Earlier this year a fellow photographer and I (Forrest Egan) attended a Ed Pierce photography seminar up in Jacksonville, FL. The seminar was a standard photographers seminar of knowledge and sales pitches. (Hey everyone has to make a living!!) I guess the thing from that 3 hours that stuck with me the most was an organization called “Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep“.

I know everyone deals with grief in a different way and I was touched by this approach. I know personally I made a choice (or maybe I didn’t and that was God’s plan) to deal with my heartaches “head on”. Today I made the decision that I wanted to give back by applying to provide this service through this wonderful organization. I know this will be emtional roll coaster for me personally, but hopefully my sacrifices, both time wise and emotional, will be providing something to a family that they can cherish forever.

Please go by and check them out. Bring some tissues…http://www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org/about_us/ 

Sincerely….
Dwayne Fleming

The longer I continue to shoot photography, the more I begin to understand it is a life style just as much as something you “just do”. I continually shoot, edit and learn from my experiences dealing with people which can have a huge impact on my free time.

A prime explain was this last weekend here in Daytona when I attended a Rolando Gomez work shop hosted by Jack Watson photography. Two days of shooting, learning, and networking. There goes my”free” weekend, but I feel the relationships and interaction that comes out of these workshops is SO important to be successful. Much more important than actually getting any photos to add to my portfolio. (Of course the models Rolando brings are top notch and it would be hard NOT to get some great shots!) These workshops are like the “boot camps” of the Marines, Army, Navy, and well I guess the Air Force too.

 I know plenty of great photographers, which are great technical shooters, but lack the skills to interact with people. In my opinion whether it’s the person you are taking photos of or the perspective client communication is the most important aspect of your business.

Here is one of the shots from last weekend. Examples of Hi-Key photography and a concept the model “KT” asked that I put together. (What a FUN model!!)

While I never thought “photography” was really about being a graphic artist sometimes I wonder if we have to be a hybrid to survive. Well a few weeks ago I was asked to attempt to repair some photos that had been damaged from a cruise a couple went on. Of course these photos are not something they could go back easy to the cruise line and recieve a new copy. While this was my first attempt at repairing a photo I was rather happy with the results and hopefully the client will be as well.

I have inlcuded the example of the “before” and “after”.

Please bear in mind that the background “Screen” they use was faded and the cruise line REALLY should replace it.

Photo restoration example

Tonight I will be attending the 2008 Florida Hospital Memorial Foundation gala in the fight againt cancer. The 2008 Coastal Gala benefits the Florida Hospital Cancer Institute, and will be featuring the Beach Boys. This is a $175/plate dinner to raise funds for cancer research and also has a ton of items for a silent auction inluding an 8-foot surf board signed by the Beach Boys

The Official Event Website

Matt & Margaret Mott

What turned out to be a beautiful wedding day on October 12th 2008 with a small group of family and friends. The day started out with a stretch limo ride from the bride’s house to Ormond Memorial Gardens where the ceremony was performed. While the bride waited with her brides maid she dodged Matt (groom) to avoid letting him see her in her gown. Margaret made a beautiful bride and made was a “cool” groom. (Sunglasses and all..)

After the reception a short limo ride to the beach for a few formals of the bride and groom together on the beach. Then onto a packed reception hall with friends and family anxiously awaiting the arrival of the wedding party.

A night to remember for everyone involved, with a full dance floor until the wee hours…

 mottwedding.photosbydwayne.com

On a beautiful day, August 23rd, 2008 they exchanged vows at the Sunset Harbor and Yacht club. A small, beautiful wedding with the backdrop of yachts and the Halifax River.

As we embark on the Florida Hospital Mission to Belize the excitement fills the air!!

To keep everyone up-to-date on the daily work of the mission group please check out the Florida Hospital Ormond blog here.

August 2nd thru August 12th I will be on a mission trip to Belize with Florida Hospital. We will be assisting people in rural parts of the country by providing labor for construction, supplies (pencils, marks etc), and medical assistance. While this will be work for me I am also looking forward to a rewarding experience abroad. I have traveled outside the United States before never on this type of trip.As a side project I am also hoping to take some rewarding and beautiful photos of this country.

So wish me luck!!!

Well hurricane season is upon and the first hurricane in the season “Bertha” is stirring up some surf. While I don’t wish to experience another hurricane that hits land (as I have in the past few years ago) but they do provide a great opportunity for some great surfing shots!!! I will be out today at Ponce Inlet taking picture with my new Aqua Tech in the water. This will be my first run with the new case beside testing it in my pool. Nothing like dipping your $3,500 dollar Canon Mark IIn into the watering and having it leak!!! While shooting from the shore with my Canon 400mm f/2.8 is enjoyable as well I wanted to get some different type of shots. I will be in the water using my 16-35mm f/2.8 to get some up close and personal shots.

As a wedding photographer over the last few years I have begun to understand the profession much deeper than I did from the outside as a “doing it strictly for fun” type of photographer. As I moved forward I realize that you have at least two types of clients:

• Client number one is a “snap shot” client. Essentially what he/she wants is “snap shots” from the wedding to record the event. Typically these clients wants lots of picture of “whatever” (I am quoting a client!!) and the disc with all the digital negatives for a few hundred dollars.
• Client number two wants “Artistic” photos. He/she wants those special touching moments captured in a compelling form. Something that tugs at your heart and brings back the emotions of the day. These are the types of pictures you blow up to 16 x 20 and hang on the wall of your home.

I guess the point of this Blog is that neither one of these is bad, but I truly want to be remembered for the “Moments” in people’s lives through my photography. Not as the “camera guy” who shows up and take some “snap shots” at your wedding. Trying not to offend my clients I have begun to have real world discussions with them about what they want out of their “Wedding Photography”. Uncle George can show up with a decent DSLR and take the shots for them. They can also buy the disposable cameras and put them on all the tables for guest to pickup and use for some great “snap shots”. If they want the “snap shots” guy I can be that guy, but is not my preferred “form” of photography (any more). So needless to say this year I have begun to let my pricing reflect that “change” in my perspective.

With Humble Respect,
Dwayne Fleming