Do you have a plan?

1. As you enjoy your life, take photos and videos of special events what happends those images?
2. Do they end up in a box?
   
3. Who is your family archivist?
   
4. Where do you store you digital images? On a hard drive of a computer that no longer works, or those old floppy disks?
5. How many great hptoso were lent out but never returned?
6. Do you have VHS tapes with old reruns of Y and R but also you 12th birthday party?
7. If you wanted to create a Family Archive for future generation how would you start?
8. What will your grand children view your old footage?
9. What should you do when people break up?
10. Why is it that we only worry aobut this stuff hen someone dies or turns 50 or gets married?
    
11. Why should you care about this stuff?

Although I'm ONLY 36, I've got kids. Its funny how having children affect the way you look at the world. Over the past 5 years I have begun to amass a large selection of photos and video footage that is all over the house, studio and garage.

SavingYourMemories.ca is a new site dedicated to the preservation of your Family Archive. Here you will find articles and discussion on the best techniques and products available.

We have a new site!!

I don't screw around. I've registered saveyourmemories.ca
The link wont work until Alex can get it going. Probably tomorrow, but soon you will start seeing a site develop. In fact I plan to write the site as a daily blog like this one. The difference is that this is my blog = Jean the photographer and saveyourmemories.ca will be about saving memories

cool huh.

I'm trying a format where people can post questions, while we adtise products for sale.

dddaaatttaaa. (thats music)

Its so exciting starting something new. I think I'm going to go to my favorite midnight restaurant. Bring my laptop and write a business plan for this new endevour. Anyone with ideas, just post them below.

Family Geneology

I'm struggling with a new concept. The idea is that I want to set up an online site dedicated to the preservation of families memories. The purpose is ultimately sell products and services needed to help north american family take better care of their families most precious memories.

Video tape, film, even audio tapes, cds , framed photos, anything of value. The problem I'm having is how best approach it. I truely believe that if a product/service is going to be a success then its got to be something usefull and worth while. Well whats more worthwhile then saving your family history.

The difficulty I am finding is who to target this to. Weddings are pretty easy. Bride and Groom need a photographer. But, solicting retirement homes is not my idea of fun. Anyone with an idea email me.

I love downtown!

I love shooting downtown - around the corner from this shot were 2 girls dancing inthe window. Marianna wont allow me to post the photo of the girl -- ahh too bad.

These brides maids are pretty cute too!!

Crunch Time.

Wow the studio is jammed with equipment and people all working a team to get orders our for xmas. It so nice.

Here are a few cool shots.

Each month TorontoHomeMovies.com has expanded I've found myself being pulled from working on the day to day. I really love working in the back with the guys. Calculating ways to improve quality and producitivy.

One of the most inovative ways we have begun to track productivity is through the use of Google spreadsheets. In fact we have a detailed work flow that at a glance I can see how many orders we have received that day, the number of outstanding orders, even the totall amount of $$ that is sitting in the ready to pick up area, waiting to be collected.

I love it when a plan comes together. -- heh? Anyone remember the A team? Or did I just date myself?

Planning time.

I find it a little wierd that, here it is my first Saturday off and every minute is scheduled. Marianna has me going to sportsball with Isaac, Karate with Sammy and doing the groceries. Seriously, its a lot of work not working.

Meanwhile, I spent half an hour reviewing the site and yep I see numerous changes in he future.

I have abotu 15 new slideshows to complete, plus a January competition. I'm going to put up 4 slideshows from last year and get people to vote.

Congrats to Amanda for winning the last photo poll.

I love google. Now I'm reading a book online about the history of the ottoman empire.

http://books.google.com/books?vid=OCLC30773257&id=A6ABAAAAQAAJ&pg=RA3-PA133&dq=ottoman&num=100&as_brr=1#PRA1-PA4,M1

This is how I feel most days.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjXi6X-moxE

What not to buy your wife for holidays

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Way up high

I love these photos!!!

Should show in French - but look in the top right yo change to english site. Click on the link below.

http://www.altitude-photo.com/recherche.php?lang=en&motclefs=F001&option=AND&RECH_TYPE=libre&imgcount=60&display=chart

Develop 8mm film

I get tons of TorontoHomeMovie customers asking about 8mm film development. Here are 2 companies.

Exclusive Film & Video
50 Portland St.
Toronto, Canada M5V 2M7
(416) 598-2700

B&W Film Factory
317 Adelaide St. W.
Toronto, Ont MSV 1P9
(416) 593-0367
Fax: (416) 971-8389

Cool - Season's over

All of the Canadaian functions for this year are offically done. Yippee. But, in a way that is also sad. I love to shoot.

We had a bunch of people call back from the past month of appointments only to be told we can;t shoot their wedding.

Guys.


We don't do this to upset you. We do this for those cople that do book. By limiting ourselves to only 2 weddings on Saturday and one on Sunday we are guaranteeing you a fantastic wedding photography and videography experience. Marianna and I want to shoot all you weddings, but unfortunately its first come first serve.

I had one guy offer to pay me $2000 extra to make up a story and "get rid of the other couple." We just can't do that. We have to be fair to those who have booked early. Who we have built relationships with. To those wonderful customers who know what they like and took the step to book us,.

Saw a bunch of movies lately.

Casino Royal - best bond movie ever
Borat - best comedy of the year
Happy Feet - best kids movies with music this year (although all the dancing Isaac did, must have affected his bladder, we did 7 trips to the bathroom during the 1 hour and 15 minute movie)

Seriously,. I must be out of touch. Marianna bought Isaac a pair of shoes yesterday for nearly a 100 bucks. GEOX. yikes I'm getting old. I remember my mom taking me to the Bi-way and getting me and my brother the same pair of shoes for $9.99 each.

Wow now that's a disease

http://mdn.mainichi-msn.co.jp/waiwai/news/20061115p2g00m0dm040000c.html/

Ok it not nice to make fun of ayine's illness but seriously - they call this Iku Iku byo (Cum Cum Disease)

"When I got on the train one day, I could feel blood gushing toward a certain part of my body and it felt so good I almost let out a moan. It was sheer murder when everybody got pushed into the carriage."

Yet another woman has her say.

"Even the vibration of my mobile phone is enough to set me off," she says. "My friend said there's something called Iku Iku byo (Cum Cum Disease). I guess I've got that."

Perfectionism - my new religion.

Lately I've been obsessed with the idea of the perfect. What I mean is perfect products or services.

Ruth Chris, Starbucks, Bang and Olufen, Jaguar (OK I just added that one hehe) Alessi.

They all have a common denominator. They strive to create the perfect experience for their customers. In the design of Alessi we get perfect function with the pleasure of funny and whimsical design, Form and Function.

Can you think of other companies that have the same qualites?
'
Here's one most people have not heard of but I want more than anything. The below watch is my dream watch. Where most guys dream of sports cars.

Patek Phillipe watch - click here

How much do you think this watch costs? Take a guess then click the link above.

Expanding ones vision.

It's not enough just to snap pics. When we shoot, weather its video or photo, we are actually utilizing all the experiences in life to take a single shot. I'm always reminded of a famous scene in a movie or painting when I look through my viewfinder. This post may not sound completely coherent. Its 830, kids woke up at 6:00 and immediate jumped into our bed. Course, Alex and I left the studio at 3am.


Here 's are example of a scenes I saw the last time I was in Paris.









I remember one time sitting on the water, in the middle of some ocean and thinking that famous painters spent months and months creating their famous master pieces (read the words again - "Master" ---- "Pieces") and yet as wedding photographers we are expected to document a person's wedding and create "our" master pieces (hundreds of them) in less than 12 hours.

Now this is why I get so upset when I see photographers with their cameras above their heads blowing off bull shit shots without a care in the world as to what they are doing. Our "Patrons" deserve better than that.

Expanding ones vision.

It's not enough just to snap pics. When we shoot, weather its video or photo, we are actually utilizing all the experiences in life to take a single shot. I'm always reminded of a famous scene in a movie or painting when I look through my viewfinder. This post may not sound completely coherent. Its 830, kids woke up at 6:00 and immediate jumped into our bed. Course, Alex and I left the studio at 3am.


Here 's are example of a scenes I saw the last time I was in Paris.









I remember one time sitting on the water, in the middle of some ocean and thinking that famous painters spent months and months creating their famous master pieces (read the words again - "Master" ---- "Pieces") and yet as wedding photographers we are expected to document a person's wedding and create "our" master pieces (hundreds of them) in less than 12 hours.

Now this is why I get so upset when I see photographers with their cameras above their heads blowing off bull shit shots without a care in the world as to what they are doing. Our "Patrons" deserve better than that.

I love steak

Seriously,

Brides. If your fiance or husband takes you to a kick ass, incredible world famous Steak house, don't order the freaking Lobster.

Took Marianna to Ruth Chris Steak house on Friday. The night out cost me over $200 dollars, but it was well worth it. The steak was the juicest, tastiest ribeye I have EVER tasted. Amazing.

For a really special date I can honestly rave about it.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As you read my posts you might notice I use the word RAVE when I really like a place. I learned this phase from a world famous photographer - Denis Reggie. When I rave about a service or product I receive I'm actually hoping that someone out there is raving about Excellence Photography, DGVideo, Objective Eye or TorontoHomeMovies.com

Wow I really love steak

Seriously,

Brides. If your fiance or husband takes you to a kick ass, incredible world famous Steak house, don't order the freaking Lobster.

Took Marianna to Ruth Chris Steak house on Friday. The night out cost me over $200 dollars, but it was well worth it. The steak was the juicest, tastiest ribeye I have EVER tasted. Amazing.

For a really special date I can honestly rave about it.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As you read my posts you might notice I use the word RAVE when I really like a place. I learned this phase from a world famous photographer - Denis Reggie. When I rave about a service or product I receive I'm actually hoping that someone out there is raving about Excellence Photography, DGVideo, Objective Eye or TorontoHomeMovies.com

Wow I really love steak

Seriously,

Brides. If your fiance or husband takes you to a kick ass, incredible world famous Steak house, don't order the freaking Lobster.

Took Marianna to Ruth Chris Steak house on Friday. The night out cost me over $200 dollars, but it was well worth it. The steak was the juicest, tastiest ribeye I have EVER tasted. Amazing.

For a really special date I can honestly rave about it.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As you read my posts you might notice I use the word RAVE when I really like a place. I learned this phase from a world famous photographer - Denis Reggie. When I rave about a service or product I receive I'm actually hoping that someone out there is raving about Excellence Photography, DGVideo, Objective Eye or TorontoHomeMovies.com

Wow I really love steak

Seriously,

Brides. If your fiance or husband takes you to a kick ass, incredible world famous Steak house, don't order the freaking Lobster.

Took Marianna to Ruth Chris Steak house on Friday. The night out cost me over $200 dollars, but it was well worth it. The steak was the juicest, tastiest ribeye I have EVER tasted. Amazing.

For a really special date I can honestly rave about it.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As you read my posts you might notice I use the word RAVE when I really like a place. I learned this phase from a world famous photographer - Denis Reggie. When I rave about a service or product I receive I'm actually hoping that someone out there is raving about Excellence Photography, DGVideo, Objective Eye or TorontoHomeMovies.com

Here's a story I could't tell before

Everyday I come across situations that I want to tell people about on this blog. But sometimes, its a little too soon (the bride may read this blog) for me to discuss.

This story though happened a few years ago. Anyhow, the bride knew everything. She bossed the bridesmaids around, yelled at her parents, basically a "bridezilla. But, the biggest problem was that she second guessed all the services. ie. me, the priest, the limo driver and the hall manager. The most notable was the DJ.

She instructed that only ________ ( I can't say the name of the group just in case) be played throughout dinner. This was a 400 person Italian wedding and the bride wanted only very contemporary English pop. Needless, to say the guests kept coming up the DJ (a very well know amazing DJ who bacame redder in the face each minute)

By the time the dancing was to begin all the guests wanted some traditional music. The bride refused. 30 minutes later there were 10 people on the dance floor. The bride went screaming at the DJ in front of everyone and his answer was classic.

The minute you began to show me how to do my job my responsibility for results ended. If you allow me the freedom, I will exceed your expectations.

The point is let the people who know best do their jobs. Within 6 minutes
the floor was packed with dancing guests.

Its cool to be a wedding photographer - we see all. Like a fly on the wall -- hay that rhymed.

Met a lot of cool people.

A funny thing happened at the show today. As I looked around ( I had lots of time it was another slow day), I realized that Marianna and I have been shoot for nearly 10 years. Wow. Not one of the photographer there was shooting when we started.

The photography business is a one in which we are expected to be creative while at the same time be business people. I guess its like the artish of old - If you are too dedicated to your craft you starve.

What I love about shooting weddings is that I get to revisit my own day each Saturday. Know I know Marianna rarely reads my blog so I'm no going to sound too corny, but its kinda cool to get a weekly reminder of why I took the plunge.


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We are changing TorontoHomeMovies.com to CanadaHomeMovies.com. With the new business from UPS and Motofoto we need a more national presence. Remember Excellence and DGVideo customers get 50% off all 8mm, Super8, 8mm, Hi8 and VHS to DVD conversions.

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Canada's Multi Cultural show --- slllooooowww

Well that was a waste of a day. The show was dead. About 2000 people showed up. The wierd thing is that the show was amazingly organized. There are about 200 very motivated booths. But no brides.

If you are bored tomorrow come and visit me. Please!!! I take my coffee black. I even told Vitali to go to the studio and work instead of coming to the show.

http://www.cmwshow.com/

I'm freeeezzzzzing - help

The darn heat at the studio is not coming on. If any of you know a commercial heat expert tell them to call me!!!

416 630 0090

Thanks

A Bit of humor

A Bit of humor

I have five siblings - three sisters and two brothers.
One night I was chatting with my Mom about how she had changed as a mother from the first child to the last.
She told me she had mellowed a lot over the years ...
"When your oldest sister coughed or sneezed, I called the ambulance.
When your youngest brother swallowed a dime, I just told him it was coming out of his allowance."

Some more things I would like to collect.

You know there is going to be a first big fight. The first major disagreement I had after getting married involved Bang and Olufsen. Just as Alessi is the leader in kitchen design, Bang and Olufsen is by far the most recognizable electronics designer ever.

So I really wanted a B and O phone. The problem is that it costs $1800 bucks.














Ahh darn. Looks like I'm going to be in trouble again. I just visited the B and O site and wwoowowowowowowowowowo I'm in love!!! Here's a photo of my new cell phone. OK the one cell phone I would love to buy if I got permission from my wife. Call me a wimp but I'm a smart wimp.

Italian Style

After meeting with over 250 couples since September began, I've have many opportunities to talk to brides and grooms about a wide reange of topics. Believe it or not some of them have nothing to do with weddings. In fact, I usually go out of my way to introduce a completely different question or topic with each couple, so that I can learn more about them. And in many cases more about myself.

One amazing thing that pops up frequently is the question of style. No I'm not going to write about it, just show how one question always leads to something else.

What do you think of when you think of style?

For me its Alessi.
http://www.alessi.com/


(to all the grooms reading this blog I'm sorry!!!!)

Alessi is one of the most famous and influential kitchen designers in the history of the world. I remember visiting an Alessi store in London and by a salt and pepper shaker for $120 US and thinking wow what a great deal. Seriously!!

Marianna and I have a collection worth over $4000.

Here are a few cool pics. I have all the ones shown.













Holy Moly == check out their new collection!!!!!! http://www.alessi.com/novita/index.jsp










Damn. I was writing this blog and Marianna caught me looking at the Alessi and and demanded I leave for her to look at. So much for maving money!!

If you want a great place to buy Alessi that is a little cheaper than William Ashley - check out Rolo in Yorkville, just above my favorite sushi restaurant Yamato. :) Now Yamato - they have style!!!

Alex is on vacation

So were all going to be lonely. boo hoo Alex is off to New York to visit his fiance. Hope he doesn't get a ticket.

Once a ling time ago I had to go to Harrisburg Pensiylvania (I'm sure I spelt that wrong) anyhow, 12 hour drive with my buddy Sudesh. Booring. The cool part was I rented a Grand Am and I drove real fast. If my parents ever knew -)

Here a cool image called a sepia infrared. :Let me know what you think.