Front Range Photographer

Q. Describe the most common types of jobs you do for your clients.

A. I have done many formal dinner settings, and family reunions. i just recently started working with senior pictures and custom car show photo shoots.

Q. What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A. are they able to handle last minute change. Can they step in at the last minute. Will they guarantee their work. Do they personally deliver the product to their front door.

Q. If you were a customer, what do you wish you knew about your trade? Any inside secrets to share?

A. How do I know if I will like the finished product when it's all over?

Q. What important information should buyers have thought through before seeking you out?

A. The buyer knows exactly what they want. it is up to the photographer to already know what to expect. for instance, the senior pictures i just took, i already knew who what where when why. You have to put yourself a step or two ahead of the game so as to be aware what the next step is , so the customer will feel confident that they made the right choice. Also, will the photographr allow suggestions from the client.

Q. Why does your work stand out from others who do what you do?

A. I feel that the quality of my work is above the avgerage photographer.when I am taking someone's picture,I want them to feel good about themselves. Not everyone thinks they don't look good on camera.I make sure my subject is in a good frame of mind when we are through.

Q. What do you like most about your job?

A. I enjoy the fact that I can take something that i'm good at and make it come alive. I love doing good things for people and making them smile, because they enjoy something maybe was for the first time.

Q. What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

A. what can i do about this flaw, or can you make this work. sometimes people aren't very outgoing. Its hard to be creative, thats why the photographer needs to find that one quality that makes the picture into a beautiful portrait. that little smile, that one look of raising the eyebrow. Looking at the camera that captures a moment in time that will forever will be lost.

Q. Do you have a favorite story from your work?

A. I had just got a battery for an older camera that i owned. It was in the summer about 3-4 years ago. I wanted to test it out, so i went to front yard and wanted to take a picture of a beautiful blue flower in out planter around the tree. When i put pictures on pc, why i never dreamed the picture looked so beautiful. It was about 6 inches in diameter. there were others, but this was the biggest flower i have ever seen. It looks like a giant butterfly. So pretty was this flower, that we used it as a background in a business card that i hand out to potential customers. I've posted it on several photography web sites and got beautiful feedback for color and technique. so we named it "Big Blue".

Q. What do you wish customers knew about you or your profession?

A. How really good we make our product and that they won't regret using us for their work. That if someone recommends you to do their work, if they have seen it , by all means use them. Trust the suggestion if its from a good source.

Q. How did you decide to get in your line of work?

A. About 5 years ago, i was invited to a wedding in Colo Springs by a close long time friend who was getting married. I went as a guest and took a simple digital camera and took pictures then printed them and put them in a photo album. and gave it to them as a gift. they told me later, that if it wasen't for my pictures, they wouldn't have had any of about 1/2 of the wedding, because their photographer forgot to load film in one of their cameras. about a year later their daughter was getting married, and they called me to do the shoot. I counted it as a privelage, and took the asignment. again, the only thing i had was a sony 2 mp dig camera and an 8mm video camera. I got their 2 hrs earlier and when the ladies were putting the cake together, they asked me if i could take a picture of the cake how much would I charge. I said $10.00. My 1st sale. They asked me if i ever thought of doing this as a profession? I never thought of me as a professional photographer. from that time on, was the start of something i never ever thought was possible.

Q. Tell us about a recent job you did that you are particularly proud of.

A. About t weeks ago, my wife went with me to photograph a young girl for her senior pictures. the trees were still beautiful Autumn Colors. It started off as a clowdy day, thinking that maybe we would have to reschedule. But instead we went ahead and trusted the instinct. Well, it was probably the best work i have ever done in the past 4 years.

Q. Do you do any sort of continuing education to stay up on the latest developments in your field?

A. Most definately. I consult with fellow photographers as to what they are experiencing and what tips they find that work. Also, I am atuned to several websites that have tutorials that you can learn from.

Q. What are the latest developments in your field? Are there any exciting things coming in the next few years or decade that will change your line of business?

A. I think people are getting more and more into videography where slr cameras are making it easier to do a bit of both. People also want their product right now, so being able to print up right at the location is getting popular.Some digital cam's are doing both high def video and still pics.

Q. Describe your most recent project, what it involved, how much it cost, and how long it took.

A. It was a referral to shoot another seniors pictures.We had a lot of fun doing this. and the photos came out beautiful with the autumn colors.

Q. If you have a complicated pricing system for your service, please give all the details here.

A. mines not complicated at all. I have a price sheet for each type of work we will be doing.

Q. If you were advising someone who wanted to get into your profession, what would you suggest?

A. You can do it on your own. either be someones apprentice, or go to a school to learn. I'm self taught and it takes a lot to understand whats going on with the equipment, also the technique you want to use and what makes the difference between a great photo and a fantastic picture that takes your breath away. Always keep teaching yourself different things that will build upon your knowledge in this profession. I think anyone can take good pictures. What separates the amatures from the pros, is what they train their eye on what to look for. Also, it's ok to ask a fellow collegue about something you may not understand. I have a dear friend that been a photographer since the 80's and we trade thoughts all the time. Sometimes i run into a problem and email him for some suggestions. He's very helpful when it comes to the dimensions with the cameras and lenses. and sometimes the photoshop thing.

Q. Write your own question and answer it.

A. How do i know i found the right person for the job? If you feel comfortable around them, your pictures will show it.