Two New Photography Logo Designs

This past summer I've had the pleasure of working on some great projects - two of which included designing logos for two fabulous photographers - Marcia from Classy Kids Photography and Beryl from Be Young Photography.

Both clients were kind enough to describe their experience working with Lily Red Design on their blogs, so I've included links to their posts below. I just want to thank both of these wonderful ladies for their support and trusting me to design their vision!

Client: Classy Kids Photography
Blog post: http://clkphotosblog.com/2010/05/12/new-logo/
Website: http://clkphotosblog.com/



Client: Be Young Photography
Blog post: http://blog.beyoungphotography.com/?p=821
Website: www.beyoungphotography.com



© 2010 Lily Red Design

An American Flea Market

I won't go into why I've been on a blogging hiatus recently except to say that it's been an extremely busy last couple of months! In fact I realized that my last post was around the same time that I started my Fundamentals of Digital Photography class at the Chicago Photography Center.

The class lasted around 7 weeks and I learned so much! Not just about how to use my camera but also about the art of photography and a bit about photojournalism that I had never even considered. Did you know that a photojournalist can't request someone to move or pose in a certain way when setting up a shot? Click here to find out the rest of their code of ethics.

Our final class project was to tell a photo story using the following elements as a guide:
1. Headline
2. Scene Setter or Overall Image
3. Sense of Place
4. Environmental Portrait
5. Close-up Portrait
6. Human Emotion
7. Interaction
8. Relevant Detail
9. Closing Image/Ender

So without further blabbing - here is my final project entitled, "An American Flea Market"












Also excited to share that I was mentioned in a few of my friend's blog posts (below). Just wanted to give all of these talented folks a shout out - not only have they been great friends, they've also been great teachers!

Special Thanks to:
Jenn Gaudreau of Jennifer Kathryn Photography | Jenn let me second shoot with her on this engagement session

Joan Cinquegrani of Five Grain Events | Check out Joan's blog which features the latest people/vendors she's been meeting with

Otto Rascon of Otto Rascon Photography | Otto let me be his "dos shooter" for this wedding

Picture credits for "An American Flea Market": © 2010 Suzy Rohan

Week In Review

So I've been MIA from blogging this week, but with good excuse - and that means an extra long blog post to make up for it! Here's what I've been up to...

1) Submitted my SOAR! Video entry. A lot of you know (especially those of you who have been subjected to being my photography subjects) that I've been trying to build my photography portfolio - so that I can eventually offer photography services in addition to design. I was contemplating the number of years it would take me to actually save up for all of the equipment when Me Ra of Me Ra Koh Photography announced an amazing opportunity. She is going to give three women scholarships, which include photography equipment, websites and business coaching (as well as a ton of other cool stuff). To enter you need to make a 2 minute video - be as creative as possible and convince them that you have what it takes to "SOAR!".

Here's what I came up with... oh, and I want to thank my little brother for helping me - it was really fun working on this project with him:



2) Finished up with designing holiday cards for friends & family. Here are the ones that I worked on this year...










3) Edited the pictures that I took of my friend's newborn - Nolan James







4) Made my first apple pie. It was surprisingly easier that I thought it would be - I think it was because I used an apple peeler/corer - that thing was amazing - next to the light bulb, the wheel and fire, I'm pretty sure the apple peeler/corer is one of the best inventions ever made.




5) Had a couple of friends over for a Christmas cookie party. It was a lot of fun - I never realized how many cookies you can make in a really short amount of time when you have two other people helping you!



6) Worked on a couple of logo designs - one of which required painting the perfect dot. I'll unveil the completed designs when they're finished...




That's it for this week - today Steve and I are off to the Christkindl Market and ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo...

Photo Session: Katie & Isabel

Last month I had the chance to take some pictures for my friend Katie and her adorable daughter Isabel. I really wanted to capture the mother-daughter bond between these two. I love how you can already tell how much Isabel adores her mother (and vice-versa)...











Picture credits: © 2009 Suzy Rohan

In front of the lense

Thought this was an interesting article for all my photographer friends (found on elizabethannedesigns.com) - it's helpful to know what questions a client might ask before they select you as their photographer...even though these questions apply to a wedding photographer, they might also be helpful for a portrait photographer...


Essential Questions for Your Photographer
There are SO many amazing photographers in the world - how do you find the one that’s perfect for you? Well, not only do you need to blog-stalk them, see images from a full wedding, and find out all of the details about the specific packages that they offer, but you also want to ask these questions:

1. Will I receive a DVD of images from the event?
2. How many images do you post-process (the more the better! All of those amazing images you fell in love with from their website and albums are post-processed. If the images on the DVD you receive are SOOC (straight out of camera) you should know and understand this.)? Can I see multiple examples of before-and-after images?
3. Do you color correct all images?
4. How soon after the wedding will I receive my proofs? My DVD of images? My album?
5. Do you write up every event on your blog?
6. How soon after the event will you blog?
7. What types of images do you include in your blog post?
8. Do you shoot in film or digital? Color or black and white? RAW or JPG?
9. What is your contingency plan if you are ill or otherwise cannot attend my event? {Be sure the answer to this is specifically stated in your contract}
10. Who retains copyright to the images? Reproduction rights?
11. Are the number of hours included in my contract continuous or may they be used in blocks? In the event of overtime, what are your rates?
12. Are proofs available online or via a proof book?
13. How many images can I expect to see from the event? Can I see your “throwaway images” as well?
14. Do you have specific lighting requirements or suggestions?
15. Will you work from a shot list to be sure that all of the details that are important are captured?
16. Are you available to come to the rehearsal? The hotel room while I am getting ready? The salon while my hair is being done? Will you ride in the limo with me from the ceremony to the reception?
17. How many photographers will be present at my event? Will you specifically be one of them? Do you coordinate the receiving of digital negatives from the associate photographers and the purchase of any prints?
18. What is your cancellation policy? {Be sure the answer to this is specifically stated in your contract}
19. Do you include an engagement session in your fee? When will I receive the DVD of images for that session? Can I use those images for my guest book, decor, etc?
20. What is your blog/magazine submission policy?

Inspiring Photographer

I was catching up on my blogs yesterday and was pleasantly surprised to see that Me Ra Koh's Blog featured my friend, Tracie. Please check out her inspiring interview with Me Ra.

For those of you who know me, you know that I have a passion for paper and creating invitations - what you may not know is that Tracie is the one who started me on the path. Thanks again Tracie - for taking a chance on a newbie....

If you live in or around WI/IL and need an amazing photographer, please check out Tracie's website: tsjphotography.com.