the BAKERS | www.jimjessbaker.com

6 comments

The RainwatersJune 9, 2010 - 4:39 pm

love them….i really like the one with her on the street…well done!!
😉

jim bakerJune 9, 2010 - 4:44 pm

thanks!!! have you guys upgraded to LR3?

hannahelaineJune 9, 2010 - 8:08 pm

looks awesome maaan. wanna know how you make the photos so big. been trying to figure that out for years.

jim bakerJune 10, 2010 - 4:03 am

thanks hannah, congrats on the 5dm2. i’ll shoot you an e-mail about the blog

The RainwatersJune 10, 2010 - 7:13 am

Seth said we had a beta trail version, he thought there wasn’t much difference than what we have…but I don’t know, I’m the photo editor, I don’t know if he would even notice the differences 😉 I haven’t tried it myself….maybe I should!

jim bakerJune 10, 2010 - 8:20 am

you can try the 30 day full version trial… here’s a link for a video that outlines some of the new features, if you think they are valuable do it, if not don’t.

Jun 07 2010

06.07.10 – sneak peak photos

Alex – Seniors 2011 // Maryland

Chris and Sharon Hidey // Baltimore MD

Emily – Seniors 2011 // Jamestown NY

Walrod Family Photos // Jamestown NY

Here’s a sneak peak of the photography I’ve been doing over the past two weeks. I’ll do full posts of them all soon.

JIM baker

8 comments

joanJune 7, 2010 - 8:12 am

Do you ever take a bad photo? 😉
Look forward to seeing more.

jim bakerJune 7, 2010 - 9:01 am

bwahahaha of course i do. but i just don’t show anyone my bad work always show your best work and nothing else. You and mom are the only one that sees ALL my photos

The RainwatersJune 9, 2010 - 8:34 am

Super Cute!!!! Are you starting to do more Senior Pictures now? How do you like them?

jim bakerJune 9, 2010 - 8:37 am

thanks! i like doing senior portraits a lot, hope to be doing more soon

The RainwatersJune 9, 2010 - 9:09 am

well…i think you found your nitch, they are really well done! I can’t wait until our lighting session!

jim bakerJune 9, 2010 - 9:12 am

woah a response! awesome!!!!

hey thanks, i’m excited for our lighting session too! not to far away now

The RainwatersJune 9, 2010 - 9:18 am

lol…yeah…i have finally realized that you respond to my comments….it only took what a year? 😉 Yeah, it should be here before we know it!

jim bakerJune 9, 2010 - 12:32 pm

i’m just glad you have caught on that i respond i feel like the whole point of a blog is community… thanks for responding! you broken anything lately while doing photo shoots?

Jun 02 2010

06.03.10 – back from MD

Check out the video of Jess eating her first maryland crab

Sharon was an awesome instructor. Sorry for the crappy quality, when I uploaded it to blogger, blogger compressed the heck out of it.

Here’s a highlight recap of our time in Maryland. (Kinda a long post) Click on the links if you want and LEAVE COMMENTS! I LOVE COMMENTS! If you’ve having problems leaving comments, let me know via facebook or e-mail.

Saturday night, Jess and I went to Phillips Restaurant at the Baltimore Inner Harbor. We went with some friends we were doing a senior portrait shoot for. I tweeted something like “showing Jess real seafood” and got some flack for it on facebook from a couple Marylanders. My parents don’t like seafood so I didn’t grow up eating it, so I didn’t know any better. My friends didn’t like the fact that I called it “real seafood” when its a chain. Honestly it was the BEST crab cake I’ve ever eaten. And it seemed a lot more authentic and fresh then anything I can get here in Jamestown NY

Hopefully we redeemed ourselves by having Jess eat a crab from Bo Brooks. We were hanging out with the Hidey’s and Sharon insisted that Jess had to try a crab to fulfill her Maryland experience.

We got back from Maryland yesterday. I’m not going to lie, it was hard to leave. It’s strange, I never used to look forward to going back to Maryland, but this time I was REALLY excited to get back, and when it came time to leave I didn’t want to.

It was a full week. I feel like I really need at LEAST a week and a half when I go and visit, but I was very grateful for having a complete week. I wish I had some pictures to show you but I don’t. I need to start 365ing again. Maybe I’ll start this summer. Oh here’s a pic I can show youIts me and the fam!

from front to back, me, jess, my mom, jeannie (my sister), my dad, lindsey (my neice) and Stephen (my nephew)

My float wraps came, and I’m really happy with the way they turned out! They were put on the wall in our church lobby today! Thanks to Holly Aipolani for taking the pic with my iphone.

I had the float wraps sent to MD so I could share with some people what God has been doing in our lives over the past 9 months. I really truly feel SENT here from Maryland, with an awesome team of people back “home” that are very supportive and encouraging.

It was also great to catch up with a lot of people that I haven’t seen in sometime. Its crazy how fast time flies.

I enjoyed driving around Maryland. I got horrible gas mileage (city driving) but I felt like I was actually driving. Weird, some of the things you miss. Checking your blindspot, switching lanes, accelerating quickly.

I was going to keep listing things I liked about MD and things that I learned to appreciate in NY but I decided I won’t do that. This has gotten long enough.

JIM baker

6 comments

The Moldy CannoliJune 4, 2010 - 2:25 am

That is actually one thing I really don’t miss about Maryland, the twisty turny loopy highways/freeways. I felt like I was always taking my life into my hands every time I was getting on an on ramp or off ramp. Oh sweet suburbs of NY with no scary freeways! The only problem with the suburbs though is that they are the suburbs. Ick.

joanJune 4, 2010 - 3:05 am

Great video….Jess, your a brave soul. Did you eat your crab, Jim? Someone should have taken your photo too. Blog was great..sounds like you had a great visit.

jim bakerJune 4, 2010 - 3:39 am

@ moldy – on ramps off ramps are fun, just GUN it.

@ grandma – i did eat my crab! crab eating is really messy though so i waited until i was done filming

LisaJune 4, 2010 - 1:07 pm

I’m so glad the pictures are up on the wall! Pictures tell a story all in themselves when you capture the essence of someone’s face and especially the eyes. The sermon Rick taught on the pictures Judy did was one of the most memorable because I’m a visual person.

jeannieJune 4, 2010 - 1:17 pm

you go girl, get that crab better you than me!!! Loved seeing you guys and miss you both tons!!

退June 6, 2010 - 3:31 pm

偉大的致富萬能之鑰，正是幫你充分掌握自己心志所必須的自律自制........................................

May 25 2010

05.25.10 – random thoughts all about photography

out and about last week doing some photography with Sam Whittaker and some faux hdr editing

I’m super impressed with WHCC’s customer service. The float wraps I was getting printed didn’t look like they were going to make it here in time before I left, so I’m having them shipped to Maryland. I sent a request in and they were very fast in responding and rerouted them to Maryland for me for a low charge.

Pranee Loffer told me about WHCC and I’m impressed for sure. I’m excited to get the biggest prints I’ve ever had printed. Although maybe we printed 16×24 in SOP? I’m second shooting a wedding with Pranee in July! I’m looking forward to working with her. She’s an inspiration.

I stopped by a photo studio today in the area which will remain unamed. I wanted to check on their print prices. They wouldn’t give them to me. They wanted me to schedule a sitting, which was real cheap. Then once they’ve taken your pictures and those beautiful pictures are staring you in the face they try to sell you on prints afterward. Interesting yet pretty normal tactic.

My thoughts on it is be upfront. I want to charge higher on the sitting fee, you’re really paying for the photographers artistic ability and skill in my opinion. And then mark up prints around 100% not 400% like a place does in this area. Haha should I be revealing all of my business secrets?

I’m also going to take about 8-10 photos and print them from WHCC and then from walmart to show people the difference. It will be very interesting to see the difference for myself as well. That way people don’t think they are being completely ripped off when walmart can sell a 4×6 for 15c and I have to charge $2. At least its not $11.50 for a 4×6 like some places around here… I’m almost positive we’re all printing from the same place.

I ordered a new 43″ white umbrella and shipped it to Maryland. It took a hard fall when I was shooting for the Erretts and never really recovered. I’ve had it for over two years and was like $20 so I guess it doesn’t owe me anything. If you don’t know what I’m talking about when I say umbrella, its a white umbrella that you shoot your flash into or through. You can see a pic of what I’m talking about here.

I’m going to be shooting a bit while I’m in Maryland and looking forward to it. I feel like I know the area a lot better there still and have some locations in mind. Going to be hanging out with Jon Barnes and Cory Pampalone too which are some of my most creative friends, always an inspiration to get around them.

Meh… lots of photo talk in this blog. Photography has been on my brain lately.

JIM baker

5 comments

ChrisMay 25, 2010 - 1:47 pm

I’d be interested to see the difference between the prints from those places, as well.

Nice shot above, btw.

jim bakerMay 25, 2010 - 2:31 pm

I’ll make sure to post the results when they come in

joanMay 25, 2010 - 4:04 pm

That’s one cool photo. Like the effect.

The Moldy CannoliMay 28, 2010 - 9:37 am

I am interested in dabbling in photography. What do you suggest as a good first camera???

jim bakerJune 1, 2010 - 11:19 am

@ grandma – thanks!

@moldy. i’ll write a post about how to find a new camera soon, a lot of ppl have been asking. if you need info before that shoot me an e-mail or call.

May 21 2010

05.21.10 – april showers bring may showers here in WNY/WPA

flowers from our wedding in the trunk of my car (photo by Sheena Stropas)

When Jess and I got married last August the very generous Robinson family donated all of the wildflowers that we had as table settings. Bruce told me to come out again in the spring to take some pictures of the daffodils.

Nate Blick and I hang out and do photography on Wednesdays and I intended to make it out to the Robinsons in time to take pictures of the daffodils but they had come and gone already.

I was borrowing Ashley VanHouten’s 100 macro 2.8 for this shoot.

We met (I re-met) Bruce’s son, Bruce Jr. who remembered me from my nursery days at First Cov in Jamestown. You can check out his photography work here.

Anyway, not a whole lot is new. I got 5 free 8×10’s from WHCC that look a ton better than wal mart prints. And I just ordered six 16×24″ float wraps of some of the portraits of the Okinda Kids.

In other news… Jess and I are headed to Maryland this Wednesday for a week. We’re looking forward to catching up with people that we haven’t seen in a while.

JIM baker

May 14 2010

05.14.10 – African Safari!

I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves. But if you EVER get the chance to go on Safari DO IT! It’s CRAZY how close you get to the animals. I rented a 100-400mm lens from lensprotogo for this trip. Masai Mara was a nice treat at the end of this trip.

Here’s a video I took with my iphone of how close some of the elephants were.

The overcast weather was nice, I feel like it gave the photos a different feel than typical safari pictures.

I’d love your comments

JIM baker

p.s I THINK this will be the last Africa blog… I went and showed my grandma all of the africa pics last nite realized I overlooked some photos. I think I’ll go back through the safari ones and post a few from time to time. Thanks for journeying with me!

3 comments

joanDecember 21, 2010 - 3:43 am

Merry Christmas, Jim and Jess. Love you…
Grandpa and Grandma N

LempicsFebruary 28, 2012 - 2:38 pm

this is awesome!!! going on a safari is on my bucket list! great pics

jimjessbakerFebruary 28, 2012 - 2:38 pm

@bbcc0679f499c14ad406ac1292a01aa2 it was awesome! I totally recommend doing it. Rent a LONG lens though – jim baker

May 11 2010

05.11.10 – photo shoot Jackie Dates

my fav of the set

vertical

high key b/w

purposely edited to give an intimate/doll like feel

green/gold lr preset

Jackie is a friend of ours and I asked her if I could take some pics of her. She did an excellent job. When the weather clears up we plan to do more outdoors.

To see the rest of the set click here.

All using off camera lighting, 580ex fired at 1/32 power through a shoot through white umbrella trigged via pocket wizards. Canon 5dm2 50 1.4 and 100 2.8macro lenses.

JIM baker

2 comments

joanMay 12, 2010 - 1:37 am

Pretty girl. Great photos, as always. See you soon.

jim bakerMay 21, 2010 - 8:44 am

thanks!

May 02 2010

05.03.10 – more photos of Okinda Kids

Meet Daniel Samson. He is 14 and in grade 7. He enjoys playing keyboard and playing football and wants to be a submariner.

This is Samuel Moseti. He is 12 and in grade 7. He enjoys drama and singing and wants to be a pilot.

This is George Ouma. He’s 14 and in grade 7. He likes playing football and singing and wants to be a psychologist.

This is Austine Ndiege. He’s 12 and also in grade 7. He enjoys music and wants to be a lawyer.

When I came back to shoot some more of the students there was not enough light in the location I was using before so I went outside and had the students stand against a wall, which is what you see above.

Here’s a pic of Jess amongst a crowd of kids organizing them as I shot. All I did was turn around from where I was shooting and snapped this photo.

At one time while I was taking the pictures I smelt sewage and wasn’t sure what was going on. Then I looked down and a couple of feet from where I was standing and raw sewage was in a small ravine. Remember that I was already sick while I was taking these photos. Then out of no where my eyes started burning and tears were just streaming out of my eyes and snot out of my nose. It got so bad that I couldn’t see and had to run back to my room and wipe my eyes and blow my nose.

Click here to see video of Jess and I in action taking photos of the kids on the last day in Migori.

This is the last post about Okinda Kids. The next and final post about Africa will be about the Safari we went on. And I guess I MIGHT put some pictures from that trip… would you like that?

JIM baker

3 comments

joanMay 3, 2010 - 1:26 pm

Looking forward to the safari. Love seeing all the smiling happy faces of the orphans that you are sharing. May God shine down upon them and bring them much happiness.

RachelMay 4, 2010 - 2:54 pm

hey jim! I was looking at some of your pictures from your trip to Africa on flickr and was wondering what you would think about me using some of them as references for some paintings I would like to do?

-Rachel Lindsay

jim bakerMay 11, 2010 - 2:34 am

@ grandma, thanks! you’ll see the full batch in a few days

@ rachel – yeah for sure, i’d love to see your final product when you’re done

May 02 2010

05.02.10 – orphans

Maureen Akinyi is 6 and in the nursery. She enjoys singing and her future dream is to pray for people.

Eliavona Aoko is 4. She is in the baby class and enjoys playing and hopes to help people in the future.

Both of these girls were brought to the compound that we were staying in while we in Migori, Kenya. A lady brought them both with death certificates for their parents saying that she could no longer take care of them. John and Pamela Okinda had JUST opened their own personal home for orphans and in a matter of weeks they had 14 orphans living with them.

JIM baker

2 comments

LisaMay 2, 2010 - 4:23 pm

what a dream! just to pray for people!!!!! incredible! so simple. so good.

jim bakerMay 21, 2010 - 8:45 am

haha now that i understand the context of this it makes a lot more sense… haha sorry i confused us both

Apr 29 2010

04.29.10 – unwillingness to receive

an accident I came upon in Maryland in 2008.

So Thursdays has become our day to hit the streets and pray for people. It’s honestly really such a refreshing time for me, because by Thursday I’m fried from meetings and it’s a nice change of atmosphere.

I was AMAZED last week when I went out with James Dickey into downtown Jamestown how RECEPTIVE people were to receiving prayer. In about an hour we must have prayed for about 20-25 people with only 4 people saying no.

Today we went out again and got turned down a lot more but we did get to pray for about 10-15 people. It’s amazing the responses we get when people say yes, people are blown away and honest with you about what they’re going through. We had one guy come right out and tell us about his drug addiction and how he wanted to quit, we had another guy just tell us that he was trying to hold a job down because he had 5 kids at home.

The interesting thing though is the excuses that we get when people say they don’t want prayer. Things like… “nah, I’m alright my mom’s Catholic.” Or when you walk up to someone with an obvious infirmity and they say they are fine.

Last week we walked up to a guy sitting in a motorized wheel chair and an oxygen tank. When we asked if we could pray for his healing he told us that he didn’t need prayer and was okay.

So do we walk around with less than God desires for us simply because we believe thats what we deserve?

Last time I checked John 10:10 says that Jesus came to give us life to the fullest and it was the devil that kills, steals and destroys.

Let’s stop living in LESS than what God has for us. Fullness of life. Jesus came with GRACE to FREE us from the power of sin and death. That means that sickness isn’t part of what God desires for your life. It’s NOT HIS WILL!!

God thinks we are so valuable that He sent His one and only son to come and die for us so that we could be in relationship with Him.

I don’t see many people wasting the lives of their sons on something they think is worthless.

If God thinks we’re that valuable… then maybe our view of ourselves should change.

John 15:9 – “As the Father has loved me, so I love you…“

JIM baker

3 comments