Capturing Confident Senior Portraits

Posted on May 3, 2015 by Aaron McGregor Photography

You may think that Spring is a strange time of year to get your senior portrait taken but I think it is one of the best times. Traditionally, a senior will have their portrait taken at the beginning of their senior year or before it even begins. At that time, they are aware of the big transition that is upon them and may have an “idea” of where they will be in a year but they probably are not certain of their future after high school. Take this portrait at the beginning of their senior year and you may get a portrait of a lost soul with a fake smile and uncertainty in their eyes. Don’t get me wrong, a great photographer should be personable enough to make the student comfortable and bring out their dynamic personalities. On the other hand, when spring arrives chances are good that the uncertainty is all but vanished. Look at Jenna in these images and you can see passion, a spark of energy, her acceptance to move on to the next big adventure and an eagerness to embrace and tackle the world. My session fee is $135.00 and typically last an hour with unlimited change of clothes. With this fee, you get secured, online proofing, two mini albums to commemorate the occasion and an 8×10 enlargement. Please ask me about burning a DVD with print release and social media friendly files. If you are looking for more, please contact me because I am confident that I can deliver it! Best of luck to Jenna! Check out more portraits at my website!

No Bark, No Bite Santa. A Photo Essay of A Boy and his Dog.

Posted on December 30, 2014 by Aaron McGregor Photography

Once again, we find ourselves celebrating the winter holidays. To commemorate this festive time, my wife, Heather, and I collaborated on our annual photo session of our two kids: Emmett, our biological child and Ruben, our big, hairy canine. Trying to top last year’s portrait proved to be frustrating to say the least. Emmett was a bit more cooperative last year since he was just transitioning into a toddler. However, his mobility this year coupled with his awareness of Santa Claus created an excitement that is comparable to, well, a child’s recognition of a visit from Santa! The following outtakes were some of the best of three separate photo sessions. Enjoy!

Cool Cash for the Dog Days of Summer!

Posted on July 31, 2014 by Aaron McGregor Photography

It is that time of year again for the “Dog Days of Summer” (even though we are experiencing cool weather)! In my efforts to support local animal shelters and non-profit groups, all photography sessions booked in August will result in you getting an original artwork AND I will donate 20% of the proceeds in your honor to your preferred non-profit. To ensure your donation, you only have to book and make a deposit in August! Imagine this scenario: you book your wedding at $1550.00. That results in a $310.00 donation to your favorite non-profit! This generous donation is that easy.

If you’ve already made all the donations you can afford this year and you don’t need any photography, please help by sharing this blog with others. This has the potential to really have an impact!

Be the change that you wish to see in the world. – Mahatma Gandhi

Please contact me at amcgregorphoto@gmail.com or at Aaron McGregor Photography

Redefining “Creative Business”

Posted on May 1, 2014 by Aaron McGregor Photography

Nothing motivates one like the idleness that results from a layoff. As a former Department Head of Photography, Director of Education and Instructor, this multitasking position kept me highly busy and motivated. All of my energies were focused on providing exceptional learning experiences for my students. I encouraged my students to embrace an acute determination and entrepreneurial spirit because the photography industry is saturated, if not over-saturated, with shooters. Currently, I find myself adhering to my own advice. I recently developed a marketing plan dedicated to the corporate sector that encompasses headshots and commercial endeavors. As a small business owner in the photography field, running a business is all about developing and implementing a business plan, marketing, selling, building client relations and making them satisfied. The actual photography encompasses about 5-10%, and that includes post-production editing. One has to be able to develop a business plan above all else, and channel your creative energies into adopting new business strategies. However challenging that this may appear, it is my determination to make “creative” and “business” the best of friends.

Here are some corporate headshots and a couple team pictures that resulted in redefining my business plan. These photos were taken at the Bayer Center for Nonprofit Management at Robert Morris University in Pittsburgh, PA. Please contact me should you like to update your profile picture, and forward this information to your marketing department! Thank you for your time!

http://www.amcgregorphotography.com

The Magical Cookie Snatchers

Posted on December 19, 2013 by Aaron McGregor Photography

Very few things compare to the magic of Santa Claus. It is really beautiful to envision a miniature sleigh being pulled by a team of flying reindeer. Throw in a little moonlight off glistening snow for good measure and you are on your way to sheer fantasyland. Reading “The Night Before Christmas” by Clement Clarke Moore to my two-year old son has awakened some of those childhood memories. The poem weaves a wonderful tale composed of rich language and wonderful metaphors. All of the elements contribute to this classical piece and inspire us even today, 190 years after it was penned. Of course, the “fantasyland” I am referring to is only a figure of speech for the purpose of this letter. Let it be known, and rest assured, that there are a ton of examples that Santa Claus does exist and is very real. Never doubt that!!!

In keeping with a classic tradition, my wife Heather and I brainstormed ideas for a Christmas photo of our son, Emmett and mastiff, Ruben. We knew we wanted to create a timeless image so we fused a little bit of Norman Rockwell with some Clement Clark Moore. The props and set design were drawn up and the scenario of a child eating a cookie beside his loving companion was conceived. Overhead lighting and a warm glowing tree in the background was a requisite for the illumination. Now we were ready to take a photo that required the collaboration between two of the most uncooperative and unpredictable subjects – a young toddler and a hungry dog.

Heather and I really wanted something reminiscent of an innocent, yet naughty little boy sneaking a bit of Santa’s cookies. We also thought that our obedient mastiff, Ruben would try to sniff the plate of cookies that were placed right in front of him. The scenario that was inside our minds never played out since Ruben actually went for the cookie that Emmett was eating! Happy accidents are one of the joys of photography. I have included a few of the images that were from this session and a few other images from clients. I hope you and yours have a Very Magical Holiday.

http://www.amcgregorphotography.com