New Blog

Shortly before Christmas, I decided to move my blog over to WordPress.

I will soon update my photography website and hopefully publish the other website for the youth-modeling project within the next few weeks. The current models and I want to try getting some work done for the website so it can grow gradually.

More details will be posted on the new blog over the next few days. If you'd like to follow me over there, the link is http://shoggardphotography.wordpress.com.

Finally, A Website!

Here is the new website featuring my photography in general, showing what I feel is the best of my own work. In the galleries, the icons are ordered from newest to oldest by year, except for Portraits in which the order is random.

http://shoggardphotography.netai.net/index.htm

There is an issue with the contact form that I had tried using earlier, so until then people would have to manually email me at hoggardphotography@gmail.com

I will continue working on the DJ website in a few days. I already have the codes set up, but I need to fix them so they would work together including CSS.

Busy Summer

I have been quiet for most of the summer because I was spending time with family and friends. I did try focusing on photography, but because I still hadn't grown accustomed to my new camera I wasn't producing pictures that people would consider so great.

I have decided to give the project's website a new look and a new host. So far the new design is looking neat, and after I finish with it I will look into presenting a product page for that particular website (Des Jeunes). The other website, in which would feature my photography in general, will start construction shortly afterwards.

We might have new models in the youth modeling project soon, but it's all up in the air right now.

Starting around the end of the month, I'd start working on a series in my photography as a campaign against bullying. I have already found several volunteers interested in being part of this series. While it won't pick up right away, it's a good start!

If anyone has any questions, please email me at hoggardphotography@gmail.com . I will post again soon with the new links to the new websites. You will also not find much of any of my work online other than my Facebook page now.

New Updates, About New Pictures!

Quite recently, the boys and I were able to finally shoot enough pictures to carry the project along. It was a good day for fishing and we even took a hike along the river. There were many idealistic spots for pictures, and while we wished to have walked the entire trail we had to turn back before it would get too dark. By the end of the day, I had taken enough pictures for at least half a CD. Because of that, we decided to continue shooting the next day, and now there will be enough. Hopefully profits will begin coming in because we can use some financial help to move the project forward and maybe even find new aspiring models to work with the boys and Freckles. A photo-shoot with Freckles is being discussed, but the location and date hasn't been decided yet.

Other than that, I was able to take a few pictures of my cousin, who is also a photographer. She was a bit quirky but a cool person overall. She definitely put me in a good mood because of her personality.

Over the summer, the boys, Freckles, and I hope to grow the project. I also hope to work with more adults and to promote my photography in many places. It's not going to be easy but I have printed flyers that are ready to be posted anywhere, and soon I'll try printing business cards again.

Please wish us the best of luck with everything! If you'd like to donate to the project or my photography in general, just send me an email at hoggardphotography@gmail.com .

Once I have the pictures ready for display, I will post in the blog again and show some shots of the shoots! So keep an eye on the blog.

Updates, After A Month

It's been a while since I posted anything. College has once again gotten in my way, but with the finals coming, I'm finding that I'd have more time for other things than I originally thought. Probably a good thing, since it means I could possibly focus on my photography again.

The youth-modeling project, I'm hoping to start pushing forward soon. We were going to have some shoots at a park, but the weather was clear and the sun was so bright, most of the pictures didn't come out so great. We plan to try again, when we can carry around something to diffuse the large amount of light. We also decided to mostly work in shade from now on, provided that I can ensure their eyes are bright (after all, without light the eyes seem dull and lifeless, which isn't always fun to see). For fans of the project, please continue being patient. Not only would the original three models come back, but hopefully Storm might make a temporary return, and there may be a few more youth models joining soon. All in due time.

Not only that, about the project, but the main issue is making sure I have at least 100 pictures of a model for the CD. Still learning how to handle that!

For my photography in general, I started again but with old houses. Still looking for old houses to take pictures of, especially when I could go inside them – they are full of history and mystery, and being able to somehow put that in a picture seems to make it more fun, despite the dangers of loose or rotten boards and many cobwebs being in the way.

If anyone would like to contact me, as usual my e-mail is hoggardphotography@gmail.com .

3.8.13 - Updated Website

It took some time but I decided to make some changes to the website: http://desjeunes.zymichost.com.

1. I added a PayPal Donate button to the pages. It can be found in Contact.
2. I added a new page to showcase sets. There are shoots that the model have done in the past, and would do in the future, that I wouldn't consider a portfolio shoot. So, these shoots, if there are enough pictures, will be considered “sets”. Most of the time, they will be artistic – basically, like a story.
3. I added “Coming Soon” below the models' names on the website – I did this because they will have portfolio shoots soon. It's likely happening this month or early April. We are just waiting on mildly warm weather.

That's about it. I haven't been by lately because of college, but I'm doing what I can when I can. Take care, and don't forget to e-mail me if you have any questions!

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That being said, hopefully this weekend, I will have another shoot or two done soon, but with adult models. At least it gives me a chance to build a portfolio and to get more exposure on ModelMayhem.

On the Bright Side of Complications

Aren't complications fun? I actually have a list of complications that has kept me either from doing photography or at least enjoying the days.

1. Frigid weather – On the weekend of February the 15^th, Ace and Blake, and I, were headed to a park for their first portfolio shoots of 2013, nearly an hour away from where we lived. However, it started to snow and once we got within ten minutes of the park, we had to go ahead and turn back, or risk getting stuck in the middle of nowhere during the night. Even then, with so much snow falling, the portfolio shoots wouldn't be as expected.
2. College – Every now and then, when I think I'm done with assignments for the day, or even the week, there's always another assignment lurking just underneath that stealthy pile. I'm trying to make it so that the last required class, a class that is only available during the spring semesters, is added to my schedule for next semester so that I can graduate by December.
3. Car issues – The windshield's busted. The tire's going flat. The rubber bands holding the gear shifting in place is snapping apart from the stressful pressure. Of course, this and the tire, I could fix easily. The windshield, that would be a whole different thing. And more expensive.
4. Financial issues – Yes, we do have a lot of financial issues. Though I could often afford to travel, it isn't always the case. There's the need for gas, food and drinks, and, other necessities. I'm also trying to build a wardrobe that models can easily choose from.

Despite these complications, and more that aren't exactly listed, I do see the bright side on things.

1. I have adult models interested in working with me, including those aspiring to be models.
2. I'm still learning every day about photography and how I can improve. I even find inspiration from certain sources and I'm glad for that.
3. The youth models and I plan to do the portfolio shoots as soon as possible, and hopefully in warmer weather. After all, from what I saw of the park in my short visit there months ago, I think the children would love it.
4. I have found some youth models interested in my work. Some, I lost contact with either because of school or the distance between us, but others I'm still talking to and hoping for things to work out between us.
5. The boys and I are actually thinking about making a movie. I think it would be great, if we could just get it done...
6. I did find a website where I can easily make money just by doing surveys, taking offers (which I don't like), and completing tasks for a small amount of change. So far, so good, but I do admit things could be better.
7. I still have support in my photography, so I thank my family and friends for that.

If you'd like to further support my photography, or the project, or both, you can e-mail me at hoggardphotography@gmail.com for more information!

Discrimination Is Everywhere

First, I would like to explain that because of frigid weather involving a spell of heavy snow, the youth models' photo-shoots, that were scheduled for the weekend of February 15 through 17, has been postponed until a few weeks later. Hopefully, it won't be much longer before they have their official portfolio shoots of the new year. To try and raise money for the project as to purchase clothing for a modeling wardrobe, as we'd like to call it, I'm going to put up a few sets I had been able to take in the past years.

Second,

Something happened, quite briefly, yesterday, and it got me to thinking. The story goes like this:

We had an incoming call yesterday in the late afternoon. As usual, my mother's boyfriend is quick to pick up the phone. The caller asks to speak to me, and while I would have liked to take the call myself, once my mother's boyfriend told the caller that I was hearing-impaired, the caller immediately hung up.

If anyone thinks that someone who is hearing-impaired, let alone deaf, would be horrible as a photographer, let alone a human being, they should be ashamed of themselves. In five years' time, I have grown as a photographer and as a human being, working with and being around for the children and teenagers if they needed someone, and trying my best to get out there and do more pictures, and I'm quite proud of what few achievements I have done.

If you're someone who can be a potential customer, but you would have issues with a deaf photographer, then you aren't worth my time. Part of my family, my closest friends including the children, and I myself can guarantee that, while I still have a lot to learn, I'm good at photography.

If you'd like my services, or to donate to either photography or youth modeling project, e-mail me at hoggardphotography@gmail.com . Thank you!

I recently posted this on my Facebook page. I was not all pleased about the caller's rude reaction, whether it was because of my hearing-impairment or something else.

Recent Shots and Upcoming Shoots

College isn't fun when it keeps you busy day in and day out, but hopefully the work would be worth it in the end. Recently, Blake came over for the night and we were able to do a quick shoot. Though we could have been more prepared, the shoot was actually a spur-of-the-moment situation where I just wanted to take pictures. We hiked in the woods near town and found a nice area and started preps. Because we didn't have an authentic costume for a “forest nymph”, which was the idea I had in mind, we just used the makeup I had at hand and quite honestly, this was the first time I used actual makeup on someone, let alone a boy.

We hope that we will have a next time for the forest nymph, maybe even with another model in the shoot, and if so, we would be more prepared.

Please keep an eye out for new portfolio shoots of the DJ Models coming soon; we hope to do the shoots near the end of the month so it shouldn't be a long wait!

I'm hoping to promote my business more often this month, too, now that I'm going to get business cards officially done and post flyers around town. Not sure what I'd do yet; I recently purchased blank business cards from Walmart but can't get the printing aligned properly. Hopefully I will figure something out soon!

If you'd like to donate to my photography or the project, please email me for information at hoggardphotography@gmail.com . Thank you!

First Portraits of 2013

Last night, Shadow and I talked about his name in the project, and after careful consideration, we both decided to change it to Blake. In various places where I already have posted pictures of him with his former name, I will work on changing them to his new name, but it will be a slow progress because of college and my focus on the modeling project.

Ace and Blake came over last night and we had a blast through the night. We played games, watched some funny clips, and even took some very good pictures; I have included two of them in this post.

There are some good things that could happen for the project; it's just the matter of making it work financially that's our main concern. The website will be constantly updated, but to get the best information at once, you should follow this blog. I also have started considering a Twitter account to further promote my business, but it isn't decided at the time.

After browsing around on Flickr, I also found inspirational pictures that have given me new ideas. You can count on seeing a lot of new pictures this year, some of the models and others of other stuff. Hopefully I will get to do some traveling this year and take some great landscapes as well!

As I say often, if you would like to help me out as a photographer, or to donate to the project, you can always send me an email to hoggardphotography@gmail.com !

Oh, also, official links! ; ; ;
http://semper-iuvenis.deviantart.com
http://desjeunes.zymichost.com

Des Jeunes Website

After hours of frustration with the codes and learning of issues with the host's server, I finally managed to finish the new design for the website built for the youth modeling project. It took me some time but it was worth the effort to see the much better style befitting for a youthful atmosphere, compared to the gloomy dark gray scheme that I used before. The graphics are better and things are more organized in the new look, too. Hopefully, the models' page won't stay empty long. We have been discussing possible shoots soon, but we just aren't sure when, and we are trying to find decent clothes they can model in. If you'd like to donate some, fine by us! Just send me an email.

That being said, some people might ask where the models' pictures are. Because we haven't done any actual portfolio shoots recently, there isn't much to show at the time. There will be as soon as we can get some shoots scheduled and done, though! Most of the pictures I have of the current models; of Ace, Freckles, and Shadow, were taken back in 2011, with a few of the rest being taken last year. Now that I have recently purchased a new camera and they are officially signed in the project for the next year, we can expect quite a few shoots from them, and hopefully from more models along the way!

Here's the link to the website; 
http://desjeunes.zymichost.com/index.htm  

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to everyone! Welcoming 2013 was fun, and this year I plan to really get out there as a photographer.

Recently I heard from Lagoon's mother and she decided to wait until he was older. It was a unfortunate loss but at least there's a chance he will be in the project in the future.

However, I'm proud to say that Ace, Shadow, and Freckles are officially signed into the Des Jeunes Youth Modeling Project until December 31, 2013. I look forward to doing more work with them this year, and hopefully they will continue to enjoy the work as always!

For now, we are trying to raise money to expand the project, purchase necessary equipment, and to travel, and to advertise as well. It will all take time but hopefully it will all work out.

Again, happy new year to everyone, may 2013 be a great year for you!

Welcoming Lagoon?

The Des Jeunes Youth Modeling Project is still in development, being off to a slow start. However, we might welcome some new models into the project soon, hopefully beginning with four-year-old Lagoon. His mother and I quickly arranged a short photo-session shortly after meeting and, quite honestly, I was amazed by the little tyke's good behavior. He followed instructions well and provided some great pictures! Being four, I'd imagine that he would be rumbustious, but I was proven wrong! Though he had a hard time understanding me, he enjoyed the session and I look forward to working with him again.

Not only that, but he had two little brothers, twins, with him and they were so adorable. They kept us all laughing with their silliness and their maniacal giggling. Being only one year old, they couldn't be in the project yet, but I hope to work with them when they come of age, which is four, to be in the project! Here's a great picture from that session, possibly my favorite of the whole trio!

There are a few other children and teenagers I have been discussing the project with, and also discussing it with some parents. Whether they are in or out, it hasn't been decided and probably wouldn't be until next year. Hopefully, they will enter the project and help it expand to where it needs to be today.

In a previous post, I explained that Ace and I were planning to do a movie. However, after realizing the amount of time and effort we would need to put into making one, and seeing how shorthanded we were, we decided not to continue with the movie. We do intend to still create the story and maybe turn it into a photo-shoot, and possibly one day, a play.

If you'd like to help donate money, clothes, equipment, or props to the Des Jeunes Youth Modeling Project or just simply my photography, you can email me at hoggardphotography@gmail.com for more information. Until next time!

Returning Soon

Again, it has been a while since I submitted a new post for my blog. I have been so busy with college that I hadn't thought much about it. I'm currently majoring in Business Administration so that I could improve my photography business, and so far I'm doing good in my classes. This is Final Exam Week, so I have been studying vigorously. Fortunately, I'm almost done with this college and then I can move on, possibly to try and obtain a Master's in Photography. My minor will involve making movies.

Recently I purchased a new D-SLR, and so far I have been enjoying the opportunities I get to use it.

Speaking of making movies, one of my youngest models, Ace, and I are possibly going to shoot a movie soon. When and how, we aren't sure yet.

The youth-modeling project is still under development but we are doing good.

Some of the pictures I recently took with my new camera are posted below;

We are hoping to expand the project soon and for my business to pick up in 2013, too. If you'd like to help us, we need plain clothes to build a suitable wardrobe for the children. If you'd like to donate some, you can email me at hoggardphotography@gmail.com. 

To check out more of my work;

http://www.facebook.com/sidneyhoggardphotography
http://semper-iuvenis.deviantart.com/
http://500px.com/semper-iuvenis
http://www.flickr.com/photos/shoggardphotography/

Six Months Later...

My apologies for anyone reading this particular blog. I completely forgot about it and only recently found it in my bookmarks by accident.

It's fortunate that I was able to remember my log-in details!

In my previous post, I explained that I created a new youth modeling project. Six months later, I have eight models but the project isn't getting anywhere. The models and I have tried to schedule photo shoots but there are often obstacles, including especially the heat. Hopefully, there will be new pictures soon. If you'd like to, however, you can visit the new website. http://desjeunes.zymichost.com Later, I will be able to change the domain name.

I'm struggling to raise money for my business. Not having much luck getting customers but maybe that will change soon. You can also check out my Facebook page if you haven't yet. http://www.facebook.com/sidneyhoggardphotography .

Please, post comments if you have suggestions or questions. =)

Overdue Updates

It has been a while, hasn’t it? A lot has happened in the past few months since the previous post. Most of my inactivity can be blamed on college where I’m majoring in Business Administration.


You probably want to know what happened to the youth modeling project I was involved with. Well, after about a month or two, the model Storm who was formerly named Twix and I decided to leave. After that, I started to make my own youth modeling project. For a few months it was named the DivineYouth Project, but I wanted something shorter and fancier. In the end, the project is now known as the Des Jeunes, the youth modeling project. For now, at least. The name is tricky to pronounce, and I have heard it may be hard to remember.


Shortly after our departure from the project I made some new friends who became involved in the project, too. Now there are four models actually participating in the project, with another basically on the sidelines. There are a few others who have been giving it some thought.


The website for the Des Jeunes should be available soon. Until then it will be available as a FaceBook page once it’s set up, which should be any day now.


Recently, I started to take stock photographs. It’s not much but it’s fun. Not only that, but I have started to look for things to improve my photography with. I have read books from the local libraries, asked for advice online, and found people to donate to my photography funds. If you’re interested in making a donation to my photography, you can send me an email at hoggardphotography@gmail.com. Thank you in advance.


Other than that, that’s pretty much all I can mention. A lot of things have happened since then, but they aren’t of much importance!

New BY Model

We got a new model for the BeautifulYouth Project. He's only six years old but he did a really good job in his modeling. I had him move around so it was kind of my first time using the sequential shooting. Not all of the pictures were superb, but there are some which came out nice. Those will be going to the BeautifulYouth project once I get a scanner to scan the model releases into the computer. Other than that, the photo shoot with Twix didn't go as well as I would've liked. It happened, but only a very few pictures were good. The costume I had made for Twix kept falling apart so we couldn't use it much longer. Twix and I already agreed to doing another "Forest Elf" photo shoot sometime in the summer with an authentic costume if I can find one. I also started my Project 365, and so far today was Day 6 of the project. Both pictures are of Project 365. The first is of our new model, Sphinx. Even though we planned to go to the park and do a normal photo shoot, and we were unable to because of rain, we still managed to have a photo shoot, this time with Sphinx being covered in paint. Yes, I got the idea from the BeautifulYouth's Aquaria. =) The second picture is of Twix and Coke, who are brothers. It's also part of Project 365, being Day 004.

New Website

This is only going to be a very short post... I have a new website and a new link to go with it;

[ THE WEBSITE IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE. A NEW WEBSITE IS IN THE PROCESS. ]

Also, the photo shoot I planned with Twix didn't go as... planned. It has been postponed due to an injury on my part which is only hopefully temporary. If things are good by later on tonight (since it's just become Wednesday only a minute ago), I could hopefully do the photo shoot this weekend.

My Long Awaited Return

Hello.

I finally set the actual prices for my photography services and products, including tax. If you would like to purchase my prints or just to view through my gallery, please visit the following links;

http://www.facebook.com/sidneyhoggardphotography

[ NEW LINK -- http://semper-iuvenis.deviantart.com ]

On a side note, please “Like” my page and spread the word. =)

I no longer use a personal website. I don’t plan on using one for a long while until I can create a decent website where I can use my own domain name, but also attract a good amount of traffic.

Also, I would like to announce the official addition of my first model to the BeautifulYouth Project. His name is Twix. Aquaria, the founding photographer of the project, has been a wonderful friend who’s supported me and helped me learn things I wouldn’t have learned anywhere else. His advice is something I will always heed.

http://www.beautifulyouth.com/

[ LINK NOT AVAILABLE NOW ]

Twix and I are planning another photo shoot. As to when it will be done, that’s a question we have been wondering ourselves, but we hope it will be soon. =)

Provided below are photographs from the debut shoot. You will find more either through my online galleries or even more through the BeautifulYouth website.



Things are starting to pick up for me. I started attending community college for business administration and learned how to create flyers. Since then, I have had quite a few contacts. I just printed some more flyers recently, but plan to print quite a lot more as to increase my chances of getting customers from my home town and our neighboring towns. Wish me luck!



Opening

It's certainly been a while since I registered this account on Blogger. I wasn't sure if I would like Blogger, in fact, but it did seem simple and quite popular.

My name is Sidney E Hoggard III, E standing for Earl. I'm a photographer, semi-professional at best, currently residing in Ahoskie of North Carolina. I've been studying photography for years, and I'm still studying even today. I've always loved to take and look at pictures, and decided that photography would be my lifetime career. My main goal is to become a world-famous photographer.

I've finally finished building my website. I will continue to use my deviantART account ( [ NEW LINK AVAILABLE, -- http://semper-iuvenis.deviantart.com ] ), my FaceBook (Sidney Earl Hoggard III is my personal account, while "Sidney Hoggard Photography" is my photography page), and may use other resources to get my photography known better. I do plan to help with charities, fundraisers, and so forth using my photography, so if you're interested, you can find my email on my website, of which the link will be provided at the end of this post.

If you want to buy my prints, all my prints are available with a resolution of 300. Rights to the prints, that's another story. For more information, especially modeling, please contact me through my email, preferrably.

Also, speaking of models, I'm currently looking for children four years to teenagers seventeen years old to model for a project that a good friend of mine has founded about ten years ago; BeautifulYouth (http://www.beautifulyouth.com/) If you are interested, please contact me!

Now, to view my awesome website - [ I DELETED THE WEBSITE. ]

Whoops, had to go back and change one little tiny thing I forgot! Heh, well, it's fixed now.

By the way, I do have a license, if anyone wants to ask. =)