One of the best feedback that a Photographer can have of his art work is when he or she enters his or her work in a Print Competition.

Last Week, PPGF (a South Florida guild for professional photographers) hosted their Second 2010 Print Competition. This time we had our print competition together with the Palm Beaches Guild.

It was a great night with so many great images.

I was planing to enter four of my prints on this competition, but few weeks ago the external hard drive where I save my files crashed. I was lucky enough for having saved 2 of my images in another drive 2 months ago, so I could show them to another photographer friend of my.

Before I show you the images, I want to take this time to thank this photographer, friend of mine, Julie Hughes. Two months ago she came from her Professional Guild in Palm Beach to help our guild members in how to improve our chances in print competitions. Thanks!!!

Here are the results …

This print won 1st Prize for Portrait,

and this one won 1st Prize for Pictorial Portrait, 1st Prize Over All, and also Best in Show…

I know I have a long way to go until I can run my pictures in a national level, but I am getting there.

Paulo Jordao

Kindergarten poem - BabyBrother…

“Spend 5 hours learning and shooting with one of South Florida
foremost pet and wedding photographers, Paulo Jordao”.

Hi everybody, This is Paulo Jordao I just got this article published. I hope you enjoy it. 

Professional Photographer - Are You Kidding Me? 

Would you agree with the statement that no matter what profession you look as an example, some professionals are better than others and that for some reason, they produce better results, better quality, better services and etc?

That is how most of people decide to hire their accountants, doctors, lawyers and etc - Somehow, in their mind, such professional’s expertise or the services that he or she provides justify the investment that their clients will make.

If you only needed a doctor to prescribe some headache medicine, you wouldn’t spend your time and money going to an expensive specialist. You would probably go to the closest doctor’s office in your neighbor or the cheapest doctor in town to prescribe that for you. But if you need a more complex diagnostic or a specialist to treat a serious illness, for sure you would drive or invest whatever was necessary to have the best doctors and tests that you could afford. Wouldn’t you?

That is a real fact that you might have to deal on a daily basis for whatever services you might need - You would go as far as necessary or invest as much money as you could possible afford depending on the importance or the urgency of your specific situation or necessity.

That is also true with Photography…

If you need few cute pictures of a family vacation or your kids little birthday party that you only bought some sodas and a cake - no special decorations, clowns, balloons and etc - you could probably have anybody with a descent digital camera shooting them for you (yourself, a cousin, a stranger passing by, etc).

But, if you need someone to capture the images of some unique and special moment of your life - a Wedding, Bar Mitzvah, Sweet Sixteen, Pregnancy, New Born, Special Family Portrait and etc - You might consider hiring the best Photographer that you can afford.

With the digital era (where you can find some good semi-professional digital camera for under $800) and so many people without a job, it is very common to find so many “amateurs photographers” trying to offer you a good deal.

Here are some tips to help you finding a Real Professional Photographer:

1) Website- The photographer has to have a nice website with samples of the event that you need him or her for (few different weddings, birthdays, portraits, etc).

2) Equipment- I am not kidding,… you would be surprised to know how many “photographers” only have their camera and a flash. Nothing else!

3) Studio- It doesn’t mean that all Professional Photographers have to have a Commercial Studio, but no matter if the Photographer has a Home-Studio or a Commercial Studio, you need to set up an appointment to check the photographers work (prints, albums, collections, etc).

4) Appearance- Does he or she look and act professionally? As I said before, “As soon as you decide that you need a photographer for your personal project or special event, you should hire the best Photographer that you can afford”.

“Don’t trust your lifetime memories to an amateur!”

Here is one of my published articles:

You have planed carefully for months and months all the details of this special day that is your Wedding. You booked the church and the reception place; you found your perfect dress and the most gorgeous flowers, you selected the food and drink list, hired a DJ and a Photographer.

The stress of something going wrong at the last minute is not small, but on this article I want to teach you how to avoid at least one of them: The wedding Photography Fiasco.

Let start from the beginning…

1- Before you hire a Wedding Photographer, be sure that he/she is a specialist in Wedding Photography, and not just another photographer that shoots everything, including some weddings.

2- Start doing an Internet search on Google or Yahoo to find few Wedding Photographers not to far from where you live.

3- Look for samples, and testimonials on the Photographer’s Webpage to be sure that you like his/her work and that few other clients also liked him/her.

4- Before you meet the Photographer, it is a good idea to call him/her to be sure that the date is still available and to talk about your budget and what would be included in your Photography Package.

5- When signing the contract, check all the little details and don’t be afraid of asking for further explanations. On your contract, should say all the information about your wedding like; location, date, what time the photographer should be there and what time he/she would end his work time, what kind of album (pages, quality, size, etc) and when you would get it.

No matter how good written the contract is, you just have to trust that you did your best and that nothing wrong is going to happen.

Pre-IFA 2009: As anticipated Canon has today announced the EOS 7D digital SLR. It boasts a new 18MP APS-C CMOS sensor, Dual DIGIC 4 processors, ISO range expandable to 12800, continuous shooting at 8 fps and full HD video recording. It also incorporates a new viewfinder with 1.0x magnification and 100% coverage and a 3 inch LCD with 920k dot resolution.

READ MORE

 Canon EOS 7D Specifications

Today I want to talk about a Style of photography that I don’t shoot as often. As most of you know, I am an Event Photographer (Weddings, Bar Mitzvah, Sweet Sixteen, etc…) - CLICK HERE TO CHECK SOME SAMPLES -, and I for some reason I didn’t feel the “call” of doing nature and Landscape Photography.

But for the rest of you that would like to check more about that, I would recommend you to get the newly released book “THE NATIONAL PARKS: OUR AMERICAN LANDSCAPE”- by photographer Ian Shive.

The National Parks: Our American Landscape(Earth Aware Editions, August 2009) presents a wonderfully updated photographic survey of the nation’s greatest treasures. Seen through the eyes of the National Parks magazine photographer and International League of Conservation Photographers member Ian Shive, America’s National Park System comes to life through a collection of more than 200 new photographs.

Sponsored by the National Parks Conservation Association and the International League of Conservation Photographers, Shive’s first book of photography is a journey to the places that have long inspired him. “Since my youth,” Shive writes, “I’ve seen the national parks as the last authentic vestiges of America’s wildest places — symbols of its one-of-a-kind spirit.”

Thomas C. Kiernan, President of the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA), has contributed a foreword to the book.

A portion of the proceeds from book sales will go to the NPCA.

CHECK THE LINKS BELOW… 
http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/video?id=6970164 (ABC L.A piece)

http://www.waterandsky.com/  (Ian’s official website)
http://current.com/items/90662576_photos-across-america-the-northern-rocky-mountains.htm
http://current.com/items/90650611_photos-across-america-the-southwest.htm

Check it out and leave me a comment. OK?

Trough the years of your childhood up to the present day you might have felt once or twice that life gave you some second chances. But there are times and occasions when something goes wrong, and no matter what, not even life itself can help you. You can say that Wedding Photography is one of these occasions.

You have waited and dreamed about this magical day for your whole life. The day that you were finally getting married to the man of your dreams, your price charming. You have made so many special plans so you would have the perfect ceremony and reception, the most beautiful dress, flowers, etc, etc and etc.

Now it is time to choose your Wedding Photographer. Note that it didn’t say to you to choose just a regular photographer, neither someone like your friend or uncle just because he or she has a camera. Wedding Photography is a very detailed specialty inside the photography business and if you really care about the only memory that you are going to have from that day and that you can show to generations to come, here are some tips:

1- A Good Plan

You need to start planning ahead before you go checking websites for samples, prices and etc. You need to put together all the information that you already have, like; wedding location, date and time, details of flowers, dress, etc.

2- Style

Once you go through some wedding pictures that you’ve found in few different websites and magazines, you will need to start selecting what kind of pictures you would like to have of your special day. Don’t just say that you want a Photojournalistic or Traditional Style, because this is an old way to define Wedding Photography. Today’s Top Wedding Photographers go beyond old styles incorporating some artistic, modern and creative style to their collections creating the most beautiful piece of art.

3- Finding a Wedding Photographer

Do a simple Google, Yahoo or MSN search: “Wedding Photographer in ____________ (name of the city)”. This will bring hundreds, if not thousands of different sites that you can start doing your research. Start filtering all that information avoiding sites that don’t say the name of the photographer on its description. You want to connect with a Top Wedding Photographer, not just another search engine channel or some photography studio trying to get you into their studio without saying the name of the photographer. If the Photographer is good, his name is going to be there.

4- Samples and Testimonials

Once you’ve found few different Websites with pictures that match the style that you are looking for, go ahead and write down the name of the photographer and the phone number. It would be better if the samples that the photographer is showing in his or her website came from at least few different weddings and different areas. The Photographer might not post any negative testimonial in his or her own Website, but it is always good to check what other clients had said about that specific Photographer and how good was the connection between the photographer and the previous clients.

5- The Budget

This is one question that most of the brides get it wrong and most of the Photographers are terrified to explain it to them. There is a simple rule for that; you should spend between 15% and 20% of the total wedding costs. This a general figure that works very well in most of the cases, but once a while you can go a little lower or a little higher. The investment for the Photography Packages of a very basic and simple wedding will be totally different from the investment for the Photography Packages of a wedding were you are investing a huge amount of money, time and expectations. You can expect spend between $3,000 to $30,000 on your wedding pictures, depending on the wedding Photographer that you are hiring, the photography package and/or extras.

6- Contacting your Photographer

Once you check the website samples and prices, it is time to call the Photographer to check if he/she still has the date available and to set up an appointment. It is recommended that you meet the photographer in question as soon as possible, so you can be sure that he/she would still have the date available for your wedding.

7- Signing the Contract

Since you already saw the Photographer’s Webpage, the samples, the testimonials and the prices, the only logical thing to do now is to meet the photographer and be sure that there is a good connection between you and him or her. You also might want to check some more of his/her work, ask few last questions and if everything seems fine, just sign the contract. Remember that Wedding Photography is not a Department Store and that you are not going to find another Photographer like that one. You already did your homework, you know that you came to visit this Photographer because his work, prices, style are exactly what you were looking for. There is no reason to not close the deal.

8- Final Product

Imagine if few years ago, when digital cameras didn’t exist, would it be ok if after you spent a huge amount of your time and money to create the most romantic and perfect day of your entire life, the photographer just gave you the negatives and you would have to develop the pictures yourself? I don’t think so! As we live now in a digital era, most of the Photographers have digital cameras, and most of the cheap photographers will try to make a good deal and give you just a CD with all the pictures from your wedding on it.

Is that what you want?

If you forget everything else from this article, I hope you remember at least this one…

Don’t treat your wedding photographs like the pictures that you took on your last vacation. The ones that you didn’t even had time to print or the ones that you printed in a cheap department store.

The beauty of Wedding Photography is when the Photographer makes the transformation to the pictures and memories that were once captured through his lens, to create the most beautiful and elegant Costume Designed Story Telling Album that you and all your family and friends will cherish for the rest of your lives.

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin abruptly announced Friday she is resigning from office at the end of the month.

The news media can’t explain the exactly reason for that. Just few days ago Palin was saying that if she run again against Obama she would Winn.

Do you think that somebody from her own party found something very dirty on her and asked her to step down?

Read more here:

http://www.comcast.net/articles/news-general/20090703/US.Palin.Resigning/

At http://www.paulopics.com, you can check some Photography and Video samples and packages of Weddings, Bar Mitzvahs, sweet Sixteen, etc. But here is a very important article about Engagement Photography:

It is very common to visit few different photographers’ Website to check some of their wedding photography samples and package prices before you select the one that will be your Wedding Photographer. When you are checking their Websites, you might also find pictures and some minor information about Engagement Photography.

The truth is that a lot of brides still don’t know what Engagement Photography is, and most of them don’t know why to have a special Engagement Photography session done is so important.

Here is everything that you need to know about Engagement Photography, and why this session is a must for who is getting married.

What- Engagement Photography is a special photography session dedicated to couples that are soon getting married.

Why- There are few different reasons for having your Engagement Photography done, but two of the best reasons are;

a) Know your photographer better (quality, talent, personality, etc)

b) Have a nice picture of you and your loved one displayed at your Wedding Reception

Where- You can have your Engagement Picture taken at the photographer’s studio, a nice park, or at the beach. You should select the location that reflects the best of your personality. I personally recommend some beautiful open areas with a lot of plants, flowers and etc, or a beautiful beach with clear send, beautiful palm trees and etc.

When- This session have to be done no latter than two or three weeks before your wedding date, so you would have time to select the best picture to be printed and find a nice frame to display the picture at your Wedding Reception. If your intention is to use this session to know better your photographer or just to try a photographer before you sign any contract, I would recommend you to schedule this session at least three to six months before your wedding date (or before sign any contract).

How- Once you selected the location and the date, you and your loved one have to decide about what clothes to wear, makeup, hair, props and etc. Your photographer might be able to help you with some personal suggestions.

There is no reason to you don’t have your Engagement Photography done, other than if your Photographer does not offer that on his or her packages. If this is the case, talk to your photographer about your needs or find another photographer that will work the way that you want.

If you are a Photographer and you just started shooting weddings, you might consider start offering an Engagement Session to your clients, as part of your packages.

An Engagement Session is a Photography Session scheduled to happen few weeks or few months before the wedding date, where you (Photographer) take the couple (your clients) to some nice or unique place to have their portrait done. This Photo Session is the best way to show the beauty of the couple in a more artistic way.

Because you have planned ahead the location, time, props and etc, you must know about how much equipment you really need to bring with you.

Here is a list of what you might consider bringing with you for your next Engagement Session;

1) Camera
I know that you knew this one, but better be safe than sorry. You might also want to bring your backup camera. I generally leave my backup camera in my car, so I don’t have to carry any more extra weight.

2) Lenses
There are photographers that can not go to a photo session without taking his or her whole lenses collection. Remember that this session is very casual, and you would be just fine with a single zoom lens; like a 15mm - 55mm. Depending on your style or the location of your photo session, you might consider bringing also your 70mm - 200mm lens as an option.

3) Flash
Most of the time you might not need to use your flash, but is always good to have it there with you just in case you need it as a fill light.

4) Memory Card and Battery
Bring some extra memory cards and batteries. You never know when you are going to need them.

5) Tripod
Some photographers feel more comfortable shooting with a tripod. I normally just bring my tripod if I know that I am going to be shooting late in the evening, but you can also bring your and leave it in your car.

6) Props
A lot of photographers don’t bring any props to their Engagement Photo Session. I can not stress enough the importance of this subject. If you really want your photographs to look something special and unique, this is a must. You can bring some extra fabric, roses, or anything else that you think that would make your pictures look special.

Remember that the Engagement Session is the best moment to you to connect with your clients and show them what a great professional you are. Go ahead and have some fun, they will love you!

The date is finally here… This Saturday (Sep-20-2008) Cassandra and Luke are getting married.

I can truly say that I have been waiting for this Wedding very anxiously. For me, this is not the Wedding of the month… it is the Wedding of the year.

No matter how much I try to explain and describe the details of this Wedding, the couple’s personality and how much I feel honored to be part of their special day - I just can’t find enough words to realy make you understand about this unique and special wedding.

Cassy and Luke… I hope that my Photography can translate how happy and honored I feel to be there for you.

 7,297 Photographers in more than 240 cities around the world will be participating of the FIRST WORLDWIDE PHOTOWALK.

This week, the biggest Brazilian Newspaper here in USA (ACHEI-USA) published a whole page about me and the Worldwide Photowalk that is going to happen this weekend. As I said, more than 240 cities around the world will be having their Photowalk on August 23, 2008, and I was invited to be the  City Leader of the Fort Lauderdale Photowalk.

Today I just got the confirmation that ezinearticles.com just published 2 more of my articles about Photowalk.

If you would like to read the articles, please click the following links:

Photowalk - The First Step on How to Organize Your Own Photowalk

Photowalk - The Next Step on How to Organize Your Own Photowalk

I hope you enjoy the articles.

Paulo Jordao

A lot of people ask me about Photowalk and what they should bring with them, what kind of clothes to wear and etc.

There are few things that you can do to make your Photowalk Experience 100% stress free.

If you are coming to our Photowalk on August 23, 2008 ( Saturday - 9:00 am) would be good if you could read this new article that I wrote and just got published at E-ZIME (Click Here).

I hope that you enjoy the article, and if you live here in South Florida you could even come to our Fort Lauderdale Photowalk.

I will see you there!!!