an announcement introducing myself, mentioning the the wonderful occasion, and then how the bride and groom would like to thank everyone for being there celebrating their wonderful day with this short little presentation. On that note, I would hit "Play" on the tape player and start the show. Needless to say it was extremely well received everybody loved it. Tears of love and joy would be shed by friends and families!! The bookings started picking up.

David Jay mentioned doing slide shows at weddings as a marketing tool in his Professional Photographers of Ohio presentation a few weeks ago - he's right, it works. And, it's a lot easier to do today than it was in 1983. The wedding reception slide show worked great in escalating my business in 1983. This same idea is working even today and will give yours a great boost too if you want to make the effort. Hey remember, it's easy being the best - just work a lot harder than the next guy or girl. Hope you enjoyed the Way Back Machine today. Next week - a Bar Mitzvah I photographed in 1983 and the wedding of that same young man I photographed just last year - I think you will enjoy it.

Life Is Too Darn Short To NOT Do What You What To Do With Your Life! A Visit By a Friend: Part 1

Good Morning Everybody,

Many of you may be wondering why I have been waxing with such reminiscing these last few days.   I’m not trying to be boring or melodramatic with these posts.  The exact opposite is true. What I’m trying to do is share with my DPT readers some of my most sincere feelings about this wonderful profession and share with you a little of my personal history that may be helpful to you or anyone else on their personal journey.

Trying To Smooth The Path

In the beginnings of my career I never had access to the behind the scenes thoughts, insights, and feelings of my mentors. The internet didn’t exist and the best you could do was attend any number of workshops and classes coming your way in your part of the world.  That was all well and good but I think it would also be helpful if new and aspiring photographers could read about how one photographer found his way into this wonderful profession.

Hopefully my experience might help smooth the path for a future generation of photographers and even those currently traveling that same road. That’s why all these reminiscing posts these last few days and why I am continuing in that same realm for the next few days.  I really do hope you enjoy the read.

My Personal Statement: My ASP Thesis

These next few posts are from my ASP Fellowship Thesis that I submitted to the American Society of Photographers way back in 1988.  The ASP Fellowship is one of the highest honors one can achieve in photography today and it was a goal I had set for myself early on in my career.  To date there are approximately 100 ASP Fellows in the world.  You can read about the Fellowship Degree right here.

If you’d like to become an ASP Fellow, the first thing you’ll need to do is prepare a thesis. Your thesis must be an original work that describes your life work, professional achievements, photographic philosophy, future aspirations, and major influences. Your thesis should be at least 2,000 words – mine was 5,000 words. Your thesis is a personal statement, it’s a sharing of who you are, how you became a photographer and your artistic vision. 

Part 1 of my ASP Thesis – hope you enjoy!  -David

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A Visit By a Friend

A Thesis

Submitted by David A. Ziser M. Photog. Cr., F-MPA

To the American Society of Photographers

Part 1: Life Is Too Darn Short To NOT Do What You What To Do With Your Life!

Boy, what a gorgeous day! The sun was splashing its soft, morning light lavishly around everywhere. The trees and leaves were gently swaying and actually seemed to be enjoying the little breeze dancing through their branches. I watched the sun play tag with each leaf, their colors and shades were constantly changing against a background of a million other leaves also changing colors and shades as they all rolled and played in the wind. It was an exciting visual morning symphony in green.

As I continued my walk down the road, I noticed my friend also enjoying the beautiful day. He was just sitting there lounging on one of the back porch steps of his home enjoying the scenery. As usual, all the neighborhood “pets” were gathered in his backyard. You see, this was the place where there really was a “free lunch”. His wife and two year old son, on several occasions throughout the week put out various goodies for the birds, ducks, squirrels, and rabbits and any of their friends who wished to join them. It wasn’t always this way though. It originally started with one bird feeder to which the squirrels also took a liking and has evolved into what you see today. His backyard sometimes bears a vague resemblance to the local children’s zoo. But it does add a country touch to his city setting.

He looked my way and smiled as if to confirm my feelings about the day. I called and waved a friendly “Good morning” and changed my course to his back porch. This caused the ducks a bit of consternation as they backed off munching the cracked corn which little Aaron had laid out for them earlier.

“It sure is a beautiful day today, isn’t it?” he said.

I could only enthusiastically agree.

“Just taking it easy today and enjoying the weather?” I asked.

“A person just can’t help from enjoying a day like today,” he said and then continued, “I’ve just been sitting here thinking about how lucky I am.

“I’ve just been collecting my thoughts and ideas on my profession these last several days, and boy, what a wonderful experience. I’ve gotten to see things in a broader prospective than ever before and now I have an even greater appreciation of the joy this profession can bring to those involved in it and committed to it.

“You know, so many people do what they have to do in life instead of doing what they want to do. I get to do what I want to do, everyday!

“Life is too darn short not be able to do what you want to do with it and enjoy it at the same time. Photography gives those of us lucky enough to be involved in the profession the wonderful opportunity to remain constantly enthused with what we are doing.

“Being in photography is like being in a large room in which there are several doors. Above each door is a sign that lists a branch of photography. One may say Portraits, the other - Weddings, another - Fashion, and another Commercial. As we open one of those doors, we see a hallway of more doors each with another sign over it describing further areas of specialization. For instance, if we open the Wedding door, we will see doors that say Wedding Portraits, Pictorials, Formals, Candids, etc.

“We can choose any of these doors and ‘play’ in that room for as long as we choose. If we get bored we can try another door. And if we tire of the hallway we can still try another hallway. I chose Wedding Photography nine years ago (Remember, this paper was written 25 years ago-DAZ) and I’m still running up and down the same hallway. The magic of this profession is that the hallways and doors are endless!!!”

End of Part 1: Food for thought!

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Hey gang, I’ll see you again tomorrow for another installment of my Thesis: A Visit By A Friend.  LaDawn and I celebrate our 8th anniversary today so we’re planning and easy day so I’m out of here ;~)

Hope to see you tomorrow,

-David

Announcing my 2010 Success Collection! http://digitalprotalk.blogspot.com/2010/05/announcing-my-2010-digital-wakeup-call.html