Inky-Dinky-Do Blog

Our Blog is Moving / Bakersfield, CA's Newborn, Child, Senior & Family Photographer

So we have the other site ready to go so we are moving our blog reader over to the new Blogsite!  It is the blog + galleries and website.  So now you don't have to navigate to the blog- you will land on it!  Swoopy!

 

Come on over....

http://www.inky-dinky-do.com

 

Join the party!

Mini Session Bargain Alert! Only $30 / Bakersfield, CA Photographer

 We are gearing up for our MS walk in October and team inky-dinky-do has decided to kick it off by doing something crazy!

One September 16th we will be doing mini sessions not for a session fee, but for a $30 donation to the MS Society!  I know major bargain and it goes to charity!

This is perfect for kids, teens, adults, that headshot that you need for your facebook or dating site!  We designed a special background for our Team inky-dinky-do and we will be using that for all the images.  It is fun, sassy and yet can feel contemporary and sophisticated.  Pretty snazzy huh?  

Sessions take only 20 minutes so come dressed and ready to impress!  Call to book your session.  661-588-1984

September 16th

$30 donation for a mini session!

Question:  what should I wear with that?  easy- white shirts will look fabulous, you could go for some bold bright colors if you like.  I can see white shirt, fabulous jewelry for the ladies, cool T-shirt for teen guys, a polo in white or a fun color for little boys and of course little girls can wear almost anything!  Denim, white, creams, bold bright orange or green could be fun!

Question:  Can I do 4 kids together?  Not really for this one guys!  One person, might be able to put two together, but think of  this one as a solo session!

Question:  Can I do a newborn?  Nope sorry guys we need kids either sitting up or Mom or Dad will have to be holding them in the picture. :)  It is a timing thing, we need lots of time for those newborns and this isn't really set up for  that.

Question:  How do I book?  Easy Peasy- just give us a call 661-588-1984.  If you get the machine you can leave your name and number the day and time that you prefer and we will call you back to schedule.  

FELLOW PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHERS

You can order the background shown for a $100 donation to our team inky-dinky-do MS team.  Get details on the inky-dinky-do Drops blog.

Donate to our team here. 

Photography as a Career? / Bakersfield Photographer

 

inky-dinky-do gets a lot of questions via email, but questions about photography as a career is the most common one for us from the teenagers.  So we thought we would share a recent conversation.  :)  If you guys want we can make this an on-going conversation.  This is the first part of a conversation via email with a very bright and spunky Junior in high school. 

I like photography and think I will major in it in college, is that a good idea?

No.  There are a lot of starving artist out there.  If you really want to be an artist and make your living from art- then major in business so you know if you are making money!  The art can be how you make your money.

 

Is being a photography rockstar fun?

Well it is funny to think of me as a photography "rockstar" but it isn't really what you think.  I know it might sound glamorous traveling and fashion shoots... the reality is time in airports, missing flights, and fashion shoots are work.  There are a lot of people to make happy.  You are simply a means to an end not a rockstar when you are on set.  I know there are a lot of photographers out there right now promoting the rockstar lifestyle- the truth is they are selling to other photographers.  That is marketing.  So it is like anything else.  Ask yourself what are they selling.  

Don't you make a lot of money though?

In truth, not as much as used to be possible.  Photography as a profession used to be something you could easily raise your family on.  Now, even fabulous studios are taking a little hit financially.

Why?  There are more photographers it must pay well?

Ahhh, that is part of the issue.  Photography used to be something mysterious and you had to understand principles of art and know how to use the equipment. Now you find people get a camera for Christmas and set it to auto and call themselves a photographer.  It really is a buyer beware situation.  Sure they got a couple good images of their friends kids in a field one day, but that doesn't mean they can perform in a situation that is less than ideal or get the results that people expect from a professional.  (yes, this is a sore spot in our industry these days)  I think the you will find 1/2 the time you are better off taking the photo yourself or paying for someone that really understands art.  The middle ground now is people playing- which is fine, but why pay for that?

If I like photography, why not make money at it then?  

I equate choosing photography as a career to choosing to be a restaurant owner.  You can love to cook, but not want to run a restaurant!  Share you gift with the ones you love and make your money from an industry that can feed your family.  When you do photography as a job- it is still a job.  Like any job there are things to keep in mind- do you have a degree in marketing, accounting, management?  No, well then you will need to hire someone to do those things.  When you enter the world of business you have to treat it like a business.  Taxes, insurance (not just your equipment, I'm talking liability, etc).   

So what then would you tell a young person to go into that likes photography?

CGI- seriously.  Those that are artistically inclined should be chasing this carrot.  CGI has made it's way from the big screen to the small screen and is used more than people realize.  Those green screens are everywhere and you don't even know it.  This is where I see a future for a budding artist these days. Anytime you are choosing a career path you should ask yourself where is the profession headed and what kind of future is there.  Farrier (horse shoe guy) was once a great profession, now not so much.  :)

So do you regret going into photography?

I can't say that I do, but I have told my own daughter that isn't a career path I would choose today if I was young.  I would however encourage people to enjoy photography!  I'm not sure why all of a sudden if you like it you have to be "in business".  What happened to the love of photography.  A hobby isn't a bad thing- it is liberating!  You get to photograph what you want, when you want and how you want, strictly for personal enjoyment.  Who wouldn't love that!  I know some great artist that love photography, but love it as a hobby.  Doesn't make them less of an artist. :)  Some of them are pretty smart- job they love and a hobby they love- that makes for a very well rounded person! 

So there is a snipet from a recent conversation.  I know some people think I'm unapproachable.  Not even, I love to talk photography, love to talk to those that are thinking about it is as a career or a hobby.  Now, I wont friend you on Facebook if you are local photographer. (policy I set in place a long time ago and can't change now!)   But if you have questions I'm happy to answer.  :) 

It is time again.... The Annual Scavenger Hunt!!!

You spoke- we listened!  I know we have a lot of teachers that play and complained about the timing so this year no excuses!  Not to mention lots of crazy fun!  Watch the blog this week for rules, the items and a fun little twist because we can!

Out of the office-phone lines and Angela out this week...

Sorry to fall off the radar guys.  During our move we ran int oa couple snags- transferring phone lines and what not.  If you haven't been able to reach us via phone- fear not- email is getting answered- phones are getting sorted out.  We had a great idea to transfer the phone to Angela's cell Friday night- only we didn't anticipate Angela's son ending up in the hospital!  Yes, just what every Mom with a child in the trauma unit needs- a ringing phone.  Since we couldn't un-transfer the phone at that point we had to let them roll.  Now that Max is back home and phone line should be taken care of we will be returning whatever calls weren't lost in translation so to speak!  Again email is a great way to reach me during the move.  The studio is closed until next week and with Angela being out for obvious reasons we are running just a touch behind in getting the studio move settled. 

We do want to thank The Center for Neuro Skills in Bakersfield for being so helpful to us this last week.  They were wonderful at explaining things to Angela's family and giving recommendations.  We are happy to report that Max is home from the hospital and doing much better.  A very big thank you to our clients for understanding and allowing Angela to step back as needed.  Now we all agree that it will be great to have her back soon since I don't even know how to access voice mail!  :)  Yes, it is a good thing that I use the camera and not the phones!

2009 Changes

(new posts will appear below this one so scroll down if this is old news to you!)

2009 is all about simplicity- for us & for our clients.  The kind of simplicity that brings peace, simple joys and sense of family.

I know we have been pretty quiet lately on the blog.  We have been pondering what changes we wanted to make for the new year.  It was worth the wait because we have some serious changes coming your way! 

I have so loved watching all our inky-dinky-do kids grow up and document their lives.  We also have become part of the Bakersfield community since moving here and we aren't too proud to acknowledge that economic times have impacted our area and many of our clients.  So many of you have become like a big extended family for us and of course would love to still see the kids grow and share in the little joys that happen.  So we have reached a decision.  We are opting to close our boutique on Calloway Drive and focus soly on the studio and creating the best value for our clients.  Sure the boutique was nice, but at the end of the day staying affordable to our clients during a tough time is more important.  Angela will still be scheduling and thanks to modern technology she can do that virtually anywhere.  Previews will happen at the studio instead of the boutique.  So the only difference is you get to come back to the studio and visit me twice!  I'll make sure that candy bowl is refilled!   The studio will be as it has always been by appointment so that we may give you our full attention. 

Because we are moving stuff around (you notice there is no photo of boxes piled high!) we are essentially closed until the 9th of Feb.  Now don't panic, orders moved over and we will be checking them in next week, appointments will be scheduled, we are just buried in boxes.  My office is looking suspiciously organized thanks to Kim today!  The studio is getting a face lift and we are getting excited about the new set up.  Sometime, I'll have to tell you all about my trip to IKEA... never been in one and they sent me alone... you can only imagine! 

So in review.... the boutique location is closing and  we are revamping things at the studio to give our clients the best possible value and keep inky-dinky-do portraits an affordable luxury.  Prints are at the studio and scheduling will continue with a slight break for remodeling.  Watch for updates and new stuff to come! 

The path to the studio door.  Ok- when it isn't winter!  The roses should be great this spring!

Can't wait to see everyone tonight!

Wedding Show today!

We just got back from the wedding show.  We had a great time meeting some fun brides.  Kim (wedding director for inky-dinky-do) in black on the right, Angela on the left and myself were hanging out!  Kristen took the photo on my iphone.

We were excited to show off the new banners that are available for our inky-dinky-do brides (look above our heads) and you will see Erin & Scott's banner.  What a great way to say the party is this way!

Kim & Kristen were excited to launch Plan B today!

Plan B was a hit!  What is Plan B?  Well think of all those brides that can't get inky-dinky-do for their wedding day because of either availability or maybe budget- well time to go to Plan B!  This is the fabulous trained staff that are up and coming photographers that are going out on their own (well under my close supervision!)  The price tag is appealing at $850-$1400.  I know that is a killer deal!  Even better... you can book Plan B for your wedding day and still do the fancy Couture Sessions like we do for magazines that are so hot!  The perfect combination!
Photo by Angela on the iphone

Of course we couldn't resist sharing a quick iphone grab of Miss Anna who I've photographed since she was a little girl with her banner from a shoot for Ladies & Gents!  She did the fashion show as well and even survived her first backstage zipper mishap.  Welcome to the world of fashion Miss Anna. 

By popular demand we are also giving brides the link to our resource page about how to select a wedding photographer- even if it isn't inky-dinky-do!  We know this is a big decision and who knows what to ask unless you do this all the time.  There are some pitfalls and even photography has some deceptive things (like using photos from workshops instead of their work, or display albums that aren't their work...) this should help you navigate it all and make the best decision for you!
Questions to ask your potential wedding photographer!

A couple lucky men won Valentine Rendezvous Sessions for their brides too!  Angela will be calling Tuesday to set you up!  Take me to more information about the Valentine Special Please!

Thanks for a great day guys and while it was fun to snap these on the iphone... don't worry we wont be using iphones at weddings!

Vantine's Day Special

Valentines is Coming!

Book your inky-dinky-do Valentine Rendezvous Special Session now! 

Valentine Special Feb 2-4th!  Only $150 for a 30 minute session and 8x8 gift portrait for the one you love!

So pick out your favorite Valentine look- sexy vixen or perhapsa little pin up.  This special is all about pink & a Valentine's day inspired setting with chocolates and flowers.

All of these great outfits and shoes are from intimate details on Rosedale and Calloway.  Call Marianne or stop in soon to make sure you get exactly what you are wanting for your session.  Don't forget the little things like shoes, jewlery and stockings.  Show just a little or all of those curves!  Don't worry about that extra holiday pound or two we can do our famous "digital lipo" to make sure you look nothing short of perfect!

Limited to 15 clients so book now!  inky-dinky-do butique 661-588-1984.

Thanks to Miss Candice for sharing some for her recent Rendezvous session!

Don't forget you can book a Rendezvous Session anytime with any theme that might work for you.

 

 

 

Happy New Year to Everyone!

2007 has been such a great and crazy year for us personally and the studio.  I hope that the treated everyone well and that 2008 is even better.  Our wish for everyone this year is time with Family & Friends.  I think that will be me only real resolution for 2008 more time for my family & friends.  I don't regret one minute that I spent with them in 2007 so it seems like a good goal!  Come to think of it we took on a lot of community projects this last year and I feel great about those as well.  While it was nice to receive the Humanitarian of the Year at the Beautiful Bakersfield Awards, I think the families I met during the year that brought me to that award mean even more.  Of course the Relay for Life was our first year and we are already raising for 2008!  We had a great time and this year I wont be in a wheelchair for it! 
My only real regret for 2007.... at some point during the year I turned around and my kid grew up.  Just wasn't ready for that to happen.  Mike and I are now looking at two beautiful young ladies that are going to dances and actually care if what they are wearing matches.  For those of you giggling and thinking ha ha boys are next- stop!  I'm looking into convents as I type.

So because I feel so blessed this last year, and maybe those prescribed pain killers make me a little loopy.... let's have a little thank you bonus for my favorite blog readers!

Here you go....
From 12:01 am Jan 1, 2008 to 11:59pm-Jan 1,2008  Pacific time....

The first 5 people to send us your favorite photo YOU took this last year will win a fun little "artist has gone mad and is bored session".
Hey, I bought a bunch of stuff and haven't gotten to play with any of it yet!  Besides, you all kept me so busy this last year I never did do my Artist Mondays!  So let's have some fun and be a little crazy and just to sweeten it up a little.... we have a special new something for you as well... can't tell you that yet, but you will like it.

:)  Happy New Year!