I just added a Grand Central "Call Me" button to the blog. If you look in the upper right corner of the blog, just above my profile, you will see it. This is a great service offered by Google (well, it's in beta right now so it's limited) that ties all your phones together into one number that rings them all. In addition to that, they just announced this web calling feature that allows you to call me without your number being revealed. By clicking the button you will bring up a field to enter your name and number. After that you just hit the call button and your phone will ring. When you answer, it will be ringing through to me. I then have the option of answering the call or sending it to voicemail.Â
FAQ: Booking Your Date
While it's a good problem for me to have (being in high demand) it's not such a great problem for some of my prospective clients. What I am referring to is how many inquiries I am getting for the same dates this year. It's happened in the past but at this point I have several email inquiries for many of the prime dates later in the year (and even some for next year), many more than ever before.
If you've met with me, or I've worked with you in the past, you know I rarely ever play the "book now or lose your date" card because I somehow feel it may be perceived as used car salesmen-ish but the fact is that many of those dates are going quickly and 2009 is already starting to get rolling as far as bookings.Â
So, as mildly as I can put it, if you intend to book but for some reason are waiting, please let me know and I will do what I can to give you first right of refusal.Â
For the record, my policy is first come, first serve and that applies to couples I have had a consultation with then email only after that.
I wish I could work with each and every couple that wants me to be their photographer but anymore that is not possible.
FAQ: My style
One of the most asked questions at my consultations is about my style. "Are you photo journalistic or traditional." Of course most of the time my couples already know the answer somewhat but it's still on the list of questions to ask so they ask. This image is a perfect example of how I answer that question. My answer is this; I am neither. I embrace both. As a great photographer once said "I am the 'vs' in the photo journalism vs traditional debate." My background in fashion and interest in great light, perfect locations and eliciting emotion dictates that I don't leave everything to chance.Â
This shot is a perfect example of that. Donna and the girls wanted to do a shot by the water. I could have just stood there, taking shots as they walked down towards the water and not interfered at all. That's what it looks like happened but not quite. Sure, I DID just stand there and shoot while they walked down to the water but what isn't evident is that they were walking towards a spot I picked, to stand facing a direction I chose and with a bit of direction about how Donna should hold her dress, etc. The idea was that I directed the scene, put the actors (insert: bridal party) on the set the way that would be most flattering to them and the overall image and then began shooting before, during and after the "shot" we intended to shoot. The result? The best shot was actually made before they were ready. Sure, I set up the shot but in the end, it was about capturing Donna and her girls being themselves (thank you for so much of that Donna :), something that probably didn't happen nearly as much 20 seconds later when they were just standing near the water.
The morale to this story is that yes, I will occasionally direct the action to a great location, into some great light (that either exists or that I provide) but in the end, I look to capture the best moment, whether that be when I planned it to be or not. In that way I am both a photo journalist AND a traditional-ish photographer (just don't ever use the word traditional...hardly :)