What will you have?

©Liz Czinege PhotographyWhen our parents and grandparents took photos it was to document. But it recently occurred to me that today’s generation take pictures to share, on facebook.. on instagram.. but these photos never seem to get printed.  They’re snapshots that scream “Hey, look at my food!” (I’m definitely guilty of doing this.)  Our photos have turned into a way to share – with complete strangers – exactly what we’re doing at that exact time, rather then documenting the people we’re doing it with and the special times in our lives.

Recently my Grandmother passed away and when we sat down to look through photos, all of those photos meant something. They all had a story and through a sequence of a few photos we could figure out what that story was.

When I pass away, how will people look through my digital photographs? On a computer? There’s just something different about holding a photograph in your hand and passing it around the table – gathering around – laughing, sheading a tear; remembering.

What is going to happen to your photos when Facebook inevitably goes down the drain, or your computer crashes, or when CDs go the way of the floppy disk? Will you still have photos to hold in your hands?

Photographs are best viewed in print.

Brian, Matthias&Eliza | Niagara Family Photographer

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I’ve been taking photos of my niece every Spring&Fall since she was born. She is far more willing to be photographed then her brother! Last Spring I took photos of her and my nephew – which are some of my favourite photos to date, I may be biased, but hey! – so this year I thought it was time to update the family photos and include my brother.

Any photographer will tell you, sometimes it’s harder to photograph family then it is to photograph a first time client. But last May was one of those perfect days when the kids behaved and the weather was perfect. This is one of the photos – it was a completely natural shot – Matthias put his arm around his little sister all by himself. ((View more photos here.))

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I love watching Matthias&Eliza grow up. Looking back at photos it’s crazy how much kids change in one year! I love them to bits!

Liz Czinege Family Photographer Niagara Hamilton9Last week we were very lucky and caught one of the last orchards to be in bloom, I looked everywhere and eventually I found one!  With a little bribery on my part I got some beautiful photographs of my brother&kids. My nephew is obsessed with sea animals, so after the session we drove to Big Al’s Pet Store in Hamilton to look at some saltwater fish. They have a lot of Nemo’s, Dory’s and Gill’s plus they have a shark – pretty cool! – needless to say, I think it was a pretty fair trade.

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I love Eliza in this one – so carefree!Liz Czinege Family Photographer Niagara Hamilton2 Liz Czinege Family Photographer Niagara Hamilton1 Liz Czinege Family Photographer Niagara Hamilton3

Behind the Scenes

In November I had the pleasure of photographing Tara&Derek’s wedding with my good friend Vicki Rivers. Throughout the day she snapped a few photos of me, so I thought I would share!

Behind the Scenes

Any photographer knows, when it comes to weddings we’re not just a photographer, we’re the boutonniere pinner, the dress carrier, the make-up fixer and the crisis adverter if need be!

This couple was so adorable, I couldn’t help but smile while taking their photos! They’re so in love!Behind the ScenesBehind the ScenesBehind the ScenesBreaking the rules in the name of a great photo. Behind the ScenesWhen it comes to my photographs I try not to pick favourites, but this one turned out to be a favourite from the day.. shhh!Behind the Scenes

Here are the photos I was taking, I look forward to sharing Tara&Derek’s story with you very soon!

Motage

Happy New Year!

I would like to thank all of you for your support this past year. I value each one of you. Without you, I wouldn’t be able to spend my life doing what I love!

As LCP grows, my brand is continuing to develop. I want to share a few of the improvements that I’ve been working on over the past few months.

Most notably, I’ve acquired new suppliers, which means that I have exciting new products to offer you!

I’m pleased to provide you with products from LifesTiles Ceramic Art. They present a creative way to display your photos and their products make great conversation pieces! LifesTiles prints your photo on a 4×4 or 8×10 tile and comes with a stand to display your tile art. For a unique statement piece, 
LifesTiles can also print your photo on multiple 4×4 tiles, which are then put together in a frame. LifesTiles is a local business, so you can feel great about ordering products from LCP.

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Additionally, I have a new supplier for my photographic prints and books. Unlike most suppliers, their photos are not printed on an inkjet printer. Instead, they use light sensitive paper, which is exposed to light and developed in chemicals, just like the good old days. So they’re real photographs printed from digital files! This supplier also offers one of a kind Hard Cover Books. Each book is designed by me so it’s unique to your session. Then the images are printed directly onto thick, high quality paper. The pages have hinged creases, which allow them to lie flat and make the book more durable.

And of course, I can’t have new products without offering brand new packaging! Displayed below are a 4×4 Tile & Stand, 12×12 Hardcover Coffee Table Book & various prints wrapped in Kraft Paper, twine & a red Re-Usable Bookmark!

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I’m thrilled to offer these new products in 2013. I look forward to photographing familiar faces as well as new ones! I wish you and your family a safe and Happy New Year!

It’s been a busy week!

I’ve had several shoots this week that I can’t wait to share with you. I had the opportunity to photograph Allie, I can’t believe it’s been 3 months since I did her newborn photos!! Time flies! I photographed Allie as part of a new package I am putting together. It consists of 4 sessions; a newborn session, 2 mini sessions at 3&9 months and a full Birthday session.  I’m so excited about it and I can’t wait to see the final product printed from my new supplier, LifesTiles Ceramic Art. It’s such a unique product, I hope you all will enjoy it as much as I do!

I’ve also been updating my website, something that was a year overdue! It took me a while, I’m no web designer, but it’s finally done! Go check it out; lizczinegephotography.ca!

I look forward to sharing more photos with you soon.
Liz

Neglect..

As a result of a busy summer I have severely neglected my blog. But now that Fall has arrived I am finally giving it the attention that it deserves. I can’t wait to share photos with you!

Over the next few days I will be posting numerous family, newborn and engagement sessions, but what I am looking forward to the most is my Halloween Costume Contest!! Come back in a few days for details on how to vote for your favourite costume!

Talk soon.
– Liz Czinege

Serena&Luke|Destination Wedding

Two years ago, November, 2010, my cousin Serena, asked me if I would take her engagement photos. Of course I said yes! I was still attending college at the time and this was to be my first ever engagement session, I was so excited!

A few months later she asked if I would be the photographer for her destination wedding in Jamaica! Of course I said yes; I get to photograph my cousin on her big day and spend a week in the sun surrounded by family, who could say no??

The day finally came and Serena&Luke, accompanied by 45 guests, arrived at Gran Bahia Principe Resort in Runaway Bay, Jamaica. The weather that week could not have been better; hot and sunny! The resort was gorgeous, but some might argue that more importantly, it had thee best Jerk Chicken!

During the week I had the chance to get to know Luke and his family a little better.  Luke is one of the nicest guys I’ve ever met; polite, well raised. (Is that still something people say?). His parents are incredibly kind, my cousin is a very lucky girl.

I couldn’t wait to photograph Serena and Luke. Every where they went the Jamaicans called them colouring books because of the amount of tattoos they have. I knew that these were not going to be your typical photos, I couldn’t wait to get some unique shots!  The day of the wedding we woke up to a cloudy sky, but by 4pm the sky was clear and it was a perfect day for a wedding. A beautiful day with beautiful people.

The maids decorated the room for the occasion. It was gorgeous, flowers completely covered the bed.

I was able to slip away from the girls for a few minutes while they are getting dressed to spend time with the guys before the wedding. I love how casual these photos turned out, the guys were so laid-back!

Serena was such a beautiful bride!At 4pm, Serena and her father began walking down the aisle.

In keeping with the Jamaican spirit, when asked if he took Serena to be his wife, Luke responded with “Ya Mon!”

It was pretty windy at the gazebo by the ocean, but it kept the guests cool!

The Ceremony was short and sweet, the Bride and Groom walked down the aisle and the champaign was popped!

I love this photo of Luke and his Mom.

Serena and Luke accompanied by their guests.

I love this photo, Serena&Luke are a gorgeous couple.

It was a little hectic and we tried to get all of the photos before we ran out of light, but the setting sun was so pretty!

I saved the best for last! This was the last photo I took that day, and it turned out to be my favourite!

I am so honoured that I got the opportunity to be part of Serena&Luke’s big day!

My First Post

What to write… what to write.. I feel as though this post needs to be monumental! As it is my last, first blog post. It is a historic post.

I’ll begin by telling you what I’ve been up to lately. After graduating from Fanshawe last year, I have been buying equipment, building up my portfolio and shaping my business. Asking myself the big questions; what to shoot, what to charge, what packages and extras I want to offer. And after all that, I think I’m finally ready to start seriously pursuing this as a career.

I’ve spent the last few days building this blog and updating my website, it’s definitely a work in process! Web design is not something they taught a lot of in the Photography program, so this update might take a while, please be patient.

If you came to my blog looking for photos, I assure you there will be some posted soon. I have several family and engagement shoots coming up, now that the weather is getting nicer, I can’t wait! (If you’re interested in photos you can email me at liz.czinege@gmail.com)

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all the people that have supported me, and continue to support me, as I take on this endeavour. You have not gone unnoticed. Thank you.

That’s all for now,
– Liz Czinege