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L&H Photography ~ Our Blog
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Trish Logan, L&H Photography: Posted on Friday, September 30, 2011 1:21 PM
 I recently attended a workshop & was asked to bring along things that inspire me. I took images from magazines and the web, copies of paintings and lots of other things. The only down side of the weekend, was that we were in a location with no cell coverage or internet. I mention this because... during my ride home, my phone started chirping away that I had messages, one of which was from my friend Alex Grace of Graceful Images. I called him back and he told me his big news that he was pursuing his dream of opening his own photography studio. I was so excited for him, because I know he had the drive to make it happen and the talent to see it through. Alex hates when I say he is young but to me he is. In my eyes he will always be that kid that pushed out of his comfort zone because he loved photography so much he couldn't imagine not moving forward with it. We met in Las Vegas in 2010 at Photoshop World and stayed friends, sharing ideas and chatting about photography throughout the year. This year we got to hang out together again at PSW. The thing that has always struck me about Alex is that he works hard to get where he wants to be, educates himself and settles for nothing less than working toward being more than just an ordinary photographer, pushing to be exceptional. Hmmm. So when I thought about what inspires me... I thought of my pal Alex and asked him to share some of his awesome action swimming photography and a bit of himself as well. Enjoy ~ Trish ============================================== Wow, my first guest post on someone else's blog! Very exciting! I'm a portrait & and commercial photographer/graphic designer from Scottsburg, IN. I met Trish at Photoshop World two years ago and she has graciously asked me to write a guest post for her blog about my swimming photography!
Capturing the Champs
I've been shooting the Scottsburg Swim Team for over three years now. I was only sixteen when I first asked Jason, the coach, if I could take some pictures of my friend Jess during practice, he responded "I don't care, just don't get in the way." I started small, just taking a few shots here and there during practice, always making sure I wasn't in the way. The one advantage I had then was the fact that I was the same age as most of these kids. I made some really close friends, and even Jason started to warm up to me. The more comfortable they (and their coach) got, the longer I stuck around. With the large amount of time I was spending with them I finally started getting some great shots. The second year my friend Brooke's mom asked if I wanted a ride to the sectional meet, I excitedly said yes. That night I got some of my best pictures so far: I was happy, but not content with those shots. They were just too far back, I needed more reach! The next year I made a deal with a fellow photographer exchanging some assisting time for use of a 70-200 2.8 lens. Now it was on! I went to the Warrior Invitational & got more of the kind of shots I was looking for: The team was thrilled with their pictures, and their huge trophies from winning both boys and girls for their one home meet. A month later the boys & girls teams took conference titles again!  Now we're all awaiting another exciting season of Scottsburg swimming! The team is wrapping up their fall sports, and are going to start conditioning next month. The coach is getting in his hunting trips before the season begins. They'll make a run at continuing their domination of the Mid-Southern Conference and I plan to be there to record it! For more information about me visit me at:
gracefulimages.net
& come add me on +Google, I'd love to meet you!
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Trish Logan: Posted on Wednesday, September 21, 2011 11:04 AM
Answering Your Questions About... GUEST BLOGGING FOR PHOTOSHOP WORLD PAL MICHELLE HEDSTROM OF OGRE PHOTOGRAPHY check her out on the web at: Glad to see that you have been reading our blog. We got a HUGE response last Friday when we shared a guest blog spot we did for Michelle Hedstrom, of Ogre Photography, a friend I met at Photoshop World in Las Vegas. Many of you requested the full blog again, which you can find at: Excited about your response, I wanted to share some additional thoughts about the experience: Michelle Hedstrom and I met as part of a Facebook group headed to PSW~Vegas, there were probably 30 or more members in the FB page. For some time prior to the PSW, we all exchanged comments, opinions and ideas on everything from illustration, graphic design, photography and Photoshop trying to figure out the best classes to take and of course always, where to eat & what to drink when we got there. (not in that order) Once we everyone met and got to know each other a bit, we talked about equipment, what we could shoot while in Vegas and on one very funny day, we even had a creative collaboration on just to how much chaos we could cause in the floor of the expo, dragging in some of the most talented, funny people I have ever met into the fun. Along with everyone else in that group, we laughed hard and smiled often during our time at PSW. From the shoot in Nelson, NV on Monday morning with a very small group then at the face to face meeting with the cool kids at the House of Blues on Monday night. We were having a BLAST as the weed started and PSW hadn't even begun. Wednesday kicked off the Photoshop World conferences where we sat with small groups of friends, breaking off after the keynote to attend our classes. Some sessions we attended with friends and some alone. We seemed to join coincidentally, however, day after day on the floor of the expo shooting at the Westcott booth and just hang out. We all talked, cameras, Photoshop, lighting, freebies and giveaways, who had what... and of course the lists of what we all wanted but couldn't afford. We looked at our friend's portfolios on iPads, iPhones, cell phones and even beautiful matted prints. We shared, we learned and we laughed. I enjoyed the friends I made that week, was glad to be a guest blogger for Michelle and hope that she will be doing the same for me very soon. I look forward to her sharing her love of concert photography and extreme action sports. I know when you see her amazing images you will be as floored as I was! Keep an eye out! Thanks again for following our blog and emailing me your questions! |
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Trish Logan: Posted on Wednesday, September 14, 2011 10:39 PM
 My Week in Review...Vegas Style! Wow... Where do I start? I just came back from LasVegas where I spent 6 days, making some amazing images and amazing friends. My trip was planned a year ago when I attended my first Photoshop World in 2010. I new from the moment I attended the opening ceremony last year, that I would be back again! This year, I had the chance to go 2 days before the conferences started and spent time just roaming around, making pictures and hanging out. Day 1: Let me start my saying that the day before I flew out, I recieved and email giving me the opportunity to take a day trip with some FB friends that I had never met, (that's another story), to go to Nelson, just outside of Vegas with a bunch of photographers. The added bonus for me was that Frank Doorhof a photographer from the Netherlands would also be there. I have been a fan of his fashion photography for sometime. To have the opportunity to watch him shoot in such a small group setting was incredible! I went, shot, watched and learned from a master. Yup I was right it was INCREDIBLE! For me my first day in Vegas was very awesome. I met some of those facebook friends for the first time on the trip to Nelson. My friend Jackie flew in just in time to make it to a meet up at "The House of Blues" that evening . The same Facebook friends I met earlier that day and lots more gathered that night and I don't mean like one or two, I mean like 20 or more. They were fun and friendly, greeted me with a hug or handshake and even teased me here and there like we were old friends. Starting off my week making so many new friends made the classes and the whole Photoshop World experience all the better. I had friends to eat with everyday, sit with in classes and explore the expo floor with. It was like that old shampoo commerical the one that says I told two friends and they told two friends and so on and so on. That's how the week went from that night on. I met some friends and they shared their friends and I shared my friends and so on and so on and so on. By the end of the week, it was impossible to be in a room and not know at least 15 or 20 people. Ah the power of social networking! Got to love it. DAY 2: Headed out to the Valley of Fire first thing in the morning with my friend Jackie. We spent the entire morning rambling through the desert with no goal other than to at some point see the Hoover Dam and take great pictures. Working as a portrait photographer, it's been a long time since I shot any kind of landscapes. The desert yielded the most beautiful scenery and colors I have ever seen. I broke out my tripod and did some HDR shots. Loving the warmth of the sun on my face and having no where to be. We sat at some points and just enjoyed the moment. Not even taking a single photograph. At other times we shot tons of the same scene just trying to show the beauty of it. (Here are some of my favorites) We did make it to the Hoover Dam that day too! Just the size and height of it was breath- taking. We walked along the top and made sure to cross into Arizona so we could say we did it and entered a different time zone. It was hokey but it made us laugh. DAY 3: PHOTOSHOP WORLD BEGINS!  This year, I had the added bonus of making it into the finals for the Guru Award in the photography category. It all started when I recieved and email from the Kelby Media group informing me that I was one of 3 photographers vying for the Guru which would be announced at the opening Keynote ceremony. I didn't tell anyone for a few days for fear if I said it out loud it would go away. I finally told friends after reading that email for the 100th time. It was unbelieveable news to me. In the photography world, I can only equate it to feeling like I made it to the academy awards. Sitting in a special section seeing your image up on the big screens and hearing them say my name and show my entry was unreal. It's true it is an honor to be considered even though the Guru went to someone else. I will never forget the moment. This is the display outside the expo that showed all the finalists. Below is the image that I submitted was a 14-1/2 minute long exposure taken in Quebec at the Basillica of Saint Anne DeBeaupre' a place believed to be the site of miracles. It was very simply called "The Blue Basillica". Getting that email was like my mini miracle. With the Opening Ceremony over, classes began. I sat in on sessions with some of my photographic heros. Learned from some of the best photographers and instructors in the industry. They were fun, engaging and very approachable. They welcomed our thoughts and comments eagerly and encouragingly. Between classes everyday, the expo floor opened. The highlight was the Westcott lighting booth. The booth was set up with 4 bays to shoot with different models each day. That seemed to be the place where we would gather and hang out with new friends and old, shooting, laughing & just creating chaos when the models left the booth we would jump in and photograph each other it was hysterical. Below are some of my favorite shots of the models and friends. And so it went for 3 full days. Learning, shooting, laughing and networking. We wrapped up our conferences on Friday afternoon. I said goodbye to my new friends and old. The week was unforgettable more for the friends I made than for the classes I took. Spending a week in the company of my peers has always been what Photoshop World is all about. I learned that my first time there, it was reinforced this year when I spent the week hanging with the "cool kids" and you know who you are! Late Friday night I flew out on the red-eye first to Boston and then on to home and family in Maine. If you asked how I spent my last few hours from 5 to midnight in Vegas before heading to the airport my answer would be with friends and a camera in my hand. Here are some of the last shots from Vegas! |
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Trish Logan, L&H Photography, LLC: Posted on Thursday, August 04, 2011 11:10 PM
Mentors Peers & Proteges' (The 1-2-3 Recipe)  I have been thinking of the many things both good and bad that have brought me to the life of a full-time professional photographer. Honestly, once I passed the initial leap of faith to jump in, experienced and survived the never-ending expenses of starting a business in an extremely difficult financial climate, not to mention the cost of equipment and trying to keep up with new technology that gives everyone the ability to snap a photo at will via laptop, cell phone, ipod not to mention a multitude of toys that render image making available even to the smallest child, it really has made me stronger and better at my craft, and has kept me pushing to be better and better. I bought my first digital camera many years ago after tucking my film camera away. People told me taking pictures with this new technology is a easy as: 1-2-3 Looking back at it now, that may actually have been a VERY true statement... ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For me the 1-2-3 that brought me to be a Professional Photographer has included the following ingredients: 1) My Mentors: I truly believe that everyone no matter what your path in life may be, should have a mentor. I have been fortunate enough to have two that have guided me along the way. I believe that a good mentor is someone who shares wisdom when times are hard, teaches you patience and helps you understand concepts and ideas that you may struggle for years to attain without guidance and support. A mentor should inspire and encourage you, be someone you can hang out with and ask questions without feeling inadequate. Having a mentor(s) is the best way to find answers to questions that clarify your vision and aid in you in achieving your personal/professional goals. Professionally, doing business requires skills, as a beginner, I was lucky have my mentors serve as my guides. We all encounter a client who reject our work or proposal, we all deal with having computer crashes, equipment failures, or it just may even be that a reader hated your blog post. (hope you don't) During these times, we all need someone to turn to for advice, someone who has been there and survived the crashes and uncertainty. Believe me, this is very important. It is a very good thing to have someone to work things through with. Ingredient #2 ~ My Peers  Being a member of professional communities has allowed me to find others that consider me an equal and treat me as a theirs. Be it a fellow novice or master in your chosen craft. Having a peer group has value beyond belief. It allows to you connect with others that are on the same wave length and share your love of craft. Having a friend who you consider to be of equal caliber is a great thing. You can spend all day talking about equipment and technology, rant about the things that irk you, or even jokingly insult each other in a constructive way. This is actually healthy, because having a friend who is close to your skill set (or slightly above you) is what will keep you evolving. Ingredient #3 ~ Having A Protegé Nothing beats having a person to teach the important things in life and career to, someone you can guide along the path he/she really wants to take. Because you have been there once, you can easily guide someone who is about to follow a similar path. Plus young people have lots of wild ideas that may help you remain creative. For every established photographer, I hope that you have one or two beginners that you are teaching. Even if you don't see yourself as a Mentor, sharing information, ideas and skills with someone eager to learn, grow and succeed in your profession is a worthy course to take. Remembering the mentors that have helped you along the way and having a "Paying it Forward" attitude will bring you great personal and professional satisfaction. I personally will always look to my Mentors with undying thanks, enjoy the warmth and acceptance of my peers and encourage and support younger generations in the their endeavors to achieve their dreams. For some this may seem obvious, to others it might not, but I wouldn’t be on my current path without the help I have received from others along the way. |
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L&H Photography ~ www.landhphoto.com: Posted on Saturday, May 28, 2011 11:19 AM
How to make the MOST
out of being photographed Or what we like to call "How to Take the Pain Out of Pictures" For everyone that has ever had to have a THEIR photo taken... THIS BLOG'S FOR YOU! Yup! We're talking pictures that you have no control over but have to have done. - Membership & Association I.D.s
- Press Releases
- Head Shots for Business Cards & Advertising
- Newspaper Articles
- Company I.D Badges &
- Of course, the DREADED DRIVER'S LICENSE PHOTO!!!!
If you have always thought that you look terrible in pictures or are not photogenic, then we have good news: There are some basic tips that you can follow to get the most out of being photographed, whether on a shoot, for I.D. photos or even in your own family snapshots! HERE ARE OUR TOP (3) HINTS TO HELP YOU OUT! BE PREPARED!
Nobody has to know that you practiced smiling in the mirror. Look in the mirror, what angles make your face/body look best.
Take a look at how you stand naturally, fold your arms, bend a knee, turn slightly sideways, just tipping your head can change the whole shape of your face.
WHAT'S YOUR STYLE?
Wear something that you are totally comfortable in. Avoid new things, like hair styles or, changes in your makeup at the last minute. Have your hair cut at least 7 days before your photo to give it a chance to settle and have some natural regrowth. TRY TO RELAX! To get a great shot, you have to relax. A fake smile or rigid expression will look odd so it’s vital that you try to have fun. Think of being photographed as a fun way to capture a moment in time, for whatever reason, so lose yourself in it and you will shake off your awkwardness. Physically shaking out your arms and legs can help let go of tension. Try it between pictures. Remember to relax your face often, if you try to hold that smile for too long it will just look SCARY ! |
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