Who is your favorite photographer, and why?
There are so many whose work inspires me. I love the fashion greats – Richard Avedon, Annie Liebovitz, Lillian Bassman. I also follow the work of current digital geniuses such as Jerry Ghionis, Elizabeth Messina, and Joe Buissink.
One of my favorite artists is Elliot Erwitt. His work captures life..and transcends into art. It is beauty, in all it’s forms. So simple in it’s chronicling of life and the journey of it. It moves me in a way other photographers cannot. (I truly adore the tonal quality of his black and whites!)
I like that he works with what he loves and what inspires him: dogs, celebrities, nobodies, children playing…. in my mind he is the master of photojournalism with a perfect balance of technique, lighting, and staging. His work evokes life…movement.
Copyright Elliott Erwitt
Do you advertise? If so, where?
I actually don’t do any kind of advertisement… besides the word of mouth from my friends and colleagues! My facebook page, blog, and (occasionally) twitter, are the only forms of media that I actively use.
I’ve toyed around with the idea of participating in a bridal show. It would definitely be more for the personal experience than for a desire to book days.
I’m not a wedding photographer because I want to fill in dates on a calendar or become a rockstar in the digital camera world. I do what I do because it fits me and I enjoy it. I love people. I love being creative with my camera. I love life in it’s many forms and expressions. So I believe that if I am me, I will attract those who are like me (or those who like me!). These are my ideal clients; those that “get” me and that I feel a connection with. I would rather photograph one wedding all year, where the bride and I click and just get each other, than a wedding every weekend where that isn’t the case. I think that makes my subjects more comfortable… knowing that I’m doing this because I want to. Not to simply pay the bills. I live and breathe my work, and when that shows in the image… well, mission accomplished!
Each couple is special, unique, and beautiful. Each couple has their photographer soul-mate out there. It’s important to find one whose art speaks to you, and whose personality and “bedside manner” is attractive to you. Which can be hard to decide when you are surrounded by 15,000 people and have seen 20 photography booths in the past 3 hours at a bridal fair! (It no doubt works for some, just not for me :)
For these reasons, I find that the word of mouth from clients, as well as the referrals I get from vendors and colleagues that understand my work ethic and dynamic, are much more valuable to me than advertising in the St. Louis Post Dispatch. Although I am not opposed to advertising in the future, I am seeing the results I want from investing in these smaller, but dynamic, relationships!
What is your favourite computer/editing accessory, other than your computer?
My iPhone. It’s marvelous. It’s is the most productive (and possible non-productive) thing that I own and is my day-to-day camera! (You didn’t think that I carry that monster Canon with me all the time, did you?)
I’m always finding new apps… they are so addictive! Right now I love the CrossProcess app for my snapshots… gotta have my vintage effect :)
What lighting equipment do you take on a shoot?
I try to travel light. (pun intended!) lol
I typically only use natural light – - – with the occasional help of a reflector or other simple modifier. Simply…. I like the look of natural light so much more than the look of flash. There are amazing images out there created primarily using flash and off-camera lighting… but in my case, my favorite images have been formed with available (or modified) light.
I bring a simple canon flash with me, just in case I need it, but my work is 98.5% natural light.
I’m toying with the idea of purchasing a learning DVD called The One Light Workshop . I have heard great things about it. I’m open to playing around with more off-camera flash techniques… who knows? Maybe I’ll find a setup or technique that’ll work good with my style!
It’s all about experimenting with your equipment! That’s the fun of photography I think…. working with your equipment and trying new things to see what you get in the end… it’s all about growing and developing as an artist!
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