Day in the Life Portraits

My father-in-law just sent me this article he found on msnbc's website and I thought I would share my thoughts on the subject of hiring a photographer for a long term assignment such as documenting your baby's first year.

The article is really quite good, you should read it.

I've done a few family birth stories and they're really quite incredible. Bringing in a professional photographer to photograph your kids every three months makes a lot of sense.

First off, you get a pro that can capture those moments like no other and on top of that, YOU get to be in the photos too. I know for example with my own kids, I take LOTS of photos of my son Cam and his little sister Paige, but RARELY do you ever see a picture of ME. Well, that's because I'm the photographer. When you hire a professional photographer to come in and capture your lives, you are given the great opportunity to be a complete family on film (well, digital film :) ).

We can capture you interacting with your kids, walking in the park, playing on the beach, running in the woods, hiking up a mountain, skiing, snuggling on the couch, you get the idea. It's those moments that are so very special in the lives of our families and it's an awesome challenge to capture them for my clients - I love it.

Anyway, I'd love to hear from you if you're interested in booking a session like this with me. Ring me at the studio and we can discuss your ideas.

In God's grace,

Jeff

Davis Tools ActionRunner

I'm excited to announce that my friend Jim Davis-Hicks of Davis Photoraphy and Thirst Relief International has just released DavisTools Action Runner 1.0!




Why am I so excited about this product? Because it makes editing a wedding SO MUCH EASIER! Check out this comment I copied from Jim's blog:

Jim,

I love the ActionRunner for Macintosh. I have been an avid mac user for years, and ActionRunner works perfectly for me.

I shoot in RAW, and do much of my editing in a RAW Developer progam (Adobe Lightroom), and ActionRunner has become the perfect post-development tool in my workflow. Now, I can develop my images in RAW, and then, after they're exported to JPEG, use ActionRunner and your custom-designed effects/actions to give my photos more beauty, impact, originality, and all-around quality.

ActionRunner has added more power, confidence, and value to the customer to my RAW-JPEG workflow.

Thanks for following your idea and creating a tool that has had an immediate impact on my life.

Sincerely,

Graham Rouse
Rouse Multimedia

Is that awesome or what?

Now, the other reason why I'm so amped about this product is that had a hand in creating it! I took Jim's PC version and ported it to MAC! So, hold on to your hats! The Mac version rocks and you can buy it on Jim's website.

"Wait", you might be saying, "I thought you were a photographer, how'd you 'port' Jim's PC application to the mac?"

Well, that's because I'm also a programmer. Yes, yes, the man with many hats. :) So, after learning that his PC guys didn't have any experience creating code for the mac, Jim asked me to rewrite the application for the mac. The mac version works with Photoshop CS2 and runs out of a folder in your home directory.

Go check out Jim's website and buy ActionRunner! It'll save you hours of editing time! I used it on an event last week and I was blown away with how much time I saved being able to batch everything with ActionRunner.

Tiffany and Bobby's Slideshow

I love my clients! It's such a blessing being able to make people happy for a living. I got this email from Debbie, Tiffany's mom, last night and it made me so happy.

From: Debbie
Subject: You're GREAT!
Date: October 3, 2006 7:21:59 PM PDT
To: jeff@jefflaplante.com

You are too funny! Love the blog! I have dozens of people checking the website every day :)

I’ve played the iPod so much I’ve had to charge it at least 4 times already! On Friday we are hooking it up to our TV at work so I can play it at lunch – everyone thinks you’re awesome!

PS…I just found out about two friends whose daughters just got engaged!! I’m giving them your flyer and card for sure! Can’t wait to see the rest!

Debbie

Debbie! You're the greatest!

I was planning on going downstairs to my office to get some work done after my wife and I got the kids to bed and as soon as I got Debbie's message I knew I'd be up late working on their slideshow so I could post it today. :)

Here are a few more from the wedding day.

Check out the slideshow!

Tiffany Et Bobby's Wedding

Wow! I had a wonderful weekend photographing an amazing couple! Tiffany and Bobby were married on Saturday at the Shilshole Beach Club in Ballard and it was awesome!

Debbie, Tiffany's mom, planned the whole event and she did an oustanding job! I think she should become a wedding planner. She's awesome!

Friday everyone got together for the rehearsal at the club and then it was off to Anthony's restaurant down the street for dinner. The meal was fantastic and the company lively. :) Everyone had a good time and the rehearsal was easy.

Saturday, game day. :) I began the day photographing the girls at the Edgewater Hotel in downtown Seattle on the Pier. There were a lot of emotions and weepy-eyed bridesmaids and bride.

I have all kinds of great images that I want to post from their day. But for now I'm just going to have to tease you with this one shot and a promise to post more later this week.

The slideshow will be up soon too. I want to incorporate the rehearsal and the beach session into the whole thing before I put it up on the website. Don't fret, it'll be worth the wait. :)