Why get the same ol' same ol'

Been doing some thinking lately as I have been doing senior photographs for some wonderful kids and families.  A few weeks ago I went looking for studio space.  As I looked around I realized why some photography is outrageously expensive.  In order to keep the studio lights on you have to really charge in order to pay the bills.  Now I am not a lazy guy, but I have a lot of interests and a lot of passions.  Shooting one kind of picture.. the head shot against the marbled background isn't one of them.

I would infinately rather do location shots of great people doing what they want to do dressed how they want to dress than tell the senior to bring the senior gown and cap along with a change of clothes that will ususally be a suit. 

I would much rather do a shoot of a senior in his or her environment doing his or her thing dressed the way he or she wants to dress as long as too much stuff isn't hanging out. LOL.... I would rather work with the kid and the dog, the kid and the horse, the kid and the gerbil than anything else.  I would rather that it be on the farm, with the kids truck, out by the fishing pond behind the computer screen or anything else that really turns the kid on.  I don't care about smiles, not smiling and couldn't care less about the traditional art pose or glamour pose.  I want to shoot the natural kid in the natural habitat.  Be that in or out, up or down, sideways or whatever way...

Things are hot an moving here in the spring.  If you try to get me for a photographic assignment use my cell... 281 413 9479.... Don't hide your number.  I rarely answer calls from unknown individuals because it is usually an advertiser for whom I have no time.  And I always have my calendar with me.  Remember if I don't pick up I will check your message.  It's busy out there folks..  God bless and have a wonderful day.  I know I will. 

Learning your camera

Cameras being made today are extremely complicated computers for all practical purposes.  The have programs that will do any number of things that  make your photography better and easier.  However on the newer DSLR's the learning curve is going to be steep.  There can be literally hundred's of settings that must be mastered.  

How is one to do this feat of mastering all the settings offered by your new camera?  Simple... divide and conquer the complications.  Start off in full auto for your first photographic endeavors.  Chances are that you will get excellent results.  As you become more comfortable with the camera start with a common technique such as depth of field.  Since digital photography costs nothing to make images, try  hundreds of images at various settings until you are comfortable at that setting.  Then move on, I would suggest, working through the manual, to go from one skill to the other until you have mastered the camera.   After a short while  you will be the master of your camera instead of the other way around.

There is no substitute for practice.  It does lead to perfection or at least mastery and, additionally, much better photography.  

Great images, 

John 

Sadness and happiness

One of my best friends past away last Thursday.  Her visitation was Monday evening in Crockett, Texas.  We always looked at Betty as our social organizer.  She organized on last beautiful reunion for all of us who taught with her for many, many years.  With me, it was from the late 70s... not giving away my age of course.  So many friends there... so many people I had not seen for a while. 

Additionally, she got me to go to Crockett, Texas.  What a beautiful little town.  Beautiful massive old fashioned houses with white posts, white pickett fences and tulip trees already in bloom.  I went early so I would be able to explore the town.  When I arrived hunger pangs were bothering me a bit so I went to the Moosehead Cafe.  What hamburgers and what great people.  As I am typing this away from the office I will post pictures later.  But it provided some unique and wonderful picture taking opportunities. 

Don't forget spring schedules are filling up. 

Best Blessings,

John

Craft Photography

Crafters and artists work extremely hard to produce objects that show off the best skills of the artist.  Craft work and artwork present unique challenges.  Art photography can enhance your brochures, business cards and catalogues.

Many craft producers, painters, sculptors and other artists do not have time to produce all the photographic work they need. 

Let me do it for you.  Very reasonable plans are available for artists who wish to have their work photographed.  I can come to your studio.  Photograph you at work so you can produce an excellent brochure or other publicity material.  I will also be happy to do that for you as well. 
Give me a call and an opportunity to help.   

New service available

Hi everyone.... I am offering a unique service to those interested in genealogy, history, or other personal research.  I am available to photograph grave sites, ancestral homes, historical sites important to you and any other area or location that you may not be able to get to for some reason.  This service is a valuable one in terms of discovering material about your family and past history.  I price it only per hour on site.  Most locations will not take more than an hour to photograph plus transportation costs if it is out of the Houston area.  Should air fair be involved I will only charge the actual cost of transportation.  Automobile transportation out of the city of Houston is priced at $.50 per mile.  There are no transportation charges within the Houston metroplex.  I encourage you to take advantage of this new service offered by John McGeough Photography. 

Senior portraits...

Spring is rapidly on the way.  Now would be a good time to start planning for senior portraits.  I am anxious to work with you to get a creative and unique set of photographs for the end of one of the most eventful years of your life.  I am now scheduling sessions for senior portraits.  Let's get in touch... blessings...
John

Historical Documentation

One of the things I do for fun is documenting historical sites.  Presently I am documenting the "Old Big Creek Cemetery" outside Shepherd, Texas.  There will be a flickr posting as well as Webshots.  I will also use some of the material for stock.  There are thousands of old cemeteries, churches and historical sites that will not be here in a few years.  They cemeteries, of course, are permanent but wooden buildings that have fallen into disuse will deteriorate.  I would like to encourage as many photographers as possible to take part in efforts to document historical artifacts while they are still here.  You would be performing a valuable service, publicizing your business and preserving history.  Many historical societies would appreciate getting photographs that would provide them with valuable resources.  One of the tragedies of the larger cities in Texas is that most have the attitude that new is better.  As you work think in terms of historical documentation but also as a way to build up stock material.  Many of these locations will make awesome locations for portraits.  A lot of fun in to be had documenting history that is now seen as commonplace or too old to be of value.  Shoot it before it is gone. You may well be the only one doing the work.