~ Sigma 150 - 600 C Shots in Elk Island National Park ~

 ELK ISLAND ADVENTURES

Got to go to the beautiful Elk Island Park with my new lens. There was TONS of humanity there and I think the animals and birds all went into hiding from all the people. I drove the Bison Loop and just saw other vehicles. Jen and I walked around a bit and I did manage to catch some photos. I am really excited how this lens opens up new doors for me in my photography. It's so much fun to be able to get ZOOMY with my camera!!!!Stay tuned for more images.

~ Summer 2022 Update ~

A Moment of Growth

I was having a summer where I was praying a lot to God for some inspiration and direction to take my talents and creativity. Within a day or so of praying I got a message from a very good friend, more about this message later. This friend visited me when I was sick, brought me food when I was in the hospital and most importantly kept me in his prayers. Not only did he pray for my health and healing, he got his church prayer group to lift me up in their prayers. I came out of cancer and was faced with a pandemic....my photography was mainly portrait based for so many years. I always love nature, landscapes and seeing it around me was always beautiful. When I started my photography the lenses I wanted to shoot animals and nature were so expensive as they were massive zoom lenses with a LOT of glass. Ok, that backstory is over, back to the message. My friend was able to purchase a Sigma 150-600 lens, which was on sale. He shared this with me and after discussion with my wife, we decided this would help me get going in a new direction with my photography. I called Vistek in Edmonton and turns out they only had 1 lens left and I was able to pick it up. I have always been happy with Vistek and their customer service and was glad I could support a business local to me.

 This image was the first thing I shot when I got home from Edmonton yesterday. I want to share more on my BLOG how this lens and I will work together to showcase how God has gifted us on earth a taste of heaven. Teasers of heaven are all around us, we just got to be open to seeing them and realizing that our Creator loves us and all these things we find beautiful are gifts from Him.

Thanks for reading this and I hope it inspires you to pick up a camera and look for those gifts. God is the ultimate artist and creator. I give Him all the praise for the gifts he gives me and the beauty around for me to capture with my camera.

-Randy

~ Summer 2021 Update ~

 SUMMER 2021 Update

Here it is summer of 2021 and I have not updated this blog in ages. I have been working on a post that goes into more details about my year of 2019 but for now I'll just give a quick overview.

September 2019 I was diagnosed with cancer, I started aggressive chemo and was hospitalized for about a month before they let me go home to finish chemo. I took the year off of teaching to recover and of course during that time COVID19 hit hard and the planet went into survival mode with people not allowed to gather. 

I started teaching in the fall of 2020 and now here I am finished one of the hardest years of teaching I have ever had. Thankfully I am vaccinated x2 with the wonderful phizer vaccine. It has been stressful at times and I did have to quarantine once because I was a close contact with a covid positive person in my class.

I have not touched my camera much, I am hoping this summer I can start shooting some new pixels and doing more photography!! Really going to try and get more physically active as I packed on some serious covid pounds....also due to a thyroid issue too. 

Anyway, this wasn't a super exciting blog post but glad I was able to post something. These aren't new photos, just some I have shot since recovering from cancer. Posted from my FLICKR. First pic is my ringing of the bell to celebrate finishing my chemo.

So if anyone that's reading this wants to shoot some photos with me, please contact me and let's create something awesome. I need to get out and adventure with a camera again!

-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

~ 289/365 Almost Forgot the 365 ~

© Randy Pond Photography - www.randypond.ca
289/365
This pic is called "Almost Forgetting the 365 and quickly finding a cat!!!" :)  Love my fur babies when I am stressed and cannot think of what to shoot. -Randy

~ 272/365 Family Session Sunday ~

© Randy Pond Photography - www.randypond.ca
272/365
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

~ 26/365 Jennifer Jorgensen ~

26/365
I finally made my way out to visit Jennifer Jorgensen and see her stomping grounds.  Was a lot of fun, I had only seen her school house in photos, was surreal to actually be there and see it in person.  I was thrilled she allowed me to shoot some pics of her.  Honored to add such a talented photographer and beautiful model to my 365 in 2013!!! Thanks Jennifer......you rock!!!  Also the muffins were yummy too!!! :) -Randy

~ Abandoned Kittens puts life in perspective ~

This weekend turned out to be quite an emotional experience for me.  I was out doing a photo shoot with my good friend and fellow photographer Mac Sokulski.  We were shooting two lovely ladies and had just wrapped up on a location and wanted to find a quiet road to do the next part of our shoot.  We had 3 vehicles so we drove outside of Edmonton and took a side road.  I was following a model when she stopped and asked if that spot was ok.  For some reason I said we should move on.  So I took lead car and they followed.  I arrived at a junction and Mac was riding with me, we decided to take a right turn.  We drove a few roads and eventually I asked Mac if the spot we were at was good and he liked it.  I quickly pulled over and we started getting geared up.  As we were doing this I started to hear some loud meowing coming from ditch ahead of us.  Mac was closer than I was so I called out "is that a cat?" and Mac went closer to the sound.  He called to me there were kittens.  I went over, my heart racing, not expecting to see something that would upset me like it did.  There in the ditch was a pile of tree limbs, in it were 3 small kittens.  Turns out they were about 4 weeks old.  My guess is some HEARTLESS, evil, horrible, (I can't find the right words) person dropped them off there and never even gave them a chance.  It was a HOT day and they needed food, water and LOVE.  Only 2 were alive, so Mac and I grabbed them and we took them over to show the models we were with.  We had water and were able to get one to drink.  We quickly wrapped up our shoot and drove back to Edmonton, kittens in hand.  I stopped at a grocery store and grabbed some food for the kittens.  We went back to Mac's place and his amazing wife took over operation rescue kitten.  Mac and I had an engagement shoot to go to.  It was such a tough experience for me, I just felt so horrible to know people could do that.  These two precious kittens were never even given a chance and yet they were so strong.  Doing their best to live...it just hit me hard.  This world is such a terrible place.  The area we found these kittens was a RICH place, HUGE homes, people rich with money and worldly wealth.  Right next to them were 3 kittens left to die and it just hurt my heart.  I have had some good cries and maybe even a few more yet to come.  It just felt like God meant for Mac and I to find those cats.  We could have easily took a different road.  I don't think any one of us can take credit for finding them, it was just meant to be.  I do feel happiness and joy for the rescue, to see these kittens now in Mac's home and getting water/food and most of all love.  I know that I could have the best house money can buy, the best cameras and gadgets but my cats, my family, my close friends are the things that are REAL and matter most to me.  Treating others with love and respect is so important.

When I was growing up we heard this song a LOT as a kid in church.  This weekend I was just reminded of it.  The part of the song that says:

God made the little birds and flow’rs,

And all things large and small;

He’ll not forget his little ones,

I know He loves them all.

Our world is so full of bad things, that I think the little ones are the most precious part of our world.  The little ones make life special.  A kitten 4 weeks old, is so small, so tiny but pretty much 2 REALLY tall photographers were reduced to mushy guys by these little ones.  This world is so full of greed and people only thinking about themselves.  It is sad to see the little ones suffering because of our actions.  I am so very happy that Mac and his family took these little kittens and are going to give them a loving home.  I think the names are so awesome too.  The little female is going to be called FUJI (Mac's xpro is a Fuji) and the male is going to be called EOS (for the Canon that Mac also uses).  Just so glad for finding these kittens and for how it really made me think about life....about my life....about the world I am in.  Those little ones taught me so much....they also made me feel closer to God.  Remembering that even God loves the little ones and I know HE loves me too.

~ Spring and Summer and $$$$ ~

CURRENT EVENTS

• Figured I would update my blog and write about how excited I am for spring and summer.  The winter was a disappointment.  I wanted lots of SNOW and I got basically NONE and that was sad.  I hope the summer brings fewer mosquitoes.  Last year the bugs were a nightmare.  I edited SO many of the little bugs out of my pictures.  
• I am on spring break, spending time cuddling cats, playing MW3 on the xbox and just enjoying time at home.  
• I am hoping to go see a few movies (Hunger Games today I think)

$$$$$$$ MONEY $$$$$$$$$

Money is so important in the world we live in.  When I started taking photos I was just doing it for the pure joy of it.  Most of my life my art has been about seeing people enjoy my work.  It has always been extremely difficult to ask for money.  I am always torn in trying to figure out the price to ask a client for my work and this can be an issue sensitive and open to debate among other photographers.  I understand that photography is everywhere now.  iPhones are in everyone's pocket and so many apps can do some really cool photography editing effects.  So many people take pictures and places like facebook are FILLED with profile pics of people holding their cellphones in mirrors.  So where does someone like myself fit in?  I don't really know to be honest.  

These are a few of my key skills I think relate to photography:

• 5 years of University have taught me to be creative and to use my artistic skills.  I have a B.F.A. (Art) and a B.Education which both allow me to think creatively and problem solve and teaching has allowed me to get more skill working with people and knowing how to relate to them
• Years of doing artistic things, my entire life, not just University I have been drawing, sketching, doodles and mark making any chance I could get
• Technology, I am a freak about it....mostly love Photoshop, editing and am self taught.  But have been spending YEARS learning how to use it and hours upon countless hours working in it
• Actual camera experience.  I am old and my memory is fading, but I was around 14 when I got my first camera.  It was film but I loved it and have been always using a camera on and off since then.  I got REALLY serious when I purchased a digital about 9 years ago.  

So when people hire me for photography they are getting all of this skill and experience.  So how much is that worth?  It is hard for me to put a price on it.  Just this last week I was thinking how $100 does not really buy a person anything anymore.  Friends of mine just went down to Calgary and paid over $160 per seat to sit by the glass and watch their fave team lose to Columbus in a shoot out.  That did not include the fuel, food and any other expenses at the game or on the trip.  This was a hockey game, not photos that will last for years and years.  Photographers have to pay high prices for gear and charging low prices basically is an insult when you consider the prices being paid for cameras and lenses.  So what should people charge?  I have been told I charge too low...however I struggle and I am honest basically no one wants to pay me even my current prices which in my opinion are LOW already.  Maybe in a world where cell phones and digital media people are not seeing the value in a professional photograph?  I don't know, but I am sensing that more and more people are not wanting to pay for professional images.  A few friends that do photography seem to indicate to me they are getting less work.

I am not sure where I sit now on this topic of money.  But I would like to ask that if you admire my work, or enjoy what I do to please help me out.  Tell your friends, I do not advertise a ton and have always relied on word of mouth.  In the last few years my paid work is really disappearing.  I am starting to think I could charge $5 a shoot and still not find a client.  Cheap seems to be the growing trend.....I really do now know.  Hence this blog post that has a theme of confusion because I do not know what is going on with photography and money.  If anyone has thoughts I would be GLAD to hear them.  

Cheers,

 -Randy

Welcome 2012

Figure it is time to blog in 2012 and welcome in a New Year.  Looking back at 2011 I feel quite happy with my photography.  I learned a LOT from making so many mistakes, some were really hard to swallow but I live and learn and hopefully won't make those same mistakes again.  There were lots of positives.  I think the big highlight was making so many friends in the Vegreville area and starting a local photography group.  The Facebook Vegreville Photography group is an awesome group.  The photographers there are just down to earth people who love photography.  Lynda and her husband Soren are HUGE in planning and participating in events.  They are the busiest people I know and both love to go out and shoot.  Lynda can model and shoot and is just a cool person, who I feel honored to know.  Then there is Tara (who might move), the Dons (both awesome photographers), the Hallzee clan, then the local models Danielle and Breanne who have been great at coming to support the VPG.  I have also met a model named Nicole who I hope to work with lots in 2012. Nicole is very creative and is so at home in front of a camera.  We also adopted some Edmonton photographers.  Another highlight was shooting weddings with my good friend Mac Sokulski and starting our www.rpmphotography.ca which is now up and running with a few weddings under our belts.  Hoping to continue this in to 2012 and keep enjoying photography with my friends.

Thanks to everyone clients, models, people, my wife and 3 cats for allowing me to work with you.  Without the world around me my life would be so boring as a photographer.  As 2012 is still so fresh, I cannot wait to jump in to it and start snapping pictures and making memories.  Happy New Year everyone.
-Randy

~ Olivia and Athena Shoot 2011 ~

I have had the honour of meeting and befriending a very talented and beautiful photographer named Olivia Kovios. She has amazing talent and at such a young age has developed some impressive skills as a photographer. She has been so helpful to me, always willing to do some modelling whenever she can and helps me out with advice and just an ear for me to vent to about photography at times.

She does wonderful portraits of her 3 beautiful children and we finally did a shoot with Olivia and her daughter Athena as the models. It was a blast to work with these two. Athena is such a camera friendly kid and having a Mom as a photographer she just photographs so well. I am so thankful to Olivia for allowing me to get some outstanding portfolio shots and being such a great person. I highly recommend you check out her website and blog and facebook page.

~ 227/365 Jennifer ~

~ 35/365 Tammy ~

Got to meet Tammy for the 2nd time in person. It was good to get together with a bunch of photographers and a few models and do a shoot.

-Randy

~ Owen and Emily ~

Here is some edits from my shoot with Owen and Emily. :) Owen is a great guy and I had a lot of fun getting to know him a bit and shooting with him. He is a Nikon shooter but he is still a nice guy hee hee. :)

~ Lens Baby Experiment ~

My friend and photographer Tara Ruptash, let me borrow her lens baby. I have never used one of these before and was really confused, interested and not sure about it. Here is a shot I got today using it to take photos of my wife's flowers. I'll post more maybe, have to see how I like the rest.

Definately an interesting gadget. I might wanna try some portraits of people with it next...have to see how it goes. :)