Contest: FREE WEDDING SHOOT!

That's right! That's not a type-o! I'm offering my artistic services to shoot a full wedding for FREE for one lucky couple that is about to get married in 2009! I haven't lost my mind (depsite what others may say!)

Sounds too good to be true? What's the catch? The only thing I ask for is for the couple interested in taking part of this contest to write to me something about themselves.

And here are the 3 topics to choose from (please choose 1 topic; 1 entry allowed per couple):

1) How did you two meet?
2) How did your significant other proposed to you? (details leading up to the moment)
3) Tell me about a time you had an awkward date with each other.

I want Details! Details! Details!

Entries will be reviewed by me and a panel of my peers from the photo industry. Entries can be submitted to info@nakatawafotography.com.
Please include the projected wedding date and your contact information: e-mail/phone number.

The winning couple will be receiving from me (over $3000 value):
- The B&W Timeless Photo Package
- An 1 hour engagement shoot
- All day wedding photojournalistic coverage (typically from 8am - 11pm)
- 1: 10x10 Asuka wedding album.
- 1: DVD of the high-res, unedited pictures taken from the day
- 2: 12x18 prints (one from the engagement shoot; one from the wedding)

Stipulations:
- The wedding takes place within a day.
- The wedding takes place within the city and surrounding areas (St Albert, Sherwood Park, Spruce Grove and Leduc)
- The wedding takes place in 2009.
- Anything extra that is requested that is not part of the package will be at the couple's expense.

I'm looking at getting at least 5 entries before announcing a winner, hopefully by Feb 14, 2009.

Deadline for submissions: Feb 6, 2009

Nakatawa Fotography: Website Relaunched

Just wanted to let everyone know that I've updated my website: Nakatawa Fotography; I relauched it late last night.



When the site was initially launched back in Mar of this year, it was primarily a wedding photography site. But as more requests and referrals started coming in, the more it evolved from that - so not only was it centered towards weddings, but I've been getting requests to do maternity shots, baby/kids shots, engagement shots on top of the special events that I've been covering in the last little while. All of which where I could still exercise my photojournalistic style. The more I took a step back, the more I was seeing a much larger and grander picture: to shoot real life events in people's lives.

If someone were to ask what 3 words would be used to describe the type of work I shoot: Real. Life. Style; just a play on words about shooting a lifestyle, or a real life event and to shoot with style.

With that in mind, everything about the original website was changed: from the dark color scheme to the layout to the whole overall concept. The simplicity of everything was influenced by "Real Simple" magazine's look and layout and one of my favorite photographers' website, Jose Villa. I just like how everything looks very clean, bright and well organized.

Additionally, I have been racking my brains for the past couple weeks on trying to decide "how do i present the pictures?" i.e. flash? slideshow? javascript? do i use thumbnail images? etc. in relation to the overlying theme of the site, and making it simple for myself in case of an instant update, again I kept everything nice and simple, easy to navigate - and I did this using good ol html - simplistic web coding at its finest!

All in all, I'm currently content with my latest efforts. Updates will be done to it for the most part when I've completed a shoot and see an image (or images) I really want to share.

In the meantime, feel free to browse the site and leave comments on what you think of the new layout

Assistance May Be Required

And so I'm in the process of updating my portfolio website: www.nino-roy.com. I kinda figured that after 2 years, I should really update not just the pictures, but the layout as well.

So this site is currently going under a "rebranding" stage as I segregated my wedding work from the arts and arts events work that I've done in the past 3 years. I still have some portfolio shots taken over the past year and a half that I can update my site with. Additionally, I'm always looking for fresh new faces to work with to help establish some of the concepts running through my head at the moment.

A feature that I plan on implementing on the new site in the "About Me" section, is basically a copy of Dear Superstar, a feature found in Blender Magazine. For those not familiar with this feature, this is where fans write in with a question to their favorite superstar that may or may not be related to music. So you want to ask a me question that may or may not be related to photography, feel free to e-mail me and I'll post up to 21 questions to answer - just so that you can get to know me better.

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I'm still looking for some new people to work with in regards to an earlier posting - project: photobook; drop me a line if you're interested and I will see if you fit the look that I'm aiming for for this book.

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as for the picture of Adriana Lima above... do I really need a reason to post a picture of her? Yeah, I didn't think so either :)

Nakatawa Fotography: Website Launched!

Huzzah for me! I finally launched my Fine Art-Photojournalist Wedding Website: Nakatawa Fotography



It's been a long time coming but I'm glad that it's up for now (still need to find a decent headshot of myself). And to think, that a few years ago when I finally picked up a dslr camera, I refused to shoot weddings because I didn't think I would have in doing so.

Keep in mind that I really started getting into shooting wedding photography just last year so I'm still a little wet behind the ears when it comes to experience. So forgive me if the portfolio section seems a little bare... for now! But don't let that lack of experience fool you as for those that know, I covered many arts and performing arts/social events to hone my photojournalistic skills over the past 3 years - which is why I am able to transfer those skills in my wedding coverages.

It's all part of the "5 Year Plan" I say!

So in the meantime, if you know anyone that's getting married and is looking for a photographer for this summer (or on short notice!) feel free to let them know about me and this site. I do have packages that should be able to suit most people's needs. That being said, I also do offer friends & family referral discounts! ;)

Hasta luego