1 of 365

I know this isn't a great image but I had to post it. I've been seeing this place from the freeway and always wanted to go inside and photograph. So today I went...asked permission to photograph and was told no. So I got in my car...went to the spot on the freeway where it is visible from...turned on my hazzard lights and pulled off to the side. There's always another way to get a shot!! hehe

f/8 1/500 iso 200 135mm
aprox 12:15 pm

Open Image Studio

I would like to take this time to give my sincere thanks to my friend and mentor, Monty. He is the owner and operator of Open Image Studio. He has helped me the last couple of years with any questions that I may have had and I've had A LOT! He's also given me lots of feedback on my work to help me become a better photographer. He is an amazing photographer himself and loves photography as much as I do. It truly is a passion for him and that shows in his work. Please visit his website and let him know how fantastic of a human being and photographer he is.

Monty, YOU ROCK!!! I am so blessed to know you, and the world is a better place with you in it.

http://www.openimagestudio.com

Digital photography contest. Theme, "LIFE."

I've entered a photography contest in order to win $1,600.00 in photography equipment. The theme of the 4 week long contest is "Life." I am going to enter 1 image per week for 4 weeks. To see the entry for week 1 please visit... http://digital-photography-school.com/forum/competitions/100276-life-dps-photography-competition-week-one-submissions-10.html

365 project

Today I am starting my 365 project. I am shooting a different theme per week. This week I let Angie choose the theme. She chose "metal." So today's image will reflect my interpretation of metal. As well as the next 6 images. If you have any idea's for weekly themes or would like to participate with me feel free to use my themes and post your images here!! Would LOVE to have people doing this with me, professional or not.

The way it works...every day you take shoot an image of the weekly theme...the way you interpret the theme. You post the image along with the time of day that it was taken and all of the settings that you used...example...shutter speed, f-stop, lens used, iso. Images taken previously can not be used. This project is to make you a better photographer and help you "see" things differently. The idea is that if you post everyday with your shooting info...when the project ends you can reflect back to the beginning and see how much better a photographer the project has helped you become. So jump in and play along!!! I'm off to begin shooting!!

Grandfather's Gallery

Well, it's Saturday morning and I was awake at 5:00 a.m. this morning with a migraine. I popped some Imitrex, made some coffee and started to work on some of the images that I captured 2 weeks ago from my grandfather's funeral. I captured some of the most amazing shots! So much so that I'm going to try and get them shown in a gallery. They are very moving images, they seem to move your emotions to all ends of the spectrum...in my opinion anyway.

I was very fortunate to have been able to capture a part of the funeral that most people do not get to or even wish to see...the burial. The day of my grandfather's funeral was like he had control over the events of the day and once again, he was looking out for me. I say this because earlier in the day while the cemetery employees were attempting dig out the plot where my grandfather's coffin would be tucked into, they hit a HUGE bolder in the ground which left them with no choice but to move the tent for the graveside service a few plots down. By the time the family arrived to say their final goodbye's to papaw, the plot was successfully opened up...for all of us too see. I don't know about you but I had never seen an actual "dug up" grave. To make a very long story short, I witnessed the "gravediggers," funeral directors, and my wife, carry my grandfather from the tent to the big hole in the ground. I watched his casket slowly go lower and lower into the hard, cold ground that looked almost decorated by the fine mist of snow that had fallen onto the dirt and into his vault that lie in wait to embrace my grandfather's eternal place of rest. While all of this is happening I am observing and feeling "the moment" in my gut...snap, snap, snapping of my camera, putting myself in the general public's frame of mind and asking myself, "what kind of an image would make me gasp for air?" I continue to click as the top of the vault is lowered down to cover my grandfather. Here is where my papaw's body, the body of a W.W.II Veteran, will forever be at peace. He and my grandmother's bodies are placed side by side and I know that on that day, they were side by side in an attempt to give me an opportunity that most of the world hasn't seen, let alone captured forever.


If you own a gallery or have a recommendation of a particular gallery that may be interested in showing these pieces, please contact me.


Yours in photography,
Shari

These images "speak" far louder than I will ever speak.

LET'S HELP HAITI !!!

I want to help the victims of Haiti.

So here's what I'm going to do...for every dollar that you donate to help the victims is a dollar that I will take off of the price of your sitting fee!

So please donate, print your verification, call me to schedule your shoot and then just bring the verification with you to your shoot (I won't keep it. I just need to see it) to receive your discount. Easy stuff!!

Here's a website that has a TON of places that you can send donations.

http://www.thebrew1057.com/

I know our economy is "getting better"...but imagine living in their economy with the disaster and devistation of an earthquake to increase the stress, worry and grief. I also know that many of you who have kids getting ready to graduate or get married are maybe a little stressed out about "finding the money somehow." That's why I'm doing this...not only am I helping the victims of the earthquake but I am also helping out in YOUR time of need, persay. I just really want to do something good for someone who really and truly needs it.
I think we could all give up our morning latte for a couple of weeks in order to help another human being in need. I haven't had a Starbucks latte in the morning in 2wks and if I can give up my Starbucks morning addiction for 2 wks I know you can too!!

Investment

Like I promised, here is a rough idea of a price list. Please keep in mind that each client is an individual with different needs and so on. That being said, these prices are subject to change.

Prices include photographers time and talent, creative editing and uploading to a private online album for you. You are able to place orders right from your computer and have them delivered right to your door. Prices DO NOT include travel expenses, prints, albums, framing, custom items, shipping or taxes.

Infants (2 wks or younger): I will travel to your home for these shoots. I feel that it just makes it easier for mom, dad and baby if they are in their own environment.
Starting at $200.00. One Hundred Dollars of the $200.00 will be applied to a print credit. No CDs are available for infant shoots at this time.

Babies/Children/Families: One location, 2 outfits, any props that you may like to include.
$200.00 investment . One Hundred Dollars of the $200.00 will be applied to a print credit.

High School Senior Portraits: This price includes 2 outfits and one location and any props that you would like to include...and yes, your bestfriend is considered a "prop!" ;-)
Starting at $250.00., $125.00 of which, will be applied to a print credit. No CD is offered with High School Senior Portraits .

Engagement Portraits: Typically I enjoy doing these sessions outdoors at your favorite park or maybe at the place where you were proposed to!
Starting at $350.00, $200.00 of which will be applied to a print credit. No CD is offered with Engagement Portraits.


Weddings / Commitment Ceremonies: I offer a photojournalistic style of wedding photography. Capturing those moments that last a second but remain for a lifetime on your living room wall or in your custom wedding album. I shoot same day pre-ceremony, ceremony, and post ceremony.
Wedding prices start at $650.00 (ceremony only). No CD's are offered.


All clients will be required to sign a model release form.
Retainer fee of $350.00 is due no later than 2 months prior to wedding/ceremony date
Remainder of investment is due no later than 2 weeks prior to wedding/ceremony date
Cash/Check or Paypal only please.

Prices for prints:
Wallets (set of 4) starting at: $14.00
5x7 starting at: $15.00
8x10 starting at $25.00
10x13 starting at $35.00
11x14 starting at $75.00
16x20 starting at $125.00
20x24 starting at $225.00
24x30 starting at $300.00

Custom wedding albums starting at : $500.00

We also offer albums for high school seniors, infants and children/family portraits starting at $300.00. If this is something that you are interested in, please inform the photographer at initial consultation.

Travel Expenses: $1.40 per mile for anything more than 20 miles from Columbus, Ohio.

Prices for prints do not include tax or shipping.
Once your private, personal online album is posted it will remain online for 30 days. If you would like to have it posted for an additional 30 days there will be an additional $50.00 posting charge.

* All prices for prints as well as photographer's fees are subject to change*

The beginning

Thank you for checking out my blog. Please be patient with me. I am just learning this blogging stuff as well as managing my own website, my social networking websites, meeting new clients, marketing, banking, practicing with my new equipment and getting all of the continuing education that time will allow. My next blog will be a list of the costs of your investment. Check back within the week for that blog entry.

Until then...visit my webpage. www.diverseimagesbyshari.com





I'm excited to begin blogging!!! Any advice that you can give me on the tips of blogging would be GREAT!!