So I’m a few days late. I was very busy over the holidays photographing families, filling orders and planning for 2009. I thought there would be a break between Christmas and New Year’s but the wedding inquiries are flowing in. Wow, it starting out to be a busy year and that’s a good thing.

My most time-consuming task is researching wedding albums. My gosh there’s a lot of choices out there! Of course, only the best will do for you!

My most important objective is to offer a complete package so you don’t have to worry about matting, framing, albums or the little goodies that are out there.

Look for other offerings shortly!

Till next time,
Judy

Square cards are a hot item.  Beware, you may need to pay more postage.  I just mailed a bunch and it cost an additional $.20.

Till next time,

Judy W.

Often I’m asked for permission to use a photo in exchange for photo credit. You know, the little line under a picture saying “Photo by xxxxx”. What? You’ve never noticed? Probably not. I believe the only people who look at photo credits are other photographers.

A photo credit isn’t an honor - it is a right. It is citing the owner and copyright holder of the image. The photographer used his equipment, experience, knowledge and time to create the image. At the click of the shutter the photographer created a visual interpretation of a scene. He deserves to be recognized and compensated for his achievement.

So, offering a photo credit isn’t a gift, or an honor. It is recognition, just as an author’s name appears on a book cover, or a sign identifies a business.

Besides, I have yet to find a business or bank to accept a photo credit as payment;~)

Until next time,
Judy

As I was settling in to work today, the door opened and in walked Santa. “Ho, ho, ho”, he said. I got up to greet him and he gave me a big hug. The last time Santa hugged me I was a little girl. Then, out the door he went to visit other businesses in Elizabeth.

Here’s a few pictures of him spending the morning in the Village of Elizabeth, Illinois:

Till next time,
Judy

to Rocko, the German Shorthair Pointer for misspelling his name. Please don’t bite me.

Woof,
Judy

Did you know scanning a photo and posting it to the internet is illegal? Did you know copying an image from the internet and using it as your screen image is illegal? Are you familiar with copyright laws?

Copyright laws started in early eighteen hundred with Charles II of England. He was concerned by the unregulated copying of books and passed the Licensing Act of 1662 by Act of Parliament. The laws granted authors the right to benefit financially from the work, and the right to control the work, such as ensuring that the integrity of it is preserved. And so it is today.

The Copyright clause of the United States Constitution (1787) authorized copyright legislation: “To promote the progress of science and useful arts, by securing for limited times to authors and inventors the exclusive right to their respective writings and discoveries.” So by guaranteeing authors and inventors a period of time in which they alone could profit from their works, they would be enabled and encouraged to invest the time required to create them, and this would be good for society as a whole.

Copyright does not cover ideas and information, only the form or manner in which they are expressed such as poems, theses, plays, movies, dances, musical compositions, paintings, drawings, sculptures, photographs, software, radio and television broadcasts.

In a nutshell, the originator of the work has the “exclusive right” to copy or allow to copy. Meaning others are prohibited from using the work without the holders permission.

A copyright may be assigned or transferred. For example, a musician signs an agreement with a record company to transfer all copyright in the recordings in exchange for royalties and other considerations. The creator (and original copyright holder) benefits from production and marketing.

Another example is software: the buyer is purchasing a license (EULA, end-user license agreement) which grants permission to use the software.

How does this pertain to photography?
Copyright belongs to the photographer who is the creator and owner of the image. “Copyright protection subsists from the time the work is created in fixed form (click of the shutter, transfer to memory card). The copyright becomes the property of the author who created the work. Only the author or those deriving their rights through the author can rightfully claim copyright.” [reference: http://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ1.html#wci]

Ownership of an image does not give the possessor the copyright. The law provides that transfer of ownership of any material object that embodies a protected work does not of itself convey any rights in the copyright.

Any or all of the copyright owner’s exclusive rights or any subdivision of those rights may be transferred, but the transfer of exclusive rights is not valid unless that transfer is in writing and signed by the owner of the rights conveyed or such owner’s duly authorized agent.

Before you copy just about anything, ask for permission. You may have to pay a license fee or royalties, but if you like the work enough to want it, doesn’t it make sense to compensate the creator for his efforts?

Till next time,
Judy

Nah, I’m not writing about which produces the better quality.  I’m writing about the process.

In the December 2008 Shutterbug magazine there is an article by John Caruso which rang true with me:  “when shooting film we employ thought, patience and consideration - making every frame count ’cause we’re limited to 24 or 36 frames.  We must be committed to every frame because we don’t have an opportunity to ‘do over’ those that don’t come out quite right.  As a result we develop a discipline, an eye and a feel.  With digital there can be more freedom to explore and experiment.”

Yes, it is so easy to experiment, to shoot on impulse.  But the question is:  do you review and evaluate the images?  What worked?  What didn’t?  What can I do the next time I encounter this situation?

Wanted to share a cute photo of young Aidan:

Aidan, almost 2

Till next time,

Judy

I designed custom greeting cards for this holiday season.  Click on “Holiday Cards” above to see the cards and the special offer.

I’m so excited to now offer photo packages which include mats and frames.  Your favorite image(s) will be ready to hang!  No need to run off to a framer or a craft store to get a frame!  The selection process will be quick and simple because I have samples of the mat combinations and frames.  The frames are high quality hardwood frames with double mats, glazing and hanging hardware included.