Life at 40

Since the day I turned 36, I dreaded turning 40. I knew it was a downhill trip from my mid-thirties, so why not give myself four whole years to stress about it. Apparently, I made the mistake of blinking because those four years disappeared in a flash. Today, a large anvil in the shape of a 40 came falling out of the sky and landed on my head. I was hoping it would knock me clear back to 30, but that didn't happen. In fact, not much happened at all. I didn't implode or lose any limbs. My arms are still just long enough to hold the dinner menu far enough for me to read it. Something did happen though that just reassured me that nothing had changed. I went down to Steamboat Landing on the lake to spend Happy Hour with my sister Ellen. We had a nice time talking and going over some of her photos from the last year. About an hour later, my wife and kids met me there for my birthday dinner. As soon as they walked in, it was like a warm fuzzy landed in my stomach. They are my life. Turning 40 hadn't changed a thing. Going home, my eight-year-old son rode in my car with me. He was in the back seat singing right along with the Black Eyed Peas as loud as he could. I couldn't help but smile. So far, I like 40.

Kids Say the Darndest Things

We are launching a new package for our children's portrait sessions called "Kids Quotes". We do a one hour session with a bunch of outfit changes to start with. Then we send you home with a list of questions to ask your child. We then create a book from the photo session with a mixture of photos and funny sayings that your child says.

As an experiment, I asked my eight year old son a series of questions to get some funny quotes, but much to my dismay, he knew all the scientific answers to my questions. Despite his wisdom beyond his years, there were a few answers that kept me chuckling. For example, when asked where Jelly comes from, without missing a beat he responded, "Jelly Fish." When asked how lightning bugs glow, he responded, "When they toot their butts light up."

When my daughter Sarah was a toddler, she had her career path already picked out. She was determined to be a bull rider. We were watching it on TV one night and when one of the riders came out of the shoot on a very light tan bull, Sarah jumped up and exclaimed, "Hey, that man's riding a pig!"

Our Kids Quotes sessions will come with two options. The first includes the session and an 8x8 soft cover book for $225. The other option is with an 8x8 hard cover book with hinged pages for $275. Below are some photos of the two options with a session we've already done. To kick start these new sessions, we will be offering them at $25 off through the end of March.

Snow Day

With the south getting all the snow this year, when winter finally did arrive late in February, I took full advantage of it. I went to Cumming Nature Center with Stacy, who you may recognize from our waterfall shoot earlier this summer. She's great. She always puts up with my crazy ideas, which also usually coincides with her freezing her butt off. We're not done yet though. We have one last hurrah planned for her with her dress before it's retired.

Chesler Photography Workshops

Now that hockey season is winding down with the kids, I will have time to offer some workshops to the community. I've wanted to do this for a while, but our lives are so busy, I never had a chance until now. I'm looking for some feedback on what people would want to do. Here is what I have in mind so far.

1) Digital Camera Basics - Learn the basics to getting started with your camera and computer.

2) Action Photography 101 - This is geared toward those hockey/soccer moms and dads that want to get better results photographing their kids in action.

3) Backyard Wildlife - This would be a good class to step up to after understanding the basics. We would learn the best methods to photographing nature without traveling far from home.

4) Landscapes - Learn the techniques and locations to capture the Finger Lakes vistas, waterfront and waterfalls.

Each class would vary in price and length depending on the topic. If you have other ideas let me know as we set up our workshop calendar.

Something Old, Something New

I recently discovered the joy of stepping away from all the advanced technology of super zoom lenses with blazing fast auto focus, vibration reduction and a hefty price tag, to play with some old manual focus prime lenses. I acquired a Nikon 55mm micro lens from eBay and had the chance to use it at a wedding this past weekend at Belhurst Castle. It was fun stepping back to manual focus and exposure while being able to utilize the 55mm's ability to focus insanely close. Here are some images taken with my new old toy.

Winter Print Sale

Through the end of February, we will be having our annual winter print sale. Until midnight on February 28th, all reprints will be 40% off, any size, any finish. Now is the time to decorate your wall with that large Gallery Wrap you've had your heart set on.

Important Note: If you want to pay by credit card and you're ordering from our ImageQuix proofing site, click "Paying by Check" and call the studio with your credit card. ImageQuix will not take the discount off and will charge you card for the full amount.

Stay tuned in March for our Big Print Sale as well as our Graduation Announcement Sale for seniors.

Kenny and Layla

On Wednesday, January 27, I photographed the wedding of Kenny and Layla at Belhurst Castle. Weekday weddings seem to be increasing in popularity. Kenny and Layla also created a beautiful new family with their three children. They are now in Malaysia to celebrate their marriage with Kenny's side of the family who were not able to make the trip to the United States.

Past Brides Wanted

We are seeking some of our past brides that we've photographed to set up a network of bridal evangelists across the country. We need a team of brides to occasionally meet with prospective brides in their area of the country to share their experience with Chesler Photography. We will pay for the consult time as well as a commission on any wedding that books us.

If you are one of our past brides and would be interested in meeting with future brides, e-mail me at steve@cheslerphoto.com. You don't need to know any technical details. We will be on a conference call with you to answer any questions with the bride. All you have to do is share your experience.

Camillus Tournament

Cade had a tournament this weekend in Camillus, NY, just outside of Syracuse. The team was matched up against much stronger travel teams, so they were 1-3 on the weekend. Nevertheless, they had fun playing and even more so swimming at the hotel all weekend. One of the games was held in the old rink in Skeneateles, NY. It's a covered rink with covered fence walls allowing the outside temperature in, which happened to be 3 degrees at game time. We lost several kids to the cold throughout the game. Cade had a lot of shots on him in goal, which kept in somewhat warm, with the exception of his toes. The coaches spent much of the game warming the hands and ears of the players. It will be a game they'll remember for a long time.

Aquinas Cheerleaders

Last Saturday, Sarah and I went to Aquinas High School to photograph the cheer leading squad, coached by my good buddies Stacy and Stephanie. They are the twins whose weddings I photographed, participated in the Twins Book, did a Trash the Dress session, etc... They're awesome! We did the shoot in several areas of the high school, including the boxing ring in the gym. I had never been to Aquinas before. It is a first class facility. Here are some of the images from the day.