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7 Tips To Hire A Professional Portrait Wedding Photographer

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7 Tips To Hire A Professional Portrait Wedding Photographer

Nothing captures the memories of your wedding better that good photos. Long after the flowers have dried up, the cake eaten and the esteemed visitors have left, your album preserves the memories. Hence the need to invest in good wedding photography.

The difference between a photo you stare at for minutes and one you don’t want to give a second look is the person behind the camera. For the special occasion your wedding is, you need to ensure that person is a professional wedding photographer, not an amateur.

This is how you will know you are dealing with a professional photographer:

1. They have been in the trade for a while.

Professionalism comes with experience. Experience comes as a result of doing something over and over again until you are proficient in it. To get the necessary experience, the photographer must have been operating for sometime.

Longevity of operation gives you the assurance they can handle your wedding, since they have successfully done it in the past in different circumstances in the various weddings.

Anything above a year in wedding photography is satisfactory. If you want, you may work with a photographer with a lesser time under their sleeves but trade very carefully.

2. In it fulltime.

To many people, photography is a hobby. Something they do as a side hustle to complement their primary job. Not bad in any way, some do it perfectly right. The only problem is that most part-timers take it lightly, after all they have little to lose if anything goes wrong.

However, most professional photographers are into photography fulltime. That’s what they have been trained for and do if for a living. You can be sure they take it very seriously, and would not entertain any mistakes.

You are better off working with a professional photographer who is doing it fulltime.

3. Have proof of competence.

Having photographed in different events over time, professional photographers have amassed rich collection of photos. These photos are stored in albums available online (on the websites) or when you visit their premises.

Every professional photographer has album upon album, which they freely present as selling points to their prospective clients.

When you meet a photographer with but few photos mainly taken in one event know you are dealing with an amateur.

4. They have specialized in few fields.

Generally, professionalism comes specialization.

While many photographers are jacks of all trade, professional photographers seem to specialize in a few areas. If you are lucky to find one who has specialized in weddings you will be in for a great treat.

5. Have developed distinct styles.

A professional will confidently and clearly elaborate what they do, so with professional photographers. They are sure of their styles and tastes. In addition to their own styles, they are well versed with other current styles and trends in the photography industry. They are also so sure about how they go about their wedding photography work.

When you sense such command know you are dealing with a professional photographer, if possible strike a deal.

6. Thorough and gets to the details.

A professional photographer will carefully listen to you and understand what you want. Then they will advise on how you can improve on your proposal so that it would even be better.

Moreover, they ask the right questions. Questions like your expectations, the type of visitors, the program, and a liaison who will help identify family members so that all are photographed.

7. They have a contract.

Important too, you know you are with a professional photographer when they have a contract. Beyond the verbal agreement, a written agreement seals the deal.

Avoid a photographer who lacks the qualities listed above. More often than not they will be an amateur.

Items Checklist For Dog Boarding Centers And Pet Daycares

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Items Checklist For Dog Boarding Centers And Pet Daycares

There is an ever increasing demand and supply for dog boarding centers that will love to have your four-legged family member stay. Most centers offer bedding, treats, exercise, and love but you might be encouraged to bring other goodies along. Here are some essential items that your pet might need while you are away.

Food

To lower boarding costs and to ensure your dog would have a continuous supply of his dieting requirements, you can pack your dog food. Sometimes changing food sources can lead to upset stomachs or they can even reject the new food offered. If you think your dog will be affected by any change of food, pack enough for his stay in the center. Use zip-lock bags to distribute his daily servings. Ask the center what brand of food they use to feed their guests and if it is included in the overall cost as well.

Medicine & supplements

Make sure all medicines and supplements are labeled corrected along with important information such as appropriate dosage, frequency and time of doses. The instructions should be well written and make sure to add any significant details like storage requirements or if they must be administered with food. You can include medicine for emergency situations.

Favorite toys and a reminder of you

Though the center will offer plenty of toys for your dog, it is best to pack one or two of his absolute favorites. Now include a reminder of you that your dog will be happy with. The item must have your scent and can be any article of clothing, even socks! The toys and apparel will offer a sense of familiarity to your pet, comforting them while you are away.

Do not forget a leash

It is important to pack your dog’s leash so they can be taken for a walk. Some centers may have some but it is best for your dog to have his usual one as well, just in case.

Documents

If you forgot to look for a center with time and are going to drop them off soon, remember to take with you all important paperwork or you might have to return home for them. You will be asked to fill a form as well so try to go early. Documents required can be any of the following: medical records, vaccination charts, rule acknowledgment forms, etc.

You will out having a blast while your dog will also be taken care of but that does not mean he or she won’t miss you. Is there anything else you could add that will help keep your dog happy and comfortable? If there is, add that to his/her doggy bag as well. I congratulate you for properly taking care of your pet while you are away. Many owners assume leaving the dog at home with enough water and food is enough. You are one responsible owner!

4 Steps To Video Storytelling And Using Videos in Marketing

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4 Steps To Video Storytelling And Using Videos in Marketing

With an increasing number of companies looking into incorporating videos into their marketing strategies, storytelling has become more important than ever. Savvy companies worldwide are using visual stories to convey messages that are inspiring and engaging. However, this is a concept that many businesses struggle with, often resulting in stories which are too complicated, or devoid of emotion. Here are the four P’s of storytelling—people, places, plot, and purpose.

People

Having good characters is an essential step to getting your audience emotionally involved. You need the audience to invest in the characters, to root for the good guys and rage against the bad. Making a connection with viewers and the people in your video is the first major step to getting them to invest in your product.

Be creative in the uniqueness of your character; sometimes even an object can make an interesting character, they do not have to be human.

Places

Videos are capable of communicating large amounts of information in very short frames of time. Therefore, a good setting of your video can add substantial depth to your story, and intrigue the audience, while a bad one can detract. Here are some guidelines to choosing the right location:

  1. Relevance—is the location you’re considering relevant to the characters you created? Is it relevant to the overall story/message?
  2. Comfort—is this a place that your characters feel comfortable?
  3. Production friendly—does this location provide enough space for the production crew to work effectively? Is the sound and lighting suitable?

Plot

Every good story needs an element of conflict and journey throughout the narrative. Conflict can arise in a variety of guises, whether it include a flawed character, a mental barrier, or even a physical limitation. What is your character trying to overcome, and how will your audience connect with their struggle? Make sure that the resolution also adds to the message you want to send about your brand.

Purpose

Purpose is centered on the questions, “why should people care about your story?” and “what does your story actually mean?”You need to be able to state the purpose of your message to the target audience in a memorable and engaging way.

As humans, we are built to react and connect to stories, but they must be interesting and authentic. They need to move your audience emotionally if your goal is to get them passionate about your brand. Think carefully about the four P’s of storytelling. These essential qualities will help build a strong foundation for your next marketing video, and increase its’ chance of success.

We are experienced in the industry and know that there are no short-cuts to producing quality custom whiteboard animation. This is why we only offer an affordable wedding video package which includes coverage for the entire day.

Right from advertising video clips to attract buyers or visitors to music clips and also meeting/celebration filming, Click Zoom will allow you to get audiences and produce your identity.

10 Safety Tips For Working At Heights

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10 Safety Tips For Working At Heights

Whether your project has you at heights for the majority of the day or only once in a while, your focus on safety during these occurrences is of the upmost importance. It only takes one mistake to have a routine job result in major injury, or even a fatality. Therefore, you must be prepared at all times to protect those who work for you every time they are exposed to heights. Here are some things to consider as you and your employees tackle work at elevated levels.

1. Rails

Whenever you can, utilize rails. Passive protection is the best way to ensure that your workers are safe. This also achieves compliance, since there is nothing they need to do to keep themselves safe besides staying within the railing provided. Rails can be constructed by carpenters on the jobsite; however, be sure that they meet the requirements set forth by OSHA. The rails can also be pre-fabricated from a manufacturer and installed for you. Pre-fabricated railings can be permanently installed, or they can be designed as portable systems to suit your needs. Regardless of which type you decide to utilize, once the rails are in place you will find they are the easiest fall protection system to use.

2. Select the Proper PPE

If you’re going to use Personal Fall Arrest Systems (PFAS), you need to check that you are choosing the proper equipment for the job.  All full-body harnesses that meet ANSI standards will perform the same, despite their cost. However, the price difference can translate into differences in function.  Many times the price variations are due to brand names, but in other circumstances, it is functionality that you may be gaining or sacrificing.

These variations can include extra D-rings, fireproof material, or arc-safe designs. In some cases the more expensive harness will be higher in cost simply because it was designed to be more comfortable. Make sure to do extensive research while decide what it is you need. If you have workers who need to weld at heights, a standard nylon harness is probably not going to match your needs (Kevlar may be the more effective option).

At all times, keep your workforce in mind. While comfort may not be your main concern, it’s not the only thing you need to consider. It is also important to remember that harnesses are not one-size-fits-all. Make sure your workers can properly adjust their harnesses so that they fit correctly.

Lanyards are another item that needs to be properly selected. Each situation is different; you need to evaluate your working conditions, along with the task to be performed, in order to give your employees something that will adequately protect them.

3. PPE Inspections

If not inspected on a regular basis, equipment could fail at any time. When it comes to harnesses and lanyards, they need to be periodically inspected by a competent person, someone who has substantial knowledge of the device, and who can recognize the hazards. This person should also have the authority to correct it. Besides this, however, they should also be inspected by the user prior to every use. In order for this to happen, your employees need to understand what it is they are looking for, what is acceptable, and what to do if and when they find an issue. The inspection should be thorough, however this does not mean it needs to take a substantial amount of time. Even so, this brief, pre-work check could save the life of your employee.

 4.Make sure Everyone Understands Fall Distance and Anchor Points

All fall protection gear is rendered useless if it does not engage before you or your employee hits the lower level. The actual fall distance needs to not only include the length of your lanyard when it is deployed, but it should also factor your body length below the D-ring, along with any sag in your harness and anchor system.  You should count on a good 18.5’ minimum before you’re able to use a 6’ lanyard with a deceleration device. Also, an anchor point must support not only the weight of the person attached to it, but also 5000 lbs. per person. Many fixtures are not going to withstand those forces, so it is imperative that you get the approval of an engineer before establishing anchor points.

5. Ensure the Best Means for Working at Elevated Levels

Just as one harness cannot serve as a one-size-fits-all safety mechanism, neither are fall protection solutions.  In some situations, a scaffold may be the best solution to working at elevated levels. It is recommended that you equip them with rails, making your fall protection much easier. Other times, scaffolds are not a feasible option; in cases such as this, you may find yourself on a lift.

Depending on the lift type, your workers may or may not need to wear a harness and a lanyard. On other occasions, you will need to utilize a ladder, at which point the requirements for fall protection become harder to figure out. In any case, analyze all risks, and try to compensate for them with effective safety precautions.

6. Train

This last point cannot be stressed enough. If you want your employees to work safely at heights, they must be properly trained. Not only is training required by law, but not having training can lead to a lot of confusion, which increases the risk of falls significantly. Falls are the leading killer on construction jobs. Make sure that your employees are armed with the knowledge they need to keep themselves safe.

Welcome to Clearys Claims Managers, firmly grounded as a market leader in insurance claim administration, settlement and services.

Why Sleep Away Summer Camps Are More Important Than Ever Before

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Why Sleep Away Summer Camps Are More Important Than Ever Before

In this day of technology and social media, children need time away from electronics, and placed into environments that allow them to imagine and create their own fun activities. At home, and unfortunately at schools, children spend the majority of their time in front of laptops and mobile phones, and as a result they lose out on time to focus on meaningful development.

Sleep away camps provide the perfect circumstance for children to remove themselves from the city, meet new people, and create genuine ties with others their age, unencumbered by tablets and phones. The environment at camps allows children to work on their interaction skills, and also influences teamwork and self-reliance, since parents are not available to provide for their needs.

Sleep away camps have been in existence for over 100 years. These camps are one of the most effective places to foster the development of meaningful skills in younger generations. Every experience engages children in various lessons; some activities will influence the idea of effective planning, while others may influence evaluation of circumstances implementation of resolutions. In any case, a well-developed sleep away camp will give you children what they need to enhance their social skills.

At summer camps Dublin, children are usually placed into groups, which are then led by energetic staff who lead by example at all times. Because parents are not around, children are forced to communicate with one another and with those adults who lead them. This can lead many to conquer their fears of meeting strangers, and push your child into moving beyond what they believed were their limits. This results in the making and keeping of lasting friendships with other children their age. The mentors will most likely also impart their own behavior patterns onto the children, which is why camps work hard to hire mentors who have positive attitudes.

All of these opportunities expand children’s critical thinking skills. Being in an environment that is without modern conveniences will mold creativity. It will also influence the way your child sees the world around them, and make them more aware of their impact on the environment. Your child will learn that everything they do affects the animals and wildlife surrounding them; this is one of the many reasons camps discourage parents from sending their children unnecessary items in care packages. Allowing your child to see how little they actually need to survive and have a good time is a vital lesson.

Summer sleep-away camps may seem like they are only places for fun, but the amount of skills and socializing your child will do makes the experience worth far more. Not only will every child make connections to peers their age, but they will also have the chance to learn social skills from responsible adults.

They will also have ample amounts of time to make observations about the world around them, giving them a chance to think critically about how they affect the environment. And with the use of electronics removed, your child will have the chance to expand their critical thinking skills all day, as they come across challenges not usually faced by today’s modern children.

A published freelance journalist from print to on-line, Florin A. passion is honest authentic writing. From the mundane experience to an incredible remark, F. Aldea usually discovers a method to voice what he sees.

3 Reasons Aggressive Recruiting Is Overkill

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3 Reasons Aggressive Recruiting Is Overkill

At Principal Connections one of the best recruitment agencies, our focus is on permanent placement services for computer software, hardware, information technologies, bio-sciences and pharmaceutical research. We accept search assignments for senior individual-contributor positions to executive level management.

Principal Connections is to work closely with our clients in the search process in order to fully understand our clients’ businesses, technology and the cultural environment that is unique to each. We choose to work in the industries where we have specific experience and knowledge to offer. Our principals have strong relationships with many companies and candidates, and have a substantial database that reflects 15 years in technology.

Usually, companies are encourages to be aggressive with their recruiting methods. This involves showering great candidates with a lot of compliments, or going above and beyond to try and convince them that your company holds the job they’ve always been waiting for. Here are some reasons this may not be the best method.

90% of recruiters prefer hiring active job seekers.

Most recruiters prefer to hire active candidates over passive ones. Active candidates are those who have come to the conclusion that they need a job and that your company is the next step in their career goals. They are not content with what they are currently doing, and will not need to be convinced that the position you are hiring for is a better choice.

Recruiters prefer active candidates because they tend to perform better at their jobs than someone who was persuaded to join the company. These people have more passion for what they do because they discovered the company on their own and pursued the position. Active candidates have a firm understanding of their roles in the work place.

Job seekers feel more confident in roles they find versus roles presented to them.

Today’s job seekers want great opportunities and know it’s easier than ever to find one on their own. With all the online job boards, professional networks, and company career pages, there aren’t many stone they’ll leave unturned during a job hunt.

While candidates are happy to hear from eager recruiters, they do not necessarily rely on them like they used to. This is because they understand that there are plenty of other resources they can utilize on their own.

Many people who are actively seeking jobs are open to new careers already

The majority of those who are on the job market are eager and talented. Aggressive recruiting tactics will only encourage those who are not necessarily eager to come to your company. Recruiters will always be able to find well-rounded candidates on the market, so efforts should be placed more heavily on creating multiple job boards that advertise the position effectively. It is also recommended that you have current employees write a short paragraph of why they enjoy their position, and what it has done for them, and post this on your company website.

This way, when you do connect with a candidate, you’ll already have the assurance that they believe they can fit with the company.

Nagles Camping And Caravan Park in Doolin, Ireland

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Nagles Camping And Caravan Park in Doolin, Ireland

Nagles Camping and Caravan Park looks out across the Atlantic Ocean and the Aran Islands. Located in Doolin, this popular family camping site sits next to a pier that is full of activity from the ferries arriving and departing from the Aran Islands. Also visible are the wonderful Cliffs of Moher, one of the most picturesque and famous locations in Ireland; camp visitors often take advantage of seeing this site before others come in on the ferries, in order to avoid the crowds. The cliffs offer spectacular sunrises and sunsets, and contain mass amounts of beautiful foliage and animal life.

This campsite is very family oriented. Surrounding the site are barriers and designated speed limits for incoming and outgoing traffic. With so many families visiting with their children, these precautions make it all the more possible for everyone to play and explore without uneasiness. The spacious site is highly open and visible from most places, so parents can keep an eye on their family quite easily. Many choose to bring their bikes or scooters; the park also provides a soft-floored playground with updated play equipment. Should you choose, there is also an indoor playroom for older children; here is where you will also find the strongest connection to the free wifi on the campsite, although it can be accessed anywhere on the site.

Surrounding the campsite are other locations you will want to take a look at, some of which are open to everyone who visits. For instance, there is a pitch and putt (golf) course right across from the site that provides everything your family needs to play the game, so you do not have to worry about bringing anything. There are also several pubs and shops to visit, and from the beginning of June to the end of August, the camp site opens a grocery store for basic grocery needs and camping supplies. It is recommended that you also take a look at some of the affordable local trips and kids activities offered. The campsite is near the Doolin and Ailwee Caves, which contain the most amazing stalactite formations. You will also have the opportunity to on a horse ride, go sea and lake fishing, and visit the local Moher Hill Pet Farm.

Sanitation is a high priority at Nagles Camping site. Therefore, you will find that the restroom area, along with the kitchen and dining room facilities, are very clean and updated. Showers here cost a euro, however the water remains hot for ten satisfying minutes.

In all, this campsite offers the most comfortable and picturesque location in Ireland for you to stay. Nestled in the midst of some of Ireland’s famous landmarks, you and your family can take advantage of the scenery at any time of the day.

Camping here does not mean you have to sacrifice any safety or sanitary measures; the owners of this site thought of everything you will need to have a modern experience, while still exposing you to the wonders of nature and the outdoors. This campsite is highly recommended, both by online trip advisory sites, and by all who visit. You will not be disappointed.

Florin A. is a Digital Advertising professional and article writer who likes to research the modern trends in business, technology and marketing communications and writes about a range of articles.

Starting A New Photography Business?

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Starting A New Photography Business

If you’ve dreamed of being a photographer for years, and you’ve decided to take the leap now, well done! You’ve made a brave decision, but it is one which will reap great rewards if you heed advice and take the right steps.

It’s always a good idea to listen to professionals in the business, those who have been doing this for a long time, and have probably made all the mistakes for you. Listening to their advice means that you can avoid the mistakes they made, and this clears the road to success for you.

To help you on your path to photography success, here are a few tips to bear in mind.

Create a website as your first step

Nobody gets anywhere without an online portfolio these days, because everyone looks on the Internet when they are trying to hire someone, for any job at all. Make sure your site is professional, it looks the part, and it shows your best work. Remember to have clear contact details, and keep updating regularly.

Freelance on the side first

It’s all very well and good being gung-ho and quitting your day job, sure in the knowledge that you’re going to succeed, but you need a back up plan, and you need to also see if this is going to work for you first. Slowly slowly is always the best plan of action. On top of this, it’s very easy for a creative mind to get overloaded from time to time, so having your main job is something which will help you keep balance in your mind.

Answer queries straight away

Don’t hand around waiting to answer someone’s query; the longer you wait, the more chance there is of them going somewhere else. Answering a question won’t take long, but it could be the difference between getting that gig, or it going to someone else.

You are going to fail, and you are going to miss jobs

You need to make peace with the fact that you’re going to make the odd mistake from time to time, and it’s okay. You will learn harsh lessons in any creative profession, especially such a competitive one, but you need to learn from them every time.

Streamline your equipment

Yes, you need the odd bit of equipment for specialist jobs, but really, if you have a top quality camera, you don’t need all manner of added extras, it just complicates things. Narrow your lenses down to three, or you could even go as far as two, provided you know how to use them in the best possible way. You don’t want to be carrying more heavy equipment from job to job than is necessary!

Always back up your work

Do not rely on technology, it breaks at some point! Back up any work you do on a memory stick or in an online cloud, and this will give you total peace of mind.

You will be a jack of all trades

When you are a photographer, you’re not just the guy or girl taking the photos, you are your own manager, your own decision maker, your own book-keeper, your own website manager, you’re basically everything, and you need to prioritize your time accordingly. As your business grows, as it surely will, it might be an idea to consider hiring someone who can help you, perhaps with your website needs, if this is not something which is your strong point.

It’s about how you treat people

Photography is a very hands-on and personalized job, and you will be dealing with people in real situations, sometimes personal situations, such as a wedding day, for example. For this reason, the most basic of things needs to be in your mind – manners and personality. This could be the difference between a word of mouth referral to someone else, resulting in another job, or negative feedback, which can be very damaging indeed.

With more than 30 years of confirmed efficiency and effects, all of us pride ourselves at Philip O’Neill Photography with a dedication to top quality with each customer we work together with. Visit them site at www.philiponeillphotography.com.