There are other observations I have made lately that are much more subtle and do not fall into the category of stealing at all… yet they still are upsetting to see.    For example, a photographer might have a defined style, use certain wording on their blog or Facebook page, perhaps they even portray a certain “persona” on their Facebook page and reach almost celebrity-like status.     I am thinking of a few photographers here, and not naming any names.     They are wonderfully talented people who are business-savvy and also know everything there is to know about social networking to make the most of it.      Then I happen to notice other photographers who “follow” those photographers and suddenly “adopt” not only the same style but suddenly appear to want to become that person!    Certain postings give it away – using the exact same nicknames for their kids for example as the “famous photographer” has used on their Facebook page, or trying very hard to replicate the same compositions as that person.       It’s all an epic fail and very obvious to anyone who knows this industry oh-so-well like myself.     It is NOT stealing… but it is SAD.     Because our industry is one of innovation and creativity.      I have always said “create and innovate” – that is my motto.       It pushes photographers a step backward when they begin emulating each other, and basically becoming clones of each other (no pun intended).

Now, this is not to say you cannot be inspired by other photographers.     Inspiration is a good thing!     Someone once said to me:   “But what about the lifestyle photography genre, someone had to invent that in the first place, so did everyone else copy it?”    Well the person didn’t use that exact wording… I’m trying to articulate it just a little bit better.      A genre is a very broad category, like a novel is to a an auto-biography, there will be many books that fall into both categories but no, that doesn’t mean only ONE person can become a lifestyle photographer because that person supposedly started the genre.       There is an evolution of  course, and that evolution pushes things forward, and SHOULD keep the genre fresh and improved upon and we should all inspire each other without adopting each others styles.      It is a fine line, that I will admit!

So what do I do?    I actually do not spend a lot of time looking at other photographers’ work.      Although I have many photographer friends, and I certainly enjoy their work, I don’t spend hours every day looking at their work simply because I don’t want to be influenced too much, even subconsciously.       I don’t look to Flickr for composition ideas.        All of my ideas are my own.      And I have done some funky stuff      Do I mind if someone wants to replicate one of my compositions – not really.     If they want to improve on it, all the better.       And maybe, unbeknownst to me, some of my more creative compositions have been done before, who knows!        It’s possible someone else has dragged a school desk onto train tracks, it could have been done before!

What I highly object to would obviously be the stealing of images – that’s a given, and I think everyone would agree with that.     And trying to adopt or adapt to another photographer’s style (whether it be their editing style OR their online persona – which to me, their online persona is just as important as their editing style because it is their marketing strategy and their life, and no one should want to be someone else anyway!).       That said, I have taken online workshops (just in the process of completing my 2nd one) and I find it very easy to incorporate what I am learning into my own style.      Though I admire the work of both photographers who teach the workshops, I would not want to morph into their style.

This post was sort of meant for photographers to file under “food for thought”…  but for anyone who may be considering working with me, you might be wondering, what IS my style?     If you’ve looked at my scrolling header above, that will give you a quick play of some random images I have taken, from a variety of sessions.     But, the truth is, my style is very much tailored to the client.     Every session is customized but some things always hold true:    I hold my compositions as the MOST important aspect of my photography, meaning my images tell a story and in a way that is pleasing to your eye.      I like color splash but I also like the muted look for some sessions.      Sometimes, less is more.      I find that more color for a child’s session works better and is more pleasing to the eye than, say, a couples session.       My editing is done by hand meaning, I rarely use “actions” – actions are automatic programs that run in Photoshop.      If a photographer does not feel comfortable using Photoshop they may opt to use “actions” for their processing but I don’t like to lose the control so I do all of my editing my hand FIRST, and possibly use an action at the end if I think it might add something more artistic to an image.      But usually, I can do my best job by simply using all of the functions of Photoshop by hand, which I realize is not too common these days!        Photoshop is a hugely complex and comprehensive program and after 4+ years of working with it, I still discover the occasional new feature every so often.       But truly, being free to make editing adjustments by hand is a huge benefit to my clients, and I am often asked by other photographers how I achieve a certain look –  I do not sell actions nor do I even create.      Of course that could change in the future

And here is one image that sort of sums up how I like to shoot kids in a natural environment, in this shot they are just being themselves, unposed by me (and sometimes I do pose).       This is my style.    I love it, and wouldn’t want to be anyone else… and I hope you don’t want to be either.

What can I even say about this couple?    There are NO words, the pictures say it all!    These two beautiful people are so proud to welcome their first child into this world soon… I was lucky enough to be able to capture these last special weeks of their pregnancy.

Please leave them some nice comments!      In fact, friends and family of this couple, be sure to “like” my Facebook page and be sure to leave a quick comment that you have done so on their behalf –  be sure to stay a fan at least until their order comes in (well hopefully you will like my page enough to stick around  longer     25 of your “likes” will get this couple a free 8X10 (worth $55) and 25 comments on this blog posting will get them a second 8×10!      So, please help them out.      It’s so quick and easy and you don’t have to register at all.       Spread the word, they deserve it.

______________________

To book your own session with Dayna Titus of ACP, please use the Contact button above or call 925.922.4670.     Though based in Pleasanton, Dayna works throughout the Bay area.

I couldn’t help but immediately post one little preview picture –  it’s rare these days for me to post previews, especially since my new blog took so long to design (and it’s finally ALMOST done as you can see!), but I am sure trying to find the time.     This is the swim team with their coach.     I just wanted to give a big thank you to this group (and especially Dave Johnston for contacting me);  I’m so glad I was able to capture this event and be part of the day.    I wish each and every one of these young people the very best for their future plans, and I can’t wait to edit the rest of their pictures

____________________________________________________________

Dayna Titus is a Pleasanton-based, on-location photographer specializing in child, family, corporate, and small event photography.     She is a member of the PPA and the NAPCP and is an award-winning photographer who completed her first 365 project last year.    For more information or to book Dayna for a session, please use the Contact button at the top of this page, or call 925.922.4670.

When I set out to revamp my blog, I had no idea how much work it would be!    Setting aside the amount of time that I did was clearly not enough.     So although my blog is no longer officially in “construction mode” (I had received too many emails asking what happened to my blog), please be patient as many links are not working as of yet.

On the upside, I am SUPER excited about my new blog launch, as the colors are much more “me” and so is the design.     I will have pricing information on this blog too so it will be readily available and easy to find.      Lots of cool features and and you can easily get in touch with me through the Contact link above (that part IS functional right now).

So although I am still chugging away to finish the new blog (oh and my website is getting a makeover next!)  I promise I have not dropped off the end of the earth, and once the blog is finished I will be able to post regular client previews again.    Until then, please contact me as usual if you have any questions or to book your session.

______________________________________________________________________

To schedule your session with Dayna Titus or ACP, please use the Contact button at the top of this page, or email her at artisticcaptures@comcast.net, or by phone at 925.922.4670.     Please note that weekend availability thru the summer is very limited and in high demand so if you are in need of a weekend session June-August, please don’t delay.

As I have not posted any client previews in a while, and I have really not shared much of my corporate/headshot photography at all, I’m going to post two of the group shots from the sesh.     We picked an awesome location, one I have used before and will certainly be using again.    (Notice the duck to the left of the first shot?    That was totally planned!   I bribed the duck with candy to get him to stand and pose there  :))

Want your corporate images to look more eye-catching and polished too?   Contact Artistic Captures Photography at artisticcaptures@comcast.net or call 925.922.4670

Here is a picture showing an open accordion, again, they are two sided:

For more information, or to book a session, please contact Dayna Titus with Artistic Captures Photography at 925.922.4670 or email artisticcaptures@comcast.net

Here are a few images from his newborn session, just a few of my personal favorites.    I haven’t posted sessions to my blog in a while so I thought it was time I shared some new images anyway.     Have fun checking these out!

I totally LOVE this shot! You can tell he's going to be a sports fan

I really encourage my clients to schedule a spring session in the fields.    I have several preferred locations and some are great for kids, other are better for adults.    Either way, your images will be gorgeous!     The mustard is only in bloom a short time, thru the end of March or beginning of April – sometimes a little bit beyond if we’re lucky!

The colors are just mind-blowing as you can see by the much-cooperative daughter of mine who so kindly posed for me as soon as the mustard bloomed!    I am currently booking up fast for these sessions…. if you would like to book to take advantage of a session out in the field, please don’t wait too long.

Note:  I have received many email inquiries after posting these pictures on Facebook asking the locations that I use for these shots.    Please understand, many of my locations are private property and I cannot share the location.    But as I always like to help my fellow photographers, my best advice is to do a search of parks in the Bay area and check them out.     When I started my business, I drove all over the Bay area looking at parks, and I looked for the uniqueness in them.    Later, I approach owners of private properties that I liked and asked permission to shoot at their location.     Some agreed, some did not.     And honestly, I have been known to quickly trespass to get a special shot     I never cross barbed wire, I never put my clients or myself in any danger, but sometimes you just see the perfect shot and in 10 seconds you can be done with it!

So… here you go, and in addition to providing prints taken in these fields, I can create gorgeous boutique products with them such as metallic standouts and canvases, albums, etc.     I have a huge selection of boutique products and you need only look under my blog under Categories, then Studio Boutique to begin your search.    Be sure to hit “older posts” at the end of each page.

To book your session please contact Dayna Titus at artisticcaptures@comcast.net or call 925.922.4670 |  Fan us on Facebook to be up to date on any future specials or giveaways:   http://www.facebook.com/artisticcapturesphotography

Here are just a few images from her session.     Just loved the location too, it’s a new location that I had never used before but obviously not a new one to other photographers, as when we left I saw at least one photographer meeting her client there too.

In the brief time my camera make its appearance, I noticed two other moms in the Playplace who seemed to know each other but were sitting at separate tables.    I wasn’t paying much attention – I was focusing (literally) on my own child.      Sure I have done this with my other two children but not with my youngest so it was like a whole new experience for me since it’s been quite a few years in between kids.     As I was shooting, I heard one mom say to the other in soft voice “what a great idea – she’s obviously a professional photographer, do you think she regularly holds sessions here?”    I nearly busted out laughing!   I wondered if she realized I was photographing my OWN child or if she thought I was working!    And my next thought was, hmmm, I wonder if I should hang out here more often, this may not be a bad place to advertise my services, LOL!     The whole concept gave me a chuckle.

The best part of was watching my child enjoy herself so much.     It really does take so little to make a 4 year old happy.     And for those 10 minutes I photographed her, I did capture it forever, but even more important to me is the time spend AFTER I put down the camera.     Because I certainly don’t want my kids looking back and having memories of mama with a camera attached to her face.     It is nice to be able to do both and to know when enough is enough.     Here are the shots I was able to get in those 10 minutes or so, by the way, and the one of her giving me the nasty look is just about when I said we only had a few more minutes until it was time to head home (my other daughter was sick that day, so we couldn’t spend as much time as I would have liked at the Playplace).     I find that particular image to be hilarious because her anger is quite evident!     Not to worry, we’ll be back.    And who knows, maybe my “professionalism” will win me a few new clients in that Playplace – not that I would ever imagine holding sessions at a Playplace but I have made just about every other scenario work, so why not that one, right?