How long have you been a photographer? Why photography, anyway?
It would be very cliched and fashionable to say that I’ve had a camera in my hand since before I could walk. It would also be dishonest. I’ve been interested in photography since I was a kid, when my dad let me watch him develop film in our basement darkroom. Every once in a while he’d let me take picture on his Minolta...but that was a rarity, since I was a bit of a klutz back then. Since I didn’t get to spend too much time with a camera in hand as a kid, I fixated on creating “photos” in my head - visualizing how to compose images. What lighting to use? What angle? What lens? What would the expression be on the person’s face? How would I get that expression without it seeming forced? So..I spent a lot of time “seeing” the images before I actually took them. Over the years I’ve been fortunate to have worked on weddings, portraiture and commercial photo shoots. I’ve been a photographer for seven years.
What drew me to photography ultimately is the ability to tell a story with a single photo. In that singular image, a lifetime of words, deeds, promises, events are displayed before our very eyes. In short, you can tell someone’s entire life story - their biography - from a single photo. Hence the name of my studio.
What’s your photographic style?
My photographic style is more akin to creative photojournalism or photobiography than anything else. I use my camera to tell the rich and diverse stories of our lives. Laughter, tears, humor, mayhem - all of it is encompassed in my photos. Thirty-three percent artistic interpretation and sixty-six percent real life, all of my photos are not crystal clear images - some may be slightly blurry, “off-center” or even distorted, just like life can be. Showing life in all of its beauty and imperfections is what k ward photobiography is all all about.
What type of equipment do you use? Do you have a preference? Film or digital? Are you insured?
Good question! I use Canon professional digital cameras, along with professional quality lenses and lighting. My preference comes from what felt good in my hand to use/maneuver...not by the brand. I’m not a “brand snob”, or even a “camera snob” - that is, each photographer has to go with what feels good for them to use to produce their work, and that will deliver the quality they require. I’ve made the move to digital, and I’m very happy about that. A photographer should use what works best, and in my case, digital is the way to go, as it affords me a versatility that I didn’t have with film.
Yes, I carry professional business insurance.
What type of computer equipment do you use? Mac? PC? Do you shoot in RAW or JPEG?
Actually, I use both Windows and Mac machines, and am VERY proud of that - both are great platforms. The majority of my work is done on a Mac, and I use Adobe Lightroom and Adobe Photoshop when working with images. I shoot primarily in RAW - the ability to fine-tune photos as necessary after initial capture is essential in delivering a quality final product - and JPEGs don’t allow you that level of manipulation. Once I complete a shoot, I process the RAW images (basically editing and color-correcting, maybe some special effects) and convert them into high-resolution JPEG images.
What of your experience and background do you draw on to create your images?
Great question! My background is in photography, design, software program management and consulting. I’ve also directed two corporate film projects and two commercials. While that may seem like an odd background for a photographer, the skills utilized in those areas actually work well together - time management, commitment setting, project management, etc.
What are you like to work with?
I’m really laid back and easy going. My goal in each of my projects is to have my clients be able to enjoy themselves and focus on their special day. I don’t tend to order my clients around during their special day, and prefer to go with the flow.
Where is your photo studio? Do you shoot on location?
My studio is located in downtown Seattle, 1 block south of SAFECO field. The shooting location is totally dependent upon the client’s needs.
Do you travel for events? Do you do “destination weddings”?
YES!! Have passport, will travel. I’ve traveled to various parts of Europe for both portrait and wedding photography, as well as Hawaii, Oregon, British Columbia, Illinois and Wisconsin. Please inquire about destination weddings, whether foreign or domestic.
Who will actually be taking my photos? Will that be you or an assistant?
I shoot alone exclusively. Each photographer has their own personal style, so I find that it’s better for the overall photographic outcome if one person (me) takes the photos, so that the style is consistent. Since my schedule is generally full, I do have an occasional office assistant who you may communicate with from time to time regarding your events and/or finished product(s).
I’m on a budget, but really want to hire you. Can we work something out?
Definitely. Planning a wedding and/or another special event can be an expensive, time-consuming, stressful affair, so we can definitely make payment arrangements. A deposit will be required to secure a specific date. Deposits are customarily 50% of the total balance due, up to $1000.00 (whichever is less).
How long does it take to get the finished product(s) back from you after the event is over?
That depends. It’s best to estimate that it will take 6 weeks for completion of the editing, color-correction, upload, proof review, product ordering, processing and shipment. Once the pictures are uploaded, you will receive an email from me with a URL to the online proofs. You can share the URL with family and friends.
It takes times, of course, for you and your family to review all of the proofs. Once you’re done reviewing the proofs, we should connect again to determine which photos you’d like as part of your finished product(s). Once the selection is complete, it will take approximately another month (based on the finished products selected) to start receiving the finished products. Of course, unforeseen events occur which may delay delivery of all of the products. In this case, our ability to stay in constant communication is essential.
What forms of payment do you accept?
Great question! I accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, debit cards, and automatic bank drafts.