Do you charge for photography sessions?

Short answer: Photography is both a hobby and a part-time job for me. I love nature photography and capturing events, especially those of our grandsons. While I often share photos for free, I also offer my services to those who want something more private or tailored to their needs.

Photography is more than just clicking a button — it’s an investment of time, skill, and professional equipment. The cameras and lenses I use cost thousands of dollars, and I continually upgrade, maintain, and insure this gear to deliver the best possible results. Along with editing software, storage, and the hours spent preparing and perfecting each session, these costs ensure you receive high-quality photos that truly capture your moments.

This is why I charge for photo sessions — so I can keep creating professional images while covering the real costs behind the art.

You can find the list price and FAQs here.

All About Pixels Size

 

📸 What is Pixel Size?

Pixel size refers to the physical dimensions of each light-sensitive pixel on a camera’s sensor, usually measured in micrometers (µm). Each pixel collects light (photons) and converts it into electrical signals that form your digital image.

• Larger pixels = more surface area to capture light.

• Smaller pixels = less light per pixel, but you can fit more of them onto the sensor (higher resolution).

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🌟 Larger Pixels – The Advantages

• Better Low-Light Performance – Larger pixels gather more light, producing cleaner images with less noise.

• Higher Dynamic Range – They can capture more detail in highlights and shadows.

• Improved Color Accuracy – Since more photons are collected, colors often look richer and truer.

This is why cameras with larger sensors and fewer megapixels (like full-frame cameras) often outperform small, high-megapixel smartphone sensors in challenging light.

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🔍 Smaller Pixels – Why They’re Used

• Higher Resolution – More pixels = more detail, allowing for larger prints and tighter cropping.

• Compact Sensors – Smartphones and small cameras fit more pixels into a tiny sensor to advertise “high megapixel counts.”

But the trade-off is that smaller pixels can get noisy in low light because each pixel gathers less light.

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⚖️ The Balance

• Pro Cameras (Full-frame, APS-C, Micro Four Thirds): Often strike a balance between pixel size and resolution.

• Smartphones: Use very small pixels, but rely on AI/software processing to compensate.

• Specialized Cameras: Some low-light cameras prioritize large pixels (lower resolution, but amazing performance in darkness).

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👉 Rule of Thumb: Larger pixels are generally “better” for low-light and image quality, but more megapixels (smaller pixels) can be “better” if you need high detail and plan to crop or print big.

Check this video recently released by Simon D'Entremont and you will have a better understanding of everything above-mentioned. 

 

Another highlight

 Another highlight coming from last weekend was some of the landscape pictures that I took at Bayport Historic Park. 

 I love the first picture for its simplicity and colors, but the second one is a view I can’t resist photographing every time I’m there. It’s just beautiful.

During last weekend: Heat affects birding

 It has been hot here in Florida and that affects birding. 

• Reduced Activity and Foraging: Birds become less active during the hottest parts of the day, limiting their foraging and breeding activities. 
• They may seek shade and cooler spots to rest and conserve energy.

As a result, I didn’t have many opportunities to capture good pictures.

One bird that didn’t seem to be bothered by the heat were the Laughing Gulls.

 I managed to take a few pictures of these birds in flight.

 The Herring Gull is large and pale gray with a white head, pink legs, and a strong yellow bill marked with a red spot. They are winter visitors to Florida, often seen along beaches, piers, and harbors, scavenging for fish or scraps.

The Laughing Gull, on the other hand, is a year-round resident and one of Florida’s most recognizable gulls. In breeding season, it has a black head, red bill, and a raucous, laughing call that gives the species its name. They thrive in coastal habitats, from sandy beaches to busy boardwalks, and are quick to swoop in on snacks left unattended.

Together, these two gulls capture both the seasonal rhythm and the lively spirit of Florida’s shorelines.

Another bird that I photographed was the boat-tailed grackle.  

Female Boat-tailed Grackle.

The Boat-tailed Grackle is a striking blackbird found along Florida’s coasts and wetlands. Males are glossy black with long, keel-shaped tails (like a boat’s hull), while females are smaller and brown with a slimmer build. They’re noisy, bold, and often gather in large flocks around marshes, parking lots, and boardwalks. Their loud, varied calls and confident presence make them one of the most noticeable birds in Florida’s coastal areas.

The cost of shooting video

I was recently asked to recommend a camera for shooting high-quality video. Ten years ago, “good quality” meant 1080p, but today, 4K is considered the standard for decent quality. Most modern smartphones can shoot 4K video, though with some zoom limitations. Keep in mind, however, that a capable phone with 4K video will cost you over $1,000—likely rolled into the monthly payments you already make to your service provider.

So, what does a camera for video cost? If you buy refurbished to save money, expect to spend at least $500 on a camera body capable of 1080p and another $500 on a lens (minimum). For 4K video, plan on spending more than $1,000 for the body and again around $500 for a suitable lens.

You can find a helpful article recommending the best refurbished cameras for video here.

Shooting video also requires a powerful computer for editing and plenty of storage for saving files. That can easily add several more thousands of dollars to your budget.

So, the next time you hire a photographer for your wedding and request video, don’t be surprised—or complain—when the bill comes to a few thousand dollars.

Kodak, the last victim of the digital era?

 For us, people from the old times when you needed a film to take pictures, Kodak is a big name. It was the symbol of great quality films resulting in good quality pictures. Then digital cameras came to the market and the Kodak Empire almost collapsed. The company tried to enter into that new market, but never was able to compete against the big companies such as Canon, Nikon and Sony, filling for bankruptcy in 2012.  

According to Fox Business, "Kodak announced in a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filing on Monday that there was "substantial doubt" about the company's ability to stay in business." 

 

Sandhill Crane in Florida

 

 

 

Sandhill Cranes in Florida — Majestic Neighbors of the Wetlands

If you spend time near Florida’s lakes, marshes, or even open pastures, you may hear a distant, rolling bugle that carries for miles. Look up, and you might spot a pair of Sandhill Cranes (Antigone canadensis) — tall, graceful birds that have become an iconic part of the Sunshine State’s natural scenery.

Year-Round Residents

While millions of Sandhill Cranes migrate across North America each year, Florida is home to its own non-migratory subspecies: the Florida Sandhill Crane (A. c. pratensis). These cranes live here year-round, nesting in freshwater marshes and open prairies. Standing nearly four feet tall with wingspans over six feet, they’re hard to miss — especially in breeding season, when pairs perform their famous courtship dances, leaping and bowing in perfect sync.

Mating for Life

Sandhill Cranes are monogamous, often mating for life. Pairs work together to build a nest of plant material in shallow water. Typically, the female lays two eggs, but often only one chick — called a “colt” — survives to adulthood. Parents are fiercely protective, and it’s not unusual to see them boldly confronting predators, from raccoons to hawks.

Where to Spot Them

In Florida, you can encounter Sandhill Cranes in state parks, wildlife management areas, and even golf courses or suburban fields. Common viewing spots include Crews Lake Park in Pasco County, Paynes Prairie Preserve, Kissimmee Prairie Preserve, and Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive.

A Delicate Balance

Although Florida Sandhill Cranes are not currently endangered, they’re considered threatened by the state due to habitat loss. Wetland drainage and development have reduced their breeding grounds, and they are especially vulnerable during nesting season (January through June).

Photography Tips

• Keep your distance: Cranes are protected by law — it’s illegal to harass or feed them.

• Go early: Morning light enhances their red foreheads and soft gray plumage.

• Watch the behavior: Dances, bugling calls, and parenting moments make for compelling wildlife shots.

Why They Matter

Sandhill Cranes have lived in North America for millions of years — fossil records suggest they’re among the oldest bird species still alive today. In Florida, they’re more than just another bird; they’re a symbol of our wetlands’ beauty and fragility.