Bigger IS Better!

We have found that many people think purchasing an average size canvas to put on their wall will be "fine", but just for reference, we have uploaded a few templates to show you that in order for the pictures to look right on the wall, you have to consider the space and pick the right size for that area.

In this example of a living room, we selected a 16x20 Canvas Gallery Wrap to show you that one photo would not suffice in an area similar to the one below. On the other hand, if you choose a trendy display of 3 photos of varying sizes, it seems to fill the space more!

In the next example, we have provided a more vintage style bedroom with only one Canvas Gallery Wrap, while showing that going that little extra larger (or often just a different shape) will go a long ways in filling out your room!

Make sure to keep these things in mind when purchasing anything to place on a wall in your home. Focus Sisters Photography has conveniently included sizing templates as part of our Welcome Package that assist you in choosing the right size for your space!

Mandi - Calgary, AB Portrait Photographer

I really wanted to make Mandi's shoot my best yet! I have grown up spending time with her and her wonderful family and I can't say enough what a great family they are. So in trying to make this my best shoot yet, I think I did pretty well. She is naturally beautiful and her light skin makes for awesome highlights in pictures. Her very blue eyes draw you in to the picture and keep you there, and in this set of photos her fun & loving personality really came through.

Mandi is an actress that was living in LA, California and has now settled in Toronto with her sister MJ! She asked for some head shots as well as just some casual fun pictures. We accomplished both and they turned out wonderful!

Thanks Mandi for a great day and for the catching up! 

Allison - Calgary, AB Boudoir Photographer

I love doing boudoir sessions, especially when people are relaxed and enjoying themselves! Allison is gorgeous and her personality and zest for life are contagious! She was the first to try out my new backdrop as well as some great shots in the bedroom.

Enjoy the preview from this gorgeous gals shoot!

March Man!

March brought in a lot of new clients that I am loving working with in April and really excited to share some of those sets with you as they approach, so keep updated with the blog for previews!

But for my March photo (3/12 for my project) I have decided to share with you my favourite photo from my recent shoot with Matthew Marr from top 6 of last season's So You Think You Can Dance Canada. This is the first time shooting a guy alone that isn't one of my brothers. So it was very fun to see how the shoot is different! You will be able to view more photos as a preview coming soon on the blog!

Matt is in Calgary doing a show called "Summer in the City" with Stage West. Definitely try and get out to check out Matt's performance from now until June 10th, 2012. He is an amazing dancer and person and if you didn't catch him on SYTYCD, you will want to check him out!

Check back for previews coming soon! Have a great week :)

Getting down to business...

I have been debating a lot of things to help in building a successful photography business and looking for any insight from others who have been through these initial stages. Any help from fellow photographers would be appreciated :)

I'm thinking of doing/buying the following:

1. Registering in an online Business Administration Diploma with SAIT

Has anyone taken this course either online or in classroom? Any advice about how it would benefit or courses that are crucial to running a business?

2. Buying studio lighting

Any advice on brand? What do you consider your ESSENTIAL tools for a studio photo shoot?

3. Purchasing backdrops

Any opinions on different materials of backgrounds or what you use in certain situations....muslin? seamless paper roll? Canvas? Green screen? What size would be beneficial for all sizes of groups (including dance group portraits)?

I just purchased a Manfrotto backdrop stand and a 9' roll of studio grey paper backdrop (WOOOO new gear!!!!), but I am still looking for opinions on type and what you like best!

4. Studio space

Does anyone have a current studio? Do you want a location that could potentially have a lot of walk-in clients? Any advice on studio space and size of space would be appreciated!

5. Purchasing another lens

If I am working in a studio and doing portraits, what lens would you recommend? 24-70mm so I have a range? Fixed lens? I currently own a 50mm 1.4 and a 70-200mm (not a great lens). Looking to invest in some quality lenses that can be used for a lot of different styles of photography.

6. Marketing

Any great marketing tools that people are willing to share? I have a few ideas from books and research but haven't personally tried any of them, so looking for someone with experience in this area!

7. Photography seminars and mentoring sessions

I have been doing a lot of research in this area and have found MANY different online courses and mentoring sessions all over the place. Has anyone taken any really good ones that they would recommend? I want to spend money where I know I will get out quality information out of it. Could be a risk I have to take, but seeing if anyone else out there has maybe been here before wondering the same thing?!

Any information and advice anyone has, whether business or photography related would be appreciated as I am looking to really build something off my passion. Thanks so much!

M

New props!

So, due to the fact that I was in Vancouver, BC for the whole weekend and just today got myself organized (finally!), I did not post my usual Sunday update. Someday soon I will be organized enough to commit to Sunday blogging time!

I wanted to let everyone know that I have received all kinds of new props for baby shoots (as family members are expecting and I want to be ready to snap the little cuties' pictures)!

Anyone interested in baby portraits or the maternity/baby combo, are welcome to send me a message (Facebook, email, website, blog) to inquire about pricing!

Below, I have included pictures of the new props on hand, with more on the way!

I am very excited to start jumping into more creative and fun photo shoots with little ones and using my NEW PROPS!

Let me know if you would like to book a baby session.

M

Procrastinator....not usually in my vocabulary of words that describe me!

So it is now March and the time has flown by. I don't even remember February, except that I went on a wonderful vacation with my boyfriend, Brad!

I mentioned back in January that I would be doing the "12 for 2012" project and have not been keeping everyone in the loop or sharing anything to do with it. I apologize. This post is dedicated to just that...catching everyone up to March! I will also keep up on posting every Sunday so don't give up on me yet!

January brought great new ideas and I tried my first self portrait. My sister got me the greatest camera tool ever (remote shutter release) for Christmas and I used it in my self portrait back in January! It turned out wonderfully and have shared it below for you to comment and critique!

February was busy and exhausting. Thankfully, I got a relaxing trip in Palm Springs and visited Joshua Tree National Park. I captured a beautiful silhouette photo of Brad just before sunset, and I realized my skills with silhouettes are improving. Any feedback would still be appreciated though!

March has allowed lots of time to try new things, so when I figure out a technique or idea I would like to share, I will definitely do so. New techniques or ideas to try are always welcome!

Until next week....

Things You Should Check Out!

So as I was thinking of what to write for my weekly blog, I remembered all the time I have used up this week looking at random websites and photographers.

So instead of showing you pictures today, here are some awesome websites that I have been loving this week:

www.lynda.com - photography tutorials

www.betterphoto.com - online photography classes

goingpro2010.com - for emerging professional photographers

Check those websites out for some great tutorials and classes. As well, below are some photographers that have been truly inspiring over the last few weeks:

Alex Beadon Photography - truly amazing photography, really nice self portraits

www.alexbeadonphotography.com

Brandy Anderson (Fresh Sugar Photography) - really well known for her children/maternity photos

www.freshsugar.ca

Erin Manning - author of Make money with your digital photography, great portraits as well as business advice

www.erinmanning.com

Be sure to check it all out and let me know what you think. I have got a lot of useful information from those sites and photographers in the past week and hope you do as well!

Have a great week :)

12 for 2012 Project

As each year progresses I normally have a bunch of new ideas that I want to pursue and just hope that one of them will work out. Not this year. Now, I know for sure the direction I want to go with everything in my life. I know for sure that photography is going to consume most of my energy and goals for 2012. I want to really progress as a photographer and focus my energy on as much education in this area as I can and expanding clients for future plans.

So in order to start this year off great for my photography career, I have decided to take advice from my photography teacher from SAIT. Patrick Kornak is such a well-rounded photographer that taught me so much in the summer of 2011. He did the 365 project in which you take a new picture daily. I really admire his passion and I want to follow that same idea.

So for 2012, I am going to be doing "12 for 2012 Project" in which I will do one project each month that has a different aspect of photography for 12 consecutive months. I think it will really force me to try new things and learn new tricks and ultimately make me a better photographer.

In 2012 I also plan to take more photography classes and capture as many great moments as I can and build up clientele. If you know people looking for a photographer this year, keep me in mind!

I encourage you to keep in touch and follow my posts:

Facebook Page: Mandy Thorogood Photography

Twitter: @mthorogoodphoto

Website: www.mandythorogoodphotography.com

Thank you and I hope everyone had a wonderful and restful holiday! All the best in 2012!

Mandy

Dance...like no one is watching!

A select few photos (of many amazing ones) of my dance students! I can't reiterate enough how much I enjoy teaching them every week. I am very grateful to be able to teach such talented, committed girls. Every week they put a smile on my face! :) Thanks girls for working so hard and looking forward to the next 6 months of hard work to prepare for year end recital.