Welcome to day 3! This was a hard one for me. I was working on one idea, and it just wasn’t working out, so I ditched that idea and decided to shoot my 5D Mark II. I actually shot it with my two Alien Bees 800 with large softboxes to camera right and left. Left was my main light and right my fill.I shot it on my black granite tile to give a slight reflection.

Today I also read page 101 in my 5D Mark II manual, Mirror Lockup.

Tags: 365 Project, 5D Mark II, camera, canon, Day 3

Today is day 2 of my 365 day project. The image i created tonight is a simple one, but I like it. I decided to make the image using my Canon 40D, since I never really get to shoot with it. Having the 5D Mark II, I use that most of the time with the 40D as my back-up camera.

The image was made using one Alien Bee 800 to camera left with a large softbox. I used my 100mm Macro lens again. I may just make every image this week with my macro lens. Again, this is a lens that I don’t get to use a ton, but that I really like. I guess that will be one of the benefits of this project as well. Mini assignments within the major project, and the chance to get to work with equipment that I don’t get to use all the time. I guess I will make it official. This week all images will be with my 100mm macro lens.

Today I also read page 97 in my 5D Mark II manual, Auto Exposure Bracketing.

Tags: 100mm, 365, 40D, canon, day 2, Macro, paper, pen, Photography

Today begins my 365 day project. What is a 365 day project you ask? Well, as it sounds, it is a project that lasts 365 days. The goal of this project is to take my photography to the next level. The best way to get better at photography is to take more pictures! The way this will work is that I will be taking and uploading at least one image each and everyday. That is the goal anyway. I know that it will be a very challenging project to complete, but I am going to try the hardest to do so. The images may not be great, and the images may be kind of stupid at times, but they will be images. I plan on taking images with my professional gear all the way down to my iPhone. I am also looking for a point and shoot camera to carry with me at all times. I am thinking about going with the Canon G11, or possibly the Olympus EP-2, but we will see. I got the idea for the project at Tasra Mar’s website. Scott Bourne inspired her to do it, and being a fan of Scott’s, I had to try it for my self as well/

Along with this project, another thing you can do to become a better photographer is to read a page out of your camera manual each and every day. It helps to keep you familiar with the operation of your equipment, and keeps things fresh in your mind. It also helps you remember how to work the camera when you are under pressure, of needing to get the shot. I will not only be reading out of my camera manual, but also the manuals for my flash, and possibly any other equipment I have. Today, I read page 96 of my Canon 5D Mark II manual: Setting Exposure Compensation.

The image that you see in this post, is my first image of my 365 day project. I thought it was a fitting image to mark the date and time that my project has started. It is an image of the Fossil watch I received as a gift for standing up in my cousin Ben’s wedding. The watch was shot with two Alien Bees 800 flashes with large softboxes triggered with Pocket Wizards. It is resting on a piece of black granite tile I bought at Lowe’s and was shot with a Canon 5D Mark II and a Canon EF 100mm Macro lens.

Besides the images being posted here, I have also created a little web gallery using Lightroom 3 Beta that I will be updating with all the images, so that they can be seen easier. That gallery will be located at http://www.adammarin.com/365/. Please feel free to check it out.

I look forward to working on this project, and I hope that it will help me to grow as a photographer!

Tags: 100mm, 365, 5D Mark II, Alien Bees, canon, Day 1, Fossil, Macro, project, watch

Here are some more Senior Portrait tips:

1. Sleep!   Make sure you get at least 2 nights of good sleep before your photo session so that you will look fresh and won’t have bags under your eyes.

2. Guys, let a new hair cut grow out for at least a week before your pictures, allowing time for any white tan lines to disappear. Also, take the time to get a close shave. Girls, if you plan on coloring your hair or getting a new style, also allow at least a week to get used to the style.

3. Have your clothes and accessories ready the night before your shoot.  Choose clothes that reflect your style and the changing seasons (summer – fall).  Make sure they are clean and free of wrinkles.  Ask your photographer how many outfit changes he/she allows or suggests.  For each outfit, put your accessories in a zip lock bag and attach it to the hanger.

Tags: Photography, portrait, senior, tips

Senior Model Benefits…

#1) One hour modeling session taken before April 19th, 2010. Bring 3-4 fun, funky and fashionable outfits.

#2) Your required 2 hour Deluxe Session is available at 50% off! It must be used BEFORE July 16^th, 2010 to receive your discount and your final portrait order must be placed by October 1st, 2010.

#3) Your own Facebook Promo Code-to track friends who came to Adam Marin Photography.

#4) Designer Rep Cards – 50 custom designed cards with your name and image to get you started…Let’s hope you need more!!

#5) Website, Blog, Brochures, & Facebook – are some of the places in which you’ll appear! Tell ALL your friends!

#6) Website Access – use your given password to access your 1 hour modeling session on our website.

#7) You’ll receive a cool video slideshow and two images to display on your Facebook or Myspace page.

Senior Model Incentives…

For every rep card or Promo code redeemed from your friends, you will receive $25 off (maximum of $125) your final portrait order and your friend will receive $25 toward their session fee. Valid one code per senior, per session.

Referrals start now and end September 1^st, 2010. Your Senior Portrait order must be placed by October 1^st, 2010.

MODEL BONUS

All models who book 5 or more sessions, not only receive the $125 off their order, but you will also be entered into the Senior Model Contest to win an Apple iPod Touch preloaded with your senior images.

Check the Requirements…

You must be a full-time student in the Class of 2011

Have your senior portraits exclusively taken at Adam Marin Photography before

July 16th, 2010 and place your final portrait order by October 1st, 2010

Have great attitude, personality and personal style!

Your parents’ permission and approval in writing!

Remember, only a limited number of Adam Marin Photography Senior Models are accepted from each school! If you meet our requirements…sign–up today!

You can email me adam@adammarin.com or call or text “I am in” to 920.819.8206 to sign-up and set up your first modeling session!

Tags: 2011, model, senior

I just wanted to say Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! Hope you have a great day !

It is that time of year again! I am now offering a holiday creation fee and card special. For the low price if $54.99 you get a standard portrait creation session (normally $30!) and 25 5×7 or 4×8 slimline holiday cards (normally $41.25!) You can see all of the card templates for the 5×7 and 4×8 slimline series as well as the folded cards, bookmarks, calendars, and gift tags that I will be offering this year by clicking here. Call today to set up your session or with questions! Limited sessions available!

920.358.8418

Tags: cards, holiday, special

Don’t miss our special “Family Portrait Month” promotion!

This October, Adam Marin Photography will participate with an elite group of photographers around the country in a very special family portrait promotion. Throughout October we will celebrate “Family Portrait Month,” a wonderful opportunity for you update your family portrait (or portraits of your children), and help to support Operation Smile, which treats children around the world who suffer with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities.

Along with other studio members of Professional Photographers of America (PPA), we have pledged to contribute to PPA Charities, which has chosen Operation Smile as its charitable partner.

What’s more, we want you to benefit from this special offer: with ANY print purchase you make, you will receive a FREE 8×10 print!

Recording the faces of children and their families is our greatest pleasure. That’s why we believe so strongly in the work of Operation Smile. Each year this incredible organization of more than 6,000 volunteer doctors, nurses, dentists, and specialized health-care professionals, perform free reconstructive surgeries for children suffering with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities. More than 100,000 children are born with a facial deformity each year in Operation Smile’s 26 partner countries.

We also believe that Family Portrait Month is a wonderful way to teach children the value of reaching out to others. Even small children can understand the importance of Operation Smile’s work, and they are eager to help these needy children.

We hope you will join with us in helping to make this vital work possible. Don’t forget that the holiday season is right around the corner, so there’s no better time for a family portrait, which is always appreciated as gifts for family and friends and to send along with holiday greeting cards.

As always . . . we look forward to creating some truly wonderful portraits of your family. Call Now! Appointments are limited!

920.358.8418
adam at adammarin.com

Tags: 2009, Charities, Family Portrait Month, Operation Smile, PPA

While we were camping last weekend, I took the opportunity to do a quick little photo shoot with Addison on the beach at Sunset Park in Sturgeon Bay. It is actually quite a nice little park with a beach, and a very nice sunset. This picture is the one of the pictures from that park. If you click the link to the gallery, you will also see a lighthouse in Door County and some boats.

Tags: beach, lighthouse, Sturgeon Bay, Sunset Park

I hope everyone had a good 4th of July! With the new baby we have been extremely busy, but we did have a cookout on Saturday for the 4th. I was busy cooking away on the grill, and I had gone in to get something, and when I came back out and looked up, there was this Whitetail Deer standing about 30 feet away eating out of my neighbors feeder. This was about 4:30 in the afternoon. I grabbed my wife’s point and shoot to snap a picture quick to prove to my neighbors what was going on, and ran to my office to get my camera. This and a few others are the pictures I got. The buck left shortly after I snapped some quick shots. A little while later the in-laws came over for supper and a bonfire. Grandpa went and got some fireworks, and my daughter loved them (just the showering sparkle kind, nothing crazy). All in all it was a good day! Hope yours was too!

Tags: 4th, bird feeer, Deer, July, Whitetail