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

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