Passion is Power

Passion is Power
Don’t Apologize For It

Hello hello, and a fine top o’ the mornin’ to ya! Thank you so much for coming back once again, and I hope this post finds you well! Today, I want to talk a little more about passion, and make an exciting announcement!

The way I see it, passion is pretty powerful. (How about that for alliteration?) Passion brings purpose to our lives, and passion drives us. Nothing great has ever been accomplished without a passionate person behind it all.

William Booth was passionate about leading people to Christ and helping the poor, which led him to founding The Salvation Army.

George Williams in England was passionate about helping people to have a safe place to stay from the dangerous streets in London, and wanted to give a sanctuary for prayer, Bible reading, and fellowship, so he founded the Y.M.C.A. in 1844.

In 1952 in South Korea, Rev. Everett Swanson was passionate about helping poor children who were displaced by the recent conflict, so he founded Compassion International.

Steve Jobs was passionate about technology and design functioning together, and founded the largest company in the world together with Steve Wozniak, Apple Computers.

Passion drives people to innovate, to care, and to be the movers and shakers of our time. Passion brings change, and passion inspires.

My best advice to anyone is for you to find your passion. Find what makes you tick. If you can make it a career, then do it. If it’s only a hobby, then do it with everything you have. Don’t let others stop you or keep you from your passions. Just make it happen, and don’t apologize for it!

“It is a beautiful thing when a passion and a career come together.” Unknown.

And now the moment you’ve all been waiting for! Drum roll please……. Following this post, I will start featuring some amazing and inspiring kids on my blog! Next week I will first share some of my passions with everyone, and the following week I will start featuring these awesome kids. If you or someone you know would like to be featured, shoot me an email and tell me why you think so. People who will be featured will receive discounts on photo services. Let me know who deserves to get featured, and let’s do this thing together!

Thank you for reading, and I look forward to making epic images for you!

Yours in Photography,

Thomas

Shoot me an email to receive a free photo app for your phone, and to schedule an unforgettable session at change@epicmomentsphotography.com
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Check out my website @ http://www.epicmomentsphotography.com

Back In My Day……

Back In My Day

The Problem With It

Hello and good afternoon everyone!  I wanted to make a special post and explain exactly what I’m doing with featuring students in my blog!  Sit back, relax, and enjoy!

You see, back in my day, (I’m really not THAT old, haha) I remember being a victim of my youth.  And what I mean is this…..adults would often disregard me and my problems because I was a kid.  They would say things like…..”How can you have problems?  You’re just [insert age] old!”, or things like “You’re fine.  It’s just a phase.”

That happened to me in elementary school, middle school, high school, college, and sometimes even now!  (I told you I wasn’t THAT old!)  What kind of message would this send to me?  What kind of message does this send to kids now?  I personally am sick of it, and I don’t agree with that mentality at all.  Problems are no respecters of age.  Problems don’t take breaks or holidays, and they are certainly more than just a phase. 

I remember that I didn’t feel valued or appreciated, and I felt like I was not taken seriously.  I felt like I was just there, and frankly, I felt alone for years and years.  And like I said, I hate it.  I hate this mentality that never seems to go away, and I hate how it affects kids.  Kids are worth more than the sum of their ages, and deserve to be valued and taken seriously.

If you are someone who talks to kids this way, I implore you to stop.  Take kids seriously, and respect them.  They deserve it!

So now I say all that to set the stage for what I am doing here.  I believe kids should be taken seriously, and they should be respected, along with their problems, failures, and triumphs.  With that idea, I have set out to create a platform, however small, to give kids the credit they deserve.  Along with posting all things photographic, (actual sessions coming very soon!!!), I want to create a place where kids can be honored and recognized for what they do.

I want to feature kids from elementary school through college age who do something.  Kids that are very passionate about something, and kids who are inspirational.  My goal is to post about as many kids as I possibly can, one each week.  I want kids to know that they don’t have to be ashamed for their youth, and they don’t have to live in the shadows of adults who know everything.  (What a joke it is to think that all adults have it all together anyway!)

If you know anyone you think who deserves to be featured, please email me and let me know.  If you are a kid reading this, and you think you deserve to be featured, send me an email and let me know! 

Let’s work together to give credit where credit is due, and honor where honor is due.  Let’s work together to build up, to encourage, and to invest in the next generation.

Thank you for reading, and I look forward to making epic images for you!

Yours in Photography,

Thomas

Shoot me an email to receive a free photo app for your phone, and to schedule an unforgettable session at change@epicmomentsphotography.com
Follow me and share me on Instagram and Twitter @PhotoMan831
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Check out my website @ http://www.epicmomentsphotography.com

 

 

Do it for the Passion

Do It For The Passion
Living With Purpose

T.S. Elliot once said, “It is obvious that we can no more explain a passion to a person who has never experienced it than we can explain light to the blind.”

Think back to some of your favorite teachers. Who were they? Why were they your favorites? I can think of at least four teachers who were my favorites. One of them was gorgeous. (I was in fourth grade! Probably my only teacher crush. Haha) Her, along with my other favorite teachers, were my favorites for a few reasons. They showed they cared about me as a student and as a person, and they were knowledgeable about what they taught. Above all else, they were passionate. They all believed in what they were doing and simply loved it. They were doing it for the passion.

I wish there were more teachers who were passionate. Heck, I wish more people who worked for McDonald’s were passionate about serving fries and Big Macs. I wish employees at the airport were more passionate. I wish employees at the DMV were more passionate. Imagine encountering happy people at the DMV! I believe in miracles!

I am passionate about passion. I am passionate about photography. I am passionate about teaching. Passion makes life worth living. Passion has a power and magic all its own.

What does passion look like? What does passion do?

Passion is inspiring.
Passion is contagious.
Passion is encouraging.
Passion builds others up.
Passion breeds creativity.
Passion breeds happiness.

Think about it. Have you ever spoken to a passionate person? They make you care about things you never cared about! It’s amazing! When I see someone passionate doing what they love despite what others say, I’m inspired. No matter what it is. In spite of what their friends and family say. In spite of what the world says. They just do it. Once you set that wonderful passion on fire, no one can stop you. Nothing can stand in your way. And people take notice.

I remember my 7th grade Social Studies teacher. Social Studies is usually a boring class, but not with him. He was so excited and energetic when he taught; it was contagious. One thing he always gave us to work on was a “fat packet”. A huge packet of questions about what he was teaching. Lots of work. But I didn’t mind because he made learning fun. He would teach us things not in the book. All the time. I could tell that he was passionate about history, and that made me care about history. He taught for the passion of it.

Now I am not a fan of reality television, but I do love the show Million Dollar Listing. I love looking at these beautiful homes, and I love seeing realtors who are passionate about their careers. They have big goals and dreams, and they pursue them fiercely. I resonate with their drive, and it always motivates me to keep going. They do it for the passion.

I enjoy working with people who are passionate. They work because they love it. They are innovative. They are creators, movers, shakers, and doers. They build others up and encourage others to pursue their passions. They get sh*$ done. Passionate people change others. Passionate people change the world. If you ever get the opportunity to talk to the passionate….stop everything you’re doing and listen. Just listen. Soak up everything you can, whether it be their particular passion, or the passion itself. Take full advantage of it. Then ask yourself, “What is my passion? What is my dream?” Be inspired and go do something great. Make it happen. Do it for yourself. Do it for the world. Do it for the passion.

Thank you for reading, and I look forward to making epic images for you!

Yours in Photography,

Thomas

Email me for a free sample photo app for your phone, and to schedule an unforgettable session at change@epicmomentsphotography.com
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Check out my website @ http://www.epicmomentsphotography.com

Why?

Why?
Not All Clichés Are Cliché

Good afternoon to all, and thank you for checking in again! I hope you’ve enjoyed my last three posts on cameras. Remember you can always email me with any other questions you have!

“Photography is important for capturing and preserving our memories.” That is so cliché, but is it really?

Today I want to talk about the why; the purpose. Why cameras? Why use them? Why bother? What’s the point of it all? Well I’m so glad you asked! Let’s discuss!

There are very few things we actually need for survival. Clothing, shelter, food, medicine. Photographs are not essential to our immediate need for survival. Many scoff at photography and belittle it. While we don’t need it to survive, we do need it to live.

Photography gives us power. Photography gives us purpose. Photography gives our lives meaning. We have, through photography, the power to create, and the power to remember. Who of us hasn’t taken time to go through photo albums to relive important moments in our past? Whether it’s a physical album, an online album, or images we have in our phones, we all have an innate desire to reminisce. We use our photos to share important moments in our lives with our family and friends where ever we go, and to show off things in our lives we are proud of. Photography is indispensable to how we live and relate to one another. Photography, then, is not essential for survival, but instead essential for living.

Photography becomes invaluable for those of us who have suffered loss. Sometimes our family members and friends are taken from us too soon, and photographs are the best tools we have for remembering them. I believe photographs are especially important to children who have lost their parents in the line of duty. If they never got a chance to meet their parents, they can get a glimpse of what they were like from any images they see. Photography is not essential for survival, but instead is essential for living.

“Photography is important for capturing and preserving our memories.” Is this phrase really all that cliché?

Thank you for reading, and I look forward to making epic images for you!

Yours in Photography,

Thomas

Email me for a sample photo app for your phone and to schedule an unforgettable session at change@epicmomentsphotography.com
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Check out my website @ http://www.epicmomentsphotography.com

Camera or Camera Phone?

Making the Right Choice
Camera or Camera Phone?

Hello hello hello!! Thanks for checking back in on yet another camera post! I want to tackle this issue head on! Should you invest in a camera, or just stick with your phone’s camera? I think you should have a camera, and I think both have their own place.
Let’s look at quality first. Camera phones are becoming increasingly more advanced. It would appear than they even rival cameras. However, quality is still an issue. As advanced as camera phones are, they cannot compare to traditional cameras. The censor on both cameras is very different. The sensor for a camera phone is tiny compared to the sensor in a traditional camera. No matter how many megapixels are shoved onto a tiny sensor, the image quality will not significantly increase. Think of a potted plant. The soil in a potted plant can only hold so much water. There comes a point when the soil is saturated, and adding more water will do nothing. These tiny sensors work in much the same way. (Please understand this is a very, very basic explanation.) The megapixels just become useless. Nothing more than a selling point. The sensors on regular cameras are larger and can handle more megapixels more naturally, thus increasing the quality of the image. In short, a bigger sensor equals better quality.
Now, let’s look at convenience. You simply can’t beat the convenience of a phone. It’s always with you, and often times easy to just pull out and use. Not only is it with you, but you can also share your images instantly. In general, you will not be printing these images. You just use your phone for sharing snippets of your life quickly and easily.
Personally, I use my phone only when I want to share things immediately. Just to let people know what I am doing in the moment. However, for everything else, I use my point-and-shoot, or my professional cameras. I use them when I want higher quality images and longer videos. I have more control with them, and I use them for documenting short trips and vacations. You can’t beat the quality and control of cameras vs. camera phones. No comparison.
When it’s all said and done, my advice is to always invest in a camera. Although camera phones are getting better, they cannot compare to the quality and control that cameras provide. Whatever you have, go forth and shoot!

Thank you for reading, and I look forward to making epic images for you!

Yours in Photography,

Thomas

Email me for a sample photo app for your phone and to schedule an unforgettable session at change@epicmomentsphotography.com
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Check out my website @ http://www.epicmomentsphotography.com

Choosing a Non-DSLR

The Right Choice
Making sense of non-DSLRs and Choosing What Makes Sense

Hello and good day to you! I hope this post finds you well! I’ve already discussed DSLRs in an earlier post, so now it’s time to discuss all the other cameras!
Let’s first talk about the megapixel quandary. Megapixels increase the quality and size of the digital files, as well as the price of the camera. Back in my day, when digital cameras were starting out and getting increasingly popular, (I’m really not that old! Haha), a basic rule of thumb was that 5 megapixels was all you really needed. Megapixels do little more than make you spend more money. Any new camera will be well over 10 megapixels, and will therefore have all the quality you need.
Now let’s talk about zoom. There is a difference in zooms many people are not aware of. Optical zoom vs. Digital zoom. As a side note, Nikon now calls digital zoom Dynamic Fine Zoom. It’s the same thing.
Optical zoom is what you want. Digital zoom is what you hate. With optical zoom, the lens is actually zooming in and out. With digital zoom, the camera is simply cropping. Imagine taking an 8×12 image and just cutting off the edges. That’s digital zoom. It causes graininess and a huge loss of quality in the image. Cameras say things like, “This camera has 30x optical zoom, with up to 60x zoom.” It’s just a scam to suck you in and make you spend more money. If you want zoom, simply pay attention to Optical zoom.
When considering an alternative to DSLRs, think about what you want most. Do you want a thin camera that does basic functions, or a more advanced camera that won’t fit in your pocket, but gives you more control and flexibility than a thin camera? Prices range from around $100-around $600 for these. If you are not interested in the control and flexibility or price tag you get with a DSLR, these cameras are great to look into. If you have any specific questions, please feel free to email me and ask away!

Thank you for reading, and I look forward to making epic images for you!

Yours in Photography,

Thomas

Email me to get your hands on a free photo app for your phone to see what you’re missing, and to schedule an unforgettable session at change@epicmomentsphotography.com
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Let’s Talk Cameras

The Right Camera
Picking Out What’s Right For You in the World of DSLRs

Note: This is not meant to be a comprehensive guide. Email me if you have more specific questions. This is also the first in a series of 3 posts. Future posts will focus on cameras vs camera phones, and cheaper alternatives to DSLRs.

So you’re ready to buy a camera and make some sort of serious investment. Awesome! The bad part is that there is so much information to consider that you have little to no idea what you’re doing, what you’re looking for, and why you’re looking for it. This is one question I get asked a lot, so I decided to post my two cents for the internet to enjoy. (Or to lament. We’ll see what happens!  )

There are several brands you can choose from. Nikon or Canon, being the two industry leaders, Sony, Pentax, Olympus, and others. I personally shoot with Nikon. (In case you were wondering.) After you choose a brand, here are some questions you should be answering.

How much do you want to spend?
Why do you want a DSLR? (Fun, serious hobbyist, photograph your children, etc..)
What do you NEED to spend based on what you will use it for?
Where will you be mostly when you need to use the camera? (Inside or outside?)

If you want a brand new camera, you’re going to be spending about $700.00, which will include a kit lens. (usually 18-55mm lens). You can buy a cheaper camera if you buy used, and save around $200. Remember that you will also need a case for the camera and some memory cards. I personally shoot a lot, so I always get as much memory as I can. If you buy your memory cards online or at Wal-Mart, you can get a lot of memory for cheap. Plan on spending between $20-$100, depending on how many memory cards you want, and how much memory you want. I recommend at least 2 memory cards, just in case of card malfunction. Trust and believe, it will eventually happen.
After you nail down some basic costs, then think about why you want the camera, and where you will use it. If you will be photographing mostly inside, then you are going to need a flash. With Nikon, the cheapest flash you can purchase is around $120. If you have children involved in indoor sports, concerts, plays, etc., then you will need a flash. Without a flash, you might as well just sit there and enjoy the show. Unless you absolutely have to, I recommend avoiding the on-camera flash like it’s the plague. Images with direct flash are just not good.
If you want to photograph nature or sports, such as football, you will need a much longer lens. Brand new zoom lenses from Nikon will run at least $400 for an 18-105mm. If you want a longer lens, which is recommended for sports such as football, you will spend around $600 for an 18-200mm, and around $1000 for an 18-300mm lens. You can, of course, find used lenses at a cheaper price online, but they will usually not be discounted as much.
When it’s all said and done, if you just want something to have fun with, you will spend around $800 for something brand new. That price includes the camera (Nikon D3300), the basic lens (18-55mm), a case, and at least two memory cards. You can get something used for around $500-$600. If you’re looking to get the upgrades such as a basic flash and a zoom lens, you will spend between $1400-$2000+.
Is all that money worth it? If you have growing children and you want images that are better than images with your phone, then yes, it is worth it. It is a serious investment, and you have to decide for yourself whether or not you want to make it.
This is a basic rundown, and if you have more specific questions, please feel free to email me and ask away! I hope this post helped to answer some of the questions you have.

Thank you for reading, and I look forward to making epic images for you!

Yours in Photography,

Thomas

Email me to get a free app for your phone and to schedule an unforgettable session at change@epicmomentsphotography.com
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Check out my website @ http://www.epicmomentsphotography.com

It’s All About the Fun

Back to the Basics
It’s All About Fun

Hello everyone, and thanks for tuning in again! What a crazy couple of weeks it’s been! I hope this post finds you well and in good health.

Earlier this week, we really focused on trust. Today, I want to focus on the fun. Fun, fun, and lots o’ fun!

I love working with families and children, and always find these sessions to be so much fun. (I do not yet have children, so these sessions give me a good excuse to be immature!  ) I always tell parents before we begin these sessions that kids will be kids. Shortly after sessions start, I look at the parents, and see the color drain from their faces. Often times they are mortified and embarrassed by how their children behave, especially since they had already prepped them. I always reassure them it’s ok; kids will be kids.

My background is in education, so I am never surprised when children pull out these surprises. Often times I prefer this to happen. Yes. You read that correctly. But how could I say something like that?!? It’s very simple: I want the images to be as natural as possible. I do pose, but I often focus more on the natural expressions that children have. I want them running around and having fun and smiling and laughing. (I must admit that I could also use the exercise!)

Sometimes parents walk away from a session nervous and embarrassed, and they worry if any of the shots came out. And then the unthinkable happens. They view the images a couple weeks later and are absolutely blown away. I’ve seen parents moved to tears, and tell me that they’re falling in love with their children all over again. When you look at the images, you would never know the children gave me a run for my money. And that’s the way it should be.

These sessions are about preserving precious memories that you will never get back. These sessions are about telling an unforgettable story that your family can share and enjoy forever. These sessions are about playing, laughing, and having fun. Kids will be kids, and that’s awesome! Let them enjoy childhood, and let me capture it as only I can.

Remember that when it comes to your family, it’s always best to pay for quality, and not regrets.

Thank you for reading, and I look forward to making epic images for you!

Yours in Photography,

Thomas

Email me to receive a free sample photo app for your phone and/or tablet to see what all the fuss is about, and to schedule your next unforgettable session at change@epicmomentsphotography.com
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Get The Most Out of Your Family Session

Learn to Thrive Series
Getting the Most Out of Your Family or Child Photo Session

Good morning to all! I hope this post finds you well! Today I’m writing about how to survive your Family or Child’s photo session. There’s a lot to consider in order to make it fun and relaxed for everyone. Get ready to get your learn on!
In my sessions, my goal is to make them fun and relaxed. I do some posing, but especially with children, I focus more heavily on the candids. I love natural expressions. Especially when there are no smiles. I like to capture more than one side to my subjects, which include happiness and sadness/seriousness. It gives a better image of real life.
Moving forward, the first and most important thing to consider is TRUST. Trust is essential for any good relationship, and your photographer is no exception. When you book me for a session, my assumption is that you already trust me. You already trust me to take some epic images of your family and children because you have seen my work and you love it. It is so crucial that the initial trust you have in me be continued to the session.
I tell all of my clients the same thing at the beginning of the session: just relax and let me do my thing. I want the same thing as you: epic images. Images that you will want to hang up in your house and show off. But the question is why? What is the big deal? What does this “trust” look like? Let me explain.
A lot of times, I find that parents want to be involved. Parents know their children better than me, and of course, they want their children on their best behavior. Parents fear a couple of things. They are afraid that if their children don’t behave, the images will be terrible. They are also afraid of being embarrassed and/or judged by me. I encourage my parents not to worry about any of this. My background is in education, so I know how fickle children can be. Sometimes they have bad days, and that’s ok. It’s my job to work through any and every situation presented to me. That’s why you come to me.
Often times parents will try and tell their children how to pose, where to look, what to do, and smile smile smile!! For children, this causes a lot of confusion. (Get ready for some psychology to be thrown at you!) Children are very intuitive, and when they feel their parents are a little stressed, or uncomfortable, they instinctively look for the difference. “Why are my parents acting like this? Oh I know. There’s this man here that we don’t know. He must not be trustworthy.”
As soon as children begin thinking this way, and trust me, it happens very quickly, the session is very awkward from beginning to end. Children will not be playful or carefree, and certainly will not listen to my directions. This is a situation I want to avoid. I want the best images possible, as I’m sure you do. Trust is essential.
After trust has been established, the rest is easy! To ensure complete success of your session, especially with children, you’ll want to bring toys. Lots of toys. Colorful and noisy and obnoxious! And bouncy balls! These help to get their attention and to keep them distracted. Bring extra clothes and towels/wipes. Sometimes children fall down and get muddy and dirty, and having that extra change of clothes there is very helpful. You’ll also want snacks and bottled water, especially for warmer weather. These help to keep children happy and smiling for the whole session, and can even work as some nice bribe material!
After you have all that, remember to bring the fun! My sessions are all about fun and play. The more we play, the better the images will be.
Come ready with goodies, trust, and a fun attitude, and your session will be a huge success!

Thank you for reading, and I look forward to making epic images for you!

Yours in Photography,

Thomas

Email change@epicmomentsphotography.com to receive a sample app for your phone, and to ask questions and schedule an unforgettable session!
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Check out my website @ http://www.epicmomentsphotography.com

Risk Takers

Let’s Talk Senior Photographers
Making the Right Choice

Good morning everyone, and thanks for checking back in! Recently, I have been reading about Steve Jobs, and wow! There are a lot of things I don’t like about him, but then there are things I love. Some of the things he did were just brilliant. The risks he took……mind blowing. And that’s that I want to focus on……….taking the right risk with your child’s senior images.

You can choose the school photographer, or a professional photographer. Both are risks. Which risk is worth taking? I know from personal experience, the result from the school photographer is always the same. When parents and students receive their images, there’s a collective sigh, sometimes peppered with expletives. By the time they see them, they’re stuck paying hundreds of dollars on images they don’t want, and on packages with extra prints they don’t care about. This is the wrong risk.

But things don’t have to be that way. You can choose a professional, (me of course! 🙂 ), and avoid all the headaches and hassles that come from the deceptively cheap school photographer. (In my experience, you never know the real prices until you’re ready to order, and then it’s usually too late).

This year, WE can change all of that. This year, YOU can change all of that. This is the year to choose an innovative professional who doubles as a leader in senior portraits in South Jersey. With me, you get personal attention, and a session catered to the personality of your son/daughter. With me, you get epic images at a location that you choose, and images that you’ll be proud to show off online, and with friends and family. With me, you get innovative digital products for your phone, and for sharing online. With me, you take the right risk.

No one wants regrets. Especially expensive regrets that can’t be changed or undone. This year, take the right risk. This year, pay for quality, not regrets. This year, choose Epic Moments Photography.

Thank you for reading, and I look forward to making epic images for you!

Yours in Photography,

Thomas

Email me for a sample photo app for your phone to see what I offer, or to schedule an unforgettable session. change@epicmomentsphotography.com
Follow me and share me on Instagram and Twitter @PhotoMan831
Like and share my page on Facebook @ http://www.facebook.com/thebestepic
Check out my website @ http://www.epicmomentsphotography.com