Tuesday Tips &Techniques
I want to try something new on my blog, and hopefully it will help others improve their own photography skills, or have a great photography experience. My goal is to help raise the bar of what great photography should be. This first installment is really neither a tip nor a technique, but rather I am going to explain what it means to be a great photographer, or to have a great photography experience.
I have a little confession. I really like meat. I mean, I REALLY like meat! I did much of my growing up years in Texas, so I know what good meat should be. I even spent a few months as a hostess for Ruth's Chris Steak House, a favorite of the San Antonio Spurs. Brisket is my favorite, but I love a good juicy steak, medium rare please! But I also enjoy a good hamburger.
Shortly after I came to Utah I was invited to attend a barbecue with a friend and her family. No respectable Texan can turn down the offer of b-b-que! I was, of course, thinking of brisket, or chicken, or some such delicious meat. Imagine my surprise when I arrived and discovered that their idea of b-b-que was hotdogs and processed hamburger patties - they did not even hand make the hamburger! Horror! For the record, this would be called "grilling", since no b-b-que sauce was in sight. And sometimes it merely seems like a way to warm up the "meat".
So how does this apply to photography? Think of photography like meat. You can have frozen hamburger patties, or you can have a juicy steak.
The former would fall into a category that many pros have dubbed "shoot-an-burn" photographers. These are people that will do a session at a very low cost, then give you all the images on a CD. These photographers are VERY popular, simply for the reason that they cost very little. When you are on a tight budget (and who isn't these days?), hiring this type of photographer seems like a very good idea.
I do want to clarify something. There are many photographers just starting out that need "practice". They should ALWAYS mention this to their clients. If you are just getting started, it is okay to ask family and friends if you can borrow them from time to time for some sessions. In return, you can offer the images at very low cost. Once you have developed consistent quality in your images, you can start to build your portfolio and charge a little more. And yes, there is a HUGE difference between "practicing" and "portfolio building" which I will discuss next week.
A shoot-and-burn photographer generally will not spend much time editing your images. Editing is very time intensive work. A good photographer will spend HOURS working on only one session, making sure everything is perfect. A typical SnB photographer will also not offer much in the way clothing advice, or ask what your personal preferances are, or really dig deep on what you are really looking for in your images. This is not always the case, but usually is.
Many times these photographers are not particularly knowledgeable in the technical side of photography. They likely do not have a clear understanding of lighting, exposure, composition, or posing. And this shows in their work. Some will try to "fix" the issues in Photoshop. Photoshop is a terrific tool, but it should not be seen as a way to "fix" and image, but rather it should enhance what is already there.
Bottom line, this type of photographer is like the frozen hamburger patty. Cheap, fast, and will sustain you, but is completely lacking in flavor and originality.
Now how about a nice juicy steak? Sizzling, flavorful, hot! What can you expect from this type of photographer? These are those that go the extra mile for you. The offer a pre-session consultation to get to know you and learn as much as they can so they can offer the very best experience. They listen attentively to you. They offer advice on what to wear, where to go, and what to expect throughout the session. They show a genuine interest in you, and the images consequently reflect your tastes and personality.
During your session it is clear that these pros have a very clear understanding of how to pose people in a pleasing and engaging manner, how to find and use great light, and how to work in any condition, whether it be a bright sunny afternoon, or a rainy day.
After the session your photographer will spend post-processing your images, making sure everything is perfect and presentable. They know exactly what types of images are sure to please, and which ones will not make the grade (such as images that are out of focus, odd expressions, blinking eyes, etc). Then they may invite you to review the images. Some will add the photos in an online gallery. Others will invite you to a special "viewing session", where you can review all the images together. The great advantage of a viewing session is that the photographer may have much more to offer than just prints. Albums and books, gallery wrapped canvases, photo bags, jewelry, keepsake boxes, greeting cards and announcements - these are all products a pro often offers, and seeing them in person gives you a clear understanding of what they are, and how they look and feel.
Many pros today even go a step further by packaging your products in beautiful gift bags and ribbons. Some may even add a few gifts of appreciation and a thank you note - a personal touch that is sure to go a long way.
So which photographer are you? Or which experience would you rather have? Frozen beef patty or filet mignon? The former is certainly much cheaper and far less time consuming. But the latter will give you so much more, and you are likely to come away feeling well satisfied. Which one you choose is ultimately up to you to decide, but I hope you are thinking about the latter. And hopefully through this blog I can help you become that photographer and have that fabulous experience!
I have a little confession. I really like meat. I mean, I REALLY like meat! I did much of my growing up years in Texas, so I know what good meat should be. I even spent a few months as a hostess for Ruth's Chris Steak House, a favorite of the San Antonio Spurs. Brisket is my favorite, but I love a good juicy steak, medium rare please! But I also enjoy a good hamburger.
Shortly after I came to Utah I was invited to attend a barbecue with a friend and her family. No respectable Texan can turn down the offer of b-b-que! I was, of course, thinking of brisket, or chicken, or some such delicious meat. Imagine my surprise when I arrived and discovered that their idea of b-b-que was hotdogs and processed hamburger patties - they did not even hand make the hamburger! Horror! For the record, this would be called "grilling", since no b-b-que sauce was in sight. And sometimes it merely seems like a way to warm up the "meat".
So how does this apply to photography? Think of photography like meat. You can have frozen hamburger patties, or you can have a juicy steak.
The former would fall into a category that many pros have dubbed "shoot-an-burn" photographers. These are people that will do a session at a very low cost, then give you all the images on a CD. These photographers are VERY popular, simply for the reason that they cost very little. When you are on a tight budget (and who isn't these days?), hiring this type of photographer seems like a very good idea.
I do want to clarify something. There are many photographers just starting out that need "practice". They should ALWAYS mention this to their clients. If you are just getting started, it is okay to ask family and friends if you can borrow them from time to time for some sessions. In return, you can offer the images at very low cost. Once you have developed consistent quality in your images, you can start to build your portfolio and charge a little more. And yes, there is a HUGE difference between "practicing" and "portfolio building" which I will discuss next week.
A shoot-and-burn photographer generally will not spend much time editing your images. Editing is very time intensive work. A good photographer will spend HOURS working on only one session, making sure everything is perfect. A typical SnB photographer will also not offer much in the way clothing advice, or ask what your personal preferances are, or really dig deep on what you are really looking for in your images. This is not always the case, but usually is.
Many times these photographers are not particularly knowledgeable in the technical side of photography. They likely do not have a clear understanding of lighting, exposure, composition, or posing. And this shows in their work. Some will try to "fix" the issues in Photoshop. Photoshop is a terrific tool, but it should not be seen as a way to "fix" and image, but rather it should enhance what is already there.
Bottom line, this type of photographer is like the frozen hamburger patty. Cheap, fast, and will sustain you, but is completely lacking in flavor and originality.
Now how about a nice juicy steak? Sizzling, flavorful, hot! What can you expect from this type of photographer? These are those that go the extra mile for you. The offer a pre-session consultation to get to know you and learn as much as they can so they can offer the very best experience. They listen attentively to you. They offer advice on what to wear, where to go, and what to expect throughout the session. They show a genuine interest in you, and the images consequently reflect your tastes and personality.
During your session it is clear that these pros have a very clear understanding of how to pose people in a pleasing and engaging manner, how to find and use great light, and how to work in any condition, whether it be a bright sunny afternoon, or a rainy day.
After the session your photographer will spend post-processing your images, making sure everything is perfect and presentable. They know exactly what types of images are sure to please, and which ones will not make the grade (such as images that are out of focus, odd expressions, blinking eyes, etc). Then they may invite you to review the images. Some will add the photos in an online gallery. Others will invite you to a special "viewing session", where you can review all the images together. The great advantage of a viewing session is that the photographer may have much more to offer than just prints. Albums and books, gallery wrapped canvases, photo bags, jewelry, keepsake boxes, greeting cards and announcements - these are all products a pro often offers, and seeing them in person gives you a clear understanding of what they are, and how they look and feel.
Many pros today even go a step further by packaging your products in beautiful gift bags and ribbons. Some may even add a few gifts of appreciation and a thank you note - a personal touch that is sure to go a long way.
So which photographer are you? Or which experience would you rather have? Frozen beef patty or filet mignon? The former is certainly much cheaper and far less time consuming. But the latter will give you so much more, and you are likely to come away feeling well satisfied. Which one you choose is ultimately up to you to decide, but I hope you are thinking about the latter. And hopefully through this blog I can help you become that photographer and have that fabulous experience!
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