Welcome to the world sammy!

Found this photo as I was going through some images on the hard drive with my buddy vince. He and pricilla are getting married Oct 14th 06.

Funny how time flies.

This was captured by my father in law as Marianna screamed shut off the damn camera! Then a few days later when we saw the footage we were never so happy to be able to review sammy entering the world time and time again.

Just like your wedding video!! Hey you could always hire us on this special day too! 

Welcome Andrea!!

Each year we welcome a new co-op student to take on tasks in the studio. As a former music instructor I love the opportunity to teach. I really miss it. The satisfaction of showing someone something new every day.

In many cases we hire on our co-op students to work during the summer time. Tasks like, burning dvds, scanning photos, even preparing video files. It starts slow but by the end these students leave with alot of very specialized talents.

---

Winter is here offically and its March. Too bad I have to go to Florida (heheheheh). For those couples that wanted winter engagement photos, better call marianna in the next few days. I think this will be the last chance

Had a groom from a few years ago email me a question on printing from the digital negatives he recevied when he purchased frames and albums with us.

Hi Jean,

Hope you are doing well.

Quick question: what is the easiest way to convert the .nef files of my wedding photos

to .jpeg format without losing too much resolution?(or any other standard format).

The answer was:

The best thing for you is to download a program called picasa from google

its free andcool - and it reads raw (nef ) files

Jean

This is the same program I used to show couples a slideshow of our images this past January and February.

March 1st is almost here. Need to send in your installment

It's almost March 1st so if you have an imstallment remember to send in it. I will be seeing couples Wednesday night who would like to drop it off in person. Give me a call to let me know as I'm expecting over 15 couples and wnat to space it out. Make your receipts in advance. You know make if simple.

Now that the biz stuff is done --- Sammy read an entire book by him self this weekend. woo hoo. I remember learning my alphabet in grade one maybe I was reading in grade 3. I can't tell you how exciting to see him figure out 5 and 6 letter words.

Isaac is a terror. A polite one though. He ask me for milk 65 times in a row yesterday when I was online and ignoring him. "milk please papa, milk please papa, milk please papa, milk please papa, milk please papa, milk please papa, milk please papa, milk please papa, milk please papa, milk please papa, milk please papa, milk please papa, milk please papa, milk please papa, milk please papa, milk please papa, milk please papa, milk please papa,"

you get the point.

We leave for florida in 9 days :)

DSR 20 came in from service, new head, new connectors. Allows us to upload in realtime to the from a analog source. Really missed my baby - took sony almost a month.

Yogenfruz is still not done. But were getting closer. Alex worked until 4am sunday night. When we are live please take a minute and visit - the site is a piece of ART!!

Monday morning suck - better get back to work.

Its official!! I'm running a 10k marathon

Payment has been received
Marcotte Jean is Registered for
Sporting Life 10K 10km

Transaction ID: JME0516942


Event 10km
Last Name Jean
First Name Marcotte
City Thornhill
Province or State ON
Country CANADA
Postal Code L4J 9A1
Email Address info@excellencephoto.com
yearofbirth 70
Age on Race Day 35
Gender M
shirt XXL
inspiration weight loss
occupation photographer

Wow what a day. We book 4 weddings in one day today. At this rate, we will be closing off all of 2006 in the next few days.

2007 couples that have not made up their mind better call us soon!! Anyhow, my quest for weight loss started, I decided to go to the gym every single day- no matter what.

But according to the brides I met today I should start by watching what I eat. That's funny I always watch - the pasta, the hamburgers, the deli meats.

All is well, edits are continuing. Yogen Fruz's website is almost done, well the first part anyhow. If you are interested in seeing some of the commercial web design that we do visit www.designergeek.com

Off to Florida - yippeee

March is almost here and we are off to Florida for another fun filled trip. We are looking at a property in Vero beach, about 1 drive from Miami. As photographers we want to be located in a place that is central to all that happens in Florida.

It;s a completely different life in Florida. Some things are much cheaper, other way more expensive. Property in the past few years has doubled. But that trend os turning. We want to be ready. So while we visit Florida's Gold Coast we are trying to find an investment property that will not only increase in value but be central to our photography business.

All you brides and grooms that are just starting out, buying a house, furniture new cars need to remember. Quality lasts , mistakes last longer. 

I am going to lose 30 pounds

Ok Guys, its offical. I'm going on a diet. Yep. I want to lose 30 pounds. Yikes. I've joined a gym and starting today I will go.

Last year I did lose nearly 25 punds but in the end gained them all back. I think its the popcorn, chips, starbucks coffee, marianna's cooking.

Anyhow, I've decided that by putting the above declaration, I have no choice but to take action or look like a fool.

So if you do meet up with me ask me about it!! It's not just for me, but sammy and isaac and Marianna. Sort of like when I quit smoking. I knew it was bad for me, so I just quit. 

It's that time of year. Yea!!

Each year we find that there are a few months that are slower then the rest. February is one of them. So we put stuff on sale!!!

Wedding Day Video Presentation

If unique is what you seek... then our big screen video presentation is just for you. Imagine the surprise when (during dinner) the lights go down, a 10 by 7 foot screen goes up and the exclusive Excellence Photography and Videography presentation begins.

Bring us your favorite family and dating pictures and even your home movie clips.(Don't have them converted? Visit www.torontohomemovies.com, Excellence customers receive 30% off!!)

We'll put everything on video and dub your choice of music to the background. Once the editing is completed you will be able to download a proof of the video online for viewing and approval.

Only once you are completely satisfied is the final version is uploaded to our site so that friends and family may view the presentation online from anywhere in the world. As an extra bonus, you get have a DVD copy to cherish forever!

The big screen service is a fun and exciting way to entertain your guests. Some of the options that couples add to the presentation include:

• Rent the Projector and Screen
• Video Engagement Walk
• Growing up photo montage to your choice of Music
• 2D or 3D photo montage
• Tribute Photo Montage (engagement photos or grandparent/parents)
• Live Eye - dancing on the big screen

The above usually priced at 1350.00 including an anywhere in Toronto or Group lovewalk but can be booked during the month of February for only $500.00

Remember we require %50 upon booking and the balance only when you are completely satisfied with the presentation.

Done!! Wow. You would think it would get easier.

Marianna and I have moved 5 times in the past 9 years, that;s alot for some people but in our world it makes sense. We believe that the tax free benefits of buying and selling real estate is too valuable not to take advantage of at our young age.

If you are like most people you get your finanacial education from your parents. As most of our customers are European that would mean buy a house- then live there for the next 40 years.

In our case, we have met a number of very successful people over the years that have taught us that when you get married and you begin your life together, you are actually beginning your financial team (you and your new wife or husband) from that day.

In our case that ment combining our debts. Marianna's student loan and my car loan (corvette - yea I'm cool)

As most of you are just starting out I would like to recommend a book that has definately change our lives.

Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki

Actually and the reason I am bring this book up is today Robert wrote a great article on the Yahoo finance website . The link is below.

http://finance.yahoo.com/columnist/article/richricher/2476


Anyhow. We are finally set up in the new house and on the hunt to purchase at least one if not two properties in the next 12 months. Anyone got a lead on a great deal let us know.

Its February and were movin.

For anyone who has called the studio or the 905 number for the past few days you probably didnt get a call back cause we're moving to a new house. No not the studio.

Anyhow - we're back in business on Wednesday - If its an emergency then email me at info@excellencephoto.com and I will get back to you asap.

It not what you notice first but second. Part 2

It the small details that matter most.

3. Your wedding day is going to fly by sooooo quickly that you will find that when you wacth your wedding video over and over again you will always see something new. But what the really small details. We call these scene setters. Like the image to the right, scene setters can be dramic reminders of the beauty, elegance and creativity that went into your day.

4. Your photographer needs to look for the private moments and be prepared to capture the moment. As a photojournalist our responsibility lies in documenting the actual events as they occured. But the difference between shooting for the sake of shooting and capturing the true essence of a situation is experience. Taking a great shot that is improperly lite, grainy and out of focus defeats the purpose. Lighting - Composition - Expression