Now that we are in the age of digital photography, everyone assumes they are a great photographer. In some cases, there are regular people out there who may be untrained but have a natural eye and ability to create some stunning work. My hat goes off to you! But for the most part, the everyday photographer's images are "kind of okay" and usually very candid. Good enough for the family snapshot album or on your PC as your screen saver or on your phone and anywhere else you might casually
want to post them. It's all part of our main stream tech society.
The problem is - because most people shoot digital images they have all become so used to seeing below- average work on a regular basis that many forget what a good image looks like, or how it can be created by using mother nature at her best, along with the advice of your photographer. I do not consider myself to be the best photographer around. I am a good photoghrapher who takes pride in his work and attempts to create a lasting image to please his clients.
After 25 plus years in this business the rules of basic photography still apply and common sense goes a long way. When I have clients call me for an environmental shoot, it is not uncommon for me to actually scout out locations prior to the booked session or use a location to tie in with what the client wants. As an example, the client wants a beach location - I have two fantastic locations I use and I pitch each ot the client to see which best suits their needs. I also know my locations and know if the evening is sunny then I can only shoot at a certain time and at a selected location ... this is where the problems arise when clients tell me where I have to shoot. I arrive - the location is full sun even though they assured me it would be in the shade and the results are pure crap, but yet the client is always right...
If time permits I will as stated take time to pre-scout any location the client suggests at the exact time we are supposed to shoot, and if the light is all wrong then the client clearly sees the obvious because we are standing right there in full sun and their eyes are all squinty (I love when that happens!) so then we spend some time and find a much better and suitable location, do the shoot and the results are fantastic and everyone is pleased and I am as well because we all worked together to achieve the best possible outcome ... that is team work and I am a player.
There are many times when clients leave the location up to me and, based on the info they provide I select the setting and the session runs like clockwork - this is what being a professional is all about: not taking the easy way out and not shooting just to take the clients money and then deliver poor results. My name goes with the end product, and it is my reputation that brings work to me. Am I obsessive about my work? Heck no, but I do take pride in it and it is my goal to give you the client the best I can using what mother nature provides onb any selected day or evening and God gives me a range of beautiful backdrops ... I just have to use my knowledge and creativity to pull it all together while keeping a smile on my face and chatting you all up to set the mood and make it an enjoyable session for all including myself.
For all you clients who insist that certain spots hav e to be the spot and certain times have to be the times be aware, mother nature is not on your clock. You may pay the same price but not get the results you desire and deserve. Listen to your professional photographer's pitch; he or she may be able to suggest several better locations from a photography perspective. A good photographer knows that the final product will represent his or her name and reputation...at the end of the day a poor shot is always the photographer's fault!
The moral of the story is to shop around and really put some thought and time into whatever kind of session you want - these photos will be cherished for years to come so do it right the first time and listen to your professional photographer... we come with experience and wisdom from many photo jobs shot over the years. Use our expertise to create something special.
The problem is - because most people shoot digital images they have all become so used to seeing below- average work on a regular basis that many forget what a good image looks like, or how it can be created by using mother nature at her best, along with the advice of your photographer. I do not consider myself to be the best photographer around. I am a good photoghrapher who takes pride in his work and attempts to create a lasting image to please his clients.
After 25 plus years in this business the rules of basic photography still apply and common sense goes a long way. When I have clients call me for an environmental shoot, it is not uncommon for me to actually scout out locations prior to the booked session or use a location to tie in with what the client wants. As an example, the client wants a beach location - I have two fantastic locations I use and I pitch each ot the client to see which best suits their needs. I also know my locations and know if the evening is sunny then I can only shoot at a certain time and at a selected location ... this is where the problems arise when clients tell me where I have to shoot. I arrive - the location is full sun even though they assured me it would be in the shade and the results are pure crap, but yet the client is always right...
If time permits I will as stated take time to pre-scout any location the client suggests at the exact time we are supposed to shoot, and if the light is all wrong then the client clearly sees the obvious because we are standing right there in full sun and their eyes are all squinty (I love when that happens!) so then we spend some time and find a much better and suitable location, do the shoot and the results are fantastic and everyone is pleased and I am as well because we all worked together to achieve the best possible outcome ... that is team work and I am a player.
There are many times when clients leave the location up to me and, based on the info they provide I select the setting and the session runs like clockwork - this is what being a professional is all about: not taking the easy way out and not shooting just to take the clients money and then deliver poor results. My name goes with the end product, and it is my reputation that brings work to me. Am I obsessive about my work? Heck no, but I do take pride in it and it is my goal to give you the client the best I can using what mother nature provides onb any selected day or evening and God gives me a range of beautiful backdrops ... I just have to use my knowledge and creativity to pull it all together while keeping a smile on my face and chatting you all up to set the mood and make it an enjoyable session for all including myself.
For all you clients who insist that certain spots hav e to be the spot and certain times have to be the times be aware, mother nature is not on your clock. You may pay the same price but not get the results you desire and deserve. Listen to your professional photographer's pitch; he or she may be able to suggest several better locations from a photography perspective. A good photographer knows that the final product will represent his or her name and reputation...at the end of the day a poor shot is always the photographer's fault!
The moral of the story is to shop around and really put some thought and time into whatever kind of session you want - these photos will be cherished for years to come so do it right the first time and listen to your professional photographer... we come with experience and wisdom from many photo jobs shot over the years. Use our expertise to create something special.