Welcome to Issue IV of Total Exposure

FALL! 

Fall is officially here!  I hope you are enjoying it as much as I am.  So far the trees are turning JUST how I want them to - could a photographer ask for more in nature other than cooperation?   I don't think so.  

Apparently this time of year is a romantic time of year too.  Not only do we have Sweetest Day but I have also had two engagement shoots AND assisted in a wedding!   Both engagement shoots were outdoors and having Nature as a backdrop just enhanced the photographs.  The wedding party had their reception at Mapleside Farms in Brunswick Ohio.  This place is more than just an apple farm, it is a destination that combines a 50 mile view of the AMAZING apple orchards in the valley.  Truly a place to be seen, especially at this time of year.  Here is a quick glimpse of the above.                                                            

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

  

PETS!

In case anyone was interested in having any photographs taken of/with their pets, let it be known that I am branching out in that area.  I recently did a photo session with a horse called 'Cam'.  His owner called and said she had had him for a long time and wasn't sure how much longer he would be with them and would I, could I, please 'shoot' him.  "I shoot your pets" is not a new advertising slogan BTW - but I can never remember another way of phrasing this in time!  Luckily, people see the funny side of this.

Here is an example of my 'horse' photography.  The client LOVED this shot and has recommended me to her stable friends and hopefully more business will come my way from this!  Don't you love how Cam is smiling at the camera too?  With his grass-stained teeth! ?

  

 

MEMBERSHIPS!

I have recently had the pleasure of joining two great organizations. 

The first, is Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep .  

 

I first heard of this organization through a friend who had suffered the sadness and heartbreak of a miscarriage.  I thought it was a great way to help bereaved parents however, I wasn't at the point in my photography wherein I thought I would be of any help or assistance.  Then, a month or so ago, another friend suffered a miscarriage and NILMDTS immediately came to mind.  I was more than ready at this point and signed up becoming a Certified Affiliated Photographer. 

When a baby dies, a world is turned upside down.  There is confusion and sadness, fear and uncertainty that cannot be explained.  There is sorrow where there should be joy.  During this time, it might be impossible for families to know what they might need in order to heal their future.  This is the place where the NILMDTS foundation gently provides a helping hand and a healing of heart.  For families overcome by grief and pain, the idea of photographing their baby may not immediately occur to them.  Offering gentle and beautiful photography services in a compassionate and sensitive manner is the heart of the organization.  The soft, gentle heirloom photographs of these beautiful babies are an important part of the healing process.  They allow families to honor and cherish their babies and share the spirits of their lives.

Thus far I have helped one family, and while it IS truly a heartbreaking experience, the feeling of satisfaction that you get far overwhelms any of doubt.

 

The second Organization I joined is the WPPI - Wedding and Portrait Photographers International.  Joining this 'club' means that I will be given up-to-date information about the market out there, information I can pass on in my photography to new and existing clients, thus ensuring satisfaction all around.  

 

QUESTIONS.  AND ANSWERS SURPRISINGLY!

As I promised in the last issue, I would answer the questions that you have asked.  Questions that aren't necessarily on the FAQ list.  I should probably do something about that! :-)

 

OK, here goes. 

Question 1.  Why do your photographs not look like any of the other 'photographs' out there?

I assume that by this you mean they aren't the average 'say cheese' photographs.   I have always tried to be different.  I want a client to come to me and be surprised by what I offer them as their final prints.  Although I haven't been a photographer for long - long as in like the decades old photographers out there - I have always known from the start that I want to have my own style.  

At some point in the future, I want people to be able to look at a photograph and say "That's an Andrea Photograph if EVER I saw one!".  Now I know this may take a while :-)   A long while actually, but "start how you mean to go on" is the phrase I hear constantly thrown about so there you have it. I think that I have started to do this in a few photography sessions I have had.  In fact, I did a senior session back in July and three other parents who saw those pictures wanted me to do the same with their son/daughter so it can't be all that bad can it?  

There are several cookie cutter photographers out there and if a person/family is looking for the everyday type of photography, then they have the option of going to those other photographers.  I want to be KNOWN as a person having my own individual style.  

 

Question 2.  What equipment do you use?

Well, I am a Nikon girl at heart.  Ask any photographer which they prefer, Nikon or Canon and be prepared to sit down and be in for the long haul.  The Nikon/Canon debate is an old one, and the winner depends on who you are talking to and which one they own! :-)  I have a Nikon D200 with various lenses.   I have a full lighting system at the studio with various backdrops, and for outdoor shots - several reflectors and accessories.  Trust me, I have a lens for every occasion and you will not be disappointed with whatever I use.

 

Question 3.  What do you do in your spare time?

When I am not 'in-session' I am a part-time Communications Officer (Dispatcher) for the Mentor on the Lake Police Department.   I have worked there for almost four years. 

 

Question 4.  If you had to choose, what would be the ideal photography job?

I can honestly say that I have yet to come across a job that I have really disliked.  I try to meet with each of my clients beforehand to get an idea of who they are, what they are like and what would be the best way for me to photograph them.  I haven't come across anyone who has stumped me, in fact, my doing this has been mentioned as a PLUS as to why people refer me to their friends.   My ideal photography job would then be a job where I am shooting away and both myself and the client are unaware of time and neither of us cares as we are having fun.  I have to say that with each job I have done my clients have been very comfortable and this has shown in my photography - I like to think.  

 

Question 5.  Do you have assistants?

Officially no.  Unofficially, yes.  What I mean by this is that my friend Deana usually helps me out whether it is shooting WITH me or being a model and helping me out with ideas.  Deana is a nurse who is currently 'traveling' with her job.  She is in Massachusetts right now but is returning soon, where she will find her 'assistant' job vacated and ready for her.  However, if anyone EVER wants to come along on a shoot or just come out and spend some time with me, they are more than welcome.  Just drop me a line!

 

Last question....... number 6.  What has been your favorite place to shoot?

Well, as you can see from my galleries, I have traveled.  My favorite places aren't necessarily based on location but season.  England has always been a miserable place to shoot - grim and miserable (in most, not all places) and fog, rain and bad weather are AWESOME to shoot in.  Locally here in Ohio, when it is Fall, we have fantastic places to shoot with the trees all turning colors.  I think though, that even though I am really NOT a Winter person, Winter is my most favorite TIME to shoot anywhere.  Even the photographs I have taken on the beach in the snow have been some of my favorite ones.  I like to get up really early before anyone can disturb the snow that has fallen to take pictures. 

 

SPECIAL OFFER!

October is my birthday month and as I am a giving person, I will give a $5 discount from an 8x10 print and a $10 discount from an 11x14 print should anyone want to purchase a print through the month of November.  This offer will expire November 31st so HURRY, HURRY, HURRY!

 

and this ends Issue IV of Total Exposure.  Not as long as previous issues but thorough none-the-less with new information.   If you have ANY other questions drop me a line at andreaknapp@photographsbyandrea.com and I'll do my best to answer them!

 

I hope you have a happy next couple of months.