New Blog!!! | Update Links!!!

I'm proud to present my new blog - http://www.s2sphotography.com/blog !!! There will no longer be any new posts here.

Make sure you guys update your bookmarks, RSS feeds, and subscriptions.

Thanks!

New Business Cards

So, a while ago I had made a post about my new business card design. Well, they finally came in a few days ago. The logo and the information on the back are spot UV glossy and the whole card is a silk based stock. Check it out:

David Gaafar Productions

The end of the semester is here and time just seems to fly. I haven't had time to blog in a week. Anyway, I had the opportunity to work with David Gaafar, a film school graduate and aspiring director from Los Angeles. I actually met him a few years back, but didn't really become friends until recently. I cannot put into words how cool and funny this guy is. He is extremely skilled at what he does and, more importantly, it is an absolute amazing experience working with him. Our work styles and personalities are extremely fluid with each other and I love his professionalism and timeliness. So, S2S will be offering videography packages with David Gaafar Productions.

He flew out from L.A. to document Sophia and Adnan's wedding. The following is a short highlights trailer from the three day wedding. The video can be seen in HD on the Vimeo page. Enjoy...

Sophia + Adnan from Kareem Gaafar on Vimeo.

And here he is...

Project Pow Wow

A "pow wow" is what we call a small get together of skilled photographers and one heck of a day of shooting pictures. It's a day full of ideas, creativity, and skilled execution. I've been trying to set one up by the beach in Wilmington, NC. I have been working on this project for some time and have some great commitments. The last step is landing a handful of models - something I'm almost done with.

What truly makes this a fun and worthwhile day are the photographers that come out. I have been talking to some of my local photographer buddies and thought I'd extend the invitation publicly. If you're interested, you can just post a comment to this thread or send me an e-mail. Please include your name, number, the dates you are free (look below for timing details), and website.

THE DETAILS:
Denise Maeyaert, Manager at Savvi Formalwear - providing wedding dresses, tuxedos, bridesmaids dresses, etc.
Nilofer Khan, Supervisor at Mitchell's - providing hair and makeup services.
Models: TBA
Date: TBD (middle of May to end of June.)

As I get more commitments and as more things are finalized, the information on this post will be updated. Please check back to this post for updates.

Of cappuccinos and chilly mornings...

Honestly, a lot of things in life are about timing - cappuccino is no different. There is rarely anything like two teaspoons of brown sugar, a sprinkle or two of cinnamon, and a foaming end result of warm espresso goodness on a chilly morning. I don't want to get up out of bed, but I have so much to do. In between juggling meetings, trying to spend time with one of my closest friends before he goes off to residency in Richmond for four years, and traveling with the Boss Lady, I have had no time to process pictures and to design the six albums I need to.


I decided to add some new things to the blog - one of which is "The Look Out". Every now and then, I'm going to put up some information on projects and ventures I have developing for the near future. It gives everyone something to look forward to and it keeps me on point with my plans.


In regards to upcoming excitement, as you can probably see, the blog looks a little different. I redid some CSS and matched the blog to the incoming business cards. They should be here within the coming week and as soon as they get in, I'll have some pictures up. Also, I'm working with a friend of mine to develop his portfolio - he's a videographer, graduated film school in directing, and works in LA - and yes, as soon as we finish a couple of upcoming projects together, I'll be featuring his work for all of you to see. We're planning on adding full wedding videography services by the summer and we're very excited about it.

New Born Offerings.

So, I've been working on package ideas for families this week and came up with two ideas for newborns. These offerings are developed as "complete" packages and work out really well for families welcoming new additions. I really wanted to capture the story of the child and how his or her personality develops and I think parents will really come to appreciate this.

Without further delay...

YEAR ONE
This package consists of three photo-shoots spread across four month intervals of the infant's first year. Each photoshoot will have it's own 20 page 8x8 custom designed coffee table book. At the end of the year, I will design a 24 page 8x10 coffee table book that will highlight all three shoots. One year, three sessions, four books.

THE BOND
This is a smaller package for parents looking for a short term coverage solution. This package consists of two shoots - a "maternity" session before the child is born and an "after birth session" within the first week of the baby's birth. After both sessions are done, I'll design a 10x10 coffee table book for the family.

Families interested in these packages should contact me to setup a coffee date. For this to truly work well, I need to get to know the family at a "friend" level. I love learning about the couple's story and seeing their hopes for the soon-to-be-born baby. These personal connections are what helps me formulate my style to show the personality of the parents and the newborn in a genuine coverage.

A lot of Newness...

The title says it all - there's a lot of "newness" on its way. New blog, new albums, new logo, new business card - I'll post pics when they arrive! Wedding photography isn't just about taking pretty pictures - it also has a lot to do with identity branding and business establishment. So, that's what I've been up to for the past few days - building and submitting designer portfolio albums and business cards.

Also, the blog is on its way to WordPress. I'm working with a really high end template that is specifically made for wedding photographers. Tweaking HTML/CSS properties and working with flash are going to keep me busy for another two weeks, so look for the launch then.

One thing I CAN show you guys today is the business card design I just finished. The card will be printed on 15 point silk stock with Spot UV Varnishing of text and scarlet red foil varnishing for the logo.



As you can probably tell, I'm in revamping mode trying to really get a solid branding campaign in place for the coming year. Value has a lot to do with perception and is directly related to one's business identity - or lack thereof.

Anyway, stay safe everyone and stay tuned...

Of Presets and Venues...

I have to apologize for being away from the blog for a few days - been really busy networking with vendors and trying to setup a few bridal sessions. Anyway, onto all things photography - I have some goodies to point out for photographers and brides...

Spencer Boerup, a scholar of lighting and post-production techniques, has released an awesome set of Lightroom presets that are getting waves of applause. I am, myself, in the process of getting ready to buy a set. Check out Presetopia - a comprehensive set of post-processing techniques that streamline your whole workflow.

So, as I said in the previous post, I have been meeting various vendors and artists in the community, and I came across Galanova. I have to say that, by far, they had the best business card at the luncheon. The print quality and design services are truly top notch and if any of you photographers (or other businesses) need help branding and developing print media - definitely check out the website.

Lastly, here's something for the brides. I met Director Joyce Jones of The Hall & Gardens at Landmark - an absolutely GORGEOUS venue. Actually, it's the venue I shot my very first paid wedding at about two years ago AND it's where my cousin is getting married this April. She wanted to share the following information about the facility:

• The Hall and Gardens at Landmark is a uniquely designed venue for the discriminating bride and groom. Designed in the French Chateau style reminiscent of the Biltmore House and The Palace of Versailles, its three grand bronze fountains and distinct European architecture offer a myriad of photo opportunities.

• The picturesque old-world garden features a stone and wrought iron gazebo, waterfalls, cobblestone walkways, Koi pond, charming treillesage and will accommodate 300 for ceremony seating. The columned building on the garden site houses a spacious women’s lounge, convenient bathrooms and catering kitchen.

• Landmark is replete with the latest audiovisual technology. Four large wall-mounted plasma screens are immediately visible upon entering Landmark’s elegant marbled elevator lobby and can be utilized to highlight your event. Use it to display your unique video memories, announce your wedding party and express your sentiment to your guests as they arrive.

• The Marie Antoinette Grand Salon Ballroom includes carved and gilded trim, 22 window seats, separate mirrored buffet room, six opulent chandeliers set in faux-painted trey ceilings, and state-of-the-art sound system. The maximum guest occupancy is 300.

• The Napoleon Bonaparte Cigar Lounge is truly a gentleman’s dream. Offerings include: plasma screen, fireplace, bar, full bathroom, leather furniture, mahogany appointments and a built-in humidor.

• Large catering kitchen for the caterer of your choice.

• 12-foot-long marbled and mirrored vanities for bridal preparation.

• Gold Chivari and white garden chairs, tables, house linens and dance floor included.

• Located minutes from Raleigh just off Interstate 40 at Highway 42 (Exit 312). Landmark is within a mile of four major hotels and many restaurants.

And in the words of Jasmine Star "because every post is better with a picture" - I went out with Sameer again to do a photoshoot. This time it was during the day and without any off camera lighting - well, except the sun.

Stay tuned for new bridal and wedding work coming soon!

Movies and Networking.

This past week was a very social week for me considering I'm always working or taking care of school work. On Monday, my best friend Adnan finally found time in between his rotations to go see a movie. He's been working shifts from 4AM to 8PM on the burn unit with no breaks - yet my boy always finds time to call me after a 16 hour shift. Props where props are due. Anyway, we decided to go watch Slumdog Millionaire and I must say, it is jaw-dropping good. Honestly, it is easily one of the best movies of recent years. Since both of us are from the Southeast Asian subcontinent, there was a lot of imagery that we can bear witness to. While a lot of people who have no connection to that area found it entertaining, we saw it as a testimony to the reality of some places and people there.

The Perfect Wedding Guide hosts the monthly Professional Wedding Guild Luncheon and I was fortunate enough to attend this past Wednesday. It was a great opportunity to meet many of the local vendors, venue owners, and wedding coordinators. For those of you who are starting out, you HAVE to network - getting to know the managers of Embassy Suites on first name basis and having top notch caterers as fans of your work really comes in handy. In the coming weeks, I'll be posting dedicated blog posts about some of my favorite vendors in the area.

Alright, no pictures for today. I know, I know - been busy with school ... and something else :)

I have a HUGE business project in the works, and yes, all of you will have the chance to be a part of it... more information to come soon.

=)..

The Legit Way.

I was discussing all things business with some friends and we got into the methodology of starting, maintaining, and running a professional service business - particularly, photography. One of the biggest things that we started to ponder over was legitimization of existence and the importance it has on so many realms.

Nowadays, there are many consumers who are getting the short end of the stick in regards to the photographers (and other vendors) they hire for their wedding. It's truly baffling how much risk is involved in contracting someone to do something and most people are completely oblivious to the pitfalls. So, for the sake of education, I decided to write up this post to help consumers out there be fully aware of the situation they might find themselves in and to encourage photographers going into business to do things the legit way.

Lets start...

1) Legit Business Identity
Nowadays, all a photographer needs is a few hundred dollars to launch a fancy website, a few nice pictures, and a makeshift pricing plan to look like a professional. However, many photographers - even some who have been in business for a few years - do things "under the table". With no legitimate business identification and no tax ID, they charge their clients thousands of dollars at times. Now, some might ask "how is this bad"?

Well, first and foremost, a consumer should know that they are out to hire a professional businessman first and a photographer second. How is giving thousands of dollars to a person whose business doesn't technically exist in the eyes of the Secretary of State a smart move to make? Moreover, if these so-called "business (wo)men" can't make the investment of a few hours and a few hundred dollars to establish and maintain their own business (which some of them claim to love with their hearts and souls), how much importance do you think they will give to their client's and other contracts. If they don't have the tenacity to run a legitimate business and if the government does not recognize them as a business, then should consumers really consider these "professionals" as options?

Another thing to consider is the whole tax situation. These "professional wannabes" are avoiding paying taxes on their income. Now, this might seem great for consumers as they save money on paying taxes and it helps keep the package costs down. However, there is a huge flaw in any logic that looks at doing things "under the table" as a good thing. Consumers should ask themselves whether or not it is a good idea to contract someone who is "playing the system". Is giving thousands of dollars to a person who is avoiding taxes and cheating the government he/she resides under a sound decision? What do all these things say about the service provider's business ethics? Moreover, what do all these things say about the clients of this so-called business?

Words of wisdom: when you go out looking for trouble, more than likely, trouble will find you.

2) Insurance
Something that completely leaves me gobsmacked is how so many "working professionals" do not have business insurance. What is equally disturbing is how many of their clients don't care. Again, I would like to pose some questions:

What happens if the photographer loses or damages all of the equipment (up to tens of thousands of dollars worth of stuff) before a client's wedding? They have no way to replace this equipment and many people can literally go out of business when such a thing happens. How are prospective clients contracting photographers who do not have their tools covered?

The bigger issue is liability insurance. Living in this society, it's only common sense to have a good coverage plan. What happens if a light stand tips over and falls on Uncle Mike's seven year old kid at the reception due to someone bumping into it by accident? What happens due to a massive equipment failure during the wedding? You get the point. Liability insurance is crucial, not only for the photographer, but for the client also. Does a smart consumer really want an uncovered photographer working for them at an event they have spent months (and tens of thousands of dollars) planning and developing?

The Bottom Line
The bottom line is responsibility. Be responsible, be aware, and be legit.

On a lighter note, we had a snow day here and in the first time in five years, I was able to run my fingers through soft, gorgeous snow. Since all posts are better with pictures, here's a snapshot of me outside enjoying the weather:

The Magazine Initiative

I'm happy to announce that our print media advertising for the year is officially complete. We're being featured in the extremely popular Weddings Magazine and Saathee (a publication targeted at the local Southeast Asian community). Both publications are free and can be found throughout North Carolina. Weddings Magazine has 15,000 copies distributed through Wedding Expos, top bridal boutiques, and popular wedding venues. Saathee can be found at various Pakistani and Indian boutiques, stores, and restaurants. 

So now, about The Magazine Initiative...

From now to February 25th 2009, any future prospective clients who bring one of these magazines with them will get a 10% discount on their total package price. This is a huge deal and provides for some great savings. All you have to do is bring a copy of either magazine to the consultation meeting and you will qualify for the discount. 

If you're not getting married, this provides for an awesome gift, too. if you know someone who is engaged, get them a free copy of either magazine and hook them up with hundreds of dollars in savings!

New Site Launched!!!

So, it's been a long time coming - I finally launched my new site. Waited for this one for over a year and a half and had been planning to launch it close to New Years 2009. I absolutely love the way it came out and find it to be something I can grow into. This coming year, I want to press hard on branding and image - hopefully, this site will be a vital tool.

Check it out: S2S

Shopping, Reminiscing, and Packaging

The temperatures are dropping and it's becoming really quiet outside. There is something to be said for the calmness that winter brings -- I love the mellowness, the understated atmosphere, and winter clothes. Winter also brings the opportunity to stay in and think and that (along with finals, work, and papers) have kept me very busy for the past two weeks. Now that secondary midterms and papers are all in and finished, I have loads of post-processing and album designs that have to get finished this weekend and considering I'll be in NYC tomorrow morning visiting family, I'm left with today as crunch day.

Anyway, before we get to the main topic of the post, check out the winter shopping list:

So, back to all things "wedding photography"...

Looking back over the past year, I find myself very content with how far this business has come and how it has changed me. Deciding to solely own the business has been one of the best choices I've made and it has lead to a lot of new questions and challenges. One of them being identity. Business, like people, needs to have an identity, a clique, a standard, and a vibe. It's branding 101 - "what two words do I want people to think of when they see my business, logo, or work?".  After a long time of grappling with the subject, the two words that I wish for are "classy" and "personal".

This subject quickly branched off into a lot of sub-topics, one of which became the subject of today's post... 

Packaging. 

It's easy to overlook the significance of packaging in regards to branding, however, it is a cornerstone of identity building. Look at Apple; sure some of their products are amazing in terms of functionality, but owning their products has become more than just a purchase based on the merit of the product. It's developed into a pop-culture. Why? Because from A to Z, their marketing and branding is rock solid. As with other similar companies, their products will come in top notch designer packaging. Why? ... For a vibe.

If you pay $700 for a phone or $2,200 for a computer, you're going to want to receive the product in beautiful packaging -- even if the packaging will wind up being thrown away. It's the principle of the fact -- people like pretty things.

I've been doing lots of research to come up with a variety of product and packaging options. For today, here are some really nice accessories for the final high resolution DVD of images that I offer:

Got to go and start packing... I'll post some stuff up from the NYC trip when I get back. Have a wonderful long weekend!

A Different Approach... Timeliness

In the spirit of being efficient in the service that my company provides, I have been considering a new approach to the way we do things. As wedding photographers we are continually improving our post-processing, lighting, and photography techniques. We integrate the newest products into our packages. After all, a business needs to adapt and continuously provide the client with reasons to come back. Many photographers compete with one another on actual images produced, however, not too many realize that the quality of service they provide as a whole is just as important -- many have outdated business structures and inefficiencies in their work flow.

I've decided to promise clients something that all of us can appreciate: a little extra attention -- specifically, attention to timeliness. 

The workflow I've developed provides attention not only to the pictures, but also the delivery process itself. Just as clients shouldn't have to be pressed into limited packages or to count hours and minutes, clients should have their pictures in hand as quickly as possible. 

By that token, I now offer:

- proofs within forty-eight hours of the wedding event.

- finished album designs within two weeks of the wedding date.

- delivery of albums within ten days of client's final design approval.

- DVD of post-processed images within 3 weeks.

People hate waiting. It's time to give people what they want.