Who are you?

I have never been nor will I ever be a professional photographer. It is strictly a hobby. I do mostly children, dogs and occasional weddings for friends and family members. Two years ago (or thereabouts) I was reading some entries on a pbase forum when someone mentioned the Lightsphere. I had never been satisfied with flash pictures, tried various devises including brackets and never liked the results. I bought the original lightsphere and loved it. I used electical tape to keep it on my flash. (Nikon SB800) ( I stll carry electrical tape). I loved the light effect. I then bought your 4 dvd set Digital Intensive -- great stuff.
I thought your advice was solid and have followed your blog ever since. I attended your One step Ahead Tour in San Francisco and thought your marketing ideas were great. I have be following the development of those who have followed your advice and am very impressed with their work.
I like to see that you are living life 100%.
Alan Morris (photomomo)

Hi Gary,
I'm an Engineer with Lockheed Martin and have been for the last 27 years. I'm presently on a business trip to Kennedy Space Center in preparation for a Space Shuttle launch in a few days. Keep your fingers crossed. We had to replace a set of four ECO (Engine Cutoff) Sensors here at the Cape. You'll be pleased to know a Gary Fong Lightsphere was used in photographing the final installation of the sensors. I'll send you a photo if your like. I brought the Lightsphere and a Camera with me and the KSC folks marveled that I did not produce glare off metallic surfaces, a common problem when using direct flash. I gave them your web address but don't hold your breath. Government procurement is slow. Lightspheres are not just for portraits, Industry could use them as well.
My wife and I also operate a portrait photography business on the side. I'll work it full time in a few more years when we stop flying the shuttle and I retire from aerospace.
I own three of your Lightspheres, which gave me the idea to apply the same principle to a monolight. Photoflex makes a small white-dome softbox and it provides the same quality of light. It's very useful when a camera mounted flash just isn't enough light on location.
I also enjoy your album software. Unfortunately, I purchased it just a week before you began selling the current version with the newer frames, etc.
I enjoy your Blog and check it daily just to hear what's up. Saw you once at a PMA convention in New Orleans a few years ago but was a little to timid to introduce myself. I was concerned you might be busy with other issues on your mind and I would just be making a pest of myself.
Thanks for your help, Charles Campbell Cape Canaveral Florida June 25th 2006
Personal Message:
Hi Gary, I'm Jerry Kelley. I rejoined PPA a few years ago and I though I was signing up for digitalphotogragher and I've been here ever since. A little history. Back in the summer of '62 Bill McIntosh made my senior portraits. After graduation I went to work for him in his B/W lab. When work slowed down in Jan. '65, I was laid off. That was good for one week and I was rehired to be his driver after he lost his drivers licence for 60 days. Bill had 3 daughters, ages 3,5,7. They use to attack me every time I went to pick him up or take him back home. For some reason they thought I was their play toy. One of them, Leanne, worked for Rocky Gunn, in the early '80s, about the same time as you. She now sells real estate in Vail and Aspen. Leslie is now taking over the family photo business. As for me, I'm teaching Bill digital photography and designing, printing and selling note cards for him plus operate my own photo business. I photograph senior portraits and souped up cars, Harleys, and their owners. So why am I here? I enjoy seeing some insight into you life, which is entirely the opposite from mine! At times, from what I read, I say to myself, Gary is such a shallow jerk! And at other times I am simply amazed at your depth of life! One thing is for sure, you live life to the fullest! Enjoy! Jerry My name is Jenni Merrill and I am a convention junkie. I am also a professional photographer. I decided one day not long after becoming a PPA member that I HAD to Certified. Our town has lots of photographers because of the photography courses offered at Hawkeye Community College, one of the best photography schools in the country. Once I became Certified I would be the only CPP in all of Waterloo, Iowa and I wanted that for my marketing. I even had a cute radio commercial all figured out :) I studied tirelessly for the exam and wanted to take it ASAP. The next offering was in Duluth, MN, which was a 6 hour drive. I really wanted to go but that's a long time in the car alone for a gal who doesn't enjoy road trips. I checked out the talent lineup in Duluth and once I saw Gary was going to be there, I knew I HAD to go! I had subscribed to the blog after finding a photographer's site and letting him know how much I enjoyed his work. We e-mailed back and forth and he told me to check out Gary Fong. The Duluth seminar was very memorable and I learned a ton. I am a lightsphere user and WOW what a difference. I enjoy your blog because it's just interesting to see what people's lives are like. It's like catching up with an old friend, but not, as you don't know any of us and we know you through the words in your blog. Thanks and keep up the exceptional work! nicolegreenphotography@hotmail.com has sent you this message! ------------------------------------------------------------hey gary .. i'm nicole. i'm a friend of jessica's and years ago she mentioned something about "gary fong" so i checked out your webpage and somehow ended up on your blog. i've been reading it ever since .. more recently now that i'm done with school and have more time. :) i love reading about your crazy life and living in 7000 different plcaes. :) haha My name is Patrick Sweeney and I am from New Jersey. I started my business when I was in 6th grade according to my 6th grade yearbook that I just came across. That was 1979. Now in reality I have been doing it for 20 years. I am a photographer who never wanted to learn photoshop or know photoshop. I still dont. I know I have to for some basic things but I refuse to use it. Let the labs handle it all. Then I realized I had no choice for color corrections. I asked all the photographers I knew and one day someone told me about your site and to check out this thing called Bullzeye! I was hooked ever since. A lot of things have changed since then. But I still refuse to use photoshop! I visit for advice and laughs.
I've bought a bunch of your stuff over the years. Your one of my online mentors. I saw Bambi 5 yrs ago when she came to NC for a PPANC convention. I took a class with Joe Busink at WPPI 3 yrs ago. I took Reggie's workshop last yr.
I really like your attitude, approach, and sense of humor. I just ck in from time to time to see what's new and exciting and I really like that you occasionally highlight a photographer from somewhere in the country.
Thanks don payne
Gary, I am a photographer that shoots just about everything except weddings! I shoot travel.nature, landscape, parties, events etc. Four years ago I retired from broadcasting (I was a national sales manager for radio stations in the Tampa Bay area.) I got serious about my photgraphy after retiring. I took the NY Institute of Photography course and joined several camera clubs. My wife and I travel constantly throughout the World and the US (42 countries). That 's when I use my photo skills the most. My travel photo site at www.CrazyAboutTravel.com has been up since 1999.
I got addicted to your blog after buying a Lightsphere (I use it constantly by the way). I love your openess on your site and always reserve it to spend some time with it after I have finished all of my other e-mail. Keep up the good work!
-Dave- Eddie, just eddie, photographer in Dublin, Ireland, member of the wpja. Coming over en over again to your site to learn, smile and dream, he one day i'll have a ranch, bowling buddies, and a speedboat....:)
Now is that short or what..:)
Cheers,
Eddie johnrapier@bellsouth.net has sent you this message! ------------------------------------------------------------
Hey Gary,
My name is John. I've been following you, (well not really following you) since you contributed to the forum of wedding photographers on AOL. I still have some of the advice that you offered in old notebooks. I was one of the first to join digital photographers.net. I own most of your products and like to check in daily on your blog to see how the other half lives and I usually learn something from you. Thanks for being you.
Hi Gary, My name is Nathan Flowers. I am a photographer that works in a full service studio. I take care of approximately 80% of our digital workflow. I also create all of our Leather Craftsmen wedding albums. And finally, I photograph weddings. Weddings is my first love, aside from seeing the customer cry over their newly designed album :)
I think the only word that would describe why I come to your blog everyday is inspiration. Your story has inspired me, as well as your group of friends. Every wedding I push myself to try things different and make sure that I am on top of my game more and more everyday. Several photographers and yourself has changed the way my boss (owner of the business) thinks about weddings and overall digital workflow. So thanks for that.
Well, now thinking about it theres one more reason why I come back. My philosophy in life is "You keep what you have by giving it away". I love teaching and learning from other people. I volunteer 40% of my life to help others, and I wouldnt have it any other way. And again, your stories inspire me. So again, thanks! I'm a 76 yr. old retired Presbyterian minister living in Portland. My 50 year plus love affair with photography has come alive with the introduction of really fine DSLR's. I especially love portrature because I'm hooked on people. They are God's favorite subject, in spite of the evidence. I have your lightsphere and especially profited from the two day workshop on digital. Stay well. You certainly are transparent and helpful. amy.zellmer@customcreationsphotography.com has sent you this message! ------------------------------------------------------------
Hi Gary, it will be interesting to hear how many people email you, as I am sure it will be a LOT!
I am a wedding photographer in MN and first saw you at our MPPA seminar in Duluth. After seeing you I immediately went home and started my blog. I have to admit, I had started slacking on it, AND THEN I traveled to Chicago to see you on your tour. I am SO glad I made that trip, your seminar really affected me and my business. I thank you so much for sharing all that information with us. (I am the "lady from the resturant" as Jess told me to write on the blog!)
I enjoy reading your blog, and it is amazing to see how many footprints I get every day and where they come from (I get LOTS from your blog). Thank you for being so candid with us about business and thanks for sharing your personal life as well. I am trying my hardest to implement the savings plan you introduced me to in Duluth, so that I can sometime retire from wedding photography and just have fun traveling!!
Thanks again Gary! Hi Gary,
I'm an Engineer with Lockheed Martin and have been for the last 27 years. I'm presently on a business trip to Kennedy Space Center in preparation for a Space Shuttle launch in a few days. Keep your fingers crossed. We had to replace a set of four ECO (Engine Cutoff) Sensors here at the Cape. You'll be pleased to know a Gary Fong Lightsphere was used in photographing the final installation of the sensors. I'll send you a photo if your like. I brought the Lightsphere and a Camera with me and the KSC folks marveled that I did not produce glare off metallic surfaces, a common problem when using direct flash. I gave them your web address but don't hold your breath. Government procurement is slow. Lightspheres are not just for portraits, Industry could use them as well.
My wife and I also operate a portrait photography business on the side. I'll work it full time in a few more years when we stop flying the shuttle and I retire from aerospace.
I own three of your Lightspheres, which gave me the idea to apply the same principle to a monolight. Photoflex makes a small white-dome softbox and it provides the same quality of light. It's very useful when a camera mounted flash just isn't enough light on location.
I also enjoy your album software. Unfortunately, I purchased it just a week before you began selling the current version with the newer frames, etc.
I enjoy your Blog and check it daily just to hear what's up. Saw you once at a PMA convention in New Orleans a few years ago but was a little to timid to introduce myself. I was concerned you might be busy with other issues on your mind and I would just be making a pest of myself.
Thanks for your help, Charles Campbell Cape Canaveral Florida June 25th 2006 I'm Chris Fawkes from Sydney Australia. Without wanting to sound rude i had only eard of you just over a month ago. I was visiting a form, which i rarely do as they are often filled with photographers crying over anyone who is successful whilst slapping themselves on the back for being so nice as to charge budget prices that keep them from getting ahead. Anyway one of the post was a handful of photographers haggling over whether to invest in your "Getting Rich" DVD set or not. I added my two cents that i thought the price was so low for someone offering some serious businessa dvice that they would be crazy not to take it. I purchased the set myself, the postage cost almost as much as the DVD's, still incredibly cheap. In fact i would say the best educational material for wedding photographers i have ever seen. I have a number of changes to the way i do things already. When i downloaded Album showcase i don't think i have been that excited in a long time. What a great program. All of your products are very well thought out. This time a month ago i did not know you, today i'm very grateful that i do. info@forkcreative.com has sent you this message! ------------------------------------------------------------
My name is Ken, I'm a website designer and consider myself a student of photography. I found your site from listening to an interview with a professional photographer (can't remember who) and he mentioned your blog and how you post what's happening in your life along with other advice so I decided to check it out.
The first thing that surprised me was that the pictures on your site pretty much suck and I thought that was strange. I like your thoughts on Real Estate, money and other topics and find it interesting to see what your up too. I find it especially cool when wealthy people act like normal people which you obviously do.
Why to I keep checking back? I guess just to find out what your going to talk about. Seriously though, what's the deal with the pictures?
- Ken
Personal Message:
Hi Gary, I'm Jerry Kelley. I rejoined PPA a few years ago and I though I was signing up for digitalphotogragher and I've been here ever since. A little history. Back in the summer of '62 Bill McIntosh made my senior portraits. After graduation I went to work for him in his B/W lab. When work slowed down in Jan. '65, I was laid off. That was good for one week and I was rehired to be his driver after he lost his drivers licence for 60 days. Bill had 3 daughters, ages 3,5,7. They use to attack me every time I went to pick him up or take him back home. For some reason they thought I was their play toy. One of them, Leanne, worked for Rocky Gunn, in the early '80s, about the same time as you. She now sells real estate in Vail and Aspen. Leslie is now taking over the family photo business. As for me, I'm teaching Bill digital photography and designing, printing and selling note cards for him plus operate my own photo business. I photograph senior portraits and souped up cars, Harleys, and their owners. So why am I here? I enjoy seeing some insight into you life, which is entirely the opposite from mine! At times, from what I read, I say to myself, Gary is such a shallow jerk! And at other times I am simply amazed at your depth of life! One thing is for sure, you live life to the fullest! Enjoy! Jerry
heirloomphotographicmemories@mchsi.com has sent you this message! ------------------------------------------------------------
My name is Jenni Merrill and I am a convention junkie. I am also a professional photographer. I decided one day not long after becoming a PPA member that I HAD to Certified. Our town has lots of photographers because of the photography courses offered at Hawkeye Community College, one of the best photography schools in the country. Once I became Certified I would be the only CPP in all of Waterloo, Iowa and I wanted that for my marketing. I even had a cute radio commercial all figured out :) I studied tirelessly for the exam and wanted to take it ASAP. The next offering was in Duluth, MN, which was a 6 hour drive. I really wanted to go but that's a long time in the car alone for a gal who doesn't enjoy road trips. I checked out the talent lineup in Duluth and once I saw Gary was going to be there, I knew I HAD to go! I had subscribed to the blog after finding a photographer's site and letting him know how much I enjoyed his work. We e-mailed back and forth and he told me to check out Gary Fong. The Duluth seminar was very memorable and I learned a ton. I am a lightsphere user and WOW what a difference. I enjoy your blog because it's just interesting to see what people's lives are like. It's like catching up with an old friend, but not, as you don't know any of us and we know you through the words in your blog. Thanks and keep up the exceptional work! ------------------------------------------------------------
Hi Gary,
My name is Dani (short for Danielle), I'm a hobbyist photographer from southern Oklahoma. When I'm shooting (I havn't really picked up the camera in a few months :-\ ) it's mostly nature and landscapes and infrared. I'v done one wedding as a gift to a good friend. Photography is one of three hobbies, the other two being my car and home audio. I used to ride and show horses a long time ago and someone told me last night I should start back... but three expensive hobbies is enough for now!
Anywho... I found your blog after hearing about the LS and stuck the blog is so entertaining I stuck around! I guess I like it for all three reasons, you offer wisdom, laughter, and vicarious living too ;) Mostly your great friends and the fun you guys have together though! My good friends are all scattered across the US and we get to hang out as a group maybe once or twice a year. Closest any of them live to me is 150 miles away in Dallas. You also inspired me to start my own blog! ( http://mybluheaven.blogspot.com/ )
I'd talked with you via email before. You might not remember, but I was engaged to another photographer, from Canada, and you'd asked me to keep you informed on the process of becoming a Canadian citizen. Well unfortunately (or fortunately is more like it) that engagement has been broken off. I couldn't be happier now! but I won't be able to offer any wisdom on making that move.
So thats my story!