New Branding: 1KW Photography

Hi all

Thanks for the much needed love and support.  But I recently launched my new blog and I'm looking for love. It's at www.1kwphoto.com - a thousand words photography 

Also, check out the "Who am I" page...I would love to get your input with just a few words.  Even feel free to post some of those words in the comments field.  

Collective Ideas

I've been working on an initiative that encompasses the concept of a Collective Idea.  I won't explain the details yet except to say it's amazing on what can be accomplished when everyone is aligned with the same goal.  Take a look at the pictures captured during Earth Hour from an interesting blog called bigpicture   

A combination of handout pictures shows a view of the Taipei 101 building before and after (L-R) Earth Hour in Taipei March 28, 2009. More than 80 countries have signed up for Earth Hour on Saturday in which homes, office towers and landmarks will turn off their lights from 8.30 pm local time to raise awareness about climate change and the threat from rising greenhouse gas emissions. (REUTERS/Taipei 101/Handout)

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Hong Kong's financial district's Bank of China Tower, Cheung Kong Centre, HSBC headquarters, Standard Chartered Bank and Legislative Council before during Earth Hour March 28, 2009.   [click image to see it fade]   (REUTERS/Bobby Yip) #

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A view of the hill of the Acropolis during Earth Hour in Athens, Greece March 28, 2009.   [click image to see it fade]   (REUTERS/Yiorgos Karahalis) #

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The Beijing Olympic swimming pool, better known as the "Water Cube" goes dark to observe the call to turn off non-essential lighting for one hour for climate change during World Wildlife Fund's Earth Hour in Beijing on March 28, 2009.   [click image to see it fade]   (STR/AFP/Getty Images) #

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The skyline of downtown Toronto before and after Earth Hour on Saturday, March 28, 2009.   [click image to see it fade]   (AP Photo/THE CANADIAN PRESS - Darren Calabrese) #

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Rome's ancient Colosseum seen during Earth Hour in Rome, Italy on March 28, 2009.   [click image to see it fade]   (REUTERS/Alessia Pierdomenico) #

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The Sydney Opera House taken before and during Earth Hour in Sydney, Australia, on Saturday, March 28, 2009.   [click image to see it fade]   (Jack Atley/Bloomberg News) #

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The Bund on the banks of the Huangpu River in Shanghai, China before and during Earth Hour on March 28, 2009.   [click image to see it fade]   (REUTERS/Aly Song) #

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The Bangkok skyline in Thailand, before and during Earth Hour March 28, 2009.   [click image to see it fade]   (REUTERS/Sukree Sukplang) #

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The Eiffel Tower before and during Earth Hour in Paris, France on March 28, 2009.   [click image to see it fade]   (REUTERS/Benoit Tessier) #

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The Ericsson Globe Arena, seen during Earth Hour in Stockholm, Sweden March 28, 2009.   [click image to see it fade]   (REUTERS/Anders Wiklund/Scanpix Sweden) #

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The Houses of Parliament in central London, moments before the lights are turned off to mark "Earth Hour", and as the lights are turned off, on March 28, 2009.  [click image to see it fade]   (Leon Neal/AFP/Getty Images) #

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Lausanne's cathedral before and after its lights were switched off, on March 28, 2009 in Lausanne, Switzerland as part of the "Earth Hour" campaign.   [click image to see it fade]   (FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP/Getty Images) #

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The main square in downtown Lima, Peru before and during Earth Hour March 28, 2009.   [click image to see it fade]   (REUTERS/Pilar Olivares) #

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Lights are turned off at 8:30pm at Nokia Plaza at the LA Live entertainment complex in downtown Los Angeles, California on March 28, 2009 during a celebration to mark Earth Hour.   [click image to see it fade]   (ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images) #

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Photographs taken before and after the lights at the main roundabout at the main business district are turned off during Earth Hour in Jakarta, Indonesia, Saturday, March 28, 2009.   [click image to see it fade]   (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara) #

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Lights on the Las Vegas Strip are viewed looking northbound from the Mandalay Bay Resort during "Earth Hour" in Las Vegas, Nevada March 28, 2009.   [click image to see it fade]   (REUTERS/Steve Marcus) #

The Last Image

I just finished reading a great book called the Last Lecture by Randy Pausch. If you haven't read it make sure to pick up a copy. Not only was is a phenomenal book allowing you to peer into the soul of a dying man. But it also invokes questions surrounding your accomplishments in life; future goals and your legacy. Relating that to photography, I've already asked myself what are my desired goals and accomplishments. That's the easy part. My desired goals are to one day shoot a photo session for "Baby Couture, Esquire, Modern Weddings and Dwell. For my accomplishments, I want to shoot portraits that transform images into art. 

Now with regards to my "Last Image" that can be represent my legacy? That takes a little bit more time and effort to answer. At first my mind races to capturing images of Africa's culture and wildlife. But I can't also forget to pay homage to my birth country Jamaica by photographing the rising mist off the Blue Mountains, the beautiful Jamaican culture or just my footprints in the sand. Or I should also pay tribute to my home country Canada and make sure to capture our historical Inuit culture or breath taking wildlife of whales jumping across the ocean. Or perhaps even a chance to photograph people of interest like Barak Obama or my personal crush Haile Berry. 

While going through the infinite possibilities it then occurred to me. My "Last Image" should invoke feelings of my personal legacy...me and my family. Easy right?!?! Well I've come to realize that I go to such great lengths trying to capture great moments of my family that I forget to put my self in more than half those pictures as well. Hence going forward along with my goals and accomplishments I'm going to make sure my "Last Image" will be images of me enjoying my time with my family. Now all that is left is to capture my "Last Image" is to master my camera's timer and remote. 

I would love to hear from your thoughts...what would be your "Last Image"?

The reason I bought a camera.

If you've read my profile you know that I initially took pictures to capture special moments of my family and friends.  Well today I want to honour someone who inspired me to purchase my first camera and capture their picture.  

My daughter, Jasmine who was born 14 years today.  Happy Birthday Jasmine...you are reason why photography was created.  Continue to grow more beautiful with every passing year. Though I wish like every other father that you stay "Daddy's little Girl".  I only ask that you allow me to capture those moments as you continue to grow.  

If you reading this I hope you are reflecting back on when, how and why you took your first picture or purchased your first camera.  If it brings back memories, please share.  When did you take your first picture and of what?  Why did you purchase your first camera?  And What inspired you to start your photography business?

"Accounting for Taste"

Hey All

I'm trying to catch up on my reading and recently read an article called "Accounting for Taste" in a Psychology Today Mag from the writer Eric Gardner.  Psychology to Photography???  I know I know where is the transition, right?  My major in University was Psychology but the transition makes sense...maybe I'll explain one day.  

Anyway...Eric went on to write a brilliant article about our choices in art and music and what that says about our personality. 

I've took the liberty to paraphrase the article but keep in mind there are opposite sides to each of these styles that have both positive and negative attributes.  I chose to just elaborate on the positive but you can read the article for more details.

The Taste Hunters, enjoy discovering new artistic material and influencing the taste of others.  Their openness correlates to a great range of taste.  And are constantly sampling new music, scouring movies and visiting art museums.

The Thrill Seekers, are extroverts that are lively, active and social people that crave sensory excitement in their art.  They maybe attracted to abstract or surreal art from such artists like Jackson Pollock.  They also enjoy music with vocals as they are drawn to human voice. 

The Self-Medicators, feeds off raw emotional songs and gravitate to emotionally turbulent art.  They utilize inspirational message as self affirmation and self medication and often focus on content rather than structure.  Art can regulate their moods from melancholic or uplifting music, books, movies or pictures.  

While I don't like to assing myself into any one style, but it begs the question "what style best  describes me"???  Based on my own perception of my self I think I would be a "Taste Hunter". But if you ask my wife I would probably be a "Self Medicator"  All said and done I think I would like other to see me as a "Thrill Seeker" but I'm not sure why.  

You tell me.  Based on my favourite pics of 2008, what style do you think fits me better?  The Taste Hunter, the Thrill Seeker or the Self Medicator.  Then let me know what style fits you and why. And even try to list some of the styles of your favourite photographers like the photographers I've listed on the side of the blog.  Who knows maybe they'll offer their opinion of their style as well. 

My Favourite Pics of 2008

 

My top 5 Influential Photographers list for 2008

Hey All

I just going through My top 5 Influential Photographers list for 2008 and thought to share it with you all. Keep in mind this is no official ranking by any means but simply photographers that has influenced me throughout 2008. Feel free to comment or add your top 5 as well.

My Top 5 Photographer Influencers for 2008 (okay...I couldn't narrow it down to just 5 photographers so they are segmented into themes)

5.Dennis Hammond and Paris Whittingham These photographers I was able to meet at David Jay's Free to Succeed Workshop in NY. I like to think we are all at the beginning of our photography career so it is great to view their successes and accomplishments throughtout the year.  And ofcourse, it motivates me to better my photography business to their level as well. Check out their latest blogs and don't forget to leave a comment or two. 

4. Mike Larson, Fred Egan and Sara France. Not only do they offer great advice towards images, workflow and branding for your photography business. But they were instrumental in helping me organize a personal project called the Camera Cruise workshop. Mike, Fred and Sara your feedback and positive vibes will always be appreciated by my wife and myself...thanks much. 

3. Sandy (Sam) Puc and Heather Rivlin. Their tireless efforts to photograph subjects in situations that are not always ideal is a true inspiration and a testament of the spirit. If you are not familiar with these photographers, Sam is the co-founder of the NILMDTS organization that I'm a part of and Heather is the Toronto region co-ordinator. Thank you both for your words of encouragement prior to me assisting in my first remembrance photography session. Your advice and encouragement was needed and did not go-unnoticed. You can always count on me for any future assignments,big or small.

2.[b]ecker. This year, I've learned more from this photographer than any other photographers combined. His [b]school videos and forum is invaluable to your business and I suggest checking out [b]school for any answers regarding your photography business.  When you meet him in person you can't help but to get caught up in his energy which in turns positively influences your photography business. [b]ecker my only question is where do you get the energy?

Jasmine Star. Connecting with Jasmine, hearing her story and capturing her wisdom made a lasting impression on me. Even though my wife was not able to attend Jasmine's "church sermon" (those who have attended a workshop with her will know what I mean by "church service") she was still affected by my positive encounter with Jasmine. Jasmine your continued words of encouragement is appreciated by my wife and I more than you know. 

David Jay. Attending David Jay's Free toSucceedworkshop in NY hands down was the best money spent for my photography business this year. The confidence, sincerity and workflow gained during the workshop was invaluable and I've made sure to add these philosphies into my business platform. David, please continue to be a positive influence for us photographers...God Bless.

1.  My wife.  She is awesome behind and in front of the camera.  Nicole, thank you for always being my inspiration.  I love you.  

Goal list for myself: Photographers I would love to learn from for 2009

the husband/wife photography team groups like lifeimages, the Bebbs and Jeffrey & Julia Woods

the unique perspective of Jesh De Rox, Perspectiveye and Justin DeMers (I know I know, I'm a little bit Canadian biased) 

the creative authority on photography niches from Gene Higga and Jose Villa

the visionary and influential qualities of Chase Jarvis, Jay Reilly, the image is found, David Beckstead and Nick Onken.   

and finally the video qualities and methods from the Bui Brothers and Ron Dawson