Speaking of Feeling Motivated (or not)...

So, I write a (not too preachy I hope) post about productivity and then drop off the face of the earth for two weeks. Yes folks, that's how I roll. 

I've been recovering from hand surgery this week, which has made it hard to type, take pictures, hug my kid, brush my teeth, eat anything that requires utensils, put on clothes with buttons/hooks/snaps, and has also made me relatively lazy, as I can either choose to be in pain or to be loopy on pain meds that make me sick to my stomach. Neither choice seems very pleasant to be honest, so I've been spending a lot of time sleeping. 

I did, however, do my first post-surgery portrait session today! So while I'm a bit too out of it to write a real blog post in which I share wisdom and wit aplenty, I'll leave you with some pictures of a super cute family I had the pleasure of photographing today! 

What Inspires You to be Productive?

I'm feeling unmotivated today. If I'm being honest, I've been feeling unmotivated most of the week. 

That's not to say I haven't gotten anything done mind you, but sometimes just keeping every day life running along smoothly without anything blowing up is a minor miracle. Or a major one, depending on how you look at it. 

My lack of motivation has gotten me thinking about what helps me to be productive, and what doesn't help at all, no matter how much I want it to.

Productivity Fail...

• No matter how much I would like it to, simply telling myself to get things done doesn't work. It never has. 
• Do you know what works even less than the above? Other people telling me to get stuff done. It just irks me. I become obstinate. It's a fault, I know. Work in progress...
• I simply cannot be motivated to do something I don't believe in. I'm not saying I won't get it done, but... it's definitely low on the priority list. This is why I don't dust. 

Productivity for the win! 

• Feeling like what I'm doing matters or is positively impacting someone is a big motivator for me. 
• I love the feeling of accomplishment I get when I check something off a to-do list, which is probably why to-do lists or apps like Evernote make me feel so organized, and therefore, more likely to get things done. I can't help it, I LOVE checking things off! 
• While I'm not crazy competitive, I'll admit that sometimes what motivates me is wanting to do better than my competitors. Simple, yet effective. Certainly that has been the case in my own business, and at various day jobs throughout the years. I try to keep my competitiveness to a healthy minimum though. I don't want anyone to think I'm out there giving other photographer's the People's Elbow or anything. 
• I find I'm really more apt to get stuff done if I break it down into smaller actionable items. I am a person who tends to get VERY overwhelmed if I look at an entire project, or a month's worth of goals, and so I have to break it down by minute, by hour, or by day. Otherwise I totally panic. As in, "Oh my god, how will I ever get this all done?! I'm just going to hide under the covers and lock my door and hope no one finds me..." Breaking things into little to-do lists keeps me from becoming immobilized by panic and never leaving my bed again. 
• Sometimes I totally play mind games with myself. When I'm running for instance, I'll tell myself that I can stop after XYZ number of miles if I want to, even though I know I really want to do twice that. Once I get to that point, I'll keep telling myself that if I can do just .25 more miles, I can stop. I have no idea why this works, but, for some reason, it does. 
• This song: Wait So Long - Trampled by Turtles
• This kid right here. His determination is inspiring! 

Now since I'm feeling lazy this evening, it's your turn! Tell me what gets you motivated? Do you have a special routine or ritual that gets you into the headspace for kicking butt? Do you have a poster or picture you look at, a song you listen to? Leave a comment! 

On Being a Professional Photographer in the Age of Instagram

Ah, the age of Instagram... 

We are inundated with artsy snapshot after artsy amateur snapshot every day of our lives. Every time we log onto Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. We can't escape art these days it seems, and with all of this instant access to filters and on-phone cameras with more megapixels than my first pro DSLR, there are many who wonder if we've lost sight of the value in a truly well-taken photograph. 

Now, I know what you're probably thinking, or at least what I would be thinking if I were in your shoes... 

"But Sam, I've seen your Instagram feed. Isn't this a bit of the pot calling the kettle black, hmmmm?" *knowing look*

And you're right. I love Instagram and Hipstamatic and all of those other iPhone camera apps as much as the next person. Maybe more. It is because I'm not blameless here that I urge you to consider the following, prior to becoming very annoyed with the prevalence of trendy digital imagery on your social network feeds:

• It's not about you. Or me. Or anyone but the person who took the photograph. The camera clicker in question didn't take the pic with you in mind (or if they did, well that was very nice of them.) They took it because something about that particular coffee cup or that particular building or that particular cat really engaged them. It inspired them. It evoked an emotion. It made them giggle. Most of the time, people snapping away on their camera phones aren't trying to make art, they're trying to tell you the story of their life, what it is, what they want it to be, and how it makes them feel. But, that crap is hard to talk about, so instead, they take a neat photo that reminds them for even five seconds that the world isn't all grey and that there are still beautiful and interesting things out there. 
• It's not the tools, it's how you use them. Yes, you can take a beautiful photograph with an iPhone, or a crappy camera, or with a kit lens, or through a pinhole camera, or with any other number of questionably "unprofessional" devices. I'm not ashamed to admit I actually have an entire show's worth of framed fine art architectural pictures taken via iPhone. And you know what? They're beautiful. But they're not beautiful because they were taken on an iPhone, just like no picture is LAME just because it was taken on one. It's not about the tools... It's how you use them. A good photographer, a good artist, will use whatever means they have at their disposal to create something meaningful to give to the world. Even if that tool is a super sweet Instagram app.

So, let's stop looking at this phenomenon as something that in any way devalues the "art" of photography. There is room for all of us here! Let's instead look at Instagram and Hipstamatic, and all those other fancy camera apps as serving a greater purpose in inspiring both amateur and professional photographers alike to create something personally meaningful, to have a creative outlet (even if you work a desk job), and to share their story with the world, one picture at a time. 

Okay... Maybe more than one at a time. 

What Makes a Great Headshot?

Okay, we've all seen some really bad headshots, amiright?

That tacky picture on your insurance salesman's business card. The stoic face that stares at you from your shopping cart advertisement, before you hurriedly cover him or her up with groceries. The larger than life monster, grinning at you from the side of the Madison Metro bus. 

Whether we could put it into words or not, we know what makes a bad headshot. A general lack of sincerity or enthusiasm and backdrops that look like they were yanked straight out of the school photos you tried desperately to keep your mom from purchasing during your formative years at West Carrollton Junior High. Lack of personality would also be on this list for me. 

So, now that we can agree on what makes a less-than-inspiring headshot, let's talk about what makes a good one! 

Essentially, if you're in the market for a headshot, it's because you want people to like you. Not only do you want them to like you, but you want them to trust you enough to give you their business. You want people to see a picture of you and feel confident in your ability to do your job awesomely and expertly. 

Beyond hiring a professional you trust to take your headshots, there are a few things you can do that will help make for the best possible photos. 

Wear something you feel comfortable and confident in:
Unless it's a specific look you're going for and something you are used to wearing, headshots are not the time go for high-fashion, uncomfortable clothing. My general recommendations are to choose solid colors (try to avoid solid white), for women - choose a top that has a flattering neckline and try to avoid jewelry that draws all the attention away from your face. Ultimately though, these are merely suggestions, and you should go with what feels best for you! This client, a real estate agent, chose a stunning but comfortable dress in a neutral color, and simple but classic jewelry. 

Hair and makeup - Why the "Go big or go home" mentality isn't necessary:
If you are using a headshot as a way of 'introducing' yourself to a potential client, you obviously want to present the best possible version of yourself. That being said, you still want to be presenting, well, yourself, and not a made-up person who doesn't actually exist. This is probably not the time to try a brand new hairstyle or that super sweet blue eyeshadow you were saving for a night out with the girls (unless you've already tried it at least once and feel great about it!) Stick with something that makes you feel like a very confident version of yourself, and you will be happy with the results. This client, Co-Director at GLS, exudes confidence while looking exactly like her amazing self. 

Location, location, location: 
So that old adage about real estate also applies to headshots. There isn't anything wrong with headshots done in front of a backdrop. On the contrary, sometimes the end use of the headshot might require it. However, if you have the choice, I highly recommend selecting a location that resonates with you personally. This client, an attorney, chose a law library as a very fitting location for his portraits. 

What feeling are you going for? 
The right type of headshot for you personally will depend on a lot of factors, and also what message you are trying to convey to people who will end up seeing these portraits. Some people use them for business cards, others for ads, and still others for author bios. What part of yourself are you wanting to shine through? This client, an author, wanted a portrait that was more introspective in nature. 

In the end, I hope you take away that headshots can be as fun and creative as you make them! If you have headshot needs you want to discuss, please send an email to contact@robandsamphoto.com and I'm happy to hook you up with a quote or we can brainstorm ideas together! 

All my photographic love,

Sam 

Emmett + Max

Emmett (3) and Max (1) gave me quite a workout this weekend! 

What's in Our Camera Bag?

We've had a lot of people ask us what's in our camera bag, (okay, like two or three people) and that got me thinking about how I always find it interesting to know what type of equipment other photographers use to capture their images, and how, often, they're getting these amazing photos on older equipment, "Pro-sumer" equipment, and with some badass non L-series lenses. That inspires me. It reminds me that getting that great picture isn't just about equipment, it isn't just about how much you spent to outfit yourself as a photographer, it's about heart. It's about vision. It's about creativity! 

I'm about to tell you what camera equipment helps me get the shot, but keep in mind, some of my favorite photos of mine have been taken on my iPhone. Yep, the iPhone. I know it's not trendy as a photographer to admit that, but it's true. Again, it's not about the equipment per se, and don't get me wrong, good equipment makes it easier, but having the creative spirit to find the beauty in every day objects and to see the loveliness that is the human condition, that's what really makes the photograph! 

So, here goes! 

Sam and Rob's Camera Bag: 

Canon 7D SLR - Love, love, LOVE this camera! Particularly for low-light photography.

Canon 85mm 1.8f - I find this lens a little too cropped in on the 7D for general use, but for head shots, or portraits of one or two people, the results are amazing! 

Canon 24-70mm 2.8f L Series Lens - My all-purpose go-to lens, particularly for weddings. 

Canon 50mm 1.4f - This lens is one of my favorites, though due to an unfortunate accident, mine is currently in need of repair. Know a good camera repair place? 

Canon 28mm 1.8f - This lens is also a great walk-around lens, and more versatile than you would think for its wide angle. 

Canon 100-300mm 4-5.6f - I'm not entirely sure why I still own this lens... But, if you're into bird watching, it doubles as a great telescope! 

Canon 28-135mm 3.5-5.6f - This is Rob's go-to lens for weddings. What it lacks in low light capability it makes up for in versatility! 

Canon 580EX Shoe-Mount Flash - Flashes are boring and I generally don't talk much about them, not the way I do lenses and camera bodies, but, as far as external flashes go, this one has served me well. We use this in conjunction with a flash battery pack during wedding receptions (when needed) to make sure we're not spending all of our time switching out batteries. 

There are other pieces of equipment of course, but even I'm not nerdy enough to want to go into my preferred brand of tripod (unless you beg me!) Perhaps in another post, I'll delve a bit more into what it's like being a professional photographer in the age of Instagram, but for now, I'm off to dream lovely dreams about lenses and f-stops and shoe-mounts, oh my! 

We Came to Rock Out - And Why Rocking Out by Proxy is Still Cool (Sort Of)

Maybe because it's winter, maybe because I'm feeling old, or maybe because I'm bored, but I've been thinking a lot today about when I used to be cool.

More specifically, when I used to be cool and go to shows. (I'll have to dig up pictures, it's hilarious.) Yeah, it was a short period in my life, but a good one. Perhaps that's why I relish the opportunity as a photographer to photograph shows. If I'm too much of a mom to rock out anymore, at least someone is up there giving it a go! And at least I get to take pictures of it, and thus, rock out by proxy!

This past year I had the opportunity to photograph one of my favorite bands (and a number of drag queens) at Madison's 3rd Annual Fruit Fest on Willy Street. Like every other time I've seen Girl In A Coma (GiaC), they left me in awe of their collective talent. I even talked with the guitarist for a minute and kept my geeking out to a bare minimum.

Prior to Girl In A Coma, I got to check out the awesome drag queen (and king) shows Fruit Fest had to offer.

Cazwell, who I'd never heard of but was pleased to be introduced to, also performed, and put on a crazy energetic show. (Seriously, I would have been in a puddle after about 15 minutes of jumping around such as I saw during his set.) 

Then, the long awaited Girl In A Coma set! Their music speaks for itself, so if you haven't heard them, check out the video link at the end of this post. *happy sighs* 

I wanted to stay and photograph more of the event, but truthfully, a bigger part of me wanted to get home to the nerdery to start editing pictures of some of my favorite rock stars and daydreaming about becoming a famous rock band photographer. So that's exactly what I did.

Girl In A Coma - As the World Falls Down (David Bowie Cover)