Phun with Photographs

Before the internet explosion (aka: the dark ages) photography was a different endeavor. There were only a few ways to showcase your work: galleries (good luck!), publications (weekly newspaper – easy, daily newspapers – difficult, magazines – good luck again) , advertising (very difficult), stock (starvation for decades), and the wedding-portrait business, to name a few. Today, the situation is much different. Google “photographic gallery,” and you get about 310,000 hits in less than a second!

Today the only limit is the photographer’s imagination, and his or her skill with the camera and one or more pieces of software. What a cool time to be a photographer! The new age of photographic artistry has arrived.

One of the fun things that I’ve been involved with in the last few months has been the production of still image videos. We used to call them slide shows but that term brings back too many memories of Uncle John’s slides of Arizona cacti. Now we make (much more exciting) multimedia videos! I like this one that I produced today, of Sheila: http://static.animoto.com/swf/w.swf?w=swf/vp1&e=1297976215&f=s7Zgw98FTR82EqXrxgpuzA&d=90&m=p&r=240p+480p&start_res=480p&i=m&ct=www.pzphoto.com&cu=http://www.pzphoto.com&options=

I hope that you enjoyed it. I had a blast producing it.

Kids Contest Benefits Childrens Miracle Network

Plans are being finalized for our 15^th annual Children’s Portrait Contest that benefits the Children’s Miracle Network. The proceeds of the public voting are donated in full  to the local charity that helps sick children.

Ben Thom 2010 First Place

Ian McDonell 2010 Second Place

In 1999, after several years of sponsoring the contest, we decided to open the voting to the public as a way to raise funds for a local charity. The Children’s Miracle Network was selected because of it’s outstanding work with children and families challenged by illness. Since that time, Phil Ziesemer Photography, Ltd. has raised over $10,000 for the network which is headquartered at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Marshfield, Wisconsin, about an hour south of our location.

Last year, Ben Thom, the son of Josh and Tina Thom, Merrill, won first place, while Ian McDonell, son of Vanessa and Bob McDonell, Wausau, placed second. Third place was won by Collin Gennrich, son of Mike and Aimee Gennrich, Merrill, and the Photographers Choice award went to Fawna Byer, daughter of Jessica Byer, also of Merrill. Each winner received a 16×20 inch wall portrait and a $50.00 savings bond from the studio.

Collin Gennrich 2010 Third Place

This is an event in which everyone wins. Yes, there are some portrait prints and savings bonds that are given away, but every entrant family receives a family portrait certificate too. Family portraits are so important because they show the love and growth of those who are most important in our lives.

This year the contest will run from February 1 to March 4. The studio will lower it’s session fee and include a 5×7 inch portrait for the judging. After all of the parents have made their selections for the contest, the public will be able to vote with their dollars for the best, or cutest, child’s portrait. The top three winners are determined by the level of donations that are made. The photographers choice is selected by the studio. All of the money that is collected during the balloting is sent to the CMN.

The donation to the Children’s Miracle Network was one of our first efforts to use our talents to help other people. From there we added our Turkey Daze promotion in the fall to help the Community Food Pantry. We charge our clients a frozen turkey as payment for a portrait session fee, and then we donate the bird to the pantry in the client’s name. I

Fawna Byer 2010 Photographer's Choice

think that both of the events are good ways to raise awareness of the fact that there are people in our community that could use some help. Last November we donated eight turkeys to the Community Food Pantry. We wish that there had been more interest but there were factors that limited the number of family portraits that we did that month.  But those factors will not deter us from trying to render community service to our home town.

Our children’s portrait contest is an event that we look forward to each year. It is placed in the early part of the year when we have a little extra time to devote to the kids. A child’s portrait session, depending on the age  can be a little longer than an adult session. That is simply because the younger children don’t always understand the process. So, we put on our “patience” hats, play with them, do any goofy thing that we can think of to gain their trust and keep their attention. It sounds like a process but, really, it’s just having fun in the camera room.

Families Forever

No pictures to show today. I haven’t made any that would relate to this post. In a way, I’m thankful for that. If I had made one or more, they wouldn’t be shown here, anyway.

A few months ago, I volunteered for a program that is being sponsored by WPPA, the Wisconsin Professional Photographers Association, called FAMILIES FOREVER. It’s a simple program but it could have a great impact on some families: those with a member that is dying.

I’m not the only professional that has been told: “I wish we had that family portrait made before…” Actually, it has happened a few times in my career. Usually, because there was a sudden death of a family member. When death is imminent however, there is time to have that last portrait made before someone leaves this earth. The portrait will, no doubt, be the one of the most cherished by the remaining members of the family and will be the launchpad for all of the many good memories they  made together.

That is why WPPA created FAMILIES FOREVER. A volunteer network of photographers and labs who will create a  portrait for qualifying families free of charge. No fees will be charged by the photographer and the wall portrait, 24 inches on it’s longest side, will be delivered free of charge by the participating lab. No reprint sales will be sought or expected by either party. This is a unique opportunity for families that are struggling emotionally, and quite possibly financially, with the anticipated loss of a loved one.

If you know of a family in a situation like this, encourage them to visit: http://www.families-forever.com for a complete and sensitive explanation of the program and the inquiry form. There are, currently, 11 professional photographers around the state and in the Upper Peninsula that are willing to help. No, we’re anxious to help.

The Blue Ribbon Prints are Back

FedEx stopped by yesterday morning before the studio opened. It happened that I was checking my email and saw the driver coming. Lucky me. TaDa! my print case was returned by the PPA.

I had to send my prints for judging for the 2010 show in May of last year. For those of you that don’t know how the system works, members of the Professional Photographers of America can submit four prints each year to be judged by other expert photographers. If your prints are found worthy, the PPA will hang your image or images in the photographic art show that is part of the annual PPA convention. It is the largest photo show in the world with thousands of prints on display. Usually over 6000 prints are considered but only the best are hung.

 I had two hang this year. Not my best year but not my worst either. Hey, it’s art!  I’m proud of all four. The judges don’t have to love everything  that I send. 

 

The Landmark and Misty Canyon Twilight were the two images that hung in the show. Landmark , above, is the Milwaukee Art Museum photographed from the Lake Michigan side. It is a magnificent building but the background left much to be desired. I had to remove other buildings that are part of the downtown Milwaukee landscape and create a new sky. It was a labor-intensive process as one might imagine … look at the mast on that building! It was worth the effort.

  

 Misty Canyon Twilight was photographed in Arizona from the south rim of the Grand Canyon. While visiting the national park we waited for the golden moments of sunset so I could “get the shot.” (Actually, it was four that I stitched together.) The “mist” is smoke from a forest fire across the canyon. The colors, well, they weren’t the colors of the real twilight. I created those while messing with the image in Photoshop. The original colors were muted and boring! I had to do something!

The two other prints that I submitted did not hang but that’s ok. Like I said above, I’m still proud of them.

Days Gone By was a scene that I found close home near the center of the county. The old red hay rake was sitting in the field and the sun was getting low. It was spring and the aspens in the distance were starting to bud. The grasses were just starting to emrge.  Nearby was a simple red barn and a well kept home. It was  peaceful  and I felt compelled to cature it. Later as I was getting the image ready for the “competition” I played with the colors as I did with the canyon image. I was happy with this result. It’s the desktop image on one of my computers so I get to see it every day. It’s pretty easy to get me to lapse into a state of nostalgia!

Heaven and Hell was another image from Arizona. The sun had set and we were walking back to our car when I looked to my left and said “one more.” The moon hung just above the top of the canyon rim and the forest fire was burning in what appeared  to be, a further distance. Again, I adjusted the colors, in Photoshop, but only the reds this time because the blues were so intense and beautiful that I didn’t want to mess them up. The heaven is the bright glow of the moon, the largest, brightest and most compelling part of the image. The hell is the fire on the far, ominous, side of the abyss. I love this image. It hangs in my home.

A new season for the conventions is approaching and I’m slowly working on my 2010 entries. I know that I have two solid prints and I’m searching for the last two. In Wisconsin, the convention entires are called “competition prints” because here, as in most other state associations, the photographer with the highest scoring print case is the big dog for the year. Well, I’ve never been that competitive, but I do like to have my work accepted by the experts in the industry so I keep on entering. That’s how I won my Master Degree from PPA. It is how I keep getting better.

Getting Ready for the Kids!

 

The Annual Children’s Portrait Contest     

Each year in February we launch a new version of our children’s portrait contest. It’s a time for parents to get really nice images of the child or children at a reduced price. This year we are starting the contest on February 1 and going through the month to March 5.   

Colton, 2009 winner

Maddy, 2009 winner

Mylee, 2009 winner

Brody, 2009 winner

Ian, 2009 winner

We’ve run the contest for more than 12 years and over the last nine or so, we have selected the  Children’s Miracle Network as the recipient of the money collected during the balloting, or selection, of the winners. Why the CMN? Mostly, it’s because we usually photograph healthy kids. and we’ve been blessed with healthy kids and our grandchildren are also in good health. But, not every family is so blessed. Some kids get really sick and critically need medical attention. CMN helps families with sick children so we thought that it would be a good organization to support. And, they have been grateful. Not that we’ve been a major source of  donations for them, but they are the kind of people who know the value of “Thank You!”   

After we finish photographing the “contestants,” we have a  5×7 inch print made for judging. We put the images on display publically and the viewers can vote for the “best” or “cutest” portrait that’s in the display. We number the images so no names are given out and people can vote with their dollars at a $1.00 per vote. The child with the most $$ (votes) wins first prize. Second goes to the next in line, etc. It’s pretty easy to judge! The winners receive 16×20 inch portraits and a Savings Bond. And all the “votes” are sent down to the CMN headquarters in Marshfield at  St. Joseph’s Hospital.   

Obviously, not everyone wins a prize but in our view everyone does win because during the contest, our lower session fee includes the 5×7 inch judging photo that goes back to mom and dad after the contest. In addition,  the purchase of a reduced-price children’s package (20% discount) includes a family portrait certificate. What a deal!   

So, this is a fun time of year, because we enjoy working with youngsters and we enjoy making the great images that they give us.  The other benefit is, simply, this: we all help sick kids and their families 

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

 

A New Site

A collection of children that have recently visited the studio

Getting ready to push the button on a new web site design at pzphoto.com

I’ve been working on the site, a pre-design from livebooks , for about three weeks. This has been the hard part. The selection of images and sizing them, making sure that they look good on the web, choosing music (check out: Stock20 for royalty free music) etc. has taken up a lot of my time. But the work will be worth it.  I like the design and the feel of the new presence on the web.

The other part of the new site that I like is that I will have total access to it and total control so  I’ll be able to add images or remove them and add portfolios at will, which I wasn’t able to do with the former site and host. With all of these opportunities I plan to change the site a minimum of once each week. That will be a first for me because with the former host, I’d have to mail a disk or ftp images to them, it was a hassel, and I didn’t change the images often enough.

So there, I’ve announced one of my New Year’s Resolutions: Keep the web site up to date and fresh!

Working on the New Year

It’s January! It’s Cold! It’s Quiet around the studio. It’s the perfect time to work on new ideas and rearrange priorities and set new goals. Many of my friends hate January but I kind of like it because of the freedom of thought that it brings and the new possibilities. I hope that you’ll check back soon to see what we’ve been working on.

Associate Fellow

The WPPA convention is over now, WHEW! So much information and knowledge flying around. It almost gives you a headache!

It was a great 3 1/2 days in Madison. We heard lots of new insights and learned new techniques. We were even inspired to offer our wedding services again just because of the inspiration we received from Stewart and Susan Powers of Gainsville Florida.

At the awards gala Sunday night, I received the award of Associate Fellow of Photography from the WPPA. That’s me below, second from the right in the back row. The other people in the picture are some of the top photographers in the state and in the country.
The Associate Fellow and the Fellow awards are given to persons that have served the association as a board member and or as a teacher.

A Couple of Good Months

Wow, time flies when you’re having fun!
It’s been way too long since my last entry. But I have an excuse: I’ve been busy with planning for this next year and getting ready for the “Competition Season!”

The first part of every year, we sequester ourselves to plan our promotions and products for the nest 12 months. It’s a time of brain-storming and working out the details for what we want to do for our clients. It’s time consuming but very rewarding.

The first part of the year is also a time for Wisconsin photographers, who are members of the Wisconsin Professional Photographers Assoc. to begin the process of selecting and then refining their best images for entry in the annual print award judging. This process usually begins on a more local level with judgings at regional associations. We are members of the Indianhead Professional Photographers Assoc. that has members from across the northern half of the state. At the January meeting of the IPPA my print “Heaven and Hell” won the highest honor of the day, of which I’m kind of proud. It was taken in Arizona as the full moon hung over the Grand Canyon and a forest fire blazed in the distance. We were at the right place at the right time and prepared.

The Following month my print “The Landmark” came very close (two points) to having a similar honor. The “Landmark” is actually a view of the Milwaukee art museum from the Lake Michigan side of the building. It was designed to look like a sailing ship. It is without a doubt one of the most remarkable buildings in the U.S., maybe the world.

So these are a couple of my entries for the WPPA convention that opens at the end of this week. Wish me luck!

Then, last but not least, we received word that I have been re-certified by the professional photography standards committee. That means that I can list the initials CPP after my name. CPP stands for Certified Professional Photographer and it also means that my daily work as a professional is above average and that I can be trusted to perform a job for which I’m hired at or above the industry standard. Less than 3% of all professional photographers are Certified and less than 50 photographers in Wisconsin are certified, so I am honored to be among them.

Happy New Year!

It’s New Years Day so the obvious thing to do is to wish everyone the best for 2009. I sincerely hope that we all have a great year that is full of accomplishment and satisfaction.

This is going to be a “day off” for me so I started it with a viewing of Randy Pausch’s “The Last Lecture.” If you haven’t seen it, I highly recommend it. It’s all of about 30 minutes in length but it is packed with good life advice. We received it from my brother-in-law for Christmas. He told us it wasn’t veiled advice so I choose to believe him. Today was the second time that I watched it. I’ll watch it again. I think that it is that valuable (especially for high school students, however, I’m a bit past that point in my life).

Aim high!