Virginia Beach Lifestyle Portrait Photographer's Blog

AEparker.net

Algernon — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 00:12:07 +0000

For everyone that doesn’t have my updated blog address, I have moved to a blog format that I like using a little better. I will leave this blog up but my main photoblog address is now at AEparker.net. Continue to follow me on twitter, facebook, and Linkedin.AEparker Lifestyle Photographer

Top Photo Gear on my Wish-list

Algernon — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 02:20:43 +0000

First on my list would be an umbrella stand from my off camera speedlight. It’s kind of irritating to have to hold the light and off camera lighting is much more flattering to any photo then on camera lighting. So, this piece of equipment tops my list because it’s the cheapest piece that will improve my photos the most. The second piece on my list would have to be another speedlight. SB-900 will work just fine. Lighting equipment can get really expensive. I try to keep it light and inexpensive for now. An SB-900 will add to my lighting capability and keep a little money in my pocket. Of course I will need another stand. Because I shoot with a D700, Pocket Wizzard or some other trigger device is not yet needed. Those little lights pack a punch. Third on my list would have to be a lens. Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8 is an excellent wide angle lens. I have never used it but after using my Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8, I think Nikon has spoiled me. I love the high end lenses. Shooting at 24mm, I’m always looking to go wider. I actually like shooting wide more than anything. I think it’s a ver creative lens. Fourth on my wish-list is the Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8. It can help me shoot events like wedding without having to move around as much. This is a must have lens. The big three… Nikon 14-24, 24-70, and 70-200mm. This is only four items I want to add to my camera bag. What are some items that are on you’re wish-list? We maybe able to share and help each other out about gear. Leave comments about your gear. Oh… the picture about was taken with the gear I already have and I just wanted to post a photo of my daughter enjoying the outdoors…

New Glass…

Algernon — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 01:10:22 +0000

I have finally acquired one of the highly recommended pieces of glass that I have been reading about. The Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8 is an excellent tool. Everything I have read and researched about this lens is true.

As an all-purpose lens the 24-70mm is the lens. It is quite heavy, but for me, I like that weight. As is all Nikon products, this lens is built sturdy. It has a professional feel to it. Paired with my Nikon D700, this glass is quick. Auto focus is very fast and with a wide aperture low light is no problem. There is a little distortion on the wide end of the zoom but I’m not really bothered by it. From what I’ve read a lot of people don’t like the image distortion. I find that it can have a little artistic value when shooting wide. This lens may hardly ever leave the camera. It’s already my favorite all around lens. I would recommend this lens to anyone at any level of photography.

Algernon (AEparker) Parker

Algernon — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 22:39:04 +0000

Algernon Parker is a lifestyle type portrait/event photographer who uses a mix of available light and various speedlights to produce a photojournalistic style photograph. He brings a unique urban style and swagger along with a sense of humor to every project. Algernon Parker is a regular guy with a photographic vision. His logical methods are wisely carried out from pre-production to delivery. The clever and witty personality that he brings to a client is an experience in itself. Look beyond the ordinary!!! Algernon Parker wants to help you immortalize your memories…

AEparker the Photographer!

Limited Time Special

Algernon — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 01:22:03 +0000

It’s almost time… Time for what? Time for AEparker (Algernon Parker) to return home from a long, hot, draining deployment. I would like to celebrate my return as I open business to new clients.

2011 Senior Portraits… Get an early jump and save on your portraits. Needed swag for your 2011 senior year is here!

Regular price… $225 includes 1-2 hour session, location of your choice or my suggestion… also includes 10-15 best poses (more possible) high resolution jpegs with unlimited printing rights and a custom Senior Portrait book… (details on the book will be discussed and decided with clients)… Homecoming special is 20% off the regular price! Limited time only so, get your appointment scheduled now! Serving the Hampton Roads area…

AEparker the photograher!

2011 Senior Portraits!

Algernon — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 01:35:19 +0000

AEparker Event/Portrait Photographer…

Are you thinking of Class of 2011 Senior Portraits?

Check out the newest photographer in the area… Get your swagg up with AEparker!

Special homecoming prices for limited time only… Ask for details…

algernon@aeparker.net

Practicing for business onboard ship

Algernon — Tue, 18 May 2010 00:14:53 +0000

As many of you know, I’m serving my country in the US Navy. I’m currently deployed and still practicing my photography. One of my photography goals at the beginning of cruise was to learn more about the business side of photography.

Being a photographer automatically makes you a businessperson. Dealing with clients, accounting, negotiating, marketing, etc. are all part of being a good photographer. From what I have learned you are a businessperson first and an artist second. Being a good businessperson is key to running a successful photography business.

When many of the sailor here found out that I “take nice pictures”, everybody wanted there picture taken. So, I thought about it and it was a great opportunity to learn to deal with clients. It’s kind of different though because a lot of the work is Navy related, so I couldn’t charge for my services. If I did charge, I would probably lose out on a learning experience because they could always get the ship’s photographers to do the work for them. Which I have been told that I’m a lot better than the ship’s photographers.

I try to treat the sailors as if they were paying customers. I talk to them about what they want. I shoot in a location that they choose. Sometimes they ask me what I suggest. I also shoot re-enlistment for some sailors. I’ve even shot sailors at work as you see in the above photo. The last re-enlistment I did, the sailor requested me over the ship’s photographers. After the photo is done, I offer them a CD with low-resolution images on it. They are able to email these photos to there loved ones and I have a satisfied customer. Satisfied customers equal business and word of mouth when I return from this deployment. Navy related projects such as posters, slideshow, etc. shows my talent and create potential clients.

I include contact info through metadata. And I also leave a word document on every CD with my info contact info. When I get home I should have a few clients just from my work being displayed throughout the ship. Word of mouth is a powerful marketing tool!

Happy Mothers day!!!

Algernon — Sat, 08 May 2010 01:20:03 +0000

My Aunt Emma posted something on Facebook that inspired me to post this photo. My grandmother raise her kid and many grand kids in this house. This, now abandoned, house is where I was raise most of my life. This is what I knew as home. My grandmother was a great woman. She devoted her life to nine kids and countless grand kids. My memories of her are all strong memeries! I knew her as having all the answers. When I was sick she always knew what to do. She always knew what to say to make me feel better. This house was like a huge playground. Everything is big when you are young and small. My cousins, brothers, sister, even my mom, aunts and uncles used to run up and down the street and all through the yard. It was so easy to entertain ourselve over there. I took this photo when I visited my mom in December. This photo is feeled with memories of my childhood! My beautiful, strong, encouraging, loving grandmother is all over this photo! Myrtices Marie Parker August 9, 19??-May 9, 2002…

Mac vs. PC

Algernon — Fri, 07 May 2010 19:22:46 +0000

Spending my whole life with PC, I always defended PC. PC has taken it’s place in the world as over 90% of all computers. There is a PC almost everywhere you look. It’s a system that is very upgradeable. My first computer was an i386 that I put together myself, running Windows 3.1. It was so rewarding to piece together my own system and upgrade parts when needed. For a while that was a hobby of mine. I enjoyed tinkering around with different computer parts. But, over the years my interests changed.
PC and Microsoft are very dominant in the computer world. You have PC gamers that love their computers. You have Microsoft office, which I have to say is very useful and an excellent suite. I have always used it and I still do. You cannot go wrong with Microsoft Office. I run Microsoft Office for Mac now. It actually seems a little better than the Windows version, but I haven’t had a lot of time with it.
Throughout my years of using Microsoft’s Windows, I have had nothing but problems. I have had enough problems to begin to think that these things were normal. I believed that it was normal to have to reboot on many occasions. I have had to reinstall Windows on many occasions. Many people say that they have no problems at all with Windows and the problems people have are operator error. I can believe that most of the problems are operator error. But, I don’t seem to have any operator errors with Mac. I can do what I need to do much easier and enjoyable on my new iMac. I still use a PC at work because that is what the navy provides and the ITs stay busy. I actually had to call then 3 days in a row and neither problem was fixed. I have not have any problems at all with my new system. I have yet to find any faults. I know that discussions like this one usually start a Mac/PC war. But I just wanted to share my thoughts on this subject. I never really had a point to discuss when I was using PC.
I’m really enjoying my Mac and I have absolutely no problems! I was impressed as soon as I took it out of the box…

Navy Career Fair

Algernon — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 23:47:09 +0000

These are the posters that will be used in today’s Career fair. This morning I viewed the slideshow with my departmental Master Chief. He likes the slideshow…. I was told that we will have the best table there…:-) This is another project completed for the Navy… Bring on the next one!