What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
Most of my prices are set based on 2 hours of photo session time and 2-4 hours of post-processing (retouching, color balancing, cropping, and/or special effects)
Generally, I travel to you or your special location as part of the session price. However, if your location is distant there is a small charge to help offset travel time and other costs.
What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
I think good photography, reflecting a subject’s personality, requires a little patience. I like to get to know the client as much as possible. The client needs to be comfortable and relaxed (themselves).
For a short session that might mean we talk on the phone (or zoom) before the session, and take a little time getting to know each other at the beginning of the session. When the client seems relaxed, we begin.
For a large event, like a wedding, there is more dialogue, planning and visioning that may need to happen. I work hard to make sure there are no worries or unknowns going into the big day.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I studied photography at the University of Oregon in the 80’s and have carried SLR most of my life. My hobby is nature, and my work is people.
How did you get started doing this type of work?
Over a decade ago I decided to turn my passionate hobby into a part time business. Now, I capture portraits and events as a primary occupation.
What types of customers have you worked with?
People:
I enjoy capturing people of all ages, from prenatal to the elderly - whether you want a newborn or birth photo, or a 50 person family reunion event with the great grandparents.
Architecture/Real Estate:
As an architect I have a highly tuned eye for details of what makes a building special.
Events:
Weddings, Birthday Parties, Corporate Events. I love working events and capturing the ambiance and narrative of the event through editorial (natural, unposed) photos of interactions as they happen.
Describe a recent project you are fond of. How long did it take?
One of the recent Graduation Portrait sessions was a young man on the autism spectrum. We had such a good time, working slowly, walking on the beach, finding the little things in the setting that put a glint in his eyes.
We spent 2 hours, and got some very fine images that reflected his unique personality.
What advice would you give a customer looking to hire a provider in your area of work?
Capturing the natural expression and character of a person in a photo is an art. Look for photographers who’s work consistently seems to capture individual personality.
What questions should customers think through before talking to professionals about their project?
I always appreciate when clients can communicate the things that inspire them, the visual mood that they are looking for. This could be through words, favorite images, poetry, a song, etc.
A discussion of what would make the session successful, comfortable and fun is always helpful.