I am so honored that I was asked to participate in this wonderful project, Mr. Webster, put on by DECA. DECA is a marketing group at Webster Groves High School. 12 young men from Webster Groves High School signed up to be part of this project. They will be competing for the title of Mr. Webster on December 1st. I have photographed all 12 contestants and had a great time with each contestant. Each contestant brought 3 outfits. A nice outfit, a Webster outfit and something to represent their month. Talk about creativity! The Mr. Webster pageant (full of talent and handsomeness) will be held at Webster Groves High School on December 1st in the auditorium. Like the page Mr. Webster Pageant on Facebook.
Meet the contestants.
January – LaJuan Moye
Mr. February, Patrick Dugan
Mr. March, Matt Simmons
Mr. April, Jon Puricelli
Mr. May Ben Haskenhoff
Mr. June Andrew Webster
Mr. July, Demetri Westbrook
Mr. August, Sean Kaeble
Mr. September, Rayshawn Simmons
Mr. October, Redmond Reilly
Mr. November, Kevin Killeen
Mr. December, Ben Kemper
For more of their images “like” the Webster Groves Pageant Facebook Page.

Kurtis Hall, our right hand man, wedding photographer, sports photographer and senior photographer won big at this past weekend’s Missouri Professional Photographers fall convention. He is extremely talented and all of us at Nordmann Photography are very lucky to have Kurtis as a trusted and talented photographer. Kurtis won 3 ribbons.
He received 3rd Place Pets with “Neighborhood Watch”.

And he placed 3rd in the Men category with “Red Devil” staring Matt Greer.

And placed second in the Wedding category with “I’m Waiting”.

The judges look for certain elements such as visual impact, creativity, posing, lighting and color harmony. Entering images in competition make us better photographers. There is a saying that it is all about the journey. I don’t always agree with the judges but I certainly listen to their input and we always strive to make ourselves better photographers.

I entered several images also and am proud to say I earned a 2nd place ribbon with Damian Johnson’s image of “Light’s in the Attic”.

I merited with “Rock Star” with a score of 82 which is in the excellent category.

I have just arrived here at Tantara in the Ozarks for the annual Missouri Professional Photographers of America fall convention. I love coming here to see fellow photographers, go to great classes and to enter prints in competition. The print competition is very informative and I always learn from it. The images are put before a panel of 6 judges. They judge your prints on creativity, lighting, posing and overall excellence. Here are this years entries. Each print has to have a title.
BRING IT ON

IN THE TREE TOP

LEFT BEHIND

ROCKIN DOCK

LIGHTS IN THE ATTIC

ROCK STAR

Winning this competition would be great. But the process of learning is more valuable to me. Improving my craft is the true goal in competition.

I am a photographer…

I can use a hammer but it doesn’t make me a builder.
I can use a thread and needle but it doesn’t make me a seamstress.
I am able to take a pulse but it doesn’t make me a doctor.
I am able to listen but it doesn’t make me a psychologist.
I own scissors but it doesn’t make me a hairdresser.
I can help my kids with their homework but it doesn’t make me a teacher.
I can make my family dinner but it doesn’t make me a chef.
I can wrap an ankle but it doesn’t make me a athletic trainer.

Just because you own a camera, that doesn’t make you a photographer.
You can take a snapshot outside but you don’t understand lighting.
You can try and pose someone but find it’s harder than it looks.
You take hundreds of “pictures” only to get one or two good ones.
You own photoshop but can only use it to fix your mistakes.

We live in the greatest country in the world… America. Everyone has the right to own their own business and everyone is in control of their own destiny. However, do not
call yourself a photographer, or open a photography business, if you do not understand light control, posing, retouching, image enhancement, customer service, business laws, or your equipment. Using the “P” setting on the camera does not mean “professional”. Photographing your subject outdoors on vintage furniture does not make it cool. Lens flare, out of focus images, and blown out highlights does not make it art.

Our studio receives calls daily of regret…. regret that they went to a “photographer” to save a few dollars. I am saddened by the people who say, “I wish I would have gone to a real professional studio and now its too late.

I can manipulate light, I am a photographer.
I can create sets and backgrounds, I am a photographer.
I understand color harmony, I am a photographer.
I can pose someone in flattering ways, I am a photographer.
I am able to use my manual settings on my camera, I am a photographer.
I can see lighting outside, I am a photographer.
I can use photoshop to enhance my images, I am a photographer.
I own a camera and I really am a Professional Photographer.

I love what I do and am very fortunate to have great people on my team. Kurtis Hall is my right right hand man. He makes sure each high school senior
has lighting that is flattering and creative. Here are a few recent seniors I photographed.
Kurtis controls the lighting with an off camera flash, a gobo and a reflector. Kurtis then puts his razzle dazzle on each image to make sure each image purchased is an heirloom piece.

St. Louis Senior Photographer, Lisa Nordmann, is continuing to excel in her cool high school senior photos.
This image is a 3 light system actually photographed in the studio. But it sure looks like she is at the ball park.

I am so excited about our new Rising Star program. We are introducing ourselves to the underclassmen at no charge and no commitments. We just want you to be as excited about our senior photography as we are photographing high school seniors. The Rising Star Program is geared towards the Class of 2014, 2015 and 2016. We want you to come try us out for free. You will get a free 15 minute photo session and 3 facebook images. You will also be on our Rising Star Facebook Page and our Nordmann Photography web site. So try us on for size and see how we fit.

We just had three wonderful seniors join our St. Louis senior photography spokesMODEL program from Cor Jesu.
I had so much fun photographing these three seniors in our new outdoor studio. Katie M. is in many school activities. She plays Lacrosse and is in National Honor Society and French Club. She is also a dancer. Her favorite movie is The Notebook and her favorite TV show is So You Think You Can Dance.

Our 2nd Cor Jesu spokesMODEL is Becca G. Becca’s favorite movie is Finding Nemo and her favorite book is “To Kill a Mockingbird”. Becca is in the National Honor Society and is also a dancer.

And then we have senior photos of Anna S. Anna is a fan of the Harry Potter books and her favorite movie is also The Notebook. She is also in the National Honor Society and STUCO. She also plays soccer and the guitar.

I can’t say enough great things about Eclips Salon. Maria Gianino is the founder and owner of Eclips Salon. Her amazing stylists have taken care of some of my Class of 2012 spokesMODELS
with their hair and makeup. I have been very pleased with Eclips Salon’s customer service, professionalism and talent.
Her adorable salon is located at 7522 Big Bend in Webster Groves. Their phone number is (314) 645- 2225.
Here are some of our wonderful senior photos of some of our Class of 2012 spokesMODELS
adorned and beautified by the talents at Eclips Salon.

Here is a link to our facebook album of our 23 Class of 2012 spokesMODELS. These wonderful now seniors are representing Nordmann Photography. Pick which one you would like to give a credit to and you will receive a $50 photo credit. Our calendar is filling up fast so don’t wait too long to schedule your senior session.

Also, check out the biggest savings you can receive this year. You can receive up to a $287.50 photo credit on your senior pictures. It will not get any better than this. Save big time at Nordmann Photography.