Fun Fact Friday

The original name for CANON cameras was "Kwanon", the Buddhist god of mercy. The first Kwanon camera was built in a small Tokyo workshop in 1934. The name was changed to CANON in 1935 to avoid offending religious groups.

You never know when you might need a random bit of trivia...

Thursday Shout Out

This Thursday shout out goes to Canon.

I have been a Canon shooter since very early in my career. My first "professional" camera was a Canon Elan 7. I had a pair of these when I shot the World Series of Poker in 2003. Shortly thereafter I moved to digital with a 10D, and then to a 40D and now my primary body is the very capable 5DmkII. I am very happy with this set up, and it has treated me very well. The 5DmkII performs very well for me in low light and with the noise reduction capabilities of Lightroom, I am capable of taking very usable photos in what used to be stratospheric ISO ranges. I remember shooting ISO 1600 film and thinking it was special - now I shoot at ISO 4000 without flinching.

In the lens department, I've built a kit up to Canon's L glass including a 24-105 and the 70-200 2.8L II. My wide angle is the Sigma 12-24 because it is the widest non-fish-eye lens available for a full frame camera and it is rectilinear, which means the straight lines stay straight rather than bowing (which is a common problem with wide angle lenses). I keep a full set of Sigma backups for each of my Canon lenses - worst case scenario of breaking a lens during a job and I've still got my full range covered. My next lens will probably be the 100mm L macro, but I'm doing ok without it.

Canon equipment has treated me well over the years. I am happy with the results I am getting. I have complete faith in my equipment which frees my mind to think about other things: like interacting with my clients and making sure they are enjoying their session.

Wedding Wednesday

Just like Cinderella, when the clock strikes midnight most of the "stuff" of your wedding disappears: the cake and food are gone, the DJ packs up, the flowers wilt, and the dress is packed away. Only your wedding photography is left to contain your memories.

Planning a wedding involves keeping track of a lot of details. Each week, I'll bring you a quick tip to help your big day go just a little smoother. Want more? Part of the customer service MDKauffmann Photography is known for is working with you to develop a plan for your day and being prepared for the unexpected. EMAIL ME today for more information.

Testing Blogger to WP to FB

If this works I'm happy :)

Tough Question Tuesday

What is the one thing you’d most like to change about the world?

Answer below in the comments...

Tough Question Tuesday is a blog feature meant to help our bridal and wedding clients. One of the most important things in building your relationship with your spouse is to never stop pursuing and learning about them. Today, if you're stuck on a conversation topic for learning about your spouse just drop the question and see where it leads.

Make Up Monday

Looking your best in a portrait is a process, with each step more important than the one after it: editing cannot fix something that was not shot well in camera, the camera cannot capture what is poorly lit or posed, and it all starts with good choices in wardrobe & makeup. Here's a hint to help you look your best at your next portrait session.


Want to know more tips like this? Email MDKauffmann Photography today. Before your session we'll meet with you, share some more information like this, and ensure that your portraits are treasured.


This week's tip:


Mattes are flat colors. They don’t have any sparkle or shimmer. When you are going to be photographed you want to avoid anything that is going to reflect light on your face. The camera flash and the added shimmer will leave you looking like an oil spill and not your beautiful self.

Fun Fact Friday

The first professional photography studio in the U.S. was opened in 1840 in New York by Alexander S Wolcott and John Johnson. Photography studios of this era catered to the elite, who were fascinated by the ability to have their likeness created in minutes as opposed to the hours or even days it took a painter.

Fun Fact Friday - because you never know when you'll need some useless trivia.

Thursday Shout Out

This week's shout out goes to my lab: Millers Professional Imaging.

I have evaluated a lot of labs as I searched to find the best products for my clients. I needed a lab that would provide the highest quality prints. Miller's offers that hands down. They custom mount and lacquer every print I order so that when my clients receive them they are ready to frame and display. This presentation also ensures that those prints are going to last: they will resist fading from UV light and certainly won't curl like "normal" prints. Further, there is a human being that looks at each print to verify that it is EXACTLY what I am hoping for. When I signed up with Millers there was a multi-step calibration & verification process to make sure that my cameras, computers, & monitors were in sync with what they have at the lab.

In addition to a great product, the customer service Miller's offers is amazing. They are always quick to respond to my questions and offer many tools an "ordinary" lab wouldn't: classes on design, business tips, and online tools I'm working through implementing.

Miller's was the only right choice for me, and I am happy to have them on my team.

Wedding Wednesday

Your photographer is the vendor that you will spend the most time with on wedding day. Make sure that your personalities are a good fit and they are someone you will get along with.

Planning a wedding involves keeping track of a lot of details. Each week, I'll bring you a quick tip to help your big day go just a little smoother. Want more? Part of the customer service MDKauffmann Photography is known for is working with you to develop a plan for your day and being prepared for the unexpected. EMAIL ME today for more information.

Tough Question Tuesday

When it’s all said and done, will you have said more than you’ve done?

Answer below in the comments...

Tough Question Tuesday is a blog feature meant to help our bridal and wedding clients. One of the most important things in building your relationship with your spouse is to never stop pursuing and learning about them. Today, if you're stuck on a conversation topic for learning about your spouse just drop the question and see where it leads.

Make Up Monday

Looking your best in a portrait is a process, with each step more important than the one after it: editing cannot fix something that was not shot well in camera, the camera cannot capture what is poorly lit or posed, and it all starts with good choices in wardrobe & makeup. Here's a hint to help you look your best at your next portrait session.


Want to know more tips like this? Email MDKauffmann Photography today. Before your session we'll meet with you, share some more information like this, and ensure that your portraits are treasured.


This week's tip:


After you've applied the foundation, put on a light coat of powder. As with all makeup, try to match your natural skin tone!

Fun Fact Friday

The first permanent photograph was created in 1826 by Joseph Nicephore Niepce.

Fun Fact Friday - because you never know when you'll need some useless trivia.

Thursday Shout Out

This Thursday Shout Out goes to an absolutely critical part of my photography business: Zenfolio.

I moved to Zenfolio as an online service provider in 2008 and I have never looked back. For me, Zenfolio provided online proofing and print sales as well as backing up ALL of my work. I am more than happy to make use of the "unlimited" space they give me (I'm currently around 27k photos across 136GB).

I chose Zenfolio based on the quality of the prints they offer. Anyone who has ordered prints from me has noticed the quality: All of the prints they do for us are mounted and lacquered to protect them from the terrors of UV rays (which make photos fade) and finger prints (which ruin the "look" of the photo). Further, they have given me the ability to bundle a digital download with each print. In addition to the high quality prints, we have access to hundreds of custom products we can make available. In the coming months, I'm going to be working on implementing a few more of the exciting things they offer me.

On the back end - Zenfolio has exceptional customer service. They have always been very responsive to any questions I've had and quick to work with me to meet the needs of our clients. They are constantly expanding their offerings and improving their service - most often based on the suggestions of their members. They have developed an uploader that integrates with Adobe Lightroom (my primary editing tool) and apps for both the Android and iOS platforms (yes, I'm working on launching them).

Zenfolio has been so integral to my business, we have implemented them into our photography ministry at Christ Church. This has allowed the photography team to upload our photos to a central location which can be accessed by the communications team at the church.

Zenfolio has been one of the best things I have done for my business. I am looking forward to continuing to grow with them.

Wedding Wednesday

The tradition of not seeing the bride before the ceremony dates back to arranged marriages: they didn't want the groom to bail and embarrass the families. Ask your photographer about doing a "First Look" and simplifying the family photo process, and making the day flow more smoothly.

Planning a wedding involves keeping track of a lot of details. Each week, I'll bring you a quick tip to help your big day go just a little smoother. Want more? Part of the customer service MDKauffmann Photography is known for is working with you to develop a plan for your day and being prepared for the unexpected. EMAIL ME today for more information.

Tough Question Tuesday

If life is so short, why do we do so many things we don’t like and like so many things we don’t do?

Answer below in the comments...

Tough Question Tuesday is a blog feature meant to help our bridal and wedding clients. One of the most important things in building your relationship with your spouse is to never stop pursuing and learning about them. Today, if you're stuck on a conversation topic for learning about your spouse just drop the question and see where it leads.

Make Up Monday

Looking your best in a portrait is a process, with each step more important than the one after it: editing cannot fix something that was not shot well in camera, the camera cannot capture what is poorly lit or posed, and it all starts with good choices in wardrobe & makeup. Here's a hint to help you look your best at your next portrait session.


Want to know more tips like this? Email MDKauffmann Photography today. Before your session we'll meet with you, share some more information like this, and ensure that your portraits are treasured.


This week's tip:


Makeup for photography is very different from normal makeup, the foundation needs to be much thicker than normal. Pancake that stuff on! Think of it as putty, and you're covering over every wrinkle, sun-spot, blemish and pore until you have a smooth canvas to work on. It should be thicker than you think it needs to be, and make sure it's smooth and well blended with the rest of you! The foundation will go on your neck, a light coating on your ears, and depending on how much skin you're showing, on the bust as well. Protect your clothes by tucking tissue into your collar, and make sure your hair is off your face, neck, and ears before beginning.


Stay tuned for more!

Fun Fact Friday

The first camera that was small and portable enough to make photography practical was built by Johann Zahn in 1685.

Fun Fact Friday - because you never know when you'll need some useless trivia.

Thursday Shout Out

This Thursday I'm giving a shout out to my lights: my Quantum Q-flashes.

I have absolutely fallen in love with these technological marvels and they are essential for what I do. They are powerful enough to light any situation I am presented with in my wedding or commercial work, and yet small enough to be easily portable. I use both the X-series, which are AC powered and thus unlimited in their power and the T-series which are battery/DC powered which give me portability.


My Quantums integrate seamlessly with my camera system, allowing me to use the camera's very sophisticated brain to think about and plan my exposure for speed. I also have the ability to over-ride and use them manually giving me very precise control over their power.

The Quantum system has evolved to a perfect system for the photographer on the go, and I am glad that I made the investment in quality equipment.

Wedding Wednesday

Don't forget to plan some time with your spouse (either before or after the ceremony) during the day to relax and just be a happy couple. The tendency is to squish too many things into too little time creating stress. The day is about the two of you - enjoy it!

Planning a wedding involves keeping track of a lot of details. Each week, I'll bring you a quick tip to help your big day go just a little smoother. Want more? Part of the customer service MDKauffmann Photography is known for is working with you to develop a plan for your day and being prepared for the unexpected. EMAIL ME today for more information.

Tough Question Tuesday

Which is worse, failing or never trying?

Answer below in the comments...

Tough Question Tuesday is a blog feature meant to help our bridal and wedding clients. One of the most important things in building your relationship with your spouse is to never stop pursuing and learning about them. Today, if you're stuck on a conversation topic for learning about your spouse just drop the question and see where it leads.

Make Up Monday

Looking your best in a portrait is a process, with each step more important than the one after it: editing cannot fix something that was not shot well in camera, the camera cannot capture what is poorly lit or posed, and it all starts with good choices in wardrobe & makeup. Here's a hint to help you look your best at your next portrait session.

Want to know more tips like this? Email MDKauffmann Photography today. Before your session we'll meet with you, share some more information like this, and ensure that your portraits are treasured.

This week's tip:

Don't be afraid to hire a professional for your hair & makeup on portrait day. The purpose of a professional portrait session is to create timeless art for display in your home: the details WILL matter.

Stay tuned for more!

Fun Fact Friday

George Eastman invented the first flexible, paper based photographic film in 1884.

Fun Fact Friday - because you never know when you'll need some useless trivia.

Thursday Shout Out

This Thursday I'd like to give recognition to one of my best clients: Christ Church.

My role at Christ Church is the leader of a team of photographers that serve the church. We make sure that all of the important events are covered and any portraits or other photos are provided for the church's website or other publications. Our team works strictly pro bono.

I enjoy working for Christ Church. It is an opportunity to stretch my abilities and really "play" with the camera. I've done portrait work for most of the staff, event coverage with celebrities, and perfected a style of concert photography.

The best part of working for the church is hearing how the photos have impacted someone's life. I have been told by family members how treasured a photo of someone's baptism is: that they look at it each morning as a devotional, or how people who have never been to our church have become curious or interested in what we are doing based on the photos we have taken.

You can view our work here. Let me know if you are interested in more information about the church or serving on our ministry.

Wedding Wednesday

Appoint someone to be your "enforcer" for wedding day. This person should have all the vendor's contact information and take responsibility for enforcing the bride's expectations. This allows the bride & groom to enjoy their day while their "enforcer" takes care of the details.

Planning a wedding involves keeping track of a lot of details. Each week, I'll bring you a quick tip to help your big day go just a little smoother. Want more? Part of the customer service MDKauffmann Photography is known for is working with you to develop a plan for your day and being prepared for the unexpected. EMAIL ME today for more information.