For the really important photos

Some, alright most, of our significant family photo moments these days involve our grandson, Jaiden. This past weekend was one of those moments; his first haircut. Where this isn't normally an issue for baby girls, the boys are usually introduced to a barber somewhere between a year to 2 years old. Trust me, they don't particularly like it.

Jaiden held up to this stranger, messing with his hair for what had to feel to him like forever, pretty well. Yes, he cried as he sat on his mother's lap, but calmed down when I came in. Yes, I have a way with him, he said, no the least bit proudly..... Actually, it was the fascination with the camera and the pictures being taken. I can tell he is determined to get his hands on one of our Nikons one of these days. My oldest son did that at around 19 months, but that is another story, for another time.

For this occasion in particular, there must be two of people present. One to hold the child, the other to grab the photos. My daughter thought she was going to be able to do it all herself. She also thought Jaiden was going to sit politely in the chair while all this strange activity went on. Now I have a flip video camera that takes high resolution stills, but, these are not just casual images that may just go up on the web or in emails. For us, these images deserve the same quality we deliver to clients.

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Happy New Year and Welcome to 2010

Welcome to 2010. Some of you will be putting some new numbers on the census forms that are coming out shortly. At least a dozen of my own friends, family and clients have welcomed new babies this year. For those families that welcomed their first child, a new digital camera was a very popular gift. I'm sure they plan to put that camera to good use capturing many, many precious moments and memories. Now is also the time to plan how you intend to preserve those images.

There are so many possibilities in this new age of digital media. The exciting part is the array of options for printing. Greeting cards have been available for years. That has expanded into note cards, movie marquee style posters, wall size prints and so on. T-shirts, photo plates and coffee mugs are just a sampling of what could be your own family line of "logo-ware". Admittedly, a lot of that stuff is over the top. Here's a couple ideas that aren't.

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Krystle and Freddy - Classic High School Sweethearts

There is something unmistakably special about a wedding where the couple has been together since high school. Krystle and Freddy’s wedding was one of those occasions. Surrounded by family and long-time friends, the couple’s ceremony was held close to where the two of them grew up. The Hawaiian theme was complemented by a fortunate break in the weather, making it a very comfortable day for all.

Following a simple, elegant ceremony at Central Peninsula Church, the festivities moved to the Foster City Recreation Center, located on the shoreline of one of the many canals that thread through the city. Classmates and friends did a fantastic job of decorating the spacious hall, and the backdrop of the shoreline was spectacular.

We went to a lighting technique that used much more indirect lighting, giving most of the images a much softer look. The engagement session we did earlier in the year paid big dividends with a much more relaxed groom in front of the camera as Freddy played into Krystle’s playful, mischievous side. The resulting images were outstanding. We’re still working on the Animoto slide show for the day.

We’re also checking out a new online proofing site. So far, I really like what I see from Collages.net. The display for viewers in the webshow is quite an improvement over our previous site. The sample site isn’t available there yet. Meanwhile, check out a small collection from the day at our Image Gallery.

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A new name, but not really

You'll notice new images on the banner. You'll also notice the not so subtle name change. To some degree, it reflects a return to the original name I used for this venture when I began a long time ago. It also makes it easier for friends and associates to find my work, when they can't think of the umbrella company name, Exclusive Productions.

The production company still exists as an umbrella for all the activities. However, the photography is a personal expression of my artistic view. It's time to go back to branding it that way. Anyway, whether it's Exclusive Productions or James Adams Photography, it's still me, with the same standards of quality and service.

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