Every now and then a new device comes out that changes the landscape of the computing industry and other industries associated with computers. The GUI, Windows, The MAC, IPhone were all game changers and truly affected how people managed and utilized their information. The IPhone was more of a game changer than anything before it, simply because of the open source nature of it’s apps. Now anyone, as long as they adhered to the API could create, publish and sell apps for whatever they wanted. This made the IPhone much more useful than just a smart phone with e-mail capabilities.

Now you could have e-mail right along with an app that let’s you figure out the correct price to charge for an 8X10 (It’s telling me to price mine at $65 dollars), chat with friends on Yahoo Messenger network, while taking in a round of Vegas slots and setting your goals for the following day. Now I think Apple is gonna change the landscape once again with the IPAD and I think this device will be revolutionary and we’ll probably see it incorporated in a lot of other devices that now would be controlled with the IPAD. I for one cannot wait to get my hands on one and I think with the shortage of supply it will be post tax time before I can sit in my yard, sipping a cup of coffee and read books on the IPAD or surf the web while laying in bed and not have to haul my laptop around..

IPAD from Apple Computers

You know i’m a firm believer that if you let negativity dwell in your mind, there just won’t be any place left in there for creativity… Having said that, lately I’ve been dwelling on a rather negative issue and I think it’s about time I disclose it to the followers of my art and life. This past year I was approached by several local studios in the South Asian community to help them attract higher end clients. Each approached me to introduce them into my market and even offered their services for free (usually video) just so I could entice my clients to hire them.

Now I am a firm believer in the fact that “Good is never cheap and cheap is NEVER good”, that is why I hold myself to a higher standard in all things surrounding my business. I have taken the time to create albums that clients love, even if it has taken a few days or a week longer than expected. In the end the product delivered was of high quality. If a client ever had an issue with me, it was dealt with me personally. I don’t have a front end girl answering the phones and college students shooting the events for me and editing them. When my clients have booked me, I have shown up to shoot the event and delivered the final product.

For one reason or another I didn’t get a good warm fuzzy from these studios.. therefore I declined to help them because I didn’t feel that my clients had anything to gain by me introducing these studios to them. I turned them down and went on my merry way only to discover something later on. Each one of these studios had gone out of their way to copy my work, even go as far as to copy the images from my website and blog and use them in their marketing. A few were confronted and profusely apologized but I don’t believe that the practice has stopped. I was recently approached by a few clients who had booked these studios for their events only to tell me how they were not happy with the images or the product delivered was nothing compared to what was shown to them in the consult.

So back to the point and case in hand… I urge, no implore people to really do their homework when hiring vendors and hire quality vendors and spend a bit more for quality. This is your big day, the day you start your married life and the only thing you will keep will be your husband and your photos and video. I strongly urge you to spend the extra and hire quality and not cheap out in this area. I can’t tell you the number of times I have had a client get married at the Ritz or on a cruise ship and went with a cheaper photographer, only to turn around and wished they had hired me for their event.

Also, as a personal favor, if you have seen my work on this site and see it anywhere else, please do me a favor and let me know.

Well folks, no i’m not pulling a disappearing act right after starting my blog…   I’ve actually embarked on a new mission and that is to have a new and improved product line by mid 2007.  These include new slideshow formats, new stylings for the albums, new types of albums, more products to showcase my wonderful photography (ain’t I modest??) in your home.  

Well folks after taking inventory of my business I have decided that things will change and by gosh will they CHANGE (See i’m really determined here… )  Well you might be asking “Humza what new changes will we see in 2007??”…  I would respond by tell you that…

                     GLAD YOU ASKED!!!!

 Here is a list of a few changes you can see, I’ve gotten these in two categories, things that will be implemented by the middle of 2007 and some that will take me towards the end of the year but once I get it down great things will happen (no seriously, they will be great things for my customers).

                                    By Mid 2007

1. New album styles and sizes will be added to the product list (I’m looking to have 4 types of albums)
2. New design styles and philosophies (again 3 different design styles to choose from)
3. A full color downloadable catalog of products
4. More tangible products such as calendars, desk frames, framed art prints
5. A fully functioning shopping cart with ability to buy products such as albums, framed art prints
6. Videos of live shoots so you see how I work and play ( I mean when i’m working of course )

                                    By close of 2007

1. Engagement sessions and Bridals online ready for proofing and purchase in ONE WEEK from the shoot date
2. Wedding Galleries online in ONE WEEK from the wedding date
3. Multiple Pricing models (Ala Carte and Collections)
4. New slideshows, set to music edited by a professional video editor

So party people stay tuned to this blog for all the latest news…..