I do it for the love of doing it. Seriously. I know it may sound like big cheese, but it’s true. “Compelled” is a good descriptor, too. To me, every image has a story to tell. Especially when photographing people. This is a big part of my motivation.

Let’s state what at first blush may not be obvious: Being a f/t professional photographer is hard work. There’s very long hours, often less than ideal shooting conditions, and a lot of client expectations. There’s never-ending learning, a good lesson on humility. And lots of self-discovery.

And more. You get the idea.

What it’s not about is money; there are many almost-guaranteed ways to earn more and to become rich. For the aspiring photographer, make no doubt about it: there’s a big difference between a hobby-photographer and photographing as a career. But if you love making pictures, the return on the many areas of which you invest of yourself and your business will come. You have to believe. Plan. And pray.

I have much respect for other photographers. When I first contemplated pursuing pro photography, it must’ve been about 8 or 9 years ago. It wasn’t an easy decision. It took me four years to make up my mind. That, coincidently, was almost four years ago. For those that know me, most of the time I make quick but well-thought out decisions. But this was a super-big one.

When I did make the decision, there were a few commercial photographers who generously provided guidance. At the time I thought I wanted to create only corporate and commercial images. But I believe in following my heart and so my love of people and heritage led me to wedding / family photography. So I now create both corporate and wedding photography. And they are two very different types of businesses (which I’ll write about in a  future post).

So I’d like to publicly offer some thanks. To Matthew Plexman and Sylvia Verkley. Two wonderful people committed to not just photography but the business of photography in Canada. Matthew is a fantastic advertising / commercial photographer. I was drawn to him because of his work. He has a clean beautiful style. Thank you for your patience, willingness to speak to me and allowing me to hang around the studio.

Thanks also must go to Don Dixon and Leslie Goodwin. Don’s work, to me, are pieces of art. His conceptual style of advertising photography is beautiful. He also really gets my entrepreneurial spirit going. He’s been in this business just as long as Matthew. A very sincere “Thank You”.

To photographer Jim Allen, a special thank you. Jim helped me with my confidence. I was scared as hell at what I was taking on. He pushed me in a very short period of time even further outside my comfort zone. What was once uncomfortable is now comforting.

I also thank photographers Brian Pieters, Nation Wong, and Michael Mahovlich for taking the time to speak with me. Your insights were invaluable in getting my feet off the ground.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Julia Von Flotow. Julia is a career coach, and guided me out of the clouds and haze to a clear thought-process during the very early days. Also, Gabriela Zoltan-Johan of the OSEB – many many thanks.

And to my past and current clients! I’ve enjoyed working with all of my customers. Developing trusting relationships with you is a cornerstone of my photography. I look forward to working together again.

Last but definitely not least, to my family and friends. I know it may have felt I’ve been missing in action, but I think of you often, and look forward to spending more time together.

These past four years have been a whirlwind. Here’s to the next four.

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I was in a breakfast meeting the other day when someone said to the group: “Whenever Dean talks about photography his eyes shine!”. Unexpectedly, I was suddenly the focus of attention, and I prayed there weren’t any scrambled egg morsels hanging off my lips. They were tasty eggs. Hat off to the chef.

It is true. My enthusiasm can rub off on people. I’ve never had anyone tell me they disliked being photographed by me. Which is a good thing! It means I’m doing my job, because not everyone likes being in front of a camera – at least initially, until I’m their photographer! I enjoy working with people.

No matter what I’m photographing, I’m working to tell a story with the images I create. That story is in the details. If I’m doing an editorial / corporate shoot I sit with my clients to chat about what are they trying to say with the images I’m going to create. Same goes for my documentary wedding and family images. My wedding clients entrust me to interpret and document their special day (or days in some cases) to create an intimate document that is also a piece of art. I love that. Photographs like the one above become part of a fine-art wedding album: a heirloom for generations to come (click here if you can’t see the image).

My corporate clients also have a story to tell. They’ve worked hard to grow their businesses. They want to project an image that best tells the story they want to tell. I love being a part of the team that makes that happen. Currently I’m working with an established business that has been in the family for three generations. The original images I create will be part of their re-branding: their overall image and story. And because they’re original images, they won’t be seen anywhere else which can happen when attempting to only use stock imagery. Don’t get me wrong, a carefully selected stock photo can work (that’s why we offer stock), but using only stock will end up costing the company more money down the road in terms of time, lack of continuity, story-telling etc.

Bye for now.

Want to see more of our images?:

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Any photographer who produces stock photography knows that the stock world has experienced a massive shift. What was typically a resource of high end images has how shifted to a goulash of mixed quality. One would suppose that may give a new meaning to the expression “The media is the message”? But I digress.

Microstock agencies offer royalty free images for a few dollars. Even big agencies such as Getty now sell some pictures for $10. For photographers who specialized in producing stock only, they’ve had to adapt and change to this new reality.

We started offering self-managed stock photography over a year ago when we partnered with Photoshelter to power our Image Archive and Client Area. If some agencies are offering royalty-free pictures for a few dollars which thousands of buyers can purchase, there are just as many buyers, who want to have exclusive rights to pictures in their territory. They don’t want their marketing message watered down by other users using the same image. There is something to be said to having an original image that no else can use. This is why companies want exclusive rights and / or hire us to create original images for them.

By offering our own images, it allows us to keep control of their usage by offering them via managed-rights to users who need them. We offer competitive licence fees, and as we don’t pay commissions to agencies, we can generate more revenue to put into the studio. Our main business is still creating lifestyle imagery, specializing in industrial, corporate, portraits and fine art wedding / family journalism. But as a photographer I’m often able to create images that can sell as stock, including my recent working vacation to photograph Kona, Hawaii.

So, as I was going through our image database I came across some conceptual images I’d created a couple of years ago that hadn’t yet been made available and could be used for a variety of purposes. Surprisingly, when I looked up the definition of “conceptual”, I discovered its meaning wasn’t a simple one to define. There are many variations of the definition, and so just as many potential uses (yes, I do enjoy reading the dictionary).

Windows. There’s a concept. Or is it an object? Obviously it can be both. “Eyes are the windows to the soul”.  ”Large bay windows let in so much natural light”.

conceptual |kənˈsep ch oōəl|
adjective
of, relating to, or based on mental concepts : philosophy deals with conceptual difficulties.
ORIGIN mid 17th cent.: from medieval Latin conceptualis, from Latin concept- ‘conceived,’ from the verb concipere (see concept ).

concept
For other uses, see Concept (disambiguation).
There are two prevailing theories in contemporary philosophy which attempt to explain the nature of concepts (abstract term: conception). The representational theory of mind proposes that concepts are mental representations, while the semantic theory of concepts (originating with Frege’s distinction between concept and object) holds that they are abstract objects.[1] Ideas are taken to be concepts, although abstract concepts do not necessarily appear to the mind as images as some ideas do.[2] Many philosophers consider concepts to be a fundamental ontological category of being.

A concept is a cognitive unit of meaning— an abstract idea or a mental symbol sometimes defined as a “unit of knowledge,” built from other units which act as a concept’s characteristics. A concept is typically associated with a corresponding representation in a language or symbology[citation needed] such as a single meaning of a term.

The meaning of “concept” is explored in mainstream cognitive science, metaphysics, and philosophy of mind. The term “concept” is traced back to 1554–60 (l. conceptum – something conceived),[citation needed] but what is today termed “the classical theory of concepts” is the theory of Aristotle on the definition of terms.

If you’re reading our blog via an RSS reader that doesn’t allow embedding of pictures, click the following links to view the images in this post:

Dean Oros Photo + Design: Kona Hawaii

Dean Oros Photo + Design: Conceptual Window Images

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Toronto Wedding Professionals

Toronto Wedding Professionals has featured it on their website. Check it out here.

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Every Wedding Celebration is a Mystery Beckoning to be Captured in Images.

I’ve prepared some updated information on the process of wedding photography based on my years of experience and perspective. It includes the most frequently asked questions from past couples who are soon to tie the knot. It’s a great overview, and will provide you with answers to questions you may have not known to ask when searching for a wedding photographer.

Click here to read about the Process of Wedding Photography.

If I can answer any further questions, please feel free to call or write. Cheers.

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“Colour captures the story in an image; black and white captures its soul.”  I’m not sure who wrote this quote originally (maybe Ansel Adams?). To me, it is eloquent and accurate.

Because the majority of my work is used for multiple purposes, I shoot everything in colour. I then interpret the image and convert it with a black and white treatment in post production. Converting a digital color photo into black and white goes beyond simply desaturating the colours. A colour image can be made to mimic any of a wide range of looks created by using color filters in black and white film photography.

A lot of my photojournalism work, whether its weddings or family lifestyle shoots, can be interpreted in different ways. For this reason, I do all the post production work on my images myself. As the photographer it’s a complete circle for me as opposed to having another digital artist interpret the image. Conversion which does not take into account an image’s color and subject of interest can dilute the artistic message, and may create an image which appears washed out or lacks tonal range.

A week ago I photographed Diane, her son Zack, and their bloodhound / mastiff mix dog, Trigger. I took them to High Park on a Saturday morning. Diane really wanted something that captured the personality and dynamic of her family. I spoke with her in advance about what was important to her, and also gave her my advice as a photographer. When Saturday morning rolled around, we were ready to go.

After hanging out for a bit, I casually started shooting to get them comfortable with my big camera covering my face while I was speaking with them. I used a combination of available light and flash. I ended up with a large selection of images. I’m looking forward to creating some big, custom prints and gallery wraps of the images.

I’ve presented a couple of images here, both in their colour and b/w versions for you to view. What do you think of them?

Until next time, be well.

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A professional portrait tells your prospective client you care about your image. It also indirectly states that you'll take care of your client as well.

If you’ve been considering having your headshot or portrait done, or updating the one you now have, this article will be of interest to you.

Recently I’ve been asked to create headshots and portraits for various types of companies. Franchisees, law firms, big insurance co’s, creative outfits, actors, authors, public speakers and more. Depending on the requirements of the company, the headshot can be a standard-type image using a seamless backdrop, or perhaps there’s opportunity for an environmental portrait (where we see the individual in their working environment), or something more creative. Either way, my job is to help YOU – my client, look fantastic in your marketing materials in such a way that garners respect in your particular profession, makes you look approachable and competent.

Different looks can be created of a person for their portrait.

In my opinion, aside from creating a great image of you by making the process enjoyable, giving direction, post image enhancement, and making it look easy, it also includes providing useful information such as how to prepare yourself, warbdrobe tips, hair styling, makeup and more.

The pin stripe, power suit Executive Portrait.

I speak with my clients in detail about what is required for their image, and often will speak with their marketing firm etc., so I know exactly what I need to deliver. Often, the people I’m creating portraits of aren’t well-versed in photography lingo: such things as colour management, files types, deliverables, etc. And why should they be? It’s my job to deliver what you and your company needs.

An environmental portrait uses the person's working environment, as in this portrait of a residential interior decorator.

It’s amazing how often I hear back from clients who tell me they’ve been receiving compliments on their new headshot / portrait, whereas before no one said anything about their previous headshot. People generally won’t tell you how terrible your headshot looks, but they just might comment if they think it looks great. Or at the least, they’ll think to themselves what a professional-looking headshot you have. In the end, it’s often the unspoken things that we need to know so we can better present ourselves to the business world. A great headshot or portrait tells the business world you care enough about your professional image to have hired a professional to create it. Without so much as saying so, it also implies that you’ll take professional care of your clients, too.

Business portraits can be creative and completely suitable for your business.

If it’s time for your portrait or headshot, I’d be happy to take the time to speak with you, and learn what is important to you and your company. My direct telephone number is 416.628.4312.

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“Hmm I’ve got to print that report.”

“Urrgh! The photocopier is out of paper again!”

“Don’t squeeze the Charmin.”

Digital, because of its immediate convenience, is becoming the medium of choice for the written word and to a lesser degree, the medium to display photography.

A hard drive / discs and computer screen is where many people choose to keep and display their letters & photos. Seriously, when was the last time you held a hard drive and said “Wow, what a beautiful hard drive. I love how it feels in my hands. The texture is just lovely. It smells wonderful and reminds me of my last hard drive.”

Dean Oros Photo + Design uses a wide range of fine art photographic papers.

Paper: Why Not?
Paper has been around for so long that it’s easy for us to take it for granted, and it’s often not used to its full potential. It is what we make of it.

Photography is my primary method of communicating. But because all of us use words to communicate, let’s take a look at both words and imagery. Unless this blog post has been printed on paper, you’re now in front of a computer screen. Right off the bat, you’re experiencing LESS. Not more. NOT EVEN ANYTHING REMOTELY EQUAL.

“Huh?”, you may be asking. Allow me to walk you through the subtleties you’re missing right now:

1.    If you want to continue reading this, you’re locked into being in front of a computer screen. Or worse, you’re reading this on a tiny screen like your iPhone, iPod, Blackberry or some other small device. Can you say: “Where are my eye glasses?” The image included with this blog post is now so small it might as well be on a matchbook cover.

2.    You’ve lost the feeling of touch. You aren’t holding paper in your hands while you read. You can’t feel the paper’s texture. When was the last time you received a handwritten letter penned on beautiful stationary and ran your fingers over the words? Images that have been meticiously and professionally created and colour-corrected now look like two-day old soup on an uncalibrated computer screen – which most people are using. You can’t run your fingers over the images and words on a computer screen unless you want to leave it full of fingerprints and smears, and probably create a mess of static electricity in the process.

3.    You can’t inhale the scent of a computer screen. Now imagine that hand-written letter on beautiful paper from a loved one. You instantly know who wrote the letter because you recognize the writer’s penmanship. Perhaps whomever wrote to you left a trail of fragrance on the paper and envelope. It smells wonderful. Maybe they’ve included a printed photo that immediately evokes a memory. That letter now has even more meaning to you.

4.    Paper is protective. The letter and photograph you hold in your hand is permanent. The words and images are protected and archived. Digital images, emails, text messages, and online blog posts can only be saved to hard drives. And ALL hard drives eventually will crash and die. Say good bye to all those beautiful words and digital images. And remember, you need a computer to even access the information hard drives / CDs / DVDs contain. That handwritten letter and professionally-printed print can be stored and displayed anywhere. And the bonus is that they’re immediately accessible – you don’t need to install a hard drive or boot up a computer to see them.

Educate
As a photographer, I do my best to educate clients on the benefits of paper, especially newlyweds-to-be and families. Creating a heirloom in the form of a professionally designed fine-art wedding album and archival prints will increase in personal value the longer you keep them. When created by the photographer you’ve commissioned to photograph your special day or family portaits, the final product is created with lots of loving care (at least here). We want the images we created to look their absolute best and to tell your story.

I hope you found this article helpful. Please note that if you’d like to use any part of this article for your own website etc, you must ask us first. Please call or write for permission. Respect copyright.  Thank you.

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When I was a young boy (young as in a single digit age), my mother would take me on long walks. It used to drive me nuts; not because I didn’t like walking, but because she stopped what seemed to be every 10 seconds to look at something. It would take hours to make it around the block. At the time, I suppose I didn’t have a lot of patience nor the ability to appreciate beauty in the simplest of things.

A few years ago, an acquaintance snickered when he saw an image I’d captured of a pigeon. It was clear he wasn’t impressed. He thought pigeons were dirty and and a nuisance. When I look at it I still see a colourful, wild bird that has adapted to city life.

It reminded me of when I was a boy going for walks with my mom.

So, if you enjoy this particular image of this particularly beautiful pigeon, you can buy it. Imagine having it on your computer desktop, or as a framed print in your office, or on the cover of your urban wildlife magazine, and remember to look for beauty where you least expect it.

Beaches Pigeon

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I often attend photography seminars to keep up to date on technology and to further my craft. Here I'm attending a CAPiC seminar on colour management.

This article is focused on wedding photography, but it applies to any type of photography where you’re interacting on an active level with the photographer, not only as the client, but also as the person in front of the camera.

Ok, so let’s get down to business.

We’ve all seen wedding images. What sets images apart or photographers apart?

If you’re a couple soon to wed, what’s your criteria for choosing a wedding photographer? What do you ask yourself? Wedding photography is much more than just photos. 

There are certainly things to educate yourself with, such as the photographer’s reputation and professionalism, business ethics, turn-around time, customer service, products & services, backup camera & lighting gear, etc.

Your wedding day is one of the most important days in your life. So it makes sense to not take chances when choosing your photographer.

When couples ask for help in deciding, I tell them what I feel are the three most important things to consider:

Work: When you look at the photographer’s images, do you connect with them? How do they make you feel? This is probably the most important. Try to articulate what it is that is making your toes wiggle. Can you envision yourself in the images? If so, that’s perfect because the photographer will most likely document your wedding the way you see in his / her portfolio.

Personality: Personality is the 2nd most important thing to consider. Your photographer will be around you, your family and friends all day. If you don’t like your photographer (and visca versa!), then it’s not a good match. Out of all your wedding vendors, the service provided by your photographer is the most intimate, so you’ve got to like each other. Open up. Get to know one another. When you meet or chat on the phone, do you get a feel-good feeling?

Price: The price has to be both realistic and within your budget. Figure out what is important to YOU with respect to YOUR photography. Do you want a fine-art album keepsake to pass on to future generations? Do you like a combination of photojournalism and art? Newlyweds-to-be sometimes say they had no idea how much professional photography costs, and therefore didn’t budget appropriately. The bridal magazines, newspapers and websites often provide unrealistic expectations, so it’s very important to be aware of this. In the end, the price has to be right, but not the primary deciding factor. Pricing is complicated and there are numerous reasons why photographers charge what they do (and that’s a whole other article).

I hope this was a useful read. Take care and bye for now : )

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