Wancket Studios in the business of making heirlooms of family portraits
by Rich Rostron
An heirloom, according to www.thefreedictionary.com, is “A valued possession passed down in a family through succeeding generations.” Another way to put it is that an heirloom is something that, if the creek is rising and water is starting to come in the doors, the heirloom is probably the first possession you’ll think of when deciding what to rescue after everyone is safe.
Wancket Studios is in the business of creating heirlooms. The family portraits she’s created, that are lovingly hung on walls by clients from coast to coast, capture more than merely the physical reflection of light; they capture the essence of the subjects in front of the camera’s lens.
Audrey Wancket, the owner of Wancket Studios, is renowned for her family portraits that have a look about them that is reminiscent of the works of masters who created with canvas and oils. With a Wancket portrait, the viewer doesn’t merely see what your child looked like at 10-years old, they see who your child was at 10-years old. A Wancket Studios portrait of you and your spouse tells a story of the love and affection you have for each other. A portrait of your graduating son or daughter tells a story of the hopes and ambitions they have for the future.
Anyone can pick up a camera and take a picture. A portrait is more than that. And a Wancket Studios family portrait is an heirloom in the making.
For more information about Wancket Studios, visit www.wancketstudios.com or call 847-587-3350.
I just returned from our yearly trade show. We have purchased several new backgrounds which will be arriving the 1st of February. I am so excited to start using them. However, we desperately need new samples to show off our Wancket Studios "new looks". If you or any of your friends are interested in volunteering your children for an hour while we try out the new backgrounds and our new techniques call us ASAP at the studio #847-587-3350. We need boys and girls 3-14 years old. It should be a lot of fun and we will gift you an 8x10 of your choice so spread the word for us. We'll be competing the modeling sessions during the first three weeks of February. Weekdays our preferable for these sessions.
Wow! What a weekend.
This past weekend Audrey and I attended Imaging U.S.A, the annual Professional Photographers of America(PPA) Convention. The convention this year was held in New Orleans. This was my first experience attending the convention and I have to admit that over the past couple of years when Audrey would leave me at the studio in the dead of winter, I was a little jealous. Based on the number of ideas she’d have when she got back and all of the work that translated into for me, I knew it wasn’t a “vacation” but it sounded a whole lot more fun than tending to the studio by myself. Well, I wasn’t wrong about it being more fun but I had no idea how much work it was. I was up at 5:30 each morning in order to get to programs that started at 7am.
Along with attending different programs given by various professional in the industry, there was also a trade show where we were able to see different tools and products. Another main highlight of the convention is the print exhibition which showcases the best-of-the-best from PPA’s annual photography competition. I’m more than proud to say that all four images that Audrey submitted were hanging in this exhibition.
Audrey’s successes at the convention don’t end there. While I was busy attending programs Audrey was surpassing the competition. One of the images that Audrey submitted to the photography competition was ranked in the top 10 of all the portraits that were submitted from all over the world. The same portrait was later given an esteemed fourth place ranking in an entirely different competition sponsored by Kodak called the Kodak Elite Awards. Each contest had thousands of entries from around the world.
I know you’re probably saying “WOW” but the honors keep on coming. After a lengthy process that started in the fall of 2011, Audrey was elected to the PPA Board of Directors. This means that she was chosen by her peers to represent and guide them in establishing principles and practices that help maintain a standard for skills and education in the field of photography.
Congratulations to Audrey on all of the fantastic accolades that were bestowed upon her this past week. You truly deserve them and I’m honored to have been a small part of making them happen.
Check out Wancket Studios’ Facebook page and see some images from the convention. You might even see Audrey and me holding snakes and alligators.
Kate
That is on facebook. If you're on facebook I would love to be your friend. My facebook friends consist of my family, my "childhood till now" social friends and my clients who I consider my friends. After all, I truly know more about my clients and their families than I do of old friends. This is what I love most about being a photographer. I have had the opportunity to watch many families grow and change through the Wancket Portraits I have created for you over the years.
So FB friend me...you never know if I post an image in my albums that you might get tagged. I would also love you "like"my pages-here are the links.
I hope everyone had a nice holiday. This year there were many "Surprise Portraits" being given for holiday gifts. That is always so exciting for me.
Thought I would share a fun story. We have a client that lives in California. When she first came to us with first baby, they were living in Illinois. Once they moved, had another baby and when they came to town for the holidays we photographed the second little girl. Well along comes the third.
The husband calls us and says that his wife has been after him to schedule a time to come to Illinois and have the third little girls portrait taken. He ordered a gift certificate for her and told me if she called-to tell her we were booked. Well she called. First I waited a day or two to return her call, then I tried to call at wierd times to leave a message as if I was playing phone tag. I felt bad not calling her...and telling her I was busy.
Anyhow-the gift was given and she was able to plan a little. (I told her husband that she would want to pick the clothing). It all worked out/
2012 is starting out strong, I hope yours is that way too.
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When you hire a photographer, you want the best—but ensuring that you get the best photographer for the job can be a difficult task. That is where we can help.
As the leading certifying agency for imaging professionals, the Professional Photographic Certification program is recognized throughout the industry. When you see a photographer displaying Certified Professional Photographer seal, you can be sure that he or she is among the less than 3% of all imaging professionals who have successfully completed and maintained our requirements.
Those who have earned the Professional Photographic Certification have passed a comprehensive written exam measuring their technical expertise, and have successfully submitted their work to a panel of judges for review and approval.
Every five years, a photographer must renew his or her credentials by participating in continuing education programs and periodically submitting work for critical evaluation. This helps assure you that certified photographers maintain their level of expertise and continue to develop new skills and techniques.
I have always believed in pursuing higher education in photography along with the challenges of industry accreditation. I have been a certified photographer for over 15 years with re-certifying every five years.
Whether you are choosing a photographer for portraits, wedding or commercial photography, look first to be sure they are certified...
