Millennials: The Lost Generation?

Millennials: The Lost Generation?

by Kyle McMahon (Elyk Studios Photography)
From New Castle County Young Professionals Network blog.

So we’re Millennials. We keep hearing that term over and over and over. By definition, its those born between 1978 and 1998 (although some say 1980-2000 & others say 1980-1995). We are the last generation born before the turn of the century. We “grew up” (& many of us are still growing up) during the new millennium. But what does the term really mean? What does it mean as a basis for defining who we are and how our life is up to this point?

Sure, we were the first ones to use DVDs, download our music, laugh at Spongebob, and essentially get through school thanks to computers – but shouldn’t these things have given us an advantage over our parents generation? You would think so, but the numbers are telling a different story.  While more Millennials are enrolled in or graduated from college then any previous generation, we also have the most student loan debt per person than any previous generation. 4 out of 10 of us live at home with parents and that number is rising quickly.  Real unemployment for Millennials is currently 12.8% and was as high as 28% in 2011. When we do find work, it’s often low paying jobs or having to take a lower salary then the previous generation for the same position (with more of a workload). 76% of Millennials have put off marriage altogether. As of 2011, 21% of 18 – 34 year olds are currently married.

Continue reading the article....

Helpful Tips For Your Photo Shoot With Elyk Studios Photography

At Elyk Studios Photography, our goal is to make your shoot as fun and easy as possible. We've put together a list of (hopefully) helpful tips to make your photo shoot an amazing experience.


Before Your Photo Shoot

1. If you're getting your hair cut, do it at least a few days before your shoot. Often times, it takes a day or two for your hair to "set" into its new look. Giving yourself those few days will allow this process to happen. Then before your shoot, you can style it in the exact look you want. This also gives you a bit of room for error correction if your haircut wasn't your picture perfect ideal.  


2. Cut out (or print out) pictures that you like as examples. While a photographer certainly has their own creative style, it's truly impossible for them to know exactly what you want. Bringing some examples of what you like, or poses you'd like to try, helps the photographer get exactly what you're looking for during your photo shoot. With Elyk Studios Photography, we consider your photo shoot a creative collaboration. We want your input just as much as you want ours.

3. Rest and hydrate. While everyone may enjoy a good night out on the town, it probably isn't the best idea to be out until 4am the night before your shoot. Our faces show everything, including a lack of sleep. Alcohol will make you appear bloated the next day. Make sure you drink plenty of water the day before your shoot - your skin (& pictures) will thank you for it.

4. Bring a few outfits. You're not expected to change into a ball gown in your car (although you are certainly free to do so), but it's always good to bring a few outfits to your photo shoot. It gives different "looks" and gives you a wider variety of pictures. If you want to do minimum changes, even bringing a different jacket or simple layering of your clothes (so you can remove as needed) will do the trick.

Remember, that accessories are extremely important. Wear your jewelry, a scarf, a belt or anything you think compliments your outfits. You want to look your best while being "you".

Also remember, solids always photograph better than patterns. That doesn't mean you can't wear an outfit with a pattern, but think about that pattern before you make a decision. If it's a loud Hawaiian shirt, it will probably not photograph well. If it's a subtle pattern, you should be fine.

If there are multiple people in your photo shoot, make sure you are coordinated in your outfits. There is no need to aim for perfectly matched outfits (unless that is what you're actually aiming for), but there are ways to coordinate the clothing between multiple people in a very appealing way.

Not the best looking outfit coordination:          
  

                                              
Much better looking outfit coordination:

5. Bring props. Props really help a shoot come alive. It could range from a heartfelt ring your great grandmother gave you to those big silly hats you purchased for laughs. Maybe you bring some water guns or the dog! Bring anything (& everything) you think could help make your pictures come alive. Every picture tells a story - props are what help you tell that story.



During Your Photo Shoot

1. Talk and connect. The first few minutes of your photo shoot should be spent connecting with the photographer. Believe it or not, the photographer is often just as nervous as you are. It truly does make a noticeable difference when you are more comfortable. This allows you to be a bit more relaxed and your photos will  look all the better for it.

2. Give the photographer your example pictures. This will ensure you're getting any poses, styles or looks that you want during your photo shoot.

3. Relax. Everyone gets nervous before (& often during) their photo shoot. At this point, you're there so you might as well take a deep breath and enjoy it.

4. If you think of something you want to try, try it!  The photographer will be guiding you to do different poses, but if something suddenly comes to you that you want to try, announce it! We'd be glad to do it.



For Photo Shoots With Children

1. Make sure your child is rested and fed before your shoot. A photo shoot can be grueling work for a child. It's notoriously difficult to get them to look at the camera and they tend to get very bored, very easily. A well rested and well fed child gives one less "obstacle" to overcome during your photo shoot.

2. Bring plenty of snacks and drinks. We will typically be shooting for about 45 minutes, oftentimes outside.

3. Bring any "comfort items" they may have. Some clients have brought a child's favorite blanket or stuffed animal to their photo shoot. Anything that makes your child feel comfortable during their shoot is appropriate to bring.

4. Bring a few toys to keep them occupied. You may want a picture with just adults or with other children. It can be boring for a young child when they're not being photographed. Toys will help keep them occupied.

If you have any questions at all, please don't hesitate to ask. I can be reached at (302) 722-6749 or kyle@elykstudios.com


Kyle McMahon is the owner and photographer with Elyk Studios Photography & Videography, a Wilmington Delaware & Murfreesboro Tennessee based photographer. 

Elyk Studios Photography
(302) 722-6479
www.ElykStudios.com

Living Social Deal! Family Photo Shoot Experience for $59!

It's once again time for an insanely great deal from Elyk Studios Photography & Living Social - Wilmington / Newark Delaware!

Click on the link to be whisked away! http://www.livingsocial.com/cities/198/deals/278320-hour-long-on-location-family-photo-shoot

Delaware's Cutest Couple 2012 Contest!

I am excited to announce .elyk studios first contest - Delaware's Cutest Couple 2012!


Have you ever looked over at your partner and thought, "Darn, we're cute!" ? Do people tell you "You're the cutest couple!" ? If you can answer yes to either of those questions, then this is the contest for you! Show the world how darn cute you are by submitting a picture to .elyk studio's Facebook page showing just how cute and happy you two love birds are! You could win a full Couples Experience Photo Shoot with .elyk studios!

Here's The Deal:

1. "Like" .elyk studios Facebook Page here.
2. Submit a picture on the wall with the title "Delaware's Cutest Couple 2012"
3. Get your friends to "Like" .elyk studios Facebook page & "Like" the pic you submitted.
4. The picture with the most "Likes" by .elyk studios fans at the end of the contest has won the title of "Delaware's Cutest Couple" 2012 and a full Couples Photo Shoot Experience with .elyk studios. You're cuteness will forever be captured!
5. New couples, married, engaged, civil unions, we don't care what you call it as long as you call it "Cute"!

GRAND PRIZE WINNER RECEIVES - 1 Hour Photo Shoot on location; one 8.5x11, two 5x7's & 50% off your next booking with .elyk studios.

Runner Up Receives - 50% off your next booking with .elyk studios.

Delaware's Cutest Couple Contest 2012 starts March 1, 2012 & ends April 8, 2012.

FINE PRINT:

Winning photographs will be selected by the amount of unique "likes" a submission has received. The only likes that will be counted will  come from a user who has "liked" .elyk studios, LLC. Business Facebook Page. .elyk studios, llc. shall determine eligibility with sole and absolute discretion. All decisions made by .elyk studios, llc. are final.

Some participants may be asked to submit additional information about the photographs to accompany images for publication use.

The following will be selected:

• One Grand Prize Winner.
• Up to 10 Honorable Mentions
  .

Entries must originate in digital jpg. files and be submitted electronically on .elyk Studios, LLC Facebook business page. Submissions may not be watermarked.

DEADLINES:

Online entries can be uploaded starting 12:01 am Eastern Standard Time on Thursday, March 1, 2012. Deadline for submitting entries is 11:59 pm EST on Sunday April 8, 2012.

Entrants may be asked to supplement their submission (such as a paragraph about their photo, the highest resolution version of their photo, or a watermark-free version of their photo) anytime on or after March 1, 2012. Finalists will be announced on or before April 15, 2012.

.elyk studios, llc. reserves the right to adjust any deadline(s) as the result of causes beyond its immediate control.

PRIZES:

The Grand Prize Winners will receive a 1 hour photo shoot by a photographer from .elyk studios, llc. This photo shoot will take place at an agreed upon place, date and time between the Grand Prize Winner and .elyk studios, llc. 

The Grand Prize winners will receive a free one-year of membership to the Audubon Society of Rhode Island.

The two Grand Prize Winners and all honorable mention winning entries will be acknowldeged through large-screen display at both the Audubon Environmental Education Center in Bristol and Audubon Society of Rhode Island Headquarters in Smithfield, RI and displayed on the Audubon website.

All winning photographers and honorable mention winners will receive an award certificate from Audubon Society of Rhode Island.

Legal Terms & Conditions:

YOUR RIGHTS:
You will retain all rights to any photograph you submit -- including ownership if applicable. You grant .elyk studios LLC. rights (as described below) to your photograph if you are chosen by the competition as the grand prize winner.


You grant .elyk studios LLC.  a royalty-free, nonexclusive right, in perpetuity, to: 

• Use the photograph on the Internet or other marketing purposes.
• Use the photograph in .elyk studios LLC. non-commercial communications.
• Provide your photograph to other individuals and organizations for non-commercial use in news stories, press releases, newsletters, reports, slide shows, displays, web pages, and the like.
• Use, in connection with the Photo Contest, your name, city, state and country of residence in promotions and other publications.
• Keep the files provided, and to archive the images on CD or in other electronic forms, so that your photos can be used  and be properly credited.
• As conditions of this permission, .elyk studios LLC.  shall photo credit all photographs with the person’s name when possible.

By submitting images to the March 2012 Delaware's Cutest Couple Photo Contest, (hereafter referred to as "the photo contest"), participants agree to indemnify, defend and hold harmless .elyk studios, LLC.  its respective subsidiaries, affiliates, directors, officers, employees, attorneys, agents and representatives, from any and all third party liability for any injuries, loss, claim, action, demand or damage of any kind arising from or in connection with the photo contest  (collectively, "Losses"), including without limitation any third party claim for copyright infringement or a violation of an individual’s right to privacy and/or publicity right. The photo contest is void where prohibited by law. 
Each participant in the photo contest (each a "Participant") is responsible for ensuring that he or she has the right to submit photos per these rules.

You agree that any and all disputes that cannot be resolved with .elyk studios, LLC., and causes of action arising out of or connected with the photo contest shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action, before a court of competent jurisdiction located in Delaware which court shall apply the laws of Delaware without regard for rules of conflicts of law. IN ANY SUCH DISPUTE, PARTICIPANT SHALL NOT BE ENTITLED TO ANY PUNITIVE, SPECIAL, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION ATTORNEYS' FEES, OR ANY DAMAGES OTHER THAN PARTICIPANT'S ACTUAL OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES (IF ANY) ASSOCIATED WITH PARTICIPATING IN NATURAL SELECTION. YOU HEREBY WAIVE ANY RIGHTS TO HAVE DAMAGES MULTIPLIED OR INCREASED. The photo contest and .elyk studios, llc. website, blog, Facebook, Twitter, etc are provided "as is" without warranty of any kind, either express or implied.


.elyk studios, LLC. is not responsible for any incorrect or inaccurate information, whether caused by website users or by any equipment or programming associated with or utilized in the photo competition, or by any technical or human error that may occur in the processing of submissions to the photo contest, including but not limited to any misprints or typographical errors. .elyk studios, LLC. assumes no responsibility for any error, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operation or transmission, communications line failure, theft or destruction or unauthorized access to, or alteration of, entries. .elyk studios, LLC is not responsible for any problems or technical malfunction of any telephone network or lines, computer equipment, servers, providers, computer on-line systems, software, or failure of email on account of technical problems or traffic congestion on the Internet or at any website, including injury or damage to participant's or to any other person's computer related to or resulting from participating or uploading images or information in the photo contest.  


If, for any reason, the photo contest is not capable of completion as planned due to causes beyond the control of .elyk studios, LLC.  that corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity or proper conduct of the photo contest , .elyk studios, LLC. reserves the right at their sole discretion to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the photo contest.


By submitting images you agree to the terms and conditions.