2 days ago we talked about coming out of the SLC LDS Temple and some group shots… and more or less about the beginning of this wedding.

Read It

We shall now continue

We’ll focus on the kids themselves and then next edition we’ll end off with the reception

I think this is a picture one of my interns took as I was setting up a shot… he got in close and photographed this neat moment. Go Will!

In any case you’ll notice a distinct usage of plant life in their pictures… a couple of reasons, she loves plant life, she studies it up at Utah St and she is even did her reception at Cactus and Tropicals and so I’m thinking I’ve done more than a few weddings at SLC Temple so I wouldn’t mind at all focusing on some places I haven’t been to a lot since often I’m focused on the building.

OK let’s meet them

This is Bret

He’s older than you think… not like ancient or anything but he’s older than his brothers who we kinda met last time.

And this is Michelle

OK we hope to hear from Michelle and Bret later with their stories and advice from the day and hopefully learn about what pictures are special to them with some fun stories why.

But for now I took a quick peak at the pictures she posted on facebook to see what she was liking.

She put up that first one

A couple of my favorites I put up last time

And there’s nothing like a good ol fashion straight smiling at the camera kinda picture.

I think we often strive for something totally new and I know I try to get a lot of pictures where they’re interacting in their own way.

But heh doesn’t hurt to just stop a moment and say let’s get the safe, normal, nice shot. The one your grandma will probably be happiest with… why not… we have a lot more time to get the other stuff.

It’s no problem really… the picture right before the one above was this one

I just move over to the side and say ok look straight at me and smile.

I guess I don’t really say that I usually smile big at them and say “hi” or my other tricks to bring out that real smile… you past bride and grooms know what I’m talking about.

OK so we started taking couple pictures after the group shots at 4:19pm and we actually had more time than I often have at the SLC temple for couple shots (before we run off to a reception or luncheon) we had just short of 1hr

Relatives point out how he uses his brows to smile big and say to watch out for that… so what do I do? I tell him to do his thing real big… because hey why not that’s him… I do however make sure to please the rest of the audience with more “normal” foreheads.

While sometimes we’re scrambling to get to all the typical spots I loved that we had an opportunity to spend a bit of time in the garden area next to the temple. It wasn’t in the middle of the sun lighting, in fact it was a bit darker which means we can control our own lighting (like with a bit of softbox)

and I get to do my framing with the trees and leaves stuff I like to do

OK we’re done with this location… let’s go. (Says I)

Oh wait wait right there… I lied we’re not done… one more

In fact two more… we need another one with the temple.

OK so you’re getting primped and prepped for a minute or two… and scott has a happy trigger finger… Groom it’s your turn to shine.

OK let’s keep on going

I’ve actually never shot this spot… probably because it’s so tight… I’m smooshed up against the wall squezing for every last inch of room to shoot  so I can get them and the temple and not look funny.

If there wasn’t a building where I wanted to stand I would have shot this a bit differently… but so often I leave miss serendipity choose my shots.

I think that’s a big aspect of my photography. If you want to know how Scott Jarvie chooses many of his pictures the key word is serendipity… look it up. (I just did)

We came across most of these shots because we had to pass by this spot when actually heading to another spot.

You’ll see that again later… we were walking to the famous pedestal thingy they have at the SLC temple for the full temple shot and we never ever got there. Serendipity (and lack of time… took us another direction 200ft short … with might I add a much cooler picture)

this walking set

OK let’s back up for a second… back when we were closer to the temple near the reflecting pool

I don’t mind people walking around and doing their thing… it’s a highly trafficked public place after all.

Sometimes if forces me to take different shots… things I wouldn’t normally do. I’m certain in both these pictures above there were people directly to the sides of both these pictures. It’s as if they dictated the crop on my these pictures.

Very often the construction dictates how far to the left of the temple I can shoot.

It also leads me to frame up totally different pictures like above… where we don’t have to worry about people in the pictures at all.

And then there are just some shots where you wish the people weren’t there… but yeah that’s not going to happen… just embrace it  (and then cast a spell on every viewer of the picture to ignore the other weddings on the steps of the temples… these are not the droids you are searching for)

And then I had them… Oh I don’t know… I think they were just caught up in the hugging moment… I was just there to document.

OK folks that’s all he wrote…

Next time we’ll bring you flowers

Food

Fun

oh and Babies too!

Oh and don’t forget twue wove

The Happy Couple – Wedding Story pt 2 is a post from: JarvieDigital Photography Blog

I’m thinking about cutting this one down in more manageable chunks… plus it means that I get to string it along for more days. I mean I wasn’t supposed to tell you my tricks. I suppose it’s more like a mini-series with jack bauer just about to do something crazy right at the end and you have to tune back in to see what happens in the next installment.

So here we go.

I was here

This was the first picture of the day… I took it to test out the camera. I just got my 14-24 2.8 back from the shop not too long ago and I missed it for getting cool architecture stuff.

So we so often show off when LDS bride and grooms come out of the temples… like their mini-revealing and unveiling. Their version of walking down the aisle.

But what happens prior to that moment… the non-lds (mormon) in the audience might find this interesting.

I’ve often seen many photographers just sitting in a waiting room waiting for their bride and groom… they’re missing out… this is time to get to know the family and get some of those candids and solo portraits.

Such as…

Then the moment comes… they come out.

Many times for the actual ceremony she’s wearing a different more subdued dress and so she goes and changes into her wedding dress, so often this really is the first time most have seen her.

Except of course her mom who probably went with her dress shopping (with the card) and her sisters who she played dress up for, of course. haha

But I present Mr. & Mrs. Spencer

So sometimes up to 90 couples could come out of these doors in any given saturday in summer… don’t hate.

We do get to have moment like these all the time.

Grandma and Grandpa giving their congrats.

Notice of course how many people have cameras … haha… i love it.

And then after the congrats time is done we have spots big enough to do our group shots with 100 ppl haha

Oh but first let’s drop in as the bride and groom steel a few slone moments for themselves in the hussle and bussle of the moment.

Then we gather families to do some group shots… our brothers of the groom jump in for some shots…

We’ll be catching back up with them for some more antics at the reception

I’m not afraid to stretch things out for an interesting full building shot or get down and dirty on the ground

The bride felt a deep connection to her asian brothers and sisters so this next one comes to you care of the far east

The real talent in this day of age and the thing that people really seem to appreciate is how quickly you can get through these formalities. Pump out these group shots, make it fun, make it quick, without yelling, without being rude, without making enemies, without down time… and to do all this without suffering on the quality. Anyone could spend 15 minutes setting up some elaborate and picture perfect group shot. But do you have 100 thankful friends or 100 sworn enemies at the end of this (specially if it’s too hot or too cold)

Then you move on over to the side giving way to the next happily married couple and you don’t mind at all… because I’d take this for a small group over steps any day.

Ahh these two like eachother as well..

Then you could always move to another spot for some more group shots.

Some kids find much joy in doing a good jump shot.

And all the while perhaps the moms look on.

And then take advantage of having an amazingly handsome and caring and kind and talented photographer around.

So yeah these aren’t the typical pics I put on the blog… usually we stick to the highlights of the day… the tender and breathtaking pictures.

We stick to the best of… we find the tender moments…

We often just put the scenic stuff.

Or the details of the day

But this is me showing off the rest of the story

I’m not no hourly worker… you get the full story… the full day. I’m a documenter of events.

• Real
• Friendly
• Emotion
• Personality
• Bright, Crisp and Clean
• Love in all it’s forms and expressions
• The joy of it all
  

So stay tuned next time for what happens next

Kudos to my two students that helped on the event Will and Justin – Will found that flower at the reception place and they’ll have more pics to show off as they roamed the reception.

Meanwhile back at Temple Square – A wedding story pt 1 is a post from: JarvieDigital Photography Blog

Today we’re bringing you the words from a recent bride, who I’ve become good friends with after she interned for a summer, she’s like my little sister now. She’ll share her two cents about picking wedding photographers and interacting with them.

I’ve done posts previously on her wedding pictures – Bridals - Engagements

Then she’ll share a couple of her favorite pictures and why. In a style I like to call: “Pictures with Meaning”. Which is really neat because I typically wouldn’t put any of these pictures up on the blog (Besides that last one)… they all seem to have special meaning to her (which is why I took them… but usually they wouldn’t translate to a large crowd online unless we were to explain why… which is what we’re doing)

—-

Alright, now for the good stuff, the reason you came to this blog in the first place… pretty pictures I realize that not everyone is going to be as obsessed with my wedding as I am. Ha. Gotta keep it real. So I’ll just share a few of my favorites.

This is one of my favorite pictures of the whole day. It might not seem like much, but it was when all the groomsmen had arrived for the pre-wedding pictures, and my brother couldn’t find his tie, so he came out half dressed to ask my mom where it was. I don’t think I laughed so hard the rest of the day.

I love this series as well.

I really wanted all of my bridesmaids to be individual and true to themselves, so they all picked their own shoes, and I love how these shots showcase that.

I want to put this one in here too.

Jake and I did a first look, and even though this isn’t the most fabulous picture of us, we were both just so excited and I think this captures our joy.

And this one…. I LOVE this one…

I don’t think I need to explain why.

I’m not sure what I was laughing at, but this was after we cut our giant cupcake.

I can’t look at it without smiling. I just love Jake laughing in the back.

Instead of a guest book, we did sort of a “guest plant” where people wrote on little cards and then hung them on the plant.

This card was probably my favorite of the bunch.

My florists did an amazing job, and I’m so glad he got a shot of the table settings.

This picture is probably my most favorite picture of my dad.

Ever.

This one cracks me up every time.

We were trying to get through family pictures, which were starting to wear on me, and this little rooster decided to stop by. I’m so glad I can look back and remember this.

I’ll stick this one in here as well, because I had always envisioned a shot of Jake and I from the back showing our reception.

I never told Scott that, honestly because I forgot to, but he got it anyways.

I could seriously post tons and tons more, because honestly this was a very small snippet of all the wonderful photos. But I feel like that would get really boring haha.

If anyone has any questions for me, feel free to ask. I’m an open book

Carissa’s advice for the future bride + Pictures with Meaning is a post from: JarvieDigital Photography Blog

Well here we are again… where did we leave off?

Well we were fighting bad guys and saving orphans.

Ok Ok we were looking at pictures and hearing about the eventful day in which an eternal family was formed. (And saving defenseless kittens from savage wolves)

It went something like

Bobbie Jane met a boy

He took her into his arms

They sat there on the pier contemplating their future

Sometimes doing dip kisses

He then took her to the Temple

Now he’s married to Bobbie Jane

And now you’re caught up…

So finally we can get down to business and talk about the PARTY

(A celebration of love if you will)

A time for…

Yes  a time for lawn games

and FLOWERS

Lots of flowers

Flowers in bottles

Lots of random antique bottles that the couple has collected for a while.

And here’s the flower girl

I don’t mean the girl that carries flowers down the aisle prior to the bride walking down… but the girl who has a business where she decorates weddings and such events with flowers.

Her name is Laura and I’m sure she’d be more than happy to bring flowers to your wedding… Her Site – Her Blog

Those flowers got placed on a couple of tables… like this one.

This is what some of them looked like up close

Let’s just recap… flowers were everywhere and beautiful

OK let’s get this moving along we don’t have all day

Here’s where people signed in

Some people even dropped off envelopes in that little cage thingy

This was apparently the first one… What did it contain? We might never know… let’s hope it was enough money to buy a house and a ford fiesta.

Some instructions for the guests

Well I’m sure they weren’t confused about where to sit.

While people were working

While kids were bouncing

Grandpa was playing sitter.

And the couple… well she got ready and saw the setup they took some time out.

Turned on the TV

And watched…

Their wedding video

I think they saw their whole lives flash before their eyes.

Did I mention we ate.

And drank

(Gotta have some horchata to go with the tacos)

But then we scampered off into the fields of wild flowers

Ahhhwww… romantic place, romantic lighting… so fun.

And then back for some games

The groomsmen be chillin

Did I have to take many group shots… not so many really… but here’s my favorite one

And Yes… there was more Dew from the mountain or mtn if you will

And of course… More babies

And to follow that up… how about something completely different?

Hey you posed for it!

Yes I’m going to show the whole world… (ok well perhaps only a few hundred people)

I would show a nice regular picture right now but now that I think of it I didn’t do any “normal” portraits… you know didn’t want people thinking I was hitting on the cute single girl.

Anyway…

You know what would be cool right about now? A PINATA!!

It was a wedding… did any young love start to spread? Well let’s check in.

Who knows if that last couple is actually a couple or perhaps even married… but they were togetehr and I needed a third vertical oriented couple shot.

Now the moment you’ve all been waiting for for every reception I do…

Heck this is the reason you’ve read through the whole post up until now

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, children of all ages… I present to you… the one… the only… the undeniable… the indisputable… the Jarvie Window

(Much fan fare)

And finally the bride and the groom

well there’s not much more than can be said after that.

That’s a hard act to follow… you’d have to like have your own fireworks show to top that!

Bye kids… have a great life

Oh come on now… just go

And they lived happily ever after.

A Wedding Story: Idaho Pt.2 (The reception) is a post from: JarvieDigital Photography Blog

Ah how sweet I am.

There’s a story about this little guy… see he was in the trash heap. There were a billion (only a slight exageration) flowers at this reception, it was flower city, the flowers were all amazing.

This little flower didn’t make the cut… but I liked it grabbed it and carried it for a bit… not even sure why.

Then I started taking detail shots. I said to myself why not put this on the table and shoot it like a close up ring or something layong on the nice table cloth.

Bam! now it’s one of my favorites, but this might only be because I knew the story and I’m emotionally compromised and it might just be OK.

OK back to the task at hand… remember how I said I photographed a wedding in Idaho. Well I’m not even gonna talk about the reception much yet, maybe tomorrow.

Except to show you how it ended.

It ended with a Flash and a Whirl… get it?

Now you’ll be back tomorrow… it’s like crack, you must know, you have to know… you have no choice. You are getting sleepy, very sleepy.

Ladies and gentlemen I present to you Bobbie Jane and David

Come on out

You might remember them from such oldies as Couple in front of Golden gate amd couple on boardwalk

Or couple next to plane

Or couple at random picnic

Wait wait let’s back up… so we’re at the Idaho Falls LDS temple. David and Bobbie Jane get married inside and we’re all just chillin outside waiting for them to come out. I walk around and try to find the group, you can’t really miss her sisters… because they look so much like her.

It’s a good oportunity for me to shoot some kids.

And some candids of friends I don’t know yet (which I will know by the end of the day)

But here they come! About to open the door and make the grand exit to be seen by friends and family.

Anti climatic, I know… since you already saw the exit.

But this is them putting on a small show for their friends and relatives with cameras. Which is fine by me because while they get a few shots, I get pictures of them the whole day.

Let’s hydrate that bride on a nice hot day… water anyone.

Forget that! Water is so ordinary. (I wanted to say Blah-Zay but I can’t figure out how to spell it)

Maybe the water just magically turned into the Dew

I will disuade you from thinking any magic was involved and reveal the trick.

His buddies brought it and they replaced the water bottle in her hand.

OK so we’re gonna kinda FF through the group shots… but we’ll hit some of the more amusing ones… you know… to keep you smiling.

Oh fine these next ones aren’t funny but it goes to show how everyone wins when we go under the shade, it’s not hot and it’s better lighting. I had Marco and Will helping out so that we could light them up to get the temple in the back.

And of course I gotta show the other family so we don’t cause problems. haha

May I take this moment to mention Will had only started with me the day before and the next day he was off shooting a wedding and helping with lighting.

The girls did some more fun stuff at the reception but I’ll take a moment for david and his sisters… tadah

Don’t worry her sisters held eachother

Cute baby break

I’m just sucking up to all the girls… they’re a sucker for the babies.

On that note… how about Grandpa and the baby

Like how I put that one bigger? It’s because you need to be wow’ed right about now. Or I guess this would be more of an awwhhhh moment.

Yes sir I’d be smiling too. (Well I guess it’s more of a grin, but yeah that’s what I’d be doing)

OK now let’s say our goodbyes to friends and family like mom and other lady.

Now for the moment you’ve all been waiting for.

(Side Note: This would have been a perfect time to pull out a picture of me… but alas. I have none… wait I have one of me at the reception… I’ll do something fun tomorrow)

Oh Young Love

Do you want to see her boquet? Did I need to ask?

Don’t just stand there gazing into eachother’s eyes… do something put your arms around eachother and … oh there you go… already doing it.

Yes we get the point

Oh ok we get it… you like eachother.

Haha like how I made it seem like all they ever did was kiss. Such power I wield as the blog editor!

More tender ahhh moments.

Well we’ve been spotted!

That didn’t last long back into eachother’s embrace they go

One could almost hear them say… “Oh Bobbie Jane I love you. Oh David I love you more. No I love you most.etc ” And of course all the while Bobbie Jane would be speaking in a southern bell accent because I mean her name is Bobbie Jane she simply must have an accent.

Ok Ok … nuf of this sappy stuff… I present to you socks and shoes in grass.

Rings on hands

And clenched hands… “never let go!”

A funny face should make you smile

Bye bye Bobbie Jane and David we’ll see you at your reception tomorrow… where we took an awful lot of pictures. Because well… we did.

Stay tuned tomorrow for the exciting conclusion… Bobbie Jane is excited… are you?

A Wedding Story: Idaho pt.1 is a post from: JarvieDigital Photography Blog

SMUGs

I’m heading the Utah County SMUG. (Smug Mug User Groups)

What is that? It’s a photography group meetup, sponsored by SmugMug but anyone can come even if they have no clue what SmugMug is… just a chance for photographers to get together, network and learn stuff. Oh and eat!

The SMUGs will be typically once a month on Tuesdays with guest speakers and fun events. If you have ideas pass them along.

In addition to guest speakers, possible photoshoots, training, we’ll probably combine past UPES events as well as Meet the Photographer events that more or less ceased when I no longer had a projector.

Yes people from other counties are invited just as we’ll be announcing and encouraging you go to the SLC SMUG group which meets every 3rd wednesday.

BBQ – Smug (September 14th)

The first event for us will be September 14th – It’ll be different. It’s a photographer BBQ – It will take place in Pleasant Grove at the residence of Jeremy Hall. More information to follow.

FLASH CAMP (September)

I’m going to do a 3rd Flash camp. Tentative date is september 10-11th – let me know if you want to be updated on the information. I would prefer mid-week but it’s no longer busy summer weekends and our models are more available weekends.

SmugMug training seminar (October)

as part of the SMUG user group meetup in early october we’ll be doing a longer event where we’ll train on SmugMug and answer any and all questions to get people up to speed. Someone from SmugMug will be in town for the event. It’s tentatively scheduled for october 5th – but don’t block out your calenders just yet as we might push it back a week if I end up in England that week.

4th annual charitable shoot (October)

We’re changing the name from charity to charitable because this year it’s all free and no money needed (thus no donations to charity) BUT… it will be on invite Only.

When, no idea, it’s fall themed so that will depend on the fall leaves. If you really really want to be invited give me a heads up now before I send out the emails. Or if you’re a past client make sure I have your email for when I send them out.

Pimp My Picture workshop (August 31)

I thought a fun way to learn how to edit or more specifically how I edit I’ll be doing an event where a bunch of photographers bring pictures to the event and I spend time editing them in my style and talking about what i’m doing, turning it into a fun teaching experience where you get the benefit of edited pictures and learning all about lightroom.

These are easy to set up. Since this will be the first of (possibly) many, I’ll make it free. I will give out 5 spots to the first 5 photographers who do a writeup on their blog about something related to this post (be creative) – it could also be a FB note if you don’t have a blog. Link back to this post and click on it and that way with analytics I’ll see who the first 5 people were.

If you win and can’t make the first one we’ll get you in on a future one. During the fall I might be able to make this a more frequent thing. Let’s start with this tuesday evening. Bring food.

Photowalking Utah

Keep checking out the events Photowalking Utah puts on

They have an event september 18th

Student-Intern

If you have a strong enough desire I might be looking for some new help in the office. With the 4th annual charitable shoot coming up along with other projects it’ll be a busy time around here.

Announcement time is a post from: JarvieDigital Photography Blog

Don’t worry he deserved it… well at the very least he asked for it.

This is him… doesn’t he look like he needed to be shot.

So let me walk you through how this all went down.

I get a call to do another photoshoot for a hair and makeup studio (a post here)

Then I think to myself I could do some more of these really cool setups.

I’ll put on facebook an offer for whoever has the best photoshoot idea. It was poorly worded because what I actually wanted was someone who’d work with me on a photoshoot… not someone with a fun photo op. They were saying go to this festival or this event thinking perhaps that’d net them family pictures later. I’m not sure.

But my Man Joshua understood what I was talking about. We were talking about something like this.

A creative process a team event… not something scott would show up to and take pictures at. I wanted something more involved where the client would play a part.

I also wanted something where the person was excited and willing to work at it.

Josh was into it, he polished up the bike, thought of a place and he thought through a bunch of ideas.

Did I use all of his ideas… nope. Did I use many… not sure.

I don’t recreate pictures in people’s minds but I LOVE when they have ideas that I can take and mold them with my own spin.

That’s what I tell everyone I say… be creative! I welcome it! But at the end of the day I’ll shoot what comes to me. But I feed off of their ideas and their passion and creativity.

Josh likes driving fast down this road.

Scott has never been on the road… so i’m obviously thinking….

(Dramatic pause because I obviously feel like you’re going to guess… I’m also hoping guess incorrectly because then I look like I’m so cool, and creative)

but yeah I love shooting in brand new places, I don’t even care if i’ve seen it before. I thrive on being put into new and sometimes hard situations.

This place has a pretty cool backdrop right?

The funny thing is we didn’t come here for portraits.

I didn’t care if we took portraits… because I was there to try something new

And I’ve obviously done plenty of portraits!

Sure edgy unique portraits spice things up a bit… maybe fun to play with the lighting a bit.

But in the end it wasn’t about portraits. So we didn’t spend long on them.

So you’re saying if you didn’t spend long then why so many?? Well…

It was just so easy. Might as well throw in a few to be safe… that way if everything else didn’t work out at least you have a few rockin portraits with the boy and his bike. (alliteration)

And even though i didn’t take too long… well I got a lot real fast.

Even a portrait of the bike alone.

But down to why I was there… to learn how to take some pics of a fast moving vehicle.

Well let me just say I thought I was gonna rock it and get something amazing… I didn’t. That’s OK I learned and I’m one step closer next time this comes accross my table.

Let me just step up to the podium and wax teach eloquent for a moment… You don’t just sit at home day in and day out doing whatever and then on the day of the big shoot dust off the camera and hope for amazing! Neither does a pro-baseball player, he doesn’t sit at home all day long and show up with just enough time to put on his cleats before the game starts.

I’ve had lots of people make jokes (which I like) about how at an event they can pretty much assume Jarvie will be bringing the camera and taking pictures. And they’re right… I do. The funny and sad thing is it’s a group of other photographers. I myself just LOVE to have a camera in my hand trying new things… I have for the last 5+ years! I feel more comfortable with it and trying things.

But if that wasn’t the case I’d be doing it anyway… I’d push myself, forcing myself to take more pictures and trying new things all the time if it happens to be a “boring” situation.

Anyway where was I.

Oh let’s just show another picture and continue.

I said we could try the crazy turns when you lay the bike down close to the ground but we need to go find a good curve and deal with all sorts of stuff and the time would mean we wouldn’t get a ton, or do you want to try more of a sure thing.

Maybe we’ll try the other thing one of these future days.

So we had a truck. Because I didn’t want to make him drive past me a hundred times. I had my buddy Will along for help on lighting or really we wouldn’t have been able to take these pictures… it would have all been a dark-blurry-mess.

I would lay down on the bed of the truck.

Some notes.

• Get a less traveled road
• Both drivers need to maintain constant speeds for the most part, specially the truck.

Another note: Headlights are hard to work with most of the time… but awesome some other times. It’s great

Above great! Below meh

There were certainly some other setting I should have tried with the whole headlights issue. Well light goes fast so we only have time for so much.

‘

Another note… I didn’t make him do this stuff. In fact I was telling him to cool it because really I wasn’t getting the stuff I wanted so no need to kill himself over it.

Another note… I actually don’t have any desire to ride motorcycles. I’m not a thrill seeker like this.

I’d gladly pose on a nice bike because they look cool.

But yeah there was just no one in my life who was into Bikes and I had no particular desire. But yeah people like driving motorcycles and good for them.

And yeah I’m sure Josh knows most people think he’s retarded for taking off his helmet for the shoot. But so it is.

I wasn’t going to tell him the wide beater look was totally cliche as well. haha

These are his pictures. I’m just using them for a post and for the experience.

That’s another thing… when I take pictures of people they better use them and show them off. Put them on facebook, their blog, websites… make up reasons.

My art isn’t meant to be hidden.

So next time I shoot you on your ninja but it up online and show the world.

OK so what would have happened different?

I would have started doing the blurred pictures earlier in the day before twilight because I can always go up higher on fstop and flash to get longer shutter speeds… but it got to the point for me I was having to do way way too long of shutter speeds and it would take too long. And I wouldn’t get enough blurryness on the ground because there was no light on it.

I should have charged up some spotlights and brought them along for some light on the road and stuff I wanted blurry for longer shots.

Get a statement from them saying that they won’t hold you liable and that they’re doing this because they want to and you didn’t make them… you know… in case… well you know.

A boom for the camera is an interesting idea, though I was able to get really really close anyway even with the 14-24

If i were to get a commercial shoot like this I’d definetely have to practice a couple more times to get used to it because it’s a different world than portraits.

Either that or the ideas I had were just really difficult to pull off.

I know some are like well dang they look pretty good… and that’s cool then.

OK now I’m racing to find a cool picture to end on… let’s see… what haven’t I shown already that I want people to see.

This was a bit more unique. A blurry mess and the main subject nice and in focus.

What’s the moral of the story?

Come up with a really cool photoshoot and propose it to me. We’ll see what happens, you never know. Maybe I’m wanting a challenge, maybe I’m not too busy, maybe I think it’s fun, maybe I make you do a lot of the ground work for it. Could be fun, doesn’t hurt to try.

I Shot a Biker is a post from: JarvieDigital Photography Blog

As in right here. (see above still… no new picture quite yet)

What the picture is of is not where I’m standing but the general area at which I was at. I promise it’s a real place, I did not lift it from Lord of the Rings or some fantisiful tale with dragons and fair madens.

Where is it? It’s a secret… only I get to know… you can’t have my precious! Only me… well and the other thousand people there that day… well I suppose the other (cough) few dozen million that have probably been there. And yet I will still maintain my secrecy and not tell you where it is… so don’t even dream of looking at the metadata and keywords of this post.

So yeah I drove a long way to get here… I had company and it was a sunny day… we sang songs and made several other scenic stops along the way. But let’s face it just telling the story of this final stop is probably going to take me longer than I actually have time for so we’ll make you wait in desperate anticipation for those other pictures. Right after I finish those pictures from may of 2008 from an awesome road trip that… well yep I still haven’t finished yet. woops. No I promise this time will be different. I will catch up one day… (voice trails off into the distance)

Oh yeah that’s right… we were in the middle of making you jealous of the cool places I get to go as a internationally famous amazingly gifted and supremely humble photographer.

BAM! Take that!

I’d like you to take notice of the water… it’s BLUE!

But I guess this isn’t even the most popular place around there… which makes me want to go back and see everything else. And it certainly wasn’t the best season, nor the best time of the day… actually it might have been one of the worst times of the day. But that’s when we showed up and we were on a tight schedule. Guess I’ll just have to go back. A nice morning sunrise, a flat still reflective lake, maybe some changing colors on the trees, a tad more snow capped. Oh or a big thundercloud in the background with a cool thunderbolt coming down in a slice of fury (I don’t know what a slice of fury means either) Oh how I like nice big dark puffy clouds… i like them in combination with beautiful blue skies. (i can have the best of both worlds can’t I?)

As I was saying… I worked it beacuse it was pretty rough lighting. I hear you’re supposed to wake up at 4am to get there for sunrise. But that didn’t happen so 1pm will have to do and we just focus on what we did have > Blue Skies.

In case you think it’s only because of the bluenicity that makes the picture appealing… take of this one which has a distinct lack of blueness… still perty! Right?

So check how we got up on a little hill to get the higher up shot. Nice fun perspective… we were on top of these rocks

So the day before we had plans to head up there with a bride and groom in their nice dress. But a couple of things… it was way cloudy and we didn’t know how visible the mountains in the background would be and with a 2-3hr drive would it be good… or should be keep taking pictures at the mansion and with the lamborghini… well that’s what happened. And the next day I came up here without them…

But I did grab some random girl that happened to be on top of the hill and tell her to look modelish… lucky for me she was quite the poser. So we layered it up (a phrase I’ve just created, which has nothing to do with layering clothes when it’s cold.)

Oh i can’t fool you all… she didn’t just happen to be there… she had come that long way in the car so Scott could have some company and someone to sing along with the music the whole trip up and tour guide through this foreign unknown land. Our frozen neighbors to the north. I learned from a song that we all want to be Canadians.

Don’t feel like you have to point out she’s pretty… I’m pretty sure she already knows that… no use inflating the Egos of our youth… let’s save that energy for the kind author of this post.

In case you think it’s just the blue water making the difference (because it is blue)… Take a gander

Now I know you’re saying to yourself… do you ever take vertically oriented pictures?

Well horizonatally oriented pics just happen to work better with both the scene and the blog… But so it makes you happy. Feast upon this.

On another note I told her that I’d get her the pictures, if every week for like 5 months she’ll change the picture to a new one from this shoot on her facebook. So she better make lots of about-to-be-married friends at BYU or become famous or something so my investment pays off. I know you’re asking yourself i didn’t know you even were friends with people with a measly 1153 friends on facebook. … well we gotta take a chance on some people. She’ll probably start doing musical theatre out here in Utah so them pics better get some traffic. haha

Thanks and you’re welcome.

I Went Here is a post from: JarvieDigital Photography Blog

(Shall I be more specific… I shoot people in the face… and if you don’t like that well then… Tough)

My name is Scott and I photographed a Reception and by “I Photographed a Reception” I mean that’s all I photographed.

Here’s my story:

This is Joel he’s a friend. He’s also a photographer. He’s also married!

He’s the groom. You could tell though couldn’t you. Without me saying you could tell… The coat, the flower, and yes of course the smile, the look on his face… you could tell couldn’t you.

This is Alicia, she agreed to marry Joel. Awww….

See here they are together. They like eachother.

Look they like eachother so much they’re showing it with a kiss of Joy after they’ve read outloud their thoughts to the audience

So like I said I photographed a wedding. Where you ask? Good question you…. Here

Where’s that? His parents house… pretty snazy I know. See take another look in B&W
Joel wants me to come back and do some photoshoots there… so if anyone is up for it. Aspens, Pine trees, green grass, water features, beautiful views of the mountains.

Well on with the story. I photographed a reception and at that reception there were a lot of people.

Say hello to smiling Grandma (I hope so she has the flower on that’s why I thought so)

Say hello to some parents (You ask which side? well here’s the funny part… I’m not sure… Usually I photograph for the entire day, maybe even two… by this time of the day I know everyone… but I was just doing reception pictures… but again he has a flower she has flowers, that’s how us photographers know who’s important. Oh and their interaction with the happy couple and all the relatives congratulating them)

People have fun on wedding days… look at this little guy having fun (well everyone seems to be having fun, it’s a wedding dangit! They’re all supposed to be happy)

Oh you want to see an upclose of the little dude with the hat… as you wish.

Two more please? Oh ok… done!

But really lets move on… Oh ok one more child.

But it was the day for Joel and Alicia… see how they were cutting a cake together. Such a pretty cake… if it weren’t their day I doubt they’d be allowed to slice that puppy up. Maybe they were just doing it anyway… but that looks like a happy smile and not so much a devious smile. Like: “I hope no one sees us cutting this thing up” Yeah well people cut up cakes to give to all their happy guests. Well let’s say they give to the guests to Make them Happy.

I even have proof they cut the cake.

They then fed the cake to eachother… (ready, set)

Giggle giggle she says… (scott doesn’t remember what happened here)

Shall we see another view of the cake?

Up close?

So if they brought cake to show how they can work together (cut something and feed it to eachother) and to make their guests happy, this begs the question what else did they do to make their guests happy?

I submit to you this picture into the evidence because the actual thing is gone… swallowed into the bellies of hundreds of people you don’t know.

I can’t tell in black & white… what is that?

Gelato that there is Gelato… It’s good because it’s Italian… and we all know everything Italian is amazing!! I will testify, I had some.

You could ask these two guys.

Oh they also had water for people and I’m happy to note… no one had a severe case of dehydration.

They did a good job making it an eye pleasing event for their friends and family. Like with flowers on tables like this one.

They wanted to remember people and they wanted people to share their thoughts, advice and perhaps make them laugh. So as people entered the venue they were encoraged to write a few words and leave them here.

Or like this bit of advice by “T”

People have good bits of wisdom.

Speaking of people I knew a few people at the event.This dude goes to church with me.

This guy lives near Joel and I was like… I know you somehow… How do I know you. We figured it out… Political events for a one Mike Lee (U.S. Senate Race)

I mean I don’t know him well enough to remember his name (even now) But he went home and added me on facebook. So we’re buds now!

I know these two guys as well they’re mutual friends with me and Joel …  They aren’t big fans of hair I guess Or it’s summer and they’re just keeping cool.

Well these guys were just chatting for a while… about what? I’m sure it’s about photography, since they’re both amazing photographers!

See the guy on the right was Joels wedding photographer. At the reception he became a guest and chatted up a storm.

His name is Kenneth and he’s from Europe… he’s a pretty big deal. Blog Him Up (That’s a new phrase it means check out his blog)

Hey don’t ask me why seperate your photographers, and do one for the wedding and family portraits and the other for the reception…I don’t ask questions, I just take pictures. I’m happy doing whatever I’m doing.

Me and Kenneth chatted for a while… I was jealous of his California Sun Bounce and Sun Swatter (on my christmas list) I can’t get myself to spending that much on something like that… but I welcome anyone to buy it for me.

I told Joel and probably Kenneth I found it neat that Joel picked two people from different eras with such different approaches to photography to do his wedding.

Oh and obviously two of the best in the universe… or galaxy… not sure which one.

…

More random Guests

Oh hey what were those crazy circle pictures that look like they’re looking out of a round window or a submarine. Looks like a caricature and is kinda funky… you know what I’m talking about Scott?

Yes I know what you’re talking about.

… This right?

What is that?

It’s called the “Jarvie Window” It’s a big deal why don’t you already know all about it? For shame.

Joel was pretty excited about it.

as were these people when they finally figured out why I was 2 inches from their face.

So right about this time you’re wondering what Alicia’s Ring looks like… maybe you want to see her, the ring up close all in this infamous Jarvie Window… I knew you’d ask… Bam!

So I’m about to wrap up… but I wanted to share the reason for the event.

What’s the reason, scott?

Well we have receptions so that people can express their love for the young couple so the young couple can express thanks for the part they played in their growing up and perhaps help young couples with this new segment of their live… WITH PRESENTS!!

Yay, we got a present they say!

What’s in it they ask… let’s check it out. It’s from our good friends

Apparently with an expression like that it must be a bar of pure gold or a puppy.

Well even better… now look ahead to the following picture to see the final conclusion.

The End

I Photographed a Reception is a post from: JarvieDigital Photography Blog

It’s also traditionally the time of the year I do a lot of small non-wedding photoshoots.

I shall embrace it this year and do a two month special. (November starts to get busy with out of state weddings again)

Don’t expect these prices after October 2010

(Some of these costs are HALF off or more)

Family Pictures $200 (Usually $500)

Family Lifestyle (full day) $1000 (Well over half off)

Headshots $120

Head shots “Office session” $60

Portrait Session $220 (Extended shoot $500) Includes Senior Pictures

Portrait Shoot “Office Session” – $125

Commercial Photoshoots $750 Half Day $1500 full day

Studio Photoshoots should add 20% to cost (For groups 1-10 in size, larger groups might need a different studio)

Weddings

• Are you really planning your wedding for less than 2 months without a photographer?
• I’m not complaining… that’s awesome! I’ll give you a screaming deal let’s talk.
• Engagements and bridals Will be half cost

Other Photo Sessions - Well I suppose you’ll need to ask as I can’t list everything.

Sometimes the best photoshoot ideas will win a free shoot if it’s unique enough

4th Annual Charitable Shoot – By invitation only this year

Prints & Rights –

• Prices do not include prints or print rights
• Print prices can be found on pg 13 of this booklet pdf
• Also print rights for small, large and original sized files can be purchased seperately.
• All these things are done online.
• Yes prices are much lower taking into account prints.

Travel

These prices do not represent travel costs.

Some larger photo-shoots might not involve a travel cost, however for the less expensive options they would not be reasonable to travel long distances without a cost associated.

“Office Session”

• Office is probably a misnomer as mostly this is done OUTSIDE
• I figure if you come to me I’m more than happy to charge less.
• It’s a great location and very convenient.
• Here’s an example of some of the spots
• There is some inside studio type opportunities. The office is not set for groups or multiple backgrounds. That would be at another location.

Missionaries - Should decide between Head shots or Portrait Session

Weekends

• Are mostly not available for most of these photo-shoots (Weekdays only)
• While we can’t block out time for weekends with these sessions, you can however check 1-2 days prior to a Saturday to see if it will be available.

FALL COLORS

• Please consider doing fall color photoshoots up in the mountains!
• And no I’m not sure when the colors will turn.
• And yes the Alpine loop is near and requires no travel costs specially American Fork Canyon

September-October Special Photography Pricing is a post from: JarvieDigital Photography Blog

OK so summer weddings are over. (Yes I’ll get them up as soon as I can to show)
So now what’s up?

Fall Plans

Fall will be filled with lots of random photo shoots… I can feel it now.
(Commercial photography, family pictures, portrait shoots galore and of course the 4th annual Charitable Event during the fall colors.)

I also feel a couple more Flash Camps coming on, along with some time and energy to put into other workshop.

Planning events for WHO? For future student-interns

To Qualify?

This time around what will qualify to come be a student-intern is jumping right into a project and proving you’re ambitious to learn and ready to work.

Each person will pick a project to lead and work on… and if they stick with it then I know to invest back into them. Teaching picture post processing skills and going to these workshop and learning events.

In the past we’ve had them pay to prove their intent but so often aspiring photographers have so many lenses to buy I thought this would be more beneficial… but if you want to prove intent with money or trade and jump right into training without the delay then so be it.

Who am I looking for?

People who are passionate about photography… and who want to free their schedule to learn… and are willing to work for it!

When?

Now! This week I’ve got tons of stuff to work on, so I’d probably cheat and start training on photo things right off the bat. (Then back to photo projects to prove)

How Long?

Well let’s just figure that out between the two of us and make each case individualistic this time around.

See a list of some of the past intern-students

Why “Student-Intern”?

Because I don’t do a proto-typical internship. It’s an exchange, I’ll teach you other stuff as you help me out here in the office. With the same perks of the internship, just I happen to provide events where I’m actually teaching as well.

Best kind of schedule?

Well the more you put into it the more you get out. That means people who go “All In” will learn tons and get tons out of it. Those who only have a little time to spare will probably only get a little bit out of it, including only a little bit of my time as well. Just so you know.

Learn what this full time intern got out of his short experience – Post

Learn More

Come into the office this week… you could even work on a project for a while with thoughts of starting up the student-internship experience later on in the year or beginning next year.

email me or call me as well

If there are any other frequently asked questions… perhaps I shall update this.

Fall Teaching Plans (Student-Internships) is a post from: JarvieDigital Photography Blog

Lamborghini Formals – Teaser is a post from: JarvieDigital Photography Blog

(Above is a picture from a wedding… done 5yrs ago)

Oh how times have changed.

Back in 2005 I did my first wedding. By september of 2005 I was doing the 3rd? wedding… i think. My prices were a bit lower (and by a bit I mean the geo metro vs. steam roller comparison) But you know I’m a bit better (queue similar comparison)

Now and then

It was funny to edit an egnagement shoot I took this week compared to re-selecting re-editing pictures from 5yrs ago. I end up with more useable and awesome pictures in a simple engagement shoot than a full day wedding.

(Above – from engagements Done this week August 2010)

The thing is I never had complaints… not even back then. They always seemed to be very happy with what they got. Most all of them are still great friends and follow the blogs and communicate on facebook. They know the deal they got back then, back when they were poor college student and 300-500$ for a wedding was a the extent of their budgets and I was the right man for the job.

What changed

Photographers will often cringe looking back at what they did so long ago… and try to convince people they’re not the same person.

• What I’m doing is going back and saying maybe it’s not what I’m doing now but… a big part is the finished product…
• I didn’t have the lighting set ups i do now… Flashes or Reflectors
• I didn’t have bunch of  $2k lenses i do now.
• I didn’t have assistants.
• I was using a D70 a kit lens 18-70 3.5-5.6
• There was no bluring of the backgrounds and I think this was even before my big purchase of a 50mm f/1.8
• Oh and did I mention the experience of 140+ weddings

But what can I do about it now??

Well I teach simple quick edits in lightroom to vastly improve pictures. There was no Lightroom when I did this wedding… the first Beta of lightroom even came out after this.

We can’t redo what we did 5yrs ago… but we can re-edit.

What do I have at my command now?

• A calibrated Monitor 30″ to improve my ability to really see the picture.
• I can focus on color quality of which the d70 vs d700 nikon has come a LONG way
• Using an old 17″ screen back in those days compared to my 30″ now I can really tell which pictures are in focus!!
• Lightroom can help me cheat back a bit of in-focusness into pictures.
• D70 had lots of noise so tadah the noise reduction of LR3
• I now know if the colors were butt ugly how split tones desaturations and even convert to B&W can help.
• Did i mention I can do all these things and re-edit a full wedding in a fraction of the time it took back then.
• Doesn’t hurt that I’m editing much mucho less pictures. Partly because I’m just choosing less and because I had less good pictures from weddings back then.

I know many are just skipping to the before and afters and skipping all this write up. But keep in mind these aren’t a before editing after editing… these are the finals that I gave them back in 05 probably editing on photoshop elements

Oh and keep in mind I’m re-editing JPGs

How do I feel about the past?

Ask me if I’m proud of what I did in 2005…. Do it… ask me?

Yes… yes I am. For what I had and the training I had, the equipment, the times of day I had to shoot. The situations… I rocked it! They certainly got their money worth. They were taking a big gamble on me and it turned out alright for them. All of them… I’ve always charged less than I could have. Which made the gamble and the investment a bit easier to bare.

Aint such a bad strategy to under charge and over deliver. After all I owe my career and lifestyle and dream job to the trust that these couples put in me. That and the 15hrs a day for 5yrs straight.

Should you pay for something like this now?

Would I hire someone for $300 for that level of work now? No way! The cameras are soooo much better… the color quality alone is crazy better. The amount of training available to people just 5yrs later… they better be tons better than that.

plus there has been 5yrs of a constant influx of better photographers and lots more good hobbiests. That that level doesn’t cut it for 2010 even for free. But for 2005 people were pretty happy with that stuff. And as we’ll see the framing and moments and stuff were still there. Not perfect but they were pretty snazy.

But dang that D70 had terrible colors (reminds me of the canon 50d bad) and that lens wasn’t sharp… but then again I was shooting at some high f-stops.

Imma gonna show some side by sides now… I’m about done reminiscing.

Deciding why they were the way they were.

These pictures almost look like I had started shooting RAW but hadn’t figured out that RAWs absolutely have to be editing because it’s required… whereas JPGs are already edited by the camera software. So I don’t think I knew how to handle working in raw quite yet.

That being said I’m not even editing the RAWs since I can’t find them. But I do have the JPGs so It’ll be a bit different to edit them.

(Above … the original of the same picture at the beginning of the post)

ORDER: New edit, (sometimes BW), Original Edit from 2005 (at the end)

To go through all old pictures and present re-edits of the pictures go here

Some more edits after the break

Get your pics pimped… how?

If you’re a wedding from 2005-2008 I might be able to do something like this. I edited 100 of this weddings’ pictures. (My selections)

But it does take work and time and so I’m not sure how to do it yet or what it might cost.

One thing is for sure… the most votes on this blog post for your wedding will probably win a re-edit. So have some friends speak up for your cause.

A “New”-Old wedding: 2005 is a post from: JarvieDigital Photography Blog

(Above and Below) pictures taken by me at a fun workshop “Flashcamp 2″

(Above) Pictures taken by me yesterday assisting at an engagement shoot. One of the many wedding related photoshoots I was able to go on.

What I learned with Scott:

• Be creative. There’s not always one solution to a problem. Whether it be wind, light or a shy model, you can always work around your original concept to create something different that fits the situation better.
• Don’t try to dictate your model’s expression or pose too much or else it becomes a photo that doesn’t reflect who they really are.
• You don’t need hours and hours of editing to make something look good. the simpler, the better.
• Be efficient. Don’t sacrifice quality for efficiency, but it never hurts to spare a few minutes at the end of the day. And those minutes add up more than you’d think.
• Repetition. Repetition. Repetition. Doing lots and lots of one particular thing may be boring, but by the end of the day you will be better than anyone in the office at that one thing. cough cough keywording.
• You don’t always have to be looking through a lens to become a better photographer. After many “x-out sessions” i can attest that i truly am better at taking in-focus pictures. And while you might think “gee, that’s a pretty easy task to master”, the more in-focus pictures you have, the more good in-focus pictures you will have.
• Don’t forget to relax and have fun. Whether you’re shooting for a wedding or a guy on his motorcycle, the more relaxed you are, the more relaxed they will be. Photo shoots are also about building relationships.

And yes, i learned more than just life lessons. I went from being a photographer who never would dare use flash, to one who not only knows how to use it, but is in the market for some speed lights. I think that it takes a lot to influence my style but being around Scott while he is at a shoot has given me so many ideas about how to not necessarily change my style, but better it. I learned how to use Lightroom, too. Which, for better or worse has turned me away from the complicity of Photoshop. I have learned how to shoot in pitch black lighting situations and how to do it well. While my photography itself is still not anywhere near the quality of his, I’ve got all the tools i need to practice for years to come. And finally i learned how the real world works. Not just how to take a good picture but how to run a business and all the necessary things that go into it. That’s something they don’t teach you in Photography 101. All in all, I’d say not too shabby for a 17-year-old kid. Back east they’re gonna wonder what in the world kind of summer school I went to and I’ll have some crazy stories to tell them.

Now for all of you photographers who are looking to start a business but don’t have the knowledge or the experience to do so, this is your guy. Come be a full-time intern!

A Word From Scott

• I thought to myself if someone were willing to come all the way from Virginia just to do this they probably have some passion and committment which are HUGE in my opinion.
• Also being young and away from home both would lead to less distractions. Seems like so many people want to learn until the first jobs start coming in and then they’re done learning. But I had Will’s full attention and involvement. I could just assume he’d be at a shoot and that consistency-dependableness was eye opening to what makes someone awesome at this.
• He could see a job through from the beginning. From assisting and taking pictures at shoots, to “X-Out sessions”, picking, rating, keywording sessions (His favorite), solving all sorts of problems we’d come accross.
• I hoped that in such a short period of time (3 wks) I didn’t mind if he knew all the specifics but that he could take the principles so that he could apply them and solve his own questions and problems down the road.
• There are still plenty of things we didn’t go over but I’m pretty sure he knows How to Learn those things for himself now. Or he’s always invited back to slave away at the office.
• Oh hey this was the first time he’s been to a wedding and used flash or a reflector or lightroom or done blogs and probably a first for a bunch of other things.

So if people are interested in learning photography or doing a student-intern type thingy take a note from this kids play book. On that note I’ll probably look for someone to fill in where he’s left off. But now I’ll be looking to fill some big shoes.

He’s right… the more you put in the more you get out of it.

Thoughts on being a full-time photography intern (A guest post) is a post from: JarvieDigital Photography Blog

It’s important because I want to explain to present and future clients what I do and why I do it.

On this attempt I will do it in question and answer style

TOPICS: My Style, Posing, Good Clients, Soap Box

(Above) In this picture can you see the personalities of some of the subjects? If so it was successful.

QUESTIONS

What is my style of photography? – “Documentive”

What do you document? People, places and events and the feelings and personalities associated with them.

Are you passive or an active participant in the moment? Yes

How would you describe your approach? The subject and feeling first… done in the Jarvie style. NOT the art of Jarvie with happenstance visitors and models.

What’s the best compliment? A friend or family member telling a client that the picture is “SO YOU (Them)”

What the client doesn’t get? Directed poses from your favorite modeling magazine. (If your purpose is to look past the person at a product then perhaps those are proper.)

How much do you pose? In the comparative world I apparently pose almost none (so I’m told)… But I feel like I take control of the pose a lot more than people perceive. (Create the situation)

Why do you think you pose people a lot? Because I put them into the proper locations, and facing the right directions and having put them into the right situations the scenes usually just create themselves.

What are 5 important things in the interaction between the shooter and the person being shot?

1. That they like my work. (and therefore have trust.)
2. That they know I have their back and will tell them when they’re doing something that will look like crap. (Again… Trust)
3. That they don’t feel confined or limited in their personality or creativity.
4. That I don’t feel limited in what I am able to do.
5. They are able to act naturally around me.

Best way of posing? Take what someone does and enhance it. For example (above right) take how they sit and take it to the next level. Or make adjustments so nothing looks bad.

(Above Left) This was how they posed themselves. You can tell the little girl has a lot of character by the way she chose to stand. The best part is she did this herself with no coaxing from anyone.

One person’s fun and fancy pose is another person’s nightmare and stupidest thing ever.

Idea of a perfect client? Someone with lots of personality that feels ownership in being part of creating the perfect pictures.

Idea of a client you would rather not have? No passion for the result… but high expectations.

What you’d like to say to a client? This is a team process for us. I want you to want the best and work with me to create the best.

What you want to say to clients but won’t usually say? I want to tell them to be themselves… but I don’t, because there’s no need… they are already themselves and will act that way. I just need to put them in situations where they are comfortable and motivated to do so.

Would you rather (For a photoshoot) … Beautiful Appearance or Sparkling Personality? Sparkling Personality.

What you hate to hear during a shoot? Competent people being needy. (We both need to work together to strike doubt and worries from the photoshoot. So I claim part ownership in that problem)

What would help your clients prior to a photoshoot? To love my work and trust my abilities. That every shoot i do works out just fine so what is there to worry about?? When they can understand that they’ll just have fun and enjoy the moments and start focusing that energy with me towards the creative process.

Most common comment by grandmothers at weddings? You must really enjoy doing what you do… because you’re always smiling?

Funnest comment at weddings? You did such a great job (They haven’t seen a picture) I ask how do they know? “Because you handled yourself so well and made it enjoyable”

Do you like the very posed type of photography? Yes, I appreciate what those photographers and models do… but don’t feel the industry needs yet another photographer like that. I’ll try to stick with my strengths.

Who wouldn’t be the best candidates to shoot with me? Though I joke, it’s only a partial joke to say that: if you’re not comfortable with who you are then my style of bringing out who you are might not be your favorite. But on second glance we are often hard on ourselves and my objective is to bring out the BEST in others.

When does it call to break from this form? In some cases companies are trying to sell a product so they actually might want very little personality to show from models. This is understood.

See or create? I’m much more of a see the potential kind of dude. I don’t often go out with an specific idea in mind. (Although I appreciate that style) But based on lighting and the emotions and feelings I’ll look around and come up with the best scenario. I can bring out the best in any scenario I’ve learned to not wait for the most fortunate circumstances to take pictures.

(Above) I knew I was going to get on top of my car at some point in the shoot… when I saw the clouds and the lighting and understood the need for a couple more group shot options. When I saw how they interacted and the feeling of the group. This is when I decided to do a shoot like this. I didn’t have this shot in mind until about 1 minute before I pressed the button. (BTW I wouldn’t have minded if that cloud were a few dozen miles closer and bigger.)

A Motto? Don’t wait for the best situation make whatever situation you’re in the best you can.

What you want people to know about the photography industry?

• Anyone can take the best lighting, the best models, tons of time, great equipment and turn them into great pictures. But in our not-made up world with lower budgets and limited time. Learning to make the very best of any situation is true skill.
• Sometimes photographers can become well known for taking pictures at fancy, perfectly planned weddings or for taking portraits of beautiful superstars. This should neither be a reason for or against them. But be careful they rest on these things alone. (See what’s inside)
• Look for consistency. Just because there are 25 great pictures in their portfolio doesn’t mean your pictures are automatically going to look awesome.
• The experience is on par with the product. A misanthrope will tarnish your pictures forever with ugly memories.
• You don’t always get what you pay for… but you usually do. You need to be smart and informed.  Look for a good return on the investment. Most expensive is not the best, neither is least.

Most encouraging comment from a potential client when on the phone (or email)? We loved your work, but it was the personality we see in your work and in your writing that really sealed the deal.

What do you preach from your soap box?

• Deception in Marketing = Bad and Sad!
• Photographers who show their work in chronological galleries ONLY
• Symbolism. This deserves a post unto itself. If it were a couple I would encourage and work with them to internalize their feelings for eachother and things that are special to eachother. To include into the theme of the pictures. Nothing so big that it takes away from them or takes away from good solid photography.

There is a point an attraction becomes so overwhelming it turns into a distraction.

What is your stance on editing? While I can make any picture many times better with a few quick edits. My editing is about bringing attention to what is most important. I stick with bright, clean and simple… If someone views a picture and fixates on a series of edits I have made the picture about my editing and forgotten that it is about “People, places and events and the feelings and personalities associated with them.” I can edit as much or as little as needed as long as it has an end and an objective.

Will you pose? Well yeah of course, I’m not opposed to it. I posed this one (Above)… but it’s not my favorite shot because it doesn’t really match the personality I got from this girl. But then again I didn’t tell her the facial expression to have, so there’s plenty of her in it. But mainly I’ll do things that will put them in the way of the best lighting.

Q&A for present and future photography clients is a post from: JarvieDigital Photography Blog