As a photographer in the Outer Banks this happens about once a week
This morning a woman called for information about a family portrait on the beach in Corolla this summer, and during our conversation said that she had her family beach portrait done 2 years ago. I asked why didn’t she just call the outer banks photographer she has used used before, and she told me that she tried but that they weren’t in business any more. They were a husband and wife team ( which is fairly common), and had been around for a couple of years. She also said shared that her portraits were just ok.
It’s sad, but I hear this all of the time.
Photographers in the Outer Banks come and go all of the time. Most have little real experience, especially when working with large family groups. They put up a website with some stock pictures and start trying to get customers. I see them all of the time on the beach, and genuinly feel bad for their clients because I can tell they don’t have the lighting and directing/posing right. And I know from experience that for many of these families this is the first time that that have all been together in years, and in some instances, it may be the last. And to not have the perfect portrait from this occasion would be a sin.
There are a lot of photographers out there, how do choose the right one, the one that will do a perfect job for you?
Well, first you have to call and talk to them, e mail is good for the initial contact, but after that you need you need to talk.
You need to look at their images and see if they are truly portraits, and not just glorified snapshots……….and you have to remember that just because they take better pictures than you do doesn’t mean they are good.
You need to make sure that they have many years experience doing the type of portraits that you are requesting.
Even simple looking images like the ones above do not happen by accident, they are gently posed and directed.
So when you are ready, feel free to call me anytime at 800.646.5812 and we can chat about creating the perfect portrait for you and your family, one that you will love, and one that will be cherished for generations.
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Headshots
I preach all the time about the importance of headshots and first impressions, well here’s my new one, and it’s a selfie (check out the remote in my right hand), kind of a take off on the old 1950s/1960s (I can’t remember the photographers name) self portrait series of subjects holding the camera trigger in the frame.
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The sunsets here in Corolla rival those anywhere, here’s one from the other evening, taken with an iPhone
hope you like, you can see many more on my Instagram page
……and be sure to follow me on Instagram, I guarantee that your eyes will thank you :-)