Got some new awesome pocket wizards last week! Been itchin' to try them out, needed a couple young guys and/or gals. Kyle and Travis volunteered, no questions asked... and it's freezing out there. You guys rock! Thanks so much!
Dani
Grade twelve students are starting to prepare for graduation. It's how you know spring is on it's way. I've had several inquiries this week for grad sessions and I'm so pleased to announce Van Steelandt Photography's brand new grad collections that include studio sessions at our soon to open loft style studio in downtown Prince Albert.
If your graduating or you know someone who is, send us a line end we'll send you the new GRAD / SENIOR / TEEN collections!
Dani
I'm so glad you were able to find your way to the blog. My website is down and will probably remain out of commission for about a week. Here comes the rant....
Two years ago when I decided to give Van Steelandt Photography a place on the web I was referred to 1and1 web hosting by a friend. From the start I had nothing but problems and extremely poor customer service from this company. So at my first opportunity I switched to a new host. I transferred everything, or so I thought. It turns out my domain registration is still held by 1and1. The registration expired yesterday. With no warning, no reminder, no heads up from the company, my website has disappeared and been locked by 1and1. If I want my domain back I have to sign up for another account with a company I do not want to do business with and pay for them to unlock it and reregister it. Plus I have to wait a week while they decide if they are going to undo all of this. I am angry!!
Lesson learned; only do business with those people who want you to be successful. You can get a real feel for a company by their web presence. Make sure any contact you have with a company has a personal feel. People should address you your name and not your account number. When you receive emails from web based companies they should be sent from a real person who gives you their name and contact information. Contact the company by phone at least once. Make sure you can get phone help when needed.
Hope this saves someone some of the hassle that I am dealing with.
D.
2008 in review;
January
- The creation of the Van Steelandt Photography logo and a new brand identity
- Work featured at bludomain
February
- Featured photographer at Pink Grapefruit Designs
- New blogger weblog
March
- Travelled to Southern California to workshop with the uber amazing Nate and Jaclyn Kaiser of the image is found
- Devin and I were photographed by the lovely and talented super star photographer Jasmine Star
May
- Wedding season officially begins for us with Brian and Chelenes wedding in Carrot River
- New prophoto blog
June, July August, September
- 12 weddings in sixteen weeks
- 30 portrait sessions in sixteen weeks
- crazy busy but loving every second of it
October
- Travelled to New Orleans to workshop with the best wedding photographers in the world; Jerry Ghionis (Australia), John Michael Cooper (Las Vegas), Jessica Claire (Orange County, California). Jerry and Jessica have both been named to the top ten wedding photographers in the world by American Photo Magazine. John Michael was recently named one of the masters of photography by Digital Photography Pro Magazine.
December
- New Into The Darkroom Blog
2008 was better than I could have ever hoped for. Stay tuned for big things in 2009.
Cheers,
Dani
Chelene:
Love the collage! :) Hope you had a merry,. merry christmas and all the best in 2009! I just know if will be fabulous for you! We are all so lucky you share your amazing talent with us.
Love the new blog by the way. :)
(01.06.09 @ 07:46 PM)Inspired by the recent GAP ads I went out and played with Devin's sisters on boxing day. I love this GAP image (on the right).
I am so often inspired by advertising and buy tons of magazines.I like to do a little background search and fall upon some super amazing photographers.The GAP Holiday 2008 Campaign (that the Rayder sisters picture was taken for) was shot by the uber amazing photographer Michael Thompson.I've been reading about and studying the work of Irving Penn (photography legend) lately.It was such a happy coincidence to find that Michael Thompson's first photography job was as an assistant for Penn.If you are at all fascinated with photography, be sure to check out Michael's work.
Heres a few more from the day.
D.
Mel:
SUPER AWESOME DANI!!! Do you ever get tired of hearing how great you are?:)
(12.28.08 @ 09:21 PM)
dvansteel:
Mel, I don't think I tell you enough that you are absolutely one of my favorite people!!! I'm so lucky to have crossed paths with you. Lets get together soon.
(12.28.08 @ 10:09 PM)
Jenn:
LOVE THE PHOTOS!!!!
(12.28.08 @ 11:19 PM)
Rhonda Scriven:
Love these photos Dani! GAP ads are one of my favorite for sure! You did a fabulous job capturing the feel, keep 'em coming!
(01.04.09 @ 01:41 PM)
As of late I have GAP on the brain. A couple of years ago I purchase the GAP INDIVIDUALS book. I love every image in it. It is such an awesome collection of images by photography greats such as Annie Leibovitz, Herb Ritts, Christian Witkin, and many more.
D.
Now there winter and Christmas ads are haunting my dreams.I need to do something to flush all these images out... stay tuned.
In the meantime, Merry Christmas.
Jenn:
Oh good job now I have this song suck in my head! Thanks! Merry Christmas!
(12.23.08 @ 10:09 PM)
So this year I've started dabbling in digital design and I love it. Here's a few of the cards I've created in the past couple of weeks. 
I'm so excited to try more!
D.
Jenn:
Love these cards they are so fun....Keep up the good work...love them!
(12.21.08 @ 07:36 PM)
Teri:
I love Carly's family Christmas card. your work is amazing
(12.17.09 @ 02:11 PM)
I have struggled, for over a year, to find the perfect blog. I hope this is it. I've heard nothing but great things about Into The Dark Room, the company that created this spanky new blog.
Why struggle? There are lots of free blogs out there, why not stick with that? ... My blog is a huge part of my business and my creative process. It really is a kind of living journal for me. It's patient and loyal, it listens and even responds with your comments. It's where I feel like I can share my ideas, my work, my creativity, my life. I can be joyful, grateful, wistful, excited and nervous. In the two and a half years I've been pursuing this amazing dream my blog has become the record of triumphs big and small and will hopefully record many more incredible adventures, not just my own, but the adventures of the people who have come into my life as a result of my work.
I love feedback and hope, if something catches your eye or your interest, you will leave me a message.
D.
Rhonda:
Yay, its here! Love the new blog my friend! The header is fabulous, congrats on your new "baby" :)
(12.04.08 @ 09:45 PM)
mom:
Wow honey! This looks great - almost befitting a photographer with your talents and gifts.
(12.05.08 @ 07:47 AM)
Mickey MacGillivray:
Looks AWESOME Dani. Can't wait to see what your doing next! You amaze me.
(12.05.08 @ 09:42 AM)
Mel:
You rock girl! I LOVE you and I LOVE your work!!
We are so lucky to have you!! Miss you!
Dream Photography:
we have been working with itdr since june on a new blog coming soon...... that company rocks!!!!!
great blog and what makes it is your beautiful pictures.
Jackie:
This site is great --- well worth the wait eh? Your pics are breathtaking and inspiirational!!
(12.18.08 @ 04:54 PM)
Big Bro:
Like I've told you before. I love your work and I am so proud of you. Your work is great and always getting better./
(12.21.08 @ 05:15 PM)
I like that top guys jeans!!! And, what the heck our pocket wizards? Great pics as always. ps... I got my magazine that you sent me. Thanks Dani!
(02.12.09 @ 06:41 AM)Hey Mickey, So glad you received the magazine. I got my latest issue yesterday too. Aren't the images breathe taking? Pocket Wizards are radio trans-receivers that allow me to fire my flash off camera. Very portable, perfect for on location lighting.
(02.12.09 @ 06:59 AM)What is a pocket wizard????
(02.16.09 @ 03:33 PM)what is a pocket wizard???
(02.16.09 @ 03:34 PM)