Summer is right around the corner and we want to make a splash! Right now you can save 25% off all poster sized prints 16×20 and larger. Ends June 19, 2012. Code: pxsups25. This is a social media sale only — so feel free to share the sale with your friends, tweeps and +1′s!

This coming Sunday is Father’s Day and I thought it would be perfect if we featured a member who was not only a great photographer, but a great father. This week we put the spotlight on Jay Wilson of Jay B. Wilson Photography of New York City.

I asked Jay how he started out in photography. He answered, ” I developed a love for photography, as many did, back in junior high school with the standard Photography 101 art class – the borrowed Pentax K1000, the dark room, the weekly exercises in shadow and reflection.  My love for it really took off when my family visited the U.K. for six weeks in 1984 – I only remember the year because our English butcher would crank “Born in the U.S.A.” and sing along.  I love taking photographs of ruined castles like Kenilworth – and loved how their facades changed so dramatically as the light changed.  I also loved wildlife and sports photography, often hauling my SLR to Fenway Park and out into the woods to stalk waterfowl.

I didn’t really go professional until 2005, when I began selling prints of New York City online.  It’s evolved since then to include a few exhibits in Westchester County, where I live, as well as portrait, commercial, and event work.   Currently, I’m also selling matted prints of NYC down at The Fulton Stall Market by the Seaport, which is a great way to meet visitors from all over the world, many of whom share our passion for photography.”

I always like to ask photographers, what inspires them? When I asked Jay, he said, “I fell in love with New York when I moved here in 1996, and the city has been my inspiration since day one.  I love the variety of photographic opportunity the city gives us – from the best street photography in the world, to the architecture, the parks, the daily drama of life in Gotham.  I primarily focus on architecture, and try to find new perspectives and compositions on landmarks like The Flatiron Building or Chrysler Building, but I also really enjoy finding those hidden gems – the faded signages, the urban decay, the notes of serenity the otherwise rough and tumble streets.”

He continued, “ More recently, after the birth of my daughter five years ago, I began photographing my kids obsessively.  It got to the point, when she was about three, that she was so sick of being photographed that it turned into a game – me stalking her with a camera like Ron Galella, her ducking behind tables and cribs to hide.  It could have gone either way, but I’m happy to say that now she loves taking photos and videos with her own camera – a Kodak PlaySport I picked up at Adorama, which she particularly loves because she can take it in the pool.  I love it because it’s virtually indestructible.   Although my two-year-old son hasn’t started shooting, he loves looking at photos on Instagram, 500px, and in my Photoshop organizer.”

I also asked Jay what his favorite image is to date. He replied, ” That’s tough, and probably changes week by week when it comes to photographs of my kids, but in terms of the New York City work, I’d have to say ‘The Gathering’ a photograph I made in Grand Central Terminal.   I walk through the Terminal a couple of times every day as I commute, and the place never ceases to leave me in awe.”

Inside Jay’s camera bag you’ll find a Pentax K7 body, Pentax 50mm 1.4 prime, Pentax 18-70mm kit, Tamron 70-300mm telephoto zoom, a Gorillapod, a couple of speedlights, a BlackRapid camera strap and of course, a ton of SD cards.

I asked Jay if he could go back in time and give himself some photography advice when he was first starting out .. what would it be? He answered, “I wish I had started doing professional work sooner.  I work fulltime in advertising, so that was a constraint, but more than that, I don’t think I had the confidence, nor the venues, early on to show my work to others.  Social media has certainly changed all that, and I love the instantaneous feedback you can get from others on platforms like Instagram and Twitter.  I particularly love 500px, which is a wonderful forum for professional and advanced amateur photogs – the work there is truly spectacular, and challenges me to continue to push to the next level.”

Thank you Jay, your work is also very inspirational. If you would like to see more of Jay’s work you can stalk his amazing work at the following locations:

Website: http://jaybwilsonphotography.zenfolio.com/

500px Site: http://500px.com/JayBWilson

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jbwphoto

Twitter: @jbwphoto

Instagram: @jbwphoto

Tuesday’s Tip WEEK 4- This week Julie Johnson of Vine Images, Inc is starting a series called “What’s in your studio?” Learn about Julie’s favourite products and props as well as Vine Images studio set up.

Natascha Lee of Natascha Lee Studios (Baby and Family Photography in Broomfield, Colorado)  creates vibrant, natural images of families having fun, especially her photos of Fathers playing with their children. So in honor of Father’s Day (June 17th),  Natascha  shares her top 5 tips for photographing Dads.

I love capturing photos of Daddy and children at play. Here are my top 5 tips for making this happen:

1) Recognize
Recognize that Dad may being coming along at Mommy’s request and might not be all that enthused about having photos taken. So it’s important to honor his starting frame of mind, which might be, “Let’s get this over with.” By the end of the session, my Dads are amazed at how much fun they had!

2) Relax
Things may have been stressful at home, getting both parents and all kids ready for the photo shoot. So be friendly and upbeat but relaxed; make sure you don’t “bark out orders” or give too many directions, instructions or requirements.

3) Intention
Approach family sessions with the intention to include Dad + Kid photos. If your mission in similar to mine (to provide priceless family memories in a highly artistic fashion), then capturing the relationship between Daddy + Kids is a crucial part of providing that service. I also always photograph just Mommy + Daddy (or Mommy + Mommy, or Daddy + Daddy), for the same reason: to honor and celebrate their relationship as adults, as well as parents.

4) Set it Up
I now offer headshots to parents during my family sessions. It provides a great looking photo to use on LinkedIn and enables me to set up my Daddy + Kids opportunity. First I photograph Daddy alone. Then, when it’s Mommy’s turn, I ask Daddy to please take the kids “over there” (someplace with a great background) and “just play with them.” When I’m done shooting Mommy’s headshot, Daddy is inevitably playing adorably with the kids.

5) Shoot It!
First I’ll observe and take candid photos of them playing together. Then I’ll start to ask for some/all to look in my direction. I don’t want to interfere too much, just to capture the natural love and energy they have together.

When I edit for the final gallery, having photos of Daddy with the kids makes for a much fuller (and harder to resist) gallery to present to your clients. It also creates two parents who are jointly AND individually thrilled with the experience and the images.
Natascha Lee offers “Vibrant, Joyful, Natural, and Fun” Baby, Children and Family Photography in Broomfield, Colorado. She is known for her playful approach, including capturing Fathers and their Children at play.
She can be contacted at:
Email: Top5Tips@NataschaLeeStudios.com
Web: NataschaLeeStudios.com Blog: NataschaLeeStudios.com/Blog

We have so many goodies to give away in our I {heart} Adoramapix photo books contests. Each week,  we ask that you embed your 8×8 -14 page photo book for $9.99 Code: px8810 or your 8×8-14 page Leather-Lux photo book  for $29.99 Code: px8810l to our facebook wall. We will pick winners randomly each week through a random generator.  Below is a list of our weekly prizes.

Photo Book Dates:

Week One June 4-10: (1) 20×30 Metal Print  for the Grand Prize Winner and (1) 16×20 metal print each for two runner ups. ($370 value)

Week Two June 11-17: (1) 20×30 Metal Print  for the Grand Prize Winner and (1) 16×20 metal print each for two runner ups. ($370.00 value)

Week Three June 18-24: (1) iPad 2 16 GB ($400 value)

Week Four June25-July 2: (1) iPad 2 16 GB ($400 value)

To enter your books you must meet these requirements:

1. You must be an Adoramapix Facebook Fan

2. The photo book must be designed and purchased during our “Experience the Difference” 8×8 photo book June sale

3. You must either embed or copy and paste your photo book link to our Facebook wall where you will receive a number.

Here is a visual to show you how to embed a book on our facebook wall.

Each design only counts as one entry. Numbers will be place in a Random Generator to choose the winner.

Any questions/concerns please feel free to email libby@adoramapix.com

Please note our 2012 Rules and Regulations apply to this contest. You can view them HERE.