Portrait, Wedding, & Family Photography - Jacob Vorpahl» Photography

Luke Akerstrom Scores a Touchdown, thanks to Jacksonville Jaguars Brad Meester

Jacob Vorpahl — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 21:38:35 +0000

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="580" caption="Luke Akerstrom and his brother, Abram (right), celebrate one of his many touchdowns during the game."][/caption]

This past Saturday, February 11th, was Luke Akerstrom day, as proclaimed by Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown. If you were present at Trinity Baptist Church around 4pm, you were treated to a really touching moment involving a special little boy named Luke and a soft-hearted Jacksonville Jaguar named Brad Meester.

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Senior photos with Victoria

Jacob Vorpahl — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 20:36:29 +0000

If I've ever photographed someone who just fits in naturally in front of the camera, it's Victoria. She's a senior this year and I had the great opportunity to photograph her senior portraits. And she couldn't have made it any easier. If I didn't know her any better, I'd swear she had modeling experience. I'll stop ranting, however, and let the photos speak for themselves.

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365 2012/37 – Edgy

Portait & Family Photography | Jacob Vorpahl - OneBrightSpot.com — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 23:04:58 +0000

I've got a bunch of different lighting techniques that I want to try out, and one that I've been REALLY wanting to try is an edgy, side lighting technique. It only works well on men, though, and mainly on ones that don't have a lot of b...

Mini Portrait Session DAY – Sat, February 11th – $50 – 10 slots available – Sign up now!

Jacob Vorpahl — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 16:15:04 +0000

Hey guys and gals, I'm happy to announce that on Saturday, February 11, I'm going to be taking a limited number of Mini Portrait Sessions throughout the day. I typically leave weekends open for portrait sessions, but, on the 11th, I'm opening up the day for those want to schedule a mini photo shoot but can't set it up during the weekday. To make it even more of a value, these sessions will be priced at only $50. Here's all the info:

Who: You! What: Mini Portrait Session for $50 + tax When: Saturday, February 11th (available session times below) Where: Willow Branch Park, Riverside, Jacksonville, FL (Google Maps Link) How: Pick a session time below and call me at (904) 383-7768

Available Time Slots: ....... check the website for more details.

365 2012/23 – Sunset Portrait with a Twist

Portait & Family Photography | Jacob Vorpahl - OneBrightSpot.com — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 02:15:30 +0000

I solicited my Facebook and Twitter friends for a volunteer model this afternoon and my friend Victoria quickly jumped on the opportunity. I took her senior photos and we had, what may have been for me, one of, if not, my best photo sho...

365 2012/14 – Outdoor quickie-portrait

Portait & Family Photography | Jacob Vorpahl - OneBrightSpot.com — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 17:56:00 +0000

The weather outside on this wonderful January afternoon was beautiful. I wanted to outdoor shot for a change of pace and I also wanted to try out a technique with a specific lens I own. See, if you're unaware, some lenses react differen...

Some fun engagements photos with friends.

Jacob Vorpahl — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 20:13:50 +0000

From my last update, which was quite some time ago, you'd think I dropped off the face of the earth, photographically speaking. But that couldn't be any further from the truth. Though I'm now working at photography a full time career, I never quit taking pictures. Since we're getting close to the end of the year, I though I'd go back and highlight a few of my favorite shoots of 2011. It'll be a good transition into new blog posts detailing new adventures that are now beginning.

The first sessions comes from back in January. A former coworker of mine got engaged and had seen some of my work previously. She hired me to take their engagement, and knowing how fun she was at work, I knew it would translate into a fun photo session. I was right.

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The $250 “Lets Get Down To Business” Promotion, valid until Dec. 31st, 2011 [Expired]

Jacob Vorpahl — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 20:07:26 +0000

One Bright Spot Photography is officially in business. After life decided to throw me a few curve balls recently, I've decided to launch my photography career as my sole vocation. Since no business can be successful without clients, I'm kicking things off with a promotion to get my work out to as many people as possible. Here are the details: • Until December 31st, 2011, anyone who books and shoots a portrait session will be able to get the session and digital files from the shoot for the low price of $250. I can recommend locations for us to shoot at, but I'm always open to requests, even if you want to try and get them done at home (sometimes it's easier not to have to pack the whole family up). • The files you will be given are of suitable quality for uploading to the internet and putting on social media sites, like Facebook and Twitter. •All prints prices and packages will be reduced in price as well, including some new packages I've put together that offer an extremely good value at a low price. While you may think the printers I use and Walmart/Costco/Walgreens, etc. are the same, nothing could be different. When comparing prints side by side, you see the low quality that you get from those stores versus a professional printer who provides the best paper and ink needed to make your photos look great. A few things to be aware of: •In order to get the discount on the sessions and/or prints, all shoots and purchases must be booked/completed and purchased by 12/31/2011, 11:59pm. After that, my prices will increase ($250 is sadly not sustainable for a business). •I am based out of Jacksonville, FL, on the west side. Travel is included in my fee and I traveling moderate distances is expect, unless you are located or want to meet at a location that is a greater distance that normal. As an example, if you live out at the beaches or in St. John's County, there will be a small additional travel fee based on where you want to meet. • If you are wanting to book a session for a group larger than 6 people, please contact me at jacob@onebrightspot.com or call (904) 716-0363 for a price estimate based on your circumstances. • These rates only apply to personal-use sessions only. Please contact me separately regarding prices for commercial or non/for-profit shoots. And that's it. I hope to be working with as many of you as possible in the near future!

Changes, they are a’ comin’. New days ahead.

Jacob Vorpahl — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 20:06:39 +0000

In the spirit of full disclosure, the plan was to make photography a side business and gradually grow it into a full time job years from now. I worked in public safety and my schedule allowed me the opportunity to spend time working on my photography plans while also having ample time to perform my duties for the community. Well, due to the economy, that all changed recently. Budget shortfalls caused myself, and 47 other coworkers, to have our positions unfunded and we were laid off. To make matters worse, my wife just gave birth to our son and I had follow up surgery from a broken leg I sustained last year. In other words, life kind of snowballed. Read more...

When it’s right to buy new gear: My new Nikon D7000 and Nikon 70-200mm VRII

Jacob Vorpahl — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 22:00:43 +0000

"Put your money into glass (lenses), not cameras. Good lenses will outlast your camera by years."

"Don't go buy every new piece of gear that comes out. Use what you have until you can't anymore."

"Don't give into the Joneses."

There are a few mantras that are repeated over and over again in the photography world, such as the ones mentioned above, and generally speaking they are right. There are A LOT of amateur and even some professional photographers who, instead of working to better the quality of their product, will simply splurge for the newest piece of gear to make up for their lack of progress in their abilities. It's a bad road to go down because instead of expanding your creativity and knowledge you're becoming dependent on someone else to invent something that makes your skills look better instead of being better.

I say all that to preface my latest gear acquisition: a shiny new Nikon D7000 with the famed Nikon 70-200mm 2.8 VRII lens. You're probably thinking: "ok, you just said you shouldn't splurge on new stuff, max out what you have... but you just bought a few thousand dollars worth of camera equipment?" I did, and now I'll tell you why, just as in the art of taking photographs, learn the rules and then learn when you should break them.

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