About Dean
My passion for photography goes back to when I attended the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology in 1970 where I attended photography classes that included working in the darkroom in conjunction with my main classes in Biological Sciences. That is when I purchased my first real camera a Canon FTB 35mm with the assistance of a student loan while attending N.A.I.T. in Edmonton. I still have that Canon camera as well as my grandfathers twin lens Rolifex camera and maybe that old Kodak Brownie camera is still kicking around somewhere. My grandfather, Edwin (Ted) Watkiss, was quite a photographer in his day.
My wife Debby (35 years married) and I have come to reside by Sylvan Lake after we traipsed around the province posted at various communities while employed with the Fish & Wildlife Division with the Alberta Government. I spent 33 years in a Fish & Wildlife Officer's uniform while Debby was always employed at the nearest hospital.
Our son Clarke and daughter Sarah have moved on and into the work force and relationships of their own.
As a professional photographer, I am constantly setting new goals for my business and myself. Setting business goals such as increasing sales and client base. My quality control goals are to ensure no botched assignments, no missed deadlines, etc. And I am continually working on my personal goals such as growth in my visual photographic skills, a better understanding of the new technologies and equipment and of course the software I use.
By setting these specific goals it will lead to improving my work, more fulfillment, and generate higher motivation to create better photography. I find there is something energizing when you accomplish specific and tangible goals and see your photography evolve.
So what does this all mean for you.
- I will perform and deliver top quality work, on time, and done right the first time.
- I take pride in my photography and my business and hold it to the highest standards.
- I consistently strive to do my best for each client with a professional and comfortable experience.
- I challenge myself constantly with new ideas, styles and concepts.
- I take each new photography session as a unique chance to learn and grow.
- I will work closely with you to create photographs and a finished product you will be excited about.
- I aim to deliver unrivalled value.
- I seek and am driven by customer feedback.
- I like keeping things simple. I was born with the "KISS" principle.
However, in the final analysis, you, my customer, will be my judge, jury, or executioner.
By not establishing business and personal goals means I'm taking a random stroll through the photography profession. It also means that I would have no way of evaluating whether I'm making any progress or not.
Gear
With cameras moving into the digital age I began using Olympus cameras during investigations while employed as a Fish & Wildlife Officer AKA Game Warden. Of course these work cameras were point and shoot but these cameras contained lenses of superior quality that delivered great photographs and were rugged in construction. So in 2004, with the Olympus E-1 DSLR becoming available as a professional's choice I took the leap and haven't looked back since. Then of course when technology changes you upgrade as I did in 2007 with the Olympus E-3 then again in November 2009 with the Canon MKII DSLR. So am I kind of a techno gear head? Well my wife would certainly say yes. Here is the gear list that I use to deliver the photographs that you will love. So you tell me.
Digital Imaging
Back in the early 90's I started developing web sites thus having to work with digital editing tools to design web sites with images. This digital imaging (enhancement/manipulation) has been ongoing since the early days of Photoshop and I still create web sites, time permitting. You will see by the process I implement in retouching images from Adobe Lightroom 2 to Adobe Photoshop CS4, it is not for the faint of heart.