Fashion & Advertising Photographer

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

A. If the client has a clear understanding of what he/she needs for his/her promotional/marketing efforts, it makes my life easier to de a creative brainstorm to provide the correct images. Some times client have a hard time choosing what is the right photographer for their project. Sometimes it is only a matter of budget limitations.
Some times clients say things like "I know exactly what I want, but can't put it into words", and this makes it a tad more complicated to sort out what type of images are required for the project at hand. Open line of communications are critical here!

Q. What questions should a consumer ask to hire the right service professional?

A. The client might ask for references, website to review portfolio work, affiliation to Professional Organizations,etc.
Usually the more fluid the communication between client and photographer is, the better it is for the project.
On my estimates, I usually add a Memo, indicating plenty of details about how will I approach the project, a possible Time Line for the project, and I ask for more info from client. The more informed client and photographer are, the best. Sometimes clients don't know exactly all necessary details they are being asked, but with proper communications, it can be sorted out positively.

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

A. My ability to combine well produced/sketched work with improvised creative situations during the actual photo-shootings is not something that every photographer has.

This brings added values to every project, and it is not unusual that the final images to publish come from the improvisations and not from the original ideas.

Q. What do you like most about your job?

A. I love what I do! My life is my work and my work is my life. This is a state of mind who keeps me creating and developing ideas even when relaxing.

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

A. Considering the delicate balance in the current economy, Most customers ask me why my fees are so high, compared to other shooters in the area.
I take all necessary time to explain what is the value of my work for their own business, as my focus is to make your business shine and outrank your competition. Effective marketing and advertising does this wonderfully, but in order to run great campaigns, you need to invest in great images, and therefore,a great photographer.
Upon seeing their work completed to full satisfaction and beyond, then no one complains no more, and I keep shooting for my clients time and again after our first project.

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

A. These days, everyone with a camera is a photographer, but this is totally false. Having a good camera is not the requisite for good photography, not at all! I understand the need to save and control costs, that are so needed in times of slow business/recession,etc, but promotional efforts should stay top quality, as to keep informing consumers of the great product or service the client is providing to the market. If the image of your product is low quality, it will reflect in the way the product or service is perceived. When living under low economic moments, investing in great marketing and promotion are key to survival.

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

A. As I am also President of the American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP) in the South Florida Chapter, I have to stay on top of what new trends are coming our way, and bring speakers for all of our members to stay up to date with fresh info, technical updates current trends in imaging. Personally, and in addition to technical training, I also take coaching and consulting services, to improve on my marketing strategies, enhance my own portfolio, and then be able to provide the level of quality that is expected from me.

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

A. There is no complicated pricing system. There are complex projects. If I am dealing with a simple project, requiring little or no hiring of third parties for the execution of a project, everything is simple.
Complex productions for Advertising campaigns involve sub-hiring lots of different talent, from models, to make up and stylists, producers, assistants, video crew, rental of special effects equipment, special lighting systems. All of this add a layer of complexity to a project and therefore , to the pricing.

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

A. Follow your passion and the rest will follow through. When someone wants to become something, he/she rarely has to ask for advice on the matter. Passion will lead them, and nothing will stop this. This is when the perfect blending of doing what you love and at the same time making money out of it becomes a magic combo!