Wedding, Aerials, Print & Advertising Photography

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

A. Weddings, by far. But, I do quaite a few aerials for several comemrcial clients.

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

A. Again, as questions. Lots of them. Read books, magazines, talk with friends who have employed photographers. Find out what problems they had, make notes, and address any concerns with the photographer you're interviewing.

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

A. Wow! Good question. I always suggest (again, dealing with brides, now...commercial interests generally are more knowledgeable about booking photogs) that brides ask for references, look at samples (enlargements, not just computer images), find out how the photog plans to dress for the event (you woould not believe the stories I've heard!), whether the photographer has backup equipment, as even the most expensive, top of the line, gear IS going to go down at some time.

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

A. Have an idea about how much you can spend. Do not be surprised if your budget is less than a quality photographer charges. Top quality champagne and wine cost more, and they're worth it.

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

A. A lot of guys have cameras, and their work is pretty much along the snapshot style. They believe in the "spray and pray" technique, shooting and offering HUNDREDS of images to clients. More is not necessarily better. Clients would rather seen a limited number of greated pictures than hundreds of mediocre, at best, snapshots.

Q. What do you like most about your job?

A. Freedom. Freedom to create. Freedom to go places and do things I really enjoy. Whether it's with nature, or with a bride, I can find moments to capture as images that would, otherwise, be lost forever.

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

A. "Why does it cost so much"? Usually, a bridal type of question. They see "photogs" listing their services for hundreds of dollars less than I charge. I can only show you what I can do, and, if you choose someone else, only hope you get what you wanted. There are a few war stories I can relate, and often do, about the cheapie shooters out there. These usually involve brides who come back, after picking a shooter based only on cost, complaining about the lack of quality pictures, or how the photog got so flustered during the wedding, or how he missed the obvious pictures.

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

A. Too r-rated to repeat.

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

A. They should ask questions. They should feel comfortable. If a photographer cannot carry on a decent conversation one-on-one, has no apparent "class", and is a poor communicator overall, then that person is going to have a hard time creating the images the client wants. All artists do not necessarily provide the best material for a paying customer.

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

A. I am a visual person. I started SCUBA at an early age (high school), and wanted to share with friends and family what I saw underwater.

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

A. All of them. Timing has to be right. I was shooting aerials, and had to arrange to be over a large port as the number three ship was docking, being pushed towards the docks between two ships already at their berths. Happened just before sunset, and it appeared to have been perfectly timed.