The Search for the Ultimate Camera Bag - Finale

    I found it!  Over a year ago I wrote a post regarding my quest for the ultimate camera bag.  I grew out of my Jill-E bag, and the larger ones were too utilitarian (exactly what I was wanting to stay away from).  At the time, Jototes only had one camera bag, and although it came in some cool colors, it was very plain.  It looked much like a north/west shopping tote, or for those of you who are not handbag junkies, a big rectangle with shoulder straps (no outside pockets or anything).  So, I bought some padded Velcro dividers and converted a brown and brass tapestry Wendy Bellissimo diaper bag into the camera bag of my dreams.  However, after a year of using this I've come to realize there just isn't enough structure to the bag.  So, I decided to look again at the bags I had checked out last year.  Epiphanie bags are very stylish, and nobody would guess you were holding expensive camera gear inside. However, their price range of $165 - $185 is a little high for fake leather (I think the new term for this is man-made leather).   Just call it fake, or faux , if you want to sound more sophisticated.  Now then, I re-visited Jototes and hallelujah!  NEW BAGS!  These bags are very stylish as well, and made out of faux leather, but I must say their fake stuff actually looks pretty authentic.  It's definitely not some yucky vinyl stuff (pleather).  The Rose and Missy bags are both new.  This is the Rose in turquoise...

And this is the Missy in Gray.  This is the bag that I purchased... 



     Not only was this the last one, but it was also the last one in gray.  I've been searching for a gray bag for quite some time.  Who would have thunk (sic) that I'd find a purse and a camera bag in gray and with external pockets (seriously, a purse without external pockets is about as useful as a bike without wheels).  Not only does this hold my Canon camera body with 18-55mm lens attached, but also my Mac Daddy Canon 70-200mm (inside its cocoon, on the left of the image--the little thing in the funky pouch is an additional Sigma lens I use in case I'm having lens issues [read:  something is broken]), but it also holds my long, slim wallet, my short, fat key chain wallet, my glasses (sun and regular in case I lose a contact lens), lip balm, batteries, portable battery charger, CF cards, and Oh! I forgot to mention my Canon 580EX-TTL in its case.  I tried to take a photo of the inside, but was in a hurry to get some other shots done of other things.  The inside lining is black with white stars.  Tres chic!

all Jototes come with a detachable matching strap



     The best part of this bag?  It only costs $84, and it arrived within three days.  So, ladies, if you're in the market for a sweet camera that could double as a purse (it holds my Kindle, too, I forgot about that), or if you're looking for a massive purse that could hold a smaller point and shoot, a video camera, maybe a bottle of wine or two, or if you're looking for an un-babyish diaper bag, then these bags are for you!  No, I don't make any $$$ off this blog, but I like to spread good cheer.  So there.  Happy New Year!



It's Senior Time (and I'm not talking about those with white hair)!

I had a blast shooting these two seniors.  Brendan and Lauren showed up fully-prepared to do get the job done.  It was hotter than Hades outside, and the humidity was hovering around 90%, but these guys didn't even break a sweat...no shiny faces here!  They are my Senior Ambassadors!

Next stop...some studio work, and maybe some more outdoorsy stuff.  You never know where my camera will take me. 

The Search for Ulitmate Camera Bag Complete

So, my red leather Jill-e was new and fun last year. But that was soooo last year. I have looked, and fell in love with the Belle bag from Epiphanie Bags (www.epiphaniebags.com). And, I really like Kelly Moore's bags, too (http://www.kellymoorebag.com/) . Both of these designers are actual women photographers who appreciate something other than a big black bag to carry their gear.

JoTotes are nice, but rather plain. The only problem I have with the Ephiphanie and Kelly Moore bags is their price tag...$265 for faux leather (vinyl, which usually contains lead that wouldn't pass CA Prop 65). Jill-e's bags are the same price, but a actual leather. Jototes are around $80, but they're also vinyl. So, after searching high and low, I figured it out...

I used my brown distressed and tapestry Wendy Bellissimo messenger diaper bag. There is nothing on this bag that say "baby." I bought Domke camera bag inserts and a 19" Domke protective cloth/wrap from my fave camera store B&H (http://www.bhphoto.com/), and went to Etsy (http://www.etsy.com/) and found some fabulous lens pouches made by Tracey Joy to go with my funky camera strap (http://www.myfunkycamera.com/). PERFECT!!!!!!!!

Inside my "new" bag I can fit: My Canon 50D (http://www.canon.com/) with Canon 28-135mm attached, Canon EF 70-200mm f2.8 IS USM + case (weighing in at over 4lbs), Sigma 28-70mm lens, Canon 580 EX ll Speedlite with Sto-fen Omni-Bounce diffuser, battery charger with 2 additional betteries, a small box of AA betteries, 2 lens filters, Canon off-camera shoe cord and other misc items (lens pens, biz cards, cords of all kinds).

Life is good. I'm ready to shoot in style!!!

http://www.gracehermanphotography.com/ become a fan on Facebook, too!

A Walk in the Park

Florida is notorious for its beautiful beaches, but we also have some great parks here, too. I di a lot of family sessions at Lettuce Lake Park near the University of South Florida. Lots of open shade and nature trails make this a great backdrop for family portraits. During the spring months I usually do multiple sessions each weekend at Lettuce Lake Park. The weather is divine that time of year. I recently shot this beautiful family amongst the grand oaks. The mosquitoes weren't too thrilled about waking them up from their morning slumbers, but atleast we made it out alive. Next time I'll bring Raid.

PR shoot with Angelette Aviles

I had a great time finally meeting my cyber-friend and shooting her new promotional shots. Angelette Aviles is the President of Americas Marketing & Graphics. She's also very active in politics, more specifically the Republican community, and specializes in Hispanic marketing and outreach. She's such a joy to work with and I wish her the best of luck in her new venture in Washington D.C.

I'm better at photographing running children than blogging.

Still learning this whole blogging business. I've found a great blog spot that has some useful tips so I'll keep researching. In the meantime I'm going to small towns and the countryside to see what I can shoot (figuratively speaking).

Free Blog Things & Blog Stuff

Why are you so expensive?

Often times people will ask me what I charge. Immediately after they say, "I know, if you have to ask you can't afford it." I'm very upfront with my pricing and put it on my website, including the cost of prints. I'm very suspicious of photographers (or any business) that is not upfront with this. The photographers who don't put their pricing will tell you over the phone that their sessions start at X amount and the prints start at $25. What they fail to tell you is that a 4x6 is $25. Or, they get you in the studio to display your portraits and when you can't resist any of them they then tell you about the $75 8x10. My pricing is very affordable, and quite frankly I should charge more. However, I want my clients to be able to have something nice they can cherish forever. So, I found an article on another blog, and I thought I'd share it with you so you can see the amount of time and energy that goes into custom portraiture and photography.

http://www.professionalchildphotographer.com/information/?p=6