And to make it even easier, you may sign-in via Gmail, Hotmail and Yahoo. This is becoming the popular thing to do so I decided the studio should offer it.

Let me illustrate in pictures (I know, I know, how surprising is it that I’d use pictures!):

You can log in here:

Above: The main Blog login page

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And here:

Above: Sign-in here from the Blog SIDEBAR

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Once you’re signed in, you’ll be taken to your Profile where you can choose your fav options:

Above: Dean Oros Photo Blog Profile Screen for Email Updates

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That’s it for today’s blog post. It’s Saturday morning, so hopefully you can spend some time outdoors today and enjoy some sunshine.

While you’re here, maybe you’d like to update your Blog Profile or become a Friend of the Studio:

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One thing I’d been meaning to do was to have a consistent brand across our sites. I’ve been so busy it’s been a challenge to make the time, but I’ve been fitting it in where I could, and relying on the fantastic back-end designers to do their coding poetry.

It’s important that the Blog is a good resource for our loyal visitors, too (if you’re not yet a subscriber, you can sign up via any blog post). We spent a good amount of time creating more than just a place to showcase recent images. We’ve created an online magazine that now has over two years of content which continues to grow.

I’m happy to say the re-branding is now done. For now. For a little long while. It’s been a lot of fun. Woohoo!

This meant a new logo for Images of a Promise to more closely match the Dean Oros Photography logo, and a colour scheme that not only works across our sites, but also is complimentary to the different types of imagery we create. And, it needed to match our Client Area, too.

The technology behind all of this is state of the art. Okay, I admit I’m a tech-geek.

That being said, I think it all works nicely. I hope you do, too.

Above: Dean Oros Photography + Design Website

Above: Dean Oros Photography + Design Client Area

Above: Images of a Promise Splash Page

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We’ve also added new images to the Images of a Promise website. Sit back and watch the opening slideshow in full-screen. Our wedding art looks best when viewed BIG. Viewing The Brides’ Ballet, for example, on a 30″ colour-calibrated monitor is wicked. It’s the first image on the new slideshow, so check it out.

Thanks go out to Photoshelter, Graph Paper Press and WordPress. We couldn’t perform these upgrades without them.

There will be more upgrades coming your way during the year, too.

Enjoy.

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1. Studio Update: Some Upgrades are Coming Over the next few weeks we’ll be making some upgrades...
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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’ll open shop again on the 26th January and will reply to all inquiries on that day. Have a great week.

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UPDATE! The sale has been extended for the weekend: December 18 – 20, 2009. Enjoy the savings!

For the next week we’re having a 2 for 1 Holiday Season Print Sale!

The sale is for existing and new customers. If you’re a new customer, choose a photo from the selection of fine-art images available in our Image Archive. If a wall in your home or office needs some art hanging on it, we may have an image that will suit your tastes.

New customers will need to place selected archive images into a lightbox which you’ll create on the site. Make sure you enable sharing with the studio (Dean Oros, info@deanorosphoto.com) and enable comments as well. Then follow the remaining directions noted below.

For our existing customers: If your Gallery Collection has expired, don’t worry. It will be reactivated for the duration of the sale. Here’s what you’ll need to do to take advantage of the 2 for 1 Print Sale as you won’t be using the usual cart / checkout option:

1. Choose the images you want printed and put them in a new lightbox with sharing and comments enabled.

2. Name the lightbox: “2 for 1 Print Sale”.

3. In the comments box state the quantities and sizes you’re ordering for each image. Prints will be ready before December 23rd.

Once your order is received we’ll contact you with payment options.

The fine print:

1. Only the following print sizes apply: 8 x 12, 11 x 14, 13×19.

2. 2 for 1 means 2 prints of the same image.

3. Existing print credits cannot be used.

4. Shipping charges will apply. No pick up is available.

5. Enjoy the 2 for 1 Print Sale. It starts December 10th and ends December 17th at 11:59pm EST.

Please feel free to contact the studio with any questions you may have about the sale.

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We’re implementing new features to the Client Access, Commercial / Stock and Blog websites. Images of a Promise will not be affected during these upgrades.

While we hate downtime, we’ll need two separate downtime events to prepare and implement these upgrades.

During each upgrade, the Client Access, Commercial / Stock and Blog websites will be unavailable. Please schedule any of your planned activity on the sites around these times. Many thanks in advance for your patience.

Date: 11 December 2009
Summary: Full Site Downtime

Duration: 6 hours

START: 10:00 PM EST 11-DEC-2009
END: 04:00 AM EST 12-DEC-2009
(US Eastern Standard Time; GMT -05:00)

Date: 16 December 2009
Summary: Full Site Downtime

Duration: 3 hours

START: 10:00 PM EST 16-DEC-2009
END: 01:00 AM EST 17-DEC-2009
(US Eastern Standard Time; GMT -05:00)

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As much as I grumble about terrible driving conditions, blustery winds, sleet and ice during our Toronto (Canada) winters, I find the coldest season of the year very beautiful. Especially in The Beaches neighbourhood, where yours truly currently resides. For the urbanites out there, there is actually life east of Yonge Street and south of Eglington Avenue. Get with the program already (yes, this may be a gentle poke in the ribs to those who think the 15 minute drive from downtown is too long).

The Beaches is an amazing oasis. Great community of people, local retailers and small businesses. And an ever-expanding roster of restaurants and cafés, too.

The images in the above slideshow are my first foray into nature photography. They were captured during a snowstorm on the beach and boardwalk. Yes, it was cold. Yes, I had to protect my camera gear from the elements while shooting. And yes, my hands were pretty darn cold at times. BUT, you would never think these scenes are from Toronto’s waterfront. Winter in The Beaches is spectacular (or the BEACH, for those who choose to be politically correct).

I’m really excited to offer these images as part of the Image Archive. These Winter Series photographs are great for Holiday Season Greeting Cards, fine-art canvases, custom prints and editorial use, just to mention a few uses. Simply click on the image you’re interested in to see all the options available. If you can’t see the slideshow, click here to be taken directly to the Winter Series Gallery. I’m planning to make the Winter Series an ongoing project, so check in occasionally to see more.

Thanks for reading.

Winter in The Beaches, Toronto Canada

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