March 2010 Featured Photographer of the Month

 

 

 

 

What equipment do you use?

I am of the philosophy if the equipment gets me the shot I want, than it is the right equipment.  I use high end Canon gear along with Profoto strobes when needed.  But if I had to, I could use any brand and love my results.  I love the “less is more” when packing my bag, but I also like having “back ups for my back ups” even when shooting locally.   I like breaking out the 400mm f/2.8 for sports and some of the looks I get from guests when I use it during weddings are crack ups.  But really, it is so useful when I need close ups and I want to stay way out of the way during the ceremony.  It’s not common to use but some venues just call for it because of distance and darkness.  I also really love using Radio Poppers. They are the most reliable remote sync I have used with my DSLR flashes. I hate carrying bags!  All the gear is carefully packet in ThinkTank roller bags.  Though I am not a “vest guy” I use my own creation, the Adventure Vest on assignments and when shooting sports. It totally saves my back and shoulders over a 10 hour day, not feeling the effects of carrying a ton of equipment.

 

 

 

How long have you been shooting?

I have been a professional ever since I got out of the University of Washington. This will be my 16th year as a full time photographer in June. Started in JP at the defunct Seattle Post-Intelligencer then on to another internship at the St. Louis Post Dispatch. From there I got in with Associated Press and Reuters News service witch led to other agencies like Sigma, Gamma and Liaison.  When Getty purchased them and I ended up getting a contract with Corbis.  During that time I was traveling back and forth to New York testing my artistic college degree as and editorial fashion photographer.  Settling back down in Seattle, senior portraits and stylish documentary weddings have taken me to a new level of photography.

 

 

Where are you located?

I am currently based out of Seattle.  I do love the Northwest, but I love a good plane ride. Traveling is somwthing I do very easily and very well.  I can’t wait for my next destination or adventure!

 

 

 

What type of photography do you like to create?

I love fashion photography and I try to implement concepts as an integral part of the documentary feel of the wedding day.  My high school seniors always have a ton of ideas or are open to my creative twists.  This collaboration produces images far beyond their expectations.   I do love traveling so doing destination weddings or locations shoots are my favorite.  I love shooting sports!!!!  Peak moments are so awesome! I totally respect the guys that can capture them in just a couple of shots rather than holding the button down and praying.

 

 

Price Range of Events?

• Weddings $4500 to $15,000
• Parties $2000 to $3000
• Portrait session $750 - $2000
• Commercial, Advertising, editorial $3500 – $15,000 Creative Fee

 

 

 

When did you notice you had a passion for Photography?

When my Dad gave me Canon F1 and a few rolls of film at age 8 while we were vacationing in Italy.  I was hooked.  I always was creating something on paper or on the classroom floor.  I loved being in the dark room watching those images appear slowly under water.  It is like magic.

 

 

What is unique to what you do?

I do believe it is my communication with clients along with stunning energetic images is what allows me to keep a step ahead.  I always am looking to better my work through photography, art or just learning something new, most of all to take complete care of my clients needs.

 

 

 

What’s the funniest thing that ever happened during a shoot?

One word, Groomsmen! Complete crack up every time! I ask groomsmen to play pranks on the groom through out the wedding party portrait session.  It never fails to erupt in tucked over abdominal crunching laughter!

 

 

Most Awkward moment during a wedding?

Mostly if and when groomsmen say something stupid.  I just look at the bride and raise an eyebrow to agree with her and it usually relaxes her.  Another one is the bride “popping” out of her strapless dress while she was being dipped by the groom and capturing the image. Oops…

 

 

 

What is the scariest thing that ever happened during a shoot?

Bride and Groom were being introduced to the guests at the reception.  She had her bouquet in her left hand and did a twirl on the dance floor, reached out to her groom with her right hand and before he could grab her she dislocated her LEFT shoulder. Fire trucks and ambulances were all around.  They wanted to take her for over night observation in the hospital.  There was no way she was going to the hospital.  Luckily one of her dear friends is a physical therapists that put her shoulder back in place because the fire crew would not do it.  She was a trooper and had a blast!

 

 

Best moment of your photography career?

Being published all over the world is a feat in itself.  Non the less I loved that the National Native American Museum Smithsonian ask for one of my images for their 10 year exhibit.  Every time one of my clients comes in to see their images and the looks of happiness or astonishment of just how amazing their images look is better than any award I have received throughout the years.

 

 

 

How many Shoots do you do each year?

• 25 to 40 weddings with engagement sessions
• 50 Portraits sessions including senior.
• 10 commercial  / advertising

 

 

Have you changed anything to adjust in the current economic times?

I have increased my advertising presence in many ways.  I mostly count on customer care so referrals come back to us fast and often. Social media has helped to get the word out too.  Photobiz’s flexibility and openness to new ideas and suggestions has been the greatest switch for us since starting with them 11 months ago.

 

 

 

Describe your shooting style:

My style is very energetic and sexy.  I love connecting with clients to find out just who they are and allow that big or shy personality to shine in my images.

 

 Click Here to Check out Alante Photography

 

 

Past Featured Photographers:

2009

February : March : April : May : June : July : August : September : October : November : December

2010

January : February

*Are you interested in becoming a featured photographer of the month with PhotoBiz?

Send an email to: Blogger [at] photobiz [dot] com. Include a paragraph stating why you think that you should be considered for this feature and a link to your website. (You must be willing to submit an interview and video testimonial if chosen)

February 2010 Featured Photographer of the Month

 

1. What equipment you do you use?
I shoot with BOTH digital and film believe it or not. I use all Nikon cameras and lenses. My digital cameras are the Nikon D700, and Nikon Dxs. I’m planning on purchasing the D3. My film cameras are Nikon F100 (I have 3 of them). I have lots of lenses. My favorite standard portrait lens is my 105mm f 2.8. I think every portrait photographer should invest in this lens. I also have a few zoom lenses. I have an 28mm -105mm macro zoom f 4.5/5.6. This is my party lens. I use it for candids and tight spaces with lots of people mingling around because I can zoom in and out. My other zoom is my 80mm-210mm f 2.8. I use this when I’m at a distance and need to zoom in and blow out the background completely. It’s a heavy lens but its serves it’s purpose. Occasionally but not often I’ll shoot with my 50mm on my Dxs (which becomes a 70mm) when I am in a tight space but need the extra speed for the 1.8 lens. I also have a collection of antique film cameras with imperfect lenses I occasionally use for my vintage looking imagery.
My lighting system is suprisingly simple.  Since I live in sunny, warm, southern California on the beach and near some magnificent location settings like the mountains, parks and some historic western towns and buildings not far there are endless outdoor locations I rarely shot in studio these days. I opt for using natural light whenever possible and simply modify it by using a reflector or flash fill. I use Nikon SB900 and 800 flashes with a light modifier mini soft box over the flash head for a very natural, diffused light. It’s awesome and simple.  Sometimes when I’m indoors or low-light situations I’ll use multiple flashes in a wireless system slaved with one of my flashes acting as the main controller. This enables me to get a key backlight and front fill light when I have to improvise natural light.  When I shoot interiors I LOVE using my Omni hot light kits. I have 4 heads. They’re compact, lightweight and all fit into a suitcase size that can easily be tossed onto a conveyor belt at the airport. The light is warm and beautiful and looks great for interiors and I can see the light and adjust it ever so slightly where and when I need to. The lights however are too hot for portraits. In this situation I’ll use either strobes, (profoto) and adjust the output for each head accordingly, or a bank of kinflows. These are cool, daylight balanced lights (non flash/strobe) but their output is not very powerful and the appearance is very different from strobes or hot lights. I use
apple computers with 2 cinema display screens and Epson printers.
 

2. How long have you been shooting?

I’ve been shooting professionally for 23 years since graduating from Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara. I started my entrepreneurial career however shooting back in high school as a teenager. I took a photo darkroom class and then started shooting pics of my boyfriend’s band. I would make prints and then sell them at lunchtime to groupies for 25-50 cents.

 

 

 

3. Where are you located?

Marina del Rey, CA

 

 
 
4. What type of photography do you take?

I am a primarily a “people” photographer with an intimate, soulful style. This style lends itself to many applications.  I shoot advertising, high-end weddings and events, high production and very unique engagement sessions, stock and fine art. I also shoot interiors which I really enjoy very much. It’s a great balance that keeps me on my toes. In the advertising world I am known as a lifestyle photographer – travel, leisure, hospitality and pharmaceutical. While I shoot a lot of different things my style remains consistent and this is very important. This is what the clients pay for. Like a chef in a fine restaurant, they want a photographer who can repeat a style and guarantee results, not someone how just gets lucky with a good shot here or there.

 

 

 

5. Price range of events?

 

 * Weddings: $5500 - $30,000

* Party-events: $1500 - $3000

* Portrait sessions: $750-$1500

* Advertising & Editorial jobs: $3500-7500 day rate

* Interiors: $850-$1500 per day

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 6. When did you notice that you had passion for photography?

I was an artist from the day I could walk (accordingly to my parents). I didn’t play board games or have dolls. All I wanted to do was draw, paint, sculpt, design and create. I even won some local town contest for a drawing I did when I was in 2nd grade. In 1978 when I took my first high school photo class. I had a crush on my instructor and a boyfriend in a band so those two motivated me to continue.  After highschool when I went to college I had to choose a major. Everyone knew I would be an artist so it wasn’t even a second thought. I chose photography because it seemed like it would be a career field I could make actually make a real living at.

 

7. Is there anything unique about what you do?

Business and creativity go hand in hand and I am constantly having to balance the 2. I teach my interns and workshops students that evolving and growing as an artist is a life long journey one should enjoy and not rush. However, focusing on business skills is imperative.

 

 

8. What’s the funniest thing that ever happened during a shoot?

I’ve had a few. One of them was shooting a press shoot of a Turkish celebrity for an editorial magazine. I asked her to ride a bicycle down the street. She wore glasses normally but decided to remove them because she felt it would make a more attractive photo. I didn’t know how blind she was and asked her to ride towards me for a better shot. She rode the bicycle straight into me and nearly knocked me over! I did get some great shots though!

 

9. Most awkward moment during a wedding?

I asked a bride to position herself for me in a place where I could get a better shot of her tossing the bouquet to the bridesmaids. I didn’t realize how high she would throw the bouquet and also didn’t consider the chandelier was above her head. When she threw the bouquet  she threw it so high it hit the CANDLE chandelier and all the candles came crashing to the ground, (and her head!) wax and all! I learned my lesson from that one! Look around (all around) before positioning anyone anywhere!

 

10. What’s the scariest thing that ever happened during a shoot?

This was many years ago but my main camera got accidently set on the multiple exposure button,(don’t ask) and many of the shots got double exposed! I always carry multiple cameras so I did have some back up shots but after this happened we taped that button in place so it would never happen again!

 

11. What’s the best moment of your photography career?

 

I’ve had a few. Being your own boss, running a freelance photo business is not for everyone. Its hard and unpredictable but every now and then we’re reminded why we sacrifice a lot when something amazing happens:
I was en route to northern Norway for a combination work/pleasure trip. After living many years in Paris I had developed many European friends. One of my friends is Norwegian and lives on a remote island above the Arctic Circle. It was my first trip to Norway and certainly the farthest place north on the globe I had ever been. My objective was to shoot some stock, visit with her and her family and get some much need R&R. The airplane we took from the mainland to the island was a small 20-seater.  The flight was full but because my friend worked for the airlines she had some clout. She explained to them I was American and a photographer so they proudly agreed to allow me to sit in the only available seat, the jump seat in the cockpit! (sometimes being a photographer has its perks. Many people seemed fascinated by our profession!). For those of you who have never flown an actual airplane riding in the cockpit is an incredible experience. It’s very different then flying in the rest of the cabin. This is like being on the wings of a bird! Despite it was mid summer this day like many others in the arctic was cloudy and drizzling rain. As the plane flew low over the ocean and the numerous tiny islands the pilots eagerly allowed me to shoot my cameras and even moved their heads from shooting range so I could get a better shot. I was speechless at the majestic beauty of this strange and ominous landscape. I envisioned why the Vikings kept rowing further and further north. Just before we were about to land the sun burst through a cloud and a magnificent, enormous rainbow stretched between the tiny adjacent island to the miniscule landing strip of the island we were just about to land on! It was absolutely spectacular! I just kept shooting and shooting! It was one of those moments in life that I realized how blessed I was to be a photographer. It was a truly a remarkable experience!

 

 

 

12. How many shoots do you photograph each year?

It varies from year to year because I also teach workshops, do guest speaking appearances, do private consulting and write for my book projects. When I’m not shooting commissioned jobs I’m working on my personal fine art projects and am preparing for some gallery shows. I’m also a member of Kodak’s advisory board and have recently been asked to direct my first short film! I’m ecstatic about because I have always felt I should be directing. It’s just an organic transition.

Last year I did the following:

• 6 advertising jobs
• 20 portrait shoots, (these include families, individual, pregnancy, kids, seniors)
• 12 weddings
• 9 engagement sessions
• 5 stock shoots
• 6 personal project shoots

 

13. Have you had to changed anything to adjust in current economic times?

In the past I did very little advertising or promoting of my services for jobs. Jobs simply just came to me by word of mouth. Now I’m marketing a bit more and revamping my websites (thanks to phtobiz, to offer my clients a more user-friendly method of viewing my images. I’m also offering them mini websites (another great Photobiz feature!). Instead of reducing my rates substantially I’m increasing my product value giving my clients more for the same price. Photobiz has really helped!

 

 

 

14. Describe your shooting style?

I’m known as authentic “people person.” Establishing a safe, trusting relationship fast is something I’m good at. I’m a natural nurturer and I’m sympathetic to the uneasy feeling many people have around photographers, be it a person behind the lens (even a professional model) or a property owner who is spending thousands to document their interiors. I am very intuitive and read people easily. I can usually find something we have in common to relate to and that instantly helps them relax. I’m very confident in what I do and I think they sense and feel this so that helps too.

 

 

 

Check out Elizabeth’s PhotoBiz Website

 

 

 

Past Featured Photographers:

2009

February : March : April : May : June : July : August : September : October : November : December

2010

January

*Are you interested in becoming a featured photographer of the month with PhotoBiz?

Send an email to: Blogger [at] photobiz [dot] com. Include a paragraph stating why you think that you should be considered for this feature and a link to your website.  (You must be willing to submit an interview and video testimonial if chosen)

January 2010 Featured Photographer of the Month

 

Chris & Elisha Stewart

Website :: Facebook

1. What equipment you do you use?

It depends if we’re taking it in the water or not! ;) For weddings we us the Canon 5D MarkII but are firm believers that its not about equipment, but how you use it. Some of our best shots came from our starter days on a 40D and a Rebel with kit lenses.

 

2. How long have you been shooting?

Two years. We bought our first two digital cameras when we started our business (Abby Photography) in January 2008. Thank you to all of our first summer clients who trusted us as photographers even though our business was young.

 

 

3. Where are you located?

CANADA, EH?! We are based out of Kelowna, British Columbia but have had the privilege of shooting all across the country.

 

4. What type of photography do you take?

We focus primarily on wedding photography. We also offer family, maternity, engagement, and Trash the Dress sessions. We one day hope to retire from weddings and do product photography for Snuggies on the Shopping Channel. Kidding!!

 

 

5. Price range of events?

Since our business is so young, we’re still trying to figure that one out. Our weddings currently start at $2500 and go to $6000.

 

6. When did you notice that you had passion for photography?

When we realized that we could make money while doing it. JUST KIDDING!! It began as a hobby and appreciation for the arts. Photography then developed into a passion when our parents stopped seeing our work as “just a hobby” and began to recognize it as a profession. The tremendous support of family and friends gave us confidence and transformed our hobby into passion. We truly love what we do.

 

 

7. Is there anything unique about what you do?

Apart from being a husband and wife team…Once we capture the location of where the couple tied-the-knot, we try to take them to as many different locations as possible. You can take 1000 pictures in a park and they will all look like a park! We try to have a different location for every page of their wedding album. Couples love having a variety of settings, moods, and environments to choose from in their final product.

 

8. What’s the funniest thing that ever happened during a shoot?

A wasp went down the front of the brides dress during the ceremony. She instantly FREAKED OUT! In a panicked attempt to release the wasp, she flipped out the boning in her dress – totally exposing herself! No joke! The minister lost it! He was laughing so hard that he took several minutes to compose himself. This picture was taken right after the incident.

 

 

9. Most awkward moment during a wedding?

The wasp in the wedding dress mentioned above was also the most awkward.

 

10. What’s the scariest thing that ever happened during a shoot?

Almost getting ran over by cars. They seem to always be in our way.

 

11. How many events do you photograph each year?

We don’t know yet… In 2008 we did 8 weddings, then in 2009 we did 30. For 2010, the more the merrier. We’ll probably do a thousand ;)

 

12. Have you had to change anything to adjust in current economic times?

Nope. We actually started our business right in the middle of the recession so there was nowhere to go but up.

 

13. Describe your shooting style?

We try to have our wedding images come across as “romantic” with an emphasis on location.

 

 

Past Featured Photographers
2009
February : March : April : May : June : July : August : September : October : November : December

 

 

Are you interested in becoming a featured photographer of the month with PhotoBiz? 

Send an email to:  Blogger [at] photobiz [dot] com.  Include a paragraph stating why you think that you should be considered for this feature and a link to your website.

Congratulations to John Edgar!

:: Your PhotoBiz Featured Photographer of the Year (2009) :: 

With over 15,000 photographers, 2,300 votes submitted and almost 400 comments on our blog; we have determined a Featured Photographer of the Year for 2009.  John Edgar finished on top with 553 votes, edging out Josh Blumental and Michelle Moore by less than 80 votes.

 

Click on the above image to view his PhotoBiz Website

John’s Blog

 

Our December Featured Photographer of the Month

Check out Josh’s Website

 

1 What equipment you do you use?
Canon: 1DSmk2, 5Dmk2, 1Dmk3, .  Lots of lenses -almost all L - series.  Old Photogenic monolights with basic modifiers (New Profoto D1 Air lights on order, I’m very excited!!!).   Mac computers with BIG monitors.   Epson printers.

 

2 How long have you been shooting?
Technically since high-school, 1984.  In intended to be a photographer way back then, but it took untill 2003 to only have “Photographer” under my name on my business card.   It’s always been part of my jobs, but not the only part.

 

3 Where are you located?
Salt Lake City , Utah.

 

4 What type of photography do you take?
I refuse to specialize: I do Advertising & Editorial work, but Family and Pet photography pays most of the bills.  I also do weddings, mostly because I have fun shooting them.  I try to do it all (I’m in Utah, I have to do a bit of everything.)

 

5 Price range of events?
Anywhere from $300 to $30,000 (…not kidding)

• Weddings: $1500>$6000+
• Family and/or Pet Sittings: $400-$2500
• Advertising & Editorial jobs: $2500-$5000+

 

6 When did you notice that you had passion for photography?
When I took over my mother’s 1976 Nikon Fe in ‘84. 

(I have visual art sensibilities, but no real skills…I can’t draw, paint, etc… I’m really good technically and on the computer. It just fits, especially in the digital world.)

 

7 Is there anything unique about what you do?
I do my own thing and don’t follow the “rules.”

 

 

8 What’s the funniest thing that ever happened during a shoot?
I’ve been pee’d on, thrown-up on and one time I was attacked by a Bischon Frise named Coco.

 

8.5 Most awkward moment during a wedding?

Multiple Choice:

a. Dropping a 15mm fisheye lens onto concrete during the ceremony, having the aluminum lens cap fall off and roll on the floor towards the couple, making that loud, tinny, squiggling aluminum sound.

b. Splitting my pants in the crotch area (No , I don’t need to loose a few pounds… I don’t know what happened).

c. Doing both at the same wedding.

 

9 What’s the scariest thing that ever happened during a shoot?
Main camera malfunction…. (but I cary double-redundant systems).  Or photographing the wrong event….  don’t ask….  yes…  wrong event….

 

10 How many events do you photograph each year?
It varies from year to year, but last year I did the following:

• 20 commercial gigs
• 138 family sittings
• 92 pet sittings
• 11 weddings

I generated over 100,000 images in 2008.  I assume 2009 will be about the same, with the exception to my personal projects.  I’m trying hard to be more “creative,” and the only way to do that fairly is to do it on your dime.

 

11 Have you had to changed anything to adjust in current economic times?
No.  I stuck to my guns and promoted more.

 

12 Describe your shooting style?
Totally freeform:  I don’t follow the rules.  I have fun & laugh constantly.   I interact with my clients all the time.

 

Past Featured Photographers
2009
February :: March :: April :: May :: June :: July :: August :: September :: October  ::  November