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.

Robin Spencer

Mar 7
1 min

Grad Photos with Real Flowers

Sadie wanted to bring her own flowers to her grad photo session. Typically we use silk red roses but I loved her multicolored bouquet and had to post these photos. We included the flowers in a couple of casual poses, the bright colours really popped with the white top and backdrop. I like this look. #lovemyjob #OttawaPhotographer #SpencerStudio #photostudio #Ottawa #Fujifilm #gradphotos

4 views0 comments

Robin Spencer

Mar 7
1 min

Behind The Scene Images. Grad Photos

A few behind-the-scenes images from a grad photo session at Spencer Studio Ottawa. #lovemyjob #OttawaPhotographer #SpencerStudio #photostudio #Ottawa #Fujifilm #GradPhotos #BehindTheScenes #algonquincollege #carletonuniversity #uottawa #telfer_uottawa https://www.spencerstudio.com https://www.ottawagraduationphotos.com

1 view0 comments

Robin Spencer

Feb 18
1 min

Todd Reid's New Live Album

As you can imagine it's always a blast photographing stand up comedian Todd Reid. I'm happy to see one of those photos made the cover of his new live album and poster. #lovemyjob #OttawaPhotographer #SpencerStudio #photostudio #Ottawa #Headshots https://www.businessphotosottawa.com/

1 view0 comments

Robin Spencer

Jan 27
1 min

We Love Dogs!

Photos are always better (and more fun) when you add your best friend. Meet Olivia and Tucker (Left photo) and Tanisha and Maya (Right Photo). I confess that after the photoshoot I always say to myself, wow that was much easier than I thought it would be. The trick seems to be at first ignore the pet completely and just talk to the person. Pets quickly realize that you are a friend of the person and there is nothing to worry about. Always works for me... so far. #lovemyjob

2 views0 comments

Robin Spencer

Sep 16, 2022
1 min

Chicago Headshot Seminar

Back from the two day Chicago headshots seminar with a head swimming with ideas, eleven pages of notes and a two page to-do list. It has been decades since I have been so inspired by a photography seminar. Lighting and posing techniques yes, but mostly business and marketing ideas. The speaker Gary Hughes from Orlando does 5000 to 8000 headshots per year and was able to teach this old dog some new tricks. Thank you Professional Photographers of Norther Illinois for the hosp

3 views0 comments

Robin Spencer

Jun 30, 2022
1 min

New Academic Hoods for 2022

We ordered these back in April and they just arrived this week.... finally. The yellow/green v-stole is for Elmwood Academy graduates. The crimson hood is for the uOttawa Health Sciences grads. #uOttawa #elmwoodschool #Ottawaphotographer #spencerstudio #gradphotos

10 views0 comments

Robin Spencer

Apr 18, 2022
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

45 views0 comments

Robin Spencer

Apr 13, 2022
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

3 views0 comments

Sharing Photo Studio Marketing Strategies on No BS Photo Buzz

Robin Spencer

Apr 4, 2022
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

6 views0 comments

Robin Spencer

Jan 23, 2022
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

4 views0 comments

Graduation Gowns for Lisgar and Telfer School

Robin Spencer

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

15 views0 comments

A 5 STAR Review from a Lisgar Collegiate Student

Robin Spencer

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

4 views0 comments

Lots of Laughs with #AlgonquinCollege Grad Victoria

Robin Spencer

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

8 views0 comments

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

Robin Spencer

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

10 views0 comments

Robin Spencer

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

6 views0 comments

The Somali Hope Academy Gala and Fundraiser.

Robin Spencer

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

26 views0 comments

Robin Spencer

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

4 views0 comments

Almost Threw My Wacom Tablet In The Garbage

Robin Spencer

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

19 views0 comments

Robin Spencer

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/

9 views0 comments

Robin Spencer

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

5 views0 comments

"Ottawa's Most Trusted Photographer" ™

By Appointment Only
Sorry NO Passport or PR Photos

Losing Focus...

Our Ottawa Photo Studio Blog