Holiday Card Info for 2020!

In this post:
1. Holiday Cards from Jason Scott Photography
2. Holiday Cards using your digital files (through other sites)
3. Special Holiday discounts on our site
4. Holiday Shipping Guidelines for 2020

Here's how to find the holiday card creator:

1. Pick any photo from your gallery (doesn't have to be the one you want on your card) and click on it to enlarge it.

2. Click on the blue "BUY" button in the lower right hand corner.

3. Click "Create Greeting Cards."

4. Follow the instructions to create your card!

(To all our friends and family reading this: this is NOT our Christmas card this year! Just an example 😉)

Don't like our designs? You can also purchase a digital download of your images and create a card on a third party site! 

1. Purchase the digital file through our website:

2. Check your email receipt for a link to your purchased file(s).

3. Use the digital file(s) to create the card you want via the website of your choice! We recommend Shutterfly or TinyPrints!

   

Photos make great gifts! 

From now until December 31, we're offering 20% off all orders over $20 through our website (jasonscottphoto.com) - just enter the code "goodbye2020" at checkout. This includes prints, wall art, and individual digital file orders*!

*Full gallery downloads are NOT included!

Holiday Ordering Deadlines (these dates allow us a few days for retouching too!)

November 19 for International Airmail Orders.

December 4 for 5 to 7 business day (Economy) shipping option.

December 7 for 3 to 5 business day (Standard) shipping.

December 11 for 2 business day shipping

December 15 for overnight shipping

Please feel free to reach out to us with any questions about any of this!

 PS - Don't forget, you can also follow this blog on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Tumblr, or through your favorite feed reader

The "New" Jason Scott Photography

Our photo host, SmugMug, introduced a completely updated design and interface a couple days ago.

As a result, we've completely changed the look and feel of our site, and we're working hard to make sure everything is working the way it should. If you find anything that isn't working right, please let us know or leave a comment below!

Stay tuned to our blog for updated help pages and how-to tutorials in the coming weeks!

PS - Don't forget, you can also follow this blog on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, or through your favorite feed reader

Sarasota Wedding Photography - Bridal Show Tomorrow!

We'll be at The Wedding Village Bridal Expo tomorrow from noon to 4pm. Stop by and see us there! We'll have lots of beautiful photos and sample albums on display and we'll be there to answer any questions you might have about our Sarasota wedding photography collections. We look forward to meeting you!

Planning to attend? Click here for a special invitation and FREE admission!

We have a busy week coming up after the show - four Family Beach Portrait sessions on Siesta Key! Stay tuned to our blog for highlights from our latest portrait sessions!

PS - Don't forget, you can also follow this blog on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, or through your favorite feed reader

Jason Talks Gear - Canon 5D Mark III

This is part of a series of blog entries written by Jason about the more technical side of Jason Scott Photography. 

Equipment update: We purchased a Canon 5D mark III camera body!

  

I used the original Canon 5D for several years. It was an outstanding camera and produced spectacular photos, but the 5D had been around a long time and was starting to show its age.  So, at the end of 2012, I sent my last 5D to the farm and upgraded to the 5D mark III.

But let me back up... In early 2012, I sold one of my two 5D cameras and I purchased two 5D mark II cameras from B&H photo. I was excited about having more modern cameras.  The 5D II has 21 megapixels compared to the 12.8 of the 5D.  The 5D II also shoots video and has a vibrating filter that shakes dust off the CCD.

For the most part though, the 5D mark II has been a disappointment.  All those extra megapixels haven’t necessarily translated into significantly better photos.  At most print sizes, I can’t tell any difference.  Only on huge prints (24x36’’ and larger) does the mark II stand out against the original. (The photos still look great, just not much different than what we were producing before with the 5D!)

Like the original 5D, the 5D mark II has a less than perfect auto focus system.  The mark II does a poor job tracking moving subjects and has a slow frame rate. So, it works great for weddings and posed formals and family portraits, but is not a great choice for photos of moving kids or pets.

Since the 5D mark II was so disappointing, I was VERY skeptical when I heard about the Canon 5D mark III.  On paper the mark III looks very similar to the mark II, but it costs over $1,000 more.  With high apprehension, I ordered a mark III and put it up next to my mark II.   

The 5D mark III vs 5D mark II

The 5D mark III is better – much much better.  Here’s why:

The 5D mark III not only has a 61 point auto focus system compared the to 9 points on the mark II, but the auto focus is MUCH more accurate, especially when you are tracking moving subjects using the “predictive AI Servo” auto focus mode.  This superior auto focus, combined with a higher frame rate (6fps), produces a much higher number of usable photographs.

The 5D mark III is able to capture great photos of running kids and dogs.  Up until now, I have been using the 1D mark III (the 1D NOT the 5D) for any fast moving subjects, but the 1D mark III only has 10 megapixels and as more and more families lean towards ordering candid beach portraits vs posed in large sizes for their walls, it is tempting to offer the impressive 22.3 megapixels of the 5D mark III.  

So far,  all of my testing on the 5D mark III has gone very well. Here are some photos from our day trip to celebrate our niece's birthday at Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa.  I shot everything on the 70-200 f/2.8 L IS.  The camera had no problem tracking a running two year old through moving water fountains and did a great job with the animals as well.  I’m fully confident that we can use it for action shots/candids during beach portrait sessions. 

     

     

The 5D mark III also has better high ISO performance than the mark II.  This upgrade will be very useful when working in dimly lit areas, like a church. This camera is going to take the place of the 1D as Allyson's primary camera at the end of the aisle during weddings. We'll also be using it for wide angle, fisheye, and macro shots. 

Conclusion

Although I was skeptical at first, the 5D mark III has turned out to be a great purchase and I'm excited about adding it to our gear list. We have some beach portraits and weddings coming up where we'll be able to put it to work. 

To find out more about the professional gear we use when we photograph Sarasota Weddings and Siesta Key Beach Portraits, click here.

PS - Don't forget, you can also follow this blog on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, or through your favorite feed reader

Happy Holidays from Jason Scott Photography!

We'd like to take a moment before all the holiday festivities begin to wish all of our friends, family, customers, fans, and followers a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

2012 was a great year for us and we aren't done yet! We've got three more giant family beach portrait sessions coming up in the next week to finish off the year! (Stay tuned to the blog for photos after the New Year!)

We look forward to capturing memories for many more families and couples in 2013 and beyond!

Happy Holidays!

-Jason, Allyson, and Badger

PS - Don't forget, you can also follow this blog on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, or through your favorite feed reader

NEW! Create Holiday Cards Through TinyPrints!

Exciting news! 

If you can't find a holiday card design on our site that you love, you can now create holiday cards with your beach portraits or wedding photos through our TinyPrints storefront without purchasing a digital download! Tiny Prints is a leading retailer of premium personalized holiday photo cards and has been recognized for their high quality prints and unmatched customer service. Each card ordered is also hand reviewed before it’s printed to ensure quality and accuracy. To start your order through Tiny Prints, please click on this link, which will lead you to our co-branded Tiny Prints Storefront. From here, you can shop for any product on the Tiny Prints site. 

We are using Tiny Prints photo escrow system to help manage your images. This system is a way for us to release the images directly to your Tiny Prints account. You will not have access to the original image file as part of this system, but will be able to use it on the card of your choice.

When you are ready to order, please let us know and we will upload your chosen photo(s) into the Tiny Prints Escrow system. We will then send you a unique code for each image, which you can use in the card creation process in the “add a photo” stage to retrieve that image into your personal Tiny Prints account. Once you have retrieved the image, you can use it on any card for up to 30 days.

Here are some more detailed instructions for those who are interested in taking advantage of this new service:

1. When we send you the link to your photos, mark your favorites so you can keep track of which one(s) you might like to use for a card.

2. Send us an email to tell us which image(s) you want to use on your card(s). We'll upload them to TinyPrints.

3. You'll receive an email with an image code (one per image) when we upload the photos.

4. Visit our TinyPrints storefront.

5.  Follow these instructions to redeem your image code(s).

6. Place your order!

Any questions? Feel free to comment below and we'll answer as best we can! Happy Holidays!

PS - Don't forget, you can also follow this blog on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, or through your favorite feed reader

Sarasota Wedding Photography - Bridal Show Tomorrow!

We'll be at The Wedding Village Bridal Expo tomorrow from noon to 4pm. Stop by and see us there! We'll have lots of beautiful photos and sample albums on display and we'll be there to answer any questions you might have about our Sarasota wedding photography collections. We look forward to meeting you!

Click here for a special invitation and FREE admission!

PS - Don't forget, you can also follow this blog on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, or through your favorite feed reader

Ordering Prints - Framing and Mounting Options Now Available!

We are excited to announce some additional options available RIGHT NOW in our shopping cart. Our professional lab, Bay Photo, offers several a la carte framing, mounting and print options to ensure your finished print displays a perfect, polished presentation. Framing and mounting options are available at checkout (just click the "Add Photo Extras" button in the cart beside each print!), and are currently offered at our cost - no markup - as we try out this new service. Coupons and discounts do not apply to this service at this time - any discounts will only apply to the actual print prices prior to adding these options.

Now available:

• Mats. 3 professional picks: 1.5″ wide mats in White, Off-White and Black.
• Frames. 14 tasteful types: Flat wood, box wood or aluminum in a variety of colors. All served with clear, shatterproof acrylic.
• Mounting. 7 sturdy selections: 2mm Styrene, Bevel mount, Gatorfoam and 3/4″ Standouts.
• Finishes. 5 awesome alternatives: Pebble, Canvas and Linen surface textures, Satin Laminate and scratch-resistent Protective Coating.

*Note that not all options are available for all print sizes.

Read on to find out more about your mounting and framing options.

Frames

Choose from 14 different high quality wood and metal frames. They arrive ready to display with hardware attached and clear, shatterproof acrylic front.

Mats

Add a mat to give the photo a clean, professional finish. Available in three colors: Black, White and Off-White.

Mounting Options

Styrene

This super-smooth, compact 2mm styrene board cleanly backs your print, providing durability and protection against dents, bangs and warping. Available in two colors: Black or White.

Bevel Mount

Try this elegant, lightweight option that gives your photo incredible presence, either propped up on its own or neatly framed the traditional way. Bevel Mounts create a ¼ inch border around your photo when viewed from the front. Choose from Black, Silver or Gold.

Gatorfoam

Mount your prints on this rigid black foamboard to add durability and prevent warping and damage. Note: Gatorfoam is slightly thicker and lighter in weight than the Styrene backing.

3/4" Standout

This feather-light, ready-to-hang option is a contemporary favorite! Prints are mounted on a block with thick black edges, letting your photo stand off the wall. Pre-drilled holes are included on the back for easy hanging.

We recommend mounting any prints 16x20 and larger on styrene or gatorfoam if you plan to frame them on your own! If you order Framed Prints through us, they are automatically mounted on 1/4" Foam Board to ensure that the print does not warp.

Paper Textures and Finishes

Textures

Matte is flat, so why not upgrade your paper? Choose from Pebble, Canvas or Linen surface textures to add subtle dimension to your finished print.

Protective Coating

Guard your masterpiece against scratches and other surface damage. Bay Photo’s Protective Coating is available in Glossy and Lustre finishes to give you peace of mind.

Satin Laminate

Beautiful and strong, this Satin Laminate finish protects your print from everyday wear and tear. And it gives your photo a polished, gentle sheen.

If you have questions about how to use our shopping cart to order prints or other merchandise, check out this helpful link or contact us today. 

PS - Don't forget, you can also follow this blog on Facebook, Twitter, or through your favorite feed reader

Event Photography by Jason Scott Photography

In addition to Siesta Key family beach portraits and Sarasota wedding photography, did you know that we are also available to photograph a variety of other events? Here are a few photos from some recent events we have photographed, including a birthday party, a baptism, and some prom portraits.

If you are looking for a photographer for your upcoming special event, please contact us for more information!

PS - Don't forget, you can also follow this blog on Facebook, Twitter, or through your favorite feed reader

Frequently Asked Questions: What forms of payment do you accept?

We are often asked by customers "How do we pay?" We wanted to quickly go over our payment methods and also let you know about a new method we are using to make your life (and ours) a little easier!

We have many different ways that we can accept payments - we hope one of these methods will be convenient for you!

We are happy to accept cash or a check if we are meeting in person to book your wedding or beach portrait.

However, we typically prefer to use PayPal for payments because it is fast and can be done over the internet.

That being said, we know not everyone has a PayPal account... so, we've just added another payment solution that we hope everyone will be able to take advantage of! We are now (finally) able to accept credit card payments in person (swipe) or over the phone via Square.

We hope this additional payment option will be useful for everyone! If you have any questions about using PayPal or Square, please let us know! 

If you are ready to book your photographer for a family portrait or wedding, please contact us for more information!

PS - Don't forget, you can also follow this blog on Facebook, Twitter, or through your favorite feed reader

New Year, New Gear - Jason Scott Photography

We would like to wish everyone a very Happy New Year! To celebrate, we've upgraded our two main cameras to the Canon 5D Mark II! The 21.1-megapixel EOS 5D Mark II is one of Canon's "full frame" professional digital cameras. This allows our professional lenses to be used as they were designed without a conversion factor or focal length magnifier. The 5D Mark II has excellent high ISO performance and works especially well in low light conditions such as sunset, dusk, or inside a church and produces smooth background blur. We're very excited to be able to offer our customers improved photo quality for 2012 and beyond!

More information about our gear can be found here.Please let us know if you have any questions!

PS - Don't forget, you can also follow this blog on Facebook, Twitter, or through your favorite feed reader

Happy Holidays from Jason Scott Photography - Sarasota Wedding Photographer - Siesta Key Beach Portraits

We would like to take this opportunity to wish all of our customers, followers, fans, family, and friends a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Don't forget to order your discounted prints by December 31 using coupon code "holiday2011" - 20% off any order $25 or more!

Happy Holidays!

-Jason, Allyson, and Badger

PS - Don't forget, you can also follow this blog on Facebook, Twitter, or through your favorite feed reader

Holiday Card Creation 2011

***Card creation instructions have changed! Updated 12/2/2011!***

Recycling an old post to remind everyone that the holidays are approaching and this is the perfect time to order your holiday cards! We are really pleased to be able to offer you a great selection of unique holiday cards - designs that can only be found on our host site, SmugMug - they are really different from those you will see at WalMart, Walgreens, or Snapfish. If you are interested in creating Holiday Cards from your Siesta Key Beach Portraits or Sarasota Wedding Photos, here's how to do that:

First, find the photo you want on your card. Select "Create a Card" from the "Buy" menu.

Select which type of card you want (5x7 folded or 4x8 flat, Holiday, Christmas, etc.). Then create your card by dragging photos in and out from the box at the right. You can change your card design by browsing the categories at the bottom. You can make your photo bigger or smaller (zoom) by using the controls on the right.

If you select a card with multiple photo spots, simply drag additional photos into place from the box on the right. Don't worry, the Jason Scott Photography watermark will NOT show up on your cards!

Add text in available text boxes (marked with a "T") to customize your card.

When you are happy with your card, use the area on the right to purchase your cards. Finish by clicking "Add to Cart."

Sometimes saving your card can take a while! Don't get concerned if it takes a long time! Cards with more photos take longer!

When it is finished, you can go back to the gallery to purchase additional prints, or go directly to the shopping cart to check out!

Hope this helps! If you have trouble, please let us know! And don't forget to use coupon code "holiday2011" to receive 20% off any order over $25 between now and December 31! To receive photo orders in time for Christmas, please order by the following dates:


* 6-10 Business Day shipping – December 8th
* 3-5 Business Day shipping – December 12th
* 2nd Business Day shipping – December 15th
* Next Business Day shipping – December 18th


PS - Don't forget, you can also follow this blog on Facebook, Twitter, or through your favorite feed reader

Related links

• Siesta Key Beach Portraits Make Great Holiday Cards! (jasonscottphotoblog.com)

About Jason Scott Photography

We recently revamped our "About Us" page! Check it out to find out more about who you're hiring when you book Jason Scott Photography for your wedding or family portrait session!

If we've photographed something for you, please consider leaving some comments for others to see at the bottom of that page! Thanks!

PS - Don't forget, you can also follow this blog on Facebook, Twitter, or through your favorite feed reader

Related links:

• Summer Has Arrived! (jasonscottphotoblog.com)

Alternative Locations for your Family Portraits - Beyond Siesta Key

We love shooting family portraits on Siesta Key, but we also realize many people are looking for something different. Here are a few ideas! We are happy to visit any of these locations (or another of your choosing) for your family portrait session!

Longboat Key

Selby Gardens in Sarasota

Myakka State Park (Yep, that's us!)

Morgan Park in Arcadia

Please, contact us today if you are interested in booking a family portrait session at any Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte, or DeSoto County beach, park, or other beautiful outdoor setting. We look forward to hearing from you!

PS - Don't forget, you can also follow this blog on Facebook, Twitter, or through your favorite feed reader

Related links

• Siesta Key Beach Portraits - Dr. Kim - Center for Sight (jasonscottphotoblog.com)
• Summer Has Arrived! (jasonscottphotoblog.com)