SHERWOOD WISCONSIN PHOTOGRAPHY | YOU ARE A PHOTOGRAPHER....Seriously you Are...

Hey Everyone!!!

Welcome to the 2nd installment of the Easy As Pie Series...I wanted to start of by welcoming you back into the fold! (Or something far less creepy). For those of you who are new to the "Easy as Pie" series, check out more info about it here.

Easy as Pie is a concept series which is all about helping novice or hobbyists recognize how "easy" photography can be for them, and also, the importance photography can play in our lives....

I want to share a video with you all about one photographer's uplifting perspective (David duChemin) on why you ARE a Photographer....

  Why You ARE a Photographer


In the world of photography there are so many varied viewpoints on what makes "photographer" a "Photographer"....as if...there is this big initiation into photography by some secret society...or a checklist somewhere that is required to be completed prior to receiving the all illusive photographer's badge of honor.

Though there is some validation to having some sort of checklist when hiring a professional photographer, I feel this system is subjective. Let's be honest, photography in a nutshell, is just one art medium.

And art, by nature is subjective. What people like about artwork varies based on each individuals preferences. True, some artwork speaks greater volumes or to more people than others. Not every artist is a "Van Gogh"..(in reality, very few artists acheive that level of notoriety). ..but that does not make the non-Van Gogh's of the world's art less valued by some. What gives art it's value is the ability to inspire the viewer to gain an emotional reaction to the subject.

Photography is no different. We can create emotional reactions to our images, simply by taking the image. Does it have to be a "Van Gogh?" or an "Ansel Adams?" to be valued as photography? Must we meet this level of fame to call ourselves a photographer? I do not think so..in fact I believe like the traditional art forms very few photographers acheive this level of notoriety.

Which in actuality is a great thing. It means that there are awesome amounts of every day people making beautiful works of art, and inspiring emotional reactions in others. Take a big sigh of relief folks...you really can be a photographer ....Here is an example.

I look at this image and I think to myself..."I LOVE IT!!!"....you may look at this image and think "????What is going on here? why take this picture??"...but to me the story behind this image is so meaningful, that nothing else matters. You see, this is my daughter, and she is using my computer. She is using it to research birds which she absolutely loves right now. That look on her face?? with her mouth hanging open? that is her "I'm Concentrating" face. This is an everyday moment that I will certainly forget without the photo to aid my memory.

And I do not want to forget this. I do not want to forget the way her face gets that "blank slate" look when she is thinking..I don't want to forget her passion for birds (Cardinals especially). I want to remember this moment.

And that is the power of photography. and why YOU are a photographer. You have the power to inspire an emotion from yourself, your family, others around you, fans you've never met. It is your viewpoint that makes it memorable. So go on...Take those pictures!!! Be a photographer. The quality of the work will come with practice, but never let the title stop you from making images, and harnessing emotions.

Thanks for stopping by!

~Jesse

Kaukauna Wisconsin Photography | Easy as Pie Series: Delete your photos or Die!

Happy Friday Everyone!!!

19 more days until Christmas!! Anyone counting?? My daughter is, she is the one who informed me of how many days are left. She is so excited to for Christmas (as am I), but I am also extremely excited to share with you some news over here at Jesse Konkle Photography!!!

I've been wanting to expand what I do with this business for awhile, and I've been very interested in doing a project revolving around the everyday photographer. So I am EXTREMELY excited to share with you my new photography series: Easy As Pie!

Easy as Pie Photography is a series of tips, activities, and photo shares designed to encourage, help and grow the everyday photographer. This is not a series on how to go pro, (let's be honest...not everyone wants to do that!)...this is for the momtographer, the hobby photographer, the occasional drunk party photographer (or other unmentionables). It is for anyone who wants to improve their photography, with some simple solutions.

 I will be incorporating photography tips and my personal projects so stay tuned!! (I think it will be a fun read for everyone!)

Okay so first up in the Easy as Pie Series: "ORGANIZATION!!!

Yeesh, boring right??! the first series segment is Organization?! Really?? Yes, yes, organizing photos is completely boring..but guess what...For all you momtographers, hobbyists and the like...I have some news for you....Ready?? Pictures eat up A TON of space...like A Metric ton!!!

Yesterday, my computer gave my a warning that my hard drive is almost out of space...
....
...
*cough*.
....
I have a 2TB hard drive, and I purchased my computer last February. How in the heck did that happen?!

I will tell you why...(and this is really embarrasing for me to share...so I need to pull up my big girl pants for a moment..). I have 70,000 pictures on my computer. Yeah...you heard me correctly...70,000.

Now, being a professional, this is not all too shocking. But the reality is unless I want to keep upgrading computers or get my own server, I need to manage this somehow. So that is what I would like to talk about...How to manage your photography files.

Step One: Sort your Files. 

It really does not matter which program you use for organizing your photos. Most programs will have handy little tools to aid in organizing. I typically organize my files 3-4 times. The first time I am just going on gut instinct and culling photos. Which ones speak to me right away as "Keep" or "Toss."

From there I began to sort them in the order I want to tell the story. During this time I will likely cull a few more. Then I begin editing, where I will cull in a more serious fashion. And finally I cull one more time before presenting my album. My goal is to only keep the best of the best. Does a client really want three images in the same pose?? Only if it can tell a profound story.

Here is an example of what I mean:

These are 3 seperate files on my computer. The first is the "SOOC" image (original). The second was my first instinct on how to edit this image..Initially I thought it should be a black and white with its dramatic lighting and shadows. From there I wanted to embrace a bit of color and see how that impacted the image.
Now I have three...see what I mean? I don't do this with every image, but it does occur. So How do I eliminate the file overload this causes?? For many parents and photographers (especially budding photographers) it is EXTREMELY difficult to part with images. In my heart, I want to keep both the black & white and the color shot.

Which brings me to my next step in Photo Organization:

Step Two: Delete your photos or die!!!

Okay..really, you are not actually going to die...but your computer might!!! (I mean..come on 70,000!!! It could happen to some other unfortunate soul)

Yes, we love our little ones...and seriously look at how amazing my little guy is in this image?? Picking his nose, sick with a cold and a tiny little tear...so compelling...but I do not need three copies! I really don't. So this is where the deleting element comes in. Pick only your absolute favorites, and delete the rest.
Thats it...Delete them. Don't save 20 versions of the same pose. Don't save images that do not tell a story. Do not save them even if you think maybe you might like them someday. Delete them. Be gone with the bad images and celebrate the good. I am not suggesting that they be technically perfect...but they absolutely must speak to your soul. If they don't chuck em.

Step Three: Get them off your computer!

Where do they go? External Hard drives are a photography enthusiasts best friend. Seriously. How you organize your externals is up to you...but my advice is once you are done culling, and falling in love with only the best images...figure out a way to organize them on an external and get them off your computer.

Can they come back? Of course..and here is the next step:

Step four: Only keep the photos you are currently using on your computer

Are you making a photo book? like...right now?? not 6 months from now right? Only keep the images you are currently using on your computer. once you are done, move them to the External.

Step Five: Back those puppies up!!!

Honestly...this is the sad part..if you love your photographs..I mean..REALLY love your photographs...you will back them up TWICE....I mean it...One external will not be enough. You should be working with One and have an additional one that is your back-up..and the back up external should be someplace fireproof.


Okay...so now you are all ready to save a computer and delete a file right? :)

Curious to see which of the three files I will save....???

....it's this one...something about this image speaks to me the most...but I am curious to know which one you would keep!!

Thanks for stopping by! Check out our Facebook page for upcoming Easy As Pie events!

~Jesse

Thankful November | Sherwood, Wisconsin Photography

Happy Monday Everyone!!

I am so excited to share with you 30 days of thankfulness on this blog. I am hoping this may become a weekly post after the month of November. One of my "wellness" goals in my life is to embrace simplicity, and honor the little things that make our lives memorable. This is a value I hold in my photography business, and something I try to instill in my children. Needless to say, 30 days of Thankfulness is super exciting for me!

NOW...I am very aware that today is November 4th, (I missed 3 days!!)...so for this post I will recap what I've been thankful for in the past few days.

Day 1:

I am so very thankful for my amazing family. I am so in love with all of them, and feel unbelievably blessed to be able to begin and end each and every day in their presence. I love them with all my heart.

Day 2:

I am thankful for quiet solitude. I crave calm quiet peace, and I am so happy when I have those stolen moments. 

Day 3:

I am thankful for the wonderful gift of being a mother. I am so fortunate to be able to care for my children when they need support. I love being their rock, their safe waters, and their home.

Today, Day #4:

I am thankful for fog. (weird, I know). I love the properties of fog, and how surreal everything looks when a fog rolls in. I love how the environment can completely change it's appearance clouded with a foggy haze. and I happen to adore the dreamy qualities fog creates in camera! 

That brings me up to speed on Thankfulness!! I am not sure if I will post weekly, or daily, (or maybe even a combination..woo living dangerously!). I hope you enjoy the experience, and feel free to share what you are thankful for!!! Let's make this world a better place through our appreciation of the little things!

Thanks for stopping by!

~Jesse

Family Photography: Halloween Cuteness | Appleton, Wisconsin

Hello Everyone!

My goodness, this is one neglected blog! Let's just say I try and call it a day, eh?

Happy Halloween!! Where I live, trick-or-treating was last weekend. Luckily for you this means you can see some pictures of my kiddos now!

I hope you all have a happy & safe Halloween!!!

Before I share the pictures, here are a few tips for making your Halloween images memorable:
1.) Shoot the details!!! those costumes are so darn cute, make sure to get all the little details.
2.) Shoot low to the ground...get your kiddo's perspective
3.) Frame your shot: try not to get too many random people in your shots, they will mean more to you this way.
4.) Get the loot!! (I totally forgot to shoot a picture of the inside of the candy bag!!! My kiddos ate half already, so I couldn't even re-stage the moment, haha.)
5.) Have fun!! Remember to live the moment as well..my hubby very kindly reminded me to put the camera away and participate too!

So without further ado here are my little trick-or-treaters!!

*A bit of a disclaimer folks..yes the next picture contains beer...I am from Wisconsin, and well lets just say that Beer & Trick-or-treating go hand in hand folks.***

Have I ever mentioned that my daughter really dislikes getting her picture taken??? Breaks my momtographer heart, but I refuse to be discouraged..;) 

 

My little guy is obsessed with Jake and the Neverland Pirates right now, but he refused to wear the bandanna! Ah well, there is always next year!!

How are you celebrating Halloween this year??

Thanks for stopping by!

~Jesse 

Wedding Photography | Edgar, Wisconsin

Happy February Everyone!!

Love is in the air; and for me as a photographer, February makes me all gooey inside. I LOVE to think about people in love;) More than just think it; I like to watch it unfold. [with my camera in tow!!]. I had the great pleasure of photographing the kindest couple over the holidays.

Meet Sarah & Chris:

This adorable couple battled the snow, and cold of northern Wisconsin with smiles and a playful attitude. Their energy and love for one another is extremely contagious!

Our fun filled winter wonderland kicked off with trek through the woods. 

 

And this adventurous duo did some ice skating as well!! (I however did NOT put on any ice skates...I can barely balance on my feet as it is.!)

I pretty much love Chris' expression in this picture...It captures the complete; "Oh crap I am standing in ice skates about to fall" feeling I had just watching these two:). But as you can see in the next few shots..they got their bearings. 

 

 

To warm up a bit they sat by a fire drinking hot chocolate. (Nothing like a winter fire to make you feel warm!)

Sarah and Chris; you are such adorably fun people!!! I just want to drink you up! (or maybe that's the hot chocolate!)

 Happy Valentines (early) Everyone, and thanks for stopping bye!!

~Jesse

Wedding Photography | Sherwood, Wisconsin

Today in Wisconsin it was 6 degrees outside with the wind chill! Brrrr! My kids & I spend lots of cuddle time today reading books and staying warm.  

Snuggling up together reminded me of this fun couple; Marsha & Bill. Marsha & Bill will be getting married this Spring and I am very honored to be photographing their wedding. We had tons of fun during their engagement session, and I am happy to share the pix! 

Check out the amazing light we found. So romantic:) 

Marsha & Bill are a blast to hang out with! Bill has an amazing sense of humor; and Marsha is Beautiful!   I can't wait to see them in their element on their wedding day! 

I don't know why, but I really like the framing of this picture with the tree in the foreground. (Or maybe it's the love-struck adorableness between the two of them!!)

This is perhaps my favorite! Their love radiated, and I couldn't help but capture such a warm moment between the two of them. 

AND I also really enjoyed how much Marsha & Bill seem to have fun together. The genuinely seem to make one another over the moon happy & have a blast doing it. 

Thanks for stopping by, and stay warm!!