We moved!
Check me out at www.chapter3photography.zenfolio.com
"Strobist"
As mentioned in my earlier post, I received my flash kit and have had about 1 hour total of trying to learn how to use it. Strobist is a website that was recommended to me by my good friend John Christopher Livas (who is, in my opinion, the best photographer in Texas) to learn the basics of shooting pictures with an off camera flash. It has developed a "clan" like following that call themselves "strobist," hence the title of the entry.
Using the off camera flash has given my pictures a certain life, or depth, to them that is making them have a better overall quality. I am very pleased with the kit I received so far and hope that my abilities as a photographer really blossom with this addition to my arsenal.
I have added 2 self portraits and a picture of my son. Stay tuned for more photos to come.
And then, there was light...
I got my flash kit in today! Here goes another learning curve... but when conquered, I know my photos will look even better. Updates to come.
Official 1st Job!
Our good friends Bubba & Erica Gonzalez gave me my first gig this past Saturday, June 18th when they baptized their son, Yvan Andrew Gonzalez. It was an exciting and nerve racking experience. My wife called me a couple of weeks ago saying that she might have got me my first gig. Erica had posted on Facebook that she was looking for a photographer for her son's baptism. Jennifer quickly replied and mentioned that I had began taking pictures and was looking to get my first job. A phone conversation later and I was in. My first job as a photographer.
I'm glad I was able to be there for this special day and know that this will be one of those things I will remember for many years to come.
Thank you Bubba & Erica for trusting me to photograph Yvan on this special day.
Two Births
Chapter One
It was about one year ago, almost to the date that I was woken up by my wife with the news that would change my life forever. It was early. She was getting ready for work and I was sleeping in a little before my class started. She sat on the bed next to me, tapped me on the shoulder and said, "I'm pregnant!" With a nervous smile on my face we embraced each other for the first time as a family - Husband, Wife & Blueberry (Deven's size at the time according to the "what to expect" app on our iphones).
Getting ready for the birth of our first child was broken down into everyday tasks. Our schedules were full of doctor's appointments, shopping, and "nesting." Both Jennifer and I readily took advice on preparing for the coming of our son. From our parents and grandparents to our friends with children and friends without children,everyone had their own opinion what kinds of items we would need to welcome Deven into the world.
Through the next couple months I began to toy with the idea of buying a "nice camera" to be able to take photos and video of our son growing up. I bounced the idea off Jennifer to gain perspective on how she felt but most importantly to read her reactions. I have always seemed to need a creative escape to express myself and knew that if given the opportunity I could use a "nice camera" to do so while capturing moments and milestones in my son's life that would ultimately be priceless.
It was now December 2010 and Christmas and my birthday (31st) were both around the corner. It was apparent that Jennifer was searching for clues of what to get me for both occasions with statements like "you're a hard person to shop for..." coming up in random conversations. I quickly mentioned the "nice camera" idea as a great gift that would cover three things in one - Christmas, Birthday, and the rapidly approaching due date of our son in February. With a little coaxing and 3 years no interest at Best Buy, I had a brand new shiny Canon Rebel T2i in my hands by Christmas day.
I got home, took my new T2i out of its box eager to take pictures and see how "nice" my camera really was. After firing off a couple of dozen pictures I felt like I bit off more than I could chew. I had less than two months to figure out how to use this expensive toy and capture the special moments like I had envisioned. A little discouraged, but very determined, I continued to take pictures over the following weeks trying figure out how to make art out of life using my camera.
Chapter Two
February 10, 2011 - Deven Gabriel Rivera was born weighing 8 lbs 11 oz. With my camera bag strapped on my back, tears in my eyes, and a smile on my face I shot some of my favorite pictures and video just minutes after Deven was introduced to the world. I had gained enough knowledge of my camera to produce great images I will keep for the rest of my life.
Once we got home I began to document his growth and our memories through photos I took everyday,always looking to better my photography skills. I began reading and researching ways to take better photographs. I tried to become fluent in the lingo used on these sites to decipher articles and forums and grasp an understanding of the art and science behind it all.
Over the last four months of my son's life I feel that as he has grown, so have my ability to produce better quality photos. Photography for me is best described by the saying "the more you know, the more you know you don't know." I know now that I don't know much, but I am trying and determined to be better. I continue to read multiple forums, websites, buy books, and ask more experienced photographers for help so that I may continue to grow. All of these experiences and my lifelong dream to own my own company has led me here...
Chapter3
And so is born Chapter3 Photography...
I have decided to start my own small business as a photographer. Always being interested in business and realizing that the recipe to success is doing something you love makes this a perfect fit for me. I was once told by a successful business man, "You have to find your niche!" Well, for now, my niche will be budget photography. I'm a realist and understand my limitations as a photographer. At this time I can produce better than average photographs. I try my best to produce what I can with the the equipment I have. All of us want great photos of our special events,parties, portraits of loved ones, or just a cool Facebook profile picture, but hiring a photographer can be quite pricey. Chapter3 Photography can be the answer! Whether it's a birthday party at your house or your kids tee-ball game, I'm sure I can produce photos that you will love at a price that is affordable to any budget. With final products that include photo-books, digital copies, and prints to your liking, you will have plenty of photos to cherish the event.
Chapter3 Photography
Daniel G. Rivera