Photography

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

A. Portraits and music related. But I also shoot a lot of different things. Check out my website and blog.

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

A. Ask for samples! Check out they're work. Communicate with them.

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

A. I'm self-taught. No formal training in photography. I do have B.A. in Communication Technology from the University of South Alabama.

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

A. Have some specifics of exactly what you want. Have photo samples with the styles, colors, finishes, etc.. for me so I can gauge how I need to shoot and what equipment I'll need.

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

A. My work stands out because my work is my life. Although work is such a nasty word, I prefer passion. So, my passion is photography. I strive to put heart and soul in each shoot, for each client.

Q. What do you like most about your job?

A. I enjoy working with all kinds of different people from different backgrounds. I've done a wide variety of work and have learned so much from the different types of shoots and clients I've worked for. People fascinate me!

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

A. Q - "What are your prices?" (basic head shots, portraits, etc..)
A - I charge $120.00 for a 1 hour shoot. Client receives anywhere from 100-300 photo proofs via online link the same night of the shoot. Client will choose top 12 photos to be edited then uploaded to a private link and given a disk with all print rights to the images.

Q - "How much for product photography?"
A - It really depends on how many products you have. I start at $120.

Q - "How much for parties?"
A - $100 for 1 hour then 50 for the next hour and so on..Client receives up to 100 photos per hour worked.

I'm very easy to work with and willing to negotiate or trade services if I need something you have. :)

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

A. Each shoot brings a different story! Too many to choose from.

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

A. I want people to know I don't say no to anything. I'm willing to try any kind of shoot and work with just about anyone. I'm a very motivated and energetic person on set and love positive energy!

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

A. I started off shooting only video a few years ago back in college for fun. It quickly turned into a part-time free lance job back in my hometown. From video I was handed a still camera and told to learn it. So, I did. It took a little while, but I am happy I said yes to stills.

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

A. I shoot the buyout and changeover of a huge shipyard back home. BAE bought out Atlantic Marine and I was the photographer for the event.

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

A. I try to keep things simple. As much as I would like to stay up to date at all times, I get bored with all of the technology and tend to focus more on studying old photos and photographer I look up to.

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. Digital camera sensors have only gotten better. Clearer, sharper images. Yum!

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

A. I shoot the buyout and changeover of a huge shipyard back home. BAE bought out Atlantic Marine and I was the photographer for the event.

It involved a general coverage of all meetings, events, luncheon for all employees, a 700+ person group shoot on a crane high up in the air.

It took a day to shoot and a few days to edit the photos and turn them in on disk.

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

A. I keep it simple. There's no reason to confuse the customer. I am honest and respectful. Also, willing to negotiate on some shoots and trade services.

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

A. Practice, practice, and practice. Learn your camera top to bottom. Study, study, study other photos YOU like. Study style, composition, colors, tones, ads, magazines, online media, TV. Photography is everywhere! We live in a great world.

Q. Write your own question and answer it.

A. Q - Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

A - I see myself at the top in the Portland area and shooting national ads and magazine covers for Rolling Stone, etc.. Ambition and I are best friends.