An investment in emotion

Last night we photographed a family. Large family, lots of children. During their review, the mother loved their experience, and wanted to purchase a wall portrait. The father, on the other hand, was concerned about price. I explained how I would enhance this and that, and make it a portrait he'd cherish for years to come. He decided to make his sweetheart happy, and invest in a size that best suited their living room. But, I guess he set aside the joy of having a large family portrait, as he canceled his print this morning.

You know, I have my parents' wall portraits from years and years ago. I cherish them. I don't know how much Dad paid for them. No one remembers. I guess my point is, the price you paid is important to you now, but not later. The joy and emotion that a quality portrait will give you, your children, and generations down the road will far outweigh the cost you pay today.

Big flash cards!

I'm still waiting for my new camera to arrive. But, I got the new compact flash cards today. 16gb! I put them in my spare Canon 40D, and the exposures remaining pegged at 999. I photographed for about an hour, and it still read 999. Technology has came a long way! Seems like yesterday that I could take 36 exposures, and had to change the film.

My daughter dropped by... all three of us spent the afternoon in the studio trying out a few new backdrops. It makes me appreciate our customers even more when it's my turn in front of the camera. Just keep smiling, just keep smiling. I felt like the fish from Finding Nemo.

We're photographing some of the students from American Fork High School tonight, it's their Preference Dance. It's different than photographing families and such, you have just 3 or 4 exposures to get it right. It's a real challenge, but still a lot of fun. Kind of like speed dating...

Cameras shouldn't look new.

As many of you know, while working with a family the other day, up in American Fork Canyon, next to the river, my camera, lens and flash decided to go swimming. Water and electronic equipment just don't mix! Luckily, the session was about over, and we finished up with a backup camera. I called my good friend Stephen at Kew's Camera Service in Provo, and he delivered the news that my equipment was DOA. Now I have a bag of the dripping wet camera equipment, that yesterday was worth a little over $3000. Perhaps I can use it to make desk paper weights, or Christmas ornaments. As I was working with my insurance, they needed a letter from Stephen stating the condition of the equipment. It was kinda funny, as he has taken each of the ruined items apart several times for various repairs. He said you can tell the professionals from the "want-to-be's" by how nice their equipment looks. A photographer that photographs thousands of portraits will wear out his equipment. Accidents happen when you use your stuff so often. I remember reading in the classifieds someone was selling their camera because it cost so much that they were afraid to damage it. Go figure. That's like being a race driver and being afraid of getting flat tires. The good news... my new camera, flash and lens is on order and will be here shortly!

Utah family portraits- The Okerlund family

DS Portraits is a award winning photographer that photographs baby, infants, High School seniors, families and weddings.  We photograph all over Utah, Idaho, Nevada.  Lehi, American Fork Salt Lake City, Riverton, Sandy Alpine, Highland.