Click on any image to visit Kristen's website and galleries.

Kristen Jensen, when it comes to photography, has just about done it all - she spent a twenty year chapter of her life as a Ford Super Model and actress in front of the camera. In fact, she recently did an episode of Weekend Wisdom on tips for better images from the model's perspective.  Then she made a huge career change and headed off to build a successful photography business.

There's a great line I've used over the years by Alfred Lord Tennyson, "I am a part of all that I have met."   Well, Kristen took all she'd learned in front of the camera and working with so many different photographers and incorporated it into her business, including how she works with clients, communications, accessibility and her skill set.

I want to share her new promotional video with you for two key reasons. First, Kristen has become a good friend and I couldn't be more proud to be working with her as one of Panasonic's LUMIX Luminaries. 

Second though, is where you come in. Pay attention to the way Kristen tells the story of Kristen Jensen Photography, the images she's shared, the camera angles, even the music.  She's taken the best of everything about working with her and incorporated it into her message.

Video, together with the Internet and social medial has completely changed the way photographers can demonstrate their passion for the craft and their ability to focus on the experience for potential clients. Yet, so many of you aren't taking full advantage of the technology and how effective you can be expanding your reach.

How would you tell you story?

Images copyright Kristen Jensen. All rights reserved.

Michael Grecco is in the spotlight this morning and even added a comment or two about Instagram. 

I've written a lot about the diversity of Panasonic's Luminaries.  Michael's focus is primarily as a commercial photographer, but there's honestly nothing he can't shoot. Plus, he's been developing some terrific archival support material to help photographers and shared this guest post not too long ago.

When it comes to Instagram he wrote...

"Taking happy snaps and then doing that Instagram filter thing really excites me. Sometimes I shoot on my Panasonic GH4 and wifi to the phone; sometimes I just use my phone. I always keep them as snaps though - to me taking a commercial image that has been retouched and putting it on Instagram defeats the purpose. Instagramming should be the spontaneous side of your photographic life, the one you get to set free with the medium."

To see more of Michael's work and link to his site, just click on the banner above and you'll be on his Instagram page!

Intro by Skip Cohen

Back in July, I shared the first episode of Big City Hustle. It's the brain child of Panasonic Luminary, Dave Surber, who's become a good buddy and is all about story-telling. Dave's claim to fame has been as a street photographer, always looking for ways to tell a story with each image he captures.   

Now, thanks to technology, he's bringing filmmaking to the streets with profiles of people many of us would simply miss. While I love the story line of this new video, pay attention to the way Dave and his team put it all together. This video is as much about technique as it is about Nick Gazin, a freelance artist and "Laundry Enthusiast" in NYC.

Added to the excitement I enjoy of working with Panasonic's LUMIX System, all footage has been filmed on Panasonic's LUMIX GH4 with various lenses and is available in 4K HD.

I have the new Firmware upgrade on the Lumix GH4 and there is a bonus feature called 4K photo mode and I like it. You can set the camera to 4K capture and still have the choice to set your aspect ratio where you want it. You can choose 16:9 to match your video wide screen or go 4:3 or 3:2. Even square will give you a 2880X2880 pixel size image to work with.

Years ago when I first heard about the idea of pulling still frames from video I was very skeptical. "What? Now I have to look through 1000's of frames to make my choice?? NO way!"  Well, that was then and this is now. It's actually much easier than I thought it would be. You watch the video. When you see what you want, stop the video, move forward or backward a couple frames and capture it. Done!

Want a series from a child's first birthday cake? Choose exactly the expressions you need with no, "Man, I wish I had caught that cute little smile…" after you are done.

Capturing a lightning storm?

Hummingbirds at a feeder?

A stream with splashing water?

Bride and groom walking down the isle?

Roll some video and make your choice. With the Lumix cameras you can even play back the video and choose your still frames right in the camera before downloading! I'm sure you can think of many different instances where this feature could come in handy. I know I did when I started pondering more...

Let's face it, no matter how good the technology is in our cameras, images need a little work in post to bring out their best. Here's a still video capture from Oak Creek. I was experimenting with some ideas that didn't work out involving water and Photoshop Blend Modes, but I had this nice little bend in the stream captured as a square. Here's how I gave it a little zing.