Photographer

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

A. My most common jobs have been portraits and parties. Although I really love to document weddings and events.

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

A. I know that the first thing people generally wonder about is how much it's going to cost them. But like anything else out there you get what you pay for. When you are looking for a photographer you need to first consider their style. Do you like the way they portray the world around them. Do you like their technique? Then ask about price. Most photographers will help you find a pricepoint that will work within your budget. Try not to skimp on this though, as this is who you are going to use to tell your story. You should find someone you like to tell it. Which brings me to my next suggestion. Always, always, always, meet the photographer face to face. Don't just look at their portfolio online and then hire them. Go meet them! There is nothing worse that finding out you don't like your photographer's personality. No matter how good he or she is, if you can't stand them then your photos will stink. Mostly because everytime you look at them you are going to think about how much you hated the photographer instead of how much you loved your event.

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

A. Clients should come prepared with the following information when interviewing a photographer:
1. What kind of photography do they need and want? Do they want B&W, color or both?
2. When do the need and want it?
3. Where do they want it done?
4. How long will they need the photographer for?
5. What style of photography do they want? Do they wand traditional, candid or both?
6. What is their budget?

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

A. I believe my work stands out because I am on a real quest to do more than take a picture. I'm looking to tell a story. I am looking to record that one place and time that will remind you of your life in years to come. Yes, traditional photography is very important to an event like a wedding or an anniversary, those we like to put in our frames and share with our families. However, the candids, the times that make your event so memerable, those are the moments that will bring back the feeling of what it was like to be there. They are the ones you put in your family album and hand down through generations. Top it off by adding an artistic eye to find just those one of a kind moments. A reflection in a mirror, a couple of kids hiding under the table. Every photograph tells a story and I love telling stories. I would like to tell the story about you.

Q. What do you like most about your job?

A. The thing I like the most about being a photographer is the creativity. The process of making an image that will be looked at for generations is so amazing. When I see an old photograph from the begining of photography in the 1800's I wonder if Daguerre knew what he had started? When Daguerre inventid the "Daguerreotype" in 1838 he automatically made everyone's life story important. I realize the importance of recording our own history. It tells the world you were hear and hopefully, wonderful stories of your most important life experiences. Now that we have digital photography we can record our lives in more detail. Those boxes of photos have now become CD's and DVD's. Our stories will literally exist forever.

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

A. I have created a childs Dress Up Birthday Party where I provide up to 10 kids with enough vintage clothing, costumes and accessories to go KooKoo! I let them dress up any way they want and then I photograph them. That has to be the most fun thing to do! If you have ever photographed your child putting on your clothes you know how cute that is. I take it a little bit further and make a party of it. Kids are so creative with their dress up combinations. Then letting them model their ensembels is completely outragiuos! There are not guidlines for them to follow on what they choose. They just have to have tons of fun being silly.

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

A. Sometimes I wish that people were a bit more aware of just how much work goes into making a beautiful photograph. Many people put very little value on a picture because to them its just a piece of paper and that is unfortunate. Yes, anyone can take a picture, but not anyone can create a photograph. There is lighting, composition, exposure and timing involved. Then there is the post production work. A good photograph is not spit out from a 24 hr drugstore photo department. There are paper types, image size, should it be B&W or color, to consider . What about contrast? All of these things matter when creating an image that records the most important thing about you and that is your story.

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

A. I have always been an artist and the camera is the media I have chosen to express my creativity with. I am happiest when I get to be creative. The payoff for me is the joy people feel when they get the final produuct and I know they will be looking at it for years to come.

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

A. I recently photographed a sweet 16 party. It was so much fun to watch and document this time. It is such a special mile stone in a young persons life. When they look back at their photographs they will always remember the party with the good feelings and the love of their family and friends.

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

A. I regularly look at other photographers works and techniques. I read photography books and magazines and just keep shooting. I learn something new all the time.