» Uncategorized

Video Blog: Making a Shoot List

Dani — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 13:06:28 +0000

A shoot list is simply a list o photographs you want your photographer to take. This week’s Matrimony Monday discusses why I like one.

DVP Shoot List

Happy Planning,

Dani

“Tis the Season..Already?

Dani — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 16:48:31 +0000

It was on a walk around my neighbourhood when I saw the backdrop for this year’s Christmas card. I was in speaking with Debbie from Dusk to Dawn Contracting when just outside the shop’s door, I saw the green door of what once was Priceville’s general store.

Three days later, I trucked my six and four year old, Reese and Ella, down to “the door”. The temperature was a little warm for vests and scarves, but Reese and Ella were pretty good about putting up with me. (For the record, I do bribe my children with candy during a photoshoot!) Here is my favourite shot from the day.The head shots also turned out nice.

Now I just have to get the Christmas cards designed and printed!

And Baby Makes Eleven

Dani — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 13:00:57 +0000

Linda has been to a few of my photography classes. And I was honoured when she asked me to photograph one of her favourite subjects, her grandchildren (and of course her own children). The four grand-babies are all four and under. A lovely age to capture on film, but one that does take a little patience.

I know I wanted a simple backdrop that had a hint of the Fall colours, so I scoped out this empty lot in Eugenia and Linda, her husband, her mother, along with her two boys and their families were good enough to truck over. A special thanks to Dorthy, Linda’s mother, who was a trooper with the tall grass and uneven terrain. (Dorthy is the matriarch in the soft pink.)

Linda’s sons, Stan and Rob, each have a boy and girl. Linda wanted the family in white shirts and denim, and Linda’s daughter-in-law, Ashley, organized the outfits for the children. I really liked the off white shirts she chose for the girls. They also purchased inexpensive all white shirts for the men. It is well-worth the couple bucks for the uniformed look. As I was taking pictures of Stan and Rob with their grandmother, I heard the daughter-in-laws comment they were glad they made the run to the store.

We had lots of “configurations” to cover, for example, family one with Grandma, family two with Grandma, Grandma with the grandkids, Grandma with the great-grandkids, and so on. One way I try to make it easier on young children is by fitting their photos in when they are most content and giving them little breaks throughout the shoot if necessary. The wee-ones did an awesome job. And so did the parents!

I also wanted to share this Before and After picture of little Alora. Alora’s skin was very sensitive to the grass. All of the prints I produce are completely detailed and printed on archival paper. Here, I have Photoshopped Alora’s skin and eyes. She is such a cutie!

Thanks Linda for sharing your family with me!

If I Were to Shoot a Ralph Lauren Ad

Dani — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 13:00:24 +0000

If you are a reader of my Snaptaculous newsletter you would know that I encourage photographers to critically look at others work. In fact, in September’s issue I chatted about how I often analyze the light in fashion ads. Some stunning photography is done for brands like Tommy Hilfiger, Ralph Lauren, and Burberry. (I will resist the urge to lament about Marc Jacobs’ over-processed and blown out ads here.) There great examples out there, and looking at the light and position of the models will help you become a better photographer.

Though I do constantly push myself as a photographer, it wasn’t necessarily improving that I was thinking about when I pulled up to the Anderson’s in Flesherton, Ontario. My first thought was, “if I were shooting a Ralph Lauren advertisement, this is where I would shoot it”. Stephanie has about 50 acres. The day I was there was a beautiful Fall day. The soy had turned the gorgeous rusty colour, and the split rail fences where edged with purple wild flowers and Golden Rod. I think I literally whispered “Yummy.”, as I drove down the lane.

And then Stephanie came out… She totally looked the part for my Ralph Lauren fantasy. She had on a plaid scarf with a steel-blue, long sweater. Then came the blue-eyed babes. Now, I have met the girls before–Stephanie and her girls, Sam and Dani, had been in my studio during the Flesherton Fling to decorate cookies, and about week after that, I shot some head shots for Stephanie–but when I have seen them in the past I wasn’t in my “about to photograph you mode”. You see, when I am about to take someone’s picture, even someone I have known for years, I am really looking at their face to see how I can best photograph them. The girls looked perfect. All of my photography dreams were coming true today!

And if this family hadn’t made me happy enough, they are also animal people and asked if they could take some pictures with their dog, Ransom, and their two cats, Tiger and Ming Ming. I am sure you know what me answer was!

In fact, Ransom became quite the diva.

These pictures by the split rail fence are some of my favourites. I love the lighting, the grass, and especially the expressions on the faces.

We also played with the lighting on the other side of the property.

Thanks so much to Stephanie, Samantha, Danielle, Ransom, Tiger and Ming Ming too! (Excuse the Wonder Pets reference.) It was such a lovely experience for me.

When the Weather Gods Smile

Dani — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 12:00:57 +0000

The Fall is a very popular time for family portraits. The light is lovely and the colourful leaves, of course, beautiful. The issue with the Fall; however, is that the weather can be unpredictable and it is sometimes hard to schedule a session when the leaves are optimal and it isn’t raining. I tell you this so you understand why on Monday I was panicking. All week, in fact, I worried about the weather. It was nasty right up until Saturday morning. (In fact, Friday was so icky that it was a “hard to be happy” kind-of-day!) I was worried for all of my clients, but especially the Harder’s. Carol and John’s granddaughter was visiting from Banff and this weekend was the only opportunity to get family photos done.

So it was with great relief on Saturday morning, when I woke up to perhaps the most perfect day for family photos. It was warm; the light was perfect. My first stop was the Osprey Museum Car Rally. (You can read more about the on my 365 Blog.) At around 1:00 I headed over to the Harder’s. The Harder’s live in Priceville. Carol and John’s place is no exception. As soon as I drove up the lane, I saw so many picture opportunities.

I had chatted briefly on the phone with Carol about what she wanted for the day, and it was no surprise that the rest of the family was as nice and as accommodating as her. The Harder’s have two girls, each with children of their own (five children between the two families.) The grand kids were the best; they were so excited and into the idea of getting family pictures done. I spent a lot of time laughing on this shoot as it was easy to get caught up in their energy!

Now, I am not saying I have favourites (the whole Harder clan is pretty awesome!), but little Alex certainly kept me laughing the entire time I was photographing.

He was full of ideas. I should rephrase that; he was full of great ideas! In fact, with no guidance this was the shoot that he came up with. I take no credit. I merely snapped the photo. Come see me in a few years when you need summer employment!

Over course, I did take a couple pictures myself. My favourite being this one of the five grandchildren.

Thanks again to Carol and John. I truly enjoyed my time with you all.

Dani

The Pepper Mill in Flesherton

Dani — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 13:00:42 +0000

It is almost the one year anniversary of my family moving to the Grey Bruce area. It took us a while to figure out an old manse in the tiny town of Priceville was our home, but we haven’t regretted one moment of our repair-prone venture north. One of the properties that I fell in love with during our quest to find our current home, was the Pepper Mill property. It has numerous outbuildings, beautiful grounds and a tennis court. In a word, stunning. But, there is very little that needs to be done at the Pepper Mill, and we were looking for a project (which we found in our manse, by-the-way).

When I got the call from Charlene, I was excited to meet the family. On her message, she explained that she’d like pictures that captured this moment in their lives; Charlene and Grants children Luke and Bronwyn are five months and 11 years old. She also mentioned that they were looking for something not too posey-posey.

Once I arrived, it was clear Charlene knew what she wanted, but was also very open to hearing my input. It always nice to collaborate with a willing partner. We chatted about light, as well as the areas of the property that the family really liked.

Did I mention the property is stunning? We had so much fun walking around and stumbling upon beautifully lit spaces.

I caught Bronwyn during a quick break when Charlene and Grant went to grab Luke’s soother. I could take pictures all day of this girl. She has a matureness to her you don’t alway see in an eleven year old.

I have favourite trees; the way most people have a favourite colour or meal. (Just so you know, orange and toasted tomato sandwiches on white bread with mayo–for more formal events grilled salmon.) A favourite tree of mine belongs to the neighbour behind us. Much like Grant and Charlene’s tree it is a larger-than-life Willow tree. (Click here to read more about my neighbours tree.) There are numerous willow trees on the property.

Thanks so much to the McGlaughlin’s for sharing the Pepper Mill with me.

Easter Pics of my Kids

Dani — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 23:53:41 +0000

Last year, despite shooting at two separate locations, I didn’t manage to get Easter portrait pictures of my own children. This year I made sure I did.

Here is a cute lil’ slideshow.

Customize a free slideshow design

I will post more soon. Thanks to everyone who came out.

Dani

The Biz on the Business

Dani — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 23:38:59 +0000

My last post was a little about Dani the artist, but what about the business side? Danielle Valiquette Photography is different from other studios in another important way. Sure I am artist, but I approach what I do in a systematic fashion (thanks to a background in sofware project management), so that my couples and families know exactly what to expect and when. Sure you’re hiring an artist, but not some loosey-goosey studio. You are not getting a photographer who works 40 hours Monday through Friday for someone else, and then picks up his camera Saturday because it seems like it might be a fun way to spend a few hours. (Mind you it is fun.)

Each couple gets a client package that includes information on how everything will roll out over the next few months. Remember, the relationship with your wedding photographer sometimes lasts as long as a year. You want that relationship to run smoothly and without obstacles. Your package includes things like:

Bride and groom interview sheet where we make sure that Danielle Valiquette Photography is the right photography studio for you. Does our style make sense for you both?
A wedding day plan that we create together to make sure that the day goes off without a hitch. We can discuss possibilities you may not have thought of. Perhaps you’d like to do pictures that day after the ceremony to ensure you have lots of pictures of the two of you.
A contract that protects your investment.
Tips on how to dress for the engagement session.

If you want to know more about me drop me a line at dani@daniellevaliquette.com.

Happy planning,
Dani