Twenty, and Twenty More

For just over 20 years now, I’ve walked on this professional photographer’s road. This winding road has been full of wonderful moments, chance encounters, and interesting adventure. If we've met, you probably noticed that I enjoy meeting people. Hearing stories. Building relationships.

Beginning my career as a wedding photographer connected me to so many amazing people, many of whom do equally amazing things. Turns out, my style and personality partnered me with a crazy number of creatives for their nuptials. As the official 3rd-wheel-storyteller for these couples, I was able to form a strong bond and, oftentimes, develop a professional relationship past their big day. The strength of this foundation for my career cannot be overstated. There are not many days that pass where I don't have an exchange with a past wedding client. Some connect for a family portrait, others for a commercial gig. Many have become steadfast friends.

In 2013, I decided to step away from wedding photography to take a new road. Concentrating on taking back my weekends for my family and focusing on developing my commercial & corporate photography portfolio. The result has been amazing. We have created a new foundation and direction for our work for the next 20 years. Each year expanding our creative offerings to our loyal clients. Incorporating video production has become a larger part of our future. This has thrilled us on so many levels. We are storytellers with a knack for the smart, impactful message. Offering clients, whose goals we know so well, both video and stills is a win-win for everyone.

In early 2018, thanks to the ASMP, I invested in a 3 day workshop to better understand my craft. This was icing on the cake. An "Aha!" moment. Unlocking personal projects which have been sitting in the back of my head, and in some cases in old negative sleeves, for too long. Sometimes you have to invest in yourself to move on a clearer path. Be on the lookout as we unveil my personal projects on a more regular basis.

There are many to thank for helping guide me along the way. Kind of impossible to thank you all. But know this, if we've connected at some point along the way, I appreciate you and the impact you've had on us along the way.

Clients. Thank you for allowing CGP to be your visual ambassador on your journey into your future. The ride has been blast. We are so looking forward to continuing with you on your road.

Professionally, Steven E Gross gets a tip of the hat for opening my mind to photographing weddings as an art. Paul Elledge a nod for opening the vault to my personal projects. Each of these artists' skill & generosity have inspired me in so many ways. To all the assistants and partners who've been with us over the years, I thank you. Our work today is better because of you.

And finally, to my family. Chelsea, you've been such an incredible, supportive partner to this scatterbrained, self-employed, bald, creative soul. A rock. I'm grateful on so many levels that you picked up that phone in 1992, and looking forward to continuing our dance on this road. Boys, it's only recently that I'm realizing how fast your little legs had to walk in your early years to keep up with my long legs when we walked down any road. You've each inspired me in more ways than you can know. Keep working hard as you navigate your roads. To my large family, I love you. The support you've provided my creativity from my earliest memory is immeasurable. Sisters, thanks for teaching this man to love dancing. Oh, and Mom, thanks for providing me with my most valuable tools which I use every day. My ability to connect & make a person feel comfortable. Kind of important for a people photographer.

The road of these first 20 years has been amazing to reflect upon. The next 20 is wonderful to envision. This should be a special and enjoyable journey. We are excited to walk with you. Lets go.

Cheers,

Tips For Entrepreneurs & the 1099 Employee

Never Use a Phone Selfie  Your image matters, so using selfies from your phone for your employee portrait or your LinkedIn profile is a big no-no. Selfies don’t read professional, they just read lazy.

Don’t Use a ‘Night Out’ Photo  Everybody gets lucky with the perfect lighting, the best outfit, or perfectly styled hair on a night out with friends. But seriously, that photo is far from sending a professional message.

Find the Right Professional Photographer  Start looking at the work of professional photographers in your area. Be selective. Look through their portfolio with intention and discuss budget upfront. Creating an image that really exemplifies who you are requires a connection to the photographer.

Avoid Excessive Retouching  Stay away from too much Photoshop manipulation (or “airbrushing”). Chat with your photographer about their intentions for editing. Accenting your character and personality is what your photographer should strive to do. Keep a close eye on the work that is in their portfolios - do the people look like real, relatable people to you?

Purchase More Than One Photo  When going through proofs from your photo session, identify an image you need now and one for the future, then purchase two different images. This could be different poses in different shirts or jacket, hair up or down, etc. Ordering a couple of images up front will cut your cost in the future.

Create Consistency  Realize that the image you choose is your personal brand. Use it for at least a year (yes, a year!). A new image every week only works for models. Variety can be fun but doesn’t show stability and comfort in your skin. Be strong in your image and your brand will back it up.

Tips for Employers

Make Room in the Budget  Build photography into your annual budget. Going with several, cheaper photographers shows zero consistency and lack of commitment to your team. Customers recognize that!

Find The Right Photographer  Hire a quality, professional photographer that has a portfolio that matches the portrait style you’re looking for. Think about the kind of message you want to send. Do you want to portray corporate professionalism, fun personality, or somewhere in between?

Think Long Term  The photographer’s portfolio matters, but make sure they are someone you can (and want to) use again. Every company will face turnover, so consistent lighting and backgrounds are key. You want to know that the next person you hire will be added to the page and look like they were photographed on the same day as the others.

Say Goodbye to Stock Photography  We live in a world where hiring a professional photographer is only an email or call away. Having quality, original work featured on your website sets you apart from those who use stock images. Working with a photographer will give you more personalized images to differentiate your business. Take the opportunity to accentuate your team, your space, and your company.