Welcome to our Blog! 2009-03-07

Chris and Cathy Gardner (CCG)

Greetings and thanks for visiting! We are just getting started, so be patient with us as we explore the blogging world.

We’re excited about having this blog up and running and look forward to communicating our thoughts and dreams for our business while also sharing meaningful tips and tricks about photography and some samples of our work.

Check out the About Us page to learn more about who we are and what we do with our friendly little photography studio. The business is owned and operated by just the two of us. We actually love it that way, but someday, maybe… it will grow enough to bring on more.

We intend to blog here at least once a week, but hopefully more often than that. You know… it kind of depends on what’s going on in the world.

If you’re interested in seeing some of our work…

Come back often!!

Social Networking… Business or Leisure? 2009-03-07

As an employee of a large corporate enterprise and an entrepreneurial business owner of a small photography studio, I sometimes wonder if the social networking phenomenon is as wonderful as it seems or if it is a potential drain on productivity and effectiveness.

When one considers the amount of time some folks spend on the social network sites (come on… we just started blogging!) it could be understandable why some corporations have blacklisted sites such as MySpace, Facebook, LinkedIn, and others like them. If their employees are *cough* blogging, or uploading photos, or chatting on these sites and not doing their work, is this a risk to their bottom line productivity?

Others may argue that hallway or water fountain (a.k.a. the bubbler) conversations, phone calls, coffee breaks and such are similar to this online activity that may only require spending a few minutes away from the grind, exactly as those previously named activities would.

So… what is the risk? Could a chat session on Facebook consume much more time than a hallway conversation with a co-worker? Could there be risk that someone on one of these sites might be entering information about the company they work for that can not be easily tracked by said company? Could they not do the same thing once they got home anyway? So… seriously. What’s the concern?

There was a time when companies were disabling the games that shipped with PCs as they felt this could be a time waster. Some companies might still be engaging in that very practice when they install their standard image. But does Solitaire pose any particular threat that Google browsing does not? Is it not harmless activity that is simply distracting as so many other activities during the day can be?

Okay… back to the topic at hand. Are these so-called social networks good for business or are they strictly leisure. It seems pretty easy to make the argument that they can definitely be GOOD for business. Networking activities are often seen as opportunities to further develop one’s professional circle. You’ve probably been to some of these meetings… local user groups, forums, chamber of commerce meetings, etc. Can the social networking sites not pose that same opportunity? To meet others that are like-minded and potentially business partners or referral partners?

Sure, they’re intended for leisure, too. But so what? Are we in some new world where business and pleasure MUST not coexist. God… I hope not. (That was a prayer, for those that are not close to Him)

I believe in a healthy work-life balance. I work a lot. But I live a lot, too. Sometimes, mixing business with pleasure is a very good thing. Let’s be mature and responsible about it and leverage these social networking sites for good. They can be good for business while also being good for family and friends and church and fun. Having said that… if they get vulgar or otherwise inappropriate (we CAN be good judges of that, right??), then ban those posts or those people – if they keep it up – or those sites that are promoting that sort of behavior.

How about you? What are your thoughts about this?

Lugging the Camera 2009-03-08

So… who actually carries a camera everywhere they go? Do you? This doesn’t include your cell phone. I don’t care how good they’re getting. They don’t count. Not yet. In a few more years maybe.

I’m talking about either the point-and-shoot variety or the SLR. I own two very solid DSLR bodies and I only carry them by intention. Either to a scheduled shoot or on a hike or bike ride or car ride where I have a feeling it may come in very handy. You know the kind of moments I’m talking about… sunset walks, bike rides through the woods, car rides to the lake, that sort of thing.

I have a very nice point-and-shoot that I had intended to take wherever I go. But… I’m a stereotypical dude in this specific case. I have no interest in having anything more in my pockets than what I absolutely need. Usually, wallet in one, phone in the other. Keys… wherever I can put ‘em without hurting the phone. So… what do I do with this really decent pocket camera? I leave it on my desk in the home studio or on the charger. Where it does me no good whatsoever when I really want to take it out and point and click.

I wish I could get more disciplined about this. I spent good money on it. But it just sits there. I don’t carry a purse (not even a “man purse”), so I can’t just toss it in there and head out the door. I bought a little belt loop clam shell case for it, but that just looks and feels goofy, despite its very decent design, size, and weight.

I have to figure something out so I can actually reach in (to whatever is going to ultimately hold it), take it out, power it up, and fire it off in the direction of the beautiful site… or person… or building… or animal… or whatever! Is this a task that requires consistency of placement (by the door on the way out to the garage, for example) and forced use so that I get in to the habit? I think it might be so.

I love my DSLRs, but they are heavy. Obviously. I can’t take them everywhere I go for fear of (1) breaking one or (2) losing one or (3) having one stolen. They certainly help me to take a better photo, but they have their purpose and every day lugging is not it.

So… I’m off to figure out how to create a “routine” for carrying that point-and-shoot around with me.

Life is such a blessing! 2009-12-04

Isn’t life a blessing? I can’t imagine it not being so. Even during strife and stress, financial struggle, ill health, family calamity, and all other sufferings when some might say no, I still believe it to be so. God blesses us in so many ways that we may take for granted, or refuse to accept, or refuse to believe when we face some of those challenges. But His gift of life to us is intended for abundance. Even when those rough times come. Look at the lives of Joseph, Job, Esther, and many others in scripture. Look at the life of Jesus Himself. He is fully God and was fully human, and He suffered some terrible trials and a brutal death. Yet would He consider His life without blessing? Surely not.

I am so very grateful for who God is and has been and for what He has done and is doing in our lives. We are so richly blessed with a loving family, both in our house and across the nation. We are blessed with busy lives that always have room for a laugh, a hug, a cry, a prayer, and so much more in fellowship with our loved ones.

Last night, I was witness to such a fun and loving time. In a jewelry store. I know some might think… come on. But it is true. I know the owner of the store. He and his family are delightful people. But it goes beyond that. He is giving and humble and caring and warm and funny and… blessed. Despite some real troubles. The folks that gathered there last night were friendly, comfortable, sweet, caring folks. It was like a nice family gathering where you were meeting some of your own (and perhaps distant) cousins for the very first time.

It was like a “Cheers” episode… I could hear the tune “Where everybody knows your name” playing in my head (though the harp playing Christmas carols was far more lovely) and this without the drunkenness of a bar.

Life is such a blessing! Live it out loud, Love with all your heart, Laugh until you cry. You’ll see it, too.

Portrait Clothing Ideas 2009-05-24

So… people sometimes have a difficult time knowing what to wear when having their portraits taken. Individual and family portrait clothing suggestions differ somewhat, but there are many similarities, too.

For starters, focus on your skin. Facial shine will be picked up by the camera, so a little powder or a towel is advisable to minimize that shine. Tyically a little makeup and a light power works well for women. For men, a little baby powder or a quick towel dry should be fine.

Next, dress from collar to sole. Too much skin showing takes attention away from the face. The point of the photo is to capture the faces of people in the focal zone. Not arms. Not legs. Keep your tops modest and make sure your socks match your pants.

For colors, it is ideal if all parties in the photo wear solid and simple and consistent tones. Too many tones or even one odd pattern can be very distracting in the photo. Choose clothing in the same tonal range so that no single member of a family or group stands out. Darker tones are slimming and work well with darker backgrounds or settings. Middle and lighter tones work well for outdoor photography. Stay clear of super bright colors as they can wash out the image.

If you wear glasses, it is best if you can remove them for the portrait to reduce glare.

There is a bit of an exception to all of this… With senior portraits, the kids tend to want to express their unique look and personality through their photos. This is a special moment and we like to let their creativity flow. So… some of the “rules” above fly out the window.

What are your thoughts?