What a Great Year

Last Mountain Photography had such a great Year in 2010! We want to thank all of our awesome customers and hope to see everyone again in the New Year!

-Dave
Last Mountain Photography

Just for Fun

My buddy Chris was getting sick of his profile pictures on Facebook so he asked me if I'd take some quick photos of him.  He likes to think that he's a bit of a gangster so we settled on the photo style below:

-Dave
Last Mountain Photography

Strasbourg, SK Christmas Shoot

Today Amy and I went out to take Christmas pictures for the Mohr family here in Strasbourg, SK.  The shoot went well and the weather agreed.  The kids were sick though so we had our hands full trying to get smiles! Here are some shots from the shoot:

-Dave
Last Mountain Photography

Moose Jaw Fencing Association

Here are a few quick photos from tonight.  I took some photos of the Moose Jaw Fencing Association Crew to go into the Saskatchewan Fencing Association Calendar.  We didn't get to go out into the elements, and it was a practice in a gym, but I think some of the photos still turned out decent.  Here are some shots:

-Dave
Last Mountain Photography

Moose Jaw Fencing Photography

I've been asked by the Moose Jaw Fencing Association to take some pictures this coming Tuesday.  It's pretty exciting and I look forward to taking some action shots as well as some normal group shots.  Hopefully I'll have these photos up by the end of the week!

-Dave
Last Mountain Photography

Galger Winter Family Photos

This afternoon was a little chilly in Strasbourg SK for family photos.  The Galger family decided to take a few pictures inside against my white background before venturing outside.  It was a lot of fun and we got some good photos.  It was certainly a change of pace from the engagement shoots that I've been doing lately.  The two grand-daughters, Anna and Hailey, were definitely a bit of a handful!

Here are some photos from the cold Strasbourg day:

-Dave
Strasbourg SK Photographer
Last Mountain Photography

Krista & Steve's Regina Engagement Shoot

This last weekend I had the pleasure of photographing Krista and Steve. I've had a lot of fun doing engagement photography in Regina this year and this shoot proved to not be an exception. We took pictures at the legislative building, an old alley, some railroad tracks, and at a playground in Regina. I think my favourite pictures are from the alley, Krista showed this particular alley to me and I will make sure to revisit it at a later date... Here are some pictures:

-Dave
Regina Photographer
Last Mountain Photography

Quick Shot from Krista & Steve's Engagement Shoot

Today I went out with Krista and Steve to do their engagement shoot in Wascana Park in Regina SK.  It was a "Beautiful Regina Day" as Mayor Pat Fiacco would put it, especially since it's November 7th! I like shooting in Wascana Park but we also toured around Regina and found a few other places to do some neat engagement shots.

I might be busy this week so just in case I can't get the photos up till next weekend I thought I'd submit one "teaser shot":

More to follow!
-Dave
Last Mountain Photography

How to take good Photos with your Point and Shoot Camera

Not everyone has the luxury of an SLR camera.  Most people use smaller, cheaper point and shoot cameras.  These cameras are great for most situations and they offer a great way for someone who just wants to "take some pics".  Another great thing about them is that they are portable.  Amy and I still have an older point and shoot camera that we take to places where we can't bring our bulkier gear.  It's a great little camera to throw in a purse/pocket.

I decided to right a short blog post with some tips and tricks on how you can the most out of your point and shoot camera, because, sometimes the best camera is the one that you have with you.

Quick tips:

• Try to use 'available light' as much as possible.  The flash on most smaller point and shoot cameras is so close to the lense that the light from the flash bounces off the eyes of people and back into the lense, making nasty red eye.  I have NEVER had this happen with an SLR where the flash is much higher off the body.  If you do get red eye, try to get rid of it in an editting program, or in some cases, on camera there will be an option to get rid of red eye.  Another thing that is bad about the flash on smaller cameras is that it points STRAIGHT at the person, giving a deer in the headlights look. 
• Hold the camera steady. This is a no brainer. Also, the more you zoom in, the more you'll have to be steady-handed.  Another option is to get a cheap tripod.
• Don't shoot into the sun. If your subject it between you and the sun, you might get a really underexposed subject.  One way around this is to put the flash on, but once again, the flash tends to be a nuissance on these type of cameras.
• Don't put your subject in the middle of the picture. This is BORING.  Put your subject off to the side a bit unless there is a specific reason for them to be in the middle (symmetry for example)
• Watch out for too much dead space. The last thing you want in a picture where the subject takes up 1/6th of the frame and the rest of the picture is of other things.
• Simplify. Sort of like what I said above, but take out any needless objects from your picture if they aren't needed, or zoom/walk closer.
• Learn how to set some of your cameras settings. If you're interested in photography, read up on aperture, shutter speed, ISO, etc.  Most point and shoots let the user change these settings, although it tends to be buried in the menu somewhere.
• Keep a spare set of batteries. Most point and shoots eat up batteries like nobodies business.  Also, the LCD tends to use the most power so a good idea is to turn it off and learn to use the little viewfinder to take pictures.  (the little window that you can look through, assuming your camera has one, it may not)
• Prefocus. Most point and shoot cameras focus when you hold the shutter release button halfway down.  A good trick is to focus by pushing the button halfway in, and then moving the camera a bit to move the subject off centre before actually taking the picture.

I hope this tips help, if you need help with wedding photography or portraits I can definitely give you a hand!  Otherwise, just keep on shooting! 

-Dave
Last Mountain Photography

Moose Jaw Engagement Shoot

Right after the Moose Jaw Halloween Wedding, I took an engagement shoot for Jennie & Darryl.  They are actually from Swift Current so we met halfway.  The shoot went really well, here are some photos from the day:

-Dave
Last Mountain Photography
Moose Jaw Wedding Photography

Moose Jaw Halloween Wedding

This Halloween I had the 'treat' (get it, trick or treat!) of photographing Lindsay and Gary's Halloween Wedding in Moose Jaw SK.  It was certainly unique.  I think that it would have been more halloween themed if it wasn't for their minister saying "no" to dressing up for the wedding in Halloween costumes!  It was a lot of fun, albeit a bit rushed.  The whole thing, or atleast my part of it, was done in about an hour and a half so I was frantic about getting as many shots as I could.  Also, it was fun for me because it was the first wedding that I've shot at the Temple Gardens Mineral Spa in Moose Jaw SK.

Here are some pictures from their crazy Halloween Wedding in Moose Jaw SK:

-Dave
Last Mountain Photography
Moose Jaw Wedding Photography

Moose Jaw Wedding Photography Ideas

This Halloween I'm actually photographing both a wedding (a short session) as well as an engagement photography session in Moose Jaw SK.  I wanted to look online for ideas of places to take people but came up more or less empty handed.  Luckily, I went to school in Moose Jaw SK so I compiled a list of the following places that are worth looking into if you're getting some wedding or engagement photography done in and around Moose Jaw SK

• Crescent Park - This park is scenic, especially in the summer where it's greenery and water feature is best presented.
• Casino Moose Jaw - Kind of an interesting location, you'll need to speak to the security staff in advance for this location.
• Historic Downtown - There are lots of old building downtown that make excellent backdrops
• Wedding Cake Houses - these are kind of hard to find, basically they are a style of house that kind of looks like a wedding cake.  They were all designed by the same architect.  Make sure to get the homeowners consent.
• Thunder Creek and Surrounding Park - I forget what the park is called but there are stretchs of Thunder Creek that are really beautiful, especially the numerous bridges.  There are train bridges, car bridges, pedestrian bridges, and old worn out bridges.
• Moose Jaw Airforce Base - call in advance!

That's some quick ideas for now.  If you're looking at this list and need someone to do your photography, give me a shout and we can discuss it further.

-Dave
Last Mountain Photography

Regina Wedding Photography 2010 Video Compilation

I took a bit of time tonight to make a video compilation of some of the wedding photography that I did in and around Regina SK.  Wedding season is almost over, I only have one more booked, and already I have almost a dozen bookings for next year.  So if you're getting married in Regina, and are looking for a photographer, have a look at this video and my website to see if I'm the right one for you!

I recommend that you watch the video in fullscreen and 1080p to really see the images!



-Dave
Last Mountain Photography

Fall 2010 Give-away Winner

Well it's the end of October and that means that it's time for the draw! The Winner is Kathy from Strasbourg, SK.  She will be receiving a free family photoshoot, along with 2 enlargements and 20 wallet prints.

If you entered the contest but didn't win, don't worry, you're entitled to 50% off prints for your next booking!  I still have lots of time available to do Christmas card shoots by the way!

Have a nice November,
-DaveLast Mountain Photography

Angela & Andy's Engagement Photo Session

Last Sunday I had the pleasure of taking engagement photos for Angela and Andy at their home in Spring Bay Saskatchewam, which is 60km from Regina Saskatchewan.  It's sort of near Strasbourg Saskatchewan, which is where I live so it was nice to do some work close to home.  I often do work in Regina so this was a nice change of pace.  They live right by Last Mountain Lake, my company's name sake, which was also great.

Here are some photographs from the session:

-Dave
Regina Wedding Photographer

Fall 2010 Give-Away

Fall is here, whether we like it or not!  To help you through the start of the fall, we're having a fall giveaway.  The draw will take place at the end of October.  One Package that includes a free family portrait session as well as two enlargement prints and twenty wallet prints will be given away.

In order to enter, please email me at dave@lastmountainphotography.com and submit your name, address, email, and a contact number.  Your details will be kept confidential and not shared with anyone.

Also, once you've entered, you will be eligible for 50% off prints for your next portrait session.  This is only available for entrants!

I hope this takes the edge off the end of summer!
-Dave
Last Mountain Photography

Thanksgiving HDR Photos

Amy and I did a lot of running around this weekend.  My parents live in Gravelbourg SK and her's live in Lipton SK, near Fort Qu'appelle.  During our busy weekend we took some HDR photos.  Here are some nice ones from the weekend:

-Dave
Last Mountain Photography