How long have you been running your photography business?

I have been doing photography for six years as a business and have been studying various forms of art for the last 10. Also, I spent two years learning how to use Adobe Photoshop, and I must continue to learn as the programs upgrade all the time.

Where all do you do photo shoots?

I do most of my shoots on location somewhere within our community. I sometimes take my lighting equipment and make a makeshift “studio.” I have shot in Boise, Twin Falls, Phoenix Arizona, Idaho Falls, Heise, Pocatello and Blackfoot. Traveling is a fun part of my job. I get to do what I love in many amazing places.

What kind of photo shoots do you do?

I do all types of photo shoots: senior, couples, engagement, wedding and families. However, my favorite shoots are my Creative Portrait sessions where I take a more artistic approach to a portrait session. They are more creative in the sense of style and themes. I like more of the macabre images that you don't usually see around this area. I like to create art that you don't normally see around this area.

Why do you think it's still important for people to hire a professional photographer for big events, even though everyone has a camera in their pockets now?

I think it is important to hire a professional photographer for big events because it is an art form. It is something myself and other photographers have spent a lot of time learning about and perfecting. There are always new things to learn about photography. Everyone has a camera in their pockets nowadays, but they lack basic fundamental artistic skills to do that with a DSLR camera. Most phone cameras are very comparable to some DSLRs, and that is simply because technology has advanced so much. When you hire a professional photographer over someone who has a camera phone, you can guarantee that the photographer has spent many hours learning how to use all the functions of their camera. Examples: ISO, aperture, shutter speed, white balance and exposure. 

Also. the photographer has invested so much time in studying compositions, art forms and their style. People hire a photographer because they have “the eye” for catching small details other people can miss. So many things happen so fast during big events, like weddings, and some of those moments you cannot re-enact. For instance, the “first look” as a groom sees his bride walk down the aisle. Most photographers know that this is a very important shot and moment in their (clients’) lives and they know not to miss such a thing. All of these things come with experience and continued education within the photography world. Big events in your life contain so many moments that cannot be re-enacted: a wedding’s first kiss, the moment they say “I do,” the excitement on your family’s faces when you graduate. Professional photographers have an instinct to capture these specific images for their clients.

When you hire a professional photographer, you are not just hiring someone with a camera; you are hiring an artist with a specific style and an eye for natural beauty. We are able to help you preserve your special moments in your life in a way in which you are able to be happy about the finished product and display the images confidently.

Do you ever hear complaints about how much you charge for your services? (And if you're comfortable saying, how much do you charge?)

Charging customers is always a challenge depending on the area you are in. My best advice to photographers is to always make sure and charge what YOU are worth. Clients respect that you have invested in so much equipment and education so they realize that it is worth every penny. I have heard complaints about pricing because of the readily available camera phones that are out there. “Wow that is a lot” or “My friends can do it” is something that I have heard many times. I respect everyone's decision to go with a photographer that fits their needs, and I will back up what I charge, knowing what I have invested in. I run many specials on my social media pages, as well as my websites, so if you are able to budget the specials, I am always willing to work with you, as are most photographers. Photography is an investment, and you get what you pay for. You are not just paying someone to push the shutter button; you are paying for a small business, their education, their equipment and their specialized skill.

Can you walk me through your process from start to finish so as to explain to people that it's not just snapping a couple photos and posting them to your website?

The process of a photoshoot is much more complex than just showing up and taking a few photos.

My process is as follows. When I set up a Creative Portrait session, I spend usually a couple of hours talking with the client about what type of look and an overall artistic style they are looking for. When we agree upon a final theme, I usually go out and find props and outfits that fit what the client is looking for. Also, if there are any special effects, makeup or certain hair styles that they are looking for, I communicate with local cosmetologists and set up appointments for them to get their hair and makeup done. I then scout out a location that fits the desired theme, which can mean driving for hours making sure that parks are open, and if it’s in a location that requires a permit to shoot there, I must obtain a photography permit to go onto that location. On the day of the shoot, I must gather all props, batteries and lighting equipment needed for the session. If I need an assistant, I must coordinate with them to make sure they are available during that time-frame. I proceed to the photo session, which usually takes up to one hour and can sometimes be eight hours. When the session is over, I take all of the photos I have taken and load them to my computer (sometimes I take over 2,000 photos in a single session). I spend the next few hours going through all of the photos I take and I pick out the best ones to post-edit in photoshop. This process sometimes takes up to five hours. During the post-editing, I go through and edit lighting, skin tones, blemishes, glares (if they have glasses) and special effects, add textures and finalize the single image. Sometimes it takes three to four hours per photo to achieve the exact look I am looking for. Once this process is finished, I reconnect with my client, sending them previews of my work. If they have any other requests, I try and work with them to the best of my ability. Once I have the set of finalized photos, I copy them to a jump drive and then deliver it to the client. Sometimes I must travel to personally deliver the completed images directly to the client.

How much time do you spend on each photo shoot from start to finish?

Using my Creative Portrait photo shoot, I can spend anywhere between 15 to 20 hours on each photo session from start to finish. Each photo shoot is different in the level of time it takes to complete it. Most shoots are much longer than the “one-hour session timer” because of all of the steps it takes to compete each session.

I've heard from other people who own creative-type small businesses that some people say really dumb things to them like "I can do what you're doing," among other things. Have you ever heard any other comments like that, and if you have, how do you handle those situations?

I have heard plenty of times, “Oh it is just a fancy camera” and “I could do the same thing and not charge as much.” I handle these situations just like I handle my pricing: If you can find a better deal, then I am happy for you! I respect my work and I also respect other people’s visions. I am all for people embracing all of the amazing styles that we have in our area, it's really up to the client to decide what is best for them. The truth is, even the most basic cameras can take extraordinary images if the person using it has the knowledge to use it to the maximum power of it. I have spent many hours learning how to use my camera, Photoshop and various business practices. You get what you pay for — I cannot stress that enough. If a client likes what you can do but chooses someone else, they are not always going to get the specific style that they are looking for. I have heard many times people find the “deals” on Facebook for super cheap and upon receiving their final photos, they absolutely dislike them.

What's the hardest thing about your job?

The hardest thing about my job is finding your niche in a world full of photographers. We have an amazing community of photographers here, and I am happy to be one of them. Keeping up with technology is also a challenge because it updates and changes so quickly.

What do you love most about your job?

I love being able to be absolutely creative and artistic while doing this job — being able to talk about a vision with a client or model and having the ability to bring it to life. I also love working with all types of people. I believe everyone should do a photography session, no matter how you truly feel about yourself. One of my clients once told me that she had been wanting to lose weight before doing a shoot. Years went by and she never did the shoot until we worked together and achieved an amazing session. Seeing her confidence level raise up, feel good about herself and smile, THAT is what I love about what I do.

Is there anything else you'd like to say or debunk about your job?

I would like to debunk that photographers just have fancy cameras and that they are too expensive to get your pictures taken. Both statements are false. Photographers spend so much time learning so many little details about every camera they use. Next time you pick up a DSLR camera, try using manual mode and notice all the icons, graphs and numbers that change with every click of the shutter. Photography is an amazing world, and I am happy to be a part of it. Also, we have an amazing group of photographers in this area. If you are wanting to get a professional session done, there are options for every budget. Also, if you look at your pictures as an investment, it drastically changes how you see the final results. I am lucky to have worked with so many amazing local photographers in our community, and I can guarantee that there is the perfect photographer out there for every single client.

These comments have been edited for clarity and style.