~ 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

~ 91/365 APRIL FOOLS DAY ~

"APRIL FOOLS" Day is here, I decided to try my luck with the old "I'm moving to Edmonton and starting my life as a PRO, selling my digital cameras and ONLY specializing in wedding photography" trick.  I think I fooled a few, but most people knew this was a joke. :)  Kudos to the smart ones!!! -Randy

~ 70/365 ~

70/365
Decided to get out and explore a bit now that it is warmer.  Wanted to shoot a sunset.  Also decided today to stop branding my photos.  So from this day on I will be posting work as pure as I can without a logo.  I think it makes the work look better. -Randy

~ 64/365 Gross Winter mix with Spring Day ~

64/365
Just a gross time of year....today was GROSS, if you're not sure why just trust me it was.  If you wanna know feel free to ask me privately.  However the snow is melting and exposing all the dirt and getting ready for spring.  Always a bleh time of year.  This shot is just to show the balance of melting and winter that is happening. -Randy

BEST CHRISTMAS EVER, and Reflections on 2012

BEST CHRISTMAS EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am so happy, I was able to pick up a new camera, the Canon 5DmIII.  It's a full frame and my first time owning a digital full frame.  I am thrilled to own such an amazing tool.  I still believe that skill of photography comes from the person using the camera.  But this camera opens some creative doors to my work that my previous cameras were limited to.  It's just a fun new experience of photography for me.  The Canon 5D series has always been one I knew I loved, but convinced myself it was out of my league price wise.  I have not shot a lot with the 5dm3 but I am loving how the full frame captures the story of a picture.  It is an amazing camera and looking forward to 2013 when I start another 365 project.  

REFLECTIONS ON 2012

I look back on 2012 and realize there was some really rough times.  It seemed like a year of stress and problems related to photography.  I started thinking today that it sort of makes sense why there is so much drama in the photography world.  I believe that art and photography has a LOT in common with romantic and intimate relationships.  Art and photography usually comes from the heart, for me it does at least.  Sharing art is exposing your feelings and emotions, it is a creation from you and when it is not respected or appreciated it can feel hurtful.  Many people get jealous of other people as well, much like a boyfriend can be jealous of his girlfriend.  I look back on 2012 and realize I had my feelings hurt by situations and people I was working with.  I look to the road ahead and realize I need to be more careful about who I work with.  The friendships can be fun, but it is a much more enjoyable road when you can travel it with people who have mutual respect with whom you can trust.  When I started out as a photographer it was my camera and I and as the new year is dawning on us, I feel excited that I am back to this, a new camera and myself.  I am going to enjoy my 365 and focus on growing my skills, I will still be helpful to others and collaborate, I am just going to be smarter about it.  It may sound mean, but honestly, the people not interested in being mutually respectful or kind to me are going to be left behind.  I have a passion for photography and being creative and I wanna travel through life with people interested in the same.  People that don't care for how I live my life or do the things I do can just please go away.  I am turning 40 this year, not interested in drama or conflict.  Let's just take our cameras and shoot the world and create beautiful things.  If you're in to bringing me down, or not wanting to enjoy photography, I'd prefer you just go away.

In closing, I'd say 2012 I learned a lot about my friendships and saw some friendships I thought were real crumble.  Rather than being depressed about it, I feel excited.  The good friends are still standing tall around me and I see the future of 2013 exciting and full of possibility.  Thanks to those that have supported me throughout the year of 2012.  Your kindness has been bigger than you can imagine.

Looking forward to 2013!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Leaving you with some images taken with my new camera.

~ New Look Website and Vegreville Landscapes ~

I recently got a new logo for Randy Pond Photography.  I decided to give my website a reboot and new look.  I am looking to add some new portfolio images and excited to be going in some new directions with my photography.  I really love the new logo designed for me by a great artist friend.  I think the colours are really represented by the landscape of Alberta.  Everyone that sees a sunset or sunrise in Alberta can relate to the orange and blue.  Also love the Oiler connection there too.

I have been enjoying running around the countryside of Vegreville shooting the sun coming up before work.  Here are a few of the current shots from earlier this week.  Not much else to share on the blog today, just excited for some snow this weekend. :)  I am also hopeful hockey comes back, even if they are all a bunch of spoiled rich kids and fat cat owners.  It's nice to have a Canadian sport to watch during the winter when there is nothing else on TV! :)  The last black and white was shot with the iphone, I really love it.
-Randy

~ 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.