~ Wedding Photography ~

This summer I was able to shoot a few weddings with my good friend and professional photographer Olivia from Images by Olivia.  She is a super talented photographer and together we had a blast shooting this wedding at the start of Sept.  Weddings are always a fun time seeing the couple enjoying the day with their family and friends and the special moments that unfold.
-Randy

~ Fall 2015 ~

It's been a very long time since I've written anything on my blog.  The summer has ended and now fall and my teaching life is in full swing.  It's been a rough year, marked with the sadness of losing our newest cat Mulder at such a young age and right when the summer began.  I still find my happy place is behind a camera and being creative.  Without art, without imagination this world would be a very difficult place for me to exist in.  Social media to me is meaningless without images, I love photos and don't care if they are mine or belong to another photographer.  There are so many talented photographers out there.  I spend a LOT of time on 500px looking at works that humble me and inspire me.


Every year before I go back to school I attempt to do a photo shoot to mark summer ending and just get my last few pics in with warmish weather and natural light before hiding out in studio for the winter.  I will share here some photos taken of the stunning Vickie.  Hopefully I'll BLOG more as I have neglected this blog for a VERY long time.
-Randy

~ Movember 2014 and some Wedding Images ~

I realize my blog has been quiet, so here is an update to what's been going on in my world.  This school year has been REALLY busy and I have not had a whole lot of time for photography.  I did shoot a wedding recently with a young couple at Fort Edmonton at the start of November. (pics below)

I have also started growing a MO for Movember.  I have not been promoting it as much as in previous years.  I would appreciate any support.  Go here to donate: RANDY'S MOVEMBER PAGE

Winter is here now and I am hoping to capture some lovely winter scenes to share on the blog.  I also have a plan for some studio work this winter.  The theme I want to do is angels. :)  I have always loved the game Magic The Gathering, there are some really cool cards with angels on them and the art is amazing.  I have always thought it would be cool to do something photography related of angels but I find it SUPREMELY cliche and cheesy to have a model wearing those fake wings.  I always told myself if I did an angel theme it would need to be something composite so the wings looked better than just fake strapped on wings.  So if you're a model interested in being part of my Angel theme then please contact me. :)
-Randy

~ Monday Rant, Photographer classes I try and avoid at all costs ~

This won't come as news to people that know me well....but just feel like ranting it again. :)

I love photography and can't get enough of it.  In my experience of photography I have had the unfortunate experience of encountering many different types of photographers and there is one type that seems to get under my skin.  The kind that acts like they know it all to everyone around them, when in reality they are hiding the fact that they have no basis to be acting like that.

It is good to be confident, but I have known photographers that just seem to have such big egos it becomes a huge annoyance.  I have always felt that the work that an artist or photographer produces should speak for itself.  Yet some photographers make everything about them.  There are a few classes of photographers that fit this mold, here is how I'll define them (this was written with some humor but the scary part is there is truth in each one of these classes):

THE "TECH KNOWITALL" SHOOTER: this photographer frequents photography forums and always is there to correct everyone on lighting, exposure and uses their vocab of photography as a way to make themselves appear superior.  This is the photographer that feels their gear is superior and makes them a BETTER photographer than anyone else.  Discussions with them can easily lead to the desire to hit them in the face.

THE "ARTISTIC NUDE" SHOOTER: this photographer has learned that there are young women out there wanting to be "Americas Top Model" and they actively recruit these girls 18-21ish to pose for artistic nudes.  This class of photographer gets a LOT and I mean a LOT of followers and that only adds to their massive egos.  People (mainly males) love commenting on this classes work, saying things like "hot pic", "Yummmy" and this really makes the photographer think he/she is a god.  This class doesn't really know about composition, lighting or how to edit, they just care about hot girls and more LIKES and comments when they post.

THE "I PRETEND I KNOW HOW  MY CAMERA WORKS" SHOOTER: this is the opposite class of the tech knowitall shooter.  This class doesn't know how their camera works, they just shoot and pretend like they do.  They shoot as a "pro" but have no clue what is happening with their camera or how to use the gear they do have.

THE "I HATE EVERYONE WITH A CAMERA" SHOOTER: this shooter typically is a "pro" that rants and HATES that everyone is getting a DSLR and that this will somehow put them out of business.  They go on social media and get their hate on, ranting about "Moms with cameras" or a person charging less than they are for a wedding, family session etc.  They cannot stand that other people are enjoying photography and wanting to profit off it.

THE "SELF ENTITLED CRITIC" SHOOTER: this shooter doesn't really shoot much, they love going on photography pages and leaving a critique on the work.  They tell everyone how to do it, what's wrong with it and how to be better....the problem is they hardly ever shoot work of their own and couldn't take a decent shot to save their life.

I know there are more classes of shooters to avoid, these ones just seem to be the most common in my experience.  I prefer the humble types of shooters that are friendly, the ones that don't care what stage you're at in photography, they are not concerned about your work, they just do their thing.

To end this blog a recent edit from a shoot.  MODEL: Billie Dee

~ 272/365 Family Session Sunday ~

© Randy Pond Photography - www.randypond.ca
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Did a family photo session tonight with Beckie and her two children, was worried about weather but it turned out to be just right.  Had a really great weekend. -Randy

~ 209/365 Family Farm Shoot ~

© www.randypond.ca
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Family photo shoot on a farm near Vegreville.  Had to make this my photo of the day.  Love the story it tells of a little boy adventuring on his John Deere tractor while Dad keeps a watchful eye.  Windy day but still lots of fun to shoot with this family and capture some memories for them. -Randy

~ 186/365 Summer Day at the Leg Pool ~

© www.randypond.ca
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Got to shoot 2 lovely ladies today down at the leg grounds. :)  Two former roomies!!! :)  Beautiful warm summer day and some pool photos. -Randy

~ 179/365 Grad 2013 ~

© www.randypond.ca
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Another year is over, seeing another batch of young people enter the world.  It's so exciting to see so much potential and youthful energy enter the world.  I wish them all the best. Loving that now I can shed my teacher worries and chill for the summer, but today has BEEN HOT!!!! Need some cool basement time....-Randy

~ 160/365 Birthday PARTY!!!!!!!!! ~

© www.randypond.ca
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Woke up this morning to a house full of balloons and my cat dying to eat the ribbon of the balloons.  I got surprised and was able to spend time with a group of great people!!!  Thanks to the wife for planning this for me.  This has been a wonderful weekend.  Thanks everyone for your kindness.  -Randy

~ 47/365 Jaime ~

This was a fun mini shoot with Jaime.  We went out on a mild winter day and shot some nice photos around Vegreville. :)  Happy day 47 of 2013!!!
-Randy

~ Renee Robyn ~

Renee Robyn is an outstanding model and photographer.  I have had the honor of shooting with Renee a few times and have to say she is one of the best.  She has such great artistic talent and uses it in front and behind a camera.  Those that know of Renee would agree with me that she is such a unique and talented person.  Check her out on FB and see some of the amazing work she does.

~ Heritage Festival 2012 Photos and a good Photography Rant ~

GOOD OLD PHOTOGRAPHY RANT

Okay time for a good old rant about photographers/photography.  It really annoys me on FB when I see all of the posts and anger from "Professional" photographers regarding comments like: "You must have a really good camera" and how they like to laugh at people that say that.  I just find it so rude and totally stupid when photographers get bent out of shape about that comment.  Most of the time it is a true statement.  If you are a professional you ARE using a very good camera.  Just like a great cook isn't cooking on an easy bake oven.  Get a clue people, as professionals we WANT pro gear.  It makes our job easier and our images look great and the average person does not understand the technical aspects.  Sure we have an eye for it, composition and creativity that is NOT just the camera.  But please open plea to all photographers, when someone compliments your camera, smile and say thanks.  I am just so sick of seeing photographers make fun of the general public and get angry about it.

HERITAGE FESTIVAL - EDMONTON - AB - 2012

Jennifer and I went on Monday to the last day of Heritage Festival, the temperature was in the 30's and wicked HOT!!!  We enjoyed it though, seeing some cool displays of different culture and getting a chance to taste some things we don't get every day.  I think our biggest complaint was the LACK of water.  They had a TON of bottled water available to purchase, but we had our water bottles and the only place to refill was a small water fountain that was NOT easy to fill a water bottle at.  With all those thousands of people and a world that is suffering from pollution why would they not support people using water bottles to cut down on bottled waste?  Seems irresponsible to me.  Here are a few pics from our day there:

~ Photo Books ~

I have been doing some revamping of my services and have decided to offer photo books now with my sessions.  For more info check my website to book a session and get some beautiful images in a photo book as well as on a DVD.  I am really looking forward to giving my clients the combo of printed work and digital files. There is something special about seeing work in print as opposed to on just a monitor or on facebook.

Top of the Morning to you

Been a long week, starting my 2nd night of parent teacher interviews.  3 hours in the gym meeting parents after school.  I am looking forward to the weekend.  Not going to write much today, just tired and can't wait for today to be over.  I will share some recent edits from shoots and say Top of the Morning to you.
-Randy

~ FRIDAY!!!! has arrived new website features and NICOLE!!! ~

Friday is here and hopefully this means the stress of this week will dissolve at the end of today as the weekend arrives.  I am excited to announce some new features on my website.  Randy Pond Photography now can be viewed in HTML5, what this means is my website now works on the iphone and ipads.  I am also going to be refreshing my portfolio and adding a lot of new work to the site as well as some better information as to what services I am going to be offering.  This may take a few weeks, months, not really sure but the one thing I know is I am going to be making more changes and trying my best to fine tune this photography thing so it starts working for me.

Short blog today, going to share some pics from a recent outside shoot with the lovely and talented Nicole.

~ Heat Wave Today ~

The weather today is supposed to be closed to 20!!  I am going out shooting this evening around 6pm and excited to enjoy some warm weather.  Should be good without too many insects.  Last summer was the worst for shooting outside with millions of skeeters always ruining shots.  

On a HAPPY note my Edmonton Oilers beat out the Blue Jackets and got their 3rd straight #1 draft pick.  The 2012 Draft Lottery gave them like an 18% chance and they got it.  I was loving it when they pulled the Oiler logo from the envelope and announced Edmonton would be getting the NUMBER ONE pick!!! :) While the  Calgary fans are in turmoil because their team is garbage, at least Oiler fans look forward to what is coming.  I guess their is a reward for being patient while your team rebuilds.  Not feeling one bit sorry for Calgary fans today, hahahha.  

So the 2012 Playoffs begin today.  Not a Flyer fan but I totally want them to beat the Penguins.  NOT a Crosby fan or a Penguin fan here.  In the EAST I am cheering for the Senators.  WEST, I am going for anyone but the Canucks (not a fan either) and hopefully someone like San Jose or Chicago wins....kind of indifferent.  Anyway, playoff hockey is always fun to check out, but without the Oil I am not heavily invested in any team and while most likely be a casual (at best) viewer.  With weather like this I would much rather be outside with my camera.

~ Rant about Beliefs ~

This picture pretty much sums up why most people dislike hate Christians.  I was raised in a Christian home and attend the Seventh-Day Adventist Church.  My Dad is a Pastor and I grew up attending Church.  I have been able to see the GOOD and BAD of organized religion.  Sad to say there is a LOT of BAD in it.  So many people think it is their duty to go out in to the world and impose their beliefs upon their fellow human beings.  In doing so though, they hurt and damage other people so much that the person they intended to help is turned away.  This woman in the picture above is extending her hand to shake the man with the sign and he looks like he will not even touch her.

To me being a Christian is all about love.  Loving others.  Not going out and judging people and trying with works to make people think you are so good and amazing.  So many good Christians act like good people but secretly have so much sin.  I have always preferred to walk this world and do my best to have a strong relationship with God and do as much as I can to love others and help them.  I don't believe God wants me to be running around pointing fingers at everyone.  God is a LOT more powerful than I am and HE can work on the lives and hearts of others.  He does NOT need me to be a wrecking ball and hurting others by throwing my better than you attitude in their faces.


I really like this picture because there has been so much damage done by "Christians" and it just shows that some people get it.

if you're wondering who these "Christians" are take a look:

Now if more Christians would stop attacking others for being evil and cared more for others like this:

Then the world might start becoming a better place.