Photography

How I’m Different

There are a few things I do differently than most of the photographers you may have encountered before, and I think you'll agree that the differences will make your overall photographic experience more rewarding.

1. The "Print Package Mentality" is archaic and a money-grab, so I've completely abandoned it. I'm sure you're familiar with it: "Package A" consists of one 8x10, one 5x7, two 4x6s, etc., for however many dollars. "Package B" contains one 8x10, two 5x7s, three 4x6s, etc., for a little more than however many dollars — and so on and so forth. Then, on top of the print package price, the photographer charges their hourly fee. This works great for the photographer, simply because it's a guaranteed way to make a profit — and selling prints is where the real money is.

I don't like that methodology. The way I see it, if I pay you to do photography for me and I don't like your results, I'm not going to want to buy any of your prints. This being the case, my clients simply pay my hourly rate, then they can choose — or not choose — to buy any quantity of any size print they want. No pressure, no pre-purchase, no limiting sizes, no limiting quantities, no price-gouging for extra prints — you get what you want, and only what you want.

Visit my Pricing and Details page for more information.

2. If the client's schedule permits — and if they want one — I like to have a free, pre-session consultation before the shoot. I do this for several reasons. First, it gives the client and me a chance to meet so that our first impressions aren't made when I'm shoving a camera lens in their face. This makes the session more relaxed and comfortable, and helps to curb the anxiety some clients feel.

I also like to use this time to nail-down specifics, like what style the client wants the shots done in: candid, posed, modern, etc. This helps determine things like the best shot location and clothing — and this allows us to spend more time taking shots, rather than figuring out which shots to take. For industrial/business shots, the same idea carries over.

I also like to use this opportunity to show the different post-processing techniques I can apply to the images. The client is able to see the manipulations and corrections I can perform, and I can get a feel for what they like and don't like — which helps me make sure the final product is truly what they were envisioning.

Lastly, this consultation provides a chance for the client to see and feel actual prints, see the various of sizes and shapes I have available, and see the different post-processing styles on real photo paper.

3. I bring over 20 years of graphic design and photo manipulation experience to the table, not just the ability to take a snapshot. Post-processing is what can turn a good shot into a great shot, and my years of design experience with Photoshop and Aperture allow me to do just that for the client. From basic color correction to facial/body touch-ups, from proper black and white conversion to crazy color-boosts, my knowledge of the industry standard software lets me truly make each image unique.

4. My photos are printed with Durst Theta and Noritsu QSS-31 imagers on Kodak Professional Endura paper — not low-quality, no-name "photo printer" paper. This lets you rest easy knowing your prints are backed by the good name of Kodak. With an expected longevity of over 100 years, your prints will have rich and bright color saturation, wonderful contrast (white whites, and black blacks), and they truly will last a lifetime.

All of the above combine to make your overall photography experience truly unique, as well as ensure that you will enjoy the results for years to come. Like I say on my business card: "Anyone can take your picture. You need someone who can photograph your life."