J Michael Strange Photography LLC: Blog

Halloween

(J Michael Strange Photography LLC) — Sun, 29 Oct 2017 14:32:47 GMT

Halloween is just a few days away. It means a lot of different things to different people. To me, it means costumes and candy. (I need to stay away from the candy). Costumes may be anything from a store bought package, to an intricately designed outfit. Whatever the outfit is, the person will usually want a picture of it. Oh boy! I'm there for you. I have taken pictures of costumes at halloween parties, community events, parades, and festivals. When you get a picture taken in your costume, you can share it with others, but most importantly, you can keep a memory for yourself. My best costume, was when I was a kid. My parents dressed me in raggedy clothes. Made a beard by applying ash from a burnt cork to my face, and tied a bandana into a bag on the end of a stick. It won a costume contest. Since then, I have been a pirate, a doctor, a demon, an alien and many others I don't remember. Have a happy and safe Halloween.

Mini Headshot Session. Save $70

(J Michael Strange Photography LLC) — Mon, 20 Feb 2017 00:34:01 GMT

Limited time offer! Saturday, February 25th only! $50 headshots with professional hair and makeup included! You will never see an offer this good ever again! Appointments available on the hour from 9am to 4pm.
Hair by Shelbi Thompson of Be Betty Be Unique and Makeup by Hair & Makeup by Jennifer E Sullivan Cassidy! 3 digital images included. Spaces are limited so book immediately, only $10 deposit! PayPal your deposit to: [email protected]

Startup fund for Photo Studio on GoFundMe

(J Michael Strange Photography LLC) — Fri, 09 Dec 2016 05:38:46 GMT

https://www.gofundme.com/photo-studio-for-j-michael-strange

I want to rent a photo studio in 2017, and I started a GoFundMe campaign to help me raise money to cover the lease. I am a little embarrased to ask for help, but I want to have a photography studio so much. Please help if you can. Please share this with other.

Thank you.

J. Michael Strange

Photographing Fireworks

(J Michael Strange Photography LLC) — Fri, 01 Jul 2016 14:45:00 GMT

We always look forward to fantastic fireworks displays this time of the year. We "Ooh" and "Aww", but the spectacle is gone so quickly. If you are planning to take pictures of fireworks, as I am, make sure you are prepared. You will need a camera, a wide angle lens, a tripod, and a remote shutter release. Set up the tripod and camera to face the display. Set the focus to ∞ (infinity) and turn off auto focus. I like to use a wide angle lens because the bursts will not always be in exactly the same spot, and getting some of the horizon in the picture can make it more interesting. I set my ISO to 200. I set my f-stop high to reduce ambient light and increase my depth of field. And I set my shutter speed for a couple of seconds. I like long light trails and multiple bursts in the same shot. In the photo below, I used a shutter speed of 4 seconds. You can play with your shutter speed to get the effect you like best. I have a remote shutter release for my camera, and that helps to minimize camera shake when tripping the shutter. Timing can be tricky, but if you are close enough to the staging area, you can hear the boom from the launch, and estimate how long it will be before the burst appears in the air.

The 4th of July is not the only time to shoot fireworks. Locally, the baseball stadium has a fireworks display on Friday nights after their games. A local radio station sponsors a "Christmas in the Sky" display. And there are some major amusement parks that have regular fireworks displays.

Enjoy the fireworks and take some great pictures.

Posing Guide: 21 Sample Poses to Get You Started with Photographing Women – Part I

(J Michael Strange Photography LLC) — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 14:15:00 GMT

I found this to be an interesting resource.

Posing Guide: 21 Sample Poses to Get You Started with Photographing Women – Part I

http://digital-photography-school.com/21-sample-poses-photographing-female-models/

Dark Romance Collaboration Shoot

(J Michael Strange Photography LLC) — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 14:02:09 GMT

It was a great day. On the road before the crack of dawn, Suzy, Sharlene and I headed for Joplin. We made our way to the Prosperity School bed and breakfast, which was the location for out photo shoot. Rumored to be haunted, Suzy and Sharlene could feel a strange energy as soon as we arrived. I don't believe that ghosts can't exists, but I have never experienced them. Maybe I am just not sensitive enough.

I picked my location in the B&B, and set up my lights. I shot 13 models, and over 1200 picture. I am selecting and editing them now. Hopefully, I will have some of my images selected for publication.

I concentrated on the fashion photos for the cosmetic line, but did get to take some romance themed photos. I had a great boudoir session in one of the bedrooms, using both natural light, and mixing natural light with flash.

I made a lot of new friends, got to hang out with old friends, and took lots of photographs, which is what I love to do. What a great day.

Overland Park Boat Show

(J Michael Strange Photography LLC) — Sun, 10 Jan 2016 23:59:55 GMT

I went to the Overland Park Boat Show today. Lots of very nice boats. It made me wish I had won the lottery, but I didn't (You didn't either). The best thing about the boat show was meeting Harriet and Keith Dowlin. The have an apparel company from Branson, Missouri called Lake 30. Check out their website at http://Lake30.com. The t-shirts are super soft and comfortable. The also have hoodies, ball caps, tote bags, and more! We talked about going down to Branson to do a photo shoot with their apparel. I think that would be GREAT!!!

52 week picture challenge

(J Michael Strange Photography LLC) — Sun, 03 Jan 2016 14:31:29 GMT

I few years ago, I started a 365 day picture challenge. I attempted to take a new, unique picture and post it on Facebook every day. I was well into February before the challenge got the better of me. It was a great experience though, and I made some creative and unique photos.

A friend of mine is hosting a 52 week picture challenge. This seems to be more manageable with my busy schedule. If you would like to learn more about it, or even join the challenge you can find the information here: http://dogwood.photography/52weekchallenge.html

Thank you Kathi Brundage and Dale Foshe for the inspiration. Let's make 2016 a great year.

New Years Eve

(J Michael Strange Photography LLC) — Thu, 31 Dec 2015 17:22:32 GMT

This will be my last post for 2015.

I hope you had a good year, and I hope next year will be better. I am looking forward to the things I will accomplish in 2016. I want to grow my photography business by working with outstanding professionals, and new clients. I want to be more creative, but also get better at the basics.

I have some new personal interests that I am pursuing, and I hope I will have time to spend on them.

God bless you all in the new year.

Family portraits

(J Michael Strange Photography LLC) — Fri, 18 Dec 2015 14:57:02 GMT

I did family portraits for a great young couple last night. They requested a particular style, and I think we nailed it. The shoot went very quickly, and they seemed to like the images we were getting. What more could a photographer ask for. :)

Congratulation to KC Royals for winning the World Series

(J Michael Strange Photography LLC) — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 03:51:52 GMT

I loved working for the Royals last year. I was a fan photographer, taking pictures of the people that came to watch the Royals at Kauffman Stadium. I learned a lot about baseball. I learned a lot about Kauffman Stadium, and the Royals did VERY well. American league champions, and went to the World Series. Game 7 was a heartbreaker. They came so close, but in the end, lost.

I worked a few of the early games this year, but could not keep up with the schedule. It was great to follow the Royals, and see them doing VERY well again this year. It was amazing to watch them come from behind in game 4 to win the World Series.

Kansas City has the best sports fans in the country. The parade and celebration for the Royals in Kansas City attracted hundreds of thousands of people to the downtown area (I heard estimates from 400 to 600 thousand people). With all of those people, there was minimal reports of violence. The comments were about being a community. I am proud of the people of Kansas City.

Now, Gooo Chiefs!

Facebook Ads

(J Michael Strange Photography LLC) — Mon, 10 Aug 2015 05:58:47 GMT

I started running Facebook ads on August 1st. I'm trying to get traffic to my site to see if it will convert to business.

If you have seen one of my Facebook ads, Please leave a comment. What was your impression of the ad? Did you click on the link and follow it to my website? Is my website persuasive in helping you choose a photographer?

KC Renfest Coronation

(J Michael Strange Photography LLC) — Sun, 02 Aug 2015 12:03:22 GMT

I had a great time at the Coronation of King Henry the IIX for the Kansas City Renaissance Festival. The Scottish Rites is a beautiful venue. It was great to see so many of my friends, and see so many new people involved. Looking forward to another great season at KCRF.

Show Me Heaven Fashion Show

(J Michael Strange Photography LLC) — Fri, 10 Jul 2015 13:19:43 GMT

Today is the Show Me Heaven Fashion Show. Designer Mia Marie has created unique and spectacular wearable wings. She has chosen me to be the lead designer photographer. I'm packing up my equipment and making sure that my batteries are charged and my memory cards are formatted. It's going to be a crazy and exciting day.

Happy 4th of July

(J Michael Strange Photography LLC) — Sat, 04 Jul 2015 19:59:48 GMT

Here is hoping that everyone is enjoying a fun and safe Independence Day.

I've cooked out on the grill and am looking forward to taking pictures of the fireworks tonight.

Building my website

(J Michael Strange Photography LLC) — Fri, 26 Jun 2015 19:44:01 GMT

I'm getting closer to having my website ready. I was going to say completed, but I don't think it will ever be done. I'm creating better images, deciding what my style is, learning how to present it on Zenfolio. I'll show it to a few people soon to find out what they think.