Monday, April 30, 2007

Nice day today.



Another nice day in the park shooting. Looks like tomorrow will be a rain day:(

Guys. If I spell your name wrong on the site, email me!! Don't wait for 4 months until you meet me in the park or on your wedding day. Just let me know by email and I will fix it fast!

My list of books and toys is expanding. I'm trying to list every book I have ever read. Then, I will list in my wish list every book I want to read. Oh what fun!

I like to plan. Way in advance. Today, I've set some personal goals. I can't share them all but here is an easy one.

It looks like I've come close to losing around 25 pounds in 4 weeks. I will know for sure on Thursday. So my reward when I read 30 pounds of weight loss is a nice steak. You see, with the DrDanielsDietPlan.com (Coming soon) you have to lay off the red meat for a while. So I plan to eat a HUGE raw steak and get more than a little happy on fine wine (No alcohol either) ahhhh can;t wait.

Maybe I should rent a limo for the night. Something cool. Like a Hummer or a Bentley.

Friday, April 27, 2007

The wonders of retouching

I love photoshop!!! Here is a basic example how we can take what use to be an image that couldn't be used and transform it into a beautiful art work.

Before:










After:

Wednesday, April 25, 2007

I've lost 22 pounds!!


So I just reread my 1st post about going on a diet - click here and I'm blown away!!!


That was on
Monday, March 26, 2007 my weight was 246.8. As of Tuesday at Dr. Daniels my weight had dropped to 225.0

So I have offically lost 21.8 pounds. WooHoo!!!!

I very excited about this diet. So much so that I have spoken to Dr Daniels about creating a special website. He seemed excited too. Basically I want to get as many people on his diet as possible.

Here the deal - Today its not cool to smoke anymore. I knew I had to quite because it was bad for me.

Read this article on obesity in children to see how we are slowly killing ourselves with food. Health practitioners acknowledge that obesity is prevalent enough to be considered a serious health concern. It is estimated that nearly 10-12% of adults (30 million people) are obese and perhaps up to 50% of adults have a weight problem.

The advantage or Dr Daniels Diet Plan is:

a) Its medically supervised
b) It has been used by 1000's of people
c) Visits are covered by OHIP
d) The suppliment diet bars are really tasty
e) You learn how to eat properly
f) You begin to value the food you eat and begin to eat quality vs quantity

And the most important thing -- YOU LOSE WEIGHT!!!!

Anyhow - we hope to have
DrDanielsDietPlan.com site coming soon - I hope.

If any of you would like to book an appointment for a consultation his information is located below

Dr Daniels
Nutritional Counsellor

3225 Lawernce Ave. E. Suite 100
Scarborough, Ontario
416 439 6711
800 368 0109

Be sure to let them know you found them through Jean from DesignerGeek or Excellence Photography.


Tuesday, April 24, 2007

Sure its the weather

Sales of existing homes plunge 8.4% in March

Monday, April 23, 2007

What a day!



What a crazy day. It started with phone call after phone call. I hate the phone see this old post for more info.

Then I had a couple a really fun photo shoots. Then ran back to deal with taxes. Finally I had to go do 2 more shoots and they got winded out. Not rain but a huge wind storm that nearly blew by bride away. So I go and pick up the kids and on the way back my rental died. You see my baby (Jaguar s type) had to go back into the shop for the second time, not cool and the rental died in the middle of traffic on Dufferin. Sammy was passed out taking a nap and Isaac had to go pee. Not cool.

In the end 2 hours later Marianna came and saved the day, Alex picked up all the stuff that was packed in the car with Vitali and I got a new rental.

I need a vacation. Only 38 days to go.






You may have noticed a new link

My List of Books and Toys

Click Here

Its a pretty cool concept from Amazon. I list all my favorite books and toys on their site. If you end up buying anything while you are browsing, I get a commission. Pretty cool huh. So I really need a new watch everyone buy 1000 books each. Click here to see the watch of my dreams.


There is something new coming soon and it will knock your socks off!!I don't want to say more until its done but so far way cool@!










Weather if maybe. Its sunny.

It the spring and sometimes the weather can be unpredictable. So, after years of trying to predict the weather we have learned not to.

If you have an upcoming shoot and are worried about rain please do not call the night before unless they are calling for 3 feet of snow. A perfect example. Last Wednesday it was suppose to storm all day. The night before the couple called and Marianna said lets wait until morning and see what it looks like and of course it was beautiful and I shot an amazing set of images. I'll will put one up later today.

Below is the instructions for a) What to wear to your shoot and b) how to get to G Ross Park.

Dress Code for Engagement Portraits

One of the first decisions the two of you will need to decide on is, whether the portraits will be more formal or casual? If this helps over 80% of our clients choose semi-casual. Do not wear cloth or shoes that are too casual, too tight, too loose, too busy,or too bright in colour. Ideally, most couples wear dark or black bottoms and dark tops; turtlenecks are usually complimentary.

For the formal look you'll want to choose something classic, something that won't be out of style in just a few years. Long sleeves and darker clothing looks best; choose simple garments within the same tonal ranges. (Light and dark tones together create visual confusion, as one subject comes forward and the other recedes.) This is the time to wear the dark colors and more contemporary styles. Just remember both of you will want to choose the same tonal range.

A certain color can completely change the look of your photograph. Choose colors of clothing that compliment you skin tone. If you have ever received compliment when you wear a certain color, you might want to consider wearing something in that color. Dark colours, such as black, usually compliment most people.(Just remember both of you will want to choose the same tonal range.)

Choosing the right neckline is also important. If you have a slightly longer neck, you should choose a higher neckline, such as a turtleneck. On the other hand, if you have a shorter neck, choose a v-neck or crew. As a rule avoid cowl neck sweaters. The key is to accentuate the positive.

Be careful in choosing sweaters or tops with shoulder pads , as they tend to make some people look larger than they are. Make sure you cannot see the shoulder pads through the top.

Avoid sunburns! We all love the sun, but stay out of it a few days prior to your session. A little color is attractive, but please don't overdo! We cannot change the redness of a sunburn with artwork.

For The Groom

Make sure that you have a fresh shave. A five o'clock shadow cannot be removed through retouching. If you plan to have a haircut, try to schedule it at least one week before your session. That way your cut won't look " brand new."

For The Bride!

Wear your makeup as you normally would. Lip gloss adds extra sparkle to your photographs. Although facial shine is something we can retouch, please bring along some translucent powder to eliminate any excess shine.

It is a good possibility that your hands will be in some of the photographs, so make sure that your nails are neatly done and that you are wearing the engagement ring, and that is also is neat.

Avoid a brand new hairstyle or cut. You won't look like you! Please have your hair ready when you arrive for the love walk so only a quick touch up is necessary. This helps us begin your session on schedule.

We have the miracle of retouching!

If you wake up the morning of your session with a brand new blemish (which is inevitable) don't worry! We have the ability to turn your complexion to peaches and cream in the final photographs. Unfortunately retouching cannot be done on proofs.

And please, feel free to call us as often as you need to. No question is too simple. We want to make your portraits as memorable as possible, and we'll be glad to help you in any way that we can. If you are not sure what to wear PLEASE ask Marianna or Jean

Ultimately you need to dress with the idea that your portrait (or collage) is going to hang on your wall for the next 100 years or so.

One more thing. Leave your worries at home and be ready to have some fun with Jean!

G.Ross Lord Park

Located between Steeles and Finch just off Dufferin, this park has a wonderful assortment of horses, a lake, a river even a few secret spots that I have noticed over the years. Actually, we shoot at G. Ross park over 200 time a year!! The most amzing part about this Park is that it changes every single day. Wild flower in spring amazing ice formations during the winter.

When we agree to meet at the park please proceed to the water fountain located in parking lot 3. The drinking fountain will be at the end of the parking lot across for the horse paddock.

If you get their early or late and need to reach me call my cell phone at 416-326-9622. If I am already in the Park I will know you are there if I'm on the way I can let you know how long the wait might be.





10 days of fun.


The past 10 days of fun have flown by. Lots of stuff to talk about.

1. 2 Weddings.

Click here for the link to the slideshow for Savio and Marissa. Click on the photo to enlarge

2. 2 Engagement Photo sessions. - Photos tomorrow.




3. Pissed off a major webdesign client by being honest. The problem started when I mentioned their name in this blog. When I did the name got index ny google, as I intended. The problem is that I noted n the blog who the site was the greatest. Obviously if it was any good they wouldnt need our help. So I took down the post. The irony of of the situation is that eht post has been ranked high than most of the items from their current site.

DesignerGeek is an internet based information management group that has engineered IP solutions that include website design and development, server applications, internet security, redundancy hosting and digital services: including multimedia post production and commercial digital photography for over 9 years.

Friday, April 13, 2007

Night before a wedding - should be asleep2

I know I know I should be passed out but here I am at the studi at after midnight on a Friday night and I'm wide awake.

I've been thinking a lot about how poorly we are using our technology to show our videos. We output over 600 DVDs a month. Somewhere in the range of 50 days worth of footage every month, and yet I only have a few samples on the web.

Plus, if so many people are using you tube and Google video, then why do we? Considering the power of those 2 site to generate an audience it only makes sense to upload hours of footage. But I what to ensure the quality is outstanding first. So Ive been experimenting with different .avi to MP4 converters.

Ok so I ended up watching videos on youtube these 3 made me cry.

















Wednesday, April 11, 2007

Is it January or April



Yesterday I ran my first newsletter for TorontoHomeMovies.com this year. I had plan to write one every month but got overwhelmed. Anyhow, can all you Excellence customers that dont read the blog on a regular basis please go to the main page and register tomorrow. I would have it up tonight but my laptop blew up - no smoke just silence. It was kinda of freaky. One minute I'm looking at Paris Hilton (just kidding). I was actually on the Bob the Builder site with Isaac when it just died.

All say say good bye - she or maybe he - was a good laptop.

The cool thing is I get to by a brand new one!!!!! Whhhooooooooo. Here is the one I want.


Dell XPS M1710






A little correction - calling the bars I have to eat power bars was sort of like calling Kleenex a paper tower. The na,e of the product is Blast Bar. And the webste address is http://www.savvynutrition.ca


You know I has this guy in the studio today who is the nephew of the prime minister of one of those African countries that are always at war. 7 years ago while in a taxi he got into a terrible accident in his home towm. Anyhow the guys is in a wheel chair, and only has partial use of his hands and needed us to help his create a CD of old songs his unlce recorded 30 years ago.

This guys was smiling happy, and at one point while waiting for me to get off a phone call he actually began to whistle a little tune. Not out of spite, because I was taking so long, but genuine happiness. I began to get tears in my eyes. Here we are in our everyday lives bitching about the snow (See the title of this blog entry) and this guy who has had to live with over 30 operations, relies on Wheeltrans to get anywhere is whistling. Gotta say I was a little overwhelmed for a minute there.

Woo Hoo Lost more pounds


So my Tuesday visit to DR D went well. Lost another 4 lbs this week. Total 12 in 2 weeks. I thinks it might be how much work I've been doing. wow.

We signed up Yogen Fruz to build between 6 and 8 sites. They have a number of products they sell including Ultra High end water, Yogurt, Ice Cream and get this Power bars.

OK, so this is going to freak you out.

I started reading the book called "The Secret" its a self help book summarizing what has made many people successful. Thank fully I am going down the right path. Anyhow, according to the book the Universe works in ways to draw you to things based on your moods, and what you think.

I started 2 weeks ago on my diet which consists of me eating these special bars. The same bars that we are now going to build a website for.

Freaky huh.

Monday, April 09, 2007

I got my first compliment.

Yesterday Marianna told me my face looks thinner. I'll take that. I realize that my problem is not that I over eat. Cause I'm not that hungry ever. Usually the problem is what I eat.

Here is my dream list of foods I wish I could go to the resturant right now and chow down on. I'm going to list them as a sort of good bye old friends. (At least until I reach 180 pounds) hehe

- pizza
- huge hot dog
- steak
-deserts with cream
-POPCORN - (Oh it was hard I went to another movie with the kids and serious had a popcorn fit)
- mcdonald fries
-rice
-deep fried anything
-classic double with cheese from wendy's

Saturday, April 07, 2007

Being on a diet is hard

Yesterday was by far the most difficult day so far. We went to see the new childrens movie Meet the Robinsons

So picture this ( not a pun since a) I'm a photographer and b) in a movie theatre) We are in the front row and Sammy has a huge bag of popcorn. Isaac is eating a bag of skittles and Marianna nachos.

I'm sitting looking at them, drooling. I've got my power bar and a pear. And the popcorn smells soooooo good. Seriously it was like a drug. I kept thinking only one hand full - no you idiot you can;t, but only one, NOOO, YESSS,NOOO.

Anywways when the movie started it got a little easier.

We finally have telephone connection in Florida and the systems were running, until they went offline. The problem is if there is a power outage for even a second, we loose connection and James has to go in to restart the computer. But we are up and running - well walking.

Wednesday, April 04, 2007

Bridal Show Bust


There was once a time when I would get upset when a show bombed. But not anymore. In fact, Alex and I were able to make some serious plans for DGGroup.

Soon you will start to see a new site for Vancouver, and our site saveyourmemories.ca will finally get done. Plus, we need to seriously discuss the possibility of moving to a bigger location. The studio is getting cramped. We are now running 11 editing suites and 3 transfer rooms. We have over 6 terebytes of Hard Drive space and we are constantly running out. This is not including Florida or New York!

Booked another trip to Florida so we won;t be shooting in Toronto in the first part of June.

Check out the Hotel I've booked as a surprise - think the kids will like the beach? Its one of the most famous resorts in South Florida. Click here to see what they charge for a wedding reception - wow

A Truly Iconic Destination Among Boca Hotels And Resorts
Acquaint yourself with the new Boca Raton Resort & Club, which has resided in the minds and hearts of those in the know as one of the most intriguing, exciting, and unique resorts in the entire world.  A true icon of luxury and sophistication, this timeless Boca hotel resort is as relevant today as it was when it first opened its doors over 80 years ago.
How has this one property achieved such monumental longevity when so many others have simply vanished into the past? A single vision has shaped this resort since the days of Mizner, and it is this vision – one that embraces bold gestures and innovative thinking – that will guide the resort for decades to come. Discover the extensive array of features that distinguish this freshly redesigned Boca Raton beach resort, including:

Monday, April 02, 2007

Happy Pass over everyone

I love Passover. The family get together, the kids misbehave and I cheat on my diet. I only ate a piece of cake but still. I plan to run a little more tonight at the gym.

Florida is coming along, we have orders in the way and the phone is finally hooked up. We are planing to create a video that will highlight the importance of getting your home movies transfered to DVD.

We are doing the bridal show at Paradise Banquet hall tomorrow and wednesday.

Here is all the information.

Vaughan Bridal Show
Tue Apr 3, 2007 - Wed Apr 4, 2007

The Vaughan Bridal Show will take place Tuesday April 3,2007 and Wednesday April 4,2007 between 4pm - 10pm. At the New Paradise Banquet Hall at 7601 Jane Street between Hwy 7 and Hwy 407. There will be many exhibitors and Ample FREE Parking. Admission is only $ 10.00 per person.


http://www.vaughanbridalshow.ca/


Remember.

Now this is very important.





I take my coffee black.