Grad Session Details...For the Parents

The pictures look fun, the poses have style, the locations are endless and the memories are forever, but what exactly does the Lucid Musings student Grad Sessions involve and what do they cost? Now in it's sophomore year, LM's student photography has begun to catch on locally and is making inroads throughout the area, offering the student a unique, hip and personal view, giving the entire family a document to this, probably the biggest moment in their lives so far.

The Beginnings: Modeled after the "Senior's Portrait", a driving force and right of passage South of the border, the concept is is not something new those who attended high school in the US, but it is something that students and parents in the Perth/Huron and Middlesex areas probably have never seen. With the push to expand this year, this will not be the case for long:-)

The Pre-Shoot: The "Stepping Out" Session begins with a consultation to determine the "feel" of how each sitting will play out, as it is not only my goal to show the grad in the best and most glamorous way, but also to paint in interests and personality to give a full and individual finished canvas.

Time Investment: Each session lasts roughly 1 1/2 to 2 hours and can be compressed multi-location affairs, studio/location blends, or distance travel shoots, the options can be as personal as your graduate.

Dress Code: Clothing (up to 3 outfits) and props add flare and detail, bringing in things like musical instruments, sporting equipment, hats, sunglasses...the list goes on:-)

The Post-Shoot: Online gallery included and options from individual "Rock Video" slide shows to beautiful book bound memory albums are all offered to give you the perfect package.

Financial Investment: Until May 15 all pre-bookings receive a base-rate $100.00 session fee. After May 15, the rate returns to $145.00 plus tax.

Questions? Love it and want to book a consultation? 519-284-0858
toll free 1-866-680-0858

If you've got someone who is "Stepping Out" this year, give them a thrill and make it a LM moment for them...and for you. :-)

The Drive By Truckers Come To Town

The story of the Drive By Truckers is as road wearied and oil stained as their name suggests. Almost 15 years of heavy touring, heavy drinking, marital break-ups in the Fleetwood Mac model, and the loss of an integral member have blew a few tires, but the core duo of Mike "Stroker Ace Cooley and Patterson Hood have powered on with a ferocity of artistic energy and mind blowing rock shows almost unmatched by any other bands out there at this moment.
My story of the DBT began as the clouds began to part after a downpour at the sophomore 2003 Bonnaroo. Stumbling along on a cloud after a stellar "Crazy Game of Poker" OAR set in "That Tent" and lost in the moment before G.Love took the 4 o'clock slot on "Which Stage", the beginning rough and ready notes of "Ronnie and Neil" caught my peripheral attention. I had in my late teens and early 20's been somewhat obsessive compulsive about Lynyrd Skynyrd, buying all their albums in the span of a year, digesting every sound and every lyric. The parallels of the song and the parallels of the DBT hit me like a bottle of Jack Daniels in the face. After another song, they really hit there stride with their signature piece Let There Be Rock....

Watching newly inducted Shonna Tucker and Jason Isbell rip apart the stage left while Mike Cooley etched his guitar stage right, cigarette dangling from his mouth and Brad Morgan hit the drum skins looking like a character straight out of some eastern Kentucky psycho-thriller. What totally gripped me, though was Patterson Hood's presence center stage spitting and sweating every word of this song about growing up in the 70's and 80's in the age of arena rock. Within a month I bought all of their CD's and became the biggest promoter of their salt-of-the-earth message.
I have been lucky enough to see their full show 5 times since, always front-of stage and every time leaving as shell shocked as the time before. In 2005 I got to meet Mike Cooley back stage at Bonnaroo, in 2007 I met Jason Isbell at The Phoenix in Toronto and their personal demeanor matches there pure, true and simple on stage persona. The Truckers are the real thing and they showed it again last Tuesday and Wednesday in Toronto, there is no glitter, there is no glam, no video screens with naked chicks, no flashing neon, no dry ice and no pot-flashes, there is no need. There are 3 singers, 6 musicians, 1 case of beer and 1 bottle of Jack Daniels. If Rock n' Roll is an old slang for a good screw, then the DBT hit the nail right on the head, leaving you rode hard and put away wet.
I had to stop and talk to a young lady standing glazed outside the show after Tuesday night's performance. Holding every album the DBT ever produced, all in the classic vinyl format, sealed and waiting for their virgin rotation, I said I was somewhat overcome by the shear size of her purchase. Like a teen defending her delinquent boyfriend, lost in the moment of shear physical attraction, her come back was straight and to the point "Why wouldn't I buy them all...they are the greatest band in the World". Welcome to Rock n' Roll show,lady, welcome to the Rock n' Roll show!

Tis' the Season

Well the Ides of March have yet once again passed in a safe manner and March Break has come and gone leaving a trail of weather records in its midst, so April must be right around the corner. The "season" has begun once again at Lucid Musings. A full slate of weddings are guaranteed, "Into the Heart of the Photo" beginners boot-camp a mere 3 weeks away, the phone and studio are beginning to buzz with Family Portrait requests and upcoming summer "get-togethers". But April also symbolizes the beginning of the "Kick Open the Doors" Graduation Bonanza. A pre-cursor to the sophomore year of LM's addition of cutting edge student photography to the portfolio. 2 lucky "Golden Tickets" (ode to Willy Wonka)will be awarded to 2 2010 graduating students for a full location session. No strings attached, just come on over to Facebook (come on, you are probably going there anyhow:-) and fan yourself Lucid Musings and simply indicate your school under the "Kick Open the Doors Golden Ticket" heading on the wall to mark that you indeed want to be a part of this opportunity to have some fun and scream "I've Graduated" with style:-) Nothing is much simpler, or more fun and not to have anyone left out, existing fans can simply email me Sean@lucidmusings.com and I will enter your name. Contest runs March 26-April 26....Make it LM in 2010...

A Legend and a Mentor Dies...Goodbye Mr. Rock n' Roll

What do images of Johnny Cash giving the finger at San Quentin prison, Janis Joplin lounging with a bottle of SoCo backstage at Winterland, Jimi Hendrix spraying lighter fluid on his guitar at Monterey and the classic Allman Brothers a la kit and guitar cases on the front of Fillmore East all have in common? They where all taken by Mr. Jim Marshall, music photographer extraordinaire of the classic period of rock n' roll. The lense cap was put on for the last time early this morning with Mr. Marshall passing away in his sleep. A true inspiration for my love of music photography, this small honour is the least I can do. Here's to hoping he is having one hell of a party with Janis, Brian, Keith, Duane, Jim and Jimmy....:-)

Time to Blog Again...Spring Course Details

It is with great excitement that I will be offering again my popular course for the digital photo beginner. In the spirit of getting those images you see in your mind, but have trouble realizing with your camera. A 4 session course, not only a follow-up to my level 1 'Into the Digital Age' which I offered in 2007, but a great starting point for any SLR camera (manual function/interchangeable lens) camera owner wanting to become more familiar with their camera and improve their photos. This course will get you using your camera on-location, help you visualize things in a new matter, give you projects that will get you out shooting independently and inspire open interaction. I created this brief, fun, unimposing and hopefully inspiring course in the belief that the digital camera is best learned if you get out and use it. The instant results a LCD screen gives and the freedom of a digital card to capture and capture again until we get it right has changed our opportunities to learn photography. With this in mind and my belief that learning is not only gained by ingesting information but by actually using this knowledge in an open forum that becomes knowledge itself. Get up, get out and ignite some photo fun this Spring with 'Into The Heart of The Photo'-you won't regret it:-)

What: Into The Heart of the Photo
4 session interactive course to better photos

Week 1 (April 13)

In Classroom instruction/discussion of:

-Manual Functions
-Depth of Field
-Metering
-Composition


Week 2 (April 20-6:00pm-field trip)

Location Shoot #1

-Composition 'On Location'
...take what you learned in Week 1 and put it into action

****Homework Assignment to be completed over next week and returned to me for critique the following week and reviewed in-classroom
May 4th:-)

Week 3 (April 27 6:00pm-field trip)

Location Shoot #2

-Candid Portrait Shoot and Low Light Fun

...will help you learn...

-metering
-Shutter speed and Aperture

...in a practical setting...

Week 4 (May 4)

Back to the Classroom

-Photo Showing
-Review
-Open Discussion

Where: Stone Willow Inn (St. Marys) http://www.stonewillow.com/
When: classroom sessions 7-9pm, this time around, the location sessions will be earlier evening 'field trip' style shoots and, if everyone is agreeable, the immediately following Tuesday nights will be used if the weather is a complete wash-out. Mother Nature can be temperamental, so keep our fingers crossed:-)

...you already know the dates

How: To enroll, or for more details, email me Sean@lucidmusings.com , call me at 519-284-0858, or come in and see me at the studio 147 Queen St. E., St. Marys. Course fee is $165.00.

New Website....Coming Soon!

Some of my fellow bloggers may be wondering why the drop in recent posts to Lucid Musings Light. Not to worry, it is not that LM has hit a wall, but quite the opposite and I am currently "in deep" creating a new online visual experience sure to take the website to a whole new level. The original site, masterfully created by Ted Fuller of Fullerworks back in January, 2004, with all its adjustments and tweaks has run its course. Overall congestion, and the lack of a full and conjoined representation of the energetic portfolio Lucid Musings has tried to attain with over 5 years under its belt, it was time. Stay tuned, be patient and be prepared for a grand launch before the end of February....Join the fun and "Make it LM in 2010".

Stepping Out...The Future is Bright:-)

With my first of many visits to the local high school this past week to speak to grade 10 students about a career in the world of photography, I created a new collection of last years student work as part of the presentation. As with every visit, their overall response, especially to the grad (and travel) photography portions was well above the bar. I can only hope that through these visits, I may inspire even a little and give fuel to these young, impressionable and open minds.
As I have become more adept at the "speaking circuit", I find myself talking not only about the potential ups and downs of one select industry (photography), but share an underlying message to these students to open up, give life 100%, and not be afraid to make that step. I let them know that the confusion and life change that haunts the mid teen is natural, absolute direction is a gift for the few, but the key is to never stray far from the path and, if you do that, someday your end goal will be reached.
Here's to all those stepping out this year....:-)

Framing Blowout-2 Weeks Left

Lucid Musings aim to provide top quality finishes to prints is now at an all time high and to celebrate, is offering 25% off all custom framing during the month of January. If you were thinking about upgrading your wall decor in 2010, then now is the time. Featuring an exclusive line of both North American and European moldings, we are your local answer to all your framing needs.

Merry Ho Ho From LM Photo

Last Night I Met an Angel-A Review of the Julie Doiron, Ladyhawk, Constantines Call the Office Blowout

After a long break from the hallowed ground of the live music venue, I returned to form Friday night with a long anticipated trio of Canada's heavy hitters conveniently wrapped up in a handy little package and spit out from the beautifully tarnished stage of London's iconic Call the Office.
Ladyhawk was a completely fresh experience, with only a MySpace briefing and a recommendation from a friend to crutch my ingoing bias. Their avid fans where quite obviously in attendance and the front of stage quickly became a well packed deck of cards, my jack of spades wedged between the stage, wall and some fun loving (and pissed) girl from Fanshawe:-) Hitting there stride about 2 or 3 songs in, these guys genuinely rocked, bassist Sean Hawryluk a spitting rendition of early 90's J.Mascis Dinosaur Jr, t-shirt and all. Not taking shots at the look alike contest, lead singer and guitarist Duffy Driediger freakishly reminded me of Sublime guitarist Eric Wilson, sweat and all. Joking about how C.T.O. had been negligent adding an 'e' to Ladyhawk on the marquis out front (Ladyhawke is a New Zealand outfit led my sexpot singer Pip Brown), they definitely laid to rest any misconceptions over who they where, playing a searing set and reeling in those not already converted into there lyrical world of fuzzed teen angst.
I had seen the Constantines on 2 separate occasions in the past, the virgin flight being from the main stage of Hillside in there hometown of Guelph, where they kicked my ass so much that I added a powerhouse image of crazed bass player Dallas Wehrle to my small personal gallery. Taking the stage around 12:30am, they wasted no time in getting down to what they do best, opening up a sonic fire on the pressed and already well fed awaiting audience. Dallas sporting a full face winter mask, which he wore for most of the show. As always, the Constantines where anything but a mystery, ripping through their ever growing retrospective, timely and poignant anthems. With Kensington Heights, they have taken it up another rung and become one of Canada's most important bands and if Friday night's 10th anniversary show is any indication, the boys from Wellington County aren't stopping anytime soon.
On a night as solid as this, it is hard to pick favorites, but Julie Doiron, formerly of legendary East coast Noise-Grunge-Rock-Avante purveyors Eric's Trip and Wooden Stars, who took the stage first and blew me away with her shear energy and a power chord jabs a la Neil Young (the entire evening actually had a Crazy Horse rocker vibe sitting stage left, but then again, this is Canada, eh:-)). I had never seen her live and expected a much mellower vibe, after extensive listening to 2 of her studio albums, 1997's Loneliest in the Morning, and this year's college chart topper I Can Wonder What You Did With Your Day. What I got was a girl in her late 30's that worked the stage with shear exuberance, style and power that made you think you where looking at a 20 year old Julie encapsulated in the heady days of the early 90's, giving the audience everything she had. When she played, the exuberance and pleasure she took in she gave out, her show wonderful, rough and ecstatic, each song finished with a grateful thank-you to not only to the audience, but the headlining bands with the nuance of a girl not jaded by years of touring and the storms of career wanes and prominence, with her years on the road roughly 10 years their senior. Working her own merch table with the enthusiasm of a fledgling bar act and during both the Ladyhawk and Constantines set she turned into fan mode, either crammed behind the monitor leaning fans, or singing and dancing side stage and taking the stage with the Constantines. Julie Doiron, as a person and as a musician was the star that stood out for me, not just for her stage hip, but for what she represented, a sketch of music for the love of music, a beautiful ageless spirit dressed in dusty boots black nylons and plaid skirt, her long pigtails swinging with an urgency lost in today's commercial jungle. Amen to that:-)

Christmas Savings With Christmas Certificates

If a portrait is something you, or your family has been talking about doing for the last while, now is a perfect time to act on those emotions. Capture the moment with Lucid Musings' exclusive "Family Art Location Sessions" in 2010 with a certificate on the tree for Christmas morning. With purchase you have a wide open slate to book the season and date you want anytime during next year. Be it one of Lucid Musings' edgy and fun "Spotlight" Graduation (in their sophomore year) and Glamour sessions, a crazy popular "Summer Sunset Session", or a spirited romance forward Couples session . One family or an extended generational gathering of many, portraits are Lucid Musings speciality and each one is unique and bound to leave you talking, and guaranteed to give you memories for years to come. From December 7th to December 12th, get a certificate and not only retain the 2009 rates, but get an additonal 30% off. If this doesn't give you that little push to finally get behind the lens, well....then...give me a call at 519-284-0858 and I will help you along...:-)

Christmas "Fast Track" Deadlines at LM

Christmas is on the fast track and photos and framing take time, so to ensure the perfect gift is under your tree before Santa comes knocking, here are the guaranteed deadlines for 2009:

Canvas: December 4th
Framing: December 11th
Fine Art Prints : December 14th
Custom Enlargements: December 18th

As always, special requests and requirements are handled with the client in mind to give you a "Gift with Image" :-)and late orders are often not "too late", so give me a call with any last minute panics:-) Customer satisfaction and quality timeless results are always priority. Make your day...the LM way..."Make it a Gift Certificate"

Winter 2009-2010 One-on-One

"One on One" classes begin this week...spaces are still available for winter 2 day/4hour crash courses for beginner photographers. Full 4 week course also running again in April 2010. Learning with LM....."Make it a Gift....Certificate":-)

Due to popular interest, I have decided to offer private one on one tutoring in the shoulder/off season to aspiring photographers wanting to better capture those images that look so much better in your mind than on that digital display of your camera. A compressed, distilled and refined version of my Spring/Fall group sessions, http://lucidmusingslight.blogspot.com/2009/08/course-announcement-starting-september.html this course will is a great opportunity to get up close...and personal...with your camera:-)

Cost: $125.00 plus GST
What: Fun learning experience..
Where: My studio and beautiful Perth County
When: Flexible dates and times
Who: Me...and You
Why: Why Not?
How: By calling 519-284-0858, or 1-866-680-0858

2009 "Front and Centre" Installment 2

Although Lucid Musings made the decision in 2009 to make weddings a more "exclusive" portion of the photo palate of services, focusing on more portraits and expanding my lifestyle outlets, I still love the opportunity a wedding gives. The precursor to every wedding is the engagement and in the photo world the engagement shoot. No wedding day stress, denim casual and time to spare, what the engagement couples session lacks in elegance it makes up for ten times over in real, relaxed unpretentious fun and romance...a behind the scenes look before the show begins:-)

2009 "Front and Centre" Installment 1...

2009 was, is and destined to be an amazing year for me here at Lucid Musings Photography. A year of minor downs and major ups, 2009 took me all over Ontario and parts of the U.S. trying to secure the story in a moment, provide captures for commissioned clients, and get promotional and lifestyle for advertising agency projects and a number of Inns. From the Little Inn in Bayfield to the YMCA in Sarnia and Chatham, from Sir Sams in Haliburton to the Shaw Club in Niagara on the Lake, travel was certainly on the agenda. What was also on the agenda was a true push to give families and individuals a portrait with a twist. Tailoring back on weddings in 2009, I made the business decision to become a "portrait specialist" and it seems to be working. Although the year still has 2 1/2 months to go, with the amount of work I feel honoured to share from this memorable year, I thought I had better get started...let the show begin..."2009 Front and Center" with Lucid Musings...starring many smiles, more laughs and even more memories...:-)

Fall Sessions

Yes, it is October and it sure feels like it! That being said, October is one of my favorite months with the fresh, sunny days, clear, moonlit early evenings, leaves under foot, colours of orange, red and yellow shining under the haze of a streetlight. Sweaters come out of storage, hockey is on TV, the harvesters haunt the fields by day and night and visits to the hidden gems of summer take on a new face of solitude. Seasons in Canada are something we treasure and fall is on the top of many lists, especially for the art of the family portrait. Lucid Musings looks forward to working with many families, some back for their second and third outings. Things are booking up fast again this year, but there are still limited spaces available. Call 519-284-0858 or 1-866-680-0858 to book some memories:-)

I have uploaded my current booking calendar to help:-) Recommended seating times are morning or late afternoon, but special requests are always accomodated:-)

Lucid Musings Retrospective-Celebrating 5 years

An overdue look at the first five years of Lucid Musings' family portraiture. All of these pictures where sampled from late spring 2004 until the beginning of 2009. It been a long road, with lots peaks and valleys, but looking back, I really feel good about my path I have paved. A lot of long days and 7 day weeks have given way to the realization of passion as a living, an opportunity few get and I count my blessings everyday. Enjoy:-)

Stonetown Music Festival-A Young Cause for All

It’s so hard to get old without a cause
I don’t want to perish like a fading horse
Youth is like diamonds in the sun
And diamonds are forever

So many adventures couldn’t happen today
So many songs we forgot to play
So many dreams are swinging out of the blue
We let them come true...Alphaville

(following is the letter to the editor I wrote, printed in todays (September 2) St. Marys Journal Argus)

A week ago Saturday, my good friends and owners of The Harvest Bakery made a vested attempt to create a musical “buzz”, by gathering a selection of local musicians, both young and established to put forth the first “Stonetown Music Festival”. Being in the know from the first spark to the realization on the 22^nd, I was fully aware of the hurdles they had to jump to accomplish what they did and as a result of this hard work, feel commendation is due to them, not snide digs about the lack of tourists, closed businesses, screaming vocals and an over-amped bass.

To be fair, one can argue that the pool of St. Marys live acts that performed on the 22^nd varied from good to fair to passable, and that the acoustics on Water street left something to be desired, but that is not the point. Rather than looking at it’s glass half full shortcomings, as any virgin attempt has, we should all be looking at its positive future potential and the underlying message behind it that John Leberg, and anyone in his camp seems to be overlooking. What we have is an attempt by the younger populace of St. Marys to give local musicians of all ages and genres a platform to express their musical talents, for today and tomorrow in a festival format and a permanent band shell. In a town that has always been a big youth sports town, I feel this spotlight that is now shining on the non-sports oriented young talents should not be turned off but brightened.

Community support for this inaugural event was lacking for most of the 7 hours I spent happily supporting the efforts of the group of under 23 year olds running the show, some just in there teens. This lack of support needs correction both behind and in front of the stage. With the right people, the right funding, and the right organizations we can create something that really matters. Music was, is and always will be, meant to be played and experienced in a live outdoor venue. The conjoining of music, arts and community is well documented and yearly tapestries have been woven from this patchwork.

The successes are well realized, from Hillside’s sold out 3 day green haven on Guelph island, to the legendary Mariposa in Orillia’s Tudhope Park, from the local and free multi-cultural splash at Sunfest to the long running Home County Folk. Let us step up and join this youthful enthusiasm for freedom of expression, forget the “not in my backyard” backwardness and open our eyes and ears to the possibilities, many suggested in the most thought out and objective of citizen letters written on this issue, by Tom Sproat and Rachel Petrie. Once again 2 young members of our community intelligent enough to offer a much more liberal, well thought out proactive piece while leaving out personal attacks, something the opposition unfortunately seems unable to do. Then again, one should thank Mr. Leberg for raising this issue as he has really inadvertently planted the seed that will hopefully someday see music, in all its fantastic forms become a permanent part of summer in St. Marys, because, at the end of the day, music can not only lift one’s inner spirits, it can add spirit to any town, or city wise enough to embrace it, nurture it and give it legs to stand on.