A lot of people have been asking me how I get such great photos on my iPhone. And yes, I have a few favorite apps I use most of the time. They can help to create the image and the look you are after, but keep in mind that the iPhone and its apps are just tools. Use your creative eye first and foremost. Never rely on your tools to do the work for you.

That being said here’s a list of photo apps on my iPhone (in no particular order). Check em out!

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Brands. Recognizable even upsidedown and backwards.

The name of your company is or should be a unique tie-in to the heritage, identity or other meaning of your business. It is the very first identifying mark of your company. In other words, our name establishes not only a brand identity but a corporate vision as well.

Why Brands are Important

A brand is a set of attributes that—in the minds of customers—distinguish one company’s offerings from those of its competitors. A brand identity is the visual and verbal expression of that set of attributes. A cohesive, distinctive and relevant brand identity is an enormous asset in the marketplace. The very name provides added value and—in many cases—can command a price premium. It is necessary to establish a direct and unbreakable linkage between the attributes of the brand and the way they are expressed. A strong brand is one with immediately recognizable characteristics that set it apart from the crowd. When current or potential customers see or hear that brand name, they form a positive mental picture, based on its well-established attributes.

Why Consistency is Important

The consistent display of your brand enables your company to benefit from the success of itself. You will also realize savings, in terms of both time and costs, in the development of communication materials, products and services, not to mention the increase in professionalism your business with take.

Growth Demands Discipline

As your company expands, your communications needs to become more complex. We will be introducing yourselves to many new audiences, and first impressions are very important. The consistent use of your brand identity will enable us to establish your company as a forward looking, professional provider of products and services. That is why each and every communication describing those offerings must bear the unmistakable mark of your brand identity.

Building Your Company’s Brand

It is important to understand that your guidelines provide for considerable flexibility. You shouldn’t want all your communications to look exactly alike. That would destroy their effectiveness. Instead, the main goal is to present a consistent “look and feel” that is unique to your company. This will enable you to continue to build your masterbrand, which will, in turn, enhance public recognition of every part of your company.

Are you looking for a casual photographer that will capture spectacular special moments in a “candid” style? What about just portraits? I specialize in capturing both styles for you and your family.

Let’s go take a walk in one of Calgary’s many parks and I will grab natural moments of your family without the images looking posed. I think this “candid” style is much more relaxed, more natural, and shows moments which are much more memorable.

Contact me now and ask about the Family Sessions which start at just $99 for a two hour session anywhere in Calgary. When we are done, I will edit the images and place the finished and print ready files on a CD which you can get printed anywhere.

Family Sessions
2 hrs                           $99
4 hrs                           $350

Infant Sessions
2 hrs                           $250
(Includes proper studio lighting brought to your location)

Weddings
Ceremony                                                                     $550
Ceremony + Pictures after the event                            $990
Ceremony + Pictures after the event + Reception        $1550

Glamour/Fashion
2 hrs                 $199
4 hrs                 $499

Industrial
1/2 Day             $350
Full Day            $650

Visit thinkdan.ca for more information.

*All sessions receive a CD with final images. No prints provided.

Dan's photo gear setup

This is my regular quick setup. I also have two tripods I use on occasion and a Canon A510 pocket shooter as a secondary.

Nikon D40x

18-70mm
55-200mm
50mm f1.8

ML-L3 remote

SB-600

2 sets of rechargeable batteries + charger for flash

2 Nikon batteries
1 Aputure battery grip

Hand Strap

Crumpler 7 Million Dollar Home

2 GB Sandisk Extreme 3 SD Card
2 GB Sandisk SD Card

Business Cards

Rocket Blower

USB cable

Camera manual
Screen protectors
Microfiber cleaning cloths

If you want to be good at something, it just makes sense that emulating, studying, learning from photographers who do work you admire will give you a shot at improving.

I spent my early years as a photographer on the wings of several pros who were kind enough to patiently answer the 100,000 questions I had nearly EACH WEEK about photography.

By studying these established pros, watching how they work, when they work, what sort of gear they used, looking at their pictures, searching their images for ideas and strategies, I improved.

If you want to do the same thing, here are three tips to get you started.

1. Find a photographer(s) to study. You want to be a wedding photographer? Look at Clay Blackmore or Bambi Cantrell. How about a nature photographer? Art Wolfe. A photojournalist? Try Joe McNally. I could go on, but you get the point. Pick someone who’s work you admire, and set their standards as your goals.

2. Actually STUDY the work of the person you admire. What do they do that sells? Which of their pictures has won the most awards or generated the most controversy? What sort of subjects do they photograph?

3. Read books, attend workshops, go to photo meetups and discuss the methods, ideas and approaches you’ve used as a result of your study. Getting other photographer’s feedback will help you learn whether or not you’re achieving your goals.