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Posts Tagged ‘Rochester NY Photographer’


Do you think headshots make a difference? | Rochester NY Headshot PhotographerD

September 3, 2010

And I mean this as a serious question.  Do you think they are important?

I can tell you what I think — and my opinion is based not on the fact that taking these photographs are part of what I do for a living — but more of a life-long observation about how our society functions.

(yeah.  I’m about to go serious.  brace yourselves!  ::grin::)

So.  Many of us have had the experience of being thin and beautiful and then maybe not so much.  Have you noticed how differently you are treated simply based on appearances?  Or…what if you leave the house looking ratty vs. all amazing and cute.  Difference?

And yeah.  I can also see that looking good impacts your attitude and the way you carry yourself and all that inner beauty stuff.  But I am simply observing that appearances have impact.  On everyone.

So do I think headshots are important?  Yup.  With the economy being what it is, with people competing for jobs in ever greater numbers…with judgment about your business being made in an instant on the internet…have you looked at your bounce rate lately?  That tells you something.  Important.

Images are CRITICAL.  CRITICAL.

They tell someone a lot about you in a glance…things like…do you look approachable?  likeable?  happy?  intelligent?

Are the images professional (nods to self ::grin::)?  And within that word professional there are many many different levels.  If you are presenting yourself to the world…why in heaven’s name would you put up blah images?  What does that say to others about how you view yourself?

And I am not by any stretch giving you a Tammy Swales “hire me” plug.  All I’m doing is expressing what I think about the importance of images.  We are a visual society.  We’re impatient.  We don’t wait or ponder or get wishy washy much anymore.  We’re decisive and make snap decisions.

Trust me.  If an interviewer or recruiter or Broadway show director is faced with a pile of 500 resumes with images attached…do you think they’re going to read every single one?  Nope.  Betcha that they flip through the images first.  Is it right?  Nope.  Is it real?  Yup.

A good photographer, an experienced photographer both understands this dynamic — but works with the client to make sure they are being presented in the best possible … um if you’ll pardon the pun… light.  Your personality and self are what’s important.  Getting that into a photograph is a major MAJOR skill.  It’s not the camera people.  Trust me.


So I ask you…how do you want the world to see yourself?!

marloweb1  Do you think headshots make a difference? |  Rochester NY Headshot PhotographerD

marloweb2  Do you think headshots make a difference? |  Rochester NY Headshot PhotographerD

marloweb4  Do you think headshots make a difference? |  Rochester NY Headshot PhotographerD

marloweb3  Do you think headshots make a difference? |  Rochester NY Headshot PhotographerD

1 Comment

Rachel
9.03.2010

hot damn those photos are stunning. and you make wonderful points. I’m linking to this!

 
 

 

A Story. A Review. And Dessert. FTW! | Rochester NY Engagement Photographer

August 31, 2010

Soooo I might be a little cavalier about parking rules.  And…maybe….I don’t pay as close attention to where I should park during a photo session because I get so excited about the light…that all I’m thinking about is getting to it!  So when I finished at a location with Colleen and Mark — there was a little present under my windshield wipers.  Yuck.  Sorry parking lot people.  I didn’t notice it wasn’t an “everyone can park here” lot…I promise I won’t do it again.  ::sigh::  I couldn’t resist snapping this image though!  Funny, right?!

cc4 A Story.  A Review.  And Dessert.  FTW! |  Rochester NY Engagement Photographer


But that’s not the important part of the story.  The most important part was the ENTHUSIASM Colleen and Mark displayed for Sugar Mountain Bake Shoppe (on Alexandar St).  They insisted it was amazing and could not believe I hadn’t been there.  Colleen even went so far to post today’s special cupcake on my facebook!

So I had to go.

I brought my mother.

And guess who was sitting on the porch eating cupcakes?!  Yup.  Sugar Mountain’s BIGGEST FANS IN THE WORLD! ::laughing::  Here’s what they look like without cupcakes:

colleenmarkweb1 A Story.  A Review.  And Dessert.  FTW! |  Rochester NY Engagement Photographer

So.  Then I had to try them myself.  One of the owners approached us with a sample of their vanilla cupcake…

Oh.  Em.  Geee.

So…SIX cupcakes were purchased.  And they are so beautiful I had to drive straight home and document them for all time…

cc3 A Story.  A Review.  And Dessert.  FTW! |  Rochester NY Engagement Photographer

cc2 A Story.  A Review.  And Dessert.  FTW! |  Rochester NY Engagement Photographer


Say hello to today’s dessert:    Rootbeer Float.  Very Vanilla.  Caramel Apple.  Lemon Raspberry.  Pink Lemonade.

They are sweet.  yummy and Colleen and Mark were absolutely right.  They are DELISH.

Here is my unbiased foody review:  They.  Are.  Yummy.

(My mother likes them too.  Her opinion is worth more than mine.  She cooks.  I don’t.)

Also — I didn’t tell anyone I was writing this.  I wasn’t paid to promote Sugar Mountain.  I just liked them.

Now I have to go walk around the block 158 times.  Cuz.  That’s. a lot. of.  sugar.



5 Comments

Tam
8.31.2010

Also…how many of you noticed there were only FIVE cupcakes in the photo? One…had an accident. Yeah. Thats it. The dog ate it. Or…something. ::grin::

Ashley Scobey
8.31.2010

Those are some SERIOUSLY gorgeous mounds of sugar (and beautiful pictures, too)!

Sue
9.01.2010

Ummmmm…..yeah, I noticed there were only FIVE. I figured it didn’t survive…..kinda hard for those yummy cupcakes to survive ever. And I’m not telling you how I know that :) lol.

Beth
9.01.2010

Who could blame a dog or anyone for eating the sixth? Besides, I don’t think it would fit on the chair. When I go to Rochester this weekend I might have to pick some up for my family. Of course there’s no guarantee that they can survive the trip home. :)

gwyneth colleen
9.02.2010

i hate you a little right now; i’m in major diet-land…and these…they are tempting. deeply, deeply tempting.

 
 

 

What do you get when you add… | Rochester NY Family Photographer

August 21, 2010

Four humans and four dogs?!

An absolute riot!!!

The Darlings were such an inspiring, close-knit family and a hands-down hilarious group. They along with their four furry friends had me laughing so hard I was almost crying the entire time I was shooting.

4 humans + 4 dogs officially = an incredibly fun family shoot!

IMG 4937e What do you get when you add... | Rochester NY Family Photographer

And….and a great deal of teamwork to get everyone looking at the camera at once.

IMG 4863e What do you get when you add... | Rochester NY Family Photographer

Thing is – I’ve learned this from Lulu – when you’re a dog the simplest things are sometimes the most thrilling things in the world…

IMG 5042e What do you get when you add... | Rochester NY Family Photographer

GRASS!!!! OMG!!!! EVERYONE’S SITTING ON THE GRASS!!!!! OMG!!!!!

It’s so exciting.

But after much running around, calling, cooing, cajoling and otherwise convincing we finally got everyone to look…

IMG 4918e1 800x534 custom What do you get when you add... | Rochester NY Family Photographer

Well…

IMG 5015e What do you get when you add... | Rochester NY Family Photographer

…almost. :-)

0 Comments

 
 
 

This blog post brought to you by the dog with camera issues. | Rochester NY Photographer

August 18, 2010

So.  I haven’t talked about the Lu in a while.  And I just happened to get a rare image of her today — that compels me to share.

Here it is:

IMG 3969web This blog post brought to you by the dog with camera issues. |  Rochester NY Photographer


My dog HATES the black clicky thing.  Anytime I try to photograph her in any significant way she LITERALLY will not look in the camera.  And then she barks at me.  Loudly.  Obnoxiously.  Until I put that annoying camera away.

Today was a sneak attack.  She was distracted by Jess paying attention to her.

haha.  Gotcha.

Lulu. Is.  The.  Best.  Dog.  Ever.

And well fed.

Obviously.  ;)


3 Comments

[...] PostsWhat do you get when you add… | Rochester NY Family PhotographerThis blog post brought to you by the dog with camera issues. | Rochester NY PhotographerTammy Swales presents Guest Blogger (and former bride) Shannon Chaudhry | Rochester NY Wedding [...]

debbie
8.23.2010

our dog is her long lost twin. she is also not as co-operative about being photographed. ~love~

Kristin Williams
9.03.2010

Do you have an electric fence? I was at a shoot this week and my camera beeped and the dog freaked out. It was because when the dog gets close to the fence it beeps. I guess he thought I was going to zap him! :)

 
 

 

Tammy Swales presents Guest Blogger (and former bride) Shannon Chaudhry | Rochester NY Wedding Photographer

August 17, 2010

In the days, weeks and months leading up to a wedding, I get to know my couples pretty darn well, and always look forward to the calls and emails from my brides. Seriously…when they have all their photos and married life is well underway, …I miss them. ::sigh::

Shannon and Kieran moved to Baltimore shortly after their wedding, and I love that Shannon sends me little updates, notes about how things are going and just generally to say “hi!”. I LOVED working with these two!!! I mean, how could you not?!?!

shannon kieran tammified10

Adorable. Right?!?! And SO funny together!!!

shannonboard Tammy Swales presents Guest Blogger (and former bride) Shannon Chaudhry | Rochester NY Wedding Photographer

So when Shannon started her own blog, Shananigan, it gave me the idea to have her “guest blog” for me about what it was like to be a Tammy bride. While I was thinking more of a eye-witness report of insanity and chaos, Shannon wrote such a sweet and amazing review. I don’t normally post testimonials, but this one was so touching and down to earth, that I had to put it up.  So here is Shannon’s post in all of it’s un-cut awesomeness.  And just for the record, I totally don’t remember saying anything about Kieran’s eyelashes haha!!!

Tammy is quite possibly the most amazing photographer in all the land.  Seriously.  This isn’t a joke.  She could probably turn water into wine if she tried.  I first met Tammy last Fall when we met for a consultation.  Tammy immediately put us at ease and you could just tell she knew her stuff.  Plus, she liked my fiance’s eyelashes, which was cute.  Anyway, I wanted an urban theme for the photos, she picked the place, and the pictures were AHHHH  MAAA ZIIING.  These things were individual pieces of art.  Plus the entire process, from setting up the initial consult to receiving the final photographs, was extremely smooth.  Tammy and Jess were always available and promptly responded to anything I had questions about; whether it be when I would get my proofs to why phone books still exist in this digital age (though I’m not sure we came up with a great reason for that one).

Then come the wedding photos!  All I can say is I have fallen in love with this woman (and her pictures are alright too).  She is so extremely talented it is not funny.  Plus she has the best sense of humor and personality.  She created such a great rapport with me that I am really going to miss her!!!! I feel like I am losing an appendage and am honestly thinking about getting married again so I can have more pictures take.  Ok, that may be a little over-exaggerated.  But, she is great to work with and creates wonderful pieces of art.  I recommend her to everyone, even if they need a passport photo.  I mean, you want to look good when the customs guy in Aruba looks at your photo right!?  She is amazingly talented, extremely personable, and just plain cool.  Plus, she has Jess working for her too.  Bonus.

Double bonus.  (haha that was Jess interjecting. but…true.  very true. ::grin::)


It was such a joy working with these two!!! They always made me laugh – still do! – and their wedding was so inspiring, such a gorgeous, elegant celebration of their incredible love.

shannon kieran tammified12

So thank you, Shannon and Kieran!!!  I can’t wait to see what adventures are coming next for you! And you’d better keep blogging about them. ;-)

1 Comment

carla ten eyck
8.17.2010

What an honest and sweet way to show what your clients think of their experience! Holleerrrrrr

 
 

 

The Tour de Fam | Rochester NY Family Photographer

August 13, 2010

It all began with a photograph. Which is funny because normally sessions END in photographs…

But this one began with a photograph. Not my photograph, and not just any photograph…THIS photograph:

IMG 4428e The Tour de Fam | Rochester NY Family Photographer

The Stolkas celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this year. FIFTY YEARS!!! HOW COOL IS THAT!?!? And their daughter contacted us for some family portraits of them with her and her sister while everyone was in town for the anniversary. And she knew she wanted to bring this photograph which of them on their wedding day. And I loved this idea!

When I shoot families, I think it is really important to make the shoot more than just images of people in a place. Family is history, it is love, it is the nitty-gritty and the laughter of every day, and I think that every family should incorporate something that is all about THEM into their shoot to really capture WHO they are. So I loved the wedding photo plan. Then we got talking and Helena said that one thing that her parents love to do together is bike…so we brought that into the shoot…

IMG 3903e The Tour de Fam | Rochester NY Family Photographer

It was incredible to see the closeness between the Stolkas and their daughters…and the laughter!!!! This was more than a celebration of FIFTY (did I mention 50?) years of marriage, it was a celebration of family, of love and of those moments together that we can often take for granted in our busy lives. And we laughed SO much!

Stolka'sBoard

Happy Anniversary Stolkas! Here’s to many more years of family and fun!!!

N27 11x14e The Tour de Fam | Rochester NY Family Photographer


0 Comments

 
 
 

It’s CRAZY time!!! | Rochester NY Photographer

August 4, 2010

So…yes. Things are CRAZY around here at Tammy Swales Photography. We are right in the thick of the craziest part of summer and (with the help of an unmentionable amount of caffeine) we are LOVING it!!! Myself and the team have been hard at work, but we realized in a rare moment of breathing recently, that we have been surrounded by some fantastic people. Seriously, I have the most fantastic clients!!! I feel so blessed.  And a special shout out to Kristi Hedberg who was a FABULOUS second shooter at both Julianne and Jessica’s weddings!

So…back to work, but first, here’s a snippet of some of that fantastic-ness for you, and a taste of what we’ve been up to lately. August, here we come!!!!  And frankly, how can it be August already?!

Lately21 Its CRAZY time!!! | Rochester NY Photographer

Aww, heck…why not two snippets?!?!

Lately1 Its CRAZY time!!! | Rochester NY Photographer



1 Comment

Jason Dufair
8.11.2010

T – it’s really cool to see how your style is developing and evolving over the years. You continue to inspire me. Seriously.

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Anat & Josh | Rochester NY Wedding Photographer

July 27, 2010

Weddings are, in a big way, about ceremony and tradition, traditions that have been around for a long time and that are shared by so many other couples and families. It makes me SO happy then when I see a couple really set out to take the traditions and rites that are at the foundation of their wedding day and really embrace them, claim them, mold them and make them their own. It’s powerful to watch traditions that are so time honored lived out in genuinely present and personal way. This is what Anat and Josh set out to do in their wedding, and they did it so elegantly, so almost effortlessly it took my breath away.

I could tell from the moment I first met these guys that they knew, they really KNEW who they were as a couple. When they decided they wanted to shoot part of their engagement session in an Olympic-sized pool (Yes! In the water!!) because Josh was a competitive swimmer, I knew their wedding was going to be a beautiful celebration of who they are. anatjosh2web1 Anat & Josh | Rochester NY Wedding Photographer

They share so much tenderness and love.

anat17web1 Anat & Josh | Rochester NY Wedding Photographer

That tenderness and love made its way to every little detail of their day. Josh and Anat took their traditional Jewish wedding and filled the entire day with gorgeous details and really personal touches. Both their wedding and reception were held at the beautiful Rabbit Room at the Lower Mill in Honeoye Falls, and every last detail from Anat’s dress to the desserts was gentle and sophisticated, natural and warm, and complimented the atmosphere of love and laughter that these two share with their family and friends. Even the centerpieces were a touch from home, as Arena’s Florist worked with Anat’s own personal collection of vintage glass bottles.


AnatJoshdetes Anat & Josh | Rochester NY Wedding Photographer

But while Anat and Josh’s wedding was a stunning expression of their love and their relationship, the day was not just about them either. They were surrounded by a very warm and loving crowd of friends and family, and you could tell that their wedding was also a beautiful celebration of the people in their lives who are so close and dear to them.

Anatpeeps Anat & Josh | Rochester NY Wedding Photographer

There was so much warmth and affection that radiated from these families, and myself and Brandon Vick, who I had the pleasure of having as a second shooter, were touched. Thank you, Anat and Josh, for making me a part of your beautiful day!


2 Comments

Carla Nellist
7.27.2010

Oh my…wait while I wipe away my tears…..Tammy, this is such a beautiful testament to what this wedding WAS to all of us. Your photo’s are certainly as beautiful. Thank you….for this wonderful site, as well as all you did on the wedding day to make Josh and Anat’s day so special, not only for them, but their families and friends. ~Mama Nellist~

debbie
7.27.2010

just lovely!!! I am sucker for traditions as well and the first image just is filled with history.

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Michalski Militello LLP | Rochester NY Headshot Photographer

July 13, 2010

First impressions are everything. Getting the right first impression out to your clients is SO important for small businesses. More and more, first impressions are made exclusively online.

Over the past year I’ve been approached by a growing number of small business owners in the area who are looking for headshot photography for their websites. These professionals are actively seeking to create that first memorable image of WHO they are and what they stand for and to give potential clients a clear picture of what they can expect when they call.

This is exactly what Jeannie Michalski and Adam Militello had set out to do when they came to me. And can I just tell you…these guys…

mm73 Michalski Militello LLP | Rochester NY Headshot Photographer

COOLEST. LAWYERS. EVER. Seriously. They are hardworking…

mm5 Michalski Militello LLP | Rochester NY Headshot Photographer

They are smooth and no-nonsense…

mm12 Michalski Militello LLP | Rochester NY Headshot Photographer

They are down to earth, genuine, warm and caring…

mm201 Michalski Militello LLP | Rochester NY Headshot Photographer

And…and they are hilarious. I don’t remember the last time I laughed so much during a shoot! OMG. It was so wonderful to see two people who believe so completely in what they are doing, who are striving to create an incredible company and who still LOVE to laugh!!!!

mm2 Michalski Militello LLP | Rochester NY Headshot Photographer

Classic.

Jeannie and Adam…You ROCK .

2 Comments

Adam
8.19.2010

This shoot was a ridiculous amount of fun, and Tammy is ridiculously talented- thank you, Rocker!

Tam
8.24.2010

Aaaaand right back at ya baby! I had a BLAST!

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Shannon and Kieran at Manhattan Square Park: Before and After | Rochester NY Wedding Photographer

June 24, 2010

Every single time I blog…I try to show you something that I think is great — images (of COURSE!)…stories…things we like or are currently obsessed with…cool people we meet…sharing is AMAZING.  I learned everything I know from someone else — so — it seems natural to me to share things with you that might be interesting…

One of the things we offer to our brides and grooms are what we’ve dubbed “Tammified” Images.  I think one of the things I’m REALLY good at is working in my digital darkroom (aka Photoshop ::grin::).  When I am shooting — sometimes I see an image as something it’s obviously NOT when I take it.  I know it’s going to be fun to work on later.  I start with a small seed of an idea — and then once I have it in front of me — then I let the image TELL me what it wants.  I know that sounds really weird (as usual to those who really know me!)  but there’s really no other way to describe it.  There’s no one way or one thing I do to every single image…because each one that is “Tammified” is it’s own story.

There’s no way to teach you this.  It just evolves.  So I have to show you.

Shannon and Kieran really wanted their photos at Manhattan Square Park – all cement…steps…angles…and bright hot (did I say hot?  I mean HOT.  90+ degrees) sunny weather.

It was HOT.  And sun was bouncing everywhere.

So this is the shot I took — STRAIGHT out of the camera.  Not too interesting, right?

shannon kieran before tammified


Here’s the final image.  Tammified.  It’s what I bring to my work…to my clients…and to myself.   And now…to you.  ;)   Shannon and Kieran — this was an AMAZING idea and you both ROCKED it!!  xoxo

shannon kieran tammified after



5 Comments

Justyna
6.24.2010

KICK BUTT!!!!! Love it Tammified!

robert norman
6.29.2010

thats SO cool – plus, I love ‘before and afters’ to kinda show the thought process

Beautiful website! I LOVE your work! I just stumbled across your stuff today and think it is amazing!!! I really appreciate your shooting style! I could look through your work all day. Keep it up! :)

debbie
7.10.2010

love when artist share the process. it is like working in a darkroom and the editing process! super cool image!

jess
7.22.2010

awesome! i want to be “tammified” ;)

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