Professional Photographer-Editorial, Advertising, Commercial Portraits

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

A. Most of my work is shooting portraits of corporate CEO's, lawyers, doctors, musicians

Q. Describe three recent jobs you've completed.

A. I just finished shooting a music video for the band Farewell Milwaukee. We shot at Ben Lubecks, the lead singer using natural light, his laundry room and his bed room..

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

A. I would look at the professionalism, make sure there web site is clean, make sure the person provides the right images for what a client is looking for.

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

A. How long have you been a photographer. What is your experience with tough clients. How well to you work under pressure.

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

A. My work is different because I make everyday locations come to life.

Q. What do you like most about your job?

A. My job is my life. I really enjoy taking pictures of everything all the time. Most of my clients are referrals, I love building relationships that are going to last for a long time.

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

A. How much for a family portrait?..I tell them, that's really not my kind of work, but I will shoot photos of them if they are passionate that I take their picture.

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

A. There are many great stories, but the one I tell a lot when I was an assistant with Annie Leibovitz. We were shooting at Senator Kathleen Brown's house in Santa Barbara, actually in her back yard, when out of the blue, a man is on the roof shooting photos of us. Annie has this insane sense for weird people, she turned around and told the guy to stop taking photos. Every one was so freaked out, it took another 1/2 hour to get back to taking photos. I always remember that when times get tough. I don't have to deal with people wanting to take my picture. I'm not big enough, yet...dback

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

A. I am a professional, I approach all of my work seriously, but with a good sense of humor. I want my clients to enjoy creating photos with me.

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

A. I decided to become a photographer because I loved shooting snowboarding and music.

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

A. I recently shot Best Buy CEO Brian Dunn, at the headquarters in Bloomington, on the roof, spinning a basketball on his finger for Smart MOney Magazine

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

A. I take classes every three months to keep up dated on photo shop, I attend workshops in NY every 6 months and have over 20 magazines subscriptions to keep up with the latest trends in photography.

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 recently put up a new web site at www.darinbackphoto.com which I have added three new pages. I will soon add a blog so people can see my daily work on location. I recently shot a feature of Medtronics CEO Bill Hawkins and the cover for Corporate Counsel Magazine.

Q. What is your greatest strength?

A. My greatest strength is my greatest weakness. I try to approach life, simply. I love to work all the time and surf as much as I can.