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5 reasons why you should blog

Mon, 01 Oct 2018 11:05:30 +1300

Blogging for your photography business can seem like a tricky and time-consuming task, but there are important benefits. Here are just some ways blogging can help your business grow. 01. Help people get to know you Your blog is a chance for clients to get to know you and your personality in a conversational and casual way. Talk about the things you love. That may be strictly personal, like how much you love travel (although everyone seems to say that!). If you shoot weddings maybe it's how you love hearing how couples met, and what they love about each other. If it's babies, it might be Mum and Dad's love, or the little fingers and toes, or the cute props you use! Knowing what you warm to helps people to connect. Workspace Thumbnail View Blog (function() { var widget = $(document.getElementById("qb-image-widget-6a27dfc4be6bd")); var contentWrapper = widget.closest('.qb-column-content'); var wrapper = widget.closest('.widget'); var column = widget.closest('.column, .columns'); var row = column.closest('.qb-section-shell__content-inner.row'); var layoutMode = "standard"; var verticalAlign = "top"; var windowEventNamespace = '.qbImageWidgetAlign_qb_image_widget_6a27dfc4be6bd'; var rowMediaNamespace = 'load' + windowEventNamespace + ' error' + windowEventNamespace; if (!row.length) { row = column.closest('.columns_wrapper.row'); } function rowIsSideBySideLayout() { if (!row.length || !column.length) { return false; } var visibleColumns = row.children('.column:visible, .columns:visible'); if (visibleColumns.length < 2) { return false; } var currentTop = Math.round(column.first().offset().top || 0); var sameRowColumns = visibleColumns.filter(function() { if (this === column[0]) { return false; } return Math.abs(Math.round($(this).offset().top || 0) - currentTop) 0; } function applyLayoutBehavior() { if (!widget.length || !wrapper.length) { return; } widget.removeClass('qb-image-widget--fill-active'); if (row.length) { row.css({ display: '', flexWrap: '', alignItems: '' }); } column.css({ display: '', flexDirection: '', height: '' }); contentWrapper.css({ display: '', flexDirection: '', flex: '', height: '', maxWidth: '', width: '' }); wrapper.css({ height: '', display: '', flexDirection: '', flex: '' }); widget.css({ width: '', flex: '', height: '', display: '', flexDirection: '', justifyContent: '' }); var visibleWidgetCount = column.find('> .widget:visible, > .qb-column-content > .widget:visible').length; if (!row.length || !column.length || visibleWidgetCount !== 1) { return; } if (!rowIsSideBySideLayout()) { return; } if (layoutMode === 'standard' && verticalAlign === 'top') { return; } row.css({ display: 'flex', flexWrap: 'wrap', alignItems: 'stretch' }); column.css({ display: 'flex', flexDirection: 'column' }); contentWrapper.css({ display: 'flex', flexDirection: 'column', flex: '1 1 auto', height: '100%' }); wrapper.css({ display: 'flex', flexDirection: 'column', flex: '1 1 auto', height: '100%' }); if (layoutMode === 'fill_column') { widget.addClass('qb-image-widget--fill-active').css({ width: '100%', flex: '1 1 auto', height: '100%', display: 'flex', flexDirection: 'column' }); return; } widget.css({ width: '100%', flex: '1 1 auto', height: '100%', display: 'flex', flexDirection: 'column', justifyContent: verticalAlign === 'center' ? 'center' : 'flex-end' }); } function bindRowMediaRefresh() { if (!row.length) { return; } row.find('img').off(rowMediaNamespace).on(rowMediaNamespace, function() { window.requestAnimationFrame(function() { applyLayoutBehavior(); }); }); } applyLayoutBehavior(); bindRowMediaRefresh(); $(window).off('load' + windowEventNamespace + ' resize' + windowEventNamespace).on('load' + windowEventNamespace + ' resize' + windowEventNamespace, function() { window.requestAnimationFrame(function() { applyLayoutBehavior(); }); }); })(); 02. Grab the opportunity to add value and solve their concerns Chances are your clients will be worried about feeling awkward in front of the camera. Reassure them that you understand, and what it is you do to break the ice and help them feel comfortable. Your portrait clients might be concerned about what to wear for their shoot to get the best photos. You know what suits your style and what photographs well, so be the authority on the topic. Let them know the best things to wear, and what to consider when choosing for themselves or their family (no logos, nothing old or tatty). 03. Add a call-to-action At the bottom of each post you could add a call-to-action so readers know what to do next. It might be to bookmark you so they can read more posts, or follow you on Instagram, or book a consultation, phone you, or email their questions (or all the above!). They've made it to the end of the post, so it's an opportunity to encourage them with what you'd like them to do next, and keep in touch. Call to action using the button widget (function() { var widget = $(document.getElementById("qb-image-widget-6a27dfc4be87e")); var contentWrapper = widget.closest('.qb-column-content'); var wrapper = widget.closest('.widget'); var column = widget.closest('.column, .columns'); var row = column.closest('.qb-section-shell__content-inner.row'); var layoutMode = "standard"; var verticalAlign = "top"; var windowEventNamespace = '.qbImageWidgetAlign_qb_image_widget_6a27dfc4be87e'; var rowMediaNamespace = 'load' + windowEventNamespace + ' error' + windowEventNamespace; if (!row.length) { row = column.closest('.columns_wrapper.row'); } function rowIsSideBySideLayout() { if (!row.length || !column.length) { return false; } var visibleColumns = row.children('.column:visible, .columns:visible'); if (visibleColumns.length < 2) { return false; } var currentTop = Math.round(column.first().offset().top || 0); var sameRowColumns = visibleColumns.filter(function() { if (this === column[0]) { return false; } return Math.abs(Math.round($(this).offset().top || 0) - currentTop) 0; } function applyLayoutBehavior() { if (!widget.length || !wrapper.length) { return; } widget.removeClass('qb-image-widget--fill-active'); if (row.length) { row.css({ display: '', flexWrap: '', alignItems: '' }); } column.css({ display: '', flexDirection: '', height: '' }); contentWrapper.css({ display: '', flexDirection: '', flex: '', height: '', maxWidth: '', width: '' }); wrapper.css({ height: '', display: '', flexDirection: '', flex: '' }); widget.css({ width: '', flex: '', height: '', display: '', flexDirection: '', justifyContent: '' }); var visibleWidgetCount = column.find('> .widget:visible, > .qb-column-content > .widget:visible').length; if (!row.length || !column.length || visibleWidgetCount !== 1) { return; } if (!rowIsSideBySideLayout()) { return; } if (layoutMode === 'standard' && verticalAlign === 'top') { return; } row.css({ display: 'flex', flexWrap: 'wrap', alignItems: 'stretch' }); column.css({ display: 'flex', flexDirection: 'column' }); contentWrapper.css({ display: 'flex', flexDirection: 'column', flex: '1 1 auto', height: '100%' }); wrapper.css({ display: 'flex', flexDirection: 'column', flex: '1 1 auto', height: '100%' }); if (layoutMode === 'fill_column') { widget.addClass('qb-image-widget--fill-active').css({ width: '100%', flex: '1 1 auto', height: '100%', display: 'flex', flexDirection: 'column' }); return; } widget.css({ width: '100%', flex: '1 1 auto', height: '100%', display: 'flex', flexDirection: 'column', justifyContent: verticalAlign === 'center' ? 'center' : 'flex-end' }); } function bindRowMediaRefresh() { if (!row.length) { return; } row.find('img').off(rowMediaNamespace).on(rowMediaNamespace, function() { window.requestAnimationFrame(function() { applyLayoutBehavior(); }); }); } applyLayoutBehavior(); bindRowMediaRefresh(); $(window).off('load' + windowEventNamespace + ' resize' + windowEventNamespace).on('load' + windowEventNamespace + ' resize' + windowEventNamespace, function() { window.requestAnimationFrame(function() { applyLayoutBehavior(); }); }); })(); 04. Boost your Google rankings Regular posts help search engines see that your website is active, fresh, relevant and up to date. Which means that people searching are more likely to find you. And when they visit your website, they too will see that your business is active, fresh, relevant — which helps create trust.05. Share your posts on social media Your blog posts give you something to share on social media, whether that be on Facebook, Instagram, or even Twitter. Choosing the right platform is another matter entirely, but make sure the content is appropriate for the platforms you use. Sharing content online, especially valuable content, makes you more visible to prospective clients. The goal is to create posts that your clients will want to share, which in turn, increases your marketing reach. Just make sure to structure your social media posts to encourage people back to your own website! Oh, and keep politics off your business social media. We all know that social media can bring out the best and the worst of people. Start expressing politics on your Facebook page and you'll automatically turn off half your potential customers — and vice versa! Most of us are pretty good people regardless of our politics but we need to get face to face to discover that about each other. If you're an activist for either side you may need a separate page! Sharing posts on Instagram with "Link in bio" (function() { var widget = $(document.getElementById("qb-image-widget-6a27dfc4bea25")); var contentWrapper = widget.closest('.qb-column-content'); var wrapper = widget.closest('.widget'); var column = widget.closest('.column, .columns'); var row = column.closest('.qb-section-shell__content-inner.row'); var layoutMode = "standard"; var verticalAlign = "top"; var windowEventNamespace = '.qbImageWidgetAlign_qb_image_widget_6a27dfc4bea25'; var rowMediaNamespace = 'load' + windowEventNamespace + ' error' + windowEventNamespace; if (!row.length) { row = column.closest('.columns_wrapper.row'); } function rowIsSideBySideLayout() { if (!row.length || !column.length) { return false; } var visibleColumns = row.children('.column:visible, .columns:visible'); if (visibleColumns.length < 2) { return false; } var currentTop = Math.round(column.first().offset().top || 0); var sameRowColumns = visibleColumns.filter(function() { if (this === column[0]) { return false; } return Math.abs(Math.round($(this).offset().top || 0) - currentTop) 0; } function applyLayoutBehavior() { if (!widget.length || !wrapper.length) { return; } widget.removeClass('qb-image-widget--fill-active'); if (row.length) { row.css({ display: '', flexWrap: '', alignItems: '' }); } column.css({ display: '', flexDirection: '', height: '' }); contentWrapper.css({ display: '', flexDirection: '', flex: '', height: '', maxWidth: '', width: '' }); wrapper.css({ height: '', display: '', flexDirection: '', flex: '' }); widget.css({ width: '', flex: '', height: '', display: '', flexDirection: '', justifyContent: '' }); var visibleWidgetCount = column.find('> .widget:visible, > .qb-column-content > .widget:visible').length; if (!row.length || !column.length || visibleWidgetCount !== 1) { return; } if (!rowIsSideBySideLayout()) { return; } if (layoutMode === 'standard' && verticalAlign === 'top') { return; } row.css({ display: 'flex', flexWrap: 'wrap', alignItems: 'stretch' }); column.css({ display: 'flex', flexDirection: 'column' }); contentWrapper.css({ display: 'flex', flexDirection: 'column', flex: '1 1 auto', height: '100%' }); wrapper.css({ display: 'flex', flexDirection: 'column', flex: '1 1 auto', height: '100%' }); if (layoutMode === 'fill_column') { widget.addClass('qb-image-widget--fill-active').css({ width: '100%', flex: '1 1 auto', height: '100%', display: 'flex', flexDirection: 'column' }); return; } widget.css({ width: '100%', flex: '1 1 auto', height: '100%', display: 'flex', flexDirection: 'column', justifyContent: verticalAlign === 'center' ? 'center' : 'flex-end' }); } function bindRowMediaRefresh() { if (!row.length) { return; } row.find('img').off(rowMediaNamespace).on(rowMediaNamespace, function() { window.requestAnimationFrame(function() { applyLayoutBehavior(); }); }); } applyLayoutBehavior(); bindRowMediaRefresh(); $(window).off('load' + windowEventNamespace + ' resize' + windowEventNamespace).on('load' + windowEventNamespace + ' resize' + windowEventNamespace, function() { window.requestAnimationFrame(function() { applyLayoutBehavior(); }); }); })(); Wondering how to get started? Blog about your work, why you love photography, about the products you love and the importance of print. Blog about things you love! It will help your perfect clients find you. You can use Workspace to blog and share content. Find out how to get started. Victoria (function(window, $) { if (!$) { return; } window.qbInitSectionShells = function(root) { var shells = $(root || document).find('.qb-section-shell'); var prefersReducedMotion = window.matchMedia && window.matchMedia('(prefers-reduced-motion: reduce)').matches; var parallaxShells = $(); var observer = null; $(window).off('.qbSectionShells'); if (window.qbSectionShellObserver && typeof window.qbSectionShellObserver.disconnect === 'function') { window.qbSectionShellObserver.disconnect(); } window.qbSectionShellObserver = null; shells.each(function() { var shell = $(this); var animation = shell.attr('data-section-animation') || 'none'; var trigger = shell.attr('data-section-animation-trigger') || 'scroll'; var isParallax = shell.attr('data-section-media-motion') === 'parallax' && shell.attr('data-background-type') === 'image' && shell.attr('data-background-layout') === 'single'; shell.removeClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); if (prefersReducedMotion || animation === 'none') { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); } else if (trigger === 'load') { window.requestAnimationFrame(function() { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); }); } else { if (!observer && 'IntersectionObserver' in window) { observer = new IntersectionObserver(function(entries, instance) { $.each(entries, function(_, entry) { if (entry.isIntersecting) { $(entry.target).addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); instance.unobserve(entry.target); } }); }, { threshold: 0.2, rootMargin: '0px 0px -10% 0px' }); } if (observer) { observer.observe(shell.get(0)); } else { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); } } if (isParallax && !prefersReducedMotion) { parallaxShells = parallaxShells.add(shell); } else { shell.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', '0px'); } }); if (observer) { window.qbSectionShellObserver = observer; } if (!parallaxShells.length) { return; } var updateParallax = function() { if (window.innerWidth < 768) { parallaxShells.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', '0px'); return; } parallaxShells.each(function() { var shell = $(this); var shellElement = shell.get(0); if (!shellElement) { return; } var rect = shellElement.getBoundingClientRect(); var viewportHeight = window.innerHeight || document.documentElement.clientHeight; if (rect.bottom < 0 || rect.top > viewportHeight) { return; } var distanceFromCenter = (viewportHeight / 2) - (rect.top + (rect.height / 2)); var offset = Math.max(-38, Math.min(38, distanceFromCenter * 0.12)); shell.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', offset.toFixed(2) + 'px'); }); }; $(window).on('scroll.qbSectionShells resize.qbSectionShells', updateParallax); updateParallax(); }; $(function() { window.qbInitSectionShells(document); }); })(window, window.jQuery);

How to understand aspect ratio and printing

Thu, 30 Aug 2018 09:26:26 +1200

What is "aspect ratio", and why can it be a problem? The aspect ratio of an image is the ratio of its width to its height. Unless the aspect ratio of a print or frame matches that of the camera image from which it is made, the original image will need to be cropped. What to do When shooting, bear in mind the finished print that you want to sell. If you frame the subject tightly (with important content out to the edges of the image) you won't be able to crop — you'll need to order prints with the same aspect ratio as the camera. Since most digital camerals have an aspect ratio of 3:2 you'll need (eg) 12x8 or 15x10 prints, which are also 3:2. 10x8 or 14x11 prints would be cropped, and if you've framed tightly you won't have that option. Ths same logic applies when it comes to frames. We recommend standing back (or zooming out) so you have more space around the subject matter. That way you'll be able to crop and frame the subject matter to suit the product. This is especially important with group photos. Imagine coming back from a school shoot to discover that instead of 10x8 prints you'll need to order more expensive 12x8s — because otherwise the kids on the sides will be cropped out. It's also important if your prints could end up in album or frame mat apertures with mismatched aspect ratios. If nothing else, it's going to restrict your design options. To illustrate the problem (and solution!) here are four standard 3:2 images shown cropped to 10x8 (aspect ratio 2.5:2). (function() { var widget = $(document.getElementById("qb-image-widget-6a27dfc4c0f51")); var contentWrapper = widget.closest('.qb-column-content'); var wrapper = widget.closest('.widget'); var column = widget.closest('.column, .columns'); var row = column.closest('.qb-section-shell__content-inner.row'); var layoutMode = "standard"; var verticalAlign = "top"; var windowEventNamespace = '.qbImageWidgetAlign_qb_image_widget_6a27dfc4c0f51'; var rowMediaNamespace = 'load' + windowEventNamespace + ' error' + windowEventNamespace; if (!row.length) { row = column.closest('.columns_wrapper.row'); } function rowIsSideBySideLayout() { if (!row.length || !column.length) { return false; } var visibleColumns = row.children('.column:visible, .columns:visible'); if (visibleColumns.length < 2) { return false; } var currentTop = Math.round(column.first().offset().top || 0); var sameRowColumns = visibleColumns.filter(function() { if (this === column[0]) { return false; } return Math.abs(Math.round($(this).offset().top || 0) - currentTop) 0; } function applyLayoutBehavior() { if (!widget.length || !wrapper.length) { return; } widget.removeClass('qb-image-widget--fill-active'); if (row.length) { row.css({ display: '', flexWrap: '', alignItems: '' }); } column.css({ display: '', flexDirection: '', height: '' }); contentWrapper.css({ display: '', flexDirection: '', flex: '', height: '', maxWidth: '', width: '' }); wrapper.css({ height: '', display: '', flexDirection: '', flex: '' }); widget.css({ width: '', flex: '', height: '', display: '', flexDirection: '', justifyContent: '' }); var visibleWidgetCount = column.find('> .widget:visible, > .qb-column-content > .widget:visible').length; if (!row.length || !column.length || visibleWidgetCount !== 1) { return; } if (!rowIsSideBySideLayout()) { return; } if (layoutMode === 'standard' && verticalAlign === 'top') { return; } row.css({ display: 'flex', flexWrap: 'wrap', alignItems: 'stretch' }); column.css({ display: 'flex', flexDirection: 'column' }); contentWrapper.css({ display: 'flex', flexDirection: 'column', flex: '1 1 auto', height: '100%' }); wrapper.css({ display: 'flex', flexDirection: 'column', flex: '1 1 auto', height: '100%' }); if (layoutMode === 'fill_column') { widget.addClass('qb-image-widget--fill-active').css({ width: '100%', flex: '1 1 auto', height: '100%', display: 'flex', flexDirection: 'column' }); return; } widget.css({ width: '100%', flex: '1 1 auto', height: '100%', display: 'flex', flexDirection: 'column', justifyContent: verticalAlign === 'center' ? 'center' : 'flex-end' }); } function bindRowMediaRefresh() { if (!row.length) { return; } row.find('img').off(rowMediaNamespace).on(rowMediaNamespace, function() { window.requestAnimationFrame(function() { applyLayoutBehavior(); }); }); } applyLayoutBehavior(); bindRowMediaRefresh(); $(window).off('load' + windowEventNamespace + ' resize' + windowEventNamespace).on('load' + windowEventNamespace + ' resize' + windowEventNamespace, function() { window.requestAnimationFrame(function() { applyLayoutBehavior(); }); }); })(); A 12x8 print would retain the entire image, but the man's shoulder and woman's hair disappear slightly when cropped to 10x8. That might be fine here, but you can see how you could lose important details if they extend to the sides. (function() { var widget = $(document.getElementById("qb-image-widget-6a27dfc4c10da")); var contentWrapper = widget.closest('.qb-column-content'); var wrapper = widget.closest('.widget'); var column = widget.closest('.column, .columns'); var row = column.closest('.qb-section-shell__content-inner.row'); var layoutMode = "standard"; var verticalAlign = "top"; var windowEventNamespace = '.qbImageWidgetAlign_qb_image_widget_6a27dfc4c10da'; var rowMediaNamespace = 'load' + windowEventNamespace + ' error' + windowEventNamespace; if (!row.length) { row = column.closest('.columns_wrapper.row'); } function rowIsSideBySideLayout() { if (!row.length || !column.length) { return false; } var visibleColumns = row.children('.column:visible, .columns:visible'); if (visibleColumns.length < 2) { return false; } var currentTop = Math.round(column.first().offset().top || 0); var sameRowColumns = visibleColumns.filter(function() { if (this === column[0]) { return false; } return Math.abs(Math.round($(this).offset().top || 0) - currentTop) 0; } function applyLayoutBehavior() { if (!widget.length || !wrapper.length) { return; } widget.removeClass('qb-image-widget--fill-active'); if (row.length) { row.css({ display: '', flexWrap: '', alignItems: '' }); } column.css({ display: '', flexDirection: '', height: '' }); contentWrapper.css({ display: '', flexDirection: '', flex: '', height: '', maxWidth: '', width: '' }); wrapper.css({ height: '', display: '', flexDirection: '', flex: '' }); widget.css({ width: '', flex: '', height: '', display: '', flexDirection: '', justifyContent: '' }); var visibleWidgetCount = column.find('> .widget:visible, > .qb-column-content > .widget:visible').length; if (!row.length || !column.length || visibleWidgetCount !== 1) { return; } if (!rowIsSideBySideLayout()) { return; } if (layoutMode === 'standard' && verticalAlign === 'top') { return; } row.css({ display: 'flex', flexWrap: 'wrap', alignItems: 'stretch' }); column.css({ display: 'flex', flexDirection: 'column' }); contentWrapper.css({ display: 'flex', flexDirection: 'column', flex: '1 1 auto', height: '100%' }); wrapper.css({ display: 'flex', flexDirection: 'column', flex: '1 1 auto', height: '100%' }); if (layoutMode === 'fill_column') { widget.addClass('qb-image-widget--fill-active').css({ width: '100%', flex: '1 1 auto', height: '100%', display: 'flex', flexDirection: 'column' }); return; } widget.css({ width: '100%', flex: '1 1 auto', height: '100%', display: 'flex', flexDirection: 'column', justifyContent: verticalAlign === 'center' ? 'center' : 'flex-end' }); } function bindRowMediaRefresh() { if (!row.length) { return; } row.find('img').off(rowMediaNamespace).on(rowMediaNamespace, function() { window.requestAnimationFrame(function() { applyLayoutBehavior(); }); }); } applyLayoutBehavior(); bindRowMediaRefresh(); $(window).off('load' + windowEventNamespace + ' resize' + windowEventNamespace).on('load' + windowEventNamespace + ' resize' + windowEventNamespace, function() { window.requestAnimationFrame(function() { applyLayoutBehavior(); }); }); })(); Taken from slightly further back you have more options in the print, frame or album, including being able to zoom in on the couple. (function() { var widget = $(document.getElementById("qb-image-widget-6a27dfc4c1255")); var contentWrapper = widget.closest('.qb-column-content'); var wrapper = widget.closest('.widget'); var column = widget.closest('.column, .columns'); var row = column.closest('.qb-section-shell__content-inner.row'); var layoutMode = "standard"; var verticalAlign = "top"; var windowEventNamespace = '.qbImageWidgetAlign_qb_image_widget_6a27dfc4c1255'; var rowMediaNamespace = 'load' + windowEventNamespace + ' error' + windowEventNamespace; if (!row.length) { row = column.closest('.columns_wrapper.row'); } function rowIsSideBySideLayout() { if (!row.length || !column.length) { return false; } var visibleColumns = row.children('.column:visible, .columns:visible'); if (visibleColumns.length < 2) { return false; } var currentTop = Math.round(column.first().offset().top || 0); var sameRowColumns = visibleColumns.filter(function() { if (this === column[0]) { return false; } return Math.abs(Math.round($(this).offset().top || 0) - currentTop) 0; } function applyLayoutBehavior() { if (!widget.length || !wrapper.length) { return; } widget.removeClass('qb-image-widget--fill-active'); if (row.length) { row.css({ display: '', flexWrap: '', alignItems: '' }); } column.css({ display: '', flexDirection: '', height: '' }); contentWrapper.css({ display: '', flexDirection: '', flex: '', height: '', maxWidth: '', width: '' }); wrapper.css({ height: '', display: '', flexDirection: '', flex: '' }); widget.css({ width: '', flex: '', height: '', display: '', flexDirection: '', justifyContent: '' }); var visibleWidgetCount = column.find('> .widget:visible, > .qb-column-content > .widget:visible').length; if (!row.length || !column.length || visibleWidgetCount !== 1) { return; } if (!rowIsSideBySideLayout()) { return; } if (layoutMode === 'standard' && verticalAlign === 'top') { return; } row.css({ display: 'flex', flexWrap: 'wrap', alignItems: 'stretch' }); column.css({ display: 'flex', flexDirection: 'column' }); contentWrapper.css({ display: 'flex', flexDirection: 'column', flex: '1 1 auto', height: '100%' }); wrapper.css({ display: 'flex', flexDirection: 'column', flex: '1 1 auto', height: '100%' }); if (layoutMode === 'fill_column') { widget.addClass('qb-image-widget--fill-active').css({ width: '100%', flex: '1 1 auto', height: '100%', display: 'flex', flexDirection: 'column' }); return; } widget.css({ width: '100%', flex: '1 1 auto', height: '100%', display: 'flex', flexDirection: 'column', justifyContent: verticalAlign === 'center' ? 'center' : 'flex-end' }); } function bindRowMediaRefresh() { if (!row.length) { return; } row.find('img').off(rowMediaNamespace).on(rowMediaNamespace, function() { window.requestAnimationFrame(function() { applyLayoutBehavior(); }); }); } applyLayoutBehavior(); bindRowMediaRefresh(); $(window).off('load' + windowEventNamespace + ' resize' + windowEventNamespace).on('load' + windowEventNamespace + ' resize' + windowEventNamespace, function() { window.requestAnimationFrame(function() { applyLayoutBehavior(); }); }); })(); Cropped to 10x8, two of the bridesmaids in this beautiful group photograph lose the back of their heads. 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'center' : 'flex-end' }); } function bindRowMediaRefresh() { if (!row.length) { return; } row.find('img').off(rowMediaNamespace).on(rowMediaNamespace, function() { window.requestAnimationFrame(function() { applyLayoutBehavior(); }); }); } applyLayoutBehavior(); bindRowMediaRefresh(); $(window).off('load' + windowEventNamespace + ' resize' + windowEventNamespace).on('load' + windowEventNamespace + ' resize' + windowEventNamespace, function() { window.requestAnimationFrame(function() { applyLayoutBehavior(); }); }); })(); Shot from further back, the groomsmen fit easily into the 10x8 frame. But note how I've shifted the crop to the left to improve the composition, something to watch for with 'auto-crop' functions.Print sizes that won't require cropping a 3:2 image include 6x4, 12x8, 15x10, 18x12, 24x16, 30x20, 36x24 and so on. Other popular print sizes such as 7x5, 14x11 and 20x16 will be cropped. 7.5x5 is a 3:2 aspect ratio and one of the main aperture sizes we use to design albums. The same issue applies to frames, although you can choose mat apertures to suit the image (eg a 12x8 aperture in a 14x11 frame). Many of our frames require little or no cropping, including the "A" sizes (A1, A2. A3, A4). Another problem solved! Take a look at our range here. For a comprehensive article about aspect ratios and their history, click here. Victoria Featured imagery by Cam Grove (AUS) and Lauren Anne Photography (AUS). Sorry for using your images to illustrate a technical issue — no reflection on you! 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20 Questions to Make Your Business Better

Thu, 23 Aug 2018 13:11:39 +1200

Here are twenty questions to think about, to help make your business better. It's thought-provoking and worth reviewing regularly, so get a pen and a piece of paper! 1. Are there too many photographers? Do you think it’s different now to 10-20 years ago? If so, why? Does it impact your business, and can you do anything about it? 2. What is it that enables people to earn a living cooking, writing or taking pictures when almost everyone can do those things? What’s special about them? 3. How many jobs do you need, and how much does each one need to pay you? (ie to cover you, your equipment, your overheads, your retirement and the direct costs of doing the job)? 4. Are you prepared to take the food from your competitors’ mouths? If not why not? 5. Do you go to your competitors for advice? Or do you “emulate” them? If so why? 6. List five things that distinguish you from your competitors (quality, service and award-winning don’t count). 7. If you can’t list five things that differentiate you, what are you really competing on? Could it be your low price? 8. Have you thought about why your clients are prepared to pay you so much money? Or if they're not prepared to, why not? What’s their motivation? 9. Your last ten clients … why did they book you? Do you know? What can you learn from that? 10. How many of your bookings come from word of mouth? What did those people hear or see about you … and was it in your best interests? 11. What can you learn from musicians? How do they deal with the fact they have to give so much of their stuff away for free? 12. If you choose your suppliers on price, is it OK if your clients do the same? If not, why not? 13. I’m sure your albums are great, but how do they differentiate you? If they don’t, why are you bothering? 14. Do you get enough enquiries? If not what are you doing to get noticed? 15. If you do get enough enquiries, how many people drop out after meeting you? How many people drop out after they hear the price? If you have a problem, does this point to what it might be? 16. What are you doing about social media? Blogs? Facebook? Instagram? Google? 17. Do you know why you need a blog … even though it seems like no one wants to read them? 18. How do you get your clients to say, Wow … how much is that? If they don’t, what needs to change? 19. How do you get from beginner to top of the heap without being a price taker? Does being a price taker work? Is it better to be a busy price taker or get a second income? 20. Why do most photographers rely so much on weddings? What other photo opportunities are there? Bottom line Sadly, how much your images are worth does not depend on their quality or how much time you spend on them in post-production. Instead, it depends on how you market and sell them. Follow the crowd — be a little red dot — and you’re a price taker, not a price setter. Stand out from the crowd, be noteworthy, and you have the chance to do better. 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4 smart strategies to improve workflow & income

Fri, 10 Aug 2018 09:43:27 +1200

Time is a valuable resource in any business, but especially photography. With that in mind, it makes sense to make the most of it, and to ask yourself, can I do things more efficiently? If I could outsource something, should I? Is what I'm doing even necessary? Here are four ways to optimise your time and make the most of every shoot. 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'center' : 'flex-end' }); } function bindRowMediaRefresh() { if (!row.length) { return; } row.find('img').off(rowMediaNamespace).on(rowMediaNamespace, function() { window.requestAnimationFrame(function() { applyLayoutBehavior(); }); }); } applyLayoutBehavior(); bindRowMediaRefresh(); $(window).off('load' + windowEventNamespace + ' resize' + windowEventNamespace).on('load' + windowEventNamespace + ' resize' + windowEventNamespace, function() { window.requestAnimationFrame(function() { applyLayoutBehavior(); }); }); })(); 1. Outsource Ask photographers why they got into portrait and wedding photography and they'll say how they love photography … or telling love stories … or connecting with clients on their special days. Not many say they love editing photos all day, or painstakingly colour correcting images in a darkened room, or designing albums (hey, we're OK with it though!). Being a photographer in business means knowing when to delegate. Outsourcing colour correction and design is a great way to free up time to do what you love – taking photos. You can work with your colour corrector and designer so they know your style and the look you’re trying to achieve. As specialists in their field, colour correctors and designers can turn your images into art. Did you know? Basic colour correction and album design are included in the price of a Queensberry album. 2. Minimise editing It doesn't make sense to spend much time editing images that you haven't sold. You can speed up initial edits by using presets, and batch-applying these to the whole shoot. When your client comes back to make their selections you'll have done minimal work. (You might like to mention the extra artwork you'll be doing on the images they buy.) In Adobe Lightroom you can edit the first image in a group that's been shot under similar lighting conditions, then apply those settings across the rest of the group. Go back and make any minor adjustments if you like. If you find yourself constantly making the same or similar adjustments you can easily create presets and apply them in seconds. If you're someone who offers colour-corrected digital files of every image you shoot you may be doing a lot of work for a comparatively small return. You'll have less editing to do if you cull the images rigorously before the client sees them, to get rid of duplicates, low-quality shots etc. Offering a limited number of digital files, and/or tying them to the purchase of physical product (like a studio box or album), will open up lots of avenues to upsell as well! Photographs by Milton Gan (function() { var widget = $(document.getElementById("qb-image-widget-6a27dfc4c3633")); var contentWrapper = widget.closest('.qb-column-content'); var wrapper = widget.closest('.widget'); var column = widget.closest('.column, .columns'); var row = column.closest('.qb-section-shell__content-inner.row'); var layoutMode = "standard"; var verticalAlign = "top"; var windowEventNamespace = '.qbImageWidgetAlign_qb_image_widget_6a27dfc4c3633'; var rowMediaNamespace = 'load' + windowEventNamespace + ' error' + windowEventNamespace; if (!row.length) { row = column.closest('.columns_wrapper.row'); } function rowIsSideBySideLayout() { if (!row.length || !column.length) { return false; } var visibleColumns = row.children('.column:visible, .columns:visible'); if (visibleColumns.length < 2) { return false; } var currentTop = Math.round(column.first().offset().top || 0); var sameRowColumns = visibleColumns.filter(function() { if (this === column[0]) { return false; } return Math.abs(Math.round($(this).offset().top || 0) - currentTop) 0; } function applyLayoutBehavior() { if (!widget.length || !wrapper.length) { return; } widget.removeClass('qb-image-widget--fill-active'); if (row.length) { row.css({ display: '', flexWrap: '', alignItems: '' }); } column.css({ display: '', flexDirection: '', height: '' }); contentWrapper.css({ display: '', flexDirection: '', flex: '', height: '', maxWidth: '', width: '' }); wrapper.css({ height: '', display: '', flexDirection: '', flex: '' }); widget.css({ width: '', flex: '', height: '', display: '', flexDirection: '', justifyContent: '' }); var visibleWidgetCount = column.find('> .widget:visible, > .qb-column-content > .widget:visible').length; if (!row.length || !column.length || visibleWidgetCount !== 1) { return; } if (!rowIsSideBySideLayout()) { return; } if (layoutMode === 'standard' && verticalAlign === 'top') { return; } row.css({ display: 'flex', flexWrap: 'wrap', alignItems: 'stretch' }); column.css({ display: 'flex', flexDirection: 'column' }); contentWrapper.css({ display: 'flex', flexDirection: 'column', flex: '1 1 auto', height: '100%' }); wrapper.css({ display: 'flex', flexDirection: 'column', flex: '1 1 auto', height: '100%' }); if (layoutMode === 'fill_column') { widget.addClass('qb-image-widget--fill-active').css({ width: '100%', flex: '1 1 auto', height: '100%', display: 'flex', flexDirection: 'column' }); return; } widget.css({ width: '100%', flex: '1 1 auto', height: '100%', display: 'flex', flexDirection: 'column', justifyContent: verticalAlign === 'center' ? 'center' : 'flex-end' }); } function bindRowMediaRefresh() { if (!row.length) { return; } row.find('img').off(rowMediaNamespace).on(rowMediaNamespace, function() { window.requestAnimationFrame(function() { applyLayoutBehavior(); }); }); } applyLayoutBehavior(); bindRowMediaRefresh(); $(window).off('load' + windowEventNamespace + ' resize' + windowEventNamespace).on('load' + windowEventNamespace + ' resize' + windowEventNamespace, function() { window.requestAnimationFrame(function() { applyLayoutBehavior(); }); }); })(); 3. Sell more of the images! We’re not talking "shoot and burn" here but shooting to a plan. Shooting less, maybe, but selling more. Ask yourself, what product(s) do I want to sell? And what photographs do those products require? Suppose you want to sell a box of images from a family shoot. Because the product only holds 10-25 images you won't need hundreds of shots, but you will need variety. Not many people are going to buy 25 photos that are basically the same but with a different look or smile. That might mean shooting different settings, the family group together, the family individually, Mum and Dad together, different pairings of the kids, the kids with their hobbies, the pets, and so on. Plus a few shots of each pose so they have a choice. But if you're confident that you know what they want, and that's just a framed piece for the wall, why shoot that many photos? Same with albums, except that an album can hold far more photos. That means space for more story telling, more settings, more activities. We think the ultimate family shoot is "a day in the life" — a beautiful expression of love and family pride. You'll do better with albums, too, if you shoot to a plan. If it's for a wedding there'll definitely be a story to tell, with distinct "chapters" — preparations, the ceremony, formals, family shots, the reception, dance and so on. All maybe supported by detail shots to convey the setting. Think about the layouts ahead of time, so you know what to shoot. Bear in mind that you might want to pre-design an ideal album for them (say 25 pages, 50 sides) … but sometimes need to cut back again to what they committed to upfront, which could be half that number, or a smaller book. You won't always succeed, but you'll never sell the bigger album if you don't have the content. Yes, design is something you can outsource to us, but we need the images to work with! If you want to do your own designing there's plenty you can do to speed the process. For example, in the Workspace designer, favourite the templates you like so they're easy to locate and reuse. Developing a consistent style is a real timesaver and can become a signature that people recognise you by. Classic, funky, or informal; generous white space or full frame panoramas… (function() { var widget = $(document.getElementById("qb-image-widget-6a27dfc4c37b5")); var contentWrapper = widget.closest('.qb-column-content'); var wrapper = widget.closest('.widget'); var column = widget.closest('.column, .columns'); var row = column.closest('.qb-section-shell__content-inner.row'); var layoutMode = "standard"; var verticalAlign = "top"; var windowEventNamespace = '.qbImageWidgetAlign_qb_image_widget_6a27dfc4c37b5'; var rowMediaNamespace = 'load' + windowEventNamespace + ' error' + windowEventNamespace; if (!row.length) { row = column.closest('.columns_wrapper.row'); } function rowIsSideBySideLayout() { if (!row.length || !column.length) { return false; } var visibleColumns = row.children('.column:visible, .columns:visible'); if (visibleColumns.length < 2) { return false; } var currentTop = Math.round(column.first().offset().top || 0); var sameRowColumns = visibleColumns.filter(function() { if (this === column[0]) { return false; } return Math.abs(Math.round($(this).offset().top || 0) - currentTop) 0; } function applyLayoutBehavior() { if (!widget.length || !wrapper.length) { return; } widget.removeClass('qb-image-widget--fill-active'); if (row.length) { row.css({ display: '', flexWrap: '', alignItems: '' }); } column.css({ display: '', flexDirection: '', height: '' }); contentWrapper.css({ display: '', flexDirection: '', flex: '', height: '', maxWidth: '', width: '' }); wrapper.css({ height: '', display: '', flexDirection: '', flex: '' }); widget.css({ width: '', flex: '', height: '', display: '', flexDirection: '', justifyContent: '' }); var visibleWidgetCount = column.find('> .widget:visible, > .qb-column-content > .widget:visible').length; if (!row.length || !column.length || visibleWidgetCount !== 1) { return; } if (!rowIsSideBySideLayout()) { return; } if (layoutMode === 'standard' && verticalAlign === 'top') { return; } row.css({ display: 'flex', flexWrap: 'wrap', alignItems: 'stretch' }); column.css({ display: 'flex', flexDirection: 'column' }); contentWrapper.css({ display: 'flex', flexDirection: 'column', flex: '1 1 auto', height: '100%' }); wrapper.css({ display: 'flex', flexDirection: 'column', flex: '1 1 auto', height: '100%' }); if (layoutMode === 'fill_column') { widget.addClass('qb-image-widget--fill-active').css({ width: '100%', flex: '1 1 auto', height: '100%', display: 'flex', flexDirection: 'column' }); return; } widget.css({ width: '100%', flex: '1 1 auto', height: '100%', display: 'flex', flexDirection: 'column', justifyContent: verticalAlign === 'center' ? 'center' : 'flex-end' }); } function bindRowMediaRefresh() { if (!row.length) { return; } row.find('img').off(rowMediaNamespace).on(rowMediaNamespace, function() { window.requestAnimationFrame(function() { applyLayoutBehavior(); }); }); } applyLayoutBehavior(); bindRowMediaRefresh(); $(window).off('load' + windowEventNamespace + ' resize' + windowEventNamespace).on('load' + windowEventNamespace + ' resize' + windowEventNamespace, function() { window.requestAnimationFrame(function() { applyLayoutBehavior(); }); }); })(); 4. Upsell, and leave a good impression. We won't go into detail about sales. Check out this post for lots of ideas about cross-selling, up-selling, phased selling, repeat selling and more! Let's just say that even with outsourcing and an efficient workflow you can only handle so much work, and it's important to maximise the return from every client. Finally, word of mouth is your best friend. It'll a great day when you realise how often your past clients are generating your new ones! You'll find products like albums and frames are great silent salesmen, but be sure to leave a lasting good impression as well. Phone, email and/or message clients. Thank them for working with you and say how much you enjoyed the experience. Are they happy with everything? Include the link to their image gallery in Workspace and encourage them to share it on social media. Attach a shopping cart to encourage more sales from family and friends. The point of these posts is simply to give you things to think about. Nothing's black and white in professional photography (excuse the pun!) and we love that every studio can be different. If you disagree with us, or have other ideas to share, we'd love to hear from you. Victoria (function(window, $) { if (!$) { return; } window.qbInitSectionShells = function(root) { var shells = $(root || document).find('.qb-section-shell'); var prefersReducedMotion = window.matchMedia && window.matchMedia('(prefers-reduced-motion: reduce)').matches; var parallaxShells = $(); var observer = null; $(window).off('.qbSectionShells'); if (window.qbSectionShellObserver && typeof window.qbSectionShellObserver.disconnect === 'function') { window.qbSectionShellObserver.disconnect(); } window.qbSectionShellObserver = null; shells.each(function() { var shell = $(this); var animation = shell.attr('data-section-animation') || 'none'; var trigger = shell.attr('data-section-animation-trigger') || 'scroll'; var isParallax = shell.attr('data-section-media-motion') === 'parallax' && shell.attr('data-background-type') === 'image' && shell.attr('data-background-layout') === 'single'; shell.removeClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); if (prefersReducedMotion || animation === 'none') { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); } else if (trigger === 'load') { window.requestAnimationFrame(function() { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); }); } else { if (!observer && 'IntersectionObserver' in window) { observer = new IntersectionObserver(function(entries, instance) { $.each(entries, function(_, entry) { if (entry.isIntersecting) { $(entry.target).addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); instance.unobserve(entry.target); } }); }, { threshold: 0.2, rootMargin: '0px 0px -10% 0px' }); } if (observer) { observer.observe(shell.get(0)); } else { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); } } if (isParallax && !prefersReducedMotion) { parallaxShells = parallaxShells.add(shell); } else { shell.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', '0px'); } }); if (observer) { window.qbSectionShellObserver = observer; } if (!parallaxShells.length) { return; } var updateParallax = function() { if (window.innerWidth < 768) { parallaxShells.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', '0px'); return; } parallaxShells.each(function() { var shell = $(this); var shellElement = shell.get(0); if (!shellElement) { return; } var rect = shellElement.getBoundingClientRect(); var viewportHeight = window.innerHeight || document.documentElement.clientHeight; if (rect.bottom < 0 || rect.top > viewportHeight) { return; } var distanceFromCenter = (viewportHeight / 2) - (rect.top + (rect.height / 2)); var offset = Math.max(-38, Math.min(38, distanceFromCenter * 0.12)); shell.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', offset.toFixed(2) + 'px'); }); }; $(window).on('scroll.qbSectionShells resize.qbSectionShells', updateParallax); updateParallax(); }; $(function() { window.qbInitSectionShells(document); }); })(window, window.jQuery);

Rampant Herd Instinct Disease Sickens Photo Industry

Tue, 24 Apr 2018 09:04:48 +1200

Part Two: 'Why Albums?' with Katherine Ashdown

Tue, 17 Oct 2017 15:24:07 +1300

Part One: 'Why Albums?' with Katherine Ashdown

Fri, 13 Oct 2017 10:50:02 +1300

The Problem With Price Lists

Fri, 13 Feb 2015 00:00:00 +1300

I originally posted this on a private Facebook forum, where it got a lot of discussion — so what do you think?I've been watching people asking for feedback on their price lists — asking if their pricing should be online, asking if everything should be shown upfront, and these discussions make me think about the real problem with price lists.The way I see it is, most price lists make it sound like photographers sell USBs full of images, or pieces of paper — even boxes full of pieces of paper — and the problem with that is that paper isn't worth much… So people think, "That's a lot of money for a piece of paper". And we all know a USB isn't worth much either.Here's what I think we need to sell ... FEELINGS, EMOTION, EXPECTATION, DESIRE.So if you can't put that in your price list, you need to show people. Allow them to see, and feel, what you do. No one wants to HARD SELL, but what makes people want to BUY photography is feelings like these: "I'm beautiful." "They're beautiful". "He loves me". "They're in love." "I care." "I won't ever forget this." "This is important." "What a day!" "Remember them?" "Tell my story." "Make me beautiful." "Show how much we care." That's what you do for them. Helping people experience those feelings is why we get up in the morning. Isn't it? Kodak didn't sell pieces of paper, they sold memories: "Remember forever." How you do it is a whole other subject, but if your client isn't emotionally connected to those feelings, if they can't desire what you're offering before they look at your prices they'll never properly value what you do. The paper / print / frame / album is the chocolate box that helps create desire. It's not what you should be selling though. You need to invest it in those feelings.Cheers,Stephen (function(window, $) { if (!$) { return; } window.qbInitSectionShells = function(root) { var shells = $(root || document).find('.qb-section-shell'); var prefersReducedMotion = window.matchMedia && window.matchMedia('(prefers-reduced-motion: reduce)').matches; var parallaxShells = $(); var observer = null; $(window).off('.qbSectionShells'); if (window.qbSectionShellObserver && typeof window.qbSectionShellObserver.disconnect === 'function') { window.qbSectionShellObserver.disconnect(); } window.qbSectionShellObserver = null; shells.each(function() { var shell = $(this); var animation = shell.attr('data-section-animation') || 'none'; var trigger = shell.attr('data-section-animation-trigger') || 'scroll'; var isParallax = shell.attr('data-section-media-motion') === 'parallax' && shell.attr('data-background-type') === 'image' && shell.attr('data-background-layout') === 'single'; shell.removeClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); if (prefersReducedMotion || animation === 'none') { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); } else if (trigger === 'load') { window.requestAnimationFrame(function() { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); }); } else { if (!observer && 'IntersectionObserver' in window) { observer = new IntersectionObserver(function(entries, instance) { $.each(entries, function(_, entry) { if (entry.isIntersecting) { $(entry.target).addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); instance.unobserve(entry.target); } }); }, { threshold: 0.2, rootMargin: '0px 0px -10% 0px' }); } if (observer) { observer.observe(shell.get(0)); } else { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); } } if (isParallax && !prefersReducedMotion) { parallaxShells = parallaxShells.add(shell); } else { shell.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', '0px'); } }); if (observer) { window.qbSectionShellObserver = observer; } if (!parallaxShells.length) { return; } var updateParallax = function() { if (window.innerWidth < 768) { parallaxShells.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', '0px'); return; } parallaxShells.each(function() { var shell = $(this); var shellElement = shell.get(0); if (!shellElement) { return; } var rect = shellElement.getBoundingClientRect(); var viewportHeight = window.innerHeight || document.documentElement.clientHeight; if (rect.bottom < 0 || rect.top > viewportHeight) { return; } var distanceFromCenter = (viewportHeight / 2) - (rect.top + (rect.height / 2)); var offset = Math.max(-38, Math.min(38, distanceFromCenter * 0.12)); shell.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', offset.toFixed(2) + 'px'); }); }; $(window).on('scroll.qbSectionShells resize.qbSectionShells', updateParallax); updateParallax(); }; $(function() { window.qbInitSectionShells(document); }); })(window, window.jQuery);

Hand On Heart

Thu, 16 Oct 2014 00:00:00 +1300

I believe that to succeed in this “industry" we need to fully engage our heads and our hearts, and Sonya's post demonstrates how truly engaged she is. It was about the albums she’s been keeping of her two daughters since they were born, and it reminded me of another album that Heather made years ago. So here am I, hand on heart too…Twenty-one years ago we hired a professional photographer. It was our daughter Adrienne’s birthday. Stephen was coming home from Australia with his fiancée Sonya to meet the family. Heather's Mum and Dad had long passed away, and my parents were getting on. It was a perfect occasion for family photos.The photographer, our good friend Rodney Ellmore, came round for lunch, we dressed up (a bit) and he took pictures of us around our house and garden.Rod was a perfectionist, and we loved his photos and were willing spenders. We bought a series of four large matching black and white prints in simple frames to display down a hallway, a large family group, and a lot of prints that Heather made into an album. Plus more for the rest of the family. One of them I took down from my mother’s wall when she died.A photo of Heather and me, twenty-one years younger, is on the wall behind my desk. The album is beside me as I write.Can you imagine how important these objects are to me?The album is unique, literally. Heather never made another like it. It has marbled endpapers handmade by an Auckland artist, and a forest green library buckram cover with a matching marbled inlay. The photographs are individually tipped onto black hand-sewn, hand-torn pages in the traditional style.The following year Queensberry released its first pagemount album featuring the same subdued green and black look, and for some years they were our most popular colours. Other colours have long since taken their place, but our album still looks wonderful. Fashionable no, classic yes. So does the commercial pagemount version. So do our framed prints. The printing looks as good as new.Without any doubt our album will be handed down to our children and grandchildren, as will our parents’ albums, and their parents' and grandparents’.Right there is the beating heart of our business. In that album, and in our relationship with photographers like Rod, who understand that it’s their job to create timeless photographs that reflect the love, pride and relationships that bring us together as families. Not just for our selves, but for our futures.I’m not being at all morbid when I say that Mum passed away five years later, Dad six years after that, and our good friend Rod just a few months ago. But looking at those photos makes me remember how I felt that day. I remember the bamboo outside our door, and our rickety old outdoor furniture. The rips under the Indian cotton throw on the couch Heather and I are sitting on, where Adri’s beautiful Doberman had dug himself a hole! Mawgan is long gone too of course, and Dad’s Jack Russell Toni.In one hand I hold those emotions, in the other recognition that these are the powerful motivators behind the business of professional photography. Love, significance, family pride. The desire to remember and be remembered. As Van Morrison says, "the beauty of the days gone by."I hope you love what you do. We do.Cheers, Ian (function(window, $) { if (!$) { return; } window.qbInitSectionShells = function(root) { var shells = $(root || document).find('.qb-section-shell'); var prefersReducedMotion = window.matchMedia && window.matchMedia('(prefers-reduced-motion: reduce)').matches; var parallaxShells = $(); var observer = null; $(window).off('.qbSectionShells'); if (window.qbSectionShellObserver && typeof window.qbSectionShellObserver.disconnect === 'function') { window.qbSectionShellObserver.disconnect(); } window.qbSectionShellObserver = null; shells.each(function() { var shell = $(this); var animation = shell.attr('data-section-animation') || 'none'; var trigger = shell.attr('data-section-animation-trigger') || 'scroll'; var isParallax = shell.attr('data-section-media-motion') === 'parallax' && shell.attr('data-background-type') === 'image' && shell.attr('data-background-layout') === 'single'; shell.removeClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); if (prefersReducedMotion || animation === 'none') { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); } else if (trigger === 'load') { window.requestAnimationFrame(function() { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); }); } else { if (!observer && 'IntersectionObserver' in window) { observer = new IntersectionObserver(function(entries, instance) { $.each(entries, function(_, entry) { if (entry.isIntersecting) { $(entry.target).addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); instance.unobserve(entry.target); } }); }, { threshold: 0.2, rootMargin: '0px 0px -10% 0px' }); } if (observer) { observer.observe(shell.get(0)); } else { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); } } if (isParallax && !prefersReducedMotion) { parallaxShells = parallaxShells.add(shell); } else { shell.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', '0px'); } }); if (observer) { window.qbSectionShellObserver = observer; } if (!parallaxShells.length) { return; } var updateParallax = function() { if (window.innerWidth < 768) { parallaxShells.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', '0px'); return; } parallaxShells.each(function() { var shell = $(this); var shellElement = shell.get(0); if (!shellElement) { return; } var rect = shellElement.getBoundingClientRect(); var viewportHeight = window.innerHeight || document.documentElement.clientHeight; if (rect.bottom < 0 || rect.top > viewportHeight) { return; } var distanceFromCenter = (viewportHeight / 2) - (rect.top + (rect.height / 2)); var offset = Math.max(-38, Math.min(38, distanceFromCenter * 0.12)); shell.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', offset.toFixed(2) + 'px'); }); }; $(window).on('scroll.qbSectionShells resize.qbSectionShells', updateParallax); updateParallax(); }; $(function() { window.qbInitSectionShells(document); }); })(window, window.jQuery);

Proud to be a Freak

Wed, 10 Sep 2014 00:00:00 +1200

I'm a little embarrassed to admit this but I've never read a business book. Not really. I've skirted around them … flicked through them … put them back on the shelf.Stephen on the other hand has shelves of them. He reads them and fills me in on the concepts. It's worked for many years :-)So a friend comes for the weekend and hands me this book … tells me I MUST read it: The Freaks Shall Inherit the Earth by Chris Brogan, one of Stephen’s favourites.I think it's the title that grabbed me. I’ve always felt we've bordered on the right side of being freaks. Chris Brogan describes freaks as not always fitting in, not being big fans of settling or compromising, and always looking for ways to allow their freakishness to be an asset…Yep, that sounds like us :-)There are so many great points in the book, but one thing that resonates strongly is that like minded people come together, become a tribe, a community. We get them, they get us.I know a lot of our clients opt for "the road less travelled" - we love them for it! They're choosing to do things differently from the norm. And successfully building their businesses by choosing to be freaks.We love being associated with people like us, who think like we do - the people out there training photographers to be themselves, and yes to be a bit freaky! Aspire, Brett Harkness Photographic Training, The Trained Eye, Engage, Lars Neumann, Brett Prestidge, The Edmonsons, Zero Gravity…They’re putting themselves out there and encouraging like-minded people to be UNAFRAID of doing things differently, not compromising, not settling … of allowing their weirdness to be an asset.So to all our freaky friends we say, thank you for being you. And thank you for supporting us and allowing us to be freaks right along with you.And thank you my lovely friend for insisting I read the book.Sonya xxPS Ian also likes We are All Weird, by Seth Godin (function(window, $) { if (!$) { return; } window.qbInitSectionShells = function(root) { var shells = $(root || document).find('.qb-section-shell'); var prefersReducedMotion = window.matchMedia && window.matchMedia('(prefers-reduced-motion: reduce)').matches; var parallaxShells = $(); var observer = null; $(window).off('.qbSectionShells'); if (window.qbSectionShellObserver && typeof window.qbSectionShellObserver.disconnect === 'function') { window.qbSectionShellObserver.disconnect(); } window.qbSectionShellObserver = null; shells.each(function() { var shell = $(this); var animation = shell.attr('data-section-animation') || 'none'; var trigger = shell.attr('data-section-animation-trigger') || 'scroll'; var isParallax = shell.attr('data-section-media-motion') === 'parallax' && shell.attr('data-background-type') === 'image' && shell.attr('data-background-layout') === 'single'; shell.removeClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); if (prefersReducedMotion || animation === 'none') { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); } else if (trigger === 'load') { window.requestAnimationFrame(function() { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); }); } else { if (!observer && 'IntersectionObserver' in window) { observer = new IntersectionObserver(function(entries, instance) { $.each(entries, function(_, entry) { if (entry.isIntersecting) { $(entry.target).addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); instance.unobserve(entry.target); } }); }, { threshold: 0.2, rootMargin: '0px 0px -10% 0px' }); } if (observer) { observer.observe(shell.get(0)); } else { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); } } if (isParallax && !prefersReducedMotion) { parallaxShells = parallaxShells.add(shell); } else { shell.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', '0px'); } }); if (observer) { window.qbSectionShellObserver = observer; } if (!parallaxShells.length) { return; } var updateParallax = function() { if (window.innerWidth < 768) { parallaxShells.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', '0px'); return; } parallaxShells.each(function() { var shell = $(this); var shellElement = shell.get(0); if (!shellElement) { return; } var rect = shellElement.getBoundingClientRect(); var viewportHeight = window.innerHeight || document.documentElement.clientHeight; if (rect.bottom < 0 || rect.top > viewportHeight) { return; } var distanceFromCenter = (viewportHeight / 2) - (rect.top + (rect.height / 2)); var offset = Math.max(-38, Math.min(38, distanceFromCenter * 0.12)); shell.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', offset.toFixed(2) + 'px'); }); }; $(window).on('scroll.qbSectionShells resize.qbSectionShells', updateParallax); updateParallax(); }; $(function() { window.qbInitSectionShells(document); }); })(window, window.jQuery);

Let’s get out more

Wed, 16 Jul 2014 08:14:20 +1200

I watched this amazing Youtube video on my iPad yesterday. An awe inspiring piece of street theatre.It got me thinking how our lives are lived more and more in two dimensions … on our “devices”.We can, and do, connect virtually with almost anything, anywhere, any time. In fact Ian discovered this event reading a (gasp) book, and googling it.But I wish I’d really been there. That's the point of street theatre, right?Imagine being there on the streets of London - closed to traffic to make way for a five-story elephant, a giant girl and a huge happy crowd. Getting sprayed by the water. Ducking down the side streets for another look.These are moments when we can enjoy our true humanity, three dimensional reality experienced with all our senses.I love my iPad, and these “devices” (sad little word) are the occasion of so much creativity on so many people’s part today. But virtual reality isn't the real thing.Our grand-daughter is in Vietnam right now with a group from her school. They're all separated from their smartphones, living every moment, and immersed for real in that wonderful country and its people. It’s cool following them on Instagram, but let’s not pretend it's the same.Watching the World Cup on TV was fantastic too … but nothing like being there on Copacabana beach, or in the Maracanã.Please, let’s get out more, re-engage with the third dimension and our other senses, and enjoy more moments made completely real.HeatherMore Google bait: The Sultan’s Elephant was created by French theatre company Royal de Luxe, and brought to London by Artichoke, a year after the 2005 bombings. Ian's book was "Whatever It Is, I Don’t Like It”, by Howard Jacobsen. (function(window, $) { if (!$) { return; } window.qbInitSectionShells = function(root) { var shells = $(root || document).find('.qb-section-shell'); var prefersReducedMotion = window.matchMedia && window.matchMedia('(prefers-reduced-motion: reduce)').matches; var parallaxShells = $(); var observer = null; $(window).off('.qbSectionShells'); if (window.qbSectionShellObserver && typeof window.qbSectionShellObserver.disconnect === 'function') { window.qbSectionShellObserver.disconnect(); } window.qbSectionShellObserver = null; shells.each(function() { var shell = $(this); var animation = shell.attr('data-section-animation') || 'none'; var trigger = shell.attr('data-section-animation-trigger') || 'scroll'; var isParallax = shell.attr('data-section-media-motion') === 'parallax' && shell.attr('data-background-type') === 'image' && shell.attr('data-background-layout') === 'single'; shell.removeClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); if (prefersReducedMotion || animation === 'none') { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); } else if (trigger === 'load') { window.requestAnimationFrame(function() { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); }); } else { if (!observer && 'IntersectionObserver' in window) { observer = new IntersectionObserver(function(entries, instance) { $.each(entries, function(_, entry) { if (entry.isIntersecting) { $(entry.target).addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); instance.unobserve(entry.target); } }); }, { threshold: 0.2, rootMargin: '0px 0px -10% 0px' }); } if (observer) { observer.observe(shell.get(0)); } else { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); } } if (isParallax && !prefersReducedMotion) { parallaxShells = parallaxShells.add(shell); } else { shell.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', '0px'); } }); if (observer) { window.qbSectionShellObserver = observer; } if (!parallaxShells.length) { return; } var updateParallax = function() { if (window.innerWidth < 768) { parallaxShells.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', '0px'); return; } parallaxShells.each(function() { var shell = $(this); var shellElement = shell.get(0); if (!shellElement) { return; } var rect = shellElement.getBoundingClientRect(); var viewportHeight = window.innerHeight || document.documentElement.clientHeight; if (rect.bottom < 0 || rect.top > viewportHeight) { return; } var distanceFromCenter = (viewportHeight / 2) - (rect.top + (rect.height / 2)); var offset = Math.max(-38, Math.min(38, distanceFromCenter * 0.12)); shell.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', offset.toFixed(2) + 'px'); }); }; $(window).on('scroll.qbSectionShells resize.qbSectionShells', updateParallax); updateParallax(); }; $(function() { window.qbInitSectionShells(document); }); })(window, window.jQuery);

Say it on a post-it note!

Sat, 28 Sep 2013 05:24:28 +1200

Heather recently returned from a Better By Design US Study Tour bursting at the seams with inspiration and excited to share her journey with the rest of us. Instead of a powerpoint presentation or a sit down discussion of what she learnt, she went about posting her thoughts and snippets of wisdom all over our office walls. (Which we actually think is a lot more fun for us to digest). Above are some of my favorite post-it notes, but to be honest I probably haven't even read them all yet! (There are hundreds). I'm glad Heather had a good trip, and I'm glad she was able to bring some excitement and inspiration back for the rest of us. Every time we get up to make a cuppa or do something in the kitchen you can see each of us pausing for a moment to grab a little piece of insight along the way. It's good to think about the way we do things and to break the mould sometimes. Thanks Heather for the inspiration! - Amanda P.S If you missed the rest of Heathers posts from her trip you can read them here. (function(window, $) { if (!$) { return; } window.qbInitSectionShells = function(root) { var shells = $(root || document).find('.qb-section-shell'); var prefersReducedMotion = window.matchMedia && window.matchMedia('(prefers-reduced-motion: reduce)').matches; var parallaxShells = $(); var observer = null; $(window).off('.qbSectionShells'); if (window.qbSectionShellObserver && typeof window.qbSectionShellObserver.disconnect === 'function') { window.qbSectionShellObserver.disconnect(); } window.qbSectionShellObserver = null; shells.each(function() { var shell = $(this); var animation = shell.attr('data-section-animation') || 'none'; var trigger = shell.attr('data-section-animation-trigger') || 'scroll'; var isParallax = shell.attr('data-section-media-motion') === 'parallax' && shell.attr('data-background-type') === 'image' && shell.attr('data-background-layout') === 'single'; shell.removeClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); if (prefersReducedMotion || animation === 'none') { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); } else if (trigger === 'load') { window.requestAnimationFrame(function() { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); }); } else { if (!observer && 'IntersectionObserver' in window) { observer = new IntersectionObserver(function(entries, instance) { $.each(entries, function(_, entry) { if (entry.isIntersecting) { $(entry.target).addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); instance.unobserve(entry.target); } }); }, { threshold: 0.2, rootMargin: '0px 0px -10% 0px' }); } if (observer) { observer.observe(shell.get(0)); } else { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); } } if (isParallax && !prefersReducedMotion) { parallaxShells = parallaxShells.add(shell); } else { shell.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', '0px'); } }); if (observer) { window.qbSectionShellObserver = observer; } if (!parallaxShells.length) { return; } var updateParallax = function() { if (window.innerWidth < 768) { parallaxShells.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', '0px'); return; } parallaxShells.each(function() { var shell = $(this); var shellElement = shell.get(0); if (!shellElement) { return; } var rect = shellElement.getBoundingClientRect(); var viewportHeight = window.innerHeight || document.documentElement.clientHeight; if (rect.bottom < 0 || rect.top > viewportHeight) { return; } var distanceFromCenter = (viewportHeight / 2) - (rect.top + (rect.height / 2)); var offset = Math.max(-38, Math.min(38, distanceFromCenter * 0.12)); shell.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', offset.toFixed(2) + 'px'); }); }; $(window).on('scroll.qbSectionShells resize.qbSectionShells', updateParallax); updateParallax(); }; $(function() { window.qbInitSectionShells(document); }); })(window, window.jQuery);

Made by hand

Sat, 28 Sep 2013 05:18:37 +1200

Made By Hand from Queensberry on Vimeo. Want to see what goes into making a Queensberry? We commissioned this brief movie as a way to say thank you to all the terrific people who make our albums … and who make us so proud. Johannes shot the images as he and I walked through the Queensberry Lab and Bindery one afternoon. The photography is all real and unstaged. Johannes created the video and set it to music by Amy Seeley, who has a lot of new fans. Thanks again to everyone involved, including the host of Queensberry photographers whose work you can glimpse along the way. Cheers, Ian PS If you enjoy it, please share. The movie's on Vimeo (download or embed it), Youtube, Facebook and our own website. A great way to show people the time, skill and care that goes into creating their Queensberry. Honestly, you'll enjoy it best on on Vimeo. Check out Musée while you're there ;) (function(window, $) { if (!$) { return; } window.qbInitSectionShells = function(root) { var shells = $(root || document).find('.qb-section-shell'); var prefersReducedMotion = window.matchMedia && window.matchMedia('(prefers-reduced-motion: reduce)').matches; var parallaxShells = $(); var observer = null; $(window).off('.qbSectionShells'); if (window.qbSectionShellObserver && typeof window.qbSectionShellObserver.disconnect === 'function') { window.qbSectionShellObserver.disconnect(); } window.qbSectionShellObserver = null; shells.each(function() { var shell = $(this); var animation = shell.attr('data-section-animation') || 'none'; var trigger = shell.attr('data-section-animation-trigger') || 'scroll'; var isParallax = shell.attr('data-section-media-motion') === 'parallax' && shell.attr('data-background-type') === 'image' && shell.attr('data-background-layout') === 'single'; shell.removeClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); if (prefersReducedMotion || animation === 'none') { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); } else if (trigger === 'load') { window.requestAnimationFrame(function() { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); }); } else { if (!observer && 'IntersectionObserver' in window) { observer = new IntersectionObserver(function(entries, instance) { $.each(entries, function(_, entry) { if (entry.isIntersecting) { $(entry.target).addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); instance.unobserve(entry.target); } }); }, { threshold: 0.2, rootMargin: '0px 0px -10% 0px' }); } if (observer) { observer.observe(shell.get(0)); } else { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); } } if (isParallax && !prefersReducedMotion) { parallaxShells = parallaxShells.add(shell); } else { shell.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', '0px'); } }); if (observer) { window.qbSectionShellObserver = observer; } if (!parallaxShells.length) { return; } var updateParallax = function() { if (window.innerWidth < 768) { parallaxShells.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', '0px'); return; } parallaxShells.each(function() { var shell = $(this); var shellElement = shell.get(0); if (!shellElement) { return; } var rect = shellElement.getBoundingClientRect(); var viewportHeight = window.innerHeight || document.documentElement.clientHeight; if (rect.bottom < 0 || rect.top > viewportHeight) { return; } var distanceFromCenter = (viewportHeight / 2) - (rect.top + (rect.height / 2)); var offset = Math.max(-38, Math.min(38, distanceFromCenter * 0.12)); shell.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', offset.toFixed(2) + 'px'); }); }; $(window).on('scroll.qbSectionShells resize.qbSectionShells', updateParallax); updateParallax(); }; $(function() { window.qbInitSectionShells(document); }); })(window, window.jQuery);

Some thoughts on SEO for Photographers

Fri, 16 Aug 2013 07:28:40 +1200

I'm a bit frustrated! We have two new initiatives to launch but we can't get either out until next week, so I thought I'd try and clear up a few misconceptions about SEO... SEO comes to mind for two reasons. First, in Ian's 14 Tips post a while back he said (rather carelessly!), "10. Link to the venues, florists, dressmakers and other vendors who were connected to the event - another Workspace feature. They'll love you for it, and linking is great for SEO." Someone commented, "Yes, linking is great for SEO, but for the [site] you are linking to, not for you… I'm always wary about linking to…vendors' sites unless there is some reciprocal linking back to my website." That's absolutely correct, but I think Dad's point was basically about paying it forward and giving the other guy a reason to reciprocate. It's hard to negotiate your cross-links! Second, I've been following with interest the discussion on Linkedin about the new Smugmug which has turned into a conversation about how Smugmug is bad for SEO, some of which I think is misinformed. My basic point is that SEO is not something a site has, it's something you do - or your web host / software does for you. Google treats stephenbaugh.smugmug.com and stephenbaugh.com exactly the same way. Pages within those domains are also treated the same way. (It's not true when people say the home page of a sub-domain is found but nothing else is.) (BTW "www." is very normal but it's a subdomain too!) The real difference between them is that stephenbaugh.smugmug.com belongs to Smugmug , but stephenbaugh.com belongs to me, and I can take it anywhere. (That's why in Workspace anyone can create their own "custom domain".) Having said that, having your own domain is only the start. You have some work to do! Search engines are in the business of trying to solve problems for the searcher. They therefore want to return the most useful page to the searcher, and they make that decision on lots of parameters. Those include the obvious, like Keywords (search engines see text not images, which is why Flash pages rank badly), the age of the domain, the amount of traffic, who and how many links there are to the site etc. There is an argument that pages with video or other features get extra points over ones with just text, but that largely depends on the category. How well you rank in Google is not just about how well you set up your site, but how well you do this relative to other sites returned in the search result. If for example, your competitor starts focusing on SEO you might find you fall from your number one position, just because you are no longer relatively as useful. The problem with photo hosts and the sub domains on them is simply that, on the day you join with them, your new domain eg stephenbaugh.smugmug.com is only one day old and not very authoritative. If I had brought with me my stephenbaugh.com domain it would be more authoritative in Google's eyes due to it's age and existing reputation. Second, Google doesn't return domains in search results, it returns pages, and the page part of your new URL is also new. Smugmug, Zenfolio and other sites like Workspace (https://workspace.queensberry.com) have different URL structures. You need to redirect pages as well if you hope to keep your previous page rank. Next you need to register your domain in Google and Bing webmaster tools, submit your site map and register yourself with Google Places as a local business. If you don't do this stuff the search engines won't even know you exist, will not know about your updates and certainly won't find galleries that are not connected with your home page. Google will punish you if it thinks you're gaming the system, so tread carefully with any SEO expert who suggests using black hat methods to get fast and dramatic results. It will be you who suffers in the long term if you get caught. Finally, lots of photographers innocently undermine their own efforts with unhelpful website structures, such as: stephenbaughphotography.com (website) stephenbaugh.wordpress.com or... stephenbaughblog.com (blog) stephenbaugh.queensberryworkspace.com (hosting) Google sees all these as separate and probably low traffic sites. Ideally you should be trying to get everything under one domain, like this. stephenbaugh.com (website) stephenbaugh.com/blog/ (blog) stephenbaugh.com/mygallery/ (hosting) More traffic, more social mentions and more links back to you are like gold to Google. They say people care about and visit your site, so Google will return your pages in its searches. BTW you can customise your Workspace URL for free. If you need help please ask! Bottom line... You should prioritise having a beautiful site that people want to use and share. One that allows you to be proud of your images. You need text on pages or in URLs that support your keywords but not so that it looks stupid. You need links back to your site and you need to network (Ian's point) and finally make sure you do all the set up I've mentioned. It's not easy but it'a worth the effort. All the set up in the world won't work if you're not delivering content and creating a response. If you need assistance just send me an email and I'm happy to help. Cheers Stephen PS Edited to correct an error with my example URLs pointed out by a commenter (thank you). PPS Here are some useful links http://www.stateofsearch.com/the-definitive-guide-to-image-search-optimisation/ http://photometadata.blogspot.co.nz/2010/12/can-embedded-photo-metadata-help-your.html?m=1 http://www.morevisibility.com/seoblog/tag/metadata http://webmasters.stackexchange.com/questions/51080/is-image-metadata-valuable-for-seo https://support.google.com/webmasters/answer/178636?hl=en (function(window, $) { if (!$) { return; } window.qbInitSectionShells = function(root) { var shells = $(root || document).find('.qb-section-shell'); var prefersReducedMotion = window.matchMedia && window.matchMedia('(prefers-reduced-motion: reduce)').matches; var parallaxShells = $(); var observer = null; $(window).off('.qbSectionShells'); if (window.qbSectionShellObserver && typeof window.qbSectionShellObserver.disconnect === 'function') { window.qbSectionShellObserver.disconnect(); } window.qbSectionShellObserver = null; shells.each(function() { var shell = $(this); var animation = shell.attr('data-section-animation') || 'none'; var trigger = shell.attr('data-section-animation-trigger') || 'scroll'; var isParallax = shell.attr('data-section-media-motion') === 'parallax' && shell.attr('data-background-type') === 'image' && shell.attr('data-background-layout') === 'single'; shell.removeClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); if (prefersReducedMotion || animation === 'none') { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); } else if (trigger === 'load') { window.requestAnimationFrame(function() { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); }); } else { if (!observer && 'IntersectionObserver' in window) { observer = new IntersectionObserver(function(entries, instance) { $.each(entries, function(_, entry) { if (entry.isIntersecting) { $(entry.target).addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); instance.unobserve(entry.target); } }); }, { threshold: 0.2, rootMargin: '0px 0px -10% 0px' }); } if (observer) { observer.observe(shell.get(0)); } else { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); } } if (isParallax && !prefersReducedMotion) { parallaxShells = parallaxShells.add(shell); } else { shell.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', '0px'); } }); if (observer) { window.qbSectionShellObserver = observer; } if (!parallaxShells.length) { return; } var updateParallax = function() { if (window.innerWidth < 768) { parallaxShells.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', '0px'); return; } parallaxShells.each(function() { var shell = $(this); var shellElement = shell.get(0); if (!shellElement) { return; } var rect = shellElement.getBoundingClientRect(); var viewportHeight = window.innerHeight || document.documentElement.clientHeight; if (rect.bottom < 0 || rect.top > viewportHeight) { return; } var distanceFromCenter = (viewportHeight / 2) - (rect.top + (rect.height / 2)); var offset = Math.max(-38, Math.min(38, distanceFromCenter * 0.12)); shell.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', offset.toFixed(2) + 'px'); }); }; $(window).on('scroll.qbSectionShells resize.qbSectionShells', updateParallax); updateParallax(); }; $(function() { window.qbInitSectionShells(document); }); })(window, window.jQuery);

"I keep in flight"

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 11:39:33 +1200

The Chicago Sun-Times made the news by laying off its entire photography staff last week, leaving 28 people without a job. While we all need to move with the times, the real heart-breaking twist for the photojournalists is that they are to be replaced by reporters who will be taught how to take pictures and videos using iPhones. The story made news around the world, in part perhaps because one of the photographers who lost their jobs was veteran photojournalist - and Pulitzer winner - John H. White, who is featured in this audio: Over the years John White has photographed, among others, Nelson Mandela, Pope John Paul II, President Barack Obama, and doubtless thousands of ordinary people around Chicago. [caption id="attachment_15854" align="aligncenter" width="485"] World Heavyweight Boxing Champion Muhammad Ali in 1974.John H. White[/caption] [caption id="attachment_15855" align="aligncenter" width="485"] Vote Registration Drive 1973, for the EPA project DOCUmerica.John H. White[/caption] "We're part of, and we cover, the heartbeat of humanity," he says. "My life has been dedicated to others, telling others' stories... Ordinary, everyday people, these are the treasures, that's what's important. Everybody's got a story. It's not the breaking news, but it's the everyday human..." White is still positive, and his work and attitude are a great example. He says that he lives by three words: faith, focus, flight. "I'm faithful to my purpose, my mission, my assignment, my work, my dreams. I stay focused on what I'm doing and what's important. And I keep in flight — I spread my wings and do it." I think what makes him such a remarkable photographer is that he truly cares about people. And it shows in his work. Anna PS Also worth a look is this blog by Rob Hart, a fellow Sun-Times photographer of John H. White. It documents his own life after being laid off … all done with his iPhone! http://laidofffromthesuntimes.tumblr.com/ (function(window, $) { if (!$) { return; } window.qbInitSectionShells = function(root) { var shells = $(root || document).find('.qb-section-shell'); var prefersReducedMotion = window.matchMedia && window.matchMedia('(prefers-reduced-motion: reduce)').matches; var parallaxShells = $(); var observer = null; $(window).off('.qbSectionShells'); if (window.qbSectionShellObserver && typeof window.qbSectionShellObserver.disconnect === 'function') { window.qbSectionShellObserver.disconnect(); } window.qbSectionShellObserver = null; shells.each(function() { var shell = $(this); var animation = shell.attr('data-section-animation') || 'none'; var trigger = shell.attr('data-section-animation-trigger') || 'scroll'; var isParallax = shell.attr('data-section-media-motion') === 'parallax' && shell.attr('data-background-type') === 'image' && shell.attr('data-background-layout') === 'single'; shell.removeClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); if (prefersReducedMotion || animation === 'none') { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); } else if (trigger === 'load') { window.requestAnimationFrame(function() { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); }); } else { if (!observer && 'IntersectionObserver' in window) { observer = new IntersectionObserver(function(entries, instance) { $.each(entries, function(_, entry) { if (entry.isIntersecting) { $(entry.target).addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); instance.unobserve(entry.target); } }); }, { threshold: 0.2, rootMargin: '0px 0px -10% 0px' }); } if (observer) { observer.observe(shell.get(0)); } else { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); } } if (isParallax && !prefersReducedMotion) { parallaxShells = parallaxShells.add(shell); } else { shell.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', '0px'); } }); if (observer) { window.qbSectionShellObserver = observer; } if (!parallaxShells.length) { return; } var updateParallax = function() { if (window.innerWidth < 768) { parallaxShells.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', '0px'); return; } parallaxShells.each(function() { var shell = $(this); var shellElement = shell.get(0); if (!shellElement) { return; } var rect = shellElement.getBoundingClientRect(); var viewportHeight = window.innerHeight || document.documentElement.clientHeight; if (rect.bottom < 0 || rect.top > viewportHeight) { return; } var distanceFromCenter = (viewportHeight / 2) - (rect.top + (rect.height / 2)); var offset = Math.max(-38, Math.min(38, distanceFromCenter * 0.12)); shell.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', offset.toFixed(2) + 'px'); }); }; $(window).on('scroll.qbSectionShells resize.qbSectionShells', updateParallax); updateParallax(); }; $(function() { window.qbInitSectionShells(document); }); })(window, window.jQuery);

All you need

Tue, 02 Oct 2012 09:48:56 +1300

For a little hippy nostalgia you couldn’t ask for better than Sami Sunchild’s Red Victorian Bed & Breakfast, Peaceful World Center & Cafe in Haight-Ashbury. Still going strong 45 years after the Summer of Love. Nice food too. But it was Sami's take on how to be an entrepreneur that struck us most, and reminded me of so many photographers! Heather spotted it on the wall next to our lunch table (click here for full size). And if you think being an entrepreneur is easy, read this. All you need is love. And perseverance. Cheers, Ian Here's Grace, Janis and Jimmi for ya. (function(window, $) { if (!$) { return; } window.qbInitSectionShells = function(root) { var shells = $(root || document).find('.qb-section-shell'); var prefersReducedMotion = window.matchMedia && window.matchMedia('(prefers-reduced-motion: reduce)').matches; var parallaxShells = $(); var observer = null; $(window).off('.qbSectionShells'); if (window.qbSectionShellObserver && typeof window.qbSectionShellObserver.disconnect === 'function') { window.qbSectionShellObserver.disconnect(); } window.qbSectionShellObserver = null; shells.each(function() { var shell = $(this); var animation = shell.attr('data-section-animation') || 'none'; var trigger = shell.attr('data-section-animation-trigger') || 'scroll'; var isParallax = shell.attr('data-section-media-motion') === 'parallax' && shell.attr('data-background-type') === 'image' && shell.attr('data-background-layout') === 'single'; shell.removeClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); if (prefersReducedMotion || animation === 'none') { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); } else if (trigger === 'load') { window.requestAnimationFrame(function() { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); }); } else { if (!observer && 'IntersectionObserver' in window) { observer = new IntersectionObserver(function(entries, instance) { $.each(entries, function(_, entry) { if (entry.isIntersecting) { $(entry.target).addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); instance.unobserve(entry.target); } }); }, { threshold: 0.2, rootMargin: '0px 0px -10% 0px' }); } if (observer) { observer.observe(shell.get(0)); } else { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); } } if (isParallax && !prefersReducedMotion) { parallaxShells = parallaxShells.add(shell); } else { shell.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', '0px'); } }); if (observer) { window.qbSectionShellObserver = observer; } if (!parallaxShells.length) { return; } var updateParallax = function() { if (window.innerWidth < 768) { parallaxShells.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', '0px'); return; } parallaxShells.each(function() { var shell = $(this); var shellElement = shell.get(0); if (!shellElement) { return; } var rect = shellElement.getBoundingClientRect(); var viewportHeight = window.innerHeight || document.documentElement.clientHeight; if (rect.bottom < 0 || rect.top > viewportHeight) { return; } var distanceFromCenter = (viewportHeight / 2) - (rect.top + (rect.height / 2)); var offset = Math.max(-38, Math.min(38, distanceFromCenter * 0.12)); shell.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', offset.toFixed(2) + 'px'); }); }; $(window).on('scroll.qbSectionShells resize.qbSectionShells', updateParallax); updateParallax(); }; $(function() { window.qbInitSectionShells(document); }); })(window, window.jQuery);

One way to get your life back

Thu, 21 Jun 2012 09:37:03 +1200

The average wedding photographer works a lot harder today than they did ten to thirty years ago. The promise that digital photography would make life easier and cheaper just hasn’t eventuated. We've been keeping statistics about our albums for thirty years, and I thought sharing a few numbers might reinforce that cliche, “We’re our own worst enemies”. We’re talking averages here, and everybody's different, but this is how it looks to us. Old World Wedding Photography • Medium format camera, 120 roll film, 10 rolls x 12 exp. = 120 shots. • Typical album: 12 pages (24 sides), 60-80 images. • Studio sells 50-75% of their work. 35mm Era • 35mm SLR camera, 12 rolls x 24 exp. = 288 shots. • Typical album: 12-14 pages (24-28 sides), 70-90 images. • Studio sells 25-30% of their work. Pre-Digital Era (Film companies boosting film sales ;) "Photojournalism" and "Action-Reaction".) • 35mm SLR camera. 16-25 rolls x 36 exp. = 576 to 900 shots. • Typical album: 15 pages (30 sides), 80 to 120 images. • Studio sells 10-15% of their work. Digital Wedding Photography • Digital camera. 3,000, 5,000, 10,000 shots per event? • Typical album: 15-20 pages (30-40 sides), 80-150 images. • Studio sells <4% of their work. Or to put it another way, in what the cynics call the Spray and Pray era, 96% of the images aren’t used in an album, but have to be culled, edited, colour corrected, and put online for clients to trawl through. Customer experience is everything. I wonder how our customers feel when confronted with so much to look at. How do they feel when asked to select 100 images for an album? We’d like to encourage photographers to get their lives back. Any chance of shooting less? What do you think? What are your statistics telling you? Best, Heather PS Even if you aren't offering an album it seems wrong. And so much work. (function(window, $) { if (!$) { return; } window.qbInitSectionShells = function(root) { var shells = $(root || document).find('.qb-section-shell'); var prefersReducedMotion = window.matchMedia && window.matchMedia('(prefers-reduced-motion: reduce)').matches; var parallaxShells = $(); var observer = null; $(window).off('.qbSectionShells'); if (window.qbSectionShellObserver && typeof window.qbSectionShellObserver.disconnect === 'function') { window.qbSectionShellObserver.disconnect(); } window.qbSectionShellObserver = null; shells.each(function() { var shell = $(this); var animation = shell.attr('data-section-animation') || 'none'; var trigger = shell.attr('data-section-animation-trigger') || 'scroll'; var isParallax = shell.attr('data-section-media-motion') === 'parallax' && shell.attr('data-background-type') === 'image' && shell.attr('data-background-layout') === 'single'; shell.removeClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); if (prefersReducedMotion || animation === 'none') { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); } else if (trigger === 'load') { window.requestAnimationFrame(function() { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); }); } else { if (!observer && 'IntersectionObserver' in window) { observer = new IntersectionObserver(function(entries, instance) { $.each(entries, function(_, entry) { if (entry.isIntersecting) { $(entry.target).addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); instance.unobserve(entry.target); } }); }, { threshold: 0.2, rootMargin: '0px 0px -10% 0px' }); } if (observer) { observer.observe(shell.get(0)); } else { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); } } if (isParallax && !prefersReducedMotion) { parallaxShells = parallaxShells.add(shell); } else { shell.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', '0px'); } }); if (observer) { window.qbSectionShellObserver = observer; } if (!parallaxShells.length) { return; } var updateParallax = function() { if (window.innerWidth < 768) { parallaxShells.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', '0px'); return; } parallaxShells.each(function() { var shell = $(this); var shellElement = shell.get(0); if (!shellElement) { return; } var rect = shellElement.getBoundingClientRect(); var viewportHeight = window.innerHeight || document.documentElement.clientHeight; if (rect.bottom < 0 || rect.top > viewportHeight) { return; } var distanceFromCenter = (viewportHeight / 2) - (rect.top + (rect.height / 2)); var offset = Math.max(-38, Math.min(38, distanceFromCenter * 0.12)); shell.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', offset.toFixed(2) + 'px'); }); }; $(window).on('scroll.qbSectionShells resize.qbSectionShells', updateParallax); updateParallax(); }; $(function() { window.qbInitSectionShells(document); }); })(window, window.jQuery);

Soul food

Wed, 06 Jun 2012 10:47:30 +1200

I was reading that professional women sometimes find it difficult to get in touch with their feminine side. I concur. I know I might get lynched by some of my feminist friends but I like nothing better than getting in the kitchen. I find it relaxing and a total break from work. Try making this “Pink Lady Cake” and sharing it with family and friends. Serve with a slice of love and a glass of bubbles. It’s pink, it's pretty and it’s really delicious. I made it for morning tea on Anna Matsuoka's last day (sadly for us, she's heading back to Japan). The recipe is from our good friends and food writer Ray McVinnie and Jenny Maidment. PINK LADY CAKE Cake: 8 oz butter 1-1/2 cups caster sugar 3 eggs 2 cups white flour 1 tsp baking powder 1-1/2 cups desiccated coconut 1 cup milk combined with a few drops of red food colouring (I use cochineal in preference to synthetic colour). Icing; 2-3/4 cups icing sugar 5 oz cream cheese 1 tsp vanilla essence Butter a medium sized (8x2in, 20x5cm) spring-release baking tin and preheat the oven to 170C / 325F. To make the cake, cream the butter and caster sugar until very pale and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Quickly stir in the coconut and baking powder, then gently fold in the flour and milk, alternately, a little at a time, taking care not to over-mix. Transfer to the baking tin, smoothing the mix to distribute it evenly. Bake for 50/60 min, or until a skewer comes out of the cake cleanly. Allow the cake to cool on a rack. To ice, work the cream cheese into the icing sugar with a fork and add vanilla essence. If the icing is too stiff and lifts the surface of the cake when applied, dilute it with a few drops of milk. This cake is best served the day it is baked. Best, Heather PS The boys really liked this cake, (they asked Heather if she could make them a blue one!). We should all be in touch with our feminine side, guys - this cake will earn you major credits. And you don't need bubbles, it's great with tea ;)- Ed. (function(window, $) { if (!$) { return; } window.qbInitSectionShells = function(root) { var shells = $(root || document).find('.qb-section-shell'); var prefersReducedMotion = window.matchMedia && window.matchMedia('(prefers-reduced-motion: reduce)').matches; var parallaxShells = $(); var observer = null; $(window).off('.qbSectionShells'); if (window.qbSectionShellObserver && typeof window.qbSectionShellObserver.disconnect === 'function') { window.qbSectionShellObserver.disconnect(); } window.qbSectionShellObserver = null; shells.each(function() { var shell = $(this); var animation = shell.attr('data-section-animation') || 'none'; var trigger = shell.attr('data-section-animation-trigger') || 'scroll'; var isParallax = shell.attr('data-section-media-motion') === 'parallax' && shell.attr('data-background-type') === 'image' && shell.attr('data-background-layout') === 'single'; shell.removeClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); if (prefersReducedMotion || animation === 'none') { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); } else if (trigger === 'load') { window.requestAnimationFrame(function() { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); }); } else { if (!observer && 'IntersectionObserver' in window) { observer = new IntersectionObserver(function(entries, instance) { $.each(entries, function(_, entry) { if (entry.isIntersecting) { $(entry.target).addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); instance.unobserve(entry.target); } }); }, { threshold: 0.2, rootMargin: '0px 0px -10% 0px' }); } if (observer) { observer.observe(shell.get(0)); } else { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); } } if (isParallax && !prefersReducedMotion) { parallaxShells = parallaxShells.add(shell); } else { shell.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', '0px'); } }); if (observer) { window.qbSectionShellObserver = observer; } if (!parallaxShells.length) { return; } var updateParallax = function() { if (window.innerWidth < 768) { parallaxShells.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', '0px'); return; } parallaxShells.each(function() { var shell = $(this); var shellElement = shell.get(0); if (!shellElement) { return; } var rect = shellElement.getBoundingClientRect(); var viewportHeight = window.innerHeight || document.documentElement.clientHeight; if (rect.bottom < 0 || rect.top > viewportHeight) { return; } var distanceFromCenter = (viewportHeight / 2) - (rect.top + (rect.height / 2)); var offset = Math.max(-38, Math.min(38, distanceFromCenter * 0.12)); shell.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', offset.toFixed(2) + 'px'); }); }; $(window).on('scroll.qbSectionShells resize.qbSectionShells', updateParallax); updateParallax(); }; $(function() { window.qbInitSectionShells(document); }); })(window, window.jQuery);

Things he loves about weddings

Sat, 20 Mar 2010 01:50:58 +1300

On the record, everyone at Queensberry loves the fact that for most photographers it’s much more than a job. Thanks for sharing Isaac. On the Queensberry Blog. Cheers, Ian (function(window, $) { if (!$) { return; } window.qbInitSectionShells = function(root) { var shells = $(root || document).find('.qb-section-shell'); var prefersReducedMotion = window.matchMedia && window.matchMedia('(prefers-reduced-motion: reduce)').matches; var parallaxShells = $(); var observer = null; $(window).off('.qbSectionShells'); if (window.qbSectionShellObserver && typeof window.qbSectionShellObserver.disconnect === 'function') { window.qbSectionShellObserver.disconnect(); } window.qbSectionShellObserver = null; shells.each(function() { var shell = $(this); var animation = shell.attr('data-section-animation') || 'none'; var trigger = shell.attr('data-section-animation-trigger') || 'scroll'; var isParallax = shell.attr('data-section-media-motion') === 'parallax' && shell.attr('data-background-type') === 'image' && shell.attr('data-background-layout') === 'single'; shell.removeClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); if (prefersReducedMotion || animation === 'none') { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); } else if (trigger === 'load') { window.requestAnimationFrame(function() { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); }); } else { if (!observer && 'IntersectionObserver' in window) { observer = new IntersectionObserver(function(entries, instance) { $.each(entries, function(_, entry) { if (entry.isIntersecting) { $(entry.target).addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); instance.unobserve(entry.target); } }); }, { threshold: 0.2, rootMargin: '0px 0px -10% 0px' }); } if (observer) { observer.observe(shell.get(0)); } else { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); } } if (isParallax && !prefersReducedMotion) { parallaxShells = parallaxShells.add(shell); } else { shell.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', '0px'); } }); if (observer) { window.qbSectionShellObserver = observer; } if (!parallaxShells.length) { return; } var updateParallax = function() { if (window.innerWidth < 768) { parallaxShells.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', '0px'); return; } parallaxShells.each(function() { var shell = $(this); var shellElement = shell.get(0); if (!shellElement) { return; } var rect = shellElement.getBoundingClientRect(); var viewportHeight = window.innerHeight || document.documentElement.clientHeight; if (rect.bottom < 0 || rect.top > viewportHeight) { return; } var distanceFromCenter = (viewportHeight / 2) - (rect.top + (rect.height / 2)); var offset = Math.max(-38, Math.min(38, distanceFromCenter * 0.12)); shell.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', offset.toFixed(2) + 'px'); }); }; $(window).on('scroll.qbSectionShells resize.qbSectionShells', updateParallax); updateParallax(); }; $(function() { window.qbInitSectionShells(document); }); })(window, window.jQuery);

Coffee and conversation

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 08:35:06 +1300

Rex is a regular coffee drinker and if ever you were to meet him you would instantly know that he was a straight up kind of guy. Rex keeps a quiet eye on our town. He rises early and walks the hills around Lyttelton. Rex knows stuff. People share with him because they know that he is that straight up kind of guy. He can be trusted. Our town also has its share of Astral travelers, bad eggs, party radicals, poets and pop stars. There is a lot of spirit here ... all under the quiet and watchful eye of Rex. James and Co at the Lyttelton Coffee Company make the coffees that keep these spirits on form. Between Rex and James, and the other watchful eyes, the heart and soul of our little town rises, falls, turns, twists, and beats. The photographic community is the same. There are the watchers, the leaders, the good and the bad, and the coffee makers. Queensberry wants to nurture a community where the poets, pop stars, Astral travelers, and all of the other photographers feel able to grow, and share with the safety of knowing they are not being judged. They want to take it further though. They want to inform, create a resource, make the best albums they can, and stimulate education through sharing. A coffee shop does not succeed on its coffee alone, it lives in the conversations that happen there! To call Queensberry a coffee shop would be understating their intentions ... but to recognise them as a place for a conversation is heading in the right direction. On our UK tour it was great talking to the people who came, like the Rankines. Many of them were QBY clients. I felt the potential and I hope you'll be part of it. Best, Johannes He's right. Please don't be a stranger. Comment ... link ... tweet (retweet) ... or how about writing something for us? - ED. (function(window, $) { if (!$) { return; } window.qbInitSectionShells = function(root) { var shells = $(root || document).find('.qb-section-shell'); var prefersReducedMotion = window.matchMedia && window.matchMedia('(prefers-reduced-motion: reduce)').matches; var parallaxShells = $(); var observer = null; $(window).off('.qbSectionShells'); if (window.qbSectionShellObserver && typeof window.qbSectionShellObserver.disconnect === 'function') { window.qbSectionShellObserver.disconnect(); } window.qbSectionShellObserver = null; shells.each(function() { var shell = $(this); var animation = shell.attr('data-section-animation') || 'none'; var trigger = shell.attr('data-section-animation-trigger') || 'scroll'; var isParallax = shell.attr('data-section-media-motion') === 'parallax' && shell.attr('data-background-type') === 'image' && shell.attr('data-background-layout') === 'single'; shell.removeClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); if (prefersReducedMotion || animation === 'none') { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); } else if (trigger === 'load') { window.requestAnimationFrame(function() { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); }); } else { if (!observer && 'IntersectionObserver' in window) { observer = new IntersectionObserver(function(entries, instance) { $.each(entries, function(_, entry) { if (entry.isIntersecting) { $(entry.target).addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); instance.unobserve(entry.target); } }); }, { threshold: 0.2, rootMargin: '0px 0px -10% 0px' }); } if (observer) { observer.observe(shell.get(0)); } else { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); } } if (isParallax && !prefersReducedMotion) { parallaxShells = parallaxShells.add(shell); } else { shell.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', '0px'); } }); if (observer) { window.qbSectionShellObserver = observer; } if (!parallaxShells.length) { return; } var updateParallax = function() { if (window.innerWidth < 768) { parallaxShells.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', '0px'); return; } parallaxShells.each(function() { var shell = $(this); var shellElement = shell.get(0); if (!shellElement) { return; } var rect = shellElement.getBoundingClientRect(); var viewportHeight = window.innerHeight || document.documentElement.clientHeight; if (rect.bottom < 0 || rect.top > viewportHeight) { return; } var distanceFromCenter = (viewportHeight / 2) - (rect.top + (rect.height / 2)); var offset = Math.max(-38, Math.min(38, distanceFromCenter * 0.12)); shell.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', offset.toFixed(2) + 'px'); }); }; $(window).on('scroll.qbSectionShells resize.qbSectionShells', updateParallax); updateParallax(); }; $(function() { window.qbInitSectionShells(document); }); })(window, window.jQuery);

How will your work be remembered?

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 05:05:25 +1200

For most artists, the real value of their work isn't recognized until they're gone. Elvis's estate is worth far more than it was in his heyday. The works of Da Vinci, Picasso and Van Gogh are now worth hundreds of millions of dollars. We still enjoy Humphrey Bogart movies. They're still making movies about Ian Fleming's Bond character. And of course, Michael Jackson has left a legacy of work that will continue to grow in recognition and popularity. You're an artist. How will your work be remembered and valued? Not just by the people you created it for, but by their descendants? That's something Queensberry thinks about. Cheers, Nigel (function(window, $) { if (!$) { return; } window.qbInitSectionShells = function(root) { var shells = $(root || document).find('.qb-section-shell'); var prefersReducedMotion = window.matchMedia && window.matchMedia('(prefers-reduced-motion: reduce)').matches; var parallaxShells = $(); var observer = null; $(window).off('.qbSectionShells'); if (window.qbSectionShellObserver && typeof window.qbSectionShellObserver.disconnect === 'function') { window.qbSectionShellObserver.disconnect(); } window.qbSectionShellObserver = null; shells.each(function() { var shell = $(this); var animation = shell.attr('data-section-animation') || 'none'; var trigger = shell.attr('data-section-animation-trigger') || 'scroll'; var isParallax = shell.attr('data-section-media-motion') === 'parallax' && shell.attr('data-background-type') === 'image' && shell.attr('data-background-layout') === 'single'; shell.removeClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); if (prefersReducedMotion || animation === 'none') { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); } else if (trigger === 'load') { window.requestAnimationFrame(function() { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); }); } else { if (!observer && 'IntersectionObserver' in window) { observer = new IntersectionObserver(function(entries, instance) { $.each(entries, function(_, entry) { if (entry.isIntersecting) { $(entry.target).addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); instance.unobserve(entry.target); } }); }, { threshold: 0.2, rootMargin: '0px 0px -10% 0px' }); } if (observer) { observer.observe(shell.get(0)); } else { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); } } if (isParallax && !prefersReducedMotion) { parallaxShells = parallaxShells.add(shell); } else { shell.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', '0px'); } }); if (observer) { window.qbSectionShellObserver = observer; } if (!parallaxShells.length) { return; } var updateParallax = function() { if (window.innerWidth < 768) { parallaxShells.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', '0px'); return; } parallaxShells.each(function() { var shell = $(this); var shellElement = shell.get(0); if (!shellElement) { return; } var rect = shellElement.getBoundingClientRect(); var viewportHeight = window.innerHeight || document.documentElement.clientHeight; if (rect.bottom < 0 || rect.top > viewportHeight) { return; } var distanceFromCenter = (viewportHeight / 2) - (rect.top + (rect.height / 2)); var offset = Math.max(-38, Math.min(38, distanceFromCenter * 0.12)); shell.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', offset.toFixed(2) + 'px'); }); }; $(window).on('scroll.qbSectionShells resize.qbSectionShells', updateParallax); updateParallax(); }; $(function() { window.qbInitSectionShells(document); }); })(window, window.jQuery);

Bob Dylan for photographers

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 12:48:03 +1200

Go on, click - you're curious. OK, what I'm suggesting is you're good if you're good enough to compete with a memory, or a cherished snapshot. Cheers, Ian PS Two fer one: She's no lady, she's my wife. (function(window, $) { if (!$) { return; } window.qbInitSectionShells = function(root) { var shells = $(root || document).find('.qb-section-shell'); var prefersReducedMotion = window.matchMedia && window.matchMedia('(prefers-reduced-motion: reduce)').matches; var parallaxShells = $(); var observer = null; $(window).off('.qbSectionShells'); if (window.qbSectionShellObserver && typeof window.qbSectionShellObserver.disconnect === 'function') { window.qbSectionShellObserver.disconnect(); } window.qbSectionShellObserver = null; shells.each(function() { var shell = $(this); var animation = shell.attr('data-section-animation') || 'none'; var trigger = shell.attr('data-section-animation-trigger') || 'scroll'; var isParallax = shell.attr('data-section-media-motion') === 'parallax' && shell.attr('data-background-type') === 'image' && shell.attr('data-background-layout') === 'single'; shell.removeClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); if (prefersReducedMotion || animation === 'none') { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); } else if (trigger === 'load') { window.requestAnimationFrame(function() { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); }); } else { if (!observer && 'IntersectionObserver' in window) { observer = new IntersectionObserver(function(entries, instance) { $.each(entries, function(_, entry) { if (entry.isIntersecting) { $(entry.target).addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); instance.unobserve(entry.target); } }); }, { threshold: 0.2, rootMargin: '0px 0px -10% 0px' }); } if (observer) { observer.observe(shell.get(0)); } else { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); } } if (isParallax && !prefersReducedMotion) { parallaxShells = parallaxShells.add(shell); } else { shell.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', '0px'); } }); if (observer) { window.qbSectionShellObserver = observer; } if (!parallaxShells.length) { return; } var updateParallax = function() { if (window.innerWidth < 768) { parallaxShells.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', '0px'); return; } parallaxShells.each(function() { var shell = $(this); var shellElement = shell.get(0); if (!shellElement) { return; } var rect = shellElement.getBoundingClientRect(); var viewportHeight = window.innerHeight || document.documentElement.clientHeight; if (rect.bottom < 0 || rect.top > viewportHeight) { return; } var distanceFromCenter = (viewportHeight / 2) - (rect.top + (rect.height / 2)); var offset = Math.max(-38, Math.min(38, distanceFromCenter * 0.12)); shell.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', offset.toFixed(2) + 'px'); }); }; $(window).on('scroll.qbSectionShells resize.qbSectionShells', updateParallax); updateParallax(); }; $(function() { window.qbInitSectionShells(document); }); })(window, window.jQuery);

The power of memory

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 04:42:03 +1200

Heather remembers the first time we saw this video of the Pogues' Fairy Tale of New York: Christmas 1987. She was sitting in a cane and burnt red suede wishbone rocking chair she'd made herself - not sitting in it, sitting on the very edge of it, transfixed by the music and the video - the wrenching sadness and the lilt and love of the song. We already knew the Pogues, having thrashed Rum, Sodomy and The Lash (yeah, sounds dodgy, but listen to it) for a couple of years. Every time we think of Shane MacGowan we hope he's OK. He's given us some magic hours. All the very best for the holidays from Ian and Heather PS I haven't thought of that cane chair for years. Heather can't remember what happened to it. But she also remember jigging on the edge of it watching Australia win the America's Cup in 1983. PPS I don't think we've seen this video since 1987. Thank you YouTube and the times we live in. (function(window, $) { if (!$) { return; } window.qbInitSectionShells = function(root) { var shells = $(root || document).find('.qb-section-shell'); var prefersReducedMotion = window.matchMedia && window.matchMedia('(prefers-reduced-motion: reduce)').matches; var parallaxShells = $(); var observer = null; $(window).off('.qbSectionShells'); if (window.qbSectionShellObserver && typeof window.qbSectionShellObserver.disconnect === 'function') { window.qbSectionShellObserver.disconnect(); } window.qbSectionShellObserver = null; shells.each(function() { var shell = $(this); var animation = shell.attr('data-section-animation') || 'none'; var trigger = shell.attr('data-section-animation-trigger') || 'scroll'; var isParallax = shell.attr('data-section-media-motion') === 'parallax' && shell.attr('data-background-type') === 'image' && shell.attr('data-background-layout') === 'single'; shell.removeClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); if (prefersReducedMotion || animation === 'none') { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); } else if (trigger === 'load') { window.requestAnimationFrame(function() { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); }); } else { if (!observer && 'IntersectionObserver' in window) { observer = new IntersectionObserver(function(entries, instance) { $.each(entries, function(_, entry) { if (entry.isIntersecting) { $(entry.target).addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); instance.unobserve(entry.target); } }); }, { threshold: 0.2, rootMargin: '0px 0px -10% 0px' }); } if (observer) { observer.observe(shell.get(0)); } else { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); } } if (isParallax && !prefersReducedMotion) { parallaxShells = parallaxShells.add(shell); } else { shell.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', '0px'); } }); if (observer) { window.qbSectionShellObserver = observer; } if (!parallaxShells.length) { return; } var updateParallax = function() { if (window.innerWidth < 768) { parallaxShells.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', '0px'); return; } parallaxShells.each(function() { var shell = $(this); var shellElement = shell.get(0); if (!shellElement) { return; } var rect = shellElement.getBoundingClientRect(); var viewportHeight = window.innerHeight || document.documentElement.clientHeight; if (rect.bottom < 0 || rect.top > viewportHeight) { return; } var distanceFromCenter = (viewportHeight / 2) - (rect.top + (rect.height / 2)); var offset = Math.max(-38, Math.min(38, distanceFromCenter * 0.12)); shell.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', offset.toFixed(2) + 'px'); }); }; $(window).on('scroll.qbSectionShells resize.qbSectionShells', updateParallax); updateParallax(); }; $(function() { window.qbInitSectionShells(document); }); })(window, window.jQuery);

The stranger in the coffee shop

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 04:36:33 +1200

The stranger in the coffee shop looked at us, almost as if we were insane, and said in a tired voice, "Sleep while you can!". It was an ominous warning, over a month ago. We were (Jo was) a month off giving birth and at the time sleeping was getting uncomfortable. On June the 2nd, 2009, Ida Valentina van Kan graced us with her arrival. 7lb 3oz of beautiful girl. [caption id="attachment_3365" align="alignnone" width="500" caption="Ida Valentina"][/caption] After 10 days the warning seems premature. Sleep isn't too bad, in fact we feel incredibly lucky. I am learning things from her. She will let us know when she has a need. That is a certainty. I am learning about what might be important to her. As one of her official life photographers I am learning the difference between what I would like to photograph, and what she will probably want. I cannot help but be drawn to her face, and most of my initial images were of just her and mainly her face, but as I think about it I realise that those photographs are being taken for me. In ten years time what will be important for her will be where she grew up, and what it was like. Her recollection of these first years will mostly be based on what we tell her and the images of where she lived and the people around her. Suddenly I feel a huge burden of responsibility as the recorder of her story, made even more important because she is our daughter. In truth it is the same responsibility I have to my clients whenever I photograph them. If you are addicted to baby pics there are more on my own blog Sleep can never be overrated. Cheers Johannes (Father of Ida) (function(window, $) { if (!$) { return; } window.qbInitSectionShells = function(root) { var shells = $(root || document).find('.qb-section-shell'); var prefersReducedMotion = window.matchMedia && window.matchMedia('(prefers-reduced-motion: reduce)').matches; var parallaxShells = $(); var observer = null; $(window).off('.qbSectionShells'); if (window.qbSectionShellObserver && typeof window.qbSectionShellObserver.disconnect === 'function') { window.qbSectionShellObserver.disconnect(); } window.qbSectionShellObserver = null; shells.each(function() { var shell = $(this); var animation = shell.attr('data-section-animation') || 'none'; var trigger = shell.attr('data-section-animation-trigger') || 'scroll'; var isParallax = shell.attr('data-section-media-motion') === 'parallax' && shell.attr('data-background-type') === 'image' && shell.attr('data-background-layout') === 'single'; shell.removeClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); if (prefersReducedMotion || animation === 'none') { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); } else if (trigger === 'load') { window.requestAnimationFrame(function() { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); }); } else { if (!observer && 'IntersectionObserver' in window) { observer = new IntersectionObserver(function(entries, instance) { $.each(entries, function(_, entry) { if (entry.isIntersecting) { $(entry.target).addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); instance.unobserve(entry.target); } }); }, { threshold: 0.2, rootMargin: '0px 0px -10% 0px' }); } if (observer) { observer.observe(shell.get(0)); } else { shell.addClass('qb-section-shell--visible'); } } if (isParallax && !prefersReducedMotion) { parallaxShells = parallaxShells.add(shell); } else { shell.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', '0px'); } }); if (observer) { window.qbSectionShellObserver = observer; } if (!parallaxShells.length) { return; } var updateParallax = function() { if (window.innerWidth < 768) { parallaxShells.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', '0px'); return; } parallaxShells.each(function() { var shell = $(this); var shellElement = shell.get(0); if (!shellElement) { return; } var rect = shellElement.getBoundingClientRect(); var viewportHeight = window.innerHeight || document.documentElement.clientHeight; if (rect.bottom < 0 || rect.top > viewportHeight) { return; } var distanceFromCenter = (viewportHeight / 2) - (rect.top + (rect.height / 2)); var offset = Math.max(-38, Math.min(38, distanceFromCenter * 0.12)); shell.css('--qb-section-parallax-offset', offset.toFixed(2) + 'px'); }); }; $(window).on('scroll.qbSectionShells resize.qbSectionShells', updateParallax); updateParallax(); }; $(function() { window.qbInitSectionShells(document); }); })(window, window.jQuery);