Why Professional Photographers are called Professionals May 20, 2013

Anyone who knows me and has seen some of the pictures I’ve taken can attest to the fact that I will never make a living as a photographer.  While I can see what I want to capture in my head, something happens to it between my mind and the moment my finger hits the snap button. I’m pretty sure snap button is not the official term for it, but you know what I mean.

Usually what happens in the moment of disconnect from mind to snap, results in something very different from my actual intention.  Sometimes I get lucky and the image is not blurry or off-center.  Usually though, I am either too far away, my zoom is too far out, or I am too close, zoomed in.  Any of those scenarios create odd photos with results that leave a lot to be desired and are nothing like what actually happened.

In my hands, photography becomes a lethal weapon. I cannot tell you how many people I have beheaded through photography. Nor can I explain why so many of my friends do not have feet.  We won’t even discuss the number of people I have squelched or cut in half.  Oh and yes, that is my thumb on the edge of the picture.  And I absolutely meant to include that lampshade in the picture.  Yes, one of my friends only has half a face and that is the back half of our cat.  Get the picture? Yes, most of us have a phone that can take pictures and we use it all the time.  Many of those pictures are fun to share on Facebook or among our friends but they are certainly not ones I would frame and hang on the wall.

 

All of this and more is why I know it is worth every penny to hire a PROFESSIONAL photographer when there is an event that I want captured for eternity or however long photos last.  A professional photographer knows what all the parts of the camera are AND HOW to use them.  A professional photographer will create pictures that are gorgeous and capture the moments I want and as I remembered them.  They understand lighting composition, how to arrange everyone for formal shots, how to capture great informal photos and how to make sure we do not all have vampire red eyes.  (Another effect I am really good at – or, there are some serious things I do not know about my friends.)

A professional photographer knows how to frame a shot and will shoot hundreds and hundreds of pictures to make sure I have many great photos from which to choose the perfect ones.  A professional photographer will capture moments I may not have even known were happening.  The photos will be clear, sharp, focused and everyone will have all of their body parts. The details will be covered, and covered beautifully.

They will create pictures that we will hand down to family, friends and loved ones.  Pictures we will frame and hang on our walls. I believe a good photographer is an artist – an artist at capturing moments.  It is an art to look through a cameras lens and see the moment and capture it; capture its brilliance, spontaneity, the swirl of life and light and movement.  That is why some photos amaze us.  The photographer caught something we felt, saw or remembered.  We respond to a good photo.  We look at it, talk about it, and appreciate it.

So when I want a photograph to laugh at, shed a few tears over, or simply just hold onto and remember, I want the person who captures that image to feel the same emotion I did in that moment. And I’m sorry, but not everyone possesses those skills.

Think about that the next time you have something important you want to remember. Some moments really are priceless.

 

 

Sandy White is Chorus Photography’s studio manager, overall glue that keeps the company together and relentless task manager to Brian.

Simple Tips For A Better Photo Shoot March 12, 2013

I was perusing our Twitter feed this morning and happened across a post by Donna Serdula.   Donna is well respected and published LinkedIn Guru, who had a posted an innocuous tweet about bringing multiple changes to a headshot session.

 

That got ME thinking about a prep email we send out to all of our clients when we confirm their upcoming photo session.  Seemed as good a time as any to share with our readers, followers, etc.
These are just typical, industry standard tricks and tips that most professional photographers will impart to you before a professional or family portrait session.

 

So thanks for the inspiration Donna!

On Clothing: Try and keep colors from getting too close to your natural skin tone!  That’s our biggest tip for you.

·           Avoid clothes that may take you back to the 70s’:  i.e. wild checks, stripes, and very busy patterns; especially if worn together!

·           Avoid clothing extremes. Generally, turtle necks and V-necks are good, as long as they don’t over-power the face. Dress to feel comfortable.

·           RELAX!! If you are feeling frazzled, it will come across in the portraits.

·           Opt for long-sleeve shirts rather than short-sleeve.

·           The color of the clothes:

• Avoid bright reds and orange (they battle your face for attention)
• Darker colors are generally better than light colors.
• Colors like white, yellow, and pink tend to over-power the face and can make you look too pale.
• In general, the best colors are medium shades of blue, green, burgundy, and rust.

·         Baggy pants, shorts, and slacks do not photograph well and are not recommended.  Well-fitting jeans are always a good call.

·         When doing a studio shoot, come to the studio in sweats or street clothes when or if possible.  It’s ok if you aren’t able to; but if you will be wearing multiple outfits, you can change here to keep them looking fresh.

·         These are just guidelines though, you should definitely show your personal style in your portraits and throw caution to the wind if it suits your personality.

 

For Makeup:  Not too heavy, not too light. If you “never wear makeup” you might want to at least use some for your photo session.

·         Accent the eyes using mascara and eyeliner

·         Eye shadow should be used sparingly.

·         A light foundation or base gives the complexion an even tone.

·         Use powder to eliminate shine.

·         A blusher gives the skin a healthy glow.

·         Coordinate lipstick with the outfit worn.

·         If dark circles are present under the eyes, use an erase that is close to the skin tone.

Shaving & Hair

·         Get a good shave if you have a heavy beard.

·         Don’t get a new hair cut just before the shoot. Give it a week. Consider having it styled for the shoot, but skip the cut. If you really want a cut, just don’t go radical.

·         If you get your eyebrows waxed or threaded, please do so at least 2-3 days prior to your headshot shoot.

·         A change in your hairstyle is not recommended. Arrange your hair normally and as you want it to appear in the portrait. Freshly shampooed hair photographs best.

·         No glitter make-up or sparkles in your hair.

Other Stuff

·         Increased water consumption will help clear your skin and give it a healthy glow.  It will also make you look younger and fresher.

·         Reducing consumption of coffee, teas and sodas will give your teeth a break from stains and discoloration too!

·         If at all possible, avoid alcohol for a day or two before your shoot.  It dehydrates the skin.

·         Try to get a good night’s rest before the day of your shoot.

For Children’s Photo Shoots

·         For children under the age of 6, one of the most important things to do is to make sure they’ve had a nap before the photo shoot.  Even if they don’t normally sleep during the day, in this case, make an exception.  A tired kid is usually an impatient and cranky kid.  Difficult enough for a parent to deal with; nearly impossible for us to try and work with when we’re trying to make them look like a rock star!

·         Feed your child first and have food ready in case they need a snack during the photo shoot.  For kids of any age (and lots of adults too), a full stomach makes a lot of difference to improving a mood and improving the ability to focus for more than a minute or two.

·         Don’t give your kid food or drinks that are proven hyper-energy boosters.  No sugar and no caffeine before or during the shoot!  This means no soda, nothing with ketchup, no sugary cereals, no cookies and so on.  Hyper kids are even more difficult to photograph than tired or cranky kids.

·         Be sure to explain clearly to your child about the photo shoot before you even meet up with us.  Tell them my name; explain what will be happening and why the pictures are being taken. Even more important to explain, is that they need to listen to what I’m asking them to do. (Such as how to pose, or to look at the camera or to hold still, etc.)

·         During the shoot, unless the photographer asks you to, try not to direct your child too much.  Although it’s instinctive that you’ll want to, it really is best to let us do what you hired us to do.  Plus they will get very confused and upset when they have two different people trying to tell them what to do.

·         If we’re shooting in our studio, be sure to take a few minutes to let your child wander the studio and check things out before our camera comes out.  It’s important that we establish a rapport with the little ones before starting the photo session.  Even just a few minutes of me talking to the child – or with very young children, just getting them used to the sound of a new voice – will make a big difference in the quality and tone of your child’s session.

·         Bring a few of their favorite small toys with you.  If you’ve booked more than half an hour (most sessions are 60 to 90 minutes at least), then take them for a 5 minute walk halfway through.  If we’re somewhere outdoors, let them run and play for a few minutes.  If we’re in your home, let them play in their room or in your yard for a short while.  Again, a happy child is much easier to take pictures of than an unhappy one.

·         A simple thing but sometimes an overlooked one, is to be sure your child has gone to the bathroom right before the shoot.   And if they haven’t, then be sure to take at least one washroom break – even if your child doesn’t ask for one – during your session.  Many children are too shy to ask to go to the bathroom if they’re around a stranger or in a strange situation.  If your child is still in diapers, make sure they’re clean and dry at all times during the shoot.  If they need a diaper change, don’t hesitate to take the time.  We expect this, so don’t worry about taking the time to do it.

·         If, despite all your best efforts, your child is in no mood for a photo shoot and is fussy, or crying non-stop or just won’t be still or calm, don’t try to force the situation.  Reschedule.  The sooner you decide it’s better to reschedule, the less time you’ll need to pay us for being in a situation where we’re unable to do our job.   Although it might end up costing you a bit more than you’d bargained for, if the photos of your child are important to you, rescheduling with us will be worth it.

About the author: Brian Miller is a multiple award winning photographer and photojournalist.  He is also the owner of Chorus Photography in suburban Philadelphia.

Fat & Photography, not a healthy mix! February 29, 2012

I’ve never been what you would call a “health conscious” person.  In so much as I never really thought about living healthy.  I ate what I wanted, when I wanted and rarely exercised.  The only time I was ever in any real shape is when I was in the Army about 20 years ago. Needless to say my weight went up over the years, and while I would feebly attempt dieting from time to time, the scale would continue to go up and up and up.


So, it’s no real shock that when we opened going on 5 years ago, I never gave any thought to my health and how it might (if ever) affect the way I shoot, or come to have any bearing on our day to day operations.  If anything, I was rather excited at some of the gastronomic delights I would partake in at various events.  My clients are very thoughtful like that.


It only took me about 4 years to realize I was wrong.


Slowly but surely, it was getting tougher and tougher to keep up with what was happening around me.  By the time I’d grunt my way down to children’s level, the sweat would immediately begin to flow.  During portrait sessions, I noticed my feet would start hurting within a half an hour, or my back would give me little wake up calls with a sharp pain.  To say this was slowly starting to impede my ability to get the type of shots I’d like is an understatement.


Most people don’t understand what happens AFTER we’re done with your specific event.  Most photographers will spend hours upon hours in front of their large bank of computer monitors culling, correcting, (and it seems more and more) wrinkle removing.  Sitting in that one position for hours on end isn’t healthy for anyone, much less a big boned individual like myself.  Then for you bridal types, there are the hours of designing albums, going over your proofs with you, etc. etc.


When I topped out at a hefty 315 pounds at the end of January, I decided it was time to make a drastic change.  Not only for myself, but for our clients.  We both deserve better.  But I couldn’t approach this the way I had approached dieting in the past.  It would have to be a complete game changer.  I would not only have to lose weight, but I would have to teach myself how to eat in limited amounts and be satisfied.  I needed to completely relearn how to eat.


So on February 1st, I started a program called Medifast.  Like other programs, I eat 5 of their meals a day, and one “Lean & Green” meal.  This normally consists of 6 ounces of a protein of my choosing along with a healthy “green” side dish.  I meet with a nutrionist once a week and have started to hold myself more accountable on a daily basis.  My total caloric intake ranges anywhere from 800-1000 calories a day.  After the first 3 days, my body adjusted and I started on my road to better health and being a more nimble photographer.


I walk at least two miles a day now (most times with my camera slung around my back) and am considering actually joining a gym.  I haven’t had any bad carbs or sugar for a month and my energy level is through the roof.  To say I’m already feeling the changes is once again an understatement.  I head into shoots now with more energy, ready to tackle the task in front of me, whether it’s a portrait session, wedding, or whatever else!


Now I won’t lie and say it’s been easy.  There are some days that are more difficult than others.  Two weeks into the program I shot a Bar Mitzvah that had (among other things) a mashed potato bar which the clients offered me to partake in.  I thought my head would explode!  But I set forth to get some of the best images I could with my newfound energy and made it though the day.


So how do I feel one month later? My back doesn’t hurt anymore after shooting for just an hour, and my feet once again are feeling close to their teenage youth!  My overall outlook has never been better, and as of this publication…I have already dropped 25 pounds.  My goal is to lose 85 more by this autumn,  just in time for the second part of wedding season.

In early December at 315 pounds, and on February 17th

I certainly am doing this for my own mental and physical well being, but I’m also doing it for our clients.  I truly love being a photographer.  I love the feeling it gives me, and also the lifetime of happiness it gives to our clients.  I know that living and thinking healthy will not only allow me to be better at it, but to do it for a much longer time.

Confessions of an Anti-Blogger (aka Photographer) September 28, 2011

Blog.  The word itself always sounded so dirty to me…

• Sorry I’m late, I was in the bathroom taking a blog.
• If you keep blogging like that, you’re going to go blind.
• What the blog are you talking about?

I could go on like this forever… but I’ll spare you, and get back to the blog at hand.


For going on 5 years, I’ve been hearing from everyone that I should start a blog for the company. I’ve always held off because I honestly don’t think anyone really cares about what a photographer thinks. After all, we’re paid to do one thing and one thing only.  Take pictures.


It’s not like someone has come up to me at a wedding or come to the studio and said “So Brian, what’s your take on the current political climate?  Do you feel it’s impacted your world because of blah blah blah”.  See, to me… that’s what I think about when I hear the word Blog. But, some recent conversations have made me think I need to give this blogging thing some further consideration.


I’ve asked many people within our industry, and not surprisingly, everyone has had a different answer.  My friend Mark Kingsdorf, who is a well respected wedding consultant in Philadelphia, has said that it doesn’t have to be about any one thing in particular.  It can be sharing a link, or talking about a recent class, or even just showcasing our latest shoot.  It also doesn’t have to be more than once a week.


Ok, I can do that.  Mark blogs the way I think, so I figure if he can do it and I can “hear” him talking when I read it, then it should be pretty easy for me.  I like talking.  Anyone who knows me knows I like talking.


But WAIT!


Other industry players at the various WPPI and PPA workshops that I’ve attended have said that it really doesn’t do much more than allow you to link back to other people’s web pages, therefore having YOUR name come up when someone does a search.


What the BLOG!?  Who am I supposed to listen to?  Everyone is making a valid point… I’m just more confused than I was before I started thinking about the whole blogging thing!


It’s ok, Brian… just take a deep breath.


I’m not exactly sure what we’re going to be starting here with our new little corner of the internet.  I’m sure that we’ll be showcasing some of our shoots, talking about various things we’ve learned at a recent workshop.


We’ll do all the things the cool kids are doing.  We’ll hyperlink to websites, we’ll have guest bloggers to talk about whatever is on their mind in regards to photography and events… I’ll even go so far as to say we’ll come up with some neat things that maybe someone hasn’t done before.  We’re pretty fun people at Chorus… the possibilities are endless.


But in the meantime, I’m going to go back to do what I do well.  I’m going to walk away from the computer, grab my camera and try to make the world a better place one image at a time.


And if you don’t like that, you can go blog yourself.


Thoughts?  Feel free to chime in!