Been editing for nearly  24 hours straight. I really am dreaming about a new chair.This is why I hate this time of year. I lose 6 hours a day to new customer appointments, plus 40 minutes to drive to the studio and 20 to drive back. We have all the summer couples ordering photo and video, editing all the proofs for recent weddings shot, and finally completing all the packages ALL at the same time!

The good news is we are kicking butt!! Very few problems (except with computers).

We are getting slower, at least for the next 4 weeks so please be patient!

In the meantime, here is an ad for the upcoming show.  Free admission!!! Uploaded a bunch of videos to the new RLE Theatre
more video to come.

Wow what a response from the bridal show!!! Our phone has not stopped ringing all day. We are basically booked for appointments for the next 3 weeks. Check with Marianna to be sure. As we book weddings we will be canceling with people who waited too long.  For more info on our policy of booking only 2 weddings max click here. Sounds cold but well, you snooze you lose. We only shoot 2 weddings every Saturday and 1 on Sunday. The reason is that we would rather absolutely kick butt on 2 weddings than do so-so on 3 or 4.

The phone made me finally get to work on some huge holes that were poking through the site. Here is a list of new items

• fixed the 2007 couples pages FINALLY!!! Here is the link to a huge list of photos that most of you have never seen!!! http://www.excellencephoto.com/wp/?page_id=303
• added a logo to the Vimeo Video player. This way you see the logo instead of a half face. Looks way nicer. I am going to rebuild the RLE.com theatre tonight when everyone sleeps
• Fixed the pricelists so they are separate and made the video pricelist easier to find.
• Add photos to the gallery page from the years they were shot
• removed the twitter update from the bottom of the page – I find that I update my twitter more with blog posts than using my phone lately so this section always seeing week out of date

Upcoming Updates Planned

• My favorite suppliers 0 list of my favorite – djs, planners, limo companies etc
• new theatre
• Rebuilding individual pages for all 2009 and 2010 couples. If you look at these links you will see individual couples’ actual pages. Using word press I want to build a set of cool pages with special functions like; email friend photo, links, popularity contests, etc Here is a link for 2001 site and 2006 site
• new top 20 list of slide shows
• still thinking

Here is a photo that best represents the rebirth of the Excellence site. ps clickon the photo to see full size!!

And god said!!!!

Last night as I was trying to sleep I started to think about all the outstanding orders we have. Then I remembered that I didnt finish my workroom at the studio, then that I have to clean up the basement, put away all the equipment from the bridal show, order brochures for the photo show this Sunday. Suddenly I was wide awake!!

After working basically nonstop from Friday at 7am until midnight – I couldnt fall asleep. So I tried every meditation technique I have ever heard.

• I shut off the power to my toes, then foot, legs , then – well you get the point
• I tried breathing in and out in counts of 4 slowly. Willing my body to relax. no luck
• I had a hot shower thenturn myself around on the bed sleeping upside down – nope
• Finally I went downstairs made a herbel tea and read for an hour. Finally!!

Now enjoy a recap video. This is Susy and Daniel – to see a full size version click here.

Spent yesterday setting up and working the bridal show. Today is the real test. 10-10. I met a lot of really wonderful people. Including my cousin!!! Big holiday for us in the next few days will return back on Tuesday.

Rushing out the door so no pics this morning — alright alright — here is an oldie but a goodie

Preparing for Canada’s Bridal show tomorrow. This will be our 13th year at the show!!! Here is a link to the Canada’s Bridal show site.

IN the meantime – we signed up to have a booth for TorontoHomeMovies.com at the Historical Photography Society show on October 4th. We will be demoing some of our latest transfer technique and Aaron Mortson our sales manager and John Abele will be on site to answer anyone’s questions.  We also will have a booth at the Toronto Party Guide show.

WHEN: Tuesday October 20th 2009
6:00pm to 10:00pm
WHERE: Beth Emeth Bais Yehuda Synagogue
PRICE: FREE Admission
MAP: View Map

In the meantime — enjoy this Wedding Photo slideshow.

Another fine weekend of weddings. Congratulations to Karen and Antony, and Renata and Steven.

On Sunday I went to a photo show in Thornhill. Here is where old photographers get together and talk like fishermen, and sell old cameras, new cameras, development equipments, stands, etc. There were about 500-600 people there.

Italian and Irish Wedding

As a member of the historical photography society of Toronto, I have run into a lot of these gentlemen and women over the years. Well on Sunday I was talking to Steve and Rene from Montreal. It was absolutely amazing that when I mentioned that last November I started a studio in Montreal they knew all about it!!

MontrealHomeMovies.com and Excellence Photo (Montreal) are basically new in Montreal. It has taken us 12 years to make a name for ourselves in Toronto and it was pretty amazing that in less than a year 2 very well know photographers were not only aware of who we are, but have recommended our service based on our reputation for quality.

Its funny in a way. No matter how much you try to do the right thing — quality ALWAYS wins. Based on their feedback we are going to a show in November in Montreal. If you are from the Montreal area and would like to make an appointment to meet with me please email me at info@excellencephoto.com

We will be shooting weddings in Montreal from November to April ONLY. In the event that we are open for your date and not shooting in Florida.

Here is another sample of our Deluxe Thank you card ($250 upgrade)

I miss my countdown. I have to figure out a way to put it back on the front page. For you new couples – we used to track the number of couples we turn away each year on the site. The current number is 32.

I am late on preparing for this weeks weddings so I will just direct you to my old blog posts.

http://excellencephoto.blogspot.com/search?q=turned+away

The first bridal show of the spring is over. Not a bad show. Good turn out. I wanted to thank all the people who have called so far. We have had an amazing response and it looks like I am booked solid for the next few weeks for customer consultations already. For the winners of this bridal shows Free video draw congrats, I will go through everything when we meet.

Now — work.

We have major changes happening to the ReeLIFE Ent website. So follow along. In the meantime, note that the old site has video from the last few years, but the latest HD footage will be up in the next few days.

If you are looking to see photos click on the right side bar Couples Gallery ——>

BTW — I am going to be super behind for this week. If you have a project on the go please be patient.  Here just a few things going on:

• We are trying to get a new sign for the front of the studio
• Alex is still out of town
• Matty D in Florida has 4 huge projects and is still waiting for Mat in Montreal to get him those finished scans.
• Mat in Montreal is scanning like a demon
• We hired a new editor – Paula ( welcome to the team)
• We need to finish setting up the studio for all the new customer appointments
• 6 couples are expecting their Wedding Proofs this week
• 3 couples are expecting their Wedding video this week
• we really need to finish the New http://reelifeentertainment.com/wp site (you can view its current progress by clicking the link)
• I’m still saving for my chair
• Gained 2.5 pounds in the last 2 weeks Dr D was not impressed
• We are looking at having a booth at the

I have actually went 2 weeks without a cell phone. In the beginning I was just loooking for the best replacement. I then thought wow – an opportunity to upgrade to the new 3gs version, but its $680 minimum so bye bye to that if I want my chair.

Spent Sunday and Monday in Ottawa on a special project. Ottawa nice – but wow lots of homeless people. I find it kinda sad that the nations capital is so overrun with people who are obviously either mentally ill, on drugs or just poor. There was one bright spot. As I was ordering ice cream for the boys an obvious druggie comes up to the counter and asks if she can have a hot dog. I lady behind the counter smiles and say no problem dearie come to the side. Maybe there is hope in Ottawa, but its not coming from the people working in those old buildings guarded by 50 police cars, miles of chain link fences and a lawn the size of 6 football fields.

Speaking of chairs — I was well on my way. Saved up $250. The exact amount it cost to replace my iPhone. I counted my change and I am at $15.22 cents. Boohoo.

Baby Olivia from Jean Marcotte on Vimeo.

Thanks to Beth who used this song in her presentation!!
http://www.vimeo.com/6082801

I’m really annoyed today. I’ve now spent about 50 hours in the past 4 months trying to get quality exported video from the system I call “Quad 2″

I had officially given up. You see, I centre my personal productivity around something called a work flow. Yes that’s obvious to those who know what a workflow is,  but I really think about these things. How I use my time affects how much I can accomplish.

ahhhhh

So today I tried again. It worked!!!!AHHHH So I tried it didnt work… OIOIOIOOII

So I tried a third time and it worked!!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAJHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Here is the version that worked.

Larissa and Nick Engagement Video from Jean Marcotte on Vimeo.