K A I Z E N-FOTO

Results for Our Photo Assistant Contest

2010-03-15T09:34:00.001-05:00

Hello All!

I know everyone is eager to fine out the results of the Photo Assistant contest. We had a long two weeks of voting for these contestants. I know all there family and friends are glad it's all over. lol Thank you to everyone that came in voted fro your selection.

We would like to congratulate Joé Asencios on winning the contest with a huge 6067 votes. The race between Gokhan having over 5600 votes and Joé was exciting to see.
That's a lot of votes Mr. Asencios! Congratulations!

Please stay tune soon to see Joé in Action!

FYI

We will be offering the same opportunity to the first 5 (five) photographers /inspiring photographers to submitted an email to info@kaizenfoto.com for our second Photo assistant contest offer.

Voting will began as soon as we get all five contestants.
Stay tune!

Kaizen-Foto!

The mind needs to reboot.

2010-03-12T12:45:00.000-06:00

As a photographic artist we are expected to achieve an image base on our clients needs. Or at times, as an artist, we have a particular vision we would like to create that is kept inside our minds. In any case, a photographer should have a good amount of technical knowledge and technique to help reach these goals. The biggest challenge is we have too find ourselves as an artist in order to achieve what we feel is our style or new inspirational vision. We could have numerous of ideas that are eager to come out, but we have to first achieve what we all are looking for inside of us.

Every daylight saving time we try to refresh our mind's to get ready for our wedding season or our future clients needs. Striving for perfection means, we have to some times take a step back in order to jump further. Always strive for your goals. God will help you reached them.

We hope to showcase our new 2010 work of the year soon!

God Bless
Walter Malabehar-Cantu

Glam Contest results

2010-03-11T12:56:00.002-06:00

We were not impressed with the performance of our Glamour contest. I want to apologize to all my customers, fellow photographic peers, family and friends that had to read all the high school comments. We would like to give a special thank you to the entire voters that took there time during the day to come and vote for your selection. Please accept our apologies and we thank you!

The reason this contest was cancel, was a decision made from our research regarding the outcome of the contest. One of the biggest reasons of our decision was the discussed comments & emails we have been receiving. Here at Kaizen-Foto we strive for perfection, no matter what we strive for being perfect!
Saying that!

We are going to offer all the Glamour contestants the wining prize. Contestants will be contact by our booking agent to schedule their photo shoot session. Congratulations to all!

Walter Malabehar-Cantu
Kaizen-Foto

High Voltage Lighting workshop!

2010-03-04T12:40:00.001-06:00

Hello Everyone!

It's that time again at Kaizen-Foto to start preparing for another hands-on workshop. On March 28th and April 18th we will be traveling on a bus visiting some of Chicago's sceneries for a few hours of Capturing fun. This time with my good friends from Chicago Photographer. We are planning a great day of training and hands-on with lighting gear I use in my work-flow. We will have models all dressed up for the Big Day!
We’ll finish our Wedding adventure in the city and then head over to our studio. We’ll discuss our images captured in the first part of this workshop. After lunch, we will be shooting yet again. This time it will be a model Folios session. It’s going to be a lot of fun and an awesome experience.
If you’re interested in joining us, please follow this link for registration.

High Voltage Lighting Workshop!

Please send in your payment to seruvenci@mac.com through PAYPAL as soon as you can.
If you are not 100% sure that you will be able to attend PLEASE RSVP as MAYBE ATTENDING.
If you already have sent your payment please disregard this message.

Thank You.

Chicago Photographer

Our new Kaizen-Foto followers!

2010-03-01T15:21:00.002-06:00

We would like to give a special thank you to our first (5) five Blog followers on our site!
Thanks Karen, Joé, Tyler, Jennifer and Dawn for joining!
We'll remember you for years to come!
Thanks again!

Looking at a exciting New Year!

2010-03-01T15:10:00.004-06:00

This past February has been very exciting to us here at Kaizen-Foto. We not only had four model session, but we've also captured three weddings this month. Also our three successful weekend warrior seminars at Calumet Photo has been getting great reviews. We would like to give a special thank you to everyone at Calumet Events for giving us this opportunity to teach there Classes. I've learn a lot for so many years from Calumet as an employee and it was an honor to to be apart this seminar. The classes were filled with over 25 attendees and everyone left inspired & motivated to start trying new techniques in there photographic journey.

We've also made so many new friends this past month from workshops, seminars, and photo group clubs we've attended. We'll continue to network with our new found friends for years to come. We will continue to strive for perfection to make this a successful 2010 year, despite our economy and world tragedy!

Our hearts go out to everyone in Haiti and in Chile. Our prayer is with everyone!

Thanks again to all that made this month so wonderful!

Kaizen-Foto!

Aztec Queen series.

2010-02-23T21:10:00.008-06:00

Hello everyone,

I've been having this series in my head for years. I finally gotten my skills as a photographer to achieve this vision, or at least I think I have. lol
Well with the help of my adorable wife's talent with make up design, and these huge amount of Aztec Goddess discussion during the diner table are starting to finally come alive.

This is my first shoot of this series and I would like to give a special thanks to my make up artist Annabel Corona for a great job on this design and style. As well as our model Felicia June for sitting patiently awaiting for this to happen.

A little story I would like to share about how small this world really is.

I invited a good friend to stop by and experience my behind the scenes photo session of my new beauty work series. My friend Gokhan agreed.

Not knowing the talent or who it was that was being captured, he stopped by and experience this production. Little that I knew and Gokhan knew that he'll come across a person he once cross paths at one point of there lives.

Gokhan totally freaked out after he started to remember who this models was during our conversations and who's girlfriend she was... Gokhan asked. Are you Matt's Girlfriend? YA! Where you in Arizona a few weeks ago?
Ya!
Remember me?
Ohhhhh ya! Felicia starts to LHAO!

You're Matts friend... ya...ya... what's your name? Gokhan! hahahaha.. haha..haha..
What a small world.

(That's what I said)

Matt is on his way here, she said. What! I said.
He's running a bit late. Walter! ya Gokhan! hahahaha Gokhan says, Matt is another good photographer friend of mine. haha..haha.. hahha. and he on his way over. What do you mean a good photogrpaher friend? :) He's a great Guy! I'm thinking oh boy! Another photographer looking over my shoulder. No pressure! Not going to show my skills today I guess. not knowing Matt yet of course :(

So my Kaizen kicked in! We strive for perfection, right? Don't hold back! Do your thing boy!

Long story short. We had an awesome time and Shoot. Anna and I got to meet some very special people that evening in the studio. Which I believe Anna and I made some long time friends as well.

Felicia was teaching Annabel some Salsa Moves ( oh ya... shes also a Salsa Instrctor and Dance competition champion) and of course I was chatting photo talk with my good friends. All of these of course after the photo session. I guess we needed some Wine to make it a real party. lol\

That should be in my things to do list for the studio. :)

Oh well! Just go's to show, that we do live in a small world. I was blessed to experience its special moment.

My series is off to a great start!

Thanks gang!

Photo Assistant Contest!

2010-02-23T17:16:00.019-06:00

Hello Everyone! Often we get an emails request from various inspiring photographers that would like to assists us on our Fashion, Beauty or even Glamour photo shoot session. We often get questions regarding how we set up our lighting, which light modifiers we used and where do we fine our talent.

Here at Kaizen-Foto We, strive for perfection!

In order to help our local peers, we came up with this idea to make this wonderful offer to everyone that would be interested in being an assistant for us. In connection with the model glamour contest we made on our Kaizen-Fotos facebook fan page we’ve made the same offer to our fellow photographers and inspiring photographers peers.

This contest was limited to 5 contestants. We would like to thank everyone that submitted their names via email for this contest. We'll promise to put your names back into the drawing hat for our next contest.

Well these are the lucky 5 contestants that replied to this request buy submitting their images of themselves with names of their studios for voting.

Okay! How this works. Very simple! Everyone will tell their family, friends, Peers to come to this blog site to vote for them. Yes it’s that simple! Just send them the link of course.

Don’t forget to tell them how important it is for you to get a great chance to work side by side with Walter Malabehar-Cantu from Kaizen-Foto. :)
Good Luck!

This is what the Winner will win!

1.   The studios broom to clean the Studio
2.   A set of working gloves
3.   Water for dehydration
4.   One on One talk with the Photographer. ( bring paper and pencil )
5.   A small lesson on the lighting we'll use for the session. ( which you'll set up )
6.   Techincal talk about the Camera system of choice
7.   A special surprise gift.
8.   A 1/2 hour of time to shoot with the Glamor winnnig talent ( Bring your own Camera and Media)
9.   Another 1/2 hour of shooting time with another talent. ( Yes! They'll be two Models)
10.Diner with the Kaizen-Foto

Voting Starts on March 1,2010 and ends on mid-night on March 14,2010

Winner will be announced on our Kaizen-Foto Face Book Fan page so don't forget to join!
Our Face book badge in on our blog.

Good luck to all these wonderful contestants!

1. Joé Asencios

2. Aaron Tokarz

3. Matt Bigelow

4. Gokhan Cukurova

5. Tony Greco

Seminar with Rosalind Bordo and Chicago Photographer Group

2010-02-09T10:33:00.007-06:00

I attended this great seminar last week from this great photo group called Chicago Photographer. I became a member from their face book account and saw they were offering this great seminar. They offered a seminar about Marketing for your business with Rosalind Bordo which is an amazing instructor and photographer. We where able to pick up on some great marketing tools to offer our vendors and clients. I'm so eager to start applying this to my business. We also had a excellent night out with our fellow photographic peers after the session, always networking.

Calumet 's Wedding Warrior Survival Guide Seminar with Walter Malabehar Cantu

2009-12-07T08:58:00.013-06:00

Hello All!

I’m happy to announce that I will be the instructor for this exciting new seminar held at the Calumet Photographic retail stores. The Wedding Warrior Survival guide held this upcoming January 30, 2010 in Chicago, IL and on February 6, 2010 in the Calumet Oak Brook, IL location.

These seminars will be a full six hours of photo fun, discussing everything from the Essential Camera Gear, Portable Lighting Tips, Techniques, and we'll also have enough time to cover a photo shoot with Models. So get your tickets and bring your cameras! Because you'll be able to practice your techniques from this exciting new seminar held at Calumet Photographics.

Also! Don't forget to follow us after the seminar dates, you'll be able to view pictures of these great events here on the blog.

For more information and a link to these events follow the link below.

Wedding Warrior Survival Guide / Register
Wedding Warrior Survival Guide - OakBrook,IL

Who's using Mola SoftLights

2009-12-03T21:27:00.007-06:00

I have had the honor of using the Mola Soft light reflector for a few years now. I have base my lighting style and technique on just capturing images using a single light source. When I first heard of this lighting accessories by the founder of the Mola reflector, Walter Melrose made a comment; Great images can be capture by using a single light source. You can say I took it to heart.

I would practice my technique and my photographic style to just using a single light source for my fashion and beauty work. I think I've finally nail it using this wonderful product.

I have been also honor by this great friend and colleague to honor me on his product line web site, on Who's using Mola? I know for a fact that theirs many great photographers using this product, by them selecting us, we at Kaizen-Foto Thank You! Here, We strive for Perfection!

Who's using Mola

These are a few more samples of the Mola-Light in action! All where taken just using a single light source
the Mola Setti-Silver with a Travelite 750w/s

Shooting the Groom at his House

2009-10-22T11:22:00.006-05:00

A few weeks ago we talked about how I like to capture the bride for her getting ready images. Today we'll achieve those GQ shots of the groom getting ready. Chicago Weddings at times don't often give themselves a opportunity to have these type of groom shots. Besides he's part of the wedding too. :)

Brides totally dig seeing the groom getting ready!!!

Okay... most of my ideas come from International Fashion magazines, and my experience as a fashion photographer. Grooms usually don't like having their pictures taken, especially early in the morning. Do not be pointing your camera in there faces until you find that comfort zone. just an FYI.

I'll try to get everyone involved with the event once I get to there house. I don't start shooting right away, I first scouted the location and have a good idea where I'm going to capture the images. I have a conversation with the groom and family member, sort of like breaking the ICE. It get's him more relax and he starts to add you like on of the boys. Once that happens, you can count on him for the rest of the night to help get great WOW images.

What do you think? Go for it!

Hope you like them.

Alex Wedding Oct-17,2009

Getting ready for the big Day!

2009-09-17T20:46:00.005-05:00

There is nothing better then shooting a Wedding, then making a Bride feel comfortable, relaxed and Gorgeous on her Wedding day. I strongly believe as a photographer you need to build that confidence early when you arrive to the brides house. This is my version of how a Bride's getting ready shot should look like. I'm never a fan of capturing the Bride without truly being ready for pictures. Besides it's her wedding day and it's all about her!

Viva Mexico! A little History... beside I'm Mexican!

2009-09-16T16:21:00.002-05:00

El Grito every 16^th of September is the Mexican Fiesta par excellence! On this day Mexicans all over the world celebrate Mexico’s independence from Spanish rule.

As you know, indigenous peoples were the first to inhabit what is now known as Mexico. They created great civilizations such as the Olmec, the Teotihuacan, Maya, Toltec, and of course the most powerful of all, the Aztec Empire.

After Christopher Columbus “discovered” America, the Spaniards carried out expeditions to find gold and riches from these faraway lands. In 1521, about 500 Spanish soldiers arrived in Mexico, headed by an ambitious man: Hernán Cortés. At this time, the Aztecs had built a great empire that ruled over all Mesoamérica. So the Spaniards decided to direct their attacks towards them.

The indigenous nations that were under the Aztec rule were tired of the physical and economic hardships imposed upon them by this empire. This circumstance made them think that by helping the Conquerors defeat the Aztecs, they would be better off. So they decided to aid the Spaniards.

This is how the Conquest of what is now Mexico began.

On the 13^th of August 1521, Cuauhtémoc, the last Aztec emperor was captured. The indigenous allies of the Spaniards raided Tenochtitlan, capital of the Aztec empire.

They didn’t know it at the time, but they had been liberated from one oppressor and fallen in the hands of a much more powerful authoritarian.

This was the beginning of three centuries of Spanish rule. The new colony was named Nueva España, New Spain.

The years that followed were devastating. The conquerors brought with them diseases unknown to the natives. The epidemics that broke out as well as the merciless workload imposed upon the natives dramatically diminished the Indian population. There were approximately 20 million Indians inhabiting this territory before the Conquest, and after just one century of Spanish rule there were only 1 million left!

Colonial society was highly stratified. Spaniards born in Spain, occupied the higher echelons, followed by Criollos, those born in Mexico from Spanish parents; Mestizos, the mix- blood offspring of Spaniards and Natives; Indios, Native Indians; Negros, African slaves.

Each socio-ethnic group had different rights and duties. The privileged were the peninsular Spaniards. Discontent steadily grew, especially amongst the Criollos, who were always treated as second-class subjects of the Spanish Crown. It is no surprise then, that Criollos were the spark that ignited the Independence movement.

In 1808, Napoleon invaded Spain, and decided to impose his brother José Bonaparte, as king of Spain (1808-1810). The Criollos found in this circumstance the opportunity to seek their independence form Spain.

Influenced by the concepts of liberty, equality and democracy proposed by the French philosophers Rousseau, Montesquieu, Voltaire, and by the war of Independence of the United States, they decided to start a revolt. It was 1810, and their plan was to start the war on the 2^nd of October. Unfortunately, their plans were discovered in early September. The movement was in trouble. They had two alternatives; either abandon their plans, or move faster and start the revolt immediately. Fortunately for our country they decided upon the second alternative.

In the early hours of September 16, 1810, father Hidalgo, accompanied by several conspirators –Iganacio Allende, Doña Josefa Ortiz de Domínguez- rang the bell of his little church, calling everyone to fight for liberty. This was the beginning of the Independence War, which lasted 10 years.

by May Herz

Fusion Stlye!

2009-09-16T16:09:00.002-05:00

Photography has change from film into digital in the past few years and today it seems to make another transition. Photographer & Clients are asking what is Fusion style? It seems that this new mix of still capture images and Video makes for a fusion style theme, or that's what it's being called.

I am very interested in finding out how this creative cinema style capture called Fusion will take us to the next level of photography capture. Next week, I'll be attending a seminar at Calumet Photographic, in Oak Brook,IL with one of our local top photographers Bob Davis, on Fusion style Sponsor by Canon.

He's going over this concept of using the new DSLR's capturing in 1080P HD video like the 5D MKII and others. I'm excited to be learning this technique and practicing it on some up coming events. I still think it may be hard to shoot video & capture stills at the same time, but I like to try new thing every time. Wish me Luck! I'll be sure to post some stuff soon, if they come out well. lol

Kimberly Anderson!

2009-09-11T14:34:00.001-05:00

Some of you may or may not know Kimberly Anderson. She's this gorgeous model from Indiana who has been publish in mulitple national magazines. She also an Ex-LFL player of the Chicago Bliss. Kimberly was asked by Maxim to submit some images for a spread on an up coming fall issue. SO!Yesterday we did an amazing photo shoot for her submission images to Maxim Magazine.
Here are some Behind the scenes unitl we see which images Maxim will choose.

The Wedding of Belia & Andy

2009-08-31T21:33:00.020-05:00

Hello Everyone! It was a busy August. Here is a wonderful couple, whom I had the great pleasure in capturing their Wedding pictures this past weekend. It was my last Wedding event for the Month of August after shooting nine Weddings. Well September here we come! Anyway!

What a blast this Wedding was. Who cares if it was raining on us!
The Wonderful Belia & Andy from Lake in the Hills, Il are the perfect couple. Really they are!
I know we blogger's like to always say good things about our clients, but it's true. They are!

The Wedding day started with a lite rain in the morning, then it really came down on us. That didn't stop me from capturing my images. I had to make sure they enjoy their special day and get those WOW images. I started at Andy's house very early in morning to capture some GQ shots. Andy was totally into it, kept say... man I should model.

Shortly after that, I headed to the wonderful and Beautiful Belia houses to get those sexy getting ready shots. All the Brides maids where freaking out on how I was capturing Belia getting ready shots. Angel one of the Brides maids said it turning into a boudoir glamor wedding shoot. Belia and the girls took a look at my camera images and they where totally into it.

I can wait to finish the post production of this wedding event. Here is a few images to hold you guys off until I finish my complete editing process, it's going to be a blast!

I hope you enjoy!

Feel free to leave any comments as well.

Editorial campaign spread.

2009-08-18T20:52:00.004-05:00

Hello Everyone! Busy Month... Sorry I've been away for a while. I've been shooting Weddings and working on some other projects as you can see here. I'll posted some of my new weddings up soon. wanted to share a most resent project we did for one of our local Models Antoinette.

Antoinette was publish on the spread of Teen magazine in June 2009 for there Prom series. As she was happy and excited about this publication. She now wants to move to a different modeling market as she just graduated from college. We're working on updating her current portfolio to a newer style and look. As she been only getting offers for teen work, we're moving her look to a more Editorial campaign look. Antoinette can wait for these new job offers.

Ieva Portfolio shoot

2009-07-10T21:10:00.006-05:00

Ieva is a 22 years old Lithuania model starting her career in the modeling industry in Chicago. We're working with her on her portfolio series for submission to Professional Modeling agencies. I am sure she'll be a signed soon after these photos get to the right Agency. Ieva has a great looks and is a blast to work with, sure to be famous soon.
Stay tune for more photos from Ieva series. God Bless Ieva!

Christie & Shaun E-Session

2009-07-10T13:35:00.023-05:00

Christie & Shaun made a special trip last month from Arlington Virgina for there E-Session here in Chicago. Christie is a good friend and ex co-worker who moved back home a few month ago, to start her new live with her great fiance Shaun. They both met on a Key West,Fl Vacation trip and fell in love ever since.

When I found out of there engagement announcement, I offered Christie to shoot there E-Session as a going away present. She was so excited! What are friends for I said!

While living in Chicago they've lived in the Lincoln park area, so I thought what a better place then the Lincoln Park Zoo. What a great idea and time we had, The Zoo turned out to be a very fun trip. oh ya! The pictures came out awesome too. lol

Can wait for the Wedding.
God Bless Guys!

Kaizenfoto.com is Finally up!

2009-07-10T12:57:00.004-05:00

After shooting for so many years as freelance photographer for other studios, and with my day time job at Calumet Photographic, I finally took the time for my own web site and studio.

I'm so happy of this accomplishment, for many of my family & friends I know... I know... finally!

I'm excited to demonstrate and display my level of photography skills to my clients and fellow photographic peers. Not to say the World! I have work very hard to push myself to develop a style as a photographer that now I'm now proud to display.

Please continue to stop by and preview more of my work on both my Wedding and Fashion sections. I will be posting video as well for my fellow photographic peers for training purposes.
God bless!