Boston Newborn and Children's Photographer – Paula Swift Photography, Inc. Photographer Blog

I had an amazing 4 days last weekend at the Professional Photographers Association of Massachusetts annual convention in Plymouth, Mass.  It was a packed weekend with lots of speakers in the photography industry, then watching my prints get judged during the convention and an awards banquet.  I was thrilled that I received 3 blue and 2 red ribbons at the photography competition.

So how does this competition works I have been asked by clients and other photographers? Well for me its going through my favorites images over the past year ( sometimes even the year before) I pick what I think is the best of the best and then look to make sure they are competition worthy. There are 12 elements that the image would be judged on. Adding a title and presentation mat is very important in this type of photographic competition.

This year on top of the 3 blues and 2 reds, I also received 2 Judges Choice Ribbon awards and the Kodak Gallery Award for Photographic Excellence! I didn’t even know about the Kodak Gallery Award until the awards night…I was so surprised when my image was named, shown on the screen and then my name announced!  I’m still a bit in shock just under a week later.  Some of you may remember I received the Kodak Gallery Award for my image titled “Roots and Wings” in 2009.  Never did I dream I would win it again.

The 12 elements are these…

Impact is the sense one gets upon viewing an image for the first time. Compelling images evoke laughter, sadness, anger, pride, wonder or another intense emotion. There can be impact in any of these twelve elements.

Technical excellence is the print quality of the image itself as it is presented for viewing. Retouching, manipulation, sharpness, exposure, printing, mounting, and correct color are some items that speak to the qualities of the physical print.

Creativity is the original, fresh, and external expression of the imagination of the maker by using the medium to convey an idea, message or thought.

Style is defined in a number of ways as it applies to a creative image. It might be defined by a specific genre or simply be recognizable as the characteristics of how a specific artist applies light to a subject. It can impact an image in a positive manner when the subject matter and the style are appropriate for each other, or it can have a negative effect when they are at odds.

Composition is important to the design of an image, bringing all of the visual elements together in concert to express the purpose of the image. Proper composition holds the viewer in the image and prompts the viewer to look where the creator intends. Effective composition can be pleasing or disturbing, depending on the intent of the image maker.

Presentation affects an image by giving it a finished look. The mats and borders used, either physical or digital, should support and enhance the image, not distract from it.

Color Balance supplies harmony to an image. An image in which the tones work together, effectively supporting the image, can enhance its emotional appeal. Color balance is not always harmonious and can be used to evoke diverse feelings for effect.

Center of Interest is the point or points on the image where the maker wants the viewer to stop as they view the image. There can be primary and secondary centers of interest. Occasionally there will be no specific center of interest, when the entire scene collectively serves as the center of interest.

Lighting—the use and control of light—refers to how dimension, shape and roundness are defined in an image. Whether the light applied to an image is manmade or natural, proper use of it should enhance an image.

Subject Matter should always be appropriate to the story being told in an image.

Technique is the approach used to create the image. Printing, lighting, posing, capture, presentation media, and more are part of the technique applied to an image.

Story Telling refers to the image’s ability to evoke imagination. One beautiful thing about art is that each viewer might collect his own message or read her own story in an image.

When all these 12 elements come together an image is given a score from a panel of judges (6 with one rotating) and then it receives a ribbon. Then the judges meet privately to give out Judges Choice ribbons ( 6 in total) and other awards.

Here are the Award Winning Prints with Ribbons and Awards!

“Who’s Walking Who”  Kodak Gallery Award, Judge’s Choice Award and Blue Ribbon

“Unknown Artist”  Judge’s Choice Award and Blue Ribbon

“Running on Empties”  Blue Ribbon

“Frozen Sands”  Red Ribbon

“One For You, One For Me”  Red Ribbon

If you are looking for an Award Winning Boston Photographer or a Framingham Photographer with a Professional Photography Studio please visit Paula Swift Photography, Inc.’s website for more info: www.paulaswift.com .  Paula Swift Photography, Inc. owned by Paula Ferazzi Swift , CPP is a Certified Professional Photographer with over 18 year of professional photography experience. Voted the Best Family Photographer in 2010 by Nickelodean’s Parents Connect and featured as the one of the Best Children’s Photographer in Boston by CBS Boston.  Paula Swift Photography is a fully insured and licensed photographer in the state of Massachusetts.  Specializing in Maternity, Newborn, Children, Family, High School Seniors and Engagement portraits in Massachusetts and at her unique photography studio loft in Framingham.  Paula Swift of Paula Swift Photography received her Degree of Photographic Excellence in 2011 by the Professional Photographer’s of Massachusetts and continues to educate herself in the field of photography so she can offer the best of the best photography to her special clientele. If you are looking for a Photographer in Massachusetts visit Paula Swift’s beautiful photography galleries where you can get a feel of her photojournalistic  unique style.

I hope the title says its all. This famous Bear baby – his name is Barrett but his family call him Bear..how fitting, I  photographed January 2010 and was featured the cover of baystateparent magazine turned one this past January and also won Gold at a national parenting publications competition for cover photography and design.

I was away in Chicago this past week to surprise and celebrate one my sisters for her birthday when I got a message on my facebook business page from the Editor of baystateparent. I was so surprised and thrilled to have one of my images featured on the cover for their Gold winner at the Parenting Publications of America annual editorial and design competition. Bear was just about 2 weeks old when I photographed him in this adorable bear hat which was chosen to be on the cover for their Baby Gaga March 2010 baby issue.   He was so snuggly and sweet during his session ; this is still one of my favorite newborn photographs.  Those of you who have visited my studio will recognize this image that is hanging huge on my wall.

Fast forward to this January and Bear turned One!  Boy has he changed…he is such a big boy and almost looks like his big sister twin.  He is still as cute as can be.  Here is the cover from last March 2010 and here are some recent photographs from his in home session with his big sister Alex who is now 2.  A little birdie has told me that Bear and Alex will become big a brother and sister this summer.  Stay tuned to meet their new baby later this summer.

A big thank you to Lauren and Craig for allowing baystateparent to feature their son on the cover last year and a thank you to baysateparent ( Carrie and Paula) for choosing this image for their cover.  Also a big Congratulations to baystateparent magazine and their state for all 17 awards they won!  Well deserved awards! You can read all about their awards HERE

These days everyone owns a camera, whether it’s a simple point & shoot, one on your cell phone, or a higher end consumer digital SLR  – everyone is capable of taking a picture but should everyone call themselves a professional?

Lately the market has been saturated with people who are calling themselves “Professional Photographers”

With everyone owning a digital camera these days photography has really become the new “Tupperware” craze. It seems that many parents with a camera, who took a few nice photos of their children, have started a business. I think it’s great if you can take nice photos of your own children … but to charge as a professional and not pay taxes, not have insurance and not be registered as a business in your state is illegal!

I know many consumers shop based on price, which is why I’m sure many of these “parents with cameras” are initially an attractive option – because they do it for less money! We all know you get what you pay for, so don’t take the chance with a friend who just got a new camera to capture those first moments of your new baby or your family portraits.

If you’re getting married and have spent thousands on your dress, venue and flowers…why would wouldn’t you want capture the day with beautiful professional photography? Remember, you can’t go back and re-shoot that big day.

I’ve had to re-shoot baby portraits for a client who was heartbroken after the “photographer” she had hired didn’t know how to use the studio lights or the settings in the camera which lead to out of focus images. The photographer called it “soft focus”. Your child’s eyes should be in focus when they sitting there smiling. Another couple came to the studio and had me photograph portraits of them together after their friend never came through with their engagement portraits. He took their photos and they never saw them. Thankfully these were all cases where there was time to recreate special portraits for them.

It’s important when hiring a professional photographer to really look closely at their credentials and their background. You may want to check to see if they are a registered business.  As well carefully look at their portfolio to see if their photographs have professional qualities  If their pricing is really low, it’s probably because they are an amateur with little or no training and/or operating an illegal business.

The PPA – Professional Photographers of America has started a campaign called “See the Difference” to educate consumers on why it’s important to hire a Professional Photographer for your big day and those special portraits not just someone you found on the online with a nice website that costs less.

I am honored to have some of my portraits featured in the campaign video. CLICK HERE to SEE THE DIFFERENCE Video

The second image featured is one of my award-winning family images titled “Roots and Wings”

To bring this in perspective. I own lots of pots and pans, have a great range and two wall ovens but I am no way a chef and would never think of charging someone for me to cook for them. Just ask my family.

A few things to look for when you visit a website of a photographer – consistency of their work is key. Their images should all looked finished, are the skin tones overly yellow, orange or pink, are they out of focus images , are there blurry subjects who are standing still , eyes closed or squinting eyes because they were photographed in direct sun. The images should look like portraits not snapshots, they should look like portraits with great color, emotional content and eye catching backgrounds that compliment the portraits not take away.  The subjects should look comfortable in the images whether photographed posed or captured in a photojournalistic way. The lighting should be complimentary to the subject in the portraits, not too harsh or cause shadows where they shouldn’t be. No one should have dark circles under their eyes that give the appearance of raccoon eyes.  On the other hand the subjects face and clothing shouldn’t have overly bright areas. If so it will cause your eye to go toward that area instead of focusing on the whole content of an image.

A few questions you can ask a photographer when researching…

Do you have back-up equipment ?( not just one camera and a lens) I know I have had equipment fail on me and I have always have back-ups on hand. I also always shoot with 2 bodies and lenses with back-ups ready to go, so I don’t miss a moment.
Do you carry liability and business insurance? What happens if my child should fall and get hurt during the shoot ( worse case scenario) or if your studio lights burn a hole in my brand new carpet ( yes it has happened to an old colleague of mine)
What type of training do you have? ( I don’t feel everyone needs to go to college in this field but they should have some training at some point before they start a business and should continue their education in this rapidly changing industry)
Are you a registered business? ( either with their state or county – all states have different laws on this)

Thanks for reading and I hope you find this blog post informative when you look to hire your next Professional Photographer.

Paula Ferazzi Swift holds a Bachelors of Science in Communications Media – Photography and an Associates in Science in Visual Fine Arts – Photography. Paula worked as a staff photojournalist at the Worcester Telegram & Gazette 1995-2005. In 1999 Paula had three of her images as part as the staff’s Pulitzer Finalist entry in Feature Photography for their coverage of the Deadly Worcester Warehouse Fire in Worcester, MA. She is a member of Professional Photographers of America and Professional Photographers Association of Massachusetts. Paula Swift holds many awards under in her 16 years as a professional photographer, in photojournalism with the National Press Photographers Association, New England News Association,  and in portrait photography at the Professional Photographers of America’s International Print Competition, Professional Photographers Association of New England and Professional Photographers Association of Massachusetts. You can view her Portrait and Photojournalism work at Paula Swift Photography, Inc. Paula Swift Photography, Inc. is a registered corporation in the state of Massachusetts and an insured photography business in the state of Massachusetts and the United States of America. Paula Swift is the owner of Paula Swift Photography was established in 2004 and moved into a 1000 sq ft studio loft located in the historic Fountain Street Studios in 2006. The studio was recently expanded to add another 1000 sq ft in 2009. Paula Swift Photography photographs maternity, newborn, babies, children, families, high school seniors, couples and collegiate sports in the Boston area and through out New England.

Thank you to the following Photographers for their contribution to this article: Alison Stumpf of Alison Stumpf Photography, Andrea Hautala of Andrea Hautala Photography , Laurianna Murray , Shallyse Gastelum of Shade Leaf Studios , Tammy Krummel of Creative Images by Tammy and Wendy Moeller.

Meet beautiful breast cancer survivor Tara and her very adorable daughter Ava…they were the cover models for baystateparent Magazine’s annual Think Pink issue. It was an amazing photo shoot in my Framingham studio loft with this incredible mom and her fun 2 year-old daughter. From the moment they walked into the studio, I just knew this was going to be fun and energetic studio photo shoot. As a former photojournalist at the Worcester Telegram & Gazette, these are the type of shoots I just fall in love with. Their fun-loving personalities were key in capturing these story-telling images for baystateparent’s issue on breast cancer and their survivors. The Think Pink annual issue is one of my favorites they publish every year. Paula Ethier, the creative director at baystateparent is always a pleasure to work with and I love her ideas. Check out this October’s issue and the stories written by Lynn Jolicoeur and other local journalists about Tara along with other local women who are conquering breast cancer with their strength and incredible positive attitudes!

Here is the cover, many favorites from the shoot and the ad I created to showcase what was captured.

Thank you for all who voted for Paula Swift Photography, Inc. as Boston’s Best Family Photographer in Nickelodeon’s Parents Connect we were notified recently that we WON!

I love photographing families and their children and this is such an honor to be considered Boston’s Best Family Photographer.  Many of you know I spent 10 years as a photojournalist at the Worcester Telegram & Gazette and I am thrilled to have turned my experience as a staff photographer there,  into a Photojournalistic Boston Family Photographer

PS..Sorry my blog hasn’t been updated in a while…what a busy fall its been already. Stay tuned many sessions to be featured soon.

We Won! Check it Out!

a fun email to receive while you are away on a get away from your family.