Around here, we’re calling it “Headshots and Hoagies”. What is it? A networking event primarily for our BNI (business networking) friends and associates. Come on by the studio, meet some new folks, have a sandwich– on us. For those interested in getting a headshot taken, we’ll be doing that in our studio area. The cost for that service is $100 (all payment forms accepted), which includes your best headshot image from the shoot for you to use for print and for web (including Facebook, Linked In and Twitter).

You don’t have to be a member of BNI to come, of course. Whether or not you’re interested in a headshot, please do come, enjoy the food and the company! Please RSVP if you know you’ll be here (so we can estimate the food needed). If needing a specific headshot time, let us know so you’re not kept waiting, etc.

Here are the details:

What: Headshots and Hoagies
Where: Fitzgerald Photo studio
28 Maple Street
Third Floor Left
Portland, ME 04101
207-699-9321

When: Thursday, October 15, 2009
11 am-2 pm

RSVP : 207.699.9321 or brian@fitzgeraldphoto.com

I love Google Alerts…for those of you who don’t know, it’s a great (free) tool for finding out when and where a specific term or word is being used on the Web. I just got pinged today, and when I looked found a photo I had taken of Delicate Arch in Arches National Park near Moab, Utah, ten years ago. This time, it’s running with a legislative-type story from the AP. I still remember that trip–I was photo editor for the Daily Herald in Provo, Utah, and was taking a camping swing through southeastern Utah. I think I shot it (on film, of course) and just uploaded it to the AP so that I could get the $15 per photo kickback they’d send if it was picked up by a member publication. Brings back memories!

The old adage goes that a single photo is worth a thousand words. When it comes to people photography–the lifestyle, editorial and advertorial work that I specialize in–images have to move beyond a simple, faithful recording of a scene. They have to have voice. They have to speak to the viewer, and convey a concept powerfully.

This is why it’s so important that businesses who really want to connect with potential customers understand that it’s not enough to have a great service or product. You need to show, not tell, why your product or service is so fantastic. You can write about it, but nothing comes close to capturing the authentic experience of your message, product or service as a properly-conceived and-executed image.

That’s where we come in. The most important part of the process is to first discuss how to translate your goals, vision and message into striking images that engage the viewer.

It’s not about pretty pictures. Not really. It’s about finding and expressing your voice–your message–visually.

As promised, here are the winners from the Annual Indie Biz Awards Night, put on by Portland Buy Local on May 20:

Soul of Portland: Portland Farmers Market

Flavor of Portland Portland: Fore Street

Environmental Hero: Portland Trails

Portland’s Best Kept Secret: Micucci’s Grocery Store

Community Hero: Coffee By Design

Portland Totem: Becky’s Diner

Business With No Front: Emilie Inc. Photography

Global Hero: Portland Museum of Art

Wild Card: Longfellow Books

I’ve posted images here so you can view them yourself. Please note…these photos are for personal use only. Feel free to download and post them but I ask that credit be given and that you provide a link back to my site, www.mainecommercialphotographer.com.

It’s been a busy, busy week at our place…a major announcement is in the works (stay tuned…It’s BIG!).

In other news, well, I’ve been working with several clients this past week to build up some of their stock libraries. I had a great time with Linda Varrell, Eric Blom and Kate Bachman at Broadreach Public Relations in Yarmouth. This is a small power team of folks that basically do it all for their clients–write copy, put together marketing campaigns, manage outsourced public relations for entire companies–and they do a great job. And like the chef who orders fast-food, or like my wife and I when it comes to providing our families with baby photos, they’ve found it difficult to get the time to build their own online presence. That’s where I come in. Since they’re in the process of building a website, they have a need for all kinds of foundational imagery–from headshots to custom portraits to those little teeny tiny details that get sprinkled throughout a website. So we visited and I suggested a comprehensive plan, and we scheduled a date for the shoot.
On photo day I arrived with cookies (a happy client looks better in photos) and we got to work on a full day of photography. While the team worked, I set up lights, orchestrated lifestyle scenarios and pulled in people when needed. Zoe, a beautiful Golden Retreiver and one of two office mascots, managed to get some face time as well. I move fast and work through a lot of shots in a relatively short period of time, but the Broadreach team didn’t blink a bit. They smiled, stayed positive and in short we had a fantastic time. Here’s one of my favorite outtake images from the day. It may not end up in their promo materials, but for me it captured the personality of the entire team. I like to think the cookies had something to do with those smiles.

After almost eight years being hosted with the same hosting company, we’ve pulled up stakes and relaunched with a new, spiffy site. You’ll see larger photos–much larger–and many additions to the galleries. Each portfolio link includes a description of the services we provide. Let us know how you think it looks and performs using our handy Contact Us form. We also have a new URL, www.mainecommercialphotographer.com. Come on and check us out! There’s lots of great stuff to see at Fitzgerald Photo.
If you notice any empty boxes laying around, or see generally see something where it shouldn’t be, well…we’re still moving into our new home and will soon have it whipped totally into shape.
Stay tuned for our new logo and blog theme, too. And one more thing–you can always get ahold of us at www.fitzgeraldphoto.com, too.