For my social media presence, I am currently active on: Behance, Twitter, Instagram, Linkedin, Facebook, and WordPress. I prefer to use Behance to showcase my galleries of images or videos. This allows future clients, or other people interested in my work, to view my style of image capture and decide if it is something they would like to see more of. I use Twitter to keep in touch with people and post about upcoming projects and status updates on my business. Twitter is one of the more popular social media platforms out there, so it allows me to reach a large group of people and promote myself. Instagram is similar to Twitter allowing me to reach many people and showcase my current projects. I use Linkedin to show customers who I am and my credentials, to help them decide if they want to meet me, see more of my work, and potentially hire for a project. Facebook, like Twitter and Instagram, allows me to engage with my customers, to build a relationship with them, so they will spread a good word about me, leading to more work in the future. This also allows the client to voice any concerns with my services so I can address these in a positive, productive manner for all to see. Finally, I like to use WordPress as the main site where I can post all my blog posts and projects I have worked on, as well as build a name for myself.

 I enjoy doing this kind of photography since the customer usually has something already in mind when they make a commission, which I find helpful when preparing a shoot, and find satisfying when I can meet their expectations. In addition, my target market is people and businesses looking for nature photos, such as a travel or nature magazine, news outlets, and travel agencies.

My mission statement is:

“To provide customers with up to date information regarding my services and build a strong relationship with every client, and to use social media to help connect with people and make their ideas a reality”!

When deciding upon a theme for my portfolio I wanted to do something that would appear mysterious and intriguing to the viewer.  After completing a photography lighting course, I found myself drawn to the Split Style of lighting patterns, which I find very effective in evoking a ‘mysterious’ mood, so chose to use this lighting technique in my portfolio.  I feel the Split Style of lighting is a very bold type of lighting which can evoke many different and powerful feelings in people, such as fear, anger, and anguish.  For those unfamiliar with the reference to the ‘Split Style’ of lighting, this occurs when the lights are shining in such a way so half of the model’s face is blacked out and the other half is visible, providing a half and half effect- by hiding half of the face, the viewer is left to imagine what the model is hiding physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually, and why. The challenge I faced with this portfolio was deciding which poses I wanted to use for the model and chose to do some very basic poses mixed with more interesting and expressive poses.  I decided to go with basic poses because these images are then left up to the viewers’ interpretation, each viewer can decide what the photo means and represents to them. The more unique poses were challenging. I wanted to remain somewhat neutral with them, much like the basic poses, but I also wanted to have poses which would illicit a more cryptic, curious reaction.

Portfolio link below:

Many companies use viral social media videos to promote their products and businesses and will often hire videographers to shoot footage for them. Therefore, making an ‘inspirational viral video’ for my social media platforms was a great learning experience as I have never shot DLSR footage for YouTube or social media. I got the inspiration for my video when I heard the “Boomer” meme and asked my mother what generation she is from and she said Generation X.  This is a generation we don’t hear much about in social media so I thought I would base my video around that concept and incorporate it somehow. I also thought about what the word ‘inspirational’ means to me, which is to motivate people towards something such as helping themselves or others, or stepping outside their comfort zone and trying something new.

I had a hard time deciding how I wanted to shoot my video, but I ultimately decided upon a mock interview style, or a monologue, to ‘talk’ directly to the audience.  

During my research on making viral videos, I learned humour is one of the best methods of attracting a larger audience and an effective way to deliver a message to people.  Inspirational videos need to get an emotional reaction from the audience so I wanted to put my own satirical twist on the inspirational video.  Although at first my video may seem to be more satire then have an actual message, it is intended to show people that just because you are not part of the current youth culture you can still ‘shine’ and show off your different and unique talents to the world. 

Another quality of a viral video is its ability to stick in people’s minds, to make them remember your brand or your message.

I interviewed a fellow student in my Social Media class named Sankith, who, like myself, is in his second semester of the Digital Video Production program at Durham College. Although he is in the Video Program he is interested in both Videography and Photography. Sankith said he is inspired by other photographers such as Peter McKinon, who has a YouTube channel where he discusses ways to get unique shots and how to shoot interesting photo and video. Another photographer/videographer Sankith is inspired by is Casey Neistat who does a lot of unique styles of shooting including travel photography and videography. In most of his online videos he uses a lot of footage from drones to get shots from places you wouldn’t normally be able to go with standard handheld DSLR cameras as well as crazy drone stunts. Discussing these photographers/videographers led Sankith to mention his passion for photography involving shapes as well as for photography in the automotive industry.

The automotive industry has a huge need for photographers and videographers, since they film many commercials and take photos for their car advertisements. There are many ways to shoot cars and automotive vehicles, such as getting shots from the right angles, different settings where you shoot, getting stop action shots and making sure you are shooting at the right time of day to get the optimal amount of light. Many of the photographers who shoot cars for film and photo say one of the most important aspects during a shoot is the setting and time of day, since these set the mood of the image or video. Shooting at the golden hour at sundown, is the best time of day to shoot portraits or dramatic shots of the car. At night you can get even more unique shots of cars as their headlights and interior lighting tend to pop out more. Although the photographer/videographer needs to remember when shooting cars or other vehicles at night you need to have the right equipment to draw out the long exposure and capture the different light sources. To get into the automotive film and photography industry is a difficult task, since according to many of the different photographers who shoot cars, you need to have a full portfolio of  high quality shots and somewhat of a reputation for this type of photographer/videography on your social media, as well as within the industry itself, to be noticed and hired to photograph for automotive businesses. Automotive photography and videography is a highly competitive field and requires the utmost time and dedication to succeed.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidalm/2017/01/17/how-to-become-a-car-photographer/#37406db61387

https://www.thedrive.com/opinion/21386/14-secret-tips-to-taking-great-car-photos-from-a-professional-automotive-photographer

https://www.adorama.com/alc/photography-tips-for-shooting-during-different-times-of-day

The theme of my Behance photo gallery is Lines. I chose to photograph this because lines can
mean so many different things to us. The symmetry and structure they present to us can
represent either a feeling of organization or of peace, since the lines are usually in a planned,
designed pattern or free flowing together. Personally, I feel lines offer a sense of relaxation and
cleanliness. Lines are all around us, in our everyday lives, and yet we often fail to see their
beauty because we are so accustomed to them. If we look closer we can often discover details
we didn’t know about ourselves or the world we live in such as a simple grate or vent covering
on the wall having symmetrical lines providing a sense of organization in a cluttered or chaotic
world. Some of my favourite elements of composition are leading lines and symmetry, which I
use frequently when capturing images. These elements can make an image look more
appealing to an audience and help bring about the feelings I talked about earlier. I used
different techniques and settings to shoot this project and create the images I wanted, such as
waiting for the right time of day, as the brightness of the sun will greatly affect images and their
quality. Another technique I had to use was the framing of the scenes so the images would
draw attention and invoke more emotions – you do not want too many other objects or ideas
distracting from the main focus of an image, which in this case was the lines.

https://www.behance.net/aidankalkDC

https://www.linkedin.com/in/aidan-kalk-312a561a1/

Facebook has recently gained a reputation as the social media platform for ‘Moms’, however Facebook remains one of the most used social media platforms in North America. And what is wrong with ‘Mom’s anyway?  I personally love my mom!  Having a page on this platform will help me gain followers, and potential clients, of all ages, if used in the right way.

 To become a successful videographer and photographer, people must notice something unique and intriguing on your page in order to take an interest in your business and profile. This can be done by being consistently active and posting content that keeps people (potential customers) hooked and coming back to see more.  Facebook is a place to show people what kinds of photography and videography I can shoot, with posts of examples of the work I have done in the past along with any work I currently produce. No one will hire a photographer or videographer without seeing various samples of their work.  Facebook provides an easy format to upload, categorize and organize work quickly.  It also provides followers a chance to comment on the work they view, which can be of great help in knowing which works people like/don’t like and what will sell/not sell. 

Facebook is a great way for customers to find a photographer/videographer through the Facebook search option, and then for them to read posts from previous customers who have shared their positive personal experiences and love of my work! I can easily keep in touch with the people who like my page, reminding them I am available to work with them and build an ongoing relationship.  Facebook also allows customers to share my work with their family and friends, expanding my potential customer base. Facebook provides a platform to show the different services I offer and how people can get in touch with me to find out different costs and estimates for said services.

My passion is for nature photography and video. I love to go on hikes with friends or by myself. There is something so calming and relaxing about being in the wild, in nature, away from the noise and crowds of urban life. Every time I go hiking it is like going into a new, never before seen world, where there is a sense of wonder and mystery. You are an explorer in uncharted territory, with countless opportunities to discover because in the forests things are always changing, evolving. The other day I went hiking with my friend after a fresh snowfall and a once familiar park trail became a new snow covered wonderland. In the summer and spring the forests are full of life with many birds, deer and other animals, these are my favourite times for nature photography as some animals become less active during the winter months. Not to say there is nothing to experience in the winter, because there is still a lot to video and photograph. The snow covering all your surroundings makes for many brilliant and interesting photo and video opportunities, and spotting evidence of wildlife in the snow is a true discovery. Some people are not able to fully immerse themselves in the serenity of nature, being constantly distracted by their phones, thoughts of work and other responsibilities. However I believe it is important for all people to take a break, breathe deeply, and enjoy the beauty of nature, even if it through the lens of video or photography. Playing nature videos and surrounding oneself in nature photography has a calming effect on one’s soul. Being in nature requires one to be mindful, observant, and respectful. There is beauty everywhere which must be preserved and not disturbed or destroyed. Unfortunately too many people do not share this view and see forests, and all natural spaces, as places to be manipulated and exploited for profit -I hope my videos and photography can help change this dangerous attitude by showcasing the hidden magical worlds that exist in our world.

This is an example post, originally published as part of Blogging University. Enroll in one of our ten programs, and start your blog right.

You’re going to publish a post today. Don’t worry about how your blog looks. Don’t worry if you haven’t given it a name yet, or you’re feeling overwhelmed. Just click the “New Post” button, and tell us why you’re here.

Why do this?

• Because it gives new readers context. What are you about? Why should they read your blog?
• Because it will help you focus you own ideas about your blog and what you’d like to do with it.

The post can be short or long, a personal intro to your life or a bloggy mission statement, a manifesto for the future or a simple outline of your the types of things you hope to publish.

To help you get started, here are a few questions:

• Why are you blogging publicly, rather than keeping a personal journal?
• What topics do you think you’ll write about?
• Who would you love to connect with via your blog?
• If you blog successfully throughout the next year, what would you hope to have accomplished?

You’re not locked into any of this; one of the wonderful things about blogs is how they constantly evolve as we learn, grow, and interact with one another — but it’s good to know where and why you started, and articulating your goals may just give you a few other post ideas.

Can’t think how to get started? Just write the first thing that pops into your head. Anne Lamott, author of a book on writing we love, says that you need to give yourself permission to write a “crappy first draft”. Anne makes a great point — just start writing, and worry about editing it later.

When you’re ready to publish, give your post three to five tags that describe your blog’s focus — writing, photography, fiction, parenting, food, cars, movies, sports, whatever. These tags will help others who care about your topics find you in the Reader. Make sure one of the tags is “zerotohero,” so other new bloggers can find you, too.