That’s where I am…. Street 101. Went to a farmstand with a friend today and did some “street” shooting. Sony A7R6 with the Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 Art. Wish I had the 28-70mm instead. This is the best image that I got, but I’m really happy with it. You can see movement in the strawberries that she’s holding while her stare is locked on the camera. Small victories.
Business News
Keri McDonnell Photography will soon be structured as an LLC. In an effort to supercharge the business and toward becoming a more professional entity, I’m in the process of filing papers to organize the business as Keri McDonnell Photography LLC. I am also in the process of procuring new business liability insurance to safeguard my various projects and clients.
Additionally, I am pleased to announce that the commercial photography focus at Keri McDonnell Photography will be the industrial and manufacturing business sector. I am in the process of procuring a clientele base for portfolio enhancement and further marketing opportunities. This business niche is in addition to the focus on international travel.
A photo documentary
A certain professional photographer that I am working with for mentorship challenged me to create a documentary through my photographs. My friend, Susan, graciously volunteered. The result is below:
Times are a'changing
For the regular visitors to my site (do I have any? lol…), you will notice a bunch of changes to the website. I am currently in the process of extensively revising my website to both update it and make it more appealing to the audiences that I want to attract. Hoping that it looks more professional. I would really appreciate any feedback in the comments.
My new kit and upcoming travels
I got my new camera kit the other day, the total replacement of my previous Hasselblad kit. I have decided to join the Sony community! I traded for the new Sony A7R6 mirrorless camera, the 67mpix behemoth! I’ll be using it a lot next week, as I have two model photoshoots. For lenses, I went with the Sony 28-70mm f/2 zoom, the Sony 50-150mm f/2 zoom, and the Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 ART zoom lens. A shoutout to photographer Jared Polin, aka The Fro, for helping me immensely in selecting these lenses for my commercial/travel photography.
This week, I also received a new camera bag, which I’ll be using for my new gear. It’s the Taiwanese Wotancraft Pilot 10-liter messenger-like shoulder bag. Crafted of canvas, it’s a sharp-looking bag that doesn’t look like a gear bag, and it easily swallows all of my new gear, including the hefty 50-150mm zoom. It’s a really nice camera bag, and I will likely be bringing it with me to Tokyo next year.
As I mentioned, I have two model shoots next week, so it should be fun. As for travel, in late September I’ll be heading to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and in Late October to the biggest waterfall, Niagara Falls, Ontario. I hope to get some great shots at both locations.
Goodbye Hasselblad
Yesterday I said goodbye to my Hasselblad camera system and also Profoto flash for Nikon system (the only one Hasselblad pretends to use..) at the UPS counter. I am trading in my Hasselblad system for something more robust and flexible, where everything just simply works without qualification or explanation. I grew tired of all of Hasselblad’s unique quirks, the last straw being an incompatibility with my Profoto flash system in something that was supposed to work without qualification the camera. Below is my latest YouTube video detailing my complaints.
Today i submitted a bid for a very modest commercial photography job in Broadview Heights, Ohio. I believe that I made a competitive offer, but without giving away my services. I have my standard rate and that is what I bid, which left room for recovery of travel expenses, after all fuel is so damn expensive. So we’ll see how that shakes out.
Also, in the coming weeks, I will be working with three female models on TFP photoshoots as I look to rebuild and reorient my portfolio. It should be lots of fun, with the hoped-for great images for everyone! I will update you all next week about my new camera system… stay tuned!
The Fujifilm X-100vi
Here’s one of the first shots captured with my new everyday carry, the Fujifilm X-100vi digital camera. It comes packed with a 40mpix sensor, so you know the quality is going to be there. Look at the color; and this isn’t even my best camera! Japan, here I come!
New developments for June/July…
I’ve added a new potential revenue stream to my photography business. I saw some YouTubes on it, and decided to try out stock photography for my images. I’m currently working with two stock photography agencies, Shutterstock and Adobe Stock. I’ve edited and uploaded 16 and 27 images to Adobe and Shutterstock respectively, to get an idea of what they would approve for acceptance. So far, Shutterstock has accepted five of my images, with 22 remaining for review. While you can’t typically make a ton of money working with stock agencies, you can possibly make some decent, regular money, and I’ve got a bunch of new photo shoots coming up to post to the sites. Hey, even if I potentially make $100/month, it’s more than I am making now. While I know that I could be hired out for weddings, I simply don’t wish to do then anymore, and my focus on travel more where I want to be.
On another note, I have ordered a new video camera. I am planning to place a bigger emphasis on my YouTube channel, filming more and hopefully making better videos in the process, which will involve learning how to edit with DaVinci Resolve. As a part of this push, I am upgrading my video rig from the DJI OSMO Pocket 3 to their new competitor, the Insta360 Luna Ultra. DJI has a new Pocket version out, the 4, but it cannot be bought in the United States due to an embargo on DJI products. What I like the most about the Luna Ultra is that it has two camera lenses designed by Leica, a standard lens and a telephoto. The Luna Ultra also has the feature whereby you can remove the control plane from the camera, and operate the camera remotely, which is really cool. I’m waiting now for the order to be fulfilled by Adorama Camera in New York, as they’ve been popular and sold out, especially the white version.
I’ve recently made the decision that my Hasselblad X2D2 cannot serve the function of being my “everyday camera.” It’s simply too big to lug around daily, and its value is high so I don’t wish to put it in certain lesser photographic situations. And I want some degree of portability and ease of carry. I therefore bought a Fujifilm X100vi digital camera, one that has a small form factor and non-interchangeable lens. This camera I can carry in my handbag with me everywhere, and it captures 40mpix files with a compact sensor. It has a 35mm equivalent f/2.0 lens, which is fine for what I would like to use the camera for. My lineup is set for a number of years, now all I need to do is start producing.
Lastly, I’ve also put up advertisements in certain social media looking for social branding job opportunities. I have not gotten any leads as yet, but hopefully I will at some point, as a part of expanding my commercial photography business to support my travels. I am also thinking about changing the name of my little business to a Japan-themed name, but who knows.
I’ve found my niche…
I did! I’ve found my niche, and it is to be a travel photographer. I tried making a go of being a wildlife photographer last year, but it proved to be a real challenge, one in which I didn’t think I could ably do. That move cost me all my gear - I had gone micro four-thirds with the Olympus system, and I jumped out of it as quickly as I had bought it, likely quicker. Now, I have the camera system that I’ve been seeking throughout my career - the Hasselblad X2D-II - and I am focusing all of my efforts on becoming a full-time travel photographer. I hope to specialize further by prospectively focusing on a single country.
In July, I’ll be traveling to Pennsylvania and the Gettysburg National Battlefield to photograph that amazing national park. In September, I’ll be making my way to Michigan’s beautiful Upper Penninsula to photograph lighthouses and local Ojibwe relics, in addition to the Tahquamenon Falls and Soo locks. It should hopefully be a fun trip, full of nature. Then, in October, I’m prospectively going to Niagara Falls, Ontario to photograph the biggest waterfall in North America. So I’m excited to be moving around and getting to use my X2D-II.
And my major trip is shaping up. Next May, I will be flying to Japan for a two-week photographic journey that will also see me attempt serious street photography for the first time. I want to capture the pulse of Japan, the spirit of Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and Kawaguchiko and Mt. Fuji. I will be specializing in nighttime street photography, and in the middle of my tour, I will have a studio photoshoot with a Geisha in Kyoto. I would like to also focus on architectural subjects, including close wide-angle captures of skyscrapers, lavish hotel interiors and panoramic shots of the skyline. It is going to be a truly memorable trip, hopefully one of many that I will get to participate in as a travel photographer.
Cemetery building
I found this beautiful building covered in green at a cemetery in Kent. I’m not sure what the purpose of this building is, whether a mausoleum or not, but i is impressive. Aged and weathered nicely!
