CM Photography Blog

First Steps (Winnipeg Child Photography)

www.chrismcwilliamsphotography.com — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 02:44:01 +0000

Today was my 4th session with this little sweetheart. It was wonderful to see her grow over this last year and I’m a little sad that the year is over. Her parents will receive a photo book of all four sessions from this past year; a wonderful memento of how their daughter has changed from birth to age one.

Ella started walking a couple of weeks ago! Have a look!

More Family Photos! (Winnipeg Family Photography)

www.chrismcwilliamsphotography.com — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 03:14:25 +0000

Session 2 was with this brother and sister, who are 10 and 17 years old; 2 very great kids.

I had a blast with them.

Do you like the white backdrop better or the grey one? Let me know what you think.

Sessions on a Sunday (Winnipeg Family Photography)

www.chrismcwilliamsphotography.com — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 03:09:20 +0000

What a great weekend! Taylor, my dog, even got to go to his favorite place; the dog park. Poor guy hasn’t gotten out very much lately because of the bitter cold weather and was so excited to go he started to tremble. Yes, Taylor shakes when he’s excited.

Besides the dog park adventure, I also did 2 great sessions today. The first was another 8.5 month old. I had 2 little girls last weekend that were the same age. What a great age for smiles and this little guy had tons of them!

Have a look!

Alex and James are getting married! (Winnipeg Wedding Photography)

www.chrismcwilliamsphotography.com — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 23:41:16 +0000

I’m so glad that the weather cooperated today and we were able to get outside for Alex and James’s engagement session. They had wanted to skate at the Forks for their engagement pics and it was the perfect day for it. The light outside was perfect and the temperature was a lot milder than it has been.

I’m looking forward to photographing their July wedding. Alex will be a stunning bride!

Here’s a preview of today’s pictures:

Day 2 of Cuteness +++++ (Winnipeg Child Photographers)

www.chrismcwilliamsphotography.com — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 01:04:14 +0000

I had 2 days of cutie pie little girls this weekend. And both were as sweet as can be too. It doesn’t get much easier than this for a child photographer.

Here’s a preview of today.

Cuteness ++++ (Winnipeg child photographers)

www.chrismcwilliamsphotography.com — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 22:51:53 +0000

This delightful little girl came to visit me today. Not only is she as cute as a button, but she is also a very good-natured little one year old and made my job easy.

Here’s a preview of the session:

This Photograph Is Not Free by John Mueller

www.chrismcwilliamsphotography.com — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 02:22:16 +0000

I read this on Alix Reynold’s Facebook page and thought it was a great article. I wanted to share it with you.

Most people would never see photography this way.

Read on:

So this was the first sunset I captured in 2012. It cost me $6,612 to take this photo.

$12 in gas to go from work to this spot and then home. The camera I took this with cost $2500. The lens was another $1600. The Singh Ray Reverse Neutral Density filter was $210. The Lee Wide-Angle Adapter and Foundation kit was another $200. The Slik Tripod was another $130. The shutter-release was another $60. When I got home, I uploaded it to a computer that cost me $1200, and then I used Lightroom 3 which I got for $200. I then exported it and tinkered with it in Photoshop which costs about $500.

12+2500+1600+210+200+130+60+1200+200+500= $6,612

So if you’re a magazine, website, corporation, sports team, or advertiser who wishes to use this photo, please don’t come and ask to use it for free, or in exchange for credit or “exposure”. You found my photo so obviously I have “exposure”. You have an advertising budget, and this is what it’s for. You obviously don’t expect your writers to work for free, or your secretary, or your boss. No one is going to publish it for free. Just because the picture is digital doesn’t mean it was free to make.

As someone mentioned, THIS single photo didn’t cost me $6,612, but if you wanted to create it, from scratch, that is what is involved. So I consider it the replacement value if it’s stolen, or how much my lawyer will send you a bill for if it’s found being used without my permission.

If you give your photo away for “credit” then the best possible scenario for you is someone will see your photo, contact you, and ask if they could borrow one of your photos… for credit. Try this… next time you’re at dinner, tell your waiter you’ll tell all your friends how good the service was if he gives you dinner for free.

About the author: John B. Mueller is a photographer based in Ventura County, California. Visit his website here.

Bride and Groom Canada (Winnipeg Wedding Photographers)

www.chrismcwilliamsphotography.com — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 02:07:40 +0000

I went to the drug store today and there it was: Bride and Groom Canada, the Mb edition. It’s the first one that the magazine has produced for Manitoba and I am very proud to have an ad in it.

Unfortunately, the Manitoba Edition is not online yet, but this is the ad you will find on page 31 if you buy this magazine. Pick one up at your nearest bridal shop or drug store. It’s a great magazine with all kind of bridal gowns and advice for planning your wedding.

Here’s the ad:

Page 31, Bride and Groom Canada

Use Your Groupon! (Winnipeg Photography)

www.chrismcwilliamsphotography.com — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 16:44:47 +0000

The year of my Groupon is almost up. If you bought a Groupon for my services, you have less than a month to book at appointment. Don’t delay! I would rather you used your Groupon than let it expire. You have until Feb. 8 to make an appointment.

The Year of the Groupon was very successful for me. I did it for a variety of reasons; one of which was to increase my client base and it did work. I sold about 120 Groupons. I loved meeting all of the new people who I met and all of the children and dogs as well! I’m trying to decide whether to do a Groupon again or to go with Dealfind or one of the other coupon services. What does everything think? Which is the best?

I know some people has criticized me for doing a discount coupon. I know one photographer in particular who gave me a rough time about it. The thing is; he turned around and did 2 a couple of weeks later!! I think before one judges someone else, you need to look at all the angles. I think it’s ridiculous to give away your digital images and I roll my eyes at photographers who offer a Groupon for $29, (which means they get $14.50). And for that $14.50, they offer to travel anywhere in the city and give the client 30 digital images. They are definitely losing money. But maybe, they are starting out and need to build a client base quickly. I still think it’s crazy but maybe it works for them. In fact, the next time I see a deal like that, I am going to buy one for somebody to use, just so I can see the finished work. A kind of “behind the scenes” expose. (exposay)

Anyways, what do you think? Groupon or Dealfind or Swarm Jam or ?????

3 labs; all different colours! (Winnipeg Pet Photography)

www.chrismcwilliamsphotography.com — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 01:30:22 +0000

I had a lot of fun practising my howling today! It isn’t often that I can just let loose and howl but today’s session called for some howling. And the howling worked too! How else can you get 3 dogs to look at you at the same time? If you ever want to hear my howl, just ask. I’d be happy to oblige.

I had a lot of trouble picking images for today’s post but these are the finalists! Have a look.

BTW: Am I the only one in Winnipeg without a Jet’s jersey?