People

Hi everyone!

My Photography is now available for sale at Starbucks in Atlanta on 14th street with all sales going back to the Children Need Love Organization, which helps children in India.

I’m so excited about this opportunity and can’t wait to return to India in August!

There is such a need for help there… I’m just so glad I get to be a very small part of what the country of India  needs.

Someone  asked me- “Why are you selling your photography for India? ”

Well.. a smart man once told me,  “If you want to serve and find a greater purpose… then you must first find a great need… and fill it.”

That has been my journey since returning from India last summer. I’ve wanted to find out how I can help the children I met and still be involved while here. When I could not give my time by personally being there.. I gave my gifts. Which is how the Photography at Starbucks came around.

In December I was with my friend, Jantzen, in downtown Atlanta. We had just seen the Atlanta Opera, which his brother sang in. It was amazing. The most wonderful sound that I’ve ever heard.

We stopped by this Starbucks on the way back home and I saw beautiful photography hanging on the walls.

I was amazed… and  said, “How amazing would that be if we came here one day and my photography was on the walls?”

That was the beginning of this dream.

Jantzen had a little bit more faith in me than I had in myself, and told me it would be on the walls… and soon.

Through a series of events, I was the “artist” chosen for the Month of May. (That sounds so crazy!)

I feel so blessed and honored that I can do this for the children I met this past summer.

Please contact me if you are interested in purchasing the canvases for a donation!

With India being the largest democracy in the world, it is no wonder that even the youth of this growing nation would be involved in the festivities of the next election. Children(pictured above) in Amritsar painted their faces in support of the upcoming Lok Sabha election in Kerala.

However, they are not the only ones who are wanting to show their support. Maps of India has jumped on board with their new program “Indian Elections 2009″ to keep the people of India informed about the political map and election process at all times.

Some features they have included on site are the “election calendar”, the “election forum”,  the “opinion poll” and also an area to “track your constituency.”

Whoever you may vote for, Maps of India will be sure to keep you updated on the process!

*Photo compliments of New Kerala. *

*Map compliments of Maps of India. *

To see more about the election watch the news reel below.

How do you take Portraits that have the ‘Wow’ factor?

Today and tomorrow I want to talk about taking Portraits that are a little out of the box. You see it’s all very well and good to have a portrait that follows all the rules – but it hit me as I was surfing on Flickr today that often the most striking portraits are those that break all the rules.

Read more: 10 Ways to Take Stunning Portraits
Photo by PaulBence

Experience Level – Has this person photographed other weddings? Does he/she do this for a living or for fun?

Photographic Style – Are the images that you are shown, what you would like to see? There are “buzz” words flying about everywhere about photojournalism, formal, classic candid, and so on. Do you want a mixture of black and white or only colour photos?

Truth in Advertising – Is this the photographer that will be photographing your wedding or will they send in whomever is available. Don’t be shocked, this happens more often than you can imagine. Be certain that you know which photographer is going to be there and that you see HIS/HER work and meet with that individually face to face.

Personality – Is the photographer that you meet someone that you can get along with? Is the “chemistry” there? (more…)

Photo by Corey McNabb.

“Wedding photography is one of the fastest-growing areas of the photography industry. But if you’re looking to join this trend or expand an existing business, it’s important to do your research first. Once you have a handle on the job’s technical and creative requirements, you’ll be better equipped to make your clients happy and attract new customers. “

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Chennai Wedding Photographer, KL.Raja Ponsing, has an inspiring story and great tips on photographing India Weddings! Please check out his blog and look at his amazing photos!

**Picture taken by Ponsing**

“Photographers take pictures of nouns (people, places and things). Photojournalists shoot action verbs (“kicks,” “explodes,” “cries,” etc.). Photojournalists do shoot some nouns. These nouns can be standard photos of people,  places (proposed zoning areas or construction sites) and things (name it). However, the nouns we seek still must tell a story.”*Photo taken by Danielle Valimont*
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Darren Rowse has compiled a list of amazing photography tips!

*photo by rougerouge*

Are you wanting to take pictures like the  photographers of National Geographic? Wanting to know what they are looking for? Watch this video and see if your work matches up!

How do you live in city for a summer and possibly capture everything there is? Is it even possible? I was completely overwhelmed by the city of Calcutta: the beauty, the colors, the culture. Everything about it was intriguing. A sense of adventure surrounded me and other photographers as we explored the city, homes and even the rivers where normal people carried out their  day to day tasks.

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