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

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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

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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/

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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"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

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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

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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/

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Ottawa Police Cyber Crimes Unit Foils Attack on Spencer Studio

Robin Spencer

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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Robin Spencer

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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Robin Spencer

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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Robin Spencer

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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Robin Spencer

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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Losing Focus...

Our Ottawa Photo Studio Blog