so with much success with my aurora collection of images licensing on getty and corbis, i felt like experimenting a bit.  the only big agency that i was unrepresented on was jupiter.  so i thought i would push a smaller collection of people/lifestyle images images direct with jupiter though workbook.  all agencies are a bit different on the expected return and the time it takes to make it happen.  but after about 8 months from the time i signed paperwork, to today, i am happy to say that the first license with jupiter was a great one!   also very interested to see what images do well.  it is very hard to presume one image is going to do very well and another one is not... and if i posted all my big sellers, you might laugh!  certainly not portfolio gems;-)

but the funny story behind the first image license with jupiter is that the image was from an editorial stroy shot for riviera magazine where next to nothng was paid to me for producing the image.  it was one of those smaller stories that does not really have much of a budget, but i agreed to take it as i felt the images might be marketable beyond the editorial.  here are a few but the bottom right image made me $4500 this month!  yehaa!

hi everyone,  well, still working out the self promo and actually was really inspired by the nikon promo awards.  if you have not seen it yet, check it out, pretty cool stuff.  the tough thing with me is i do not really have a set advertising budget.  i really need to start setting budget aside for these type of projects but currently i am looking at making promos for a local/regional market and in some instances some potential national clients.

so i am getting crafty and tryng to do it on my own budget.  still working out the paper selections, sizes, shipping method and design.  here are some tested layouts.  next step is to source the envalopes or shipping package.  i am thinking something clear to see the work inside.

as a follow up to the question, how do you build a great lifestyle portfolio...i referenced books that i take with me out on a shoot.  i was using an iphoto book, but changed over to my new inkjet book.  its great because i can keep it up to date with the best/newest stuff and can custom create books for the type of person or groups i might approach.

all in all it has been really enjoyable just to be able to print and share.  thanks to all for adding their comments and tips on inkjet printing.   look for a post on how to use them for promos...i am not sure yet, but working on it!

both shots below are ideal senarios on lifestyle stuff that i stumble upon...or in the case of the fly fisherman, hunt down and shoot...long story.

updated:  some people have asked to see more of this stuff!  you can see my gallery at this location:  photobooths



very excited to be announcing a 1 day session on how to shoot studio portraits learning my own signature style, and teach you how to make it your own!  Over the past 3 years i have been adding this fun approach to shooting events, cocktail parties and weddings and it has really paid off creatively and financially.


when is this happening??
november 14, 2008 - 1 day, lunch provided, at the oceanside, ca studio.

what do you learn??
equipment needed
set up
meter light
work with the subjects
post production/processing
scheduling and shooting at events
and how to make it work for you to get more bookings!


how much is it??
$250.00 per person, or bring a friend for $400, credit card or check.  space is limited, first come first signed up.  to sign up, download the credit card payment form, and fill it out and fax it in!  on there please let me know if it is just you, or are you bringing someone, email to confirm receipt.

email me at jay@jayreilly.com with questions!  If you wanna come really bad but can't on this date, let me know, i can keep you in the list if a second date is announced.

is there more??
heck yes, but i cant mention yet as i am working out the details with ITDR about a evening photographer party that will allow you to put the techniques to use and have a drink or two.

well, i did it!  i dusted off the epson 2200 photo printer and started to updated my printed book.  who said the printed portfolio is dead!  i have to admit, it has been fun seeing the prints come together!  but it has been a lot of work so lets hope it pays off.  the reason i am updating the book is because i had the request from sam rockman(la based photo rep/negotiator/producer) to go over it and certainly could not send it with out including the past 6 months of work.

its been fun, but just thought i would share some thoughts.  the 2200 is impressive now that i have really given a chance to shine.  the prints are standing up to my previously printed whcc stuff, and in fact looks better...i think.  i am printing on both matte and premium luster.  they are currently going in a 11x17 pina zangaro... and the immediate gratification of designing, printing and presenting is cool and is allowing for a more dynamic selection and finished product.

the thing i am thinking about most at this point is image presentation.  how i am showing the images as singles and stories.  its been challenging as i am not a graphic designer and editing your own work can be tough.  that's why i am bring sam into the mix.  but to give you some insight on how i am thinking about it is i am looking at some magazines that i appreciate the layouts and image use and creating some inspiration.  most of the mags are lifestyle in nature and have a very clean cool way about how the images interact with the feature.  see below, some mags and simon william's spread in the surfer 2008 photo annual.  tops shots are one from the nineplus 08 catalog and a portrait from a stock shoot.

for years the stock music scene has been pretty lame.  hope i am not offending anyone but i can remember looking for music to license for campaigns, websites, multimedia and other use and the options were pretty bad.  now i see my photography in more multimedia use and have been spending some time on getty's somewhat new music licensing interface called "pump audio".  i have to say that the options are getting good, very good.  the music is almost endless in just about any genre, mood and tempo.  the prices are fairly reasonable as well.  if your looking for music, check it out.

hi all,  after repeated requests about what lenses i am shooting with...here are the basics!


i am a pretty easy guy to satisfy so this is basically the line up for more than 95% of what i shoot. 

28mm f1.8 - $400ish, sharp, fast, narrow depth of field, yet wide, use this one often and is about all my underwater/waterhousing shots, the focus motor is pretty nice.  really like this lens and wish they made a 35mm at this quality and price.

35mm f2.0 - $200ish, sharp, fast, and got it because it fit in my waterhousing but now use it for so much more.  a super lens for the price...just about my favorite!  just not sure how long it will last

50mm f1.4 - $350ish, fast and sharp enough and at a great price.  did break on me once already...but i am a bit hard on this equipment...if you could not tell.

45ts f2.8 - have not been shooting this one as much but intend to use it a bit more in upcoming sessions.  actually a very fun portrait lens.

out of the above lenses, i would say i shoot the 35 and the 50 the most.  if i was stranded on an island and only had one lens, i guess the 35mm would do.  the funny thing is that it is the cheapest as well...so i better get 2 because i am not sure how long they last ;-)

others that make the rounds are the 20mm f2.8, 85mm f1.8,200mm f2.8.

so what should be obvious is that these are NOT the most expensive lenses in the canon lineup, but have served me very well. 

had some fun these guys.  and it was sooo hot today that a pool shoot was a very welcome assignment. 

congrats everyone! i am really proud how this contest turned out. it was very close among many of the images and it was really exciting to see how the popular vote went and the judges decisions. as you can see from the above the first, second, third winners from the judges, the popular vote, and two honorable mentions from the judges selections.

Just let you know how close it was, here was the judges scores: 1st place had 76 points, 2nd prize had 72 points, third prize had 69 points. 64 ad 56 points respectively for the honable mentions. a very close contest indeed. voting for the judges was simple, based on a 10 point criteria for summer feeling and overall quality of the photo.

popular vote was had by more than 400 single votes for the winning image.

congrats to all the winners and thanks for participating!

hey guys!  voting is closed for both the popular vote and the judges vote.  We have our winners and we are just making up the winners page with all the info and links.  I am really happy with the results and the all the voting and scoring system will be shared as well.