Gunel's portrait session in "Park Bulvar"

Gunel is a second year student of one of the universities in Baku. She wanted some magazine style portraits and had some ideas about the location. After discussing several options we agreed that Park Bulvar Baku trade center would be a great spot for this portrait session.

It was quite surprising when in the middle of the photo session I was approached by the Chief of Security Service of the trade center who said (without giving a proper explanation) that we can not shoot here. This was despite the fact that lots of people were walking and taking pictures with their cell phones and point and shoot cameras in the trade center. But, after visiting the management of the Park Bulvar the issue was positively solved and we continued our photo session. This kind of stories sometimes may happen with the photographers so in such cases the most effective and easiest way is to address the issue directly to the management rather than trying to get any explanations from the security personnel.

Saying all that I would like to thank the management of Park Bulvar trade center and specially PR Manager Ms. Aynur Mamedova for providing such a great opportunity and location for this photo session.

... and of course Gunel was great that day and she was very happy to have these photos.

First online purchase experience

Yesterday I have ordered few gadgets from BHPhotovideo. Prior to ordering I spent a couple of weeks carefully researching the best place to get a good price that would deliver the product and give great customer service. I wanted to buy a tripod, a lightstand, a softbox, an umbrella, a flash trigger set and few more flash shoe mounts and adapters. I first tried Amazon but they were not able to ship some of the items I ordered to Azerbaijan, so I cancelled the order. So B&H was my second choice. That is my first purchase from them and I am really interested to see how good is their shipment and customer service. Today I got an email from them saying that my order has been shipped!!! Well, hope their shipping is prompt and I will get the goods I purchased well in time. 

Will post an update next week...

Update #1

Today is September 6th and as promised here is an update on my online purchase experience. Six days passed since my order and voila... my item is being processed by customs in AZERBAIJAN. 

Detailed Results:

• Into Foreign Customs, September 06, 2010, 12:57 pm, AZERBAIJAN
• Arrived Abroad, September 06, 2010, 12:52 pm, AZERBAIJAN
• International Dispatch, September 02, 2010, 1:18 pm, ISC NEW YORK NY(USPS)
• Arrival
• Shipment Accepted, September 01, 2010, 9:21 pm, BROOKLYN, NY 11256
• Electronic Shipping Info Received, September 01, 2010

Update #2
September 20, 2010. Still waiting for my order. It is sad but three weeks have passed already and still nothing. I have contacted B&H Customer Service Department and as they said I have to wait for 45 days from the ship date and after that they would file a claim with USPS.

Update #3
October 4, 2010. 34 days passed and nothing so far... Do not think that I will be able to get my order ever. Wrote another email to B&H. Waiting for their response. No further information is available for my shipment on USPS's site. They charged me about 90 bucks for nothing. "Great" service!

Update #4
October 15, 2010. Finally!!! I received my order today which was filed as missing two and half months ago. As I found out it was not B&H's foul though. It is our "great" postal service that kept the shipment in their warehouse without contacting and informing the receiver. So, anyways I got my items and going to play with my new toys now