Losing Focus...

Our Ottawa Photo Studio Blog

It has always been my life's dream to write a blog so I could share my inner most thoughts... Ya OK not really. It's just random stuff that I find interesting or amusing, well hopefully amusing. The day to day goings on in one of the oldest photo studios in the Ottawa area, well maybe the planet. They tell me photographers are in business on average about eighteen months before they pack it in and get a real job. Well this one is run by a cynical dyslexic that has somehow made a go of it for over forty years. Yes that surprises me too.

Cree Kokum Inspired Graduation Cap.

Apr 18
1 min

Cree Kokum Inspired Graduation Cap.

I really love it when a grad includes something unique into their graduation photos, especially honouring their heritage, culture or family, Mayhève is a Moose Cree, a first-generation and First Nations university student from uOttawa. She told me that she was inspired by her kokum Clara (kokum is grandmother in Cree). Mayhève got hold of a graduation cap and beaded the edges. She was inspired by her kokum's traditional beadwork of floral prints unique to Moose Factory Islan

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A fun pose... ALWAYS!

Apr 13
1 min

A fun pose... ALWAYS!

"Hey is it OK if we get a fun shot with our ski goggles, skiing's our thing?" they asked. I never say no. #lovemyjob #OttawaPhotographer #SpencerStudio #photostudio #Ottawa #GradPhotos #uottawa

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Sharing Photo Studio Marketing Strategies on No BS Photo Buzz

Apr 4
1 min

Sharing Photo Studio Marketing Strategies on No BS Photo Buzz

Thanks guys, it was fun. I was asked by Rob Provencher and John Butler of No BS Photo Buzz (a Top Rated video blog for professional photographers) if they could interview me and to share some thoughts on why I have been able to survive 42 years in this very competitive business. The majority of professional photographers are out of business in les that two years. It was a lighthearted discussion, and many of their questions came of of my recently created "Photo Studio Busines

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On a cold winter morning I get this...

Jan 23
1 min

On a cold winter morning I get this...

This 5 Star Grad Photo Review just popped up and brought some warmth on this cold snowy winter day. #gradphotos #SpencerStudio #photostudio #Ottawa

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Graduation Gowns for Lisgar and Telfer School

Oct 5, 2021
1 min

Graduation Gowns for Lisgar and Telfer School

These arrived today. Something new we just added to our graduation props, a V-Stole for Lisgar Collegiate and a hood for the uOttawa Telfer School of Management graduates in Ottawa. #lisgarcollegiateinstitute #telferschoolofmanagement #OttawaPhotographer #SpencerStudio #photostudio #Ottawa #Genbook #Fujifilm #gradphotos

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A 5 STAR Review from a Lisgar Collegiate Student

Oct 5, 2021
1 min

A 5 STAR Review from a Lisgar Collegiate Student

Hey this review just popped up from some #gradphotos I did earlier this week. I'm off tomorrow so it was a great note to end my week on. #lovemyjob #OttawaPhotographer #SpencerStudio #photostudio #Ottawa #Genbook #Fujifilm #lisgarcollegiateinstitute

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Lots of Laughs with #AlgonquinCollege Grad Victoria

Aug 24, 2021
1 min

Lots of Laughs with #AlgonquinCollege Grad Victoria

#algonquincollege graduate Victoria and I laughed all the way through her photo shoot today. She has a great sense of humour and is a graduate of the Dental Hygiene program. The giant teeth and toothbrush that she brought as props only added to the laughter. Man I love my job. #lovemyjob #OttawaPhotographer #SpencerStudio #photostudio #Ottawa #Genbook #Fujifilm #GradPhotos

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"Takin' Care of Business: A History of Working People's Rock 'n' Roll."

Aug 18, 2021
1 min

"Takin' Care of Business: A History of Working People's Rock 'n' Roll."

I got a nice surprise in the mail today. George Case sent me an autographed copy of his latest book "Takin' Care of Business: A History of Working People's Rock 'n' Roll." And a note thanking me for doing his #Headshot for the inside flap. #lovemyjob #OttawaPhotographer #SpencerStudio #photostudio #Ottawa #Genbook #Fujifilm

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Love This Review

Aug 18, 2021
1 min

Love This Review

Those of you in business know how a 5 Star Review really makes your day. Well this one popped up on #Genbook and not only made my day and made me blush. ❤️❤️❤️ #OttawaPhotographer #SpencerStudio #photostudio #Ottawa #Fujifilm #Headshot #GradPhotos

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The Somali Hope Academy Gala and Fundraiser.

Jun 24, 2021
1 min

The Somali Hope Academy Gala and Fundraiser.

A hot Somali 3 course dinner delivered by a member of the Ottawa Police Hotspurs in support of the Somali Hope Foundation fundraiser and online gala Saturday. The food was great and spicier than I would have thought. Congratulations to the first graduating class of the Somali Hope Academy. Fundraising galas are a dime a dozen but I loved the creative idea of delivering your meal directly to you. Fundraising fun while keeping in mind the Covid safety protocols. My hat's off to

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Unique Idea For An Online Gala

Jun 11, 2021
1 min

Unique Idea For An Online Gala

I just got my VIP ticket and I'm really looking forward to the Somali Hope Foundation Online Gala. Such a unique idea, yes the Gala is online but with the VIP package a hot three course Somali dinner is delivered to your door. Love it! https://somalihopefoundation.ca/ #somalihopefoundation #OttawaPhotographer #SpencerStudio #Ottawa

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Almost Threw My Wacom Tablet In The Garbage

May 28, 2021
1 min

Almost Threw My Wacom Tablet In The Garbage

My new Wacom Intuos Wireless Tablet was driving me nuts. The pen worked fine everywhere but simply would not move the sliders in Lightroom CC and I use Lightroom multiple times a day. So frustrating, I never had this problem with my previous WACOM Intuos 4. I was literally a day away from throwing it in the garbage and ordering the larger tried and true $400 WACOM Intuos 4. For those photographers finding the same problem, here is the simple solution I finally found with a

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Retouchers in Peru

May 25, 2021
1 min

Retouchers in Peru

I admit that sometimes when I get too busy or overwhelmed I send some of my retouching work down south, way down south... Peru. I'm very happy with the work they do. I'm trying to convince myself I'm not being lazy but supporting entrepreneurs in a very poor country. 🙂 #lovemyjob #OttawaPhotographer #SpencerStudio #photostudio #PortraitPhotography #ottawabusiness #gradphotos https://www.ottawagraduationphotos.com/

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Supporting India's COVID19 Fight

May 6, 2021
1 min

Supporting India's COVID19 Fight

Thinking of my friends and the inspiring people I met in India. I'm happy to make a $100 donation to the Red Cross India Covid19 Response Appeal. I hope other businesses and photographers will send support to India. For India with metta ❤️❤️❤️ https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/the-canadian-red-cross-society/campaign/india-covid-19-response-appeal/ #India# OttawaPhotographer #Genbook #FujiFilm #SpencerStudio #Compassion

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Ottawa Police Cyber Crimes Unit Foils Attack on Spencer Studio

Apr 28, 2021
1 min

Ottawa Police Cyber Crimes Unit Foils Attack on Spencer Studio

Ottawa Police (cyber crimes unit) called me last Friday to say they had discovered someone setting up a fake Twitter page using my name, logo, address and photos from my website and were sending out very inappropriate and disturbing tweets. Grateful to Ottawa Police for discovering this and Twitter for taking it down so quickly. Ottawa Police said they have software that scans all social media for "unusual activity" like this. #OttawaPhotographer #ottawapolice #SpencerStudi

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Yay Vee-Stole - Boo COVID

Apr 7, 2021
1 min

Yay Vee-Stole - Boo COVID

Ooo bad timing. We just received a few new graduation vee-stoles yesterday. Including St. Mother Teresa H.S. and Longfield's-Davidson Heights S.S. Oh well we'll be ready to go with grad photos again the minute this latest lockdown is over. #OttawaPhotographer #SpencerStudio #photostudio #BarrhavenPhotographer #Ottawa #Genbook #gradphotos

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Fun Behind The Scene Photos

Mar 21, 2021
1 min

Fun Behind The Scene Photos

We just uploaded a bunch of fun "Behind the scene" candid photos from a grad shoot last week. See them here https://www.ottawagraduationphotos.com/behind-the-scene-images #lovemyjob #OttawaPhotographer #SpencerStudio #photostudio #Ottawa #Genbook #Fujifilm #gradphotos #fujix100 #behindthescenes

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Grad Photos With Your BFF

Mar 16, 2021
1 min

Grad Photos With Your BFF

Danielle wanted to include BFF Sophie in a few of her grad photos and we're always happy to do it. ❤️❤️❤️ https://www.ottawagraduationphotos.com/ #lovemyjob #PhotoOfTheDay #OttawaPhotographer #GradPhotos #SpencerStudio #photostudio #Ottawa #Genbook #Fujifilm #ottawadogs

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Very Nice Surprise

Mar 1, 2021
1 min

Very Nice Surprise

A really nice surprise this morning, a client picking up her daughter's #GradPhotos photos gave me a $25 Starbucks Gift Card. They said they were just so happy that I was able to do grad photos that their school was not doing this year. Thanks Jenna & Victoria you made my day. ❤️ #lovemyjob #OttawaPhotographer #Photographer #SpencerStudio #photostudio #photoshoot #photooftheday #PortraitPhotography #ottawabusiness #smallbiz #BarrhavenPhotographer #PortraitPhotographer #Ottaw

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