Robert Wachtendonk Photography: Blog https://www.rwphotography.biz/blog en-us (C) Robert Wachtendonk Photography [email protected] (Robert Wachtendonk Photography) Mon, 16 Mar 2020 07:06:00 GMT Mon, 16 Mar 2020 07:06:00 GMT https://www.rwphotography.biz/img/s/v-12/u303090912-o25782932-50.jpg Robert Wachtendonk Photography: Blog https://www.rwphotography.biz/blog 80 120 Why LinkedIn makes me cringe! https://www.rwphotography.biz/blog/2016/8/why-linkedin-makes-me-cringe

I made a new connection on LinkedIn last night, and then started scrolling through “other people you might know” . . . and let me tell you, it was frightening, and sad.  LinkedIn makes me want to cringe.  I mean, some of the photos people are using on what’s considered the most “professional” and “formal” of social media . . . well, they’re simply tragic.

Maybe now you’re wondering if you need a new headshot.  How do you know?  Here are 4 Desperate Cries for Help!

YOU KNOW YOU NEED A NEW HEADSHOT IF:

  • It currently looks like you’re in the witness protection program. If you have the anonymous avatar (no profile image), you’re not going to engage prospects or grow your audience. If you’re an entertainer, speaker, singer, etc., and you don’t have an image – what exactly are you thinking? YOU are your brand even more than other professions like “realtor” or “financial planner”.   Show yourself!
  • You are representing yourself with a blurry/fuzzy image, it shows that you don’t care about details. Is that the message you want to send to prospects/clients?
  • You look drunk, hungover, angry, or half-asleep – what impression are you sending to your audience? Do you think a potential employer will deem you a good candidate for a position? Will you be a good representative of their company?
  • Your picture was professionally taken – 10 years ago. What? Who wants to do business with someone who doesn’t represent who they really are?  Is that authentic?  The message is also that you don’t keep up with the times. Business isn’t what it was 10 years ago.  Today’s prospect will not assume you know how to do business is today’s market.  Maybe it hasn’t been that long.  Maybe you’ve had significant weight change, or drastic hair change.  If you don’t look like yourself, it’s time.

If any of these applies to you, it’s time to take action, and step up your game.  When people are looking to hire you, they want to envision being able to work with you.  Don’t make them cringe.

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[email protected] (Robert Wachtendonk Photography) North Bend head shot professional head shot seattle professional photographer snoqualmie valley https://www.rwphotography.biz/blog/2016/8/why-linkedin-makes-me-cringe Wed, 03 Aug 2016 19:17:13 GMT
3 Tips for Getting Great Corporate and Business Headshots https://www.rwphotography.biz/blog/2016/7/3-tips-for-getting-great-corporate-and-business-headshots

In this day and age, great corporate headshots are very important in the business world. A picture is worth a thousand words and the right headshot can help you make an excellent impression with your clients or a prospective employer.  This is not the time to use a  selfie as their professional image. 

I find many of my business clients may not be used to being in front of the camera or often feel uncomfortable having their picture taken. To make your session a relaxed and fun experience, I’ve put together a few tips that will ensure it’s as painless as possible and you get the results you want!

1. Preparation is key
Getting prepared for your session will be paramount to having a successful shoot. Make sure your outfits are picked out and wrinkle-free the night before. Pack your purse or small bag with any styling items you may need so you’ll have everything at your disposal during your shoot. Additionally get plenty of rest the night before and drink plenty of water the days leading up to the shoot. Your skin will love it and you won’t look tired in your headshots.  Also, if you have any questions or concerns give me a call or send me an email and I’ll be happy to help. I want to make sure you’re ready beforehand so the day of the shoot will be smooth sailing.

2. Select the right wardrobe for your profession or company’s image
For business head shots, the wardrobe you choose will reflect your professionalism, the industry you’re in and your company's culture. Determine your wardrobe by your company or profession’s usual image. You can do a number of wardrobe changes during our time together which will give you a variety of looks to choose from.  I recently did a photo shoot for a company whose CEO wanted a very professional look.  All executives wore business suits.  Prior to that shoot, another company wanted a more laid back Pacific Northwest feel.  We shot the entire staff down on the Seattle waterfront where they were dressed in business casual attire.

3. Relax, take your time, and have fun
I know having your photo taken can be a stressful experience. If you’d had bad experiences in the past or just simply hate how you look in photos, that makes two of us! I’m not fond of being in front of the camera myself, which is why I actually take the photos! Ha!  But in order to get the most from your session, I ask that you relax and trust I will capture the best shots of you. I don’t rush during my sessions and will stop periodically so you can review the work we’re doing. If you see a bad shot, don’t worry we can delete it. Not feeling a certain pose or look? Let me know and we’ll change it up. Communication is key! And most importantly, have fun. You can be silly in front of the camera, crack a big smile, laugh, frown whatever you like. Bring your favorite music if you want and we can rock out to your favorite tunes during your shoot. If it helps you relax and get great images, I’m all for it. 

I hope these tips help you. If you or your company need professional head shots, do not hesitate to contact me.  Email me at [email protected] or call me at 425-772-2990

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[email protected] (Robert Wachtendonk Photography) https://www.rwphotography.biz/blog/2016/7/3-tips-for-getting-great-corporate-and-business-headshots Wed, 13 Jul 2016 17:54:49 GMT
Summer Family Portraits https://www.rwphotography.biz/blog/2016/7/summer-family-portraits  

Have you been thinking that your family is overdue for a family portrait?  I can tell you first hand that young families grow up so fast and before you know it, your kids are spending less time at home as they begin to take on life for themselves.  With the best weather and light coupled with the presence of family, summer is the ideal time to schedule your Family Portrait.  For those of you with incoming high school seniors, you can combine your Family Portrait with your Senior Portrait to get both the optimal value and experience.  A well done Family Portrait goes a long way.  From Holiday cards to simply creating memories, a good Family Portrait is invaluable.  Contact me about scheduling your portrait session and to discuss your needs.

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[email protected] (Robert Wachtendonk Photography) https://www.rwphotography.biz/blog/2016/7/summer-family-portraits Mon, 11 Jul 2016 19:47:12 GMT
How to Photograph Fireworks https://www.rwphotography.biz/blog/2016/7/how-to-photograph-fireworks

How to Photograph Fireworks

Wondering about photographing fireworks on 4th of July, New Year or some other event / occasion? In this quick article, I will provide some basic tips on how to best capture fireworks, what type of equipment to use and what camera settings to use during the process. Although the process is relatively simple, there are some things that might be worth considering, as outlined below.

 

Fireworks 1

NIKON D700 @ 95mm, ISO 200, 3/1, f/20.0

1) Find the Best Location

The first thing you need to determine is where you are going to stand. I would not recommend standing too close to fireworks, because you will be constantly looking up and eventually you will get tired from trying to photograph the fireworks. In addition, if it is too close, you might need a wide-angle lens to fit the action into the frame, which might present another problem – you might end up including unwanted objects like buildings and trees into the frame. Therefore, the best thing to do is to stand further away in an open area (with short or no trees), ideally at a spot that gives you a maximum of 45 degrees view angle relative to the ground, as shown in the diagram below.

45 Degrees

The further you stand, the lower the angle and the more focal length (zoom) you will need. Obviously, each situation is different, so just try to find a good spot with clear views of the sky in an open, unobstructed area that can give you a nice angle to photograph the fireworks.

2) What Camera to Take

Manual Camera Mode

The good news is that you don’t need an expensive and fancy camera to photograph fireworks – any camera that allows shooting in manual mode will work perfectly fine. Many of the point and shoot cameras do, so double check your manual and see how you can switch to manual mode. Another good thing about shooting fireworks, is that you will be shooting at lowest sensitivity levels (ISO), which means that there will be very minimal amounts of grain, if any. So you don’t have to worry about your camera capabilities, besides being able to switch to manual mode and preferably being able to hard set your camera to a low ISO value like 100. If you have a DSLR, you are all set, because you can do all of this very quickly. Some point and shoot cameras even have a “Fireworks Mode”, which works great and does not require you to change any settings on the camera.

3) What Lens to Use

If you have a point and shoot camera, make sure that its lens can do at least 5x optical zoom, not digital. Optical zoom means that the camera lens will physically move to get more reach, while digital zoom means that the camera will simply cut out the image corners to make it seem like you are closer.

If you have a DSLR, you might wonder what lens to take with you. I have been shooting fireworks for several years now and I find that telephoto zoom lenses above 100mm work best for fireworks. If you have a full-frame camera, my personal favorite is the Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G VR or the Nikon 70-300mm f/3.5-5.6G VR, unless you are planning to be close to a relatively well-lit location like downtown and want to capture a wider image, in which case a shorter focal length zoom like 24-70mm would be more appropriate.

Downtown Denver Fireworks

NIKON D700 @ 200mm, ISO 100, 25/1, f/10.0

The above exposure was 25 seconds, because I waited for the fireworks for about 20 seconds before they fired, so the first 20 seconds were just to expose the downtown area.

Why a telephoto zoom lens? Because you want the fireworks to fill the frame instead of looking rather small with all kinds of badly-lit foreground elements. In most cases, you will primarily be zooming in to capture the action.

4) Other equipment

  • Tripod – an absolute must. Get one if you do not already have one, since you won’t get any good pictures by just hand-holding your camera. Remember, you will be using low ISO levels and long shutter speeds above 1 second, which means that hand-holding is not an option – too much camera shake will spoil your images.
  • Remote shutter release – very helpful to have one, especially if it allows shooting in “Bulb” mode (DSLR only), but not required.
Fireworks 2

NIKON D700 @ 90mm, ISO 200, 4/1, f/10.0

5) Camera settings

First, set your camera on the tripod and connect the remote shutter release (if available). Then, change the following camera settings:

  1. ISO – start out by setting your camera ISO to its base ISO level (100 on most cameras including Canon and 200 on most modern Nikon DSLRs) and turn off “Auto ISO”, if you have it turned on.
  2. Image Format – if your camera has the capability, shoot in RAW format instead of JPEG.
  3. White Balance – if you shoot in RAW, set your White Balance to “Auto” (you can change it later). If you shoot in JPEG, set your White Balance to “Daylight” – it works well in most cases.
  4. Noise Reduction – set “Long Exposure Noise Reduction” to “Off” (if available). Keeping it “On” will significantly slow down your exposures, which is unnecessary.
  5. Camera Mode – switch your camera mode to “Manual Mode”.
  6. Shutter Speed and Aperture – set your shutter speed to 3 seconds and aperture between f/8 and f/10.

6) Lens Focusing and Vibration Reduction/Image Stabilization

This part is tricky, because you need to make sure that your focus is correctly acquired, whether you are shooting a point and shoot or DSLR camera. Options with point and shoot cameras are rather limited, so you will have on camera’s autofocus system. Start focusing when there is a bright explosion the camera can use for focusing on and then press the shutter button. After the photo is taken, review it on the LCD and make sure that the fireworks are in focus.

If you are shooting a DSLR camera, start out by setting your lens focus to infinity and then take a picture. Many modern lenses allow focusing “beyond infinity”, which might screw up the focus on your images. What I typically do to make sure that my focus is 100% accurate, is focus on a bright explosion using the camera’s autofocus system (by half-pressing the shutter button or pressing the “AF-ON” button), then once the focus is good, I change the lens focus to manual (“M”). Since I do not move, my focus from that point on will be accurate and won’t change, unless I zoom in/out (in which case I would have to move from Manual focus to Autofocus and try again). If for some reason you cannot acquire focus on fireworks, try focusing on a brightly-lit subject that is far away and see if the images are in focus.

If you are shooting with a camera body or lens that has Image Stabilization (or Vibration Reduction in the Nikon world), you need to turn it off – it is of no use when shooting on a tripod.

Fireworks 3

7) Framing your shots

Don’t worry much about framing your shots in the very beginning – just observe the sky and try to fit the initial explosions. You will be constantly zooming in/out and re-framing, so there is really no set rule for this. Your objective is to try to fit the explosions into your frame, from the beginning to the end of the explosion. If the fireworks appear smaller, it is OK – you can crop your images later.

8) Shooting the fireworks

When the fireworks show begins, take a picture during a bright explosion and see if the image is underexposed or overexposed. If the image is too bright, keep your shutter speed the same and try increasing the aperture to a higher number like f/16. If the image is too dark, try increasing your shutter speed to a longer period like 4-6 seconds. Keep in mind that the longer your shutter speed, the more action your camera will capture, which is not necessarily what you want – too long of an exposure might make fireworks look too blurry. I generally try to keep the shutter speed below 4-5 seconds when there is plenty of action.

Once the exposure looks good, take a series of shots and try lowering shutter speeds to 1-2 seconds and increasing them to 5-6 seconds to get different types of shots.

If you have a remote shutter release and your camera supports “Bulb” in Manual Mode, then try it out by opening up the shutter at the beginning of the explosion and then release it when it ends. You don’t want the exposure to be too long, because the sky will brighten up and the smoke will also be very visible (you want the sky to look pitch black).

Fireworks 4

NIKON D700 @ 90mm, ISO 200, 2/1, f/7.1

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[email protected] (Robert Wachtendonk Photography) https://www.rwphotography.biz/blog/2016/7/how-to-photograph-fireworks Mon, 04 Jul 2016 16:31:46 GMT
Senior Portrait Tips for Boys https://www.rwphotography.biz/blog/2016/6/senior-portrait-tips-for-boys  

 


 

Being well prepared for you senior photo session can make the difference between average and fabulous photos. Follow these easy tips and you’ll be well on your way to looking your absolute best. If you have any additional questions, feel free to contact me.

Mindset
Photographing males is much different than photographing females and I understand that. We’ll make you look like a guy, so relax. You won’t feel uncomfortable or have to do any awkward, girly posing.

Arrival
Be ready early or on time for your shoot. Running late means you lose camera time, and we don’t want that.

Style
As a general rule, guys are more complacent when it comes to photos. Even if it’s just for your mom, please come prepared.  We (and mom) want you to look your best. Dress in a style that expresses who you are, but dress nicely.  

Clothing
You have unlimited wardrobe changes, so bring A LOT of options. The more clothes we have to choose from, the better. This will give us flexibility in matching your clothing to backgrounds and the surroundings. Group your clothing together on hangers. Make sure items are free of wrinkles and ready to go. (Please don’t come everything stuffed into a gym bag like many guys have done.) Make sure you’re comfortable in your clothing and that it flatters you. This will ensure that you like how you look when viewing your photos. Avoid tight stripes and plaid. Solid colors work much better than patterns. Bring a variety of colors and mix the level of styles. Some should be dressy, some dressy-casual, and some casual. Bring black and/or dark gray t-shirts to wear under other shirts. White undershirts stick out and photograph poorly. Avoid t-shirts with large graphics or logos. They distract from the main subject, which is you.

We don’t expect you to get as excited as the girls about shoes, but bring a variety of casual and dressier shoes. Avoid flip-flops since these will appear too casual when viewing your photos.

Shaving
Please come to your session cleanly shaven. Retouching stubble won’t look as good as a clean shave. If you have facial hair that your mom despises, do her a favor and shave it off. I promise it will grow back.

Hair
If you have longer hair, make sure it will stay out of your eyes during your session. Have it trimmed if necessary. Don’t make any drastic changes like shaving your head or dying your hair around your session date. Otherwise you’ll look back at your photos and wonder “What was I thinking?”.  If getting a hair cut for your photo shoot, do it a few days in advance.

Props
They’re great! Bring props that help show who you are. Some popular choices are:

  • Sports Equipment (football, basketball, soccer ball, bat, etc.)
  • Sports Uniforms
  • Musical Instruments
  • Activity related items (dance, art, school clubs, etc.)

Glasses
Most lenses have a glare. The safest option is to check with your eye doctor and ask if they’ll loan you a similar pair without lenses or have them pop out the lenses for you.

Complexion
We retouch your photos, so please don’t be concerned about minor breakouts. We have you covered! If your acne is more severe, you’re still okay. We had bad acne is high school and understand! We’re happy to help you out with some extra retouching.

Parents and Family
Parents and family are welcome and often can be a help. However, if they distract you, it may be best hang back when on location.

Braces
If desired, I can remove braces in Photoshop for an extra charge. Otherwise, try not to worry about them. Give a natural smile and enjoy yourself. A good smile with braces is far better than the awkward smile that comes when you try to hide them.

Weather
Don’t worry about clouds because they actually even out the light and make for ideal shooting conditions. But falling rain is an issue and we have to reschedule. We will try to contact you first, but please call us at 425-772-2990 if you have any doubts or concerns.

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[email protected] (Robert Wachtendonk Photography) North Bend grad portrait graduation portrait senior portrait snoqualmie snoqualmie valley https://www.rwphotography.biz/blog/2016/6/senior-portrait-tips-for-boys Sat, 25 Jun 2016 01:58:06 GMT
Senior Portrait Tips for Girls https://www.rwphotography.biz/blog/2016/6/senior-portrait-tips-for-girls

Being well prepared for you senior photo session can make the difference between average and fabulous photos. Follow these easy tips and you’ll be well on your way to looking your absolute best. If you have any additional questions, feel free to contact me.

Mindset
Have fun! Together, we’re going to make you look great and you’ll have a great time.

Relax. I'm easy to get along with and will help you with posing, so there’s no pressure on you

Arrival
Prepare in advance and be ready at start time.  Running behind or being late means less camera time, and we don’t want that. 

Style
You’re unique and beautiful. Follow our guidelines but be yourself in how you dress.

Be fashionable. Wear clothing that’s stylish and put a lot of thought into your choices. This is a unique opportunity and I want you to look amazing!

Clothing
You have unlimited wardrobe changes, so bring A LOT of options. The more outfits we have to choose from, the better. This will give us flexibility in matching your clothing to backgrounds and the surroundings.

Group your outfits together on hangers. Make sure items are ironed and ready to go.

Plan on changing quickly. The faster you change, the more time we have to photograph and the more photo choices you’ll have later.

Make sure you’re comfortable in your clothing and that it flatters you. This will ensure that you like how you look when viewing your photos.

If you’re self-conscious about your arms, avoid sleeveless or cap-sleeve shirts and tank tops, as they tend to make arms look fuller.

Avoid stripes and plaid. Solid colors photograph much better than busy patterns.

Bring a variety of colors and mix the level of styles. Some should be dressy, some dressy-casual, and some casual.

If you’re comfortable in dresses, bring them! They photograph really well and offer a nice variety from your other casual clothing choices. We can mix dressy and casual dresses for some great looks.

Shoes
I cannot say it loudly enough. Wear heels! Whether pumps or boots, dressy or casual, plain or sassy, heels really make you stand out and look glamorous. 

Flats can also work well if you mix them with the right outfit.

Please stay away from flip-flops. Yes, they’re comfy and we all love them, but they don’t photograph well.

Hair
Make sure you like the look.  Hair style is ultimately YOUR responsibility. Any hair changes during the session should be quick and simple so you have as much camera time as possible.  If you plan on getting your hair done, do so in advance.

Bring hair spray, clips, pins, and whatever else is needed to keep your hair out of your eyes if it’s windy. Also bring a brush and mirror for quick hair touch-ups.

Do not make drastic changes to your hairstyle right before your photo session. This could add unneeded drama to your life.

Makeup
Makeup that is well done is one of the best preparations you can make for your session. It will even out skin tones and help give your photos that extra pop for a model-like look. Even if you don’t normally wear makeup or wear very little, take the time to do it well and your photos will look their best.

Makeup should only be slightly heavier than normal. Mascara should be clean and not clumpy. Avoid makeup with an SPF because it tends to createa shine. Summer shine can be controlled by using translucent powder that knocks out shine without adding additional color.

Jewelry
Keep it simple. Big, shiny jewelry can distract from the important subject, you. If you have different jewelry for different outfits, you might put each set of jewelry in a plastic baggie and hang it on the hanger with that outfit.

All that being said, the proper jewelry can really complement your outfit. It’s nice to have a variety to choose from and it doesn’t hurt to bring numerous options with you.

Props
They’re great! Bring props that help show who you are. Some popular choices are:

  • Sports Equipment (football, basketball, soccer ball, bat, etc.)
  • Sports Uniforms
  • Musical Instruments
  • Activity related items (dance, art, school clubs, etc.)

Glasses
Most lenses have a glare. The safest option is to check with your eye doctor and ask if they’ll loan you a similar pair without lenses or just have your lenses removed for the photo shoot.

Tanning
Tan lines are a distraction and take away from your photos. We suggest you use a tanning bed and varied swimsuit tops to minimize any existing tan lines. If you choose to tan outside or in a tanning bed, don’t overdo it. We don’t want you looking orange and leathery.

Complexion
Makeup helps a lot here, but I do retouch your photos, so please don’t be concerned about minor breakouts. I have you covered! If your acne is more severe, you’re still okay. We all had bad acne is high school and understand! I'm happy to help you out with some extra retouching.

Parents and Family Members
Parents and siblings are welcome and often can be a help.  However, if they distract you, it may be best to meet them when the session is over. With them along, its a great time to get sibling photos as well as family portraits.

Braces
Try not to worry about them. Give a natural smile and enjoy yourself. A good smile with braces is far better than the awkward smile that comes when you try to hide them.  If desired, I can remove braces in Photoshop for an extra charge.

Undergarments
Please make sure the colors of your undergarment coordinate well with your outfits and don’t show through your clothing. If you need a strapless, please bring one to your session. Tucking or moving straps will not always work or give the most pleasing look.  Check ahead of time to ensure that undergarments don’t leave unpleasing lines underneath your clothing

Finger and Toe Nails
If you paint your nails, make sure they’re done well for your session. Chipped nail paint will show and distract from you. Avoid bright colors that will distract from you and may not work with all your outfits. Instead, opt for basic or natural tones.

Weather
Don’t worry about clouds because they actually even out the light and make for ideal shooting conditions. But falling rain is an issue and we have to reschedule. I will try to contact you first, but please call me at 425-772-2990 if you have any doubts or concerns.

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[email protected] (Robert Wachtendonk Photography) North Bend fashion grad portrait graduation portrait senior portrait snoqualmie snoqualmie valley https://www.rwphotography.biz/blog/2016/6/senior-portrait-tips-for-girls Tue, 21 Jun 2016 05:00:46 GMT
Time for Senior Portraits https://www.rwphotography.biz/blog/2016/6/time-for-senior-portraits Rachel-20Rachel-20

It’s that time of year when families of incoming Seniors start thinking about their graduation portrait. I am a full time professional photographer who offers a unique senior portrait experience. It all starts with an in advance consultation where we will talk about wants/needs, wardrobe, locations and timing.  Plan on the shoot itself to last upwards of 2 hours with multiple locations and wardrobe changes. This is a special time in your senior’s life.  Picking the right photographer will help bring their unique personality to the surface.

 

Contact me so we can talk about your Senior Photo Shoot.

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[email protected] (Robert Wachtendonk Photography) North Bend fashion glamor grad portrait graduation portrait model senior portrait snoqualmie valley https://www.rwphotography.biz/blog/2016/6/time-for-senior-portraits Wed, 15 Jun 2016 13:55:52 GMT
The Beautiful Snoqualmie Valley https://www.rwphotography.biz/blog/2012/7/the-beautiful-snoqualmie-valley

 

I recently had an incredible photo shoot out here in the beautiful Snoqualmie Valley near where I live.  Two sisters came out from Kirkland and we shot in 4 different locations.  The weather could not have been better and with the backdrop of our wonderful valley, the images turned out great!  Hope you all enjoy.

 

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[email protected] (Robert Wachtendonk Photography) North Bend fashion glamor model snoqualmie valley https://www.rwphotography.biz/blog/2012/7/the-beautiful-snoqualmie-valley Wed, 04 Jul 2012 19:13:09 GMT