nj commercial photographer Archives - New Jersey, Philadelphia, NYC Personal Branding, Commercial and Editorial Photographer

Editorial Photoshoot with Mira Mizrahi, CFP in Whippany, NJ for Proactive Advisor Magazine

February 21, 2020/0 Comments/in Editorial /by Deirdre Ryan

Here’s another editorial photoshoot I did for Proactive Advisor Magazine. If you’re not familiar with this publication, it’s mainly directed towards those in the financial planning industries. I had never heard of them until they contacted me to photograph people for their articles that were close to where I’m located.

I like to make sure that these clients are comfortable and relaxed. I talk to them, get to know who they are, some really don’t like having their pictures taken, while some are complete naturals. Like I’ve mentioned before, it’s not easy to be in front of a camera with lighting pointed right at you.

Here is the cover for this shoot with Mira Mizrahi, CFP at her firm called Diversified Financial Consultants, LLC located up in Whippany, NJ. It was a bit of a hike to get there, but as with all of these assignments, well worth it. Going on location is both a challenge and rewarding with the people I get to meet and places I’ve sometimes never been to. Mira was another gem to chat with while photographing her. The staff in the firm were really nice and even fed me lunch afterward.

As you can see, they cropped the photo to focus on her beautiful smile and face.

And here is what it looked like before the image was cropped:

Getting people to laugh is one of my favorite things to do.

Here is what the magazine would like folded in half to be mailed out:

As you can see, I like to include a few different options for the publication, and allow space for the designers to work with when they are editing the layout. I have a background in graphic design, so I understand how important it is to have enough space to work with, especially if you need to crop or add type as an overlay.

The image below was used but was cropped(I cropped it more the way that I like it), you can see it on the link to the article posted. Working with reflective items, such as windows, framed artwork or degrees/certifications, always presents a challenge. If I can, I try and avoid them or use other tricks, but if I can’t I tend to retouch. Not the best image, but I thought that her smile was great, and so I submitted it. Many times, publications will end up retouching images to suit their needs. Not every picture is perfect 🙂Below is one of my favorites, it was the last one, and I wanted a portrait of her just being natural.

If you would like to read her article and see how the rest of my images are used, please click on this link http://proactiveadvisormagazine.com/mira-mizrahi-committed-to-clients-personal-success/

Thanks again to Proactive Advisor Magazine and Mira for a great time!

Photography Paperwork – Model Releases

September 13, 2017/0 Comments/in Photography Business /by Deirdre Ryan

As a professional photographer, I have an amazing amount of paperwork that I need to have done for each one of my clients, whether a single headshot or a large complicated 2 day photoshoot. This doesn’t include the back and forth emails, texts and phone calls.

Part of my paperwork that I include is a Model Release. But what is this Model Release?

A model release form is a legal document between me, the photographer, and the person or the people, that I’m photographing. At the most basic, it’s a formal written document of their permission allowing me to publish their image on my website, blog, and marketing materials. It also releases the model(s) from any form of future compensation made from any images that they appear in.

Okay this sounds good, but do I really need to have my clients sign one each time?

For me, I give my clients a choice, if it’s a personal photoshoot, they have the option of not signing. And I will respect whatever decision they make, and often times will not put the images on my website, blog, and marketing materials. BUT having them sign, will protect me against any possible civil liability lawsuits in the future. The release protects everyone involved, including the clients being photographed. If it’s for a commercial client, they will sign, and they will also have their own too.

If I decide to license any of the images at a later date, then it’s important, but I don’t do this because I like to let my clients know ahead of time. And if I do anything that can be licensed, then I would make the photoshoot just for the sake of this, to sell the images as Royalty Free stock images. So far I have yet to do anything like this, just a personal choice at this point in time.

For certain things like the images I did for The Women’s March in Washington, D.C., I am using these as editorial, like for a newspaper. I was part of UniteWomen and had a Press Pass to take these images.

Power Up! Consulting

For these, I had a model release, because I was not only photographing them for their branding, but I wanted to use them on my website. I’m not going to use these as stock images, but if there’s a problem where the images are stolen off of my site, I have further proof that I took them.

My friend Lisa, She’s Losing It.com

For my clients NJPAC and Burlington Coat Factory, I was hired to photograph their events. The same thing, I’m not going to sell these images, but the release protects everyone.

Here are some additional links for more information about model releases:

What You Need To Know ABout Model Releases

FAQs About Model Releases -ASMP

If you’re still unclear, my advise is to find a lawyer, and talk to them about this, as I’m not a lawyer, nor do I even pretend to play one anywhere, even on tv.

It’s complicated and crazy, I know. But who wants to get into anything messy and expensive when we can prevent it with a written document? Then there’s Property Releases, those give me permission to photograph on certain properties, and then whoever signs it, cannot sue or receive any future compensations from images created on said properties. There’s more, but that’s kind of it in a tiny nutshell.

I hope that this post helps clear up the confusion and we can get on with our photoshoots. Thanks!

Notre Dame High School’s Class of 1967 50th Reunion-NJ Event Photography

July 16, 2017/0 Comments/in event photography /by Deirdre Ryan

I loved high school for a bunch of reasons, but for me it was a fresh start. Yes I struggled with certain subjects, math being the main one, and today I still have a difficult time with it. But Notre Dame High School in Lawrenceville, NJ was my mother’s and her brother’s school. She was the Class of 1967, he was the Class of 1969, and I was the Class of 1991. I made new friends, I worked hard, and had a lot of fun.

So my mother was on the decorating committee for her Golden Year Reunion, of our Notre Dame Family. Then the next day they escorted the Class of 2017 as they graduated from NDHS. The committee looked at other photographers and then I was hired to photograph their once in a lifetime event at the Mercer Oaks Country Club. I’ve shot a quite a few events there before, so I’m very familiar with this venue. A bonus that evening was the woman supervising, was in the wedding party one of my last weddings I photographed last year. I got their early with my mom, who had to help set everything up. You couldn’t have asked for more perfect weather. I already knew where I wanted to shoot this large and very important group picture of all the alumni. The flowers were done by Petal Pushers, the owner is also a NDHS Alumni and also my neighbor. The live band was The Meg Hanson Group, with Billy Hill.

Hey everyone, I need to put this on my blog posts. I’ve been burned horribly, but understand it’s a legal thing I have to do to protect myself. Thanks for your support, here it is: All photographs appearing on this site are the property of Deirdre Ryan Photography. They are protected by U.S. Copyright Laws, and are not to be downloaded or reproduced in any way without the written permission of Deirdre Ryan Photography. Copyright ©2017 Deirdre Ryan All Rights Reserved.

Here is the Class of 1967, those that could make it to this event. The evening sky was just beautiful!

They presented a check of $1,000 our school.
The ladies of the committee.
After the large group photo and presentation of the check, we came inside for a few guest speakers, and a prayer before eating.
They honored their Vets and those no longer here.
The Class of 1967 has the most student who have passed away from either the Vietnam War, accident, sickness or cancer in our high school’s history to this date still. My mother’s yearbook has so many notes next to classmates pictures that say died or passed away, a fifty-something kids…

The band started to play and hardly anyone stayed in their seats. Remember, this class had the year of incredible music.

Links to music is courtesy of http://www.musicoutfitters.com/topsongs/1967.htm :
Ode to Billie Joe – Bobby Gentry
I’m a Believer – The Monkees
Light My Fire – The Doors
Happy Together – The Turtles
Groovin’ – The Young Rascals
Can’t Take My Eyes Off You – Frankie Valli

Yes, that’s me dancing with my mom LOL I’m so glad that she had a great time.
I Think We’re Alone Now – Tommy James and The Shondells
Respect – Aretha Franklin I Was Made to Love Her – Stevie Wonder
Come Back When You Grow Up – Bobby Vee and The Strangers
Soul Man – Sam and Dave
Incense and Peppermint – Strawberry Alarm Clock
Ruby Tuesday – The Rolling Stones
It Must Be Him – Vicki Carr
Love Is Here and Now You’re Gone – The Supremes
For What It’s Worth – Buffalo Springfield
All You Need Is Love – The Beatles
Your Precious Love – Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell
Somebody to Love – Jefferson Airplane
Get On Up – The Esquires
Brown Eyed Girl – Van Morrison
Jimmy Mack – Martha and The Vandellas
A Whiter Shade of Pale – Procol Harum

They held a raffle…

And then suddenly all of the Catholic grade school classmates wanted group photos. These schools aren’t around anymore so I waited around for everyone to come to where I was so that the photos could be taken.

The band was rocking and awesome! I actually know the lead singer, he actually knows my good friend Phil, a fellow photographer and musician.

Reflections – Diana Ross and The Supremes
Please Love Me Forever – Bobby Vinton
San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers In Your Hair) – Scott Mckenzie
This Is My Song – Petula Clark
(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher & Higher – Jackie Wilson
I’ve Been Lonely Too Long – The Young Rascals
Penny Lane – The Beatles
You’re My Everything – The Temptations
Dedicated to the One I Love – The Mama’s and The Papa’s

How Can I Be Sure – The Young Rascals
Friday On My Mind – The Easy Beats
Gimme Some Lovin’ – The Spencer Davis Group

You can’t have a party like this without a conga line 🙂

Let It Out (Let It All Hang Out) – The Hombres
Let’s Live for Today – The Grass Roots
Groovin’ – Booker T and The MG’s
Funky Broadway – Wilson Pickett
Pleasant Valley Sunday – The Monkees
I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You) – Aretha Franklin

Cold Sweat, Pt. 2 – James Brown and The Famous Flames

Here We Go Again – Ray Charles
White Rabbit – Jefferson Airplane
Bernadette – The Four Tops
The Beat Goes On – Sonny and Cher
Snoopy vs. The Red Baron – The Royal Guardsmen
Society’s Child (Baby I’ve Been Thinking) – Janis Ian
Girl, You’ll Be a Woman Soon – Neil Diamond
Ain’t No Mountain High Enough – Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell

I Dig Rock and Roll Music – Peter, Paul and Mary
Daydream Believer – The Monkees

Baby, I Need Your Lovin’ – Johnny Rivers
Mirage – Tommy James and The Shondells
Green Green Grass of Home – Tom Jones
I Can See for Miles – The Who

Here at last is the Notre Dame High School Class of 1967 Alumni Committee, they put on a fabulous night for everyone. Thank you for letting me a part of this evening, I had a blast!

Environmental Portraits With DES Home Renovations-NJ Environmental Portrait Photographer

July 10, 2017/0 Comments/in Branding Photography, Business Portraits, Editorial, Headshots, personal branding photography, Portraits /by Deirdre Ryan

Stephen and I connected via an online networking group on Facebook and together we collaborated with an idea that he needed very quickly that represented how he wanted his clients to see him and his business online. You see Stephen is a contractor and a man of many talents and also a father and husband. He works very hard like all businesses do and expects the very best for his clients. I was really impressed with his website and the work his company has done.

DES Home Renovations

We met on a Sunday at the building where his office is located. It has so many incredible areas to photograph inside and out because it used to be an old leather factory right here in the Trenton area of New Jersey. Now it’s being converted to gorgeous loft and studio style office spaces. Honestly I could’ve stayed and shot there all day long. But the important thing was that he looked great and the location matched how he wanted to have his company represented with their branding.

As always, I overpacked, but I wasn’t sure what to expect. I brought my Dynalites but we were moving around a lot so I decided to use my Canon RX ET 600 wireless flashes with Westcott and Photek light modifiers. Normally I shoot tethered as well, but I didn’t want to be hindered with more cables than necessary. I did have my husband/business partner assisting me, but once I got there and Stephen started to show me around, I knew that having my camera tether to my Macbook wasn’t going to work that day. I used my Canon Mark 5D III and just 2 lenses, the Canon 70-200mm f2.8 non-IS L and the Canon 24-70mm f2.8 L. Stephen put on some music with his cell phone because mine was having a hard time getting a signal and then the fun began.

Stephen was a natural in front of my camera, while I did give him direction and coaching, these favorites of mine and his, are all him. We started off in the orange and white striped hallway, then the stairwell, and after that, we wanted to get one more area. We walked into an unfinished area, he turned a corner inside of it and this amazing room appeared. Raw, still under construction like the rest, but just beautiful and perfect to represent him and what he does.

His brother came by and wanted a quick shot so I did one for him too.

We had a lot of fun and I’m very happy with what we were able to accomplish. Thanks again Stephen!

I would love to hear what you have to say, leave a comment below. Stay up to date by signing up for my newsletters, if you’re interested in what I do, please contact me for your next project. Thanks!

Hey everyone, I need to put this on my blog posts. I’ve been burned horribly, but understand it’s a legal thing I have to do to protect myself. Thanks for your support, here it is: All photographs appearing on this site are the property of Deirdre Ryan Photography. They are protected by U.S. Copyright Laws, and are not to be downloaded or reproduced in any way without the written permission of Deirdre Ryan Photography. Copyright ©2017 Deirdre Ryan All Rights Reserved.

Photoshoot of Candidate for City of Bordentown Commissioner-NJ Branding Photographer

April 17, 2017/0 Comments/in Branding Photography, Business Portraits, Editorial, Headshots, personal branding photography, Portraits /by Deirdre Ryan

I met John Brodowski a couple of times before and we hit it off. He’s born and raised in this town, we’ve both lived in other areas, and have come back.

Like many people, this past presidential election has made them feeling very doubtful. But this has turned out to be a good thing, causing many to not just do something about it, but actually go into politics to make changes for the better. John is one of the candidates of fresh faces in our town, who is up for being elected for City Commissioner.

I got a call from him one evening asking to do a photoshoot so that he could complete his site within the next day or two. So the very next day in the afternoon, after an on location session with a client, I returned back to Bordentown for his.

A lot of images for politicians tend to be very stiff or formal. I wanted to get John away from that, to see people as they would in person.

The weather looked a little threatening, and it was windy. John was waiting in front of Old City Hall, and yes it has a clock tower.(Back to the Future reference). After a few shots in, he got more comfortable. Then a car stopped and two of his friends from grade school came out to say hello. Gave us the idea to do some shots in front of the Thomas Paine statue. But before that, I wanted to get John on the sidewalk in front of some businesses. His friends came back to offer some help, and they were a HUGE help at the statute and later down by Black’s Creek. One of them held a large diffuser to block out the direct sun on John’s face(because of course that’s when the sun decided to come out). The wind kept picking it up like kite, but he did a great job and I was able to get the shots that we wanted.

Using only natural light with my Canon Mark 5D III, and two lenses, my Canon EF 70-200mm f2.8 L non-IS and Canon 16-35mm f2.8 L and the diffuser(when the sun popped out later). Having it overcast like that makes for even light, yet even more important, getting the correct exposures in the camera. So that when it came time for editing, it came together quickly.

LOL!

Thanks John for coming to me for these important images. Good luck with the election!

Hey everyone, I need to put this on my blog posts. I’ve been burned horribly, but understand it’s a legal thing I have to do to protect myself. Thanks for your support, here it is: All photographs appearing on this site are the property of Deirdre Ryan Photography. They are protected by U.S. Copyright Laws, and are not to be downloaded or reproduced in any way without the written permission of Deirdre Ryan Photography. Copyright ©2017 Deirdre Ryan All Rights Reserved.

Homeowners open doors for house tour In Bordentown City during the Holiday Season

December 24, 2014/0 Comments/in Photojournalism, The Register News /by Deirdre Ryan Commercial Photography

On December 13th, 2014 the Bordentown Historical Society sponsored the Annual Holiday House Tour. Local residents in Bordentown City opened their private homes fully decorated for the holidays so that visitors could walk through them. About 250 tickets were sold for the self guided and guided tour. The homes were open from 3:30 to 8:30PM. These were photographed for The Register News.