Now, here we are. September of 2020, way more than halfway through this – to say the least - unusual year. Our LHS Class of 2020 had their graduation, for the first time ever outside on the Football Field, which I have to say, I didn’t mind at all. Might be something they should continue in the future. I wish each and every one of them a blessed future and that they (and all of us) learned or are learning through this current situation, that we are stronger than we thought we were, and that we can handle a change in circumstances, but most of all, that there are people who we can depend on to be with us.

Extraordinary Class of 2020There's nothing ordinary about this class!

So, let’s turn our focus to the Class of 2021. They don’t have an easy year ahead of them, but I guess at least they know that already before they start their Senior Year.

Starting out the Class of 2021This is us just starting out! #Classof2021

Parents, Seniors, I can take a little of the work off your shoulders: Every year, I submit my HS Seniors’ yearbook photo to the school. I correspond with the schools if I’m not certain about their requirements, always ask for confirmation after sending the images, and make sure that I meet their requirements - some are lax, some are strict, some print color, and some in Black & White. By the way, did you know that a simple B&W conversion is often way boring compared to an enhanced conversion? Look here:

B&W explainedSee the transition for a proper NON-automated but customized to your image Black & White Image conversion That’s why it’s important to me to know what your senior’s school does for their yearbook. I want my images to pop off the page and WOW everyone who views it.

Little bit of a subject change: I’ve been talking a lot about what I can do for you in terms of MAKING IMAGES. But most of us TAKE plenty of photos, too. When was the last time you actually printed any of those? Of course, you can get prints from your local chain stores. That’s good enough when you need something quick. But if you are into creating scrapbooks and photo albums, I’d recommend a professional lab, such as mpix. See, one of the labs I work with is Miller’s. Their consumer division is mpix. So you are getting the knowledge and experience of the pros for your quality and longer lasting prints. And prints are the only medium for photographs that will last for generations. If you don’t believe me, just find a floppy disk and ask your computer-savvy 12ish year old son/brother/cousin what it is! If you just asked, what a ‘floppy disk’ is – I guess I made my point. LOL! But seriously, without PRINTS, how will you pass on these heirlooms to the next generations?

So, how else can I assist you with your photo needs? Here’s a list of do’s and don’ts in the order they popped into my head:

DON’T go for ‘Open Concept’ when building or redesigning your home (not enough wall space for you pictures!)

DO go to Pinterest for ideas for Wall Displays. Set a time limit for searching and pinning!

DO decide on a layout and print medium* BEFORE deciding on the images.

^{*framed print, framed or stretched canvas, aluminum, wood, acrylic, mounted on standout block, and more}

Now that you have your layout, DO choose your images.

And finally, now that you have my list, DO tell me how it worked for you!!!  Oh, and if you don’t have photos to put on your wall – well, you DO know where to find me!

My Current Business CardIf you are in need of professional photography - based on my business card: Would you hire me?

Blessings,

Heike C. O'Day

YOUR Photographer

715.213.3405

If you have read this post all the way to the end and you have received photography services and products from me, please leave a review on Google for me: https://g.page/ODayPhotography/review?mp

 

What’s next? We are almost half way through 2020 and it’s already been one of the most memorable years in history, has it not? This year’s seniors won’t tell their grandchildren that they walked to school every day in a snowstorm uphill both ways! They have a whole different story to tell.

It’s said that ‘hindsight is 20/20’. Don’t you wish to be able to look to the future to see what we really need to learn from all these current events? Maybe, or hopefully, we’d all be making smarter decisions in every aspect.

So, on my small scale, what’s next with Heike C. O’Day Photography? Let’s look to the Class of 2021! One thing we should know by now, is to not put things off. In German it’s called ‘putting things on a long bench’. I myself tend to have a few ‘long benches’ but let’s not put your senior sessions on it! The weather is perfect for outside sessions – no you do not have to wait for fall (with its unpredictable weather). I think we’re all ready for things to be a little more like we used to know them. Getting your senior session done or started* is definitely one way to do that.

*started: Did you know that you can split your sessions! How about a session now - beautiful fresh spring greens (just like when you are going to graduate next year), Then a session in the fall – because fall colors are simply gorgeous around here, Then a session when there’s snow on the ground (those are tricky to schedule, but if you’re flexible and available on short notice, that could be a blast!). And also once you have your cap & gown, we can do another session. Any session can be done on location, which means a place of your choice in this area, or we can be in my studio, or outside at my studio which gives us several different settings to work with. I have all kinds of ideas to make your senior session experience truly outstanding. LET’S TALK!

Senior Collage 2020a collection of some of my HS Senior Clients

I think this time around, I’m going to keep my blog post short. If your last 2-3 months have been anything like mine, you’re just so done with doing anything on a screen. So, let’s just stop here. Now, the next item on your to-do-list is to do something about those family photos you’ve been wanting for a while now, and if you’re in the HighSchool, let’s get together and talk about your possible sessions!

Blessings,

Heike C. O'Day

YOUR Photographer

715.213.3405

If you have read this post all the way to the end and you have received photography services and products from me, please leave a review on Google for me: https://g.page/ODayPhotography/review?m

Wow! Just looking back at last month’s blog post - just 5 weeks ago! - How much our world has changed since then. Amazing. At times, scary. Other times, wonderful. All of a sudden, I have time to do things I always wished I had time for. At home it’s yard work and there’s plenty of it since last fall’s storm that took down 30some large trees on our property. The garden needs to get prepped for this year’s crop, and it looks like this year, I’ll even have time to sow my own seeds. We are also redoing the siding to match our preferred log cabin look  Our HomeMy husband, Danny loves log cabins and log siding. His cousins own Golden Eagle Log Homes (guess it runs in the family then). I love what he's doing to our house. , and

then there’s an addition in the planning to add a room for one of our teenagers, but also a guest room (I’m really excited about this! Probably because then, we will have a proper room to make family and friends from all over this country and also from my home country, Germany, feel at home. And maybe, we will host exchange students again, …)

Exchange Students from all over the WorldDifferent countries, different continents, different culture, yet all teenagers with a common goal.

But here at the studio, things obviously are slower than they should be.  While this business is essential to me and my family, and maybe to you, I still have to be honest and admit that it doesn’t fall into the ‘essential business’ criteria the government is talking about, does it? So, for now, all in-person sessions are on hold. Even if it’d be on your front porch! If I’m at your front porch, I’m not following the guidelines of ‘Safer at Home’. That’s not okay with me. I want to be here this summer and fall and would much rather do proper sessions with you and your family in beautiful surroundings and flattering lighting set ups.

Family Wall Display OptionInstead of overwhelming you with the task of choosing images for your wall - let me take care of that! I can create beautiful previews of what your display could look like!

However, here’s what I CAN offer at this time:

> Product Photography: We chat via phone about what you need photographed. You drop your item(s) off at the studio – or I can pick them up from you. I’ll create images and make them available to you via an online gallery. I can also create unique and absolutely customized business cards.

Product PhotographyYou bring me your product - I'll create the images. Product PhotographyYou bring me your product - I'll create the images!

> Collages, Composites, Artwork: Either from your photos, or from photographs that I created for you in the past. There are so many possibilities. I’ll just share a couple of images here, but this is just the beginning:

Artwork from your PhotoDo you have a photo of your pet? Let me create some stunning artwork for you! Artwork from your PhotoLet me create a stunning image from your photo. I'm always up for a good challenge!

> Prints and digital downloads: If your gallery is online, you can order prints at any time. Keep in mind though, that some of the labs including the ones my website uses, had to close their doors, too for a while. That may cause quite a delay in your order. If you don’t want to wait, just share your shopping cart with me, and I’ll try to find a lab that’s open at this time. Some galleries have pricelists attached that offer digital downloads. Just check your gallery.

I was looking forward to photographing the Highschool’s musical, ‘The Little Mermaid’ right about now. It makes me sad, that this is not possible at this time. Most of all, it makes me sad for the students who have been looking forward to this performance, especially this year’s seniors. Last I heard was that the play will be performed this summer. So, fingers crossed and prayers sent that it will be possible.

Talking of this year’s seniors: One of them is my own kiddo, my oldest son, Simon. Obviously, none of us know at this time what is going to happen, if there will be a few more weeks to end the school year ‘properly’, or if this is it for this year’s ‘in-person’ schooling, … Will there be a graduation ceremony that we all can attend? It’d feel like ‘unfinished business’ if there wouldn’t be. This is truly an amazing time we live in. I pray that we ALL will come out of this challenge stronger than ever, more together than ever, and more prepared than ever. I hope each and every one of you is healthy and will stay healthy, that you can face this incredible challenge with love, strength, and faith that it will all be worth it in the end.

Class of 2020 - Stronger Together#bettertogether credit for the design (minus a few changes) goes to LHS - I just added a photo from Simon's Senior Session

I am blessed to be able to enjoy this time at home with my immediate family, that we can be closer, and have the time to work and play together. BUT I also am truly looking forward to being able to literally open my doors for business again. Until then, feel free to reach out to me. We CAN make plans for this summer and fall. We CAN get prepared NOW.

Blessings,

Heike C. O'Day

YOUR Photographer

715.213.3405

If you have read this post all the way to the end and you have received photography services and products from me, please leave a review on Google for me: https://g.page/ODayPhotography/review?mp